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silkiemae · 1 year

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Tower of Dawn by Sarah J Maas

My Rating: 4.25/5

Alright, so, Chaol, now Hand of the King, journeys across the Narrow Sea to get to Dorne…I mean, the Southern Continent to get his paralysis magically healed….I’ll talk about my feelings on that later.

For the most part, I really did enjoy this book. Maybe it’s because Aelin wasn’t in it but I found the three POV characters very likable. Even Chaol who I have been permanently referring to as Mayonnaise Boy has become a likable character to me.

It is very, VERY, obvious in this book more so than any of the others that SJM was heavily inspired by GOT for this series. By taking the terms Narrow Sea, Hand of the King and even calling Aelin in EoS The Queen Who Was Promised is something taken straight from GOT. (The Prince That Was Promised) There’s Aelin who is fire, Dorian who is ice. The Southern Continent is very clearly inspired by Dorne with their freestanding beliefs and inclusion of all peoples, etc. I could go on and on with the comparisons but I won’t. You get the gist.

While a lot of the information given in this book is very info-dumpy I thought it was interesting. I read that this was inspired by the Mongolian Empire and I’m not versed enough in that to know how accurate SJM was. All I can say was that it was definitely a different setting than the rest of the series and I feel like Antica is a paradise that I want to live in.

I don’t have many complaints about this book, to be honest. I really enjoyed Sartaq’s and Nesryn’s relationship. I like that they had a much slower burn than a lot of other couples in TOG and their relationship is a lot more understated and not super physical. I actually thought Sartaq was going to die for a second when they fought the spiders and if he had I would’ve applauded SJM for shocking me with a character death like that. (Sorcha doesn’t count, she was so pathetic and literally just a rebound to give Dorian male pain.) Despite the fact that Sartaq survives, I’m glad, because he is probably the only male love interest in this entire series whom I have zero issues with.

Even Yrene and Chaol’s relationship was well done, imo. I honestly think that Yrene is in love with Aelin though, you will never convince me that she wasn’t whole-heartedly in love with that girl for the years she spent at the Torre. She carried Aelin’s note around with her for years, never sold the brooch Aelin gave her. She shouldn’t have married Chaol and should’ve confessed her love to Aelin. (Sadly there are no lesbian POV characters in these books so I just have to use my imagination to ship couples. Yrene and Aelin. Manon and Elide. PLEASE)

Hasar was so disappointing to me tbh. She’s the first lesbian character introduced in teh series(and her ‘lover’ Renia, please stop using that term, SJM) and I HATED HER. Why? Because she was such a needless bitch at all times. Every shitty little comment she made to Chaol about how he still wasn’t walking. The way she manipulates Yrene and tries to force her towards Kashin. Like my GOD.

While I thought Yrene’s bedside manner in the beginning of the book was awful and actually kinda pissed me off because bitch you are a DOCTOR and Hafiza making you cure a man who needs your help isn’t ‘cruel to you’ it’s being pragmatic considering you took an OATH to HEAL PEOPLE regardless of who they are. I thought that was an interesting convo tbh. I liked the slow burn of Yrene and Chaol’s relationship. How they healed together internally as well as externally. I liked it a lot better than the slow burn healing part of Rowan and Aelin’s relationship(probably because there was no abusing of one another here)

Another thing that really started to grate on me was everyone trying to convince me that Kashin is a good man. If he was a good man he would accept Yrene’s no for an answer, tell his siblings to stop pushing them together and apologize for making her uncomfortable. But no. He keeps pushing and pushing. That does not a good man make.

Now for my biggest complaint.

Okay, so Chaol’s healing.

I know that people have said that his healing journey is ableist but the main reason I see people saying that it’s ableist is because of Chaol’s reaction to being paralyzed. He thinks it makes him less of a man in the beginning, etc. And while I can see why people would think this it also makes sense to me that Chaol would react that way. It makes sense to me that any able-bodied person would initially have a negative reaction when they lose so much mobility like that. I think anyone would be angry with themselves and with the world until they learn to accept it. I think that the first 70% of the book did a really good job slowly healing Chaol from his mental trauma and slowly regaining mobility. I think things could have been done differently though. If Rowan had managed to completely heal Chaol’s spine after the initial break and it was simply the Valg parasite preventing him from walking then they could’ve done it where Yrene spends all that time learning to fight the Valg and healing him from it, right? But then when she defeats the Valg I think that Chaol should’ve had to still do all the work that any other person who hasn’t had the use of their legs in months should’ve had to do. It should’ve been a super long grueling process back to the road to recovery. Chaol should’ve had to accept that he might not be back in fighting condition in time to participate in the war but there are other ways he can make himself useful. I don’t mind fantasy books magically healing people but I do think there should still be consequences for more serious magical injuries. If someone loses an arm, unless they have an ability to regrow limbs, they should have to learn to adapt to life without an arm. Just like anyone else who has lost an arm has had to do.

I think that Chaol’s muscles magically reverse-atrophying was the wrong move. Having him be able to stand and walk and run immediately after having the parasite healed was the wrong move and Yrene’s commentary about how he was so much better at sex now that he was healed was a terrible move.

In the end, Chaol’s back gets literally rebroken and he’s about to die. Obviously, he wouldn’t stay dead because this is a SJM book and she won’t let that happen. They will not let this poor man go. Like literally, just let him die. But instead they tie his life to Yrene’s as well as his injury. And this is the part that I just… I hated.

So now, Chaol’s injury is tied to Yrene’s magical ability. When she is depleted, he cannot stand. Now Chaol seems perfectly content wit this and says that using the chair and cane makes him no less of a man(which is true) but I can’t help but think that there will be days where Chaol feels extra bitter about his injury and then focuses that anger on his wife who he can now technically blame for his inability to walk if she’s depleted. Like will he be in pain when her magic is used? What if he guilts her into feeling bad for healing people because it puts him in pain? I just see so many things going wrong with this.

Oh completely forgot to mention that once again, SJM kills NO ONE. Chaol should've died, Hafiza should've died, Duva also probably should've died. Falkan definitely should have. Like come oN kill SOMEBODY.

Okay, so that’s all folks.

#Sarah j maas #tower of dawn #throne of glass #chaol westfall #yrene towers #nesryn faliq #sartaq #book review

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elentiyawhitethorn · 2 years

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A Study in Human Behavior

12 Days of Rowaelin, December 28th

A winter activity gone wrong @rowaelinscourt

CW: language

12 Days of Rowaelin Masterlist//Main Masterlist//1054 words

“Yeah, Aelin, why didn’t you think of that?” Aelin muttered to herself sarcastically.

Remelle Bitchface—no, that wasn’t her real name, but it certainly should be—had just corrected Aelin on her Yulemas light hanging skills. And before that her snowflake cutting skills. And earlier her ability to put some gods-damn ornaments on a gods-damn tree. It seemed whatever she did, Remelle was there with some snippy, passive aggressive comment.

And Aelin just couldn’t fucking figure out why.

She was a freshman in college, and Remelle was a year or two ahead of her. They were in the same sociology class, a subject Aelin would actually enjoy were it not for Remelle. Their professor Mr. Malakai had asked the whole class to pitch in and decorate his classroom for the upcoming Yulemas as part of a social experiment.

“Like I’ll actually roll over and do it,” Aelin murmured, referring to how Remelle has ordered her to space the lights less on the wall. She didn’t often talk to herself, but Remelle had a way of driving Aelin insane.

She kept on stringing the lights her way, praying to Mala this would be over soon.

—

“I told you not to do it like that!” Remelle shrieked, the picture of a scorned damsel.

“Don’t worry, I heard you.”

“Then why didn’t you do it?” she gasped.

Aelin rolled her eyes. “Because I didn’t want to.”

Remelle pouted hard enough that several of the guys in the room sent Aelin glares. It was a struggle not to roll her eyes once more. “It looks bad this way,” she insisted.

Aelin shrugged. “That’s a matter of opinion.”

The class had finished decorating the room. Aelin had continued decorating the lights her way, not even much different than how Remelle had requested, and she was now throwing a fit about it. Aelin hadn’t imagined this activity could be very revealing for Mr. Malakai, who was sitting in the back throughout scribbling in his notepad. Apparently she’d been wrong. This was certainly giving him something to muse over.

“Well my opinion matters more than yours, because you clearly have no idea how to do anything. I’ve had to correct you every step of the way.”

“Hm, that seems like a lot to dissect right there,” Aelin fired back cooly. “You feel compelled to correct me despite an absolute lack of necessity in doing so. What do you think that says about you, Remelle?”

Oh, Mr. Malakai was eating this up.

A couple people snorted, much to Aelin’s glee. She was delighted to find one of those people was Rowan Whitethorn, who was now trying to keep his lips from twitching. Rowan was fairly nice, or so he seemed. Aelin didn’t know him well. She was really only pleased with his amusement because of the hurt look on Remelle’s face. He was her “one true love”—not Aelin’s words—and his humor at Remelle being dissed, accompanied by his continuous rejection of her, had Aelin over the moon.

“You think you’re so cute, don’t you?” Remelle hissed.

“I really do.”

She huffed. “You are just a pathetic little wannabe, Aelin Galathynius. No one will ever like you, or love you, or be able to look at you without wanting to puke.”

Aelin raised an eyebrow. “Do you have anger issues, Remelle? This could be very pertinent to the experiment. What do you think the trigger was?”

A few more people laughed, and Aelin swore to all that was holy she saw Mr. Malakai chuckle behind his hand.

“Ugh!” Remelle screamed. “I hate you! You think you’re so clever with your stupid sociology jokes, just deflecting everything I say because you know it’s true. I’m so done with this!” She stormed over to the classroom door and flung it open, pulling it shut after herself. The door slammed so hard the wreath fell off.

“Thank you all for this marvelous insight on human social behavior,” Mr. Malakai concluded without a pause. “I appreciate your participation. You may leave.”

Aelin loved their professor.

Smiling slightly to herself, Aelin headed out the door before anyone else. She may have succeeded on pissing Remelle off, but she still didn’t want to stick around. Aelin took off down the hallways, outside of the building, and down the sidewalk, long strides taking her quickly. Aelin was a ways down the sidewalk when she heard someone call after her.

“Aelin! Wait up!”

Aelin stopped and spun around to find Rowan chasing after her, panting slightly.

“I thought you were supposed to be a jock,” Aelin commented remorselessly when Rowan finally caught up with her.

He let out a breathy laugh. “You’re a hard person to get alone.”

Aelin chuckled nervously. “And why, exactly, did you need to do that?”

Rowan smiled. “That was pretty cool in there.”

Skeptical, Aelin crossed her arms. “Don’t tell me you really chased me all this way to tell me something I already know.”

He flashed a grin. “Actually, that was not my main purpose of this. I wanted to ask you on a date.”

“A… huh?”

Aelin racked her brain for words that rhymed with “date,” because Rowan Whitethorn most definitely had not just asked her out. No way.

He just shrugged. “It’s okay if you don’t. You just seem like a pretty cool person.”

Aelin nodded limply. “I’m, yeah, I’m that.”

Rowan laughed. “Think about it, okay?”

“Um, sure,” Aelin said, mind racing as she tried to process that.

Rowan smiled faintly. “Well. I should—”

Aelin cut him off by pressing her lips against his, fiercely and passionately. Rowan gasped into her mouth, then almost immediately started kissing her back. His mouth devoured her, lips sliding along hers and his teeth grazing her bottom lip.

Aelin finally pulled back. “I thought about it.”

“And what did you decide?” Rowan asked, equally breathless.

She grinned. “You can take me on a date.”

He laughed. “And what do you think that says about you, Aelin Galathynius? You make rash and dangerous decisions?” he teased.

Maybe he was somewhat as nerdy as she was. Aelin approved. “I was thinking more opportunistic and looking for an adventure.”

Rowan stepped in closer and extended his hand to her.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

He just smiled. “You want an adventure? I’ll take you on one.”

———

Tag List:

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@charlizeed

@evolving-dreamer

@feysand-loml

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#rowaelin #tog #a study in human behavior #my writing #12 days of rowaelin

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shyvioletcat · 3 years

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I have no idea if you’ve seen NCIS: LA, but they have an episode just like your fic Treacherous of two agents posing as a married couple in the suburbs!! It’s season 3 episode 22 for reference!

Prompt based on that: A comes home and sees blood, panics and follows the trail thinking B has been hurt/killed. Carefully pushes the door open and finds A has simply cut their foot and didn’t hear B

I have watched some and I did go looking for this episode but came up bust in my search. It could have provided some good inspiration I’m sure. We all love a good fake relationship.

