Chapter 3: A spawn's freedom
Fandom: Baldur's Gate 3
Warnings: Astarion's Cazador nightmare, blood drinking
Rating: 18+ (Adult, Minors DNI)
Additional tags: Protective father, Protective husband, Astarion has a wife at the beginning, Astarion is a dad at the beginning, Dadstarion, Tavstarion, Astarion is feral when it comes to protecting his babies and his wife.
Summary: Astarion picks up a new companion and he finds out how far Astarion is willing to go to protect his family. The vampire couple also discover a shared connection after realizing that they truly are free even if it's for a brief time.
Chapter 2 Link Below:
Crimson Tide Chapter 2: A Mother's Fury
Astarion and the party, came out of the forest and followed the trail.
"What is today's agenda?" Gale questioned as they walked along. Astarion looked at his map, he marked the Emerald Grove with charcoal.
"We need to find Halsin." He replied with a furrowed brow, Shadowheart sighed,
"And where do we even start to look?" She asked dramatically.
"We just have to walk until we find him." Astarion answered, he shrugged his shoulders.
"That's all we can do; we have no leads." He added. They continued walking up the road. Astarion folded the map and put it back into his satchel on his hip.
For a while they walked in silence, before Lae'zel's voice cut through the air.
"Astarion, how old are your spawn? They seem to rely heavily on you and your mate."
Astarion sighed, he'd rather not share his children's ages, but he indulged anyway.
"They are six years." He replied with a scowl.
"In elven years, human, or vampire?" Gale asked inquisitively,
"Years since they were born." Astarion bit back.
"You seem to be really bothered by such simple questions." Shadowheart inquired.
"Sorry for not answering stupid questions that strangers, I've known for a day ask." Astarion replied, his tone sharp and biting.
"We're just trying to make conversation. Like it or not, we're all on the tadpole wagon together now." Gale explained with a hand gesture. Astarion sighed again, he was getting irritated.
"Best we get to know each other better." Gale added after a few seconds of silence.
"I'm not answering any more questions today, wizard." Astarion scoffed as they walked up the road towards the Emerald Grove, Gale held up his hands in defense.
"Fine, fine." He said as he dropped the subject.
Artemis was lounging in front of hers and Astarion's tent, she looked up every so often to watch Aster and Astra, making sure they were safe. They were chasing each other around the camp, climbing on the rocks and playing tag.
"Tag! You're it!" Astra squealed with delight as she ran from her brother, Aster was hot on her heels. Even in their youth, their vampiric speed was noticeable.
They darted around camp, laughing joyfully. Artemis smiled fondly as she went back to her book. She skimmed over the words on the pages, her slim fingers flipping the pages delicately.
After a while, Artemis was fully immersed in the book and the twins played with sticks they found, sword fighting each other and giggling.
When the wind swept through, however, Artemis immediately put her book down. Someone was near, her keen sense of smell picked up the scent of a potent blood on the wind. She stood.
She readied herself, hearing the whoever it was approaching. She eased her stance once she saw Gale. She quirked one of her perfect brows.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, she looked over his shoulders to see if Astarion was with him or the women. She didn't see anyone else.
"Where is the rest of the party, where is Astarion?" She questioned, narrowing her eyes. Gale held up his hands,
"Nothing terrible has happened, Astarion just kicked me out of the party. He said, I annoyed him the most, so Wyll, the Blade of Frontiers, took my place." Gale shrugged, his lips pressing into a thin line.
Artemis smirked at him and folded her arms,
"You asked too many questions, I presume?" She said, Gale smiled innocently.
"Perhaps." He admitted.
"I suppose, I'll cozy up here then. Hope you and the little ones don't mind company." Gale continued as he looked around awkwardly.
"Not at all, it eases my mind a bit to know I'm not alone." Artemis smiled, Gale looked at her for a moment, his expression unreadable, then his cheeks tinged a pink tint.
"Good." He replied, he cleared his throat and pointed awkwardly at his tent,
"Then I will be over there if you need anything." He said as he walked over to his space, his pace was quick, and Artemis titled her head curiously.
Aster and Astra continued to play tag once the tension of the moment melted away. Artemis went back to her spot and sat back down, she picked up her book again and immersed herself into the world.
Meanwhile, Astarion and the party approached a couple of troubled siblings and a dying man. They went up to the scene, they were stopped by the young woman.
"Stop! Who are you?" She asked, Astarion was going to speak until a strange symbol glowed on her face. Something stirred within him-authority.
He was taken aback for a brief moment, before speaking in a low tone.
