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#azriel is angry boi
yearning-for-autumn · 3 months
Note
So, here is my humble request 👀:
Reader is afab Illyrian, got her wings clipped (because we hate this tradition that’s why and because I am too much into enemies to lovers) and the Bat Boys consider her something close to a little sister.
When Eris was making a deal with the NC to get their help to kill Beron and that shit, his bond snapped with reader.
Obviously problematic for him because he has been insulting Illyrians since his mom popped him out about 500+ years ago.
So…bonus points for: smut obvs.- go as filthy as you like, Lucien absolutely mocking Eris for FUMBLING desperately to get his charm going, reader being oblivious.
I hope this sparks some ideas and creativity 🥰🤞🏻
Would That I -- Part 1
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A/n: This was too good not to make into a multi-part fic, so expect more soon. Smut will be coming!
Pairing: Eris X Illyrian!Reader
Warnings: Allusions to smut, pining, mentions of mental health
Word Count: 3,638
Summary: You hate him. You hate the very thought of him. And yet he's your mate. The Mother has a cruel sense of humour.
Part 2 Part 3
Fury rippled through your body like a forest fire. You were livid. And Cassian had the nerve to laugh at you. Well, stifle a laugh. Rhysand was watching him with a worried look as he tried to give him a silent warning to stop. This progressed to warning him mind to mind when you got up from the sofa, flinging a pillow so far it almost landed into the fireplace. Azriel flinched.
“Him!?” You seethed, finally breaking the silence you had kept since your return from that damned High Lord meeting. Cassian snorted softly and you rounded on him with a deathly calm. Rhys made a small noise in the back of his throat.
“Is this funny to you, brother? I’m shackled to that evil, pompous, ginger-haired freak and you’re laughing?” His smile had dropped and a look of fear was quickly overcoming his rugged features. You stepped closer to him, your finger in his face. “Don’t sleep too deeply tonight.”
Rhysand cleared his throat.
“Look, this doesn’t have to be the end of the world. You don’t have to accept the bond. We can make sure you never see him again.” The bond snarled through you at that and you growled.
“Sure Rhys, because you were so calm when you found out Feyre was your mate.”
His brow furrowed.
“So you want to be with Eris?” The name seemed to physically disgust him. Azriel scoffed, abruptly rising from the sofa and marching out of the room. Cassian eyed the doorway in his wake. You turned to Rhys.
“No!” You groaned in frustration, pacing up and down on the carpet like a caged animal. Cassian’s eyes darted between Rhys and you. Finally deciding to break things up he manhandled you into a hug. You fought it for a few moments, before giving up and collapsing into your brothers embrace, hot angry sobs wrenching through you. Rhys took this as his cue to leave, and winnowed—probably to his office—out of the room. Cassian rubbed soothing circles on your back, careful to avoid your wings that were ever more sensitive after the clipping.
You were clipped at thirteen, which is how you had come to live with the three brothers. In Windhaven, they clipped your wings the day you started your cycle. Once grounded there was no escaping your duties, nor any chance to leave the camp. Unless, of course, you had grown close with the High Lord’s son, who had a mother with a habit of collecting strays.
You were there through all of it, the highs, the lows, and Morrigan’s tumultuous relationship with one Eris Vanserra. The male you were now mated to.
---
In the Forest House, Eris was pacing. His throat was still sore from the memory of Azriel’s scarred hand, and his cheek burned from the slap that had earned him from his father. But all of that had been overshadowed. He knew as soon as he saw you. His heart had lurched in his chest so hard he had thought he might throw up. You were the most beautiful female he had ever laid his eyes on. And of course, you were from the Night Court. The Mother truly did have a cruel sense of humour.
You had walked in, looking as arrogant as the rest of them, sharing a secret smile with the shadowsinger before sitting down next to the High Lord. Eris, next to his mother, couldn’t rip his eyes from you. Your doe eyes, sharp and intelligent captured his attention first. He wanted nothing more than to get lost in them, to find out everything about you: What you liked to read, your favourite food, how best to pleasure you and have you screaming his name. He was pulled from his fantasies by your wings. Cauldron, your magnificent wings. Their beauty stole breath from his lungs as they unfurled, getting comfortable on the chair. You had smiled at Feyre, warm and supportive, and Eris knew he was utterly lost.
He finally stopped his pacing, locked inside his room, and sat down on the edge of his bed. He sat there, holding his head in his hands until he heard the scratch of claws at the door. Getting up with a weary sigh, he opened it only to be knocked to the ground by his oldest and most loyal smokehound.
“Cheddar.” He chided as she licked his face excitedly. “Cheddar Biscuit.” He said, sternly, and she leapt off of him, waiting by the door expectantly.
“Yes alright, I suppose it’s time for a walk.” Cheddars tail thumped faster against the door frame and Eris couldn’t help the smile that grew. “Go and fetch your brothers and sisters then.” He said, grabbing the leashes off the wall. A walk was one way to clear his mind.
---
As you had predicted, Rhys was holed up in his office when you went looking for him. He barely looked up at you as you entered.
Rhysand’s office was always meticulously organised, but as you came up behind his chair you noticed how messy his desk had become. Letters and notes were piled on every inch of space, his childhood stuffed bat sitting atop one pile as a makeshift paperweight.
He loosed a breath.
“We are going to war, Y/n.” He said quietly, and any thoughts of Eris Vanserra eddied from your mind. Rhys looked up at you with bloodshot eyes. Guilt coursed through you for ever caring about something as trivial as a mating bond when you and your brothers were set for battle. You had only just got Rhys back from under the mountain, only to potentially lose him again.
“Is it certain?” You asked, leaning down to rest your head on his shoulder.
“Yes.”
“Is Cass--?”
“Leaving for Windhaven by first light.” He answered.
“Ok.”
Rhys turned, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. He knew what you were thinking, though you wished you weren’t.
“Eris is an awful male, Y/n. You know I could never support the bond between you. Azriel is...well, I’m sure you already know.”
You did. The moment he had stormed out of the room you had known this was the beginning of a negative spiral for Az. Not to mention the upcoming war. You stood up straight.
“That being said.” Rhys continued. “Eris is ensuring Autumn allies with us against Hybern. There is a certain political advantage to the match.”
You scoff.
“Like there was with Mor?” Rhys turned green. “What did Eris bargain for in return for Autumn’s support? What did you trade away, Rhys?”
Rhysand looked every bit five centuries old when he turned to you.
“Our support in his bid for the throne. Whenever that may be.”
Hatred for the male burst anew in your gut, fiercer still now that you were mated to him.
“That power hungry bastard.” You spat.
Rhysand sighed.
“He could never deserve you, starlight. I will make sure that he never sees you again. I will not lose another sister.”
---
It wasn’t until midnight that you saw Azriel. The last of your brothers to approach you. He let himself into your room, waking you, tattered blanket draped around his shoulders. Rhys’ mother had sewn it for him years ago, before you had come to live with them. It had helped him through many hard nights. So much so that it was threadbare and faded. Rhys had enchanted it not to break further as a solstice gift one year.
You sat up worried.
“Az? Are you ok? You didn’t—”
“No,” He assured, and you relaxed against the pillows, “I’m ok.”
You shuffled over in your bed to make space for him, and he laid next to you, blanket over the both of you.
“I hate him.” He said into the darkness. “I hate what he did to Mor. I hate everything he stands for. I will not let him have you.” He declared.
You snuggled up to your eldest brother.
“I don’t know why you all seem convinced I’m going to somehow fall for this prick.” You said, and he snorted. “I hate him as much as you do.”
Azriel tucked you under his arm.
“I know.” You smiled tiredly, somehow understanding the words Azriel left unsaid. The words Rhys had been able to express. Azriel’s shadows settled over your heart, confirming, and the two of you fell asleep.
---
Months later, Eris sat in a tent, head between his legs to stop from throwing up. Thousands were dead. Thousands more were surely destined to die. Two of his brothers, and his mate, fought on the battlefield.
He only had a moments warning before he was violently sick into a bucket.
Asher, his youngest brother before Lucien, chose this moment to enter his tent unannounced, scowling at the sight of Eris hunched over and retching.
“Can’t handle the bloodshed, brother?” He teased, though he sat next to Eris and put a warm hand on his shoulder. The gaping wound on his neck was healing quickly, as it should with the High Lords power coursing through his veins, but the sight of it set Eris off again. He heaved into the bucket, choosing to ignore the gagging sound Asher made.
“Eris you need to pull yourself together. Father is only a tent over.”
Eris rolled his eyes.
“Just show me your plans, Ash.”
“I don’t know, maybe I’m better off keeping them to myself, seeing as you’re battlesick.” Asher grimaced when Eris finally sat up and pushed the bucket away from him.
“Asher.” Eris’ voice held all the command of General, and eldest brother. Asher groaned petulantly as he handed over the plans.
In Eris’ opinion, not that Beron took any heed, Asher should never have taken on as much responsibility in this war. After Ceres had died, Ash had taken over as Eris’ right hand. Ceres had been more naturally suited to the role, Beron’s bloodlust had run as deep as his bones, and he had a sharp mind for strategy. Eris still mourned the boy he had raised—a quick witted, chess loving, boisterous child—but he had to accept, he had lost Ceres long before he had died. And Eris wasn’t keen on losing anyone else. Asher wasn’t comfortable with a sword, the gash in his neck clear evidence, and he had a wife and child that weakened his resolve. This is what Eris had to work with. And he had a job to do.
He let Asher discuss his plans, though he was unable to rip his mind from providing a hundred different ways that he could die, that Ash or Lucien could die, that you could die.
It took every ounce of training ingrained in him not to falter in his attack the moment he had caught sight of you, fighting your way through the onslaught, Mor by your side. Cauldron, you were ethereal. Your silken wings were spread as if they could carry you into the air, though he had long since guessed that they could not. You cut through your enemies with a frightening ease. Catching his eye, you hesitated just a second, then your face had turned to rage and the next Hybern soldier to cross your path had been beheaded so brutally that even he had to avert his gaze.
When he had looked back up, you were gone, lost in the chaos.
Asher sighed,
“You’re not listening.” He said, and Eris had the decency to feel bad. He looked at Ash wearily.
“Come back in the morning. I’ll be more attentive.” Ash just peered at him over his notes.
“It’s her isn’t it. It’s Y/n.”
“Yes.” Eris said, lacking the energy to lie.
“She’s Night Court. She’s not one of us. One day you’ll find a nice Autumn girl to marry and when you’re High Lord she can pop out a few Autumn court babies.”
“She is my mate.” Eris growled.
“Mate’s aren’t always meant to be Eris. It’s only a biological match, not a political one. When you find an Autumn Court lady you’ll wonder why you ever spent time worrying over some Night Court harlot.” Eris snarled, despite himself. His brothers words were wrenched straight from Beron’s throat and he wouldn’t stand for it. Not from Asher. Not from his kind, loving Ash.
“Get out.” He said. Asher looked surprised, and—Eris was pleased to see—ashamed. He made no moves to leave, so Eris repeated himself, sharper this time.
“Get out.” He snapped, “Come back in the morning with more sense.”
Asher, chastised, fled from the tent, and Eris buried his head in his hands. What use was there protecting you from his brothers when it was certain your own said the same about him. There was no denying the cruel twist of fate the Mother had pulled on the both of you, destined to crash and burn. He imagined you in your own tent, laughing at the thought of him speared on another males sword. Mor sat next to you whispering all the terrible things he had done that day, terrible things to twist your mind and poison the very notion of him. He was too late, he was nothing but soot in the deep pit of your heart, choking the both of you.
He felt blindly for the bond, and found it, rotten.
---
The war was over, but the scars it had left were red raw and bleeding. Rhys had died. Your brother. The one who had sheltered you, loved you, given you a home and a family for a few agonising minutes had been gone. Gone. And yet that Cauldron damned bond had been chafing in the back of your mind. You sat in your bedroom riddled with guilt as it plagued your mind. Eris. Eris. Eris. He infested your mind, your senses, you were consumed by the very thought of him.
Walking through the streets of Velaris had started to feel claustrophobic, being around anyone beginning to suffocate you. You felt safer on your own. Recently you had taken to sheltering in your room, only emerging to eat. Your brothers eyed you with poorly concealed worry every time you walked, ghostlike, through the house, shuffling to the kitchen to fix a plate of leftovers then retreat hastily to your safe space.
Nesta was struggling too, after the war. It had left its scars in all of you. You could feel Cassian’s heart breaking the day Rhys sent her away with him, but all you could think about was whether your brother would do that to you. You thought you knew the looks he gave you.
Disgust.
What use was a flightless Illyrian female, who couldn’t train, couldn’t talk, couldn’t think. He was dead. Rhys was dead. And then he wasn’t. Why were Seren and your mother not afforded the same luxury. You grieved, and cried, and screamed. It truly was a sick thing, to use to the miracle of Rhys’ living to guilt yourself into believing there was hope for them. But then, everything in your mind had twisted of late.
