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She glared at him. "...You're an asshole." |
"Mmmh, but you love me." |
"That I do," she sighed into his chest, "...fine. I'll try to start coming to you for help, but I'm not going to guarantee anything," her voice dropped to a murmur, "It's not going to be easy for me." |
"Nothing with us ever is, darling." |
When Astarion got out of his trance again, it was morning. The sunlight made the dust particles in the room almost sparkle, but the warmth he usually felt after waking was gone. That's when he realized that Lyra was missing. One quick inhale had him turning towards the smell of her blood near the bedroom window. Well, more like she was in the window. She had lifted open the glass, and now she sat perched on the sill with her legs dangling off outside against the tavern wall. He could see how her body would sway slightly, trying to maintain her balance. |
"Sweetheart, are you sure that's a good idea? We wouldn't want to scar a child for life just because you decided to go splat on the street like a pathetic ice cream cone." |
She laughed in response, but it sent a chill down Astarion's spine. It lacked the warmth he was so used to. Then, he realized she was crying, or had been crying. |
"Is everything alright?" he asked tentatively. |
Astarion had to strain his ears to hear what she said, "...she's gone." She started to laugh, borderline hysterical, wet with her tears, "She's gone. She's gone." Her repetition made it sound like it was hard for her to believe. |
He began to say something, but she cut him off as she continued, sounding frantic, "She was my purpose, for so long. And before that—well—before that, my purpose was wiping out the Bhaalspawn. But now, with access to their temple, that should be a quick and easy feat. Then that purpose will be finished, too. That leaves the elder brain and everyone's personal things we need to take care of. After that, what will I do?" she whispered into the quiet morning overlooking Baldur's Gate. |
She had started to be a little less careful on windowsill, tilting more unsteadily, so Astarion had gotten up and made his way over to her. He held onto her arm and pulled it back slightly, trying to silently convince her to come back inside. She obliged and pulled herself up using the top of the window. With her feet on solid ground, Astarion could relax a little. Then, he grabbed her by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes, "You will live. We will live. Isn't that what you told me before I killed Cazador?" |
Her answer sounded too distant for his liking. He tried something else, "Without all this chaos in our lives, we could find a way for me to walk in the sun once more," he added on after a pause, "If you want." |
"Yes. Yes, that's...that's what I'll do," she said in a hushed voice to herself, staring out of the window into the distance. |
Astarion still felt uneasy, like there was something to what she was saying that he didn't know, but she at least seemed to be in a better mood than before, a little lighter. To try and distract her from whatever thoughts would come for her soon, he came up with an idea. |
He reached for her hands and held them in his. "Come on," he said, "Why don't we take a bath together since you're still covered in blood, my dear." She didn't protest as he began to pull her towards the bathroom. Their clothes were discarded quickly, and Lyra began to bring the water in the tub to a warm temperature with her magic. He crept up behind her, and his mouth started to trail over her back with a path of light kisses. |
Lyra shivered at the sensation. "I wouldn't try to distract someone who's carefully having to control fire." |
He smiled against her skin but did not heed her words. Instead, his lips started to suck on a patch of skin on her neck. Lyra's magic stuttered and vanished as she moaned quietly. Before Astarion knew it, he was being pushed into the tub, making water splash everywhere. Lyra got in soon after, and she leaned over him with her hand on the wall behind him. |
Astarion felt so small as she loomed over him, looking down at him with eyes full of desire. But he also felt so loved. She was looking at him like he was her world, and with what he saw through Karlach's eyes yesterday, he began to believe that he truly was. |
After a few passionate kisses, they started to wash each other. Lyra's strong hands found the tight spots in his muscles, and he melted under her touch as she massaged them softly. His hands raked through her hair, lathering the pink, bubbly soap and washed all the blood away. Then, with care and strength, she slipped herself underneath him to flip them around. She sat him in her lap as she took his place laying underneath him. Her fingers lightly trailed up and down his sides, making his skin tingle. Her grip grew firmer as she rested her hands on his thighs under the water, holding him in place. She gave a little squeeze, and Astarion involuntarily whimpered. |