"Do not question me." He said, his companions looked at him surprised, his voice was commanding, worst yet, the woman yielded to it.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to question a true soul." She said submissively. Astarion felt the tadpole squirming, it was taking something he'd never get back.
"What happened?" He questioned, looking down at the dying man.
"An owlbear got him." The man spoke up, the man Edowin offered Astarion to come closer, he did. Their minds connected then, Astarion winced from the sensation, he was never going to get used to it.
"Take care of them for me."
Then he looked to his siblings and said,
"Obey him, he's a true soul, he'll...he'll." Before he could finish his sentence, Edowin died.
"Edowin! Ed!" The man cried out, the woman bowed her head.
"He's with the Absolute now." She said, she looked to Astarion and said,
"What should we do now, we were reporting to Edowin."
Astarion sighed and played along, though he saw it as pointless.
"Point me in the direction of the owlbear and then get out of here." Astarion explained.
"You mean, leave Ed here? I mean...I suppose he'd want us to move on." The man said stunned.
"The Owlbear is that cave just down the road." The woman said, she pointed in the exact direction, Astarion nodded. The two siblings then hurried off.
The corpse called out to Astarion, the hosts tadpole was eager. The pale elf wrinkled his nose and denied it access. The party watched as the worm broke free from the corpse and crawled out. Astarion let out a sound of disgust as he stepped back. Wyll ran up and crushed it under his boot.
Gale having witnessed the scene cried out in protest through the tadpole connection.
"Wyll! I would have loved to study that!"
Wyll answered him through the connection,
"Then you my friend, can study the bottom of my boot!"
Gale grumbled about it 'not being the same thing.' Before severing the connection abruptly. Wyll laughed as looked at Astarion, his brow was furrowed, he was clearly in thought.
"What's on your mind, Astarion?" Shadowheart questioned as she adjusted her weight, standing off to one side while folding her arms over her chest.
"This tadpole allows us to take control of others minds, bending them to our wills." He said as he stood there.
"It's a dangerous game to play." Shadowheart warned,
"She's right. We can't be playing with this unknown power." Wyll replied warily.
"We need to cleanse ourselves." Lae'zel snorted.
"Yes, I rather not feel the squirming company much longer." Astarion explained.
"Let's get this owlbear business sorted, then we'll head up the road further." Astarion continued. They headed down the bank towards the small creek, a giant cave came into view.
"That must be it." Shadowheart said.
Upon entering the cave, their steps were cautious, Astarion stalked like a predator. Though he stopped in his tracks when he heard the heavy footsteps.
They rounded the corner and saw the giant beast, Astarion's eyes widened as she loomed over him, her cub hiding behind her.
"No sudden movements." Astarion whispered to his companions, they all stood still. The elf slowly moved forward, the owlbear screeched loudly, making his sensitive hearing ring through his skull. He groaned as he held his head.
Astarion got his composure back, then he waved his arms like a bird flapping its wings. He roared back theatrically. Wyll snorted a laugh while Shadowheart and Lae'zel rolled their eyes.
"Seriously, Astarion?" Shadowheart mocked, much to her surprise though, the owlbear backed down.
"Look at that! It worked." Wyll laughed pointing at the scene. Astarion stood there triumphantly with a smirk as he rested his hands on his hips.
Artemis was completely engrossed in the book, Aster and Astra still chased each other around the camp, the little chaos goblins were climbing rocks and hiding in the bushes.
Gale looked around camp, he grumbled as he took out a couple scrolls and spoke the incantations with practiced ease. Then from another plain of existence, two tables appeared, then three chairs, then a desk. He smiled and moved the furniture to certain places around the camp.
Artemis looked up and raised her brows high, then she shook her head with a smile, going back to her book. She was a wizard herself, but some of them liked to speak of their many talents and for a lack of better words, show off.
"Hopeful that holds up." She said as she lazily scanned the book, delicately turning the page.
"Should hold up a for a week before it needs repairs." Gale told her, his voice chirpy as he stood back to admiring his decor skills. Artemis laughed lightly, shaking her head again.
Astra ran up to her mother, she held a lily flower, she picked from the pond.
"Look mummy!" She chirped cheerfully, her big toothy grin bright as she held the flower in her mother's face, Artemis laughed leaning back a bit.
"It's beautiful, my little moon." She smiled,
"It's for you! It's pink!" Astra squealed happily, Artemis laughed again, the sound was melodic,
"Why thank you, darling." She replied, taking the gift from her daughter. Astra skipped off to play with her brother, Artemis smiled fondly as she inspected the flower. She tucked it behind her ear and went back to reading, lounging comfortably as the laughing of her children filled the silence.