Nesta began training. Nesta began healing. And you were stuck in your room.
Every morning without fail, Azriel came to check on you. He stroked your hair until you woke up, then retreated when you once again rejected his invitations to join them. The Valkyries, they were calling themselves. You would have been proud of Nesta if you could feel anything anymore.
Occasionally, you could feel a light tug on the bond, on the shackles that kept you bound to Eris. The first few times you had thrown up. Now it was little more than an annoyance. You were his dog, disobediently pulling your leash as you fell further and further into nothingness. His face in your mind was as cold as it had been on the battlefield as he yanked you back, choking you. You spluttered. Standing weakly, you made your way down to the kitchen, setting water on the stove to boil.
“Sister.” Cassian’s voice rang out behind you and you flinched, dropping your teaspoon. He bent to pick it up and set it down on the counter. “Azriel says you’ve been ignoring him. You’ve been ignoring all of us.”
You shrugged, the familiar pang of guilt squeezing your chest, making it difficult to breath. You braced both hands on the counter top, taking a ragged breath. Cassian was beside you in a heartbeat, holding you in his arms.
“Y/n, I’m worried about you. We all are.” He squeezed you closer to him, closer than you had allowed anyone in months. “Come and stay with Nes and I. Az is a terrible chaperone, and I need to see you. You could be wasting away down here and I wouldn’t know until it was too late.”
You shook your head, though you no longer knew why you resisted him. Your body melted against him, muscle memory taking over as he enveloped you in his wings. You swore you heard him sniffling as you hugged him back.
“Please, y/n.” He said, voice shaking. It didn’t take much more convincing.
A few days later, Rhys was helping you unpack your bags in your new room in the House of Wind. You took the room next to Azriel, who—Cassian had explained—was falling into bad habits again: Not eating, not sleeping, waking up in a cold sweat when he did finally drop off. Cassian wasn’t doing as well as he wanted you to believe, either. Twice in the following week you woke up to find him taking things from your room. And once, when you had floated downstairs in a miserable haze, you found him throwing up in the kitchen sink, an empty plate that had once held a batch of Elain’s cookies sitting on the table.
Nesta had dragged you to Valkyrie training a few times, and whilst you were beyond their current skill level, it had taken your mind off of things. Cassian’s eyes gleamed with pride everytime Nesta mastered an attack or a block. He touched her affectionately, he teased her, he lingered as she passed to breath in her scent. Watching them together was as painful as it was sweet. How simple love could be.
Would that you could be half as lucky.
Slowly you were emerging from your shell. You could smile again. Nesta invited you to read with her and the Valkyries, and in the silence you found firm friendship. Emerie was a gift from the Mother herself. You bonded instantly, both of you clipped, grounded, but neither broken. Many late nights were spent talking, about books, your brothers, or about Eris. Nesta, Emerie and Gwyn knew little of the Autumn prince, but you appreciated their outside perspective on the bond. It was still a bitter taste in your mouth, but it was becoming more bearable with each passing week.
---
There was a ball approaching in the Hewn City and Rhys had asked Nesta to attend. Not long after, she asked you to join her.
“I can’t do this alone, Y/n, please.” She said one night, sitting at the end of your bed. You bit your lip, unsure.
“Eris will be there.” You said.
“I’ll be the one dancing with him. Rhys wants him falling madly in love with me. He won’t look your way, I promise.” Nesta said. You knew she meant well by that. You had never wanted him anywhere near you before. But something about her oath left a sting. You frowned, which she took to mean you were still unconvinced.
“Please, Y/n. My sisters will be there, Rhys will be there. I’m not ready to face them all on my own, not yet.”
And so you found yourself stood atop the stairs the following week, draped in a black dress with a slit so high up one side your whole leg was practically exposed. The back scooped so low the dimples at the bottom of your spine peeked over top. You were devastating. Death in midnight silk. Rhys’ smile was that of pure brotherly pride as you walked down the steps, your hair pinned in braids and curls.
Nesta stole your breath away as she appeared in the hallway, but it wasn’t your gaze she sought out. You looked towards Cassian and could have sworn he was drooling. Eris would be blind-sided by her, of that you had no doubt.
In the Hewn City, they danced like lovers. Nesta as dangerous in the ballroom as she had become on the training grounds. Every move was calculated, every parting of her lips a dance of the mind, designed to ensnare Eris in her dastardly web. Eris was caught. And you burned.
Standing next to Azriel, heat rolled off you in waves. He took a step towards you, perhaps to offer you a drink, but found something in your eyes to make him change his mind. You hadn’t taken your eyes off of Eris all night. He was sinful. A courtier and a Prince. His hair pooled over his shoulders, one strand to the front neatly braided. You reminded yourself that this was the male that left your cousin for dead at his Court border. Biting your lip, your mind wandered to see yourself lying prone beneath him as he stood, smile widening, cock hardening in his—
“Get me a drink.” You ordered Az. He raised an eyebrow.
“What’s the magic word.”
“Azriel.” You growled, and he turned on his heel. Your eyes stayed pinned on Eris as he led Nesta across the dancefloor in a tantalizing waltz. His gaze finally met yours, and you saw a fraction of surprise before his emerald eyes darkened. He licked his lips, eyes locked with yours as he leaned down, and pressed a kiss to Nesta’s neck.
A/N: I have to thank @fandomsmultiverse for talking to me and giving me about 100 ideas to flesh this story out, I really hope you like it! There will be a part 2 coming soon! I wouldn't just leave you on a cliffhanger like that. We will see more of Eris and Reader interacting, and maybe.....some smut...
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acourtofwhatthefuck · 2 months
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Practice On Me | Series Index
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graphic made for me by the gorgeous @writingsbychlo 💕
Summary: Set in Illyria when the Bat Boys are mere twenty-year-olds, Azriel has never explored intimacy and sex like his closest friends have. Reader is more than willing to help — not realising it will offset a series of events that will change life as they know it.
Series warnings: This series is strictly 18+, minors dni. There’s smut, violence, gore, trauma. Read with caution and take care 🫶🏻
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Part Eight
Part Nine
Part Ten
Part Eleven
Part Twelve
Part Thirteen
Part Fourteen
Part Fifteen
Part Sixteen (Finale)
Bonus Part (Fin x Reader)
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The Practice On Me Playlist
Songs I had on repeat while writing this series, for anyone who’s interested!
Sit Down Beside Me by Patrick Watson
From The Start by Laufey
New Girl by FINNEAS
We Go Down Together by Dove Cameron & Khalid
February 3rd by Jorja Smith
She by Harry Styles
Angry Too by Lola Blanc
Afterthought by Joji & BENEE
Faded by Alan Walker
The Summoning by Sleep Token
Therefore I Am by Billie Eilish
Play With Fire by Sam Tinnesz & Yacht Money
Samurai Swords - Acoustic Version by Highasakite
My Love Mine All Mine by Mitski
THE LONELIEST by Måneskin
King by Florence + The Machine
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The Practice On Me Face Claims
A look at how I imagined our younger ACOTAR characters looked through this series (and my original characters)!
Azriel:
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Rhysand:
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Cassian:
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Kaeda:
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Mor:
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Roza:
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Fin:
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Azriel’s internal monologue in fanon: Quiet, observant, deeply introspective, the most emotionally intelligent of the bat boys, doesn’t say much but sees all, moves and thinks and acts carefully, a cold darkness that he tries so hard to hide always threatening to burst forth , he must protect those he loves from all that he is.
Azriel’s internal monologue in Canon: sex, angry, sex, look boobs, if hot girl dropped into my life why not mate? Mating bond must be coming any day now (repeat for 500 years), angry, sex, dagger, if new hot girl sister of brothers mates why not mate??? Boo angry, New hot girl, regift, angry, sex, music, can’t sleep 🤪
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Can I request ACOTAR poly bats x mate reader? Who got killed if you don't write that the reader just got injured badly? Thank you!
Injury HC (ft. poly!mates Bat Boys)
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While I love me some heavy angst, I just couldn't bring myself to kill off mate reader even if its just for a hc 😭😅
Warnings: lots of mentions of blood, wounded/dying!reader, polyamorous mates, injuries, healing, angst and fluff, ft. mor, ft. amren, ft. madja, ft. wraiths
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woof where to begin
it would be damn near impossible for any of them to think rationally at the sight of blood coming from you, not their beloved who should only be full of smiles and laughter
bat boys become overbearing if you even get a papercut
But this. . . this was something else entirely.
So much blood that they feel sick from the rusty smell of it that permeated the air.
You looked so small and broken; Rhys has already come up with a thousand ways to kill whoever did this to you. You were their beautiful, proud, cunning mate.
The first one to make a move toward your body would be Rhysand. Always rational under pressure as Azriel and Cassian look around in case there was an ambush by the enemy. He feels sick to his stomach the entire time he's checking your vitals. When his fingers make contact with your blood soaked head, the sticky substance felt white hot. Rhysand could wash his hands millions of times and still feel that searing sting of your blood on his skin.
When they finally get you safely to Madja, you do manage to regain some consciousness, enough to reach out and grab Azriel's hand as everyone was leaving the operating room. Its difficult to move your lips to speak but you manage to plead for Azriel to stay. His shadows always soothed you.
There's no rest for Rhysand or Cassian unfortunately.
Despite Mor and Amren's best efforts, they can't drag your other two mates away from the door.
Rhysand being constantly updated by Azriel through his thoughts and shadows
Cassian tried not to let dark possibilities into his head. They banged against the door of his mind, loud and clear. If you died. . .
"She won't die." Rhysand would tell him sharply. He couldn't lose hope. But the steady smell of your blood that refused to lessen worried Rhysand greatly.
For Azriel, he was forced to stand there at your side as Madja did her best to put you back together. He refused to look away. There was absolutely nothing he could do to help.
He furiously clenches and unclenches his hands. Angry with himself for not being enough to protect you.
In the wee hours of the morning, Mor finds Rhysand and Cassian slumped together asleep. She put a blanket around them and takes a seat to join them in awaiting news. Amren soon follows suit once she has risen from bed by worry.
Finally, Azriel emerges into the waiting room.
Cass and Rhys leap from their seats
You're alive, although incredibly weak.
Madja had to bind and fix your bones while also trying to stop your bleeding. The most important thing was that you would live with some major scarring.
For the next several months, you acquired three overbearing nurses.
Not that you were complaining.
They only allowed Madja to tend to you and that was just during your checkups. Even the Wraiths' cooking was monitored by one of the bat boys.
Azriel and Rhysand had the tenderest hands when they changed your bandages or moved you around so you wouldn't get bed sores.
When you were well enough, Cassian would carry you to the outside garden so you could enjoy the warmth of the sun personally. You'd sit on his lap with your head resting on his chest. You liked listening to him talk as your ear was pressed close to his heart.
You had to tell them to shut up a few times because of how often they would apologize to you about letting you get hurt. It wasn't their fault, you'd argue to deaf ears. This was actually motivation for you. To remedy this and prevent getting hurt this badly ever again, you'd have to train more. Get stronger so your mates wouldn't blame themselves for you getting hurt in their absence.
Rhysand may be the only one who doesn't coddle you during any kind of physical therapy. He's one for tough love. Cassian too. Poor Az is utterly helpless.
Oh, you're out of breath? Let me carry you, sweetling. Rhys and Cass being too difficult? I'll give them a talking to.
Once fully healed thanks to your bat boys, you feel stronger and better than ever.
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jeannineee · 9 months
Note
“who did this to you?” is so az coded to me, i’d love to see what you come up with for that! i feel like he’d be so angry and hurt and torn between comforting the reader or absolutely going ballistic 😮‍💨
also i’m sorry you’re feeling burned out!! you’ve been putting out so much content so consistently and of course i eat it up but def take your time and take care of yourself! i hope these prompts inspire you!!! :)
Devotion
Azriel x Reader
a/n: based on this bingo card.
warnings: mentions of abuse, reader is half-fae, from the Continent, and was enslaved.
You thought you’d seen true fury.
The cold chill in one’s veins, the calm, dangerous quiet in a person’s voice. You thought you knew fury.
But now, as you felt Azriel’s eyes burning into your back, you realized you hadn’t the slightest idea.
Rage emanated from him, harsh and unrelenting. He took a few steps closer, as though he couldn’t fathom what he was seeing.
He was your closest friend, your confidante, your mate. You’d known he would see the scars eventually. But you didn’t think he’d react like this.
You leaned forward in the bath, hugging your knees as Azriel traced a finger down one of the larger, more jagged scars, almost parallel to your spine. You could hardly breathe as his voice—more lethal and terrifying than you had ever heard it—rang through your ears.
“Who did this to you?”
You swallowed. Once. Twice. “Az, it happened more than a decade ago—“
“Who.”
You didn’t dare meet his eyes as you told him the story; giving him pieces of yourself with each word. You told him of the slave camps that half-Fae like yourself were forced into on the Continent. Told him of the abuse you witnessed, the abuse you endured.