*EDIT: TAGLIST DONE. Sorry if you’ve already seen it and are getting the notification.*

Treacherous Masterlist

~~~~~

Grabbing the shopping bags out of the boot of the car Rowan swept his foot under it to activate the automatic close, all the while suppressing a yawn. He was dead tired. Aelin had gotten her revenge after the pen incident, setting an alarm clock in his room to wake him up at exactly 3:47. The damned thing hadn’t been within reach so he had to get out of bed to turn it off. And from copious missions together Aelin knew once he was up, he was up so he’d hadn’t bothered to try and get back to sleep. Knowing her she might have set others up in the room anyway, even if he had tried to sleep again paranoia would have kept him awake. All the while she slept blissfully across the hall.

Being just the two of them in the house they hadn’t bothered to keep up the bed sharing part of the charade. They slept in separate rooms and thank the gods for that. If he didn’t have that space to himself he might have never been able to get away from her and have some quiet. Aelin seemed to fill every room she was in and it was suffocating for him… most of the time. She had a way with people he had admired at times, it was what made her such a good agent, especially when undercover. Not that he would ever tell her any of that. No need to inflate her already insufferable ego.

When he had grumpily asked her over his third cup of coffee why she’d chosen 3:47 exactly she’d smiled at him, bright and cheery as ever after sleeping in until 8 o’clock, and alluded to some lockeroom talk she’d heard about certain measurements—in millimetres. When he had rolled his eyes she had gone on to clarify she was talking about 30 and not just 3 he’d promptly left the room, well and truly done with her immaturity. Her laughter had chased him out.

Shifting the shopping bags so he could open the back door, Rowan entered the kitchen expecting to find Aelin in there preparing the food for the ridiculous party tomorrow while listening to some obnoxious music very loudly just to piss him off. But she wasn’t, in fact the house was silent.

“Aelin,” he called, stepping around the length of the counter.

That was when he saw the blood.

Rowan dropped the bags, things crushing on impact. The blood pooled in one spot, then splatters made a path across the tiles. He didn’t have a gun on him, but there were enough stashed around the house and he found one in a low kitchen drawer. It was pointed and ready in moments and Rowan made sure he didn’t disturb the blood on the linoleum floor.

“Aelin,” he called again. “Agent Galathynius.”

Still silence. He followed the trail of blood towards the small bathroom that was on the bottom level, his heart pounding in his ears. There wasn’t enough that the situation looked dire, but the assailant may have dragged her off to another location, hidden away from windows. Why hadn’t the team been alerted to anything? Where was the back-up? Panic started to fill him, but his training kept it under control. If something had happened to Aelin…

He shook his head to shake out the thought. She was a perfectly capable agent, one of the best. Rowan was overreacting and he needed to calm down. A deep breath in and he nudged the door, when there was no reaction he kicked it open, gun ready. Eyes darting around the room, his gun dropped to the side when he took in the scene before him.

Aelin was seated on the floor, holding wads of toilet paper on a wound on her foot, wincing from what he gathered to be pain. She hadn’t noticed his entrance and was still focused on her foot.

“Aelin,” Rowan said, but got no response, so he tried a little louder. “Aelin.”

She jumped looking up at him. “Why do you have a gun?”

“Did you not hear me calling out?” Rowan asked, putting the safety back on the gun.

Aelin took small earbuds out of her ears. “What?”

Rowan rubbed a hand over his face, panic turned to exasperation. “I called out to you and you didn’t answer.”

“Podcast,” she held up her earbuds in explanation. “But the gun?” Aelin then asked him, her attention going back to her foot.

“The blood trail…” he said but didn’t elaborate.

Aelin straightened where she sat and looked up at him, then laughed. “Did you think I’d been murdered in the bathtub?”

Rowan didn’t answer her question. “Would you mind telling me what happened exactly?”

Aelin sighed. “I was trying to cook and I knocked a knife off the counter and my hands were full so I couldn’t catch it. It nicked my foot and now here we are.”

“Okay,” Rowan said, the adrenaline finally settling and he knelt down to assess the injury.

“What are you doing?” Aelin brows were furrowed in confusion.

“Inspecting the cut, you can’t get at it from the right angle,” Rowan said, turning her foot and earning a hiss.

“I can do it myself,” Aelin said and tried to pull her foot away but Rowan held firm. She relented with an over dramatic sigh and leaned her back on the bathtub.

Aelin had already got down what he needed, so he cleaned the cut up and foot, putting a large bandaid on it to stop the bleeding. “There,” Rowan said succinctly, brushing a thumb unconsciously along Aelin’s arch before letting go, making her suppress a laugh. She was ticklish.

“Hmm,” Aelin said, looking at him curiously.

“What?” Rowan asked, standing and washing his hands. When he turned around to dry his hands on a towel she was still looking at him.

“Careful Whitethorn, someone might think you were concerned for my well-being if they found out about this.”

“Not likely,” Rowan scoffed. “It was the paperwork I was concerned about.”

Aelin snorted and walked past him, Rowan taking a moment before he followed. There had been a moment when… He shook his head. Concern for a partner was only natural, no matter the feelings of enmity between them. The two of them couldn’t stand each other, but that didn’t mean he wanted her hurt or dead. Rowan left the bathroom, headed for the kitchen to put away the groceries when he heard a frustrated exclamation.

“Are you serious, Rowan?”

Any concern he had felt evaporated at Aelin’s tone. Entering the kitchen he found her holding a carton of eggs, leaking yellow and clear goop. They must have cracked when he dropped the bags in his panic at the blood.

“You need to go get more,” she told him, dropping the ruined eggs in the trash.

“No, I am not,” Rowan groaned. He was tired, he didn’t want to take another trip to the grocery store across town.

“Oh, you are. I needed those eggs for the barbecue tomorrow, so because of your overreaction over a little bit of blood I am now eggless,” Aelin explained. There was no answer from him as Aelin unrolled some paper towel to clean up both egg and blood. “Off you go.”

Too tired to fight anymore Rowan just grabbed his keys and left to get more precious eggs.

~~~~~

Tags: @fucking-winchester-trash // @literary-licorice // @galyxsy // @tangledraysofsunshine // @highqueenofelfhame // @3am-reading // @soup-that-is-too-hawt // @aelinfire-bringer // @nalgenewhore // @highladyofthesith // @http-itsrebecca // @sleep-and-books // @alifletcher2012 // @westofmoon // @sleeping-and-books // @ttakeitbacknoww // @armixers-unite // @mariamuses // @chocolate-eating-bitch-queen // @velarian-trash // @queenofxhearts // @heroesofterrasen // @highladyofstoriesandmusic // @empire-of-wildfire // @camerooonchiu // @crackedship // @lowhangingtreebranches // @over300books // @yourwhisperingshadows // @thesirenwashere // @tswaney17 // @impossiblescissorspeachpaper // @cat5313 // @judelovescardan // @flowerspringsea // @chaoticskyy // @the-regal-warrior // @fanfictrash3000 // @blueeyes425 // @starseternalnighttriumphant // @bamchickawowow // @thehuntressofmoon // @giorgia-the-trashpanda // @flora-and-fae // @thereaderandfangirl // @illyrian-bookworm // @chemicha // @meltalgel // @gay-book-nerd // @that-odd-puzzle-piece // @i-love-all-books // @in-love-with-caramel-macchiato // @girl-who-reads-the-books // @hizqueen4life // @the-third-me // @1islessthan3books // @bestmelle // @cursebreaker29 // @b00kworm // @superspiritfestival // @aesthetics-11 // @maastrash // @mynewdreamwasyou // @the-last-apprentice // @charincharge // @firestarsandseneschals // @scarznstars // @absolute-dissapointment // @thesurielships // @df3ndyr // @trinitybailey2003 // @hellasblessed // @booknerdproblems // @larisssss // @sevenfreckles-for-sevenloves // @rolltide7 // @scandinavianromantic // @tillyrubes10 // @starwarsslytherin // @minaidss // @paytin77 // @jesstargaryenqueen // @anntheintrovert // @starbornvalkyrie // @loudphantomdragon // @woollycat22 // @claralady // @perseusannabeth // @fangirlprincess09 // @maddymelv // @sierrareads // @more-espresso-less-depresso-xx // @jlinez // @lysandra-ghost-leopard // @rowaelinismyotp // @pullnpeeltwizzlers // @anne-reads // @jadeaffliction // @gracie-rose // @elriel4life // @miserablesmusings // @tothestarswholistentodreamers // @littleboxofthunder // @empress-ofbloodshed // @booksbqueen // @rowanwhitethornisbae // @aelin-queen-of-terrasen // @alyx801 // @amandaswallowtail // @louiseleblancdiggory // @abookishfreak // @danibutterr // @nicetomeetyoufabi // @icantpeopletoday // @post-it-notes33 // @crystalfireandblazingice // @mariejulie2000 // @thegreyj // @thenerdandfandoms // @castielspelvis // @swankii-art-teacher // @grandma-noob-lord // @vanzetanze // @lizzyfirebringer // @aflickeringsoul // @highlady-brittney // @story-scribbler // @linguine-panini // @pastasiren // @surielandiareendgame // @charlizeed // @endlessdaydream // @magnifique1807 // @wordsafterhours //

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tomtenadia · 3 years

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Island Dreams - Chapter 6

* Insert greeting here according to your time zone.*

So, chapter 6 is here. A bit of development fro our two idiots. Hope you like it.

I have chapter 7 and 8 down but they need heavy editing. Also, last night I was inspired and I did manage to plot the skeleton of the story, so I know exactly where I am going. There should be 28 chapters and an epilogue.

Well, I hope, in the meantime that you will enjoy this one.

Spot the HoF references :)

---------

The next day Rowan was back at work. He opened on time as usual and a couple of tourists came into the shop but left quite quickly. Probably not impressed by the lack of tacky touristy stuff. He was working on re-organising a shelf when the door opened and he was not ready to see again the person who crossed the threshold. “Hey you.” The woman smiled at him tenderly. Rowan forgot how to breath. Aelin had her hair in a braid and a straw hat on her head. A nice colourful shirt and then his gaze trailed south. She was wearing shorts and the sight of her long tanned legs almost killed him. It looked like Aelin was ready to go on a tropical beach to suntan and relax all day. She was a goddess. And she was in front of him. Smiling. “Back at you.” He said, getting up slowly, not trusting his legs. He felt he could faint anytime at the sight. “I am here for my book.” A timid smile appeared on his lips then his legs finally moved and did manage to cover the few steps taking him to the counter. He grabbed the book and handed it to her. He hesitated for a moment, as if to try and have a conversation but then decide against. What was he going to say anyway?

