"You should have a drink.", you gave Astarion a slight nudge towards the dining room as the familiar feeling of being watched rested on you.

He looked you over briefly, searching for something in your face, before turning round and leaving. The way he walked was easier now, less tense. He must have been thirsty because as soon as you blinked he was out of sight.

Your eyes travelled through the large entrance hall.

A light breeze swayed the curtains. It smelled of fresh earth and green leaves. There had to be a window open somewhere.

You waited expectantly, one of your eyebrows raised.

"Don't you want to tell me anything?", you asked into the silence.

You could smell him.

Or was that just your imagination?

No, although there were so many people living under one roof in this house, you knew every single smell. Even Astarion's. Rosemary and mint.

The breeze grew stronger. It tore at the hem of your robe, sending goose bumps down your spine. How strange that the effect Astarion had on you still lasted. It secretly pained you to think that it wouldn't last much longer. Such changes usually didn't last long.

The words were already on your lips, your mouth was slightly open when Lorelei suddenly appeared next to you.

As if born out of nowhere, he stood there, his face as cold as freshly moulded ice, looking up at you.

"Platinum.", his voice sounded strangely hollow, not as singing as usual.

As your gaze travelled down to him over your shoulder, you thought he wasn't himself. His eyes were strangely dull. He must have woken up only a few moments ago, his hair hanging dishevelled over his shoulders. Still, the sight of him made you smile.

"It's nice to see you again.", you turned to him.

His hands lifted to pull the neckline of his sleep shirt tighter so you couldn't see too far down. Strange, otherwise he didn't care about being looked at. Lorelei was pretty and he knew how to capitalise on that.

With a raised hand, you brush a strand of hair from his forehead. His eyes travelled down. He turned his head away. As if he wanted to avoid you.

A sigh escaped you.

"My darling, I think it's time to settle our differences, don't you?", you bent down to kiss his cheek.

There it was again, that strange feeling. You felt like you were being watched. But Lorelei was standing there, right in front of you. Your nose twitched as you inhaled deeply.

Something clung to him, a smell you didn't recognise. Almost ashamed, Lorelei sucked in the air. A shadow flitted across his face and for a moment he looked like he wanted to punch you in the chest.

Another few moments of silence passed. A wind was still blowing through the house.

Then suddenly it was gone and the cold disappeared. Strange, you thought to yourself and raised your head to check whether you had imagined it all. But no, it couldn't be. You could still clearly smell the fresh air.

You frowned sceptically. There was something about this house that didn't belong here. Suddenly, Lorelei jumped towards you, his arms wrapped around your neck and a sob filled your ears.

"Platinum!", he gasped, his voice sounding like it was going to crack at any moment. "I think it's time to send him back."

Confused, you put your hands behind his back and bent down so he wouldn't have to stand on his toes.

Now, you noticed his scent. Lavender and hazelnut. Odd, because he almost always wore perfume to make his presence easily recognisable to everyone.

"Well, let's not be too quick now, my darling.", you said with a smile, both hands cupping his face.

He really was beautiful. That had been one of the reasons you had wanted to make him yours. But for some reason, that beauty didn't satisfy you the way the sight of Astarion did.

Astarion. Somehow the thought of him kept running through your head.

"I want him gone, Platinum.", Lorelei insisted with the pout of a child.

It could only have amused you more if he had stamped his foot on the floor.

"Lorelei.", a smile warmed your face as his name crossed your lips again. "I think you forget that I didn't bring him here for fun's sake. He is a compensation."

"Then treat him like one!", his fingers clawed into your collar. "Why else would you waste so much time with him? Feed him like a pet and teach him archery?"

There was definitely jealousy in him. Jealousy and worry.

Only about what?

Sighing, you turned your gaze away from him and took a quick look around. You really didn't need a spectator.

"If he starves to death, his master will be able to punish me. He's still not my mine.", and again something pricked your chest at these words.

Lorelei's mouth twisted grimly. His hands left. All that remained was a cold feeling. As if you had lost him.

"And the other one?", he asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "That Horren? I saw you... You looked at him, Platinum."

"Ilook at many men, for many live in this house."

"In his own room? He undressed in front of you."

There was this darkness in his eyes, this envy. You narrowed your eyes sceptically, tilted your head to look at him more closely.

"If you think I've touched him, then you should go to Horren.", you said calmly but still a little irritated by this endless argument. "He'll tell you exactly how it happened. Why it happened."

"I don't care! What bothers me is that your attention is on everyone in this house. Your desire...", all of a sudden he became silent. "You loved me once, Platinum."

"Ah!", your lips opened. "Is that what it is? Love?"

"Desire. To need me. Call it what you will, but what other use do I have for you?"

"My dear Lorelei, you don't need any use. I love having you in my house regardless.", you bent down to him but he took a step back.

"But that's not enough for me.", he growled. "Love me."

"You never loved me.", you suddenly blurted out. "We never loved each other and you knew that. We needed each other and now we don't. I let you go because you wanted me to, Lorelei."

Now his eyes were darker than ever.

"Then it must be time to say goodbye.", suddenly he was gone.