And with a shaky breath, you told him of the day you received the scars that sullied your back; tainted your very being. He listened as you told him about the young boy who’d been caught stealing bread from one of the Overseers, and how they’d chained him to the whipping post. His face softened as you told him you shielded the boy with your own body without hesitation, begging the Overseers to leave him alone.
His face contorted with fury and rage and other emotions you couldn’t quite place as you told him about how the Overseers chained you to the post instead, and how they whipped you until your vision went black, and you were certain you were dying.
But you didn’t. You lived. And the boy you’d tried to protect died anyway.
You weren’t sure how long the silence lasted. With you, remaining in the bath, Azriel kneeling behind you, staring and staring at your scars.
Finally, the shadowsinger spoke. “They’ll die. All of them. I will hunt them down and rip them apart.”
You didn’t reply. But the certainty in his voice told you enough. The Overseers would die.
As Azriel turned away to grab you a towel, you stood from the bathtub, water cascading down your form. You weren’t shy in letting him see you like this. The two of you bore your souls to one another long before he ever saw you naked. There wasn’t much more vulnerability you could show him. So you let him wordlessly wrap the towel around you.
His eyes now swam with gentleness and admiration. He pulled you tightly against him, and the tenderness in the gesture made you weep.
Azriel lifted you in his arms, and carried you to bed. You muttered protest about the sheets getting wet due to your hair, but Azriel ignored it. Instead, he removed the towel, and kissed every inch of your scars.
Reverence and devotion flooded through the bond as he continued treating you like his altar; each word of praise and affection sounding like a prayer on his lips.
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draemgal · 1 month
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wait for your love | azriel
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i should be writing my humanities essay but why would i do that when i can listen to ari and write about my fav bat boy?
flashes of amber fire dance in his dark eyes as he stands with his arms crossed in front of the bonfire, letting the heat warm his bones and soothe the aches in his muscles. drunken bodies and mindless chatter surround him but he refrains from drinking and instead focuses his eyes on his best friends. cassian, with his smile so big that it nearly touches the outer corner of his eyes, and rhysand, whose confidence is almost sickening as he sits on a tree stump surrounded with women who hang on to every word that fall from his parting lips.
sighing, he cracks his neck and pokes the raging fire with a long stick. the bags underneath his eyes are illuminated from the mixture of flame and moonlight, making him appear almost as tired as he feels. life had been going rough for azriel, and as much as he likes to bottle it up and shove it into the deepest crevices of his brain, his friends had somehow noticed. after you stopped coming around, cassian had tried his best to fill your place the best he could. he would treat azriel with such softness that it turned azriel's stomach. he couldn't stand being treated like he was fragile--delicate. but somehow, between losing you and hearing of your life continuing as if he was never a part of it, that is what he had become.
the only word to equate to what azriel was feeling was lost. he no longer knew how to bring air into his lungs and dispel it, to soak in the world's colors that were painted on trees and sidewalks. he could no longer hear laughter without hearing yours or look at crowds without imagining your face nestled someplace within them. the only place he truly felt safe from your constant lingering was parties.
you had always hated parties. you hated the noise, the stench of alcohol, the pushing of sweaty bodies. azriel was never fond of them either so it had never bothered him. but now, he spends his time drunk to numbness on a stranger's bathroom floor or in another fae woman's bed because he can finally escape the reality of his new life without you in it.
while the flames danced, he closed his eyes and relaxed the tension in his shoulders. he tried to flush his sober brain's thoughts, cursing himself for opting to be the babysitter tonight. from behind him, a branch cracks from the pressure of someone stepping on it. he opens his eyes and turns around, meeting eyes with feyre. her eyes are slightly widened, concern painted across her firelit face. she approached him slowly, stepping in front of him.
azriel furrowed his brows and looked down at her. "are you okay?"
she sucked in a sharp breath and nodded. "i am, but...azriel.." the way her voice got soft when she said his name made his stomach twist. he hated how his friends saw him now--as a lost and heartbroken boy in need of fixing. he knew he shouldn't be angry by their affection, but he couldn't help but feel shame.
he felt rhysand's hand clasp onto his shoulder after feyre finished.
"what?" his voice grew with annoyance at his friends. they seemed like they were walking on eggshells, the way their actions seemed calculated and rehearsed.
"she's...here." feyre said, looking up at azriel and frowning slightly.
it was like the world was turned on it's axis. he swore he felt everyone freeze, his heartbeat drumming in his ears as he zeroed in on the crowd. his eyes were searching, scanning for the face he both longed for and loathed seeing.
"az, stop." rhy's said, grabbing azriel's jaw and peeling his frantic gaze away.
a familiar feeling of anxiety coursed through the man's veins as he imagined seeing you again. what would he even do, much less say? surely he didn't have the self control to ignore you and act like you didn't show up and turn his world around. perhaps the most worrying thing was that you didn't go to parties, but here you were.
under the moon hung like a shining pearl in the darkness, you stood between to bodies in the crowd. his heart stopped beating for a second--your eyes meeting across the dancing amber flame. you stopped short too, almost as if you were debating turning on your heels and going back home. it was like the second you met your former lover's eyes you lost the knowledge of how to move your legs, to listen to what your brain was so desperately telling you to do.
"azriel, you can't." feyre pleaded, trying her best to contain him from walking your way with rhysand, but azriel had his heart set on speaking to you tonight. he hadn't heard from you in months, now may be his only chance.
"she's torn you apart, brother." rhysand tried to reason, but it fell on azriel's deaf ears.
leaves crunched underneath both of your feet as you cautiously approached each other, meeting in the middle. the windchill nipped at your heels as you studied him. dark circles, his hair in lazy, tousled unkempt curls upon his head. looking at him broke your heart more than it already was. it took every fiber in your being not to reach out and place your hand on his cheek like you had done so much in the past.
the two of you were quiet, both fighting your internal battles and seeming to lose. his lips parted slightly as he seemed like he almost wanted to stumble back from you. his dark eyes bore into yours, reflecting the stars back towards you.
you closed your eyes, pushing the tears back into the ducts they had emerged from. inhaling a sharp breath and exhaling, you opened them. right as you were about to break the silence first, he beat you to it.
"what are you doing here?" his voice was laced with many emotions, ranging from anger to confusion.
"i...i don't know." your voice wobbled, beads of salt falling off your bottom lashes and trailing down your cheeks. "i don't know."
his face softened briefly but he shook out of it quicker than it could register. he chewed on the inside of his cheek, his thick brows lowered and hands tucked into his pockets.
"you came here because you didn't know?" you wanted to flinch at his tone, the sarcasm and bluntness it spewed. you deserved it, you knew this. you had tried to stop your arms for reaching for your car keys, for putting the car in ignition and driving to this godforsaken party. to stop your feet from trudging through the brush until you met the clearing. to stop your eyes from meeting his. really, you had tried, yet it had not been enough.
"az, please." you were crying now and folding your arms across your chest, tightening your grip on your sweater.
"i just..." he shook his head and tore his eyes from yours, zeroing in on the trees. "why now?"
"what do you me-"
"why now? i am finally starting to recover from the devastation you put me through. i finally ate last week, slept even. i had my first night where i didn't see your goddamn face in my dreams--where you weren't my first thought when i woke up for a fucking split second."
you choked on sobs now, your heart laying in millions of shattered pieces at your feet. "azriel, please-"
"no, it's time you listen. after you sent me to voicemail so many times i memorized it, you are going to listen," he breathed before beginning again. "do you know how they are treating me right now? like i am made of glass, y/n. they don't see me the same way anymore because of what my obsession with you has done to me. i love you, y/n. i love you so much it actually is fucking destroying me. i have been replaying that night over and over and driving myself insane. i cannot fathom how you just up and walked out--how you didn't even have the decency to tell me why--to tell me what i did. do you even have any clue what that does to a person? to be abandoned?"
the way his eyes looked straight into yours turned your stomach. you choked back a sob and rubbed the tears off your chin. you had never meant this--had never meant for it to go this far. you had a habit of running from your problems, he knew this. he knew that when things got scary it was easier for you to self sabotage and disappear. the guilt you felt in this moment was immense and overwhelming. but you knew what you had to do. after tonight, you may no longer have a shot to right your wrongs.
"i'm pregnant."
it was almost instantly, how fast his face dropped. how fast his burning anger fled from his face, along with the color in his cheeks. his eyes widened with shock as he looked at you, his hands dropping loosely to his sides.
"you're what?" he whispered back, his body ever so still.
you looked down at your shoes and broke down, tearing down your mental dam you built and letting every emotion you had buried for the past two months flow out. "i-i'm so sorry, azriel." you croaked. "i was so scared...i didn't know what to do. i thought that..." you were almost incoherent now, but he heard every word.
"i thought that if i walked out first it would hurt less than you leaving me. but it didn't. it didn't, azriel. instead it hurt the both of us. i didn't mean for all of this to happen, i'm just so fucking scared."
his arms were suddenly tightly around you, one hand around your waist and his other cupping the back of your head. you sobbed into his chest as his familiar scent flowed up into your nostrils. mascara ran down your cheeks and stained his shirt but you didn't care as you fought to get air into your lungs.
"hey, hey..." his voice was soft but his eyes were distant. "baby...breathe."
this only made you cry harder. your shaking body crumbled in his arms as he held you up and close to him. "i-i'm so fucking sorry."
he shook his head and pressed a firm kiss on the top of your head. "we can talk about that later, my love. we can talk about it--all of it--when we get home. for now, let me just hold you." his voice cracked, tears welling in his dark eyes.
you nodded and wrapped your arms around him, nuzzling your wet face into the crook of his neck. "i love you, azriel. i love you so much that i feel like i'm constantly in fight or flight--like i need to leave first before you can leave me..."
he shushed you and rocked you back and forth, shaking his head again. "you should know by now i would never leave you." he was quiet again for a bit before sighing and resting his chin on the top of your head. "both of you." he whispered, watching the fire dance from a distance as he rubbed gentle circles on your back.
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bubbles-for-all-of-us · 2 months
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Pretty like the sun
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Previous chapter / Next chapter
a/n This is pretty like the wind series spin offs. This can be read as standalone all you need to know is that Azriel has two adoptive kids with OC - Zofie and Axel. Future stories related to them might include stories specifically decided to Azriel hence why I am taging it as Azriel story too. Don't come at me please. ✨
warning: blood, fighting, injuries, drinking.
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Nyx’s pov:
"Again", his voice sounded unfamiliar to him. He had flinched at it after the concept of time had started slipping. For a split moment, Nyx thought that it was his high lord who had spoken. That had caused him a solid punch to the jaw. The boy in front of him looked Nyx over worriedly, as his stance shifted. “You’re in or you're out? I won’t wait forever”, Nyx snarled, leaping forward. Once again, he didn’t remember when they had abandoned their swords. But he preferred it like that. Close and personal. Physical.
Another blow landed against his nose, and Nyx's head flew back. He was well aware that on his good days, the poor chap wouldn’t have landed any of the punches at all. He got close only because Nyx let him. "Enough," an annoyed voice sounded from behind him. A welcome destination for the boy in front of Nyx. It was good enough for princes’s cracked knuckles to meet the target. “Flying fuck," a rough palm gripped Nyx’s shoulder, “You are the most stupid...", a growl. Nyx tried to open his left eye, one that was now too puffed up and throbbed like a bitch. “I suggest you bugger off before I make sure that you’re eating dirt for the rest of the week," Axel’s deep growl echoed, making Nyx chuckle lightly. “Man, he asked for it", the guy lifted his palms in defiance. “And if he told you to jump from the cliff, would you do it?", the boy shrugged, only making Axel let out yet another frustrated sigh, and the other Illyrian took it as his chance to leave.
“You will make a wonderful advisor in the future," Nyx skittered. “I think I will have your ass six feet under before that could even happen," Axel grumbled, pulling at his friend’s arms and trying to help him up. “I left you for a fucking hour, Nyx," he huffed, draping Nyx’s arm over his shoulders. "Yeah, I missed you. I had to settle for a fight with an idiot”. Nyx huffed. “Do I need to remind you that you have an important high-lord party to attend soon?"—that was one of the reads Nyx had let his rails loose. He hoped that if he misbehaved badly enough and looked like a walking corpse when the day chimed, he could wiggle his ass out of it. The thought alone made him want to bend over and vomit. He wasn’t built to be a prince. He didn’t want it. It wasn’t him. Wasn’t the life he envisioned for himself.
“You’ve been acting like an absolute fool ever since we came back from Velaris; what has gotten into you?", Axel kicked the door to their cabin before guiding Nyx toward his bed. Your sister happened to me, he thought, but bit his tongue. “I just wanted to fight," Nyx growled instead. Only now did he feel how badly his body hurt. That fucker had landed more blows than Nyx had initially counted. “I know you, and this ain’t you. You can talk to me. We always talk about it”, Axel shoved Nyx’s hand away from his face before dragging a warm cloth over the swollen eye. And what would he tell him? I can't get your fucking sister out of my head. Do you know why we cannot see each other for a bit? Why is she even pulling away? Nyx grunted, pulling the cloth out of Axel’s hands.