“Have fun.” That was the safest comment he could make. “I bet you are dying to know how it finishes.” Aelin grabbed the book quite eagerly and held it to her chest “Hell yeah. The fake queen has lost her marbles and she deserves to die. Painfully if possible. And I can’t believe that the main couple got separated, they are at the opposite extremes of the continent and that bastard of trusted member of her court told her, her lover was dead. And the plot twist at the end?” Rowan laughed. Actually laughed and for Aelin it was the most beautiful sound she ever heard. The smile reached his eyes and he was even more stunning. “Be ready for a lot of angst though.” Aelin dismissed him with her hand “I eat angst for breakfast, lunch and dinner.” They were talking. Not about what happened but he did not care. “Have you read The cursed kingdom?” “Of course.” “Well, if I survived the angst of that book I can survive anything.” She explained. “I have a present for you.” Her book went on the floor and she began fumbling in her backpack, clearly looking for something. “Ah! Here it is.” In her hand there was a small rectangular packet wrapped in bookish paper. Rowan took it suspiciously and opened. At the sight of the gift a roaring laugh erupted from him. Such a genuine laugh that left Aelin stunned. That could not be the same person who told her she was nothing to him. “So now when you open the fridge you will think of me.” She explained, pointing at the tacky fridge magnet with Stornoway written on, now in his hands. He smiled and attached the magnet to his metal pen holder on his desk “I spend more time here than at my fridge. Now it will always be in front of me.” They were talking and laughing, it looked like somehow the fight they had was just a bad memory, but he could not forgive himself for what he said to her. How could he apologise for his behaviour? He was terrible at this kind of things. How was he going to explain the chaos that was his heart at the moment? Then he remembered about the dark haired guy and the book and sadness engulfed him. “I wanted to apologise.” She surprised him searching for his gaze. Her blue eyes met his and he could not look away. “I said horrible things.” She continued. Aelin placed the book on the counter and moved a step in his direction, closing the distance “I was having a bad day and I think I exploded and took it out on the wrong person.” Rowan moved a step closer to her as well “I said horrible things too. You were being nice and brought me coffee. It’s just that…” he paused. He was so bad at this “I am not good at communicating with people as you can see. You are not just a customer….” “Mo charaid” he heard her whisper and smiled. “You are learning…” he added. He extended his arm and took her hand in his “I’d love to try an be your friend.” With a swift motion he pulled her to him, to his chest and she felt amazing against him. She was shorter and her head fitted just under his chin. Her arms caught him off guard when they wrapped themselves around him. “I am a mess.” It was a whisper from her but he heard it “I am a mess. My life is going belly up and some days I feel like drowning.” She looked at him and for a moment he was speechless. There was so much pain and anguish in those beautiful blue eyes of hers. “I am lost…” She whispered never removing her gaze from him “…and I don’t know the way.” At those words, his heart ached. He hugged her tighter and hoped that his action would help. Maybe his actions would convey better his feelings. A hug was all he could give her just now, but he hoped it helped a little bit. “I am a bit of a mess too.” Finally he confessed to her. She was being honest to him. She deserved a bit of his honesty too. “A bit stuck, as my aunt would say.” She is stuck too. Aelin leaned back from the embrace and put a hand on his chest, near the heart “When you are ready.” His hand covered her on his heart “When we are both ready, we will tell each other our stories.” “We will help each other.” She added softly “And maybe we could find our way back together.” He nodded and felt lighter for a moment “Together then.” “To whatever end.” Said Aelin in a solemn tone. Rowan grinned “that’s cheesy. It sounds as if it came from an epic adventure where the main hero is ready to embark in a dangerous mission. Sitting on his horse, sword wielded high and he shouts that.” “I did read it in a book actually.” Commented Aelin, laughing at the scene he had painted. With a huff she pulled away from him and walked to a shelf, grabbed a book and when she returned she shoved it in his face “You even sell it.” Rowan grabbed the book from her hands and set it aside. He was definitely going to read it. “If you spoiler it, I’ll kill you with my own hands.” She stopped again right in front of him and looked up “To whatever end…” a faint smile painted her lips “It could be our motto.” He grabbed her hand and put it back on his heart “Sounds epic enough for the two of us.” They had made some progress but he could not stop thinking about the other guy. And he could not risk asking her. She had probably seen the note which meant she knew that he knew, but he decided to give her some space. Also, the two of them were just friends. But a pang of jealousy hit him nonetheless. Anger flooded in him at the thought that he might kiss her. Or worse. It was not his place to be so possessive but that nasty emotion had been festering in him since the day the stranger had come to buy the book for her. He pushed the bad thought away. Having her back and being her friend had to be enough for now. He could not give himself to her completely until he had dealt with his life and his issues. Then she looked past him and noticed the books on the floor and the empty shelf “were you rearranging books?” “Yeah, I was playing with history section. It needed a sprucing up.” He looked at her face lit up in joy. “Can I help you? I love rearranging books. Please? Pretty please?” There was no way he could resist her. Not when she pleaded with her radiant smile. He gave in. “Fine. come.” He moved away and all of a sudden he missed the contact with her hand. They both went to the shelf and Rowan started explaining her how he was planning to reshuffle the display. “We can put some of the best historical books on display on the table, to advertise them.” She grabbed a book about the neholitic settlements “Like this one. Or this one about the Iron Age house in Bosta.” She continued “It’s such a cool place.” “And how do you know about Bosta?” “I… I was there.” He saw her hesitate and wondered if she had been there with the other guy and hated the thought of the two of them together. It should have been him to take her to all these places. Take her to Callanish and make her smile with all the myths connected to the place. Go at night and have a picnic under the stars and the Milky Way. It should have been him. That was jealousy. Dark, horrible jealousy. “Did you like it?” Aelin nodded “But my favourite was Callanish…” she looked at him and thought about the book and his note “It was such a magical place.” “It is. I have to take you there at the Solstice.” The big smile painted on her face was so beautiful it hurt. “I… felt something when I was there.” She started trying not to feel like an idiot for what she was about to say, “I sat down with my back against one of the stones, inside the circle and the chambered cairn and I just felt something.” She chuckled “Gee, now I sound like a lunatic.” Rowan placed a hand on her shoulder “You don’t. I have felt things too. Can’t actually describe what, it’s not something you can put into words easily. Especially at the solstices. I always go there for both winter and summer solstice.” “Ever seen the shining one walking down the avenue on midsummer’s dawn?” Rowan shook his head “No, he/she is still eluding me.” “Well, wonder if this year is the year we’ll see him.” “And…” he stifled a chuckle “Where else have you been?” “I have seen Callanish VIII. The stones on Great Bernera.” “Oh, so you have been busy.” He joked, while emptying the shelves to try and concentrate and hide from her his true emotions. If only he had been nicer from the start… “A bit.” Aelin took a few copies of the book he had chosen for her about Callanish and arranged them nicely on the table in a very attractive display. She then grabbed a few other different books and piled them nicely to fill the table. At the end she took a step back and admired her masterpiece “I am a genius.” Her arms folded at her chest and a big grin on her face. Rowan looked up from his position and felt suddenly the desperate desire to kiss her “You have a high opinion of herself.” He mocked her, adoring the expression painted on her face, nose scrunched up. “Give me a week. I swear, you will finally start to sell these books. If I win, you buy me lunch. If you win, you can ask me one question about myself.” Aelin hoped he took the challenge. She wanted to say that if he won he would have to confess something about him, but after his reaction, she decided it wasn’t a good idea yet. “I just hope that you are ready for a mortgage because I’ll get the biggest lunch your aunt can cook and make you cry.” “Ha.” He shouted pointing a book at her “Maeve is my aunt, she will not make me pay.” “Whatever, I still get my free lunch.” Rowan stood and eyed her display and he had to admit that she was quite good “This is actually quite nice.” “Well, at least I know that now that my medical career has gone to shit, I can always become a bookseller.” She added sadly. “You are a doctor.” Rowan added stunned by that confession and by the realisation that apart from her name he knew nothing about her. “I was, am… I… it’s complicated at the moment.” and she gave him her back. Gently his hand touched her shoulder and Aelin turned to face him and Rowan noticed her eyes filling with tears. Withe the back of her hand she wiped her face and pretended to be strong. Although in reality it hurt. Sometimes so much that she could not breath. There was anger in her, so much anger, and despair. “I am fine.’ She sniffled “Don’t worry about it.” “Aelin…” his hand was about to caress her cheek but she grabbed his wrist and stopped the gesture “No. I don’t need your pity.” She grabbed quickly her backpack, book and hat “I should go. I wasted enough of your time already.” She turned and left the shop not looking at him. Rowan stood immobile with a book in his hands and stared at the spot where she had disappeared. And all of a sudden he knew what question he wanted to ask. He wanted to know more about this woman. Discover what horrendous things had happened in her life to bring her to tears that quickly. She was hurting. Badly. Then all of a sudden he thought of the perfect idea to bring a smile back to that gorgeous face of hers.

Aelin left the shop and took the road to get to Lews castle. She followed the path through the park and ended up at the marina and eventually crashed on a bench in a spot a bit far away from civilisation. She took her phone out and called Lysandra and her friend answered after a couple of rings. “Darling…” Lysandra’s voice sounded out of breath. Shit had she interrupted something? “I guess you finally have a day off.” “Uh-uh…” said her friend “It happens you know?” “Lys, are you with Aedion just now?” “A bit.” Aelin laughed “So, I guess his hands were good.” “You have noooooo idea.” Aelin smiled “Hey, have fun you two. I’ll call you tomorrow.” She paused “Just… don’t make an aunt yet.” She said her goodbye to Lysandra and stood and then went and leaned again the pier barrier and admired the sea and the marina. She needed to talk to Lysandra. She had to tell her her current situation and how she was torn between two men who were completely the opposite of each other. She liked them both. They were both interesting and fascinating people in their own respective way.

Shit. She was in such deep, unending shit.

#rowan whitethorn #aelin galythinius #rowaelin #throne of glass series #aedion x lysandra #lysandra #fanfic #angst #fluff

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nomattertheoceans · 4 years

Note

I feel like I picked up on most of the racist tropes in Maas’ books but I’d love to hear your thoughts on the homophobia in them

Hi Non!! Thanks for the ask :)

Just an fyi if people didn’t see it, Anon is referring to my tags on this post about death of the author and the importance of criticizing media without taking into account the creator’s intent.

So yeah, regarding Maas. There’s a lot of ways in which I find her writing homophobic, I’ll divide them in different categories to try and make it clearer because my mind works in twisted ways x)

You should also know that I haven’t read Crescent City past the first few chapters so I can’t talk about this book (what I heard isn’t great regarding this issue but I haven’t read it so I won’t comment on it)

(this got long so I’m gonna use a read more)

worldbuilding

I think her worldbuilding tends to reflect a homophobia that she might not be aware of. Her entire world is built on heteronormative ... norms (lmao sorry I don’t have a better word I haven’t slept in more than 20 hours) that don’t leave any space for queer people to thrive in.

Throne of Glass actually got the less awful bit on this one, we’re shown that Hasar’s girlfriend Renia would become Empress if Hasar was crowned, and Aelin’s uncle was openly gay, so I guess compared to ACOTAR it’s better.

ACOTAR gets the worst of this: The fae society is painfully mysoginistic and by extend, homophobic. Mor is basically sold into marriage at sixteen, to a man, without regards of how she feels about it, because women are considered a breeding stock. The Illyrian women are viewed in the same light. Even Feyre is expected to be making heirs when she’s about to marry Tamlin. Yes, all these examples are painted as bad things in the books, but it doesn’t take away the fact that there are also considered normal within the society we are presented with. When the entire world is built around cishet dynamics (whether good or bad), it shows us that queer relationships are not the norm here, they’re outsiders from their own society (btw considering women as ‘baby makers’ is also transphobic but I’m not gonna open that can of worms).

The mating bond in itself is the biggest heteronormative concept in her books. As Rhys explains it in ACOMAF, it is literally intended for couples to make the strongest babies. It doesn’t care about love between partners, its primary goal is to perpetuate the species. It’s a natural instinct that we’re shown is basically impossible (or at least very difficult) to fight against. We’re shown that the woman has to make the man a meal to “seal the deal”, we’re shown that men become extremely violent towards other men they consider a threat when they’re influenced by the bond (by the way that’s toxic masculinity but it’s not what this post is about).

I believe that Maas didn’t intend for the mating bond to be a possibility between mlm or wlw couples, but that she retconned it in ACOWAR. Which in a sense is good, I’m all for queer soulmates! But the concept she invented here doesn’t have much room for non heteronormative relationships, and it becomes painfully obvious when you try to apply the mating bond logic to wlw/mlm couples. It brings many questions to mind: if it’s intended to make babies, does it mean that the mated mlm couple has one of the men be a trans man? If that’s the case, why didn’t she tell us? Why didn’t she spend more time on telling us their story? If they’re both cis men, then why would they have a mating bond, something specifically designed to help with species continuity by making babies? To me, it’s proof that she didn’t think it through, she thought it was cute to have two men be mates just like our main couple was, and didn’t stop to consider how the mating bond didn’t allow for this to happen organically because it exists in a vaccum of cishet privilege where she didn’t think about the consequences of including it in her books without elaborating on it.

We can also see that queer people aren’t expected to be the norm in that society. Feyre is genuinely surprised when Mor tells her that she likes women, as if it was this groundbreaking thing she never even considered. I’m not going to get into details as to why I hate Mor’s coming out (I love Mor being a wlw but really, really, hate that scene), but the fact that she hasn’t felt comfortable enough to come out in five centuries is very telling of how unaccepting the fae society is of queer people. So yeah, there’s a queer bar where she hangs out but like... that doesn’t mean it’s accepted. One of the main reasons why queer bars started existing in the first place was to become a safe space for people to be themselves, so you know, I kinda take it as another proof of how unopen-minded the fae society actually is.

lack of queer characters

Overall, we don’t have a lot of confirmed queer characters. Off the top of my head, I can think about (of course I might forget some so that might not be 100% accurate, I haven’t read the books in a long while):

TOG: Hasar and Renia, Aedion, Orlon and Darrow

ACOTAR: Mor, Helion, Thesan, Andromache, Nephelle

Note that I’m not counting unnamed characters. I don’t consider “x’s lover” as a developped enough character to count as representation, come on.

Out of all these characters, only two of them are in the main cast of their respective series (Aedion and Mor). The others go from “mentioned” to “secondary character” at best. I’m not saying that all of her characters have to be queer, but out of such a big cast of mains, one in each series seems very little.

construction of these characters

On top of not having many characters that aren’t cishet, the characters we do have aren’t very well handled by the story.

Hasar is repeatedly described as being ugly, despite most of the other characters being described over and over as breathtakingly beautiful.

Aedion compares bisexuality to forced prostitution.

Helion is basically shown as sleeping around with everybody.

Mor’s sexuality is kept so ambiguous that there’s debate as to whether she’s actually bi, or rather a closeted lesbian.

Renia barely talks, Darrow is a jerk. Orlon, Andromache and Nephelle are figures of the past that we never meet

This is a problem mainly because of how small in numbers the queer characters are. The more diverse cast you create, the easiest it gets to avoid hurtful tropes. I wouldn’t mind Helion being a bi man sleeping around all the time if he wasn’t the only bi man in ACOTAR. Nor would I mind Mor’s tragic backstory if we had other wlw characters. By reducing her cast to such little numbers, she’s creating problems in her writing. She’s telling us that bi men sleep around and never settle down, she’s telling us that sapphic women will only get tragic stories and never find love again.

In the end, the combination of a heteronormative worldbuilding and the lack of work put into the queer characters we are given makes it impossible for me to not consider her books homophobic.

To be clear,

I don’t think Maas does this out of malice. I don’t think she’s a homophobe who hates queer people or anything. I also don’t dislike her books. They’re a fun read, and there’s a reason why ACOMAF is one of only two audiobooks I always have on my phone! Hell, I even write fanfic with her characters. But I think it’s important to be critical of her books, particularly in regards to issues such as racism, mysoginy, or homophobia.