Astarion and the party approached a village, it was desecrated.
"What happened here?" Wyll questioned, Astarion looked around.
"They were raided." He replied, looking at the armored skeletons that lay about. Who knows how long they were there. Astarion's ears twitched then, Shadowheart noticed.
"What do you hear, Astarion?" She asked him curiously, the rogue followed the sound, turning them away from the village for the time being. The party followed him.
Astarion walked down the dirt path, his companions weren't sure what he was doing.
"Where is he leading us?" Wyll asked,
"I don't know." Shadowheart replied as they kept up with Astarion's quick pace.
They were about to question his intentions, until they heard barking. Astarion came upon the scene, it was a white Shepard pacing back and forth around his master's corpse.
Astarion immediately could tell the man was a courier of some kind by the satchel clutched in his hand and the many letters falling out. The dog growled territorial. Astarion knelt down, he took off his glove.
"It's okay boy, I don't mean any harm." He said as he held out his hand, the dog bent his ears back and cautiously stuck out his nose and smelt Astarion's hand. He backed down and growled still.
Astarion peered at the dog's collar and saw his name, he used that to his advantage.
"It's okay Scratch." He said softly, upon hearing his name, the dog's ears perked up, he wagged his tail and barked eagerly, looking at his master. Astarion sighed, knitting his eyebrows together and shook his head,
"I'm sorry boy, he's...dead." He said solemnly, Scratch bowed his head low, his tail fell behind him, a heartbroken whine left him.
"Oh, poor puppy." Shadowheart said in a dejected tone as she held her hands to her heart.
"Astarion, can we keep him? Please?" She asked innocently, her eyes glossy.
"You can stay with me at my camp, Scratch." Astarion told the dog, he barked and nudged his hand again, Astarion let him smell his hand again, catching the scent of the camp.
Scratch took one last look at his old master before slumping and heading back to the camp. Astarion sighed,
"Poor thing." He said as he stood again, he dusted the dirt from his knees.
"Didn't realize you could speak to animals." Wyll said with a deep chuckle.
"I have my moments." Astarion snorted as he turned his nose up and headed back up the trail towards the village. His companions followed in tow.
When they got back to the village, Astarion saw movement in the buildings,
"Something is planning an ambush." He said cautiously as they trekked through the ruined town. Their eyes glued to the shadows.
Before they got any farther, a voice called out.
"Oi! We got ya surrounded like! You go any further and we will skewer you like a boar! You try to run, and your backside will get the same treatment!"
Astarion put his hands on his hips, he could see the goblin. His keen eyes could see the same symbol from earlier, glowing on her face. The same sensation washed over him-authority.
"There will be no skewering today! Let me pass, you wouldn't defy me would you?" He questioned, his voice was commanding and low. Making his companions feel the presence of his tone.
"You're a true soul! M-my mistake sir! Go on through! You'll get no more trouble from us! Promise!" The goblin stammered, the others stood down and let them pass with no problems.
"Impressive, Astarion." Shadowheart complimented him,
"Are you surprised? I'm dangerously charming." Astarion smirked devilishly. Shadowheart rolled her eyes,
"Oh please." She scoffed, though a small hint of pink painted her cheeks.
Artemis was nose deep in her book, Gale was sorting out his scrolls and books on the new table he had conjured. Aster and Astra had worn themselves out and were in reverie.
Aster was sprawled out on his bedroll; Astra was curled up next to him. They were in a dreamless state, their mouths agape and their little freckled faces relaxed.
Suddenly a bark caught Artemis's attention, she quirked a perfect brow and stood, she headed towards the noise.
Scratch came from the tree line, barking cheerfully, Artemis smiled.
"Well hello." She chuckled, she bent down and read his tag,
"Scratch." She read aloud; the dog ruffed at her, wagging his tail happily. Artemis pet him.
"What's this?" Gale questioned walking up behind her,
"I don't know, this dog just showed up." Artemis replied as she continued to pet the dog.
"His name is Scratch, according to the tags on his collar." She added.
"Hang on." Gale said, he whispered an incantation.
"Hello friend." He said to Scratch,
"Oh hello! Can you understand me!" The dog asked,
"Yes, my friend and I are curious how you found us." Gale explained. Artemis waited patiently.
"Your lady friend here smells just like the new friend I met earlier! He was nice, he told me I could stay here!" Scratch said excitedly as he wagged.