“Why don’t you start by telling me who you’ve been running around with instead?”. It was low. Axel had a right to have a life outside of being Nyx’s right-hand man. And his love life didn’t need to be accounted for. But Nyx was so angry. Angry at everything and everyone. People constantly kept him in the dark. And then threw a bucket of news in his face while expecting him to receive it with open hands. “I ain’t running around with anybody," Axel shook his head, throwing a jar of salve Nyx’s way. But the scowl on the young prince’s face only deepened, “So, Piper doesn’t ring a bell?”. And bingo. Axel’s whole body got ridged. Did Nyx have no right to go and dig into the new arrival papers? Probably. But here they were. “Keep her name out of your fucking mouth," Axel pointed a warning finger at him, clearly not finding this one bit amusing. “And you stand here giving me lectures about sharing things," Nyx chuckled, “So why aren’t you talking, friend?" Axel shook his head, “Clean yourself up and sober up while you’re at it." He moved towards the door, and something in Nyx shifted. Axel never left. Not even when Nyx was in his shittest of moods. He had always been the only one to not leave him. Sit through his temper tantrums. "Axel," Nyx breathed, panic rising in his chest. He didn’t want to be alone right now. His head was too busy. He was too full of things he didn’t want to think of. “I’m only going to grab you some fresh water; lay down you twat," Axel grumbled back, easing the rising tide within Nyx. He nodded simply, slumping back on the mattress. His hand instantly moved beneath his pillow, where he always kept a stitched napkin that Zofie had given him. The crooked moon and stars greeted him like they always did. The stick figures holding hands. The flowers. Even the wonky sun on the far left side was perfect. Always perfect. “I’m thinking about you," Nyx muttered, brushing his fingers over the stick figure that was supposed to represent Zofie, “It’s one never-ending night over here without you, Sunny."
Zofie’s pov:
It’s only been a week, but it felt like forever. She never usually felt so desperate when they left. At least not after the first week. But she had grown restless. The cry that left Nyx’s lips as he shot up to the sky was still ringing loud and clear. Zofie heard it even through her hammering heartbeat. With her back pressed against the door, as she covered her mouth. And now it felt as if she hadn’t seen Nyx in a lifetime. It clawed at her. She knew that Axel would look after him, but... What if something happened, and that’s how they would have separated?
Zofie didn’t know what she was feeling. It all seemed too mushy and jumbled up. Now, instead of seeing a different aura around people, she simply saw black. It was impossible to distinguish between different feelings.
“Zo, do you want more pancakes?", her father’s voice made her almost drop her fork as she nodded. Azriel gave her a concerned look before plopping one of his signature breakfast goods onto her plate. “You excited to see the girls?", he asked, throwing a glance your way, only earning a slight shrug in return. “Yeah, am… It will be nice”, even if she didn’t want to see anyone. Well, maybe Piper. Axel had said that she was one of the nice girls. One Zofie could get to know if only she chose to.
“Ah, yes. You’ll be able to show them around; you can even go down to the market in the city," you chimed in, “and buy something nice or show them the good spots." But Zofie didn’t want to do that. Most spots had been hers and Nyx’s. They felt too personal to just be handed out. The same pinch in her chest made the hallow darkness spread even more. Her brows knitted as she pushed the plate further away from her. “You didn’t like it?", Azriel stopped mid-bite, almost making Zofie feel guilty. Almost. “Just not hungry," she shrugged, getting up from the table. She caught a glimpse of worry in her father’s eyes as she moved towards the stairs. The way you had reached out to squeeze his hand. And while Zofie didn’t want to keep you two in the dark, she didn’t know how to explain the emptiness inside her.
Just the fresh air and change of scenery didn’t help. It was nice to see her aunts and introduce herself to Piper, but socializing was never her thing. Nyx did most of the talking when they were out in public. He was born for that. It baffled her how quickly he managed to come up with a snarky remark as if he stored them all within his brain with special labels for just the right moment. Zofie tried to suffocate thoughts of him. Tried. But failed miserably. Everything she did or thought of was always in one way or another related to him. The thing was that she didn’t want to leave him like that. She didn't want to make him upset, but she also didn’t know how to make everyone happy. So, until she could come up with a solution, it would have to be like that.
“In my opinion, he is so much more attractive," one of the girls giggled into her palms. Attractive? How long has Zofie been out of this conversation? They were talking about the market day the last time she listened. “Well, Piper is the one who got to talk to him," the brow haired girl nudged the poor Piper, who had practically curled into herself by now, “Is he really hot up close?”.
Zofie shook her head. “Who’s hot?", she cut in, making all four sets of eyes dart up to her. And now she realized why she hated speaking in the first place. “Piper here had the prince’s second man carry her boxes”, Lina’s blond curls bobbed as she turned. But that was Axel? Why was Axel even here in the first place? He told her they could... Of course, he had met her. “Well, that’s my brother, so can we not talk weirdly about him?", Zofie scrunched up her nose, making the other two girls roll their eyes. But at least Piper’s shoulders sagged in relief. "Bore," the copycat next to Lina chirped. Zofie just couldn’t remember her name.
“We sure can talk about the prince himself," Lina smirked, and something snapped deep within Zofie, “There’s nothing to talk about." Suddenly, the prospect of having girls her age seemed like the worst idea ever. “As if... I’m determined to meet him," Lina said. The green mist rose in Zofie’s vision. “Gonna swoon him off his feet; heard he’s a proper flirt two," she elbowed her double ganger as they both chuckled.
“He will not fall for your shit," Zofie bit back, not even realizing that her hands were now firmly clenched by angry fists. “And how would you know that?", Lina fluffed her lashes. How did she know? She didn’t. Lina was pretty; you couldn’t take that from her. From the hair to her lean body. She was the embodiment of how any girl wanted to look. While Zofie… “He is my friend," she muttered, biting out the nagging thoughts. Lina chuckled, “Yeah, a friend. So, clearly, if you’re not girlfriend material, I will be."
It felt as if a bomb had exploded all around her. Vision glazing over. She saw nothing. Only Lina. She heard no one. Only Lina. And surprisingly, the girl wasn’t smiling. She looked petrified. Grasping at her throat. It felt static. As if the time had come to a halt. And then someone yanked her back. Pulling Zofie away from the neatly placed picnic blanket.
"Zofie", it sounded muffled, but her eyes did follow the sound. Only to be met with Feyre’s concerned ones. She blinked a couple of times. The fuzzy feeling cleared out. “She’s insane," a shriek sounded from behind her, making Zofie twist back. “You are dangerous, you stupid..." it was Lina, her cheeks still red, eyes wide. “Don’t finish that sentence," Cassian was gripping her shoulder, but he didn’t look too concerned with the girl. His eyes were on Zofie.
Zofie blinks a couple of times, black spots dancing in the corners of her vision. What had she done? Was it even her? Why did she... “Why don’t we go drink some tea, dear?", Feyre wrapped a hand around her shoulders. "I...", Zofie barely muttered before Feyre cut in, “Some tea with lots of honey, yes, yes." A part of Zofie wanted to run. Like she always did. Run away and hide. But Feyre pushed some of hair behind her ear, “We’ll have a nice conversation you and I”, she muttered almost ti herself, “Bake cookies even. Cookies always help”.
Nyx’s pov:
“Give me that," Axel said, snatching the glass out of Nyx’s hand, “You’ve been here for an hour." An hour too long. The hustle of the people was making Nyx sick. It was bad enough that he had to stand for the majority of that hour next to his parents, smiling as if he was thrilled to be there while he was slowly dying inside. Nyx kept dead-eye contact with Axel through it all, even if there was a sea of females who were trying to catch his eyes.
“I still think that you should cover for me so I can sneak out," Nyx grumbled. He had made at least five escape plans; he even planned to fake an allergic reaction, but Axel hadn’t been as thrilled about that. “Midnight. We had a deal”, Axel muttered, scanning the crowd. He was Nyx’s hawk, noting slipped past Axel. And as much as Nyx hated to admit it, Azriel was the one who had taught him all of it. “But you’ll dance with half of the girls in that line," Nyx nodded towards the girls who hadn’t stopped staring at him ever since the night began. “They ain’t her for me, kitten," Axel mused, making Nyx roll his eyes. “I’ll put a good word out for you," the prince said with a tap on his friend’s shoulder.
“Is your family coming?", Nyx scanned the crowd for familiar face. Well, correction. Is Zofie coming? He had tried to sneak back to Velaris before all this. He had to because his brain was going into overdrive. It had been eleven days, eighteen hours, forty-seven minutes, and 45... 46 seconds till he had laid eyes on her. And by now, he was more than okay with just catching a glimpse. He could do with that. He would settle for that. “Papa should," Axel said calmly, “Ma’ wasn’t feeling too well, so she’s back at the cottage." Translation: Zofie didn’t want to go, so Y/N stayed back with her. Nyx clenched his jaw. “Everyone’s healthy and well?", he was fishing for straws here, and he knew it. “Yeah, it’s all well; little one is growing too fast, though. Could have sworn she fit in my palm before we left," Axel muttered, and a part of Nyx was glad that he hadn’t caught onto his real intentions.
“Here you are”, a strong palm landed on Nyx’s shoulder, making the boy look to the side. His smug father stood there, way too happy with himself. “High Lord," Axel said, lowering his head in greeting, even though Nyx had specifically told him to not kiss his father with flatly. “You two are hiding in the back as if this is a funeral," Rhys shook his head with a smile, “Come up to the front tables; quite a couple of people are looking for you." Nyx’s eye twitched. If only he could scream now. He was convinced all the windows would shatter. He wanted out. Why was no one catching onto the fact that he was suffocating? He didn’t want to be a part of his father’s plans. He didn’t want to be a perfect son. A one-day-crowned prince.
Nyx was sure that Rhys could see the malice burning through his eyes, considering that his face went dead serious. Nyx knew that his father would stomp his foot, and he would have to do it. Or that pleading look on his mother’s face would claw at his heart till he gave in. He felt Axel’s hand on his shoulder blade. He was spiraling then. His magic was flaring up and Axel was warning him like he always did. Nyx was about to open his mouth when his eye caught movement behind his father. His eyes narrowed. Vision sharpening, and then it all died down.
The ringing in his ears faded. The choking feeling subsided. “Nyx, I am talking to you," Rhys said, gripping his upper hand, but Nyx shook it off as he stepped forward. Smile tugging at his lips. She was a vision. There might have been hundreds of females here tonight. Wrapped in the most expensive silks and velvet. But he hadn’t given them a second glance. And now she stood there at the top of the staircase. Looking over the hall. Nyx only hoped that she was looking for him.
And then her gaze found his. As if he had brought it right back to him. As if in a sea of bodies, she knew where he would be. And then she smiled. And Nyx was convinced that someone had spiked the wine because she shouldn’t be smiling. He moved faster, his hands gripping the railing as he jogged up the stairs. He missed every other step as he went. Was it appropriate? No. Was he making a spectacle considering that they were right above everyone and had nowhere to blend in? Yes. But did he care? No. Because even with twenty stairs separating them, she was too far away, and at the same time, she was in front of him way too quickly, leaving him no time to pick through his thoughts.
“You came?", Nyx breathed heavily. Zofie crossed her arms over her chest, looking him up and down. "I had a feeling you were struggling to get through this," she said casually, “Axel said that your sassiness has been off lately." Nyx wasn’t sure if he wanted to laugh or cry at this point as he stepped closer to her, shielding her tiny frame from any curious glances. "Sunny," he muttered, ready to watch her fade away the same way she always did in his dreams.
“Your hands are trembling," she breathed, reaching out for his palms, “Why are your hands trembling?" Her worried eyes looked up at him, and he was ready to sink to his knees in front of her. “I… I am nervous”, he muttered like a teenager, looking at his first-ever crush. “You never get nervous around me," Zofie frowned, shaking her head. And then there was one heartbeat. One. Nyx’s left hand reached behind her as he pulled her into his chest, wrapping her up in his embrace.
He was shivering all over. But all the systems in his body that had been flashing red for days now were finally running smoothly. It felt as if he could finally breathe. That lavender sugar scent that she carried drowned him in her. “We need to get out of here," Nyx breathed again, her hair neatly braided with daisies. “I didn’t spend an hour lacing this for nothing," Zofie muttered, pulling back from his embrace. Both of their eyes fall onto the deep purple and black bodice. A vision. Nyx reached for her hand. “I’ll appreciate the hell out of it for you, Zof; I will," he muttered, dragging her towards the double-sided door. He heard gasps as he moved. Pretty sure he even heard his name being called. Pret sure he heard footsteps. But the moment he was out in the cold night air, he wrapped his arms around Zofie once more. Bringing her as close as he possibly could before shooting up at the sky and winnowing halfway through the plush clouds. Now that he had gotten his sun back, not even the devil himself was strong enough to take her away.