With a new determination, she sat up and began to kiss everywhere she could get her mouth on. Astarion would be littered with hickeys across his chest for the next few days, and the thought made his stomach tighten with pleasure. Her lips came across his nipple, and he couldn't hold back the string of noises that fell from his mouth as she sucked. Needing air, she leaned away from him slightly and looked up into his eyes. Her lips glistened in the light that floated into the room. Astarion let his eyes drift down to wander over her body. He could see how her well-defined muscles strained to keep her sitting up at this angle and it made him feel like he would be blushing if he had a little more blood in him. |
At the thought of blood, he started to realize how hungry he was. His eyes looked towards her exposed neck, and then looked back to her eyes. She smirked at him, and she started to lean them both back. Her shoulders rested on the edge of the tub with her neck just above water. She reached her hand up around his neck and guided his head to her flesh. As he desperately bit into her, sucking her blood, she ran her fingers through his hair. He felt her tug at his curls slightly, and he stuttered out a moan, making a mess with the blood all over her shoulder. He also accidentally moved his fangs around in her skin, making her gasp. He looked up guiltily, but the face she was making didn't seem to be one of pain. |
Her face was flushed, and her eyes fluttered open. "Oh gods, don't look at me like that unless you want me to never stop kissing you." |
Well, he wouldn't exactly mind that, but he had no idea what she meant. He cocked his head to the side curiously, "Look at you like what?" |
"Little star, you've made a mess all over your face." |
"Oh." Embarrassed, he went to wipe his face, but Lyra quickly grabbed his hand to stop him. She started to wipe the blood with her hand and stuck her blood covered fingers into his mouth. He gladly licked them clean, not being able to hold back when the magnificent taste of her blood was on his tongue. When he was done, she pulled her fingers away and pushed his head back to her neck. |
"I know you're still hungry, my love." |
"No buts—feed. I'll cast lesser restoration if I have to." |
Convinced, he started to lick at the mess he made; he couldn't let any of it go to waste. Then, he inserted his fangs back into her neck. He drank until he heard her say his name softly. He pulled away with one last lick to the wound. Sated, he nestled his head into her neck as she softly brushed her fingers through his hair. This happened every time he fed, but it would never stop making him feel as safe as it did. |
With his body intertwined with hers as the water made their skin prune, this was something real, and he would savor every second. Whatever came next, no matter what, he wouldn't lose this. He just couldn't. |
"Lady Thorm!" Isobel looked up from her book when someone called for her. A servant rushed into the library, a big smile on the man’s face. "My Lady! Blessed news! The Moonmaiden’s emissary arrived in Reithwin! None other than Selûne’s own daughter!" |
Isobel smiled, her book was closed in an instant and she was out of her chair. "Oh, blessed news indeed! We shall come greet her ourselves." |
She instantly rushed to her father’s office, Ketheric smiling brightly too at the arrival of Selûne’s emissary. |
"We have been blessed, my dear daughter," he hummed happily, cupping Isobel's face and placing a soft kiss on her forehead. "It is the rarest of honors to have our Lady of Silver’s own daughter bestow her presence upon us mortals." |
"We will make sure her stay here is as pleasant as possible," Isobel said, nodding along to her father’s words. |
Soon, they were making their way into the town, to search for the emissary. They nodded to people they’ve passed, Isobel all but buzzing in anticipation. On the square, next to the big fountain in the middle, there was a big gathering of people. Even before they saw anything of note, Isobel's breath was stolen away as a wave of what she could only describe as divine power enveloping everyone who was close to the fountain. |
Somewhere in the front, Isobel saw her friends. She made her way over to them, her father somewhere behind her, talking and greeting people still. She smiled as her friends saw her, pulling her forward and between them, the girls were giggling, their cheeks dusted with a blush. Only for a moment was Isobel confused by their behavior and then she looked ahead. |
And just like that, nothing mattered at that moment. |