"I see." Gale nodded; he looked down at Artemis.
"Astarion is his new friend and told him to come here." He explained,
"Hm, okay. I didn't think my husband to be a dog person." She laughed. She stood finally and stared at the dog.
"Well, welcome to the camp Scratch." She beamed, he barked at her and wagged his tail swiftly.
"I presume the twins will be delighted with the new friend." Gale laughed; Artemis smiled.
"Definitely." She replied. Scratch trotted off, smelling around and getting to know the area.
Night was approaching fast; dusk was kissing the horizon already. Astarion had explored the village basically from top to bottom. He had found a strange book in one of the cellars and he intent on reading it.
"We should head back to camp." Shadowheart suggested, the rest of the party agreed, they started to head back.
Meanwhile at the camp, Aster and Astra squealed as they ran around with Scratch, he playfully bounced around them, his tail wagging furiously and his tongue flapping around as he ran circles around them. They giggled hysterically.
"I still can't believe, daddy got us a puppy!" Astra squealed delightfully in a high-pitched toddler laugh.
Artemis lounged back with a smile; Gale was preparing dinner. He knew the vampires wouldn't eat, but he assumed the others would be back soon.
Artemis had caught a deer earlier and drank it dry with the twins help, now Gale skinned it with no terrible mess, not from the blood anyway. He laughed as he spoke,
"Benefits of having a family of vampires on your team, no bloody messes when skinning dinner."
His dagger cut along the fur and fat; he had done this a few times before in his youth. Artemis just smiled knowingly at him.
When night washed over the wilderness that's when Astarion and the party arrived back at camp, Gale was just finishing up cooking.
"You're just in time! Dinner is ready!" He bellowed, he dug in the backpack on the ground, pulling out bowls and spoons.
"Venison stew." Gale smirked as he started to dish out. Artemis greeted her husband with a sweet kiss, he hummed,
"You ate without me." He pouted, Artemis smiled at him,
"I'm sorry my love." She said, kissing him again.
"We can hunt together later." She promised between kisses; he smirked against her mouth. Wyll being new to camp, saw the twins and his heart melted, he thought of the little ones in the Grove.
He started to approach the unsuspecting twins, Gale and Shadowheart were conversing when they noticed. They exchanged a quick look, worry flashing across their faces.
Being the friendly fool he was, Wyll continued to approach, he was in earshot of them.
"Hello, little ones." He smiled gently as he waved. Aster and Astra looked up at him cautiously.
"Wyll! Wait!" Shadowheart called, but it was too late.
Before Wyll could get closer, Astarion was there in a flash. He bared his fangs viciously, hissing. A deep, guttural growl came from his chest.
"Do not step any closer." He warned, Wyll's eyes widened.
"Nine hells! You're a vampire!" He stammered as he attempted to reach for his blade. The companions started to approach.
"You're a monster!" He cried as he shakily took out his blade,
"Put that blade away or I'll show you a monster." Astarion threatened, his fangs elongated. He was in a protective stance, shielding his babes. Artemis came over, worryingly. Astarion grabbed her wrist and yanked her behind him.
Wyll held him at blade's length. Astarion only smirked,
"That won't kill me." He said, his voice dangerously low, Wyll shook as his eyes flashed between the others.
"Do something!" He cried,
"Wyll, it's okay. He's a..." Shadowheart started as she looked at Astarion for a moment before continuing,
"Our acquaintance, he has a tadpole as you saw. He's not too much of a threat."
"He's a vampire! They are known for their trickery and...and...and..." Wyll stammered,
"And what? Finish that sentence, Warlock. I dare you." Astarion challenged him.
"Stop, you're new. He doesn't know you yet, he's fiercely protective of his children." Shadowheart explained.
"His children! You turned innocent babes into spawn?!" Wyll cried as he got dangerously close to Astarion's heart with his rapier.
"They are mine!" Astarion yelled, he wasn't going to be accused of such sinful actions. He lunged at Wyll, biting him hard. The Warlock cried out; Artemis pulled her husband away. She was the only one as strong as him.
"Astarion!" She cried, Wyll clutched his neck. Blood seeped through his fingers.
"Vile creature!" He spat,
"The twins were born! They weren't turned! We are their biological parents." Artemis explained, holding back her feral husband.
"That's impossible!" Wyll sneered, still holding his neck where Astarion had bit him, Gale chimed in.
"Actually, it's true. It can happen, though it is rare."