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Taglist: @sirenpearldust @historygeekqueen @hnyclover @i-am-a-lost-girl16 @naturakaashi i @stressed-reader @woodland-mist @goldenmagnolias @nocasdatsgay @lees-chaotic-brain
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thelov3lybookworm · 9 months
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Can I ask somthing? You can totally ignore this if you're not comfortable!! Can you write somthing like reader has been SA'ed before and az or cass or Rhys(your choice who) doesn't know this and tries to take things to 3rd base but reader gets really uncomfortable and tells them what she's been through so the bat boy comforts her saying he'll wait however long he has to for her, holding her and then goes all angry psycho on the person who SA'ed her.
(I was SA'ed a few years ago and the 'date' is coming closer that's why I just need somthing to keep my mind distracted. Plzzzz ignore this if you aren't comfortable with it!! I totally understand!)
Finally Safe
Summary: Reader is the youngest of the Vanserra's, but like Lucien, is the daughter of Helion. She has a pretty dark past that she doesn't even want to think about, and so, no one other than she herself knows about it.
When her mate tries to take things further in their relationship, everything she has kept inside herself comes spilling out.
•○●⛦●○•
A/n: Hi my love! I am soo glad that you sent this ask, it makes me so happy (this one is the first fic request I've received! I also feel extremely honored that you chose me for writing such a sensitive topic).
Also, I'm soo sorry that you had to go through that! I've never had any experience with SA or anyone who went through it, so I'm not sure if I can write something that really captures the depth of the situation, but I did listen to a few SA stories and podcasts ('Rotten Mango' podcasts, if any of you wanted to know) and I'll try my best with this.
Also, I've had this story idea for like a year now since I finished reading acosf, so I'm going with Azriel for this one.
Aaand I tried to make it as long as possible, hope it what you wanted to read.
Hope you like it! Enjoy!
Tw: mentions of SA, not graphic torture scene under '•○●⛦●○•', none more that I can think of, so let me know if I need to add anything.
•○🌑○•
Everywher her eyes went, there was darkness.
All she could hear, laughter, grunts and disgusting words spewed from equally disgusting mouths.
All she could smell was sweat, her own tears, and things she didn't want to think about.
All she could feel was the nauseating touches of a male she didn't know and the cool ground under her back.
All she could taste was the bile climbing up her throat.
She just wanted it to be over. She just wanted them to leave so she could curl up into a ball and cry herself to sleep.
Why?
She kept asking herself.
Why me?
She would probably never get the answer to it. And even if she did, she'd never understand how someone could do something as horrible as this.
Then she started screaming. As she always did.
•○🌑○•
Y/n jerked up, her chest heaving. She sat up, scooting back towards the headboard and pressing herself against it, tugging the blankets to cover herself as her eyes frantically searched around for any sign of movement in her chambers.
Of course, there was no one, but the fear never went away. Probably never would.
Long moments went by as she tried to calm herself, telling herself that she was safe. That she wasn't in that dungeon anymore. That she was far from it, she was in Day Court.
Her actual father's domain, apparently.
Soon after Amarantha had trapped everyone Under the Mountain, her mother had broken the news to her. That she wasn't Beron's daughter, but Helion's. And then, secretly, over the decades, Helion and Y/n had started to spend more time together. Her father was guilty that he hadn't been there for her when she was a kid, and so the two of them tried to make up for the time they had lost.
Y/n shook her head, laying down again and deciding to atleast try to get some sleep. There was going to be an important meeting in a few hours, and all the High Lords were going to arrive for the meeting. For planning the course of the war against Hybern.
She needed all the sleep she could get as it would be very stressful and she was supposed to be present as her father's Second in Command.
Still, she could not sleep. Knowing she would not be able to sleep anytime soon, she finally stood and made her way to the washing chamber when the watery rays of sunlight filtered in through the window.
She scrubbed herself raw in scalding hot water in hopes of washing away all the phantom stickiness she still felt on her body. After that, she got dressed in a white and golden flowy gown, the colours of Day.
Being the second of command of Helion wasn't the only reason she wrote this colours.
It would also be making a statement. That she had chosen Day Court over Autumn Court.
Beron knew she wasn't his daughter. He also thought that she was picked up from a dumpster. That's what Lady of Autumn had told him.
When she was pregnant with Y/n, she had stayed away from Beron for months, and when she returned, she returned with a newborn, saying she found the baby on the side of a road near a dumping ground. Beron didn't care as long as he was not concerned in the child's upbringing.
After Feyre had ended Amarantha's reign, Y/n had left the Autumn Court, making the excuse that she wanted to settle somewhere else.
And that's how she had ended up in Day. She had tried her best to convince Helion not to do this, as it could put relations between the two courts in jeopardy, especially as Beron would see it as a sign of betrayal. But he didn't care.
Y/n just prayed to the cauldron that the meeting would go without anyone dying.
•○🌑○•
She stepped into the airy meeting area, her dress fluttering around her feet.
The guards outside had informed her that the High Lords from Dawn and Summer Court had arrived quite some time ago, and Night Court had just come just moments before she did.
All eyes went to her, and all the Lords' eyes lit with recognition. She just gave a then a polite smile, before grinning at Rhys, who grinned back and pulled her into a hug.
"She was a friend Under the Mountain." He told his Inner Circle, pulling back from her. She nodded at the members that were present before her eyes landed on an Illyrian standing near a doorway, his eyes alert and on the High Lords.
As if sensing her gaze, he glanced at her. And when he did, everything in the world stopped. At least for Y/n.
Snap.
Her body locked up, her eyes widening. She stared and stared at him. She vaguely heard her name being called, but she couldn't process it.
"Y/n?" Her father touched her arm and she jerked back, gasping. She looked up at him, her eyes frantic. He had a confused smile on his face. She took a deep breath, pulling an indifferent mask on.
"Yes?"
"Are you okay? You look alarmed." She swallowed, glancing at the winged male to see if he had felt it too. By the confusion lacing his featured, he hadn't. She tried not to let her disapointment show.
"Yes. I'm fine."
Her father nodded, unconvinced as he gave her a look that said we'll talk about this.
Then she felt a tap on her mental shields. She opened a pathway and let Rhys in.
What is it? He questioned.
She thought for a moment before answering. Mate.
His eyes lit up and he smiled. That's amazing.
She nodded and walked to her seat, plopping down on it.
As everyone waited for others to arrive, Y/n couldn't help but keep glancing at the male.
Beautiful. He was beautiful.
As the meeting progressed, she kept chiming in with her suggesting but not really paying attention, completely avoiding looking at Beron. She also learned that the male's –her mate's– name was Azriel. She knew she had heard the name before, but couldn't place where.
But she would, soon enough.
•○🌑○•
"My dear, what happened back there?" Helion asked as soon as he and his daughter were alone.
She turned to him helplessly. "He–he was–is, my mate."
His brows furrowed. "Azriel?" When she nodded, a smile as bright as the Court he ruled over spread across his face. "You found your mate! You must tell him! Oh Mother, I'll hold a ball in your honor. I–"
"Dad. Who is he?" She would've called him father if not for his very pouty request that she call him dad. Father sounded too formal, according to him.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. How could I forget! He's the Spymaster of the Night Court."
Her jaw dropped. "The feared Spymaster of Night Court?" He nodded happily. "Then should we not be scared? Doesn't he have... quite the reputation?"
"That he does, but from what I've gleaned from my centuries, he's a sweetheart with people he cares about. Atleast, that's what Rhysand has been telling me. If he's lying, I'll be very sad."
Y/n couldn't believe it. One of the most feared male in all of Prythian was her mate. Her gods darned mate.
She didn't know how she would tell him, considering she had never had an interaction with him. Still, she'll have to figure it out.
Because, feared or not, he deserved to know.
•○🌑○•
After the war.
She had realised that any one of them could die at any moment after the war, and then she'll feel guilt for not telling her mate about the bond. And so, she wanted to get to know him first. She had no idea how she'd do that, but her father did.
The war was over, but that didn't mean that everything was fine. And so, under the excuse of strengthening ties with the Night Court, her father had sent Y/n to help in Velaris. Of course, when she had called his bluff, he had acted innocent and declared he didn't know what she was talking about.
So now, it had been a week off her staying in Velaris, and she hadn't had any sort of conversation with Azriel except for a few polite smiles here and there.
She was in a room right next to Azriel, which Rhys claimed had nothing to do with their bond.
She huffed and turned onto her side, trying to fall asleep.
That was when she felt a panicked tug on the bond. She practically flew out of her bed and into Azriel's room to find him writhing on the bed. It was pitch dark, his shadows frantic.
She quickly made her way towards the bed, realising he was having a nightmare. She gently placed her hand on his bare shoulder, tying to wake him up because she didn't know what else to do.
She shook him slowly so as not to startle him, but when he didn't wake up, she put a little more force into it.
Which was, she realised a little too late, was the wrong thing to do.
One second, she was kneeling on his bed trying to wake him up. The next, she was pinned on the mattress, Azriel snarling in her face, one of his hands wrapped around her throat, the other clutching her hands above her head. But that wasn't what caused her breathing to grow shallow or her instincts to scream at her to flee.
No. It was the fact that she was helpless as she was pressed into the mattress.
Dark dungeons.
Beron's Second in Command sneering at her.
Her screams.
She couldn't breathe she couldn't breathe she—
Suddenly, the weight was lifted from her body, her hands free and the grip around her throat vanishing. She gasped, scrambling to sit up and scoot away from Azriel, who was kneeling in front of her with a horrified expression.
"I– I'm so sorry. I didn't mean–"
Y/n shook her head, trying to find her voice. "It's okay." She rasped.
"Did I hurt you?" She shook her head. He seemed to think for a moment. "Did I scream?" When she shook her head again, his eyes narrowed. "Then how did you know I was having a nightmare?"
She paled. "I just thought you– I didn't..." She knew lying to him would be futile, he was a damned Spymaster for a reason. So she swallowed and told him the truth. "I felt it."
She did not meet his eyes, though he stared at her. "How?"
She stayed silent. A few moments passed before she sighed and tugged on the bond. Gently at first. When he gave no reaction, she tugged harder.
He gasped, leaning forward and clutching his chest, staring at her with wide eyes. It felt like eternity had passed before he finally spoke.
"How–how long have you known?"
She looked at him as she cleared her throat. "Since the High Lords' meeting. Before the war."
"That's why you kept staring at me. Why didn't you say anything?"
"I wanted to get to know you first. I was scared."
He seemed to have regained his composure as he nodded. He stayed quiet for a moment. "Do you– do you want the bond? It's okay if you don't want it. Want me. I know my reputation isn't... the best."
"I want this Azriel. I just want to get to know you more before we accept the bond."
A smile stretched across his face, stealing Y/n's breath away.
"Then... how do you feel about getting dinner tomorrow?"
She smiled. "I would like that. Very much."
•○🌑○•
It had been a few months since that night, and Azriel and Y/n had been courting each other traditionally, like they would have if they weren't mates.
They took it slowly. Just last month they had shared their first kiss.
They had told each other everything about their pasts. She knew all about Azriel and he knew all about her. Except that one thing that not even her father knew. It wasn't as if she didn't want to tell him. She just didn't know how to.
As she knocked on the door to his new home, she wondered if she should tell him today. Better late then never, right?
He opened the door, an instant grin spreading on his face as he opened the door wide.
"Welcome home love." He mumbled, kissing her temple as she passed by him. She smiled and set the box in her hands on the corner where the other boxes were. "Dinner's ready."
He had recently bought this house for the two of them. His stuff was already here, and the box Y/n had been carrying was the last of her belongings.
When she had insisted that she could bring her stuff herself and didn't need him, he had declared that he'd be cooking dinner then.
They sat in comfortable silence as they ate. After the plates had been cleared away, he forced her to sit and relax while he did the dishes.
So as she sat on the kitchen counter, she told him of the new book she'd been reading. Soon enough, he had finished his work and was standing between her knees, leaning on his hands on either side of her hips, listening diligently as she finished her story.
"And that, my love, is how they got their happy ending." She flicked his nose.
He sighed. "I wonder if I'll get my happy ending tonight."
She giggled. "And what do you think your happy ending will be?"
"Just a few sweet kisses from my sweet sweet mate."
She laughed and kissed him. He smiled into the kiss.
It was amazing and dreamy, like she had always imagined and wanted her life with her mate to be like.
But the dreaminess of the moment soon started summoning her nightmares as Azriel's hand started to inch higher on her thigh, his other hand tugging her towards the edge of the counter.
Panic flared in her as she placed her hand on his chest, trying to push him away gently.
But then his hand brushed the waistband of her pants, and she pulled away with a gasp, her chest heaving. "No."
His brows furrowed as he searched her eyes. "What happened, darling?"
Tears formed in her eyes as those memories started creeping up on her. "No– not yet Azriel. I–I can't–"
Seeing those tears, his face softened with understanding. "Hey, its okay. We can wait. There's no hurry. Can you tell me what the matter is? Is it something I did?"