To go back to the original post from yesterday, this is why ‘death of the author’ is an important point here. I’m not saying that Maas intended to be homophobic or that she built her world expressedly to exclude queer people. But in the end, that’s what happened, and we can’t brush off the critics of queer people and people of color just by saying “well, the author didn’t mean it that way.”

I do think that she includes queer representation only as an afterthought in her books, and it shows. Mor’s coming out was poorly handled because she didn’t consider the ramifications of it, just like the mating bond suddenly applying to queer relationships. Her societies are based on cishet white upper class America and that leaves little to no place for queer people (and people of color) to thrive in her stories. From what I see, she doesn’t seem interested in consulting with sensitivity readers over these issues, and as long as she doesn’t swallow her pride and listen to the people that are affected by it, she’s not going to get better on these points.

#Anonymous #Asks #anti sjm #I guess?#I don't consider this to be anti it's just a discussion #but I get people not wanting to see negativity so I'll tag it #I'm not dwelling on the racism because that's not what anon asked #and also as a white woman I don't feel like it's my place to dwell on this #there are other bloggers that addressed it much better than I ever could #I hope this post is clear omg I rambled on for so long lmaoooo #I'm always opened to discussion by the way!! as long as you stay civil I'm willing to listen to any point of view #pinned post #sjm critical

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longsightmyth · 4 years

Text

Aaaaaaaaaand here’s what I’ve got so far for the current readthrough of ToD for fragments etc. Sharp eyes will note that it has taken me over a year and I still haven’t finished the reread. It’s just very bad, okay? Cut for dash mercy.

June 21, 2018 – page 4

0.61% "Apparently the problem with Adarlan conquering everything was not the conquering, but the fact that they had an evil dictator in charge.

I mean, in fairness, the evil dictator probably didn't HELP, but in the kind of person who considers conquering a symptom of BEING an evil dictator, so?"

June 21, 2018 – page 15

2.27% ""That Sartaq was here... they had to have known, then. Well in advance. That she and Chaol were coming."

That reads like I hit the space bar on my iPhone a couple too many times but I swear to you that is exactly how it's written in the book. I have changed NOTHING."

June 21, 2018 – page 16

2.42% "I'm also still confused about why the captain of the royal guard was sent as an ambassador instead of staying to administer the royal guard."

June 27, 2018 – page 19

2.88% "There are so many fragments, y'all. So many."

June 27, 2018 – page 27

4.09% "For once the angst feels earned here (we know that Nesryn cares and works for the wellbeing of Rifthold and her family and we've seen it). Do I wish there were fewer Drama Fragments? Yes. Still, I'm glad we got this bit from Nesryn's PoV and for once it wasn't All About Celaena OR A Boy."

June 28, 2018 – page 30

4.55% ""My Tumelun. The words told enough about the prince's closeness with his sister."

First of all, OBVIOUSLY. Second, there really is a way to say this as if Chaol is thinking it and not as if you are explaining to the reader. For instance:

"My Tumelun. They had been close, then."

BOOM."

June 28, 2018 – page 30

4.55% "I've harped on this before, and while it's permissible for Kashin in his grief and/or naïveté to have blind spots ("no one within our lands would be stupid enough [to murder Tumelun]") Chaol has no such excuse and neither does the narrative."

June 28, 2018 – page 31

4.7% ""...Aelin had hard lines that she did not cross. Killing or harming children was one of them."

Let me refer you to that time in Heir of Fire where she threatened to burn an entire city's population alive and we were from her PoV so we know she meant it and she SAID IT WITH A SMILE."

June 28, 2018 – page 31

4.7% "Also that time she threatened to burn up the population of Rifthold."

June 28, 2018 – page 31

4.7% "Oh yeah also that manor house she said she'd kill the entire population of if even a tiny word got out about her presence or previous presence there. That place had kids too. I'm pretty sure we saw and/or heard them playing in the yard."

June 28, 2018 – page 31

4.7% "Just because she hasn't threatened or hurt a SPECIFIC CHILD for SPECIFIC REASONS does not mean that she doesn't harm or (in fairness threaten to) murder children. That's just three examples off the top of my head."

June 28, 2018 – page 33

5.0% ""Had not even considered that the shadow of Morath might have already stretched this far."

Chaol, per Queen of Shadows the Valg, whose stated intentions are to destroy the world and rule the ruins, have been out and plotting since BEFORE YOU WERE BORN. You're an idiot if you didn't consider them using over twenty years of time to, oh, WORK TOWARDS DESTROYING THE WHOLE WORLD AND RULING THE RUINS."

June 28, 2018 – page 33

5.0% "Then again the series never considered that before this point either so maybe I should cut Chaol some slack?"

June 28, 2018 – page 35

5.3% "This reads like a dude wrote it, and not a dude who thinks women are actual people."

July 9, 2018 – page 37

5.61% ""Until an unknown healer's daughter from Fenharrow [who had only been training for two years] was approached by healers old and young, who had trained their entire lives, for her advice and assistance."

Look."

July 9, 2018 – page 37

5.61% "If this was portrayed as 'they needed somebody with a hella lot of magic and guided her through things' that would be one thing, but are you telling me this chick is in her second year at the magical equivalent of medical school and all of the surgeons are coming to her for surgery advice?"

July 9, 2018 – page 37

5.61% "I think I commented on this last time but still:

"There were two such vials on the desk now, clear orbs atop silver feet fashioned after ibis legs. Being purified by the endless sunshine within the tower."

You'd think I made a mistake typing with my phone, right? Hit the space bar twice maybe and added an accidental period?

I did not. That's a direct quote from the book."

July 9, 2018 – page 44

6.67% "Are Renia and Hassar married or not, please make up your mind, book. Here Renia is referred to as Hassar's lover but I think later on it says wife without any marriage happening in between so like."

July 24, 2018 – page 53

8.03% ""Chaol had barely slept.

Partially due to the unrelenting heat, partially due to the fact that they were in a tentative ally's fraught household, full of potential spies and unknown dangers- perhaps even from Morath itself - and partially due to what had befallen Rifthold and all he held dear.

And partially due to the meeting that he was now minutes away from having.""

July 24, 2018 – page 53

8.03% "This is what happens when you rush books, don't listen to your editor, and use second drafts at best."

July 24, 2018 – page 53

8.03% ""Chaol barely slept that night. It could have been the unrelenting heat, it could have been the spies and unknown dangers of the house - or of Morath. It could have been the news of Rifthold, and the lack of news that followed. It could have been all of it.

Part of it was definitely the anxiety over the meeting that had yet to begin."

**jazz hands**"

July 24, 2018 – page 54

8.18% ""They'd asked him about the butchering of the slaves in Calaculla and Endovier at dinner.

Or the oily one, Arghun, did. Had the prince been among Chaol's new recruits to the royal guard, he would have easily gotten him to fall in line thanks to a few well-timed shows of skill and sheer dominance. But here, he had no authority to bring the conniving, haughty prince to heel.

Not even when Arghun wanted to know...""

July 24, 2018 – page 54

8.18% ""...why the former King of Adarlan had deemed it necessary to enslave his people. And then put them down like animals. Why the man had not looked to the southern continent for education on the horrors of the stain of slavery - and avoided instituting it.

Chaol had to offer curt answers on the verge of being impolite. Sartaq, the only one of them beyond Kashin whom Chaol was inclined to like, had finally tired..."

July 24, 2018 – page 54

8.18% ""...of his older brother's questioning and steered the conversation away."

Holy mackerel is there a lot to unpack there, but first of all: Arghun for president, y'all.

Second, king is improperly capitalized there. Have fun with that.

Third, why is Arghun the oily conniving one for being like 'yo why the hell did y'all keep slaves?'"

July 24, 2018 – page 54

8.18% "Fourth, it might be poor diplomacy on a technical level, but honestly Arghun and the SC contingent have all the power here. They don't have to worry about being polite, because what are Chaol and Nesryn going to do, leave? (they probably wish they would)"

July 24, 2018 – page 54

8.18% "Fifth, Chaol, suck it up. You participated in and helped to continue a regime that not only practiced slavery but encouraged it. I have no sympathy for your hurt feelings about being called on it. Aren't you supposed to be anti-slavery? Shouldn't you be going 'look man it sucked and was wrong. I know that. You know that. The new king has ended the practice even if he apparently hasn't considered reparations.'"

July 24, 2018 – page 54

8.18% "But no, Arghun is the one in the wrong here apparently?"

July 25, 2018 – page 57

8.64% "I'd forgotten Yrene's 'honey-colored' hands."

July 25, 2018 – page 66

10.0% "Still unsure why a medical professional won't just say the word penis."

July 25, 2018 – page 70

10.61% "Okay I got one mention of male healers existing. Apparently it's almost exclusively a female gift. Why? Who knows. Not the book.

Nothing mentioned about any cultural stuff surrounding it either."

July 25, 2018 – page 71

10.76% "I'm starting to wonder if the author just hasn't realized how self-aggrandizing things sound when written in third person limited or first person?"

August 26, 2018 – page 82

12.42%

August 27, 2018 – page 86

13.03% "Sure of course it's a weakness to care where the only other member of your diplomatic envoy is and if she's gone missing. Of course. It's obviously not just common sense or competence. Why are the 'politics' in these books such nonsense."

August 27, 2018 – page 87

13.18% "Other people have commented on this, but if everyone here is human why does the book keep calling everyone males and females."

August 27, 2018 – page 88

13.33% ""See how he trips over himself," Arghun muttered over Duva, her husband, and Chaol to say to Sartaq.

That makes it look like Arghun is a married woman talking over her husband, when I know that Arghun is an unmarried man. You have to specify in this case. Or you could, you know. Name your characters."

August 27, 2018 – page 89

13.48% ""Kashin shut his mouth, ever the trained soldier.

And somehow Chaol knew-that fast-that Kashin was not being considered for the throne."

First of all, SOMEHOW? You detail why in the next sentence."

August 27, 2018 – page 89

13.48% ""...he seemed decent, though. A better alternative than the sneering, aloof Arghun, or the wolflike Hasar."

Interesting how being wolflike is positive when it's men but negative when it's women.

Also, Arghun for president. He's the spymaster dude who talks to the viziers. Obviously my vote goes to Arghun."

August 27, 2018 – page 91

13.79% "I hate how Chaol lecturing Nesryn about coming in late morphs into him patronizing her about how they're fighting to make Adarlan safer for her specifically.

Listen, dickface. She's the one who apparently had ROCKS thrown at her in Adarlan. Let her enjoy walking around safely.

Also I hate that he's lecturing her about coming in late."

August 27, 2018 – page 97

14.7% "So. I appreciate that Yrene tries in this one instance to be considerate of Chaol's wants/needs, re: his disability. I appreciate MUCH LESS that it is here specifically in an attempt to contrast Yrene and Nesryn. I wouldn't even be super mad about that except that Yrene is only considerate of Chaol and his wants/needs, re: his disability when Nesryn is around to be contrasted against."

August 27, 2018 – page 97

14.7% "It only counts as a character trait if it's consistent, and it isn't. Instead it's used as a way to shame Nesryn, when Yrene does the same and worse to Chaol multiple times but is excused because 'she means well.'"

August 27, 2018 – page 99

15.0% "This is SO STUPID she is a healer DOING HER JOB why does it MATTER if she goes into his bedroom?"

August 27, 2018 – page 103

15.61% "This is a tiny thing in the grand scheme but "pure as sea-foam" made me laugh because I live in Florida and there is a lot of sea-foam. Almost none of it is 'pure'."

August 27, 2018 – page 109

16.52% "I don't care how many times it shows up. I am going to mark The Hand of the King/ The Hand of Adarlan with a red tab labeled ASoIaF EVERY TIME."

September 27, 2018 – page 113

17.12% ""You must enter where you fear to tread."

Uh-huh."

September 27, 2018 – page 115

17.42% "So while I like the idea of this scene with Yrene and the other healer, the fact remains that it has taken more than 100 pages to show us something that is ostensibly a fundamental part of Yrene's character, and from what I remember we have precious few other scenes of it later."

September 27, 2018 – page 115

17.42% "The trait? That Yrene has a drive to help people."

September 27, 2018 – page 117

17.73% ""How many meals had he himself been positioned by the doors, or out in the courtyard, monitoring his king? How many times had he laid into his men for slouching, for chattering amongst themselves, and reassigned them to lesser watches?""

September 27, 2018 – page 117

17.73% "Okay first of all, as THE (singular, only) captain of the royal guard your place is the organizing, hiring, and inspecting of the Royal guard, not the actual guarding except for special occasions, at which point you would be with the king as the visible face of the king's protection."

September 27, 2018 – page 117

17.73% "SECOND. You have never 'laid into' guards for chatting or slouching. You have in fact completely forgiven them for ABANDONING THEIR POSTS WITHOUT NOTICE because somebody else said it was fine. Your response? "Okay just don't do it again.""

September 27, 2018 – page 117

17.73% "I repeat, they abandoned their posts because a general from a conquered land told them it was fine, leaving their king completely open to attack, and you told them 'okay just don't do it again'"

September 27, 2018 – page 117

17.73% "Am I harping on this? ABSOLUTELY. Chaol's inner turmoil loses all emotional punch because he and the narrative are LYING to us. Instead of pulling my heartstrings, it just makes me angry.