Wyll looked at him, then at the twins that clutched the fabric of their father's trousers. Their resemblance to the two adult vampires was uncanny, he couldn't deny it. They were the biological children of Artemis and Astarion.
Only then did Wyll back down, he sheathed his weapon and backed away. He grimaced; his neck hurt.
"You don't have venom, do you?" He asked, his question was derogatory and said with vile tone.
"If I did, you wouldn't have lived long enough to feel it's effects." Astarion said darkly, his eyes glowing a brilliant crimson color in the dark. Shadowheart sighed and illuminated her hands in magic,
"Hold still." She said, she casted the spell then,
"Te Curo." She healed Wyll, his bite wound diminished along with the pain. The tension started to clear as well as Astarion relaxed slightly. The twins still clung to him, trembling.
Astra found the strength to speak,
"You're not going to hurt our daddy, are you?" She asked, her youthful voice trembled, her big doe eyes looking at Wyll.
"No, you have not to worry." He got a little too close and Astarion took a step forward, Wyll backed up again, holding up his hands defensively.
"I will not harm anyone. You have my word." He told the little vampling.
He backed up further and headed towards the fire, the rest of the companions followed him. Artemis rubbed Astarion's arm gently, calming the storm.
When he looked at her, his dangerous gaze, softened almost immediately, he cupped her face, she leaned into his touch.
"No one will ever hurt us again." He told her,
"Not as long as I still stand." He whispered, he rested his forehead against hers. She nodded, the twins let go of their father's trousers and sat back down.
Astarion pulled from Artemis and knelt in front of his children, he kissed the tops of their heads,
"Not to worry, my little stars. Daddy will always keep you safe." He promised them as he hugged them tightly, they returned his embrace lovingly.
Wyll got distance and spoke,
"Well, that was terrifying. Astarion, seemed nice when I met him at the Grove."
"He's just really protective of his children, so is his wife." Shadowheart explained. Gale laughed,
"Yeah, take it from me personally to never approach them without asking. Astarion body slammed me when I tried to talk to the little ones." He shook his head.
"That man is a good father." He added. Wyll sighed as he looked back at Astarion cuddling against his elflings. He wouldn't know a good father. His own father exiled him after all.
Later that night when all was quiet, the party of companions slept. Aster and Astra were deep in their reverie, Artemis was in reverie peacefully, she was having a dreamless rest. Astarion however was furrowing his brow as he twisted and turned in his reverie.
The forest was dark. Cold. Foreboding.
Astarion walked into the clearing, he looked around with a worrisome expression.
"Hello? Anyone there?" He questioned as he looked around still. Then came the voice he knew all too well, haughty, condescending.
"First, thou shalt not drink of the blood of thinking creatures." Cazador recited his rules. Astarion looked around for him, panic setting in.
"Master, I was just coming to see you." Astarion said fearfully, his voice trembled.
"Second thou shalt obey me in all things." Cazador continued.
"Absolutely. It's just that I was kidnapped by a tentacle faced..." Astarion tried to explain his absence. He stammered; his voice full of fear.
"Third, thou shalt not leave my side unless directed." Cazador went on, it's like he was there and wasn't at the same time. Astarion whipped around, looking for his master.
He could feel the old fear turning in his gut, but he forced himself to keep smiling as he often did before.
"Fourth, shalt know that thou art mine." Then Cazador appeared and Astarion's fear twisted painfully in his stomach, he choked out his words, his voice straining.
"Please, you have to forgive me!" Astarion pleaded with Cazador,
"Pathetic. As always. But at least you know your place." His master spoke, Astarion's face contorted in shame as he bowed his head low. Accepting the belittling.
"You are mine. Forever." Cazador said, his glowing crimson eyes pierced into Astarion's soul. Then it went black.
Astarion stood out of bed so fast, he almost tripped, he whipped around quickly, he was still in his tent, Artemis in reverie below him. Astarion knew he had to get back to Cazador quickly, if he's late, he'd be flayed...again.
Artemis stirred awake then, Astarion sat back down.
"Is everything okay, Star?" She asked concerned as she rubbed his arm. Astarion's face contorted in shame,
"I had another nightmare." He said bitterly, Artemis's brows knitted together in empathy,
"I'm sorry." She breathed as she continued to rub his arm. She sat up and pulled him in. He laid across her lap, her fingers ran through his curls as her nails raked across his scalp.
"Tell me." She encouraged him, Astarion shifted his position and looked up at her.
"He was reciting those stupid rules of his." He said, his tone was biting as he wrinkled his nose. Artemis scoffed as she continued to scratch her husband's head, it was a mindless act of comfort.