She shook her head, taking a deep breath. "A century ago, I was still living in Autumn Court. Beron's Second in Command hated me, for no other reason that I existed, apparently. He was always trying to get me executed or imprisoned. One time, he succeeded. He convinced Beron to throw me in the dungeon because I was being rebellious, according to him. A few days in the dungeon would discipline me. And–and that he would personally look over my imprisonment." As her voice broke on the last part, Azriel's hands clutched her own and squeezed.
She swallowed. "He... he did overlook my imprisonment. Quite personally too."
He searched her eyes, his face hard. "The guards? They did nothing?"
She laughed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "They enjoyed watching him... discipline me." She wiped her face with her sleeves. "I'm so sorry, you have to wait because of me–"
He shushed her. "One thing I always want you to remember is that it wasn't ever your fault. It was his. Never apologise for someone else's mistakes." She sniffled as he pulled her into his arms, her head resting on his shoulders as she wound her hands around the back of his shoulders. He clasped the back of her neck as his other hand rubbed her back. He then carried her to their new bedroom, while she clung to him like a child, all the while murmuring about how it wasn't her fault.
He sat her down on the bed, helped her change into her night clothes before laying her down and settling down next to her. She lay her head n his chest, breathing in his calming scent.
"Can you tell me his name, love?"
"Orvyn."
She could feel him nod. She wondered why he asked, but couldn't think straight as sleep started creeping in.
She would ask him tomorrow, she decided.
•○🌑○•
Azriel's pov.
He was alert as the footsteps became louder and louder, until that bastard came into view. Azriel wanted to gut him like a fish, but that would not calm his rage. So he calmly stepped out of his shadows, only enough that he could be heard without having to shout.
"Orvyn?" He questioned. The blonde male turned, squinting to make out who had called his name. "Are you the Second in Command?"
Azriel watched as his chest puffed at the mention of his title. "Yes. That's me. Who might you be?"
Then Azriel stepped completely away from the darkness concealing him and smirked. He prowled closer, noticing how fear entered Orvyn's eyes, and how he refused to back down.
But while he was busy staring at the Spymaster, he failed to notice the shadows winding around his legs and arms. When Azriel was close enough to him, he whispered. "Your death."
Orvyn's eyes widened as he opened his mouth to scream, but before he could even take a breath, Azriel had winnowed the both of them away to the dungeons. The place where his mate had been kept.
•○●⛦●○•
As the darkness cleared from his vision, he found that his shadows had already bound Orvyn to the wall, keeping him standing. Some of them held his hand next to his head while some had bound his mouth so he couldn't scream. And some had already gone to keep an eye on anyone who might be coming near, sealing the ears of the guards nearby.
Azriel smiled at Orvyn as he whispered. "Where shall we start?" He pulled out Truth–Teller and placed it near his fingers. "Here? I think that's a good idea."
And then, as slowly as he could, he cut off the bastard's fingers. The stench of piss hit the air. "What is this? I thought you were supposed to be very brave and powerful. What happened now? If you're crying and pissing yourself now, I wonder what you'll do when I carve your dick out. I'll do that, then maybe even take your eyes as souvenirs. What do you say? Oh, and also, I want you to know that I'm not doing this because I'm being paid for it or anything. I just found out you assaulted my mate. Remember? Her name was Y/n."
His eyes were wide in recognition as tears started streaming down his face and Azriel clicked his tongue. He pulled out another ordinary dagger from his array of weapons and stabbed it in his thigh.
Then he placed Truth–Teller on his face and set to work.
•○🌑○•
Y/n's pov.
She groaned as she blinked the sleep from her eyes and stretched her hand out in search of her mate's warm body. But all she came across were cold sheets.
She was confused as she sat up and looked around for any indication of where he might be. He would have left a note if he was going for work. Maybe he was in the kitchen.
So she got up and waddled down the stairs, hunting for her mate. But she couldn't find him anywhere in their home.
Where was he?
Just then, she heard the front door opening and she rushed to meet Azriel. She had already expected him to be out, and he had returned now. Maybe he'd been running some errands.
What she hadn't expected was for him to be covered in blood.
"Cauldron boil me! Are you okay? Are you hurt?" She asked, trying to usher him into the bathing room.
"What makes you think I'm hurt?" He raised an eyebrow.
She faltered. "Well, first of all, you look like you just took a swim in a pool of blood. Forgive me for expecting the worst." She began turning on faucets and filling the tub for him, adding oils into it before turning to him. Hurt or not, he would want to take a bath.
"I could have been doing my Spymaster things." He said, stripping and stepping into the water, sighing.
"Whenever you leave for work, you leave a note. Where were you, Azzie?"
"Just having some fun." When she continued to glare at him, he finally told her. "Hunting down bastards." She raised a brow. "Second in Command. Orvyn."
Her eyes widened. "What did you do to him?" He ignored her. "What did you do Azriel?"
So he told her everything in detail, so much so that she wanted to gag even as pride surged in her for her amazing mate. When he finished, he stood and toweled off, coming to stand in front of her.
She sighed. "Don't you think this could strain the already fragile relations between Night and Autumn? Beron could decide to attack–"
He grasped her jaw and tilted her head back as he leaned closer. "Y/n, I do not care about any of that."
"Are you sure? I remember you saying that you would do anything for this Court."
"Night Court is important for me, but not as much as you and your happiness. The whole of Prythian could go to hell if it meant you would be happy. Just say the word and I'd set the world on fire for you, my love."
Wetness gathered in her eyes and she furiously swiped at them. He pulled her hands away, smiling softly. "I don't want to cry." She choked out. He laughed and pulled her in for a hug. She wrapped her arms around him so tight she wondered if he would choke.
But he didn't do anything other than hug her back just as fiercely.
And finally, after all these years, Y/n felt like she was safe. Nothing could hurt her as long as she had her mate.
And she couldn't ask for anything more.
•○🌑○•
Taglist: @eos-princess
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harrystylesfan2686 · 2 months
Note
Ok, hi! I'm so excited to order number 6 with Azriel!🤩
Crazy Girl
Pairing: Azriel x Reader
Summary: the one where you both get in trouble because az almost killed a guy for touching you.
Warning: non consensual touching, mention of whipping. Not edited.
A/N: Hello! Thank you so much for requesting!! This is again, from when the boys were in training. Hope you like this 🫶
Dialogue Prompts Masterlist
○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○
You and Azriel walk into Devlon's cabin, the biggest one in the camp, not counting the one Rhy's mother has. The two of you were in big trouble.
Him having punched a fellow tranie for you.
You were minding your business, you cleaning the weapons, filled with blood, as your chore of the day. As much as you hate doing so, there was no way you could say no.
You were grimacing while cleaning off a sword when one of the males training came to pick up one of the sparking blades. The male took one look at you up and down and smirk. You didn't realize his intentions until his arm wrapped thightly around your waist and his hot breath felt above your ear.
You were disgusted the second he put his hands on you and tried to fight out of his hold but his hand tightened and the other joined too, holding your thigh. "You're a hot piece of ass." You almost gagged at his words.
"Let me go." You forced yourself to be calm, knowing rudeness will not take you anywhere. You look around you for help, heart jumping when you see no one around. You could harm him, but definitely not enough to run from him. He was a warrior, for gods' sake, doesn't matter if still in training.
"Nah, I think not." You struggle in his hands when his palm slides up on your thigh. "I saw you going in that shadowsinger's cabin yesterday, one of the many nights I see you together." You freeze, your blood growing cold in fear at the thought of you both getting caught.
"You must be a good fuck for him to go back crawling to you again and again." You move in action when his hand goes dangerously close between your legs, bunching up your gown. You shoot out your arm, with as much force as you can, slaming your elbow against his nose.
The unexpected blow catching him off guard, his head snapping back and his hold losenes long enough for you to slip out and run, though not fast enough because you hear him yell,"You bitch!", before his hand comes at you, catching a fistful of your hear and pulling you back into him. You cry out in pain, trying desperately to think of anyway to run from him.
You hear an angry growl before his hold suddenly leaves from your hair. You turn back around to see him falling to the ground and Azriel standing between you both. He looks up at him, hand wiping blood that falls from his nose from your jab.
You stayed back and let Azriel beat the living out of him before someone saw the three of you and stopped him, leaving the male too hurt to even get up. The two of you had been ordered to stay outside of Devlon's office while he introgated the male.
You both didn't talk at all, him being too mad to say anything except for him asking you in a small whisper,"Are you alright?" You couldn't reply to him because Devlon finally called you in.
The two of you were alone in his office when you entered. Your eyes immediately going to a wooden carved bears, sitting at Devlon's desk. The bigger one looking down at the smaller one that's barely reaching it's leg. Clearly a parent and a cub. Your heart jumps at the figure, "Look how cute that is." You whisper fondly to Azriel and he hums, observing it.
The door of his office slams open, and the Lord of the camp walks in. Even his heavy steps screams anger. "What am I to do with you." His glare deathly at you both, if looks could kill, you'd both be burried by now.
Gods, you were so fucked.
-☆-
After an hour of lecture and and tons of punishment chores, given to you both, you go to your small room in the female housing cabin and Azriel to Rhysand's cabin. The two of you didnt talk at all after getting out of the office so you worry yourself through the day, not having to talk to Azriel after today is killing you.
When you hear your window rattle and Azriel steps through, you sigh in relief. "Hello, Love." He whispers in the darkness, pulls you in thightly against his chest and you both sigh in each other's comforting arms.
When you try to run your hands down his back, careful of his wings, you freeze when he sucks in a sharp breath. You pull back, frowning at his face. His grimace making you panic. You don't say anything as you gently move around him, standing at his back. You bunch the ends his thin shirt in your hands and pull up slowly in case he stops you, you pull up the shirt all the way back, resting it on his wings and move him under the fea light to see clearly.
You gasp, seeing angry red straches that thankfully seem to have stopped bleeding, the marks are so big and deep that can only be caused by whips. The dried blood around his entire back making your stomach curl. Your eyes fill with tears and he turns around, now facing you.
"I'm alright, my love. Don't worry." His hands cup your cheeks. You look into his eyes, yours filled with anger at his punishment and the people who caused it. You promise yourself to take revenge for the harm they caused your lover.
"I love you." He kisses your forehead. "I love you too." You finally whisper back, kissing your lips to his, full of passion and love, saying everything you want to but can't right now, knowing full well anyone to hear.
When you pull back, you sigh and pull him to your excuse of a bed, pulling out from under the pillow the steal you committed, result of anger mixed with quick decision making. You turn to him with a smirk and give it to him while he gaps at you and the figure of the bear and it's cub.
"Did you just steal that?" He asks in the lowest voice he can master, shock written all over his face.
"Of course, there's no way I'd be able to afford it." You shrug, "And I wanted it. Figured he owed us at least that much after the scolding and now your leashing."
He kisses you again, trying to stop the laughter threatening to come out of his throat, resting his head on your shoulder, he hugs you and whispers, more to himself than you.
"My crazy girl."
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Note
Hello!! How are you?? I'm sorry for the difficult week... and thank you very much for answering me, I'm simply delighted! And don't worry, your writing hasn't been affected, it's still great! If she hasn't gotten better! And I'm glad you like the requests... I think they're silly🥹
But get better! And if you don't mind, I have one more request🤭 I imagine something where maybe Rhys went out and left the reader at home, but maybe, some of the boys, Cass or Az, stayed at the house, and they didn't know they weren't alone , so what, they end up attacking the reader thinking she is an enemy? And Rhys senses her fear of the bond and goes to help her? I imagine Rhys super angry, and protective of the reader, taking care of her and being cute...
(I read your recent Azriel story which was based on a movie, just amazing! I loved it!)
Safe.
Rhysand x f!Reader.
Masterlist.
Warnings; abuse, a bit angst.
Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy this too!!! I really enjoy your requests.
Being the High Lord’s mate could be very beneficial when you strolled around Velaris, most faeries didn’t even dare to look at you while others like most store owners gave you the best products they had, not because they fear Rhys, they do it because they love him. If you could take all the hate for him from the court of nightmares and multiply it by one million, then you would have the love for him from Velaris. You and Rhys knew that your whole life would change now so you decided to take things slow so you can adjust better and that is the reason you haven’t moved in together yet. Rhys would come over to your house most nights while the rest you would stay with him at the house of wind, recently though you both started searching for your dream house, a place that would represent both you and him and hopefully the rest of the family you will create.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
You woke up in your mate’s arms with your head on his chest and your legs tangled, you loved mornings like this so much. You pressed your body harder into his warmth and glanced up, he was awake too with a smirk on his face and those violet eyes staring back at you. The sun was hitting his eyes in a way that they sparkled and his whole face looked even more sharp.
“Good morning beautiful” his deep morning voice sent shivers down your spine.
“Good morning handsome” you replied and kissed his naked chest.
“I have to go to the day court today, me and Helion have some matters to discuss” he informed you and rubbed your back.