The woman in the center of the crowd was truly a divine being. In more ways than just her heritage. The daughter of Selûne was both beautiful and handsome beyond words, her golden hair half braided and almost glowing in the sun, the sun that was all but eclipsed by her bright smile. That woman was a daughter of Their Lady of Silver, and she was kneeling on the cobblestone, not caring about her fine trousers as she talked to the children who were offering her flowers and asking her questions. Isobel's heart both hammered away in her chest and felt at incredible peace as she looked at the woman. |
"Daughter of our Lady of Silver! We welcome you to our humble town!" Isobel was brought out of her stupor by her father’s voice. She watched the children reluctantly step back from the emissary before rushing over to their parents. And then the woman stood up. Even with the distance between them, Isobel realized that she needed to tilt her head up. She felt her body thrum as now she could see the perfect body in all its glory. The height, the thick strong muscles, the broad shoulders. |
"Master Ketheric Thorm! It is a great pleasure and honor to be here!" Oh, by the Moonmaiden’s grace, that voice. Strong, authoritative, but also oh so warm and scratchy and oh gods, Isobel had to bite the inside of her cheek to stifle a whimper that threatened to escape her. |
She jumped slightly when she felt an elbow nudge her side, her friends shoving her forward towards her father who was beckoning her over. Taking a deep breath she walked over, stopping next to Ketheric and praying that she would not make a complete fool of herself. |
"And this here, Dame Aylin, is my dear daughter, Isobel," the man hummed with a smile, introducing the two. |
If before, Isobel thought that the world melted away when she looked at the woman, Aylin, in that moment, nothing else existed but the two of them as their eyes met. |
Up close, Aylin was even taller than she thought, and ten times as handsome. And her eyes, Gods above, the woman’s eyes were the moonlight itself. Warm and welcoming but also so very intense as they looked at her, seemingly staring into Isobel's very soul. She felt like she could stare into those eyes for the rest of her days and never tire. |
Isobel didn’t know how long they had stayed like that. Could have been an eternity or could have been the briefest of seconds, but Aylin's smile broke the spell that they both were under. The woman leaned down, taking Isobel's hand in both of her own and brough it up to her lips. |
"Lady Isobel. It is the most blessed honor to meet you," Aylin said, kissing the back of her hand. Isobel didn’t know what to focus on, the warmth and callousness of the aasimar’s hands or the softness of her lips. |
"The honor is all mine, Dame Aylin." By some miracle, her voice didn’t waver, and her smile was small and polite. |
Her heart was hammering the whole time as they walked back to the Tower. She walked behind Ketheric and Aylin, the two talking about the state of Reithwin and the upcoming festival of the Moon as she took a moment to get her mind and heart to stop racing. On the approach to the Tower, Aylin moved to walk next to Isobel, focusing her whole attention on the half elf. |
The three of them were in the foyer of the Tower when Ketheric was called away and she was tasked with showing Dame Aylin to her quarters as she stayed as the honored guest of house Thorm. |
Isobel expected herself to be nervous around Aylin. Who wouldn’t be in the presence of a Goddess’ daughter? But she felt nothing but calm, peace, safety. She felt like she could fall into Aylin's arms and the aasimar would catch her and hold her like she was the most precious thing in the world. |
"I hope this is to your liking, Dame Aylin," Isobel said after they entered the rooms, her hands clasped together for she feared if they weren’t she’d give in to the powerful call and touch the demigod without permission, offending her beyond repair. |
"It is more than needed, truly, Lady Isobel. I am most accustomed to traveling with as little as a bedroll and sleeping with the starry sky as my roof," Aylin hummed, walking back over to Isobel after a brief look around her accommodations. "I thank you for your warm hospitality," the woman said, her voice low and tender as she smiled at Isobel. |
The second their eyes met again, the two were back in that tiny world that was just for them, where no one else mattered but them. |
"Dame Aylin," Isobel whispered, not knowing where the words came from, her heart once more starting its deafening rhythm in her chest. |
"Lady Isobel," Aylin replied, just as quietly, standing but a breath away from her, either one of them had to but sway and they would be pressed against one another. |
Isobel shuddered at the low raspy voice. She realized in that moment that she wanted nothing more than to step into the strong body, be wrapped in those thick, muscled arms and never leave. Something in her was telling her that those arms were where she belonged. |