"He said I was his forever." Astarion added, his expression was that of dejection. Artemis shook her head,
"We aren't his. Not anymore. We've been conveniently lost." She told him.
"We have to face him eventually." Astarion said worryingly as he looked up at his wife.
"We will, but not any time soon. Let's not worry about it right now, okay? Let's enjoy our freedom while it lasts." She explained to him, still playing with his curls.
Astarion smiled, his wife's words were comforting. She was right, they should enjoy what freedom they do have, make the most of it while it lasts because who knows how much longer they actually have.
Astarion shifted, he looked like he contemplating something,
"Speak your mind, Starlight." Artemis said, noticing his expression.
"Can I try something?" Astarion asked, his voice was full of curiosity.
"What do you want to try?" Artemis answered his question with one of her own. Astarion sat up, he cupped her cheek.
"I've always wondered what drinking from you would be like. I read old notes of vampire blood being called, kin nectar." He explained.
"It's much more nutritional than mortal and animal blood." He continued, Artemis was reluctant at first, not because she mistrusted her husband, but feared if Cazador found out.
When she had time to think about it, however, she dismissed the idea of their master finding out. They were free of him right now, Artemis laid back. She moved her silvery hair and exposed her neck to her husband.
Astarion leaned down, his nose nuzzled her neck for a moment, inhaling her scent, it was a perfect mix of vanilla, lilac, and gooseberries. Then he opened his mouth and bared his fangs, he bit down onto her neck. Her blood rushed into his mouth; the forbidden fruit was divine.
Artemis's breath hitched and she instinctively wrapped her arms around her husband, his fangs were sharp like daggers, but soon the pain resided and was replaced by pleasure.
Astarion let out an involuntary groan as he drank from his wife. He couldn't stop. It was almost otherworldly. The first taste was pure temptation-cool, yet warm in a way that makes his senses flicker with surprise. There's a richness, a sweetness. Her blood is sophisticated.
It tingled on his tongue with an essence that felt like lightning-but with a warmth that spread like a soft, steady fire. Each drop seems to carry not just her vitality, but something far deeper...it's uniquely her, her very essence. It feels sacred. It's not just her blood, it's her. It was intoxicating.
Artemis could feel her blood rushing between them, she held her husband tighter.
Finally, Astarion willed himself to stop, he knew what would happen if he were to drain her and he would never be able to forgive himself if that happened.
He pulled away, her blood coated his lips.
"That was...exhilarating." He said, licking his lips, greedily lapping up every last drop of the kin nectar. He sat back on his knees, Artemis sat up, her husband's fangs marks already healed on her neck.
"It didn't hurt, did it?" He asked as he moved her hair from her face with a tender motion.
"No, it was...pleasurable." Artemis replied shyly.
"Do you mind if I try?" She asked, Astarion smirked as he laid down, he exposed his neck to his wife; eagerly awaiting her fangs. Artemis leaned down and just like Astarion had done, she nuzzled into his skin, inhaling his scent. He smelled of bergamot, rosemary, and a hint of brandy.
Her fangs teased his neck, the side that didn't have Cazador's marks. Astarion kept his eyes closed and reveled in the sensation. Artemis was careful and bit down. Astarion winced for a moment, but the pain diminished soon after. He exhaled softly as he held his wife close as she started to drink from him.
His blood was sharp, rich, and intoxicating. Like an age-old vintage, sweet and dark like velvet and smoke wrapped together. It has a warmth that promises comfort, but it's still a fire that burns-too tempting to ignore.
There's something familiar too, it's not just the taste of his blood; it's the taste of him, of his essence.
Astarion sighed as held his wife tighter, feeling his blood rushing between them, just like Artemis had when he drank from her.
When she pulled away, drops of his blood dripped onto his skin. She inhaled sharply, that really was exhilarating. Artemis licked her lips as the remnants of Astarion's taste lingered on her tongue.
"Are you okay?" She asked as she pet Astarion's hair, his eyes were closed and a blissful smile was plastered on his face, he nodded. He opened his eyes, and they were glossy, full of something she couldn't quite place.
Astarion sat up and captured Artemis's lips in a feverish kiss, she returned his eagerness with her own.
Upon pulling away after a few moments, he rested his forehead against hers. They sat there for a moment, then their eyes met. They smiled at each other shyly before getting back into their bedroll.
Astarion pulled Artemis into him, holding her waist, her back to his chest. He kissed her neck gently, they settled and slipped back into a dreamless reverie for the rest of the night.