“But today we were supposed to go see the house by the Sidra” you frowned.
“I know but this is urgent” his voice softer than before, a silent plea for you to understand him.
“Okay…” you nodded and pressed yet another kiss on his chest.
“I will take Cassian with me so if you need anything find Azriel” he said as he rolled you on the bed next to him and got up.
“Okay I want to stay in bed for a little longer, I will ask Azriel to fly me home later” you smiled and pulled the blanket higher. Rhys chuckled and started getting ready.
“I’m leaving… don’t miss me much” your mate smiled and leaned over you to give you a soft kiss.
“I’ll survive” you teased him, and he scowled playfully before giving you another kiss and hurrying off.
You rolled over to his side and pressed your face on his pillow, his musky scent of cinnamon and cedar still there. You sighed in content and closed your eyes. Sleep came over easily and a few hours later you felt well rested, so you got ready for the day.
You wore a pair of leggings and threw one of Rhysand’s shirts on, the need to feel him around you growing as you inhaled his scent again. You strolled around the house to find Azriel, you couldn’t see his shadows anywhere. Weird. You thought and kept looking.
Azriel was sitting in his office trying to put some mission reports in order when he heard light footsteps. He glanced around and ordered his shadows to find out who was in the house. They didn’t come back, and this made him tense, he knew that Rhysand and Cassian were at the day court, Amren was doing some research so she spent all day in her apartment and Mor was in the court of nightmares handling some issues with her father. No one else could enter the house without him knowing. The shadowsinger reached for his dagger and cursed when he remembered that he placed all of them in his room in order to clean them. He got up and walked out, walking quietly as a cat down the hall and ready to pounce on the stranger. When he located where the stranger was, he jumped on him, sending both of them on the ground and in one swift motion he manoeuvred himself so he could bang the victim’s head on the ground, when he did a feminine groan filled the silence and he glanced down. The hair looked familiar, and he rolled the female on her back, a gasp leaving him when he noticed it was you.
You were unconscious with blood streaming down your forehead.
“Oh no no no” he cried out and picked you up hurrying off to find Madja.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
You woke up with a terrible headache and pains around your whole body. You squinted and noticed an unfamiliar ceiling and then it hit you. As you were walking around the house of wind Azriel jumped on you from behind sending you face-first to the floor and then he banged your head against it. You were too busy playing with his shadows to even realise that someone was behind you. You groaned and tried to sit up when rough arms pushed you back down.
“Hey it’s okay…. you’re okay… you need to rest” it was Azriel who spoke, and you looked at him. His eyes were red, his face swollen and his hair a tangled mess.
“I’m so sorry y/n I didn’t know that Rhys left you in the house”.
“It’s okay Az, you didn’t mean it. It’s not your fault I should’ve shouted your name since I was looking for you. You had no way to know that I was still in there.” You croaked and caressed his scarred palm.
“I feel terrible, and I deserve everything that Rhysand will do to me when he gets here. Please don’t stop him.” His voice was soft.
“No, it’s not your fault and I won’t let Rhysand hurt you” you said and squeezed his hand.
You could feel Rhys frantically pulling the bond and before you had a chance to pull back to reassure him that you’re okay the door almost snapped in half as someone forcibly pushed it open and your mate burst in. He was standing there frozen, his eyes wide as he scanned your form, and his power flowing out of him and suffocating everything. You shivered as you felt it, the power was raw and primal and it felt like the night came, like the sun would run and hide in fear. A low growl left his throat, and he marched closer picking Azriel by his shirt’s collar and pushing him against the wall.
“You fucker” he yelled and pushed him harder. “I’m going to fucking end you”.
“Rhys… baby it’s okay. He didn’t mean it it’s my fault” Rhysand didn’t budge. “Please baby he didn’t know I was there” you tried to get up almost falling on your knees by the pain and dizziness. This snapped your mate out of trance, and he rushed to you helping you back into the bed.
“Stay” he ordered and turned to go back to Azriel. You managed to grab his arm and pull him back to you.
“It’s okay y/n I deserve it” Azriel said and nodded.
“No you don’t, shut up and go. I’m fine. Everything is fine” you said and tightened your grip on Rhysand.
Azriel bowed his head and left, you made a mental note to find him again and reassure him that everything is okay. Your heart couldn’t stand seeing guilt tearing him apart.
“What happened? I felt your fear down the bond and then Azriel reached through his mind and told me he hurt you” Rhysand said as he cupped your jaw.
“I was walking around the house trying to find him and I got distracted by his shadows… I was playing with them and Azriel jumped on me, he didn’t know it was me though.” You explained.
Rhysand shook his head a low growl leaving him. “It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have let you in the house alone.”
“No, it’s just an unfortunate event, its no one’s fault” you whispered and caressed his arm.
Rhysand took you home and spend the rest days taking care of you, he wouldn’t let you get out of bed and even when you needed to use the bathroom, he would pick you up carry you there and wait outside to take you back to bed.
“Baby I’m okay. Everything healed I want to go out today.” You whined and he smiled sweetly.
“Okay, get dressed I have to show you something” he said and got up.
He picked you up, his wings emerging from darkness and shoot to the sky, after a few minutes you landed next to the Sidra. You looked around and you jaw dropped when you saw the big estate there. It was made from stone and marbles, with a huge garden and the biggest windows and balconies you had ever seen.
“Rhys this is beautiful” you exclaimed.
“This is our home. You will be safe here and we can finally start our family.”  He smiled and wrapped his arms around you from behind.
“Our family” you whispered and leaned back into him.
Requests are open but delayed!
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lovemyromance · 1 month
Text
Azriel: <just doing his job in Sangravanah, angry to see another woman violated>
Gwynriels: omg mate behavior
/
Azriel: <Saved Gwyn from two Hybern soldiers and passed her off to Mor, who carried her out>
Gwynriels: omg he carried her to safety
/
Azriel: <goes against orders to save Elain from Hybern's camp, won't let go of Elain despite his shredded wings, demands to get the chains off her>
Gwynriels: Feyre saved Elain, not Azriel. And Elain didn't even care about Azriel
/
Azriel: <is willing to get on his knees for Elain>
Gwynriels: omg incel
2 pages later
Azriel: Helps a priestess train when he was trying to be alone but ran into her by accident
Gwynriels: something sparked in his chest, they are mates how romantic
/
Cassian: <going feral and numb with worry when Nesta gets taken for the BR>
Azriel: they'll be fine. You know who we need to save though? ERIS
Gwynriels: it's because he trusts that they're capable and that's shows mate behavior duh
/
Which is it? Either the supposed bond between them snapped when he saved Gwyn or it didn't.
Either it snapped when something "sparked in his chest" or it didn't.
Either he's an incel or he's not?
You can't have it both ways. People don't change within TWO PAGES. He cannot be an incel with Elain and then magically reformed with Gwyn on the next page.
It just doesn't make sense that Gwyn is supposed to be his mate. He's seen her in a traumatic situation, and the bond didn't snap. He trained the priestesses every day, and the bond didn't snap. She got taken -similar to Elain- and the bond didn't snap. So tell me, don't you think if this theory were true, this 500 yr old Spymaster would know she is his mate by then? Especially if the antis believe all he wants is a mate anyways?
Let's be logical now.
Azriel is literally the most protective/respectful of the bat boys. You're telling me he found his mate (that he's been so desperate for apparently) and when she gets taken to the BR he just - what? Doesn't react at all?
You want mate behavior? Look at Cassian. He has more reason than Azriel to believe the girls are trained well they should trust in that, since he was their instructor from the beginning. And yet, he's going crazy because that's his mate. Azriel does not react that way at all in this scenario ...
... but he does when Elain gets taken.
Arguably, that's the only time we've seen such a reaction from him on the page.
Gwynriels stay contradicting themselves with each new argument. Honestly, just pick a struggle 😒 How are you out here claiming Azriel and Gwyn are mates, Az is an incel, and Azriel doesn't care about Elain all in one breath?
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azsazz · 1 year
Text
Winter Winds
Azriel x Reader
Summary: Anon req: ik you probably won’t get to this in a while but i just read “in ribbons” and absolutely loved it!! got me so hot and bothered. anyway, thinking abt az, reader, and the kids got me thinking…what if the entire ic and their kids are all at wind haven for some trip or something. the oldest kids are pre teens, a bit older maybe. while at the camps, someone attacks the reader and she’s like seriously hurt. like seriously seriously hurt. az goes ballistic, and all the kids get so worried. but especially the older ones, maybe wren baz and zuzu, they get super angry and want to help az get revenge for their mother? 
Warnings: Injury, mentions of blood and gore. Traumatized children but they are otherwise unharmed.
Word Count: 4,921
Notes: You didn’t think I forgot about posting today, did you? Silly. I didn’t make them pre-teens, they’re I guess a bit younger than that but close, but I think I’ve got most of the idea in here, except the revenge part. Sorry about that and sorry in advance this one’s kinda sad.
_________________________________________
“Daddy?!”
His son’s frantic voice slices up his spine like an icy blade, plunging deep and cleaving him in half.
At the sound, Azriel’s body flashes hot with adrenaline and everything else slows to a crawling pace.
He spins on his heel instantly, ignoring the grumbling of the camp warlord who’d been reporting to him, now muttering under his breath about letting his savage brood run wild in the camps, that he doesn’t know how to raise them.
His family means more to him than anything, and that terrified shout from his son to grab his attention isn’t one he’s heard in years.
Something is very very wrong.
Azriel’s heart stammers in his chest like the frantic beat of wings in war when he locks eyes with his second oldest son, Baz.
He shouldn’t be out here alone, even if he has been in the training camps for nearly two years now and knows his way around. If any of the warriors had grabbed him and thought to teach the Azriel a lesson through his child…the spymaster shivers at the thought.
The more pressing concern, the one that makes his brows twitch into confusion and fuels his feet forward and nearly halts his heart in his chest, is that young Baz isn’t dressed for the cold. The Illyrian mountains in the peak of Winter could give even the most attuned warrior frostbite in mere minutes, and Baz isn’t even wearing a coat.
Worse yet, there’s tears streaming down his ruddy cheeks, cherry red from his journey.
He must’ve run the entire way to meet him in boots that are untied and tripping him in his haste to find his father. If someone’s stolen his jacket Azriel will be the last thing they see as he–
Azriel’s slipping out of his own coat, uncaring that the snaps rip open by the base of his wings. He needs to get his son bundled up, and quickly, before he comes down with something worse than the cold Azriel already knows is in his future. He scoops Baz into his arms, wrapping him carefully and hugging him close to his chest. His shadows swirl around both of them, already preparing to winnow them away.
“What’s wrong buddy?” he’s whispering, wiping the tears from his son's bruning face. Sometimes he and his older brother will get into arguments that have one of the boys running to Azriel in a fit full of tears but never something quite like this. Baz knows how to put his coat and tie up his boots and not to run across the camp alone–
The little boy in his arms releases a sob that nearly shatters the snowy peaks of the mountains surrounding them, “Mommy–”
He doesn’t need to continue. Azriel winnows them back to the house without a second thought, hugging Baz tightly to his chest, lips pressed to the crown of his sweaty black hair. He hopes that his son can’t feel him trembling, fisting his hands in his coat to stop the shaking. If something has happened to you he doesn’t know what he will do. How he will survive.
But he would’ve felt it, if there was something wrong, through the bond you share. He lets his shields slide down, reaching out for that golden thread, the one that feels like warm summer winds in the night sky, your hand caressing his soul.
There’s nothing.
Azriel gives a sharp tug but receives no response as he and his son arrive in a mass of black shadows on the front porch. The bond grows more taut with worry the more he tries, desperate pleas for you to respond that go unanswered as he shoves the door open with a heavy boot. 
The house is in complete chaos.
His shadows scatter immediately, searching and returning with whispers of bloody fingerprints on the counter top, streaking across the wall in his bedroom, on the doorknob to the bathroom, while he frantically searches the room for the rest of his children.
Horror coils his gut at the scent of his mate’s blood, thick in the air. It makes him choke, hot and heavy in the back of his throat.
Azriel sets Baz down, nearly tearing the door off of its hinges when he shuts it and turns the lock. He allows himself a single drawn out breath while his mind reels for a plan of action.
Wren looks more worried than his little brother, though Azriel knows that his eldest is trying his best to keep his emotions together for his siblings.
He had a screaming Jax in his arms, the younger boy clearly distraught about the heightened feelings of anxiety and concern smothering him. He reaches up for Azriel as Wren carries the struggling babe closer, trying his best to keep hold of his brother.
“Dad,” Wren breathes a sob of relief, but Az notes the twins in their playpen, Malos’ cries are loud enough for the silent wailing babe beside her, four sets of tiny hands curled around the brim of the pen with white knuckled fingers.
“Wren, I need you to watch your siblings for a little bit longer, okay?” Azriel’s voice is strained with tension as he calls out to Rhysand in his head, his golden eyes a hair wider as he searches the room for Zuzu. He rubs a reassuring thumb across Wren’s cheek and over Jax’s hair, trying to calm the little boy down. “Uncle Rhys and Uncle Cass will be here any minute, alright bub? They’re going to take us all to the River House.”