This is also why Maas is the queen of the retcon, by the way."

September 27, 2018 – page 117

17.73% ""No sign - none - of any wicked force, whether dispatched from Morath or elsewhere. No sign beyond those white banners to honor their fallen princess."

I had no idea the wicked forces had a fallen princess, single separate two-sentence paragraph.

Also, it should be 'the white banners'"

September 27, 2018 – page 117

17.73% ""There was no sign of wickedness, from Morath or elsewhere - no sign but the white banners that honored the fallen princess."

It's not HARD, book."

November 30, 2018 – page 121

18.33% ""A summer storm galloped in off the sea just before midnight."

This one might be petty and I freely admit it, but that's kind of a funky way to put that."

February 11, 2019 – page 121

18.33% "I'm back!

I'd forgotten how awful the em dashes were. Like, I remembered they were BAD, I'd just forgotten HOW bad."

February 11, 2019 – page 123

18.64% "Picturing Kat's face in the section with Yrene and the 10,000+ year old document being touched with bare hands is what keeps me going y'all"

February 11, 2019 – page 127

19.24% "For someone ostensibly skeptical, Yrene sure does take every illustration in the book literally instead of even considering the possibility of metaphors or, like. Science."

February 11, 2019 – page 129

19.55% "The irony of Yrene being better at situational awareness and planning what around her could be improvised weaponry than Celaena, who ostensibly taught her these things, is not lost on me.

It's lost on the book though."

February 11, 2019 – page 132

20.0% "Why does everyone in these books have a capitalized Heir"

February 11, 2019 – page 132

20.0% "Also, the Heir Librarian as a title sounds stupid (no that's literally the title, not even Heir to the Librarian or anything)"

February 11, 2019 – page 132

20.0% "All it would take was a week observing the library to know it never closes and Bob's your uncle the 'closing toll' of the library bell jig is up.

I'm just saying."

May 4, 2019 – page 144

21.82%

July 22, 2019 – page 145

21.97% ""Either your lack on consciousness during that initial healing kept you from feeling this sort of pain, or perhaps whatever this is had not... settled."

Or Sarah Janet needed More Drama."

July 22, 2019 – page 146

22.12% "I forgot that apparently the valg magic and therefore Chaol's injury persists because it's feeding on his self hate or whatever.

See kids, all you have to do is be happy and believe in yourself and your disability will go away."

July 22, 2019 – page 146

22.12% ""It was all he could do not to shrink from that frank gaze."

Why not her frank gaze? Like, it's not grammatically incorrect - the sentence before says she's staring at him, it's referring to a gaze mentioned before - but I don't think it's strong writing."

July 22, 2019 – page 146

22.12% "Have Yrene own her frank gaze or have Chaol associate it with her directly instead of disconnecting it. "It was all he could do not to flinch from her frank gaze."

YMMV I guess."

July 22, 2019 – page 147

22.27% ""Yrene's face was an unreadable mask that would have given Dorian a run for his money."

Maybe it's my own failing, but Dorian has never been described as expressionless or unreadable in my memory, or at least not enough to stick out."

July 22, 2019 – page 148

22.42% ""Since [Nesryn's] hair fell only to her shoulders, he had difficulty braiding it back"

French braids are a thing, even if I'd object to them being called French braids in these books."

July 22, 2019 – page 150

22.73% ""A land claimed by a conquering nation, yet loved and nurtured."

Not you too, Nesryn."

July 22, 2019 – page 154

23.33% ""There is beauty in my father's lands," the prince went on while Kadara ripped into that monstrous carcass, "but there is much lurking beneath the surface, too."

Sigh.

"There is beauty in my father's lands," the prince went on while Kadara feasted on the monster, "but much lurks beneath the surface, too.""

July 23, 2019 – page 161

24.39% "Love how Yrene explicitly says "add lots of honey" but is then judgy because Kadja added too much honey."

July 25, 2019 – page 162

24.55% "There's this thing we have where we consider the endurance of pain a virtue, somehow. Even if you agree with that, bad people can still have virtues.

Yrene starts rethinking Chaol's morality because he 'did not break' over the pain when her magic was trying to heal him.

Tldr: pain endurance is not the sole province of good people, and enduring pain doesn't make you good"

July 25, 2019 – page 164

24.85% "Why ARE the valg only trying to kill Yrene if she has the same healing gift as other healers?"

July 25, 2019 – page 164

24.85% "Okay also my disability is not Chaol's disability etc etc but the narrative is poo-pooing on Nesryn and Kadja for helping him into bed when he's so tired he can barley talk, because Yrene would have made him do it himself.

Like, honestly? That makes Yrene sound an awful lot like somebody who would go 'you're out of spoons? Do it anyway'"

July 25, 2019 – page 166

25.15% "Look y'all much as I dislike Yrene on a personal level she isn't WRONG for clearly having 'personal reservations' about Chaol's 'former role in the empire'.

He not only benefitted from but actively worked to keep the aforementioned empire in power. He got FRUSTRATED when the king wouldn't let him guard the king effectively. He wasn't even just some dude off in the hinterlands: HE WAS THE CAPTAIN OF THE ROYAL GUARD."

November 4, 2019 – page 176

26.67% "In all seriousness what is Sarah Janet Maas' beef with the word 'the'?"

November 4, 2019 – page 176

26.67% "WHITE

FUCKING

HORSES"

November 4, 2019 – page 178

26.97% "How does Yrene have a good seat and yet bounce everywhere and keep grabbing the saddle horn"

November 4, 2019 – page 184

27.88% "Oh yeah. This part."

November 4, 2019 – page 184

27.88% ""The skin was leathery - as warm as her smile."

The one time you use 'the' it's in a place that detaches the reader from a living breathing human's human-ness? HER skin, book. HER skin."

November 4, 2019 – page 186

28.18% "The page (well, this and the one before) that made me hate Yrene."

November 17, 2019 – page 187

28.33% ""She means well, my Yrene."

That doesn't matter when she literally asked a disabled man to help her with something and when he got there PROCEEDED TO LECTURE AN ENTIRE YARD ON HIS DISABILITY WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION, WHEN HE LITERALLY PHYSICALLY COULD NOT LEAVE.

And to the best of my recollection she never apologizes."

November 17, 2019 – page 187

28.33% ""Her instinct is to teach other people" How lovely maybe she could do that without LITERALLY HOLDING A DISABLED MAN THERE AGAINST HIS WILL.

"But Myth, she didn't mean to! She just wasn't thinking"

LITERALLY MY POINT"

November 17, 2019 – page 187

28.33% ""But Myth, the author didn't mean to make it like that" Maybe if she'd bothered ASKING a single disabled person instead of watching some youtube videos she might have LEARNED."

November 17, 2019 – page 190

28.79% "And look. I applaud people learning how to defend themselves and teaching others. HOWEVER. Chaol has only taught soldiers, and aside from that the idea that one or two sessions allows you to master several self-defense techniques is unlikely at best. It takes time, it takes repetition, and it takes someone who had more than one morning's instruction herself.

Just saying."

January 4, 2020 – Shelved as: assassin-rolls-do-it-better

May 30, 2020 – page 191

28.94% "It’s hard to tell with this author what distance we are in the narration. Feyre and Yrene both make snide little comments about people not caring or not doing something (in Yrene’s case, Chaol not smiling at her after her despicable behavior, in Feyre’s case Nesta not getting her a gift). I begin to suspect we aren’t supposed to see this as the character commenting on the event but the narration."

May 30, 2020 – page 191

28.94% "UNFORTUNATELY the books are written in close POV’s, Feyre’s in first and Yrene’s and Chaol’s in third. The result is that whatever the narration says is coming from the character.

This is a long way to say that Yrene continues to be terrible."

May 30, 2020 – page 193

29.24% "I don’t have enough orange tabs for this"

May 30, 2020 – page 194

29.39% "Yrene says here “[until that moment] she hadn’t felt like a barnyard animal” and I am not an expert but that seems like a Bad Thing to have about one of the only black women you haven’t killed off, Book."

May 30, 2020 – page 195

29.55% "“Did I do something to you today?”

*squints*"

May 30, 2020 – page 196

29.7% "I’m not going to pretend that Nesryn’s reaction here is perfect, but the book is trying to pretend it’s terrible and it’s not? She’s excited that Chaol can ride, she talks to Chaol directly about it, and immediately accepts that he can and says excitedly that maybe they can go see her family together. The initial disbelief might be disconcerting for some people, but she does several things Yrene does not."

May 30, 2020 – page 196

29.7% "As I said, she speaks directly to Chaol about his abilities (something Yrene doesn’t do), asks if he wants to do something together (permission is something for OTHER PEOPLE to Yrene, apparently, at least in regards to revealing someone’s medical information and literally moving people without their permission) and is immediately EXCITED that he can do something Chaol has specifically said he missed."

May 30, 2020 – page 196

29.7% "For the record these are all low bars to clear, but for all the book tries to contrast Yrene and Nesryn’s reactions to Chaol’s disability and how he works with and around it in Yrene’s favor, NESRYN IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CLEARS THE BARS.

But I’m supposed to be upset that she’s surprised that Chaol rode when he hasn’t been able to lately? Through a city that he’s never been to before? Without telling her?"

May 30, 2020 – page 196

29.7% "Not only are these two the only members of an embassy, they are romantically involved. OF COURSE SHE’S SURPRISED ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT HER KNOWING ABOUT IT."

May 30, 2020 – page 198

30.0% "At least she apologizes FINALLY but also says that it’s because so few people come in with his injury that she wanted to show her students.

So then you ASK, Yrene, what is this bullshit?"

May 30, 2020 – page 199

30.15% "“She hadn’t considered - his feelings. That he might have them.”

Excuse me, what?"

May 30, 2020 – page 199

30.15% "Yrene is worried that if she leaves the ‘rift’ between her and Chaol will never be repaired because “Healers and their patients required trust. A bond.”

It’s too bad you have repeatedly fucked that up with unprofessional, unthinking, and downright cruel behavior then isn’t it, Yrene?"

May 30, 2020 – page 199

30.15% "I’m sure some people reading this statuses will think I’m being too harsh, but let me explain: Yrene is a healer who has dealt with this kind of injury before. That’s why she was textually assigned to Chaol. Yrene is not a family member who knows nothing of medicine or patient treatment and is feeling her way through learning how to respectfully assist someone with a disability."

May 30, 2020 – page 199

30.15% "Yrene is a PROFESSIONAL, she keeps telling us. She is The Best. She has dealt with this before.

There is literally no excuse for accidentally doing this. Had Yrene been a new healer tossed into this because she just happens to have magical power enough for it and was still a student, I would buy that she maybe hadn’t had the experience to think about it. If she was portrayed as a consummate professional who..."

May 30, 2020 – page 199

30.15% "...did not care about her patients’ feelings so long as she healed their bodies, I would buy it.

She isn’t. The book keeps trying to tell me she is The Best because of temperament and skill and power, but it fails to realize that doing so puts Yrene in a terrible light because all of those things mean she should KNOW BETTER."

#myth rags on throne of glass #myth reads tower of dawn

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brandyovereager · 4 years

Text

The Phoenix Effect - pt. 3

That’s right, chapter three is here! I finally have some sort of plan for this story so hopefully that means my updates will come sooner ;) Enjoy! Let me know what you think! I take questions, prompts, etc.

On ao3:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22195906/chapters/58129639#workskin

Summary: Rowan is in Rifthold with Dorian when a strange phenomenon sweeps the land. Those once dead are popping up alive. Everyday, more and more are Reborn. One day Rowan encounters a Reborn young man who refuses to give his name, only asking to know the whereabouts of Celaena Sardothein.

All the records in Adarlan were kept in a section of the Royal Library, commonly referred to as the Hall of Records. There were birth certificates, land deeds, census records, and all manner of official information. If the person this young man was looking for had lived in Adarlan, there would be some trace of them in the library.

“This is the best place to start searching for someone. That is, if the person you are looking for would appear on any official record.” Rowan met the young man’s eyes with a questioning eyebrow. If he and this person were mixed up in troublesome business, there was a high chance they would keep their dealings secret, or at least under an alias.

“I know a couple names that might be on property deeds or shop accounts.” It was a short answer, affirmative, but vague. The names were definitely aliases. It only served to reinforce Rowan’s theory that these were dangerous people. This young man needed the Fae’s protection as well as his discretion.

The Hall of Records was currently swarmed with reassimilation specialists filing in and out to get information on their assigned Reborns. It should have been impossible to access the hall, but being the King of Terrasen and a well-known Fae warrior meant the humans didn’t question him. Most simply ducked their heads and moved out of Rowan’s way.

The most current records were kept in an oak cabinet on the left side of the hall. Rowan figured that was the best place to start. If there was no recent information on their person of interest they would work backwards from there.

“Any official records from the last six months will be in this cabinet. They’re separated into drawers by city, may I ask which drawer you will be needing?” There was another implied question within Rowan’s words. Would the young man share any more information with the Fae, or should he be left to his own devices?

The young man stared intently at Rowan for a time before answering.