But before she could perhaps say something that might regret or do something to embarrass herself the door opened, making both of them take a quick step back, to have a respectful distance between them. Both somehow managing to act as if nothing happened as Ketheric stepped into the room, making sure himself that Aylin was comfortable and happy with her rooms before he and Isobel left the aasimar to rest after her journey. |
"Father?" Isobel asked quietly when they were far enough away from the guest room. |
"Yes, my dear?" |
They both stopped as she turned to Ketheric, taking a moment to gather her thoughts and calm her wild heart. "When you first looked at mother... did you immediately know that she was the one?" |
Ketheric paused, looking carefully at his daughter, a slow realization dawning on her. His expression softened at the scared and confused expression on Isobel's face. He reached up, cupping his daughter’s face softly, thumbs brushing Isobel's cheeks. |
"I have, my dear. Is there someone... particular, that evoke such a revelation in you?" Ketheric asked, trying to catch Isobel's eyes. |
"No, no. I just... I was just wondering and..." Isobel suddenly stammered, looking anywhere but her father. "Sorry, pappa, I... I have some things to finish doing before dinner... I... I will see you later." Without further words she all but fled to her rooms. |
Once the door was closed and locked, Isobel clapped her hands against her burning cheeks as she panted, her thoughts racing at the neck braking speed. |
"Moonmaiden, guide me. What are these thoughts and feelings?" she whispered to herself, glancing up at the small personal altar of Selûne in her room. "Are you testing me?" The statue was stoically silent. |
It looked like she was going to figure it out on her own. |
That same evening Isobel could hardly pay attention to her food. The dinner was, as always, absolutely delicious but Aylin, intentionally or not, commanded all the attention in the room. All important people of Reithwin were gathered in Moonrise for the dinner in honor of Aylin’ arrival and each and every guest all but hung on aasimar’s every word. |
Isobel felt a light pang of shame when she thought that someone like the daughter of Selûne would be, perhaps, arrogant, entitled, and self-centered. She thought that it was a justified assumption. An immortal demigod, a child of a goddess ought to have pride in their heritage, in their status. |
And Aylin did have pride in who she was, in who her mother was. But there wasn’t an ounce of arrogance to accompany that. Aylin happily answered questions in regard to Selûne, or at least those she was at liberty to answer. She spoke of her travels and people she met along the way and monsters she helped slay. Everyone around the dinner table greedily drank in every single syllable the woman spoke, but none were perhaps greedier than Isobel herself. She had never met a storyteller as skilled as Aylin. |
The half elf reached for the symbol of Selûne hanging around her neck, squeezing in lightly and once more silently asking Selûne for guidance and, once again, receiving nothing but silence. Yet, when she looked up at Aylin, her heart skipped a beat at the bright, handsome smile and incredibly warm and welcoming disposition that pulled her in like a magnet. She had a feeling that the answer to her question was somewhere on the surface, she just needed to look a bit closer. |
Or, perhaps she wasn’t ready for the answer just yet. |
In the days that followed, Isobel would be Aylin's guide around Reithwin, showing her everything there was to see in their small town. She took her to all the important spots, letting the aasimar meet their artisans, teachers, and guides of the small community. The whole time she silently observed every interaction, fascinated by how focused and attentive Aylin was when conversing with each and every person she engaged in a conversation with. |
Even being who she was, standing out in the crowd like a beam of moonlight, she didn’t seem to truly distinguish herself from everyone else, talking to all as equal to her. And Isobel couldn’t help but ask Aylin about it. |
"We are all equal before our Lady of Silver," the aasimar said as they walked along the riverbank, the setting sun warming their backs. "I might be of Her flesh and blood, but She cares equally for all who dedicate themselves to Her. The only difference is that some are just in the beginning of their spiritual journey, and they might require more help and guidance." |
For a short while after that they walked in a comfortable silence as Isobel thought Aylin's words over. She was so deep in thought that she wasn’t really paying attention to where she was stepping. Her world suddenly tilted to the side and the ground slipped from under her feet. |
"Lady Isobel!" She heard Aylin's alarmed voice, felt her hand grab at her arm and then heard a rather surprised, "Shit!’ as the ground still disappeared from under her feet. A moment later both women splashed into the water. |
