The relationship between a narcissist and an empath is one-sided, where one is the giver and the other takes as much as they can, thus leaving the other dry. Much like a parasitic relationship, the empath in the relationship wants to help the other and provide a source of support and love to the narcissist, who thrives on this type of attention.

Given the manipulative and selfish tendencies of the narcissist, they end up driving the relationship and holding control of the relationship over the empath.