“We’ll begin our search in Rifthold, but it is likely she is no longer here.” It would seem Rowan had earned a bit more of the young man’s trust.

In his mind he started to piece information together. They were looking for a woman, probably last seen by the young man in Rifthold. It was possible he had died here. If the people after them had succeeded in killing the young man, there was a high chance the woman had fled to avoid meeting the same fate.

Identifying the drawer for Rifthold, Rowan pulled it open and stepped back to allow the young man privacy in his search. A warrior at heart, he retreated to stand against the wall and observe the specialists milling about around them. He would keep a lookout while averting his eyes to the young man’s activities.

————

Sam was growing increasingly more perplexed by the King of Terrasen. The king was obviously Fae—though Sam had never seen one in person before—his pointed ears and ethereal stature giving him away. Rowan Whitethorn Galathynius was a solid, hulking warrior who had likely seen more years of battle than Sam had seen with living eyes. The assassin in him was on high alert from the obvious threat the Fae posed, but a more human part of him was observing Rowan for another reason.

The male was unlike any royal Sam had ever encountered. As the king led him to the Hall of Records, Sam took notice of his tense posture and strained smiles when addressed by passing courtiers. He was a king, and as such was owed their deference in the form of slight bows and polite greetings, but his reactions were steeped in discomfort. He was unused to this level of respect then, and did not revel in it. Sam very much wanted to know how Rowan became the husband of the once lost Aelin Ashryver Galathynius.

Throughout their interactions so far the Fae has been gruff and aloof. They’d had a no-nonsense exchange of information and a plan of action was decided, very military. The most emotion the Fae had shown was a minutely more pleasant face when he spoke of his Queen.

Though cold as he may seem, Rowan—the King of Terrasen—had taken time out of his royal agenda to help an anonymous young man. He had demanded no information from Sam, had even averted his eyes while Sam searched the current records. This king understood discretion, had experience with it, and respected Sam’s need for it. He was quite the enigma indeed.

The most puzzling fact of all was that some part of Sam trusted him. Each bit of information he revealed put him and Celaena more at risk, but somehow he knew the male would not share a word. Sam got the feeling Rowan was a vault of secrets.

The first name Sam looked under in the current records was Dianna Brackyn, the alias Celaena used when they worked for Arobynn. That search yielded absolutely nothing. He had expected as much—if Arobynn had killed him Celaena likely wouldn’t have stayed in Rifthold under a known alias—but it didn’t calm any of the fear that’d been roiling in his abdomen. He just needed some proof that she was alive, that Arobynn hadn’t gotten to her too.

Of course, there were worse tortures Arobynn could inflict upon Celaena than death. Sam’s fear roiled again.

Before moving to another drawer to search, Sam decided to check the records for any trace of Arobynn or the other assassins in the guild. There was nothing in the drawer for Hammel, but what most piqued Sam’s curiosity was the deed for the Keep. The deed listed the official owners of the property as Tern, Harding, and Mullin.

“Where might I find news postings from four years ago?” With his words the Fae looked in Sam’s direction for the first time since he started his search.

“Three cabinets to your right. The drawer for news specifically in Rifthold is two from the bottom.” Yet another short, militaristic response. Information was given, with none asked for in return.

Something had happened to Arobynn, that had to be why his three lackeys now owned the Keep. A vengeful part of Sam hoped Celaena had killed the bastard, but even so, four years was plenty of time for Arobynn to hurt her before then.

She wasn’t listed as one of the owners of the Keep. Had she gotten away, just like they’d planned to together?

It would appear not. The sickening feeling in his gut was right. He had to reread the headline three times, whether to understand it in his shocked state or for some sort of masochistic torture, but there it was:

ADARLAN’S ASSASSIN FINALLY APPREHENDED, SENTENCED TO ENDOVIER.

She’d been sent to Endovier. Nobody survived the mines. Celaena was stronger than most, but it had been four years. There was hardly any chance she would still be alive after that long as a slave in Endovier. Still, some part of him held out hope. He needed to see her name on a list of the dead before he gave up on her. This was Celaena.

“Is there any record of the slaves in Endovier, living or dead?” The king’s eyebrow lifted, cogs turning and piecing facts together in his head.

“Endovier is no more. The late King of Adarlan massacred all those interned within both it and Calculla roughly a year ago.” It was another shot to his roiling gut. Even if Celaena had held out for three years in the slave mines, she would have been outright slaughtered anyway.

The look on Rowan’s face indicated he was growing more suspicious—that he might start demanding answers to previously ignored questions—but Sam couldn’t deal with that just yet. With Arobynn gone—hopefully brutally murdered—Sam didn’t have to stay hidden. He needed answers, but more importantly he needed to make someone pay for Celaena’s fate. It was time to visit the Keep.

“I’ll answer whatever questions you have later, but right now I have something important to do.”

@rowaelinforeverworld

Message me or reply to be tagged!

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elentiyawhitethorn · 3 years

Note

Prompt- Nyx tickles Rhys in front of all the hewn city members. (Rhys is very ticklish)

A Visit to Hewn City

Fluff//1565 words

“You are not taking our child to Hewn City. Absolutely not.” Feyre’s arms were crossed and she had an obstinate look in her eyes.

Rhys just smirked. “Fine. You can take him with you to your art classes.”

Feyre winced, likely remembering the last time that had happened. Nyx had gotten into a bucket of paint, smeared his hands all over the wall in a desperate attempt to get it off, then started crying. “I’ll stay home today.”

“I thought you were short-staffed.” Rhys knew exactly how this conversation would end from the sigh that escaped his mate’s lips.

“Can’t you go to Hewn City another day?” Feyre asked in a last-ditch attempt to keep her son away from there.

Rhys raised an eyebrow. “We’ve both already rescheduled the last few dates we were meant to go. Keir was annoyed enough as it is to hear that only one of us could come today.”

“We could get a babysitter—”

“Mor is off being our emissary. Cassian and Nesta are in the mountains. Azriel’s on a mission. All of our other friends are busy in some way. Do you trust our son with a stranger?”

Feyre squeezed her eyes shut. “I know you won’t let anything happen to him, I just don’t want Nyx in that environment.”

Rhys gaze softened. “I know, darling. I understand. If you really don’t want me to—”

“No,” Feyre cut him off. “I trust you.” She placed a hand on his shoulder and tried for a smile. “Just think of the look on Keir’s face when you show up with a baby. He only found out about Nyx during out last visit, yes?”

Rhys’ lips twitched. “Indeed. I imagine he’ll be rather surprised. And hopefully annoyed too. My dear uncle deserves a bit on trouble every now and then, don’t you think?”

Feyre grinned. “Absolutely. I need to go now.”

Rhys gave Feyre a peck on the cheek. “Have fun.”

Feyre returned the sentiment and winnowed away.

Rhys gathered Nyx in his arms, ready to head off to his meeting. And really, he was the most powerful high lord Prythian had ever seen. Only Feyre’s power rivaled his own. How hard would it be to keep a baby under control for a few hours?

—

As predicted, the look on Keir’s face was absolutely priceless. Rhys winnowed nearby, then strutted into the throne room with a baby in his arms. Of course a few residents of Hewn City dropped their goblets at the sight.

Keir, though… he looked absolutely enraged. The first glimpse of his distantly related grand-nephew did not seem to meet his standards.

Rhys just grinned at him and kept walking. Passing occupants of the Court of Nightmares, who were all scrambling to bow, seemed to please Nyx. He was reaching out of Rhys’ arms at everyone they walked by, excited to meet new people.

Rhys made it to the two thrones and took a seat in his own. Nyx settled on his lap, cooing.

“You brought the newborn,” Keir commented. His voice was strained.

Rhys just smiled. “I hope you don’t mind. Your High Lady is busy today. Subjects, may I present my son, Nyx.”

The whole room seemed to collectively take a breath, processing the situation. They clearly hadn’t been expecting a baby to appear in their domain.

Ignoring the silence, Rhys turned to Keir once more. “Any important updates?”

Keir was still frowning at Nyx. “Everything has been as it usually is. We only need to discuss how to calm down some residents who have gotten a bit worked up about some issue or other.”

Rhys, accustomed to the vague references to his people, wasn’t bothered by the lack of willingness to share. He was, however, bothered by the way Keir scowled at Nyx throughout this little speech. Even now, his eyes were on the baby who was currently pulling at Rhys’ hand.

“Do you have an issue with the presence of my child, Keir?” Rhys’ voice was icy.

Keir’s eyes snapped to Rhys. “He has wings.”

Trying to keep from throttling the male in front of his son, Rhys kept his tone even. He noticed the whole room tense at his words. “Does that matter?”

Keir frowned. “Being commanded by an Illyrian and his bastard Illyrian friends was bad enough. Now the child?”

Rhys wanted to use his power on the man. He’d done it before. Feyre had as well. But with Nyx there… absolutely not.

Instead, Rhys smiled. “I’m glad you’re pleased with him. Now go fetch some wine for me.”

Keir tensed, debating whether to argue, as he’d done many previous times. But something hard in Rhys’ eyes had the male scampering away.

Nyx seemed totally oblivious to the encounter. He gave his small wings a flap and scooted on Rhys’ lap. A string of babbled baby language left his mouth.

Rhys smiled fondly at the boy. “Hello, son.”

The entirety of Hewn City was watching their high lord coo at his baby, but Rhys paid them no mind. He wasn’t going to be cold and ruthless in front of Nyx.

Keir reappeared with the wine and Rhys took the goblet, not bothering to thank him. Then he dismissed Keir with a wave of the hand and went back to playing with his son.

—

Rhys wasn’t meant to be at Hewn City for long. After a couple of hours, Rhys had the small issue Keir had mentioned sorted out. He’d also entertained the court for as long as his lordly duties required.

Ready to leave, Rhys tried to scoop up Nyx, who had crawled over on Feyre’s empty throne. The baby managed to get Rhys back on his own seat and clung to his tunic, babbling.

“Now, Nyx, it’s time to leave,” Rhys said in a gentle voice, much of the court still watching curiously. They certainly had a very long attention span.

Nyx remained uncooperative. He tried to climb up Rhys’ shirt. In the process, his little baby fingers dug into Rhys’ side.

Rhys let out a startled laugh.

Pleased with the reaction, Nyx repeated the movement.

Prepared and trying to hold it in, Rhys lasted a few seconds before laughing once more. The entire court was staring at them now, entirely unsure of how to react to seeing their high lord being tickled. Keir was glaring with disapproval from the sidelines.

Nyx didn’t let up, surprisingly strong for a baby. Rhys had a bit of a laughing fit while trying—and failing—to corral his son.

Not sure if he’d be able to pick up the rascal and make it out the door, Rhys just smiled at the Court of Nightmares and said, “Your High Lady and I will visit next month. Be on your best behavior.” Then he winnowed away, hoping he didn’t sound as embarrassed as he was feeling.

Gods, Rhys’ face felt warm. He was blushing. Maybe they’d blame it on the wine.

Having appeared in his home, Rhys straightened and stepped toward the bedroom door, hoping to make inside before Feyre caught him. Nyx, still unused to winnowing, clapped his hands excitedly at the change in scenery.

“What did you do?”

Rhys slowly turned. “Do?”

Feyre had her arms crossed. She didn’t look particularly angry; she only seemed curious as to why her unflappable mate was blushing and trying to sneak into their bedroom.

“Did he get into trouble?”

“He was on his best behavior, actually. You shouldn’t be so doubtful toward him, darling. It hurts his feelings.”

Feeling entirely unhurt, Nyx hiccuped and reached for his mother. Feyre lifted him out of Rhys’ arms, rolling his eyes at the pathetic attempt at a deflection.

“What did you do then?”

Rhys winced. “Why do you think anything happened at all?”

Feyre impatiently knocked at her mate’s mental shields, not trusting a word that came out of his mouth. Reluctantly, Rhys lowered them, allowing Feyre full access to his mind.

After witnessing the day’s events, Feyre burst out laughing. “Oh, gods.”

Rhys pouted. “Stop that.”

“Being tickled by a baby in the middle of the Court of Nightmares. How will you ever look them in the eye again?” Feyre managed between laughs.

Rhys sighed. “I won’t. You’re on permanent Hewn City duty.”

Feyre smiled. “Right. Gods, I need to go tell Mor.”

Rhys’ eyes widened. “You need to do no such thing!”

“And Cassian. He’ll never let you live it down.” Feyre was fighting a smile.

Rhys crossed his arms. “Think of the child. What would poor Nyx think of his mother bullying his father so terribly?”

Feyre grinned. “He seems rather pleased with himself, actually.” Indeed, Nyx was stretching his lips, smiling toothlessly, tugging on Feyre’s sleeve.

Rhys sighed. “Oh, well. I think I’ve about given up on dignity at this point.”

Feyre smiled fondly at her husband. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Rhys guided his wife to the bedroom so that she could set down Nyx and let him play.

Upon asking how her day was, Rhys discovered she’d had a great time with her students, teaching some newbies how to mix the colors.

Despite the lingering embarrassment, Rhys was no longer upset about what had occurred in Hewn City. After all, a little bit of sheepishness was definitely worth seeing the look on Keir’s face. Maybe he’d bring Nyx with them again next time.