A cold sensation shot through Isobel, not only from the chilly water but also from what just happened. Oh, what shame! On accident, but she all but dunked Selûne’s emissary and daughter into the river! Isobel rushed to push her wet hair out of her face, an apology on her lips. Lips that stayed just slightly open at the picture before her. |
Aylin was straddling her legs, her clothing soaked through, and long golden hair plastered over her face as well. The half elf swallowed when she glimpsed an outline of the thick toned muscles through the wet cloth plastered to them, before focusing on the heaving chest. |
All the tension in Isobel's body melted at the sound of Aylin's laugh as she pushed her hair out of her face, her biceps straining against the soaked cloth of her tunic. |
"Lady Isobel, are you unharmed?" Aylin asked, her eyes studying the half elf intently, making sure she wasn’t injured. |
"I am quite alright, Dame Aylin. The only thing that is wounded is my pride that thrums with the pain of embarrassment," Isobel chuckled, doing her best to not stare too long. |
"But there’s no need to be embarrassed," the aasimar said, getting up and holding her hand out to Isobel. "I was rather lost in thought myself." |
The moment Isobel was pulled up to her feet, she almost instantly slipped on the river floor, flailing a moment before falling forward, instinctually wrapping her arms around Aylin, who in turn wrapped her own arms around Isobel. |
"Oh, Moonmaiden’s mercy, I am so... sorry..." Isobel's voice trailed off as she looked up. |
She was pressed flushed against Aylin, shielded from the outside world in the strong arms. Surprisingly, the paladin turned out to be rather... soft. With all of her steel-like muscles, there was a nice padding of fat that made her very pleasant to hug. And she was warm, so incredibly warm even as she was still soaked through in cold water. |
Isobel couldn’t help but follow droplets of water that trickled down the lines of handsome face, sharp jaw and down the strong neck muscles. By some unknown power she managed to not lean up and catch some of those droplets with her lips. She gasped at the feeling of strong hands giving her waist a squeeze. |
"I think we need to head back, Lady Isobel. While the sun is still out and it’s warm," Aylin whispered, her own eyes trailing over the half elf’s face. |
"Yes, you are right. Wouldn’t want to catch a cold." She paused, frowning for a moment. "Can a demigod catch a cold?" Isobel mumbled to herself, her cheeks coloring deeper with a blush as Aylin laughed at that. |
"I have never had a cold before but please, keep your voice down," Aylin whispered, leaning down and scooping Isobel into her arms, climbing out onto the shore. "You might give my mother ideas." As Aylin lowered her onto the ground, she unclasped her deep blue, mostly dry cloak, wrapping it around Isobel's shoulders, making the half elf blush deeper still as she bundled into it. |
Soon, the two returned to Moonrise, still soaking wet, but both were smiling and laughing as they entered the foyer. |
"By Moon’s light! Isobel! Dame Aylin! What happened to you both?" Ketheric called, quickly making his way over to the two, looking over their appearance. |
"The riverbank was way more cunning than we were. We were defeated," Aylin said with a chuckle, making Isobel giggle along. |
"It’s still rather slippery after the recent rain and well, we simply slipped," Isobel hummed, nodding to the aasimar’s words, and giving her father’s hands a squeeze. "We are alright, pappa, worry not. But a warm bath would be wonderful." |
Isobel smiled at her father’s laugh and a fond shake of his head. He walked them both upstairs, calling to the servants to have baths ready for them immediately. |
Later in the night, warm and dry, Isobel walked out onto her balcony, breathing in the cool air as she smiled at the beautiful moon and stars. She pulled the thick blue cloak tighter around herself, pressing her nose into the soft material, breathing in the scent that she swore was pure moonlight. She told herself that she’d return the cloak to Aylin the next day. |
A week later, neither of them would mention that Isobel still had it, even as she wore it around town. |
Isobel jumped as a bouquet of fresh night orchids seemingly appeared out of nowhere before her eyes. It smelled wonderful and the deep purple petals were vibrant still. She reached up, taking the flowers and bringing them closer to her face. |
"I saw these fresh orchids and thought of you, Lady Isobel," Aylin whispered, her breath ghosting over the pointed ear, sending shivers down the half elf’s spine. |
With a frown, Isobel looked at the flowers before saying, "I have mentioned that I like them weeks ago." |
"I find everything you say about yourself incredibly important." |
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