———

Tag List:

@feysand-loml

@aelin-bitch-queen

@story-scribbler

@live-the-fangirl-life

@midsizewitch

#feysand #baby nyx #acotar #a visit to hewn city #my writing

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shyvioletcat · 4 years

Note

Can you write a part 3 for the rowaelin couple retreat please💖💖💖

It is finally here... I’m not even going to add up how long it took.

Couple’s Retreat Masterlist

~~~~~

“It’s a couple’s retreat, of course there’s only one bed,” Rowan said as he nudged Aelin into the room.

Aelin stumbled forward a little and Rowan closed the door behind him.

“I know, I know. What I mean is there’s only one sleeping surface.” Because there was no way Rowan could comfortably curl up on that couch to sleep.

That made him stop and take a good look around the room. “Oh. Now I get you. Floor and couch cushions it is then, I guess.”

Whatever weird energy they had because of the activity seemed to have seemed to have dissipated, at least on Aelin’s part. Rowan just went to his bag near the end of the bed and pulled a few items out to hang them up. Aelin decided to do the same and pulled out a few dresses and blouses. Rowan just slid over the majority of the coat hangers on the simple hanging rack so Aelin could reach them from where she stood next to him.

Rowan was done in a few moments, hanging up just a shirt and pants, then he flopped on the bed grabbing the welcome packet as he did. It was silent while Aelin hung up her clothes and Rowan read.

Then Rowan let out a choking sound. “Uh, Aelin. Do you know where we’re supposed to be in 15 minutes?”

Aelin hung up the last dress and climbed onto the bed to red over Rowan’s shoulder. He pointed to what he was talking about.

Intention setting and Relationship Dynamics

Aelin gave him a dismissing shrug.

Rowan just raised his eyebrows then read it aloud. “You’ll be meeting with a retreat guide to help you set out on your journey in connection. The goal of this is to evaluate the strength and weaknesses of your relationship and guide you to strengthen those connections over the weekend.”

“Relax Rowan,” Aelin said, hopping off the bed and going to her bag, “We know each other well enough to pull it off. This will help”

Aelin pulled out a see-through water bottle that contained a clear liquid.

“Is that vodka? I thought you said this was an alcohol free retreat?” Rowan asked, but he was smiling.

“Classic high school trick. It just looks like water,” Aelin replied as she grabbed a couple of glasses.

She handed Rowan a glass and then poured the liquid in.

“Cheers,” Aelin said. “Let’s make some lies.”

~~~~~

Fifteen minutes later Rowan and Aelin were back in the main building sitting outside a room. Rowan felt like he was sitting outside the principal's office. He’d drunk enough that he was feeling a little looser, but still apprehensive of what was going to happen next.

The door opened and a couple walked out, the woman was in tears almost to the point of near hysteria. Aelin sent him a look that said what the hell? And Rowan was sure his expression mirrored hers.

“Aelin, Rowan. Would you like to come in?”

“Maybe not?” Aelin said with a bit of a nervous laugh as she stood.

Natasha didn’t respond, just held the door open.

Rowan suppressed his groan as he followed Aelin into the room. The room was slightly too warm with candles strewn throughout, soft music played to no doubt make the room more inviting. It didn’t, it just grated on Rowan’s nerves. Aelin sat on the couch and Rowan sat beside her, leaving some space between them. Natasha sat across from them, still smiling as she placed a clipboard of her lap.

“So, this will be a short session where we work out why you’re here and what you want to get out of this retreat. I’ll ask you a few questions and we’ll go from there.”

Rowan felt his stomach drop, they had discussed some things like how they met how they ended up together, but Rowan was definitely tipsy enough that he could potentially forget some of the finer details.

“Let’s start with the easy stuff, how did you two meet?”

“At work,” Rowan said, a truth.

“I couldn’t stand him at first,” Aelin added. Another truth.

Natasha nodded, jotting something down on her paper. “How did you get together?”

Aelin let out a tinkling laugh, it was a little unfair of how easily she could play the part. “Classic Christmas party hook-up.” Truth and a lie from Aelin. She’d had a Christmas party hook-up but it wasn’t with him. Rowan felt his jaw clench as Natasha noted that down as well. What did the way they ended up together matter so much she needed a note on it? Then he realised that as a couple’s retreat that was probably a more important fact.

“What is it that made you fall in love?”

Both he and Aelin looked at each other, panicking just a little. Now it was time to well and truly begin the show. Rowan reached out and took Aelin’s hand where it rested in between them.

“She has a kind heart that I didn’t see at first,” Rowan said, not lying.

Aelin gave him a little smile that had his heart fluttering. “He became my best friend and I realised I didn’t want to be without him.” That wasn’t completely a lie either, they were best friends.

This time Natasha only nodded but didn’t write anything down. “Do you feel as though you are meeting each other’s emotional needs?”

“Yes,” they both said almost together, very eager to move onto the next question.

Rowan chose this moment to get a drink of water, to help keep himself steady, but he wished he hadn’t when Natasha asked the next question.

“What about your sex lives? Are you meeting each other’s physical needs?”

Rowan choked, he didn’t mean to, he knew these kinds of questions were coming but it had taken him by surprise. He wished his water was some of Aelin’s snuck in vodka.

Aelin rubbed his back soothingly. “Oh, sweetie are you okay?” Rowan could hear the teasing in her voice. “No need to be embarrassed. Everyone has sex.”

“Mm you’d be surprised,” Natasha added, and Aelin managed to hold in her snort of laughter if only just barely.

“Well,” Aelin said, and Rowan braced himself for the answer. “Active if you need a one word description. Very active, if you need two. But if we’re talking about needs…” Aelin turned to him then, something wicked glinting in her eyes as she turned back to Natasha. “I just wished he returned the favour every once in a while, if you know what I mean.”

Rowan tried not to gape as Aelin looked at him while trying so desperately not to laugh, giving his lap a very pointed look, leaving no doubt about what exactly the favour was that she was referring to. He wanted to call her out on her outright lie when he heard the pen scratching on the paper and his frustration sky rocketed. That most definitely did not need to go in the notes.

“Do you both see children in your future together, if there aren’t already some in existence?” Natasha

“We haven’t really talked about it,” Rowan said, finally recovering and trying to steer the conversation away from what he was, or more like what he was not doing in the bedroom apparently.

“Now is an excellent opportunity,” Natasha prodded.

“I guess so?” Rowan said as he looked at Aelin who was looking at him. “I mean, I’ve always wanted children.”

Aelin nodded, and smiled. “Lots of babies.”

For a second Rowan couldn’t help but imagine what their babies might look like, would they have her hair and his eyes? Maybe they would get her stunning eyes and his hair. Or maybe features from their parents would make an appearance. How many exactly was lots...

“What are the relationships with the extended families like?” Natasha asked, pulling Rowan from his musings.

“His parents love me, I don’t see how they wouldn’t honestly. I’m the best thing to ever happen to him,” Aelin rattled off without a second thought. And it was true, Rowan’s parents did love her. His mother had been dropping hints left, right and centre about how good he and Aelin would be together for far too long.

But Aelin’s parents on the other hand, or in particular just her dad. “Aelin’s father doesn’t like me.”

“What!” Aelin said a little too loudly. “That's not true. Of course he likes you.”

“I don’t think he does,” Rowan said. “He barely says a word to me any time we’re in the same room.”

Aelin didn’t say anything, she was no doubt trying to remember what it had been like when he had been in the same room as her parents. Her mouth tightened. “I’m not going to agree but I can see where you’re coming from. He’s just not a particularly friendly man.”

Lie. Rhoe Galathynius was one of the most charismatic and friendly people Rowan had ever met. Just not to him.

“I think we should just move on,” Rowan said.

“We’re almost done,” Natasha assured them. “These are some of the heavier questions. What’s one thing you think makes our relationship unique from everyone else’s?”

Aelin’s brow furrowed, Rowan could tell it wasn’t from thinking about the answer to the question. It was more along the lines of what kind of stupid ass question is that?

Rowan jumped in before Aelin could say something along those lines. “I want to say it’s the connection we have. We helped each other out of some really dark places and I don't think you easily break a connection like that. It’s something we forged together, and we both came out better people in the end.”

Aelin looked at him, her head tilted to the side as she took in what he had said. It had all been the truth and looking at Aelin, Rowan saw that she knew it too.

“No one understands me like he does,” Aelin said and she took his hand this time. “No one is accepting of all of me as Rowan is, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop being grateful for that.”

Truth. Rowan physically felt the truth of that in his chest. Aelin brushed her thumb across his knuckles, just a small comforting gesture in understanding that they had both shared something vulnerable and real.

Natasha let them have that moment before she asked the next question. “What’s one thing you feel our relationship is lacking?”

“Honesty.” The word was out of Rowan’s mouth before he realised he'd said it. That wasn’t a lie, he wanted to be honest with Aelin. He wanted to be honest with his true feelings about her. And them sharing that raw moment just minutes ago just added more fuel to that fire. Aelin seemed to notice the change as well, her face falling as she nodded and turned away from him, her hand leaving his.

“That is where we’ll end this. This here,” Natasha said as she handed Aelin a piece of paper, “It is a guide to helping you set intentions for your time here to help you figure out what you really want to take away from this retreat. This will just be between the two of you so I hope you choose not to ignore it and fill it out. All the best and I’m sure I will see you around.”

Both he and Aellin mumbled a thanks and left, Rowan suddenly felt completely sober and left wondering if coming on this retreat was such a good idea after all.

~~~~~

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theladyofdeath · 4 years

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In the Bleak Midwinter {1}

A Throne of Glass Period AU: 1920s.

Summary: 2 years after Arobynn Hammel is killed by Rowan Whitethorn, Maeve has returned from Eyllwe with a vengeance. Meanwhile, Rowan is getting married, Lorcan is a father, and Lysandra is finally ready to give her heart away. There’s been peace in The Cadre’s Orynth for 2 years, but peace never lasts.

A/N: At last! Enjoy the tragedy that is about to unfold...

All characters belong to SJM. I am no more than a fan with a plot.

**Warning: mature content - language, alcohol use, drug use, sex, murders and shit.

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The Cadre - 1920s AU {TOG}

In the Bleak Midwinter {The Cadre, Part 2}

2 years later…

The wedding had been a peaceful event. Small, just family and close friends. The ceremony was held in a beautiful chapel with stained-glass windows and pews sturdy enough to last the last century. Rowan had waited at the end of the aisle while his bride was escorted to him by her father.

Aelin was beautiful.

They’d had a hard time planning the perfect wedding- mostly when it came to the guest list. But at last, two years later, they had come to a plan that they agreed on, and all was well.

Well enough, anyway.

Business, both legal and not, had skyrocketed in the past two years. Rowan and Aelin now lived in a massive house just outside of the city. They got a dog, per Aelin’s request, even though Rowan had never been one for pets. Fleetfoot seemed good enough, though. At least she never chewed anything up or shit on the carpet.

As for their enemies, there had only been little squabbles over the past couple years. After Arobynn’s death, the entirety of Orynth belonged to the Cadre, with no doubt from the citizens within. Everywhere Rowan went, people knew his name, knew his reputation, knew who he was and what he did. Not that anyone could prove it. Any of it. The cops still stayed off his back, although he owed a lot of that to those in uniform that he paid to keep quiet.

He had only recently received news from an enemy that caused true concern, but he had kept it to himself. He wanted to keep the peace...if only for a little while longer.

It had been a while since Rowan had seen his new wife, he realized, after they had returned to their home for a reception to celebrate their marriage. People were everywhere, and his men were on guard around the room - socializing, drinking, but staying alert, per his request. Rowan’s eyes scanned the room as he made his way to the far wall and up the grand staircase and down the hall, to where the master bedroom sat behind a closed set of thick double doors.

He pushed the door open and found Aelin sitting in front of her vanity, fixing her lipstick. Rowan closed the doors and leaned back against them, arms crossed, as he watched.

Aelin met his gaze through her reflection in the mirror.

When she said nothing, Rowan sighed, “Must I ask why you’re up here instead of floating through the ballroom like the social butterfly that you are?”

Aelin rolled her eyes. “Needed a moment.”

Rowan reeled in the urge to roll his eyes, too. “I know you, Aelin. So please tell me what’s really going on instead of tiptoeing around the issue, for the gods sake.”

Aelin slowly set down her pale, pink lipstick and straightened her back. “I feel you regret marrying me.”

Rowan blinked, shoulders tensing. “We just fucking said our vows an hour ago, what the hell are you talking about?”

He knew he should approach the subject with caution, and as Aelin’s eyes grew misty, he knew he had to do some damage control - and fast.

After pushing himself off of the doors, he approached his new wife and knelt before her, resting his hands on her knees as she sat before him on the vanity’s golden stool.

But before he could speak, Aelin said, “You’ve been acting strange lately, Ro, don’t think that I haven’t noticed. I thought you were simply nervous for the wedding, for being in front of all of those people at the ceremony, considering you have to be vulnerable in stating your vows, and let’s be honest, vulnerability isn’t your strong suit.” Rowan snorted, but Aelin went on, “But, now I’m not so sure. I fear you will grow to regret me, regret us, and it has already begun.”

Rowan sighed, closing his eyes for a moment to collect his emotions. Yelling at her, telling her how ridiculous she sounded, would not help matters, not at all.

Once he opened his eyes, he said, simply, “It’s just your hormones, that’s all.”

Aelin’s eyes had dried and were replaced with hellfire.

Nope, not the right thing to say, at all.

“I just mean,” Rowan said, quickly, placing his hands lovingly over Aelin’s stomach, “that...well….you’re….a little more emotional lately, you know?”

“Fuck off,” she muttered, pushing his hands away. “You blame everything on my hormones. Tell me that one more fucking time, Rowan Whitethorn, and I’m cutting your balls off in your sleep.”

Rowan blinked, as Aelin stood and walked to the other side of the room. She threw open the wardrobe and shuffled through it, even though she wouldn’t be changing her clothes.

“Are we really going to fight on our wedding day?” Rowan asked, standing to his feet. “We have a house full of guests downstairs, Aelin.”

“I don’t care,” she snapped.

“You are such a pain in the ass,” Rowan mumbled.

“Yeah, I am. And you’re a jackass.” She kept her back to him. “I demand to know what’s going on, Rowan.”

He opened his mouth for a snappy retort, but quickly shut it. It wasn’t worth the argument. Not today.

“It’s not you, okay?” Rowan said, sighing, running his hands down his face. “I don’t regret you, Aelin, and honestly, I don’t know how you could even think such a fucking stupid thing. Alright? I love you. I put a fucking kid inside of you. And I love that thing, too.”

Aelin paused her rummaging through the wardrobe and turned around, slowly. “Could you please not refer to our child as a fucking kid or that thing?”

Rowan’s eyes closed. “You’re asking a lot of me here, A.”

They had yet to tell anyone that Aelin was expecting. It was still early and she had yet to noticeably show.

Her heels clicked across the hardwood floor, and when Rowan opened his eyes, she was standing in front of him, gold-rimmed eyes still filled with worry. “What’s going on, Ro?”

He sucked in his bottom lip and turned away but Aelin took his chin and forced him to meet her gaze, once more.

“It’s business,” he said, at last.

“That’s not an answer.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Not a good enough one,” she protested.

“Let’s go back downstairs and enjoy the day,” Rowan said, “and later tonight, I’ll fill you in.”

Aelin stared at him for a moment. “It’s just business?”

“It’s just business,” he promised, and took her face into his hands as he kissed her, softly.

Aelin chuckled as she reached up to wipe away the lipstick that had transferred to his lips from hers. “Okay,” she breathed. “Fine. But tell your band of dipshits that they better keep themselves in line tonight. Lysandra says that Fenrys plans to start a fighting ring out back by the end of the night, and if he does that, I will personally kill him myself.”

“Alright,” Rowan muttered, although Lysandra had told him that, too, and he had thought nothing of it. “I’ll take care of it.”

~~~~~

Gavriel was nearly the last one to make it into the kitchen. The others were there, all who was missing was Rowan himself, who had announced that there would be a meeting in five minutes and if any of them were missing he’d have their balls.

Gavriel leaned back against the wall between Aedion and Vaughan, who offered him a cigarette. Fenrys and Connall were there, too, sitting on the counter top. And then there was Lorcan, nearly about to fall asleep where he stood. Apparently the little one was going through an “I don’t want to sleep” phase - again. Chaol, Dorian, and Ren were talking about something amongst themselves. From what Gavriel could gather, it had something to do with a woman. Judging by the annoyed look in his eyes and the pink tips of his ears, Gavriel assumed that they were trying to set Ren up with one of the guests upstairs.

After the uniting of Rowan and Aelin, Rhoe and his men became secondary members of the Cadre. They were all family now, after all - at least, that’s what they were told.

By the time Rowan padded down the stairs and into the kitchen, dodging busy waiters as they carried appetizers and champagne upstairs, the room was filled with smoke.

Rowan didn’t say a word as he pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and lit the tip. He took a long drag before he said, “Today is my wedding day. Which means that it’s an important day for my wife, and since it’s such an important day for my wife, I expect none of you will do anything to ruin it. In short, if you think it will embarrass Aelin, don’t do it.” He stood in the middle of them all, slowly turning, making sure to meet each of their gazes. He stopped when he faced Fenrys. “No fucking fighting.” He pointed from Fenrys, to Connall. “No fucking fighting.”

The twins held their hands up in surrender, as if they had no idea what Rowan was talking about. Beside Gavriel, Vaughan snorted.

“No fighting. No snow, no drugs,” Rowan went on, emphasizing the word drugs as he looked at Chaol, Dorian, and Ren. “No fucking in public places, gods, no one wants to see that, if you’re taking a woman, please do it upstairs, in one of the guest rooms and lock the fucking door. We don’t need a repeat of...well, any of the times we’ve caught Dorian and Manon in one of their many compromising positions.” Dorian just grinned as Rowan added, “And try not to get shitfaced. Please. Have a drink, but keep your fucking wits.”

“I know you said no drugs,” Fenrys said, raising his hand like he was a fucking schoolboy. “But Lor really looks like he could use a pick-me-up right about now.”

Rowan turned around to find Lorcan, eyes closed, breathing even, as he leaned up against the wall. He slowly walked toward the tall, broad-framed male, and patted his cheek with a little too much force.

Lorcan’s eyes shot open, exhaustion lingering in those onyx eyes. “Hmm?”

“Are you listening?” Rowan asked, cigarette between his teeth.

Lorcan yawned, and nodded. “Yeah. No-No fucking fighting.”

“Right,” Rowan confirmed, then turned around to the rest of them. “No. Fucking. Fighting!”

Rowan turned to leave, cigarette between his teeth. A waiter came around the corner and bumped into Rowan’s shoulder. Gavriel shook his head as Rowan shoved the waiter out of the way and headed out of sight.

“He seems tense,” Aedion muttered.

“He’s always tense,” Gavriel agreed. “Get a few drinks in him. He’ll be fine.”

“Get a few drinks in him then he’ll be the first one fighting,” Connall grinned.

Vaughan chuckled.

“When’s an appropriate time to leave?” Lorcan asked. “I need sleep.”

“How come you’re so exhausted?” Gavriel asked. “Your wife is upstairs floating around the room like a woman on a mission.”

“That’s because all we’ve seen since the baby’s been born is you miserable lot,” Lorcan muttered. “She’s excited to be around other people, pleasant people.”

Gavriel laughed as he followed Aedion out of the kitchen and up the servant’s stairs. Things had been going well between the two of them in the two years that had passed. They met for drinks once a week, but often ran into each other and talked for a while in the days in between.

“Plan to stay for a while?” Aedion asked, walking beside his father.

“I don’t have a choice,” Gavriel said. “Especially if Fen and Connall are going to fight, which they are, no matter what Rowan says. By the end of the night, they’ll be taking bets.”

Aedion laughed, quietly. “Sounds right.”

They fell into the ballroom, at last, and Gavriel watched Aedion’s eyes light up when he spotted Lysandra on the opposite side.

“Go,” Gavriel encouraged, when it was obvious Aedion wanted to walk away.

He never asked how it was going between the two of them, never wanted to push. He knew that the young couple was in love, but that Lysandra’s past still weighed on her heavily.

Because of that, it seemed like the two simply remained friends.

As much as two people could be friends when they’re in love with one another, anyway.

Gavriel couldn’t help but watch as Aedion asked Lysandra for her hand and led her onto the dancefloor. He spun her around, joy lighting up his eyes as Lysandra tilted her head back and laughed.

Then Rowan and Aelin entered the crowd, that little smile that Rowan reserved just for his bride plastered on his face. He deserved it, after all the kid had endured. Although Gavriel supposed Rowan was not a kid, not anymore.

He hadn’t been for a long while.

At least he had Aelin to make him happy.

Gavriel had noticed his shift in the recent weeks, though. He was more tense, more anxious. Something was happening, but Gavriel wasn’t sure what - none of them were.

And Gavriel knew better than to pressure him about it.

~~~~~

“I can’t believe you made me leave in the middle of dancing.”

Lorcan sighed. It was the fifth time Elide had said that on their drive home. In reality, Lorcan didn’t make her do anything. She had found him sleeping with a glass of whiskey in his hand at a table in the corner and asked if he needed to go home.

He mumbled a yes, and they were off.

Of course, now he was the bad guy.

“Blame your daughter,” Lorcan said, opening the front door. “She’s the one that doesn’t let me sleep.”

Elide shut the door behind them and locked it. The nanny was sitting in the den, sipping from a glass of vodka. Lorcan and the nanny had a love/hate relationship. She spoke a language that Lorcan didn’t understand, but everything she said to him was laced with anger. Elide was fluent, though, and communicated easily with Natalia, who obviously liked Elide a lot more than Lorcan.

He couldn’t complain, though. Any nanny who came to work for him and never asked questions was one he had to hold onto.

Even if she did constantly watch Lorcan with those narrowed, angry green eyes.

Elide asked Natalia a question, and she replied but the only word Lorcan knew was Lucielle.

He thudded up the stairs, Elide close behind him.

“I assume Lucy was good?” Lorcan murmured.

“Yes,” Elide confirmed, “and Natalia says your tie is silly.”

Lorcan looked down at his tie with a frown. “I like this tie. Cranky old woman.”

She pinched his ass with a quiet giggle. “I know.”

They both made their way into the nursery to check on their one year old. She was sound asleep in her crib, her black, curly hair wild atop her white sheets. Lorcan snorted, shaking his head.

“Goodnight, my love,” he whispered, brushing that hair back from her forehead, careful not to wake her.

“Come on,” Elide whispered. “Let her sleep.”

They left the nursery and stumbled down the hall into the master bedroom. Elide shut the door as Lorcan crashed onto their bed.

“Goodnight,” he mumbled.

“That’s all I get?” Elide crooned. “I thought we could work on baby number two tonight.”

Lorcan barked a laugh as he put his hands behind his head. Elide started unlacing his boots. “You want two kids waking us up at the crack of dawn?”

“Why not?” Elide asked, taking off his socks before crawling on top of his body and straddling his waist.

“Lucy is perfect,” Lorcan mumbled, his hands finding her thighs and lifting up the hem of her skirt so that his fingers could brush her warm skin, just above the garters. “But give me another year before we are blessed with another...angel.”

Elide laughed breathlessly as she leaned down and pressed her lips against her husband’s. “Very well.”

Lorcan yawned. “Fuck me, though. I’ll pull out. Maybe.”

Elide snorted. “How romantic.”

“I’m incredibly romantic,” Lorcan agreed, closing his eyes.

Elide started undoing his belt, but by the time she had his trousers unbuttoned, he was already snoring.

~~~~~

Rowan had left Aelin with the guests that remained, the dancing still going strong, as he snuck out of the back of the house.

Against his wishes, two grown men were fighting near the stables, Fenrys and Connall taking bets. Gavriel and Vaughan both looked curiously at Rowan as he approached.

“Couldn’t stay away?” Gavriel asked.

Rowan pulled the cigarette out from between his teeth. “They don’t listen, do they.”

Vaughan just shook his head.

“Leave them be,” Rowan said, looking away. “I need you two to come with me. Now.”

No one asked questions.

They loaded up into the car and drove to the edge of town, where the old railroad tracks ended.

Vaughan began to slow down as they approached, upon seeing the black car that sat by the tracks, the lights off.

“What’s going on?” Gavriel asked, quietly.

“Pretend like you already know,” Rowan said, tossing his cigarette onto the gravel as Vaughan put the car in park. Rowan got out, Vaughan and Gavriel at his back. They stood in the middle of the two cars and, a moment later, the car closest to the tracks opened and a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped out in a long, black coat and a neat fedora.

Rowan stilled. “Who the fuck are you?”

The man said nothing. He couldn’t have been much older than Rowan, but the look in his blue eyes was unsettling. He recognized him from somewhere, but Rowan couldn’t place him.

Without a word, the man held up a sealed envelope.

“Not going to talk?” Rowan asked, blinking. “Makes you look shady.”

The man didn’t budge.

He simply held the letter out.

“Very well,” Rowan sighed. He nodded to Vaughan, who stepped forward and snatched the letter out of the man’s hand.

Without another word, the man fell back into the backseat of the car, and they sped off.

Once they were out of sight, Gavriel turned to Rowan. “Is this where we get an explanation?”

Rowan took the envelope from Vaughan and lit a match after breaking the seal and pulling out the letter. He read over it in the ignited light, the other two watching him quietly, curiously.

“Fuck,” he muttered, then lit the corner of the letter and watched it go up in flames.

“Rowan,” Gavriel growled, neither he nor Vaughan moved from their spots as Rowan turned to get back into the car.

Rowan stopped and sighed as he turned to meet his friends, his family, his Cadre. He shoved his hands into his pockets as he said, “Maeve is back.” Rowan shrugged, turning his back to them to finish the distance to the car. “And she’s pissed.”

He loaded himself into the driver’s seat as Vaughan and Gavriel looked down at the letter on the ground, where the black hand was burning into nothingness and floating away in the night.

~~~~~~

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