Wren’s lip quivers but he’s squaring his shoulders as he looks up at his father, “Mommy’s hurt.”
“I know,” it pains him to say it, but by now he knows, “I’m going to get her, will you and Baz help the little ones put on their shoes please?”
Wren nods and sets to work helping his father while Azriel rushes towards the bathroom where his shadows have located both Zuzu and you.
He finds Zuzu is sitting in front of the bathroom door, banging on it as she wails for you. Her throat must be raw from the screaming because she sounds horse, tears dripping down her face and snot bubbling from her nose.
Azriel hears Rhys and Cassian appear in the living room, and he lifts Zuzu up from under her arms as Cassian appears, his first thought to help his brother.
“Az–” Cassian sounds nervous for his brother. When he’d gotten the call a short time ago telling him that he and Rhys needed to pick up the children because something had happened to you his heart dropped, terrified for his best friend.
“Just take her, please,” Azriel pleads, letting the worry he feels coat his words. His throat is tight with emotion and he doesn’t know how much longer he’ll be able to keep himself from going berserk because he can see the red painted handprint on the brass knob and the smell of your blood is overpowering.
“I’ve got her,” Cassian nods, and the look in his hazel eyes gives Azriel brings forth that last shred of hope as his brother turns away and he twists the knob.
His knees nearly give out at the sight of you, unconscious and lying in a pool of your own blood. You look paler under the luminescent faelights, the hand holding together the gaping wound in your side now slack in the puddle of crimson.
Your name is a cry of helplessness on his lips as he dives forward, knees cracking against the tiles as he slides closer, pressing his fingers to the pulse point in your neck and caressing your face with the other, a shaky hand brushing the hair back from your face.
His shadows have alerted him that you’re breathing, but barely so, and he releases a shaky breath because he wasn’t able to feel the barely there beat of your pulse beneath his fingers with how badly they’re desensitized from his own burns and the pounding of his own heart.
But Gods–the gash in your side is something a warrior would receive in battle, like you have taken a long sword to the side, your flesh tearing open, muscles and blood and–
No, he doesn’t want to think about whether he sees an organ or not. No, he needs to focus on stopping the bleeding. Azriel can’t help but think, his beautiful mate…who has done this to you?
Rhys and Cass both appear within seconds, having called for the best healers in Velaris to the River House, where his children now are, under the care of the High Lady and Inner Circle themselves.
“Az,” Rhysand murmurs, hardly louder than a simple breath as he takes in the state of the room. His spymaster, on his knees in a pool of your blood as he tries his best to stop the bleeding. The towel you had grabbed is already sopping wet with blood and there’s no signs of it slowing.
His wings are drooped low behind him, the slippery warmth of the floor against the thin velvety skin is a reminder of exactly how much blood you have lost.  Had he been any later, had you not sent Baz–
“Help me.”
It makes both brothers freeze, the utter helplessness, the devastation in Azriel’s voice, so small, so soft, unlike anything they’ve ever heard.
They jump into action.
“Az,” Cassian approaches him like he’s approaching a wild beast, unsure of how to approach this side of him, soft footing and hands raised in surrender. The spymaster lets his brother place a hand on his shoulder, turn him from his spot so that they’re looking at each other.
Cassian has never seen Azriel so panicked, not in the 500 years they’ve been best friends. Not through the wars, the nightmares, the births…not even through the mild complications you’d gone through when the twins were born. No, he was a solid wall, not an ounce of emotion had cracked through the barriers he had built, but this…
His chest heaves with every breath he takes, short and quick and filled with anxiety. Azriel’s hands are vibrating when Cassian takes them in his own. He doesn’t care that he’s kneeling in your blood, that Az’s hands are slippery with it, all he cares about are his friends.
“Az,” he tries again, and the usual honeyed gaze of the shadowsingers meets his own. He’d startled him. Can see the swirling emotions racing behind his eyes; the hatred, the scared, the utter fear, his mind unable to grasp onto one feeling long enough to put thought into it. “We’re going to take you to the River House, okay?”
He’d carry him if he had to, but Rhys can get the job done. There’s worry that Azriel might explode, break completely in his hands and let the beast within him finally take over. And if that happens, he’s glad the children are far away, because no one, not even Cassian nor Rhysand, will stop him from turning the Illyrian camps into nothing more than a tornado of black mist.
Azriel isn’t seeming to comprehend what he’s saying, head tilting down to look at where his hands rest in Cassian’s grip, thumb sliding through the cooling blood on his hands like it’s not the ichor of his mate, painting his hands the color of Cassian’s siphons.
Rhys comes around the both of them, crouching to place a hand on each of their shoulders. The wisps of darkness that carry them through the planes of the continent must strike something within Azriel because he’s tensing under his touch and wrenching away.
“Az,” Rhys commands softly, hands raised to show no sign of wanting to corral his brother’s anger, “The babes are right in there.”
The reaction from his statement is near instant, locking down his emotions little by little like the scales of his armor retracting into his leathers, until there is almost nothing left.
Azriel spins on his heel, already heading towards the shut door between him and the muffled cries of his children on the other side.
Cassian steps into his path, stopping him. 
He watches the spymaster assess him with a trained eye but Cassian’s already weighed his brother's reactions in his head, being a true warlord himself. There is no way he will let the children see their father like this, worked up with their mother’s blood all over them.
Rhys draws the attention of the shadowsinger again, both Illyrians goading him like a tiger waiting to strike, “(Y/N) is this way. She’s with Madja and her best healers.”
The sound of your name strikes him low, chest caving and reaching down the bond for you again, knowing there will be no response, a wall of icy metal stopping him from entering.
Azriel glances at the door again, but makes his way towards the room you’ve been hauled off to, worried for your wellbeing.
The saliva is thick in his mouth as he ascends the stairs, his brothers tight on his flanks. His hands are curled into tight fists and he can feel the cracking of your blood on his hands in a way that would normally be calming if it were anyone else's blood, but not yours.
Never yours.
He pushes into the room and doesn’t look at the wound or the few nursemaids that are crouching over you. He doesn’t look at the bowls of water stained crimson, the towels dripping or the clothes they’d cut you out of, he keeps his focus on your closed eyes.
He’s quick to find his place at your side, perching out of the way as he reaches for your hand but freezes when he catches sight of his own.
“Here,” Cassian’s soft voice has him looking up, the warlord holding a freshly damp rag for him to take, not even a touch of red on it.
His throat works against a swallow as Azriel takes it, scrubbing his hands like he’s the one who’d rubbed his skin down to the bone and left these scars.
He does the best that he can without spiraling. He’s had blood on his hands before, many times, but the fact that it’s your blood has him reeling, immediately stopping the work on cleaning his own hands in favor of helping you clean yours.
When he’s done he hands it back to Cassian who gives him a soft nod and a sad smile. Neither are the things he wants to see right now. All he wants to see is you opening your eyes and looking at him, smiling, laughing, unharmed.
There’s nothing else to do but wait, which he does so quietly, stroking his thumb across your forehead while his other keeps your limp hand firmly tucked in his grasp. 
He doesn’t look at the wound they’re stitching up, but he can’t help himself from reaching down the bond every few minutes, silently praying to the Mother that you will respond.
His brothers wait by the door. Rhys lets Cassian get cleaned up and check on the children while he watches Azriel from across the room, his own heart aching for his brother in this situation, to be near his own mate at a time like this.
But he stays put because that’s what any of them would do for each other, even when Cassian comes back, hands clean and clothes new, no traces of your blood on him.
They know that there will be no moving Azriel from your side to clean up, so they don’t even try. When Feyre dips her head into the room, catching a glance at you and your mate on the lone bed, a handful of healers working frantically around, they share a look.
It’s Rhys who approaches him this time, making sure his footsteps are heard by the shadowsinger as he nears.
He watches Azriel’s shoulders pull up taut, his spine stiffening and shadows curling his rounded ear that the High Lord is approaching.
His golden gaze is a harsh glare, a warning to stay away, and although Rhys understands the look, it still hurts.
“Az, maybe you should get cleaned up,” he suggests softly, keeping a healthy distance away from the bed. The healers have started sewing up your wound, having been able to stop the blood and stabilize you, and their work will be done soon.
The shadowsinger’s face doesn’t change as he looks back down at you, dismissing Rhys with that single action.
“The kids,” he tries, “They’re worried. They want to see you.” 
Azriel nearly startles at the mention of his children. They’d been half scared to death when he’d last seen them, frantic and worried about their mother just as much as he was. He can see them all clearly, Wren trying to be strong, Baz’s red face wet with tears, Zuzu and Jax and the twins all crying out for help, understanding that something was horribly wrong.
“The kids,” he murmurs, as if he’s not even there. Azriel pets your hair again, smoothing his fingers down your cheek, across your lips, finding their way to the juncture of your jaw and throat, where your pulse is.
Rhysand waits with a baited breath as Azriel counts, comes to whatever conclusion in his mind that he can, grasping for some sort of sign that you might be okay.
The beating of your heart is constant, evened out even though one of the nurses has already told him as much. He won’t leave you if he doesn’t think you’ll be okay.
But he knows you would want him to make sure the children are okay, so he places a kiss on your hand, ignoring how the warmth hasn’t quite returned to it completely, before settling it comfortably at your side and standing from the bed.
He follows his brothers from the room and as soon as the door snicks shut behind him and the wail of Zuzu is carried to him on the whisper of a shadow, he breaks.
He makes a break for his children, his flight sense kicking in but he’s hauled backwards into the arms of Cassian, holding him tightly across the chest as he struggles. 
If he were in his right mind he’d be able to figure a way out of his hold.
“Az, you have blood all over you,” Cassian grits, his breath puffing with the struggle of keeping Azriel in his hold. He’s writhing like an animal, trying to tear his way through whomever he needs to to get to his family. “You can’t go in there like this. You’ll scare them.”
That makes him stop struggling, worming his way out of Cassian’s touch.
“But Baz didn’t have a jacket on–”
“He’s already been looked at by a healer,” Rhys supplies, trying to calm the skittish shadowsinger.
“And Zuzu’s been screaming her head off,” he retorts just as easily, mind reeling at how his children must be feeling.
“She’s been given a soothing tea for her throat,” Cassian adds, fiercely protective of them as he is his own children.
“And Jax–”
“Jax is an empath,” Rhys agrees, ushering Azriel towards the other end of the hallway, “And it’s normal for him to react like that with all of the emotions running rampant in the room at the time. You need to calm yourself down if you are to hold him, your reactions will harm him more than Wren’s. For now he’s fine. They’re all okay, Azriel. Here and in one piece, waiting for you.”
Azriel’s wide eyes are glossy as he looks between his brothers, back and forth as if he’s searching for anything other than the truth there.
He won’t.
“They’re okay?” he asks again, not quite sure he believes it.
Both of his brothers nod, “They’re okay Az. Promise.”
.·:·.☽ ✦ ☾.·:·.
You feel like utter shit.
Like you’ve been carved down to the bone with a blade. There’s a pounding in your head and when you open your eyes the room spins, bright with light. Your head goes with it, the whispers of words striking like a bell tower to your brain.
“(Y/N)?”
That voice silences everything.
You squeeze his hand, blinking against the faelights until the three Azriel’s you see finally become one, perfect, mate.
“Az,” you breathe.
He bites his lip, hardly able to contain the relief he feels in this moment. He knows you’ve just opened your eyes but he’s squeezing his shut tight and resting his forehead gently against your own.
And the bond floods with warmth, his breath catching in his throat.
“I’m here,” your free hand finds his hair, smoothing through it the best that you can in your weakened state, “I’m here, Love.”
He nearly whimpers, would have if his mind hadn’t gone immediately into spymaster mode, seeing you awake.
He pulls away from you all too quickly, sitting straight in his spot beside you, the golden glow of his iris’ swimming with dark shadows.
“Who.” he asks, and it’s not a question. It’s the only word he can get out, voice dipped in steel and as sharp as the blade he’s been filing for the days you’ve been under rest.
“Some old relative,” you cough, throat dry, and you hiss at the pull in your stitches. Azriel is quick to help you drink some water down, soothing the roughness in your voice and the pounding in your head. “Claimed to be so, at least.”
“Fucking bastards,” he spits, the shadows in his eyes sweeping into hot, angry flames, “I’ll kill every single fucking one of them.”
“Az,” you sigh. You love your mate dearly and this is about as normal a reaction as you would expect from him, but you’re so achingly tired. “Are the kids okay?”
He shudders at the thought of something happening to your children and kisses across your knuckles, your hand in his shaking ones. 
“Yes, the babes are fine.”
You settle a bit more, knowing that truth. The fact that Azriel has referred to them as babes shows you just how terrified he truly is.
“How are you feeling?” he whispers, propping his chin where your hand is holding his.
“Tired,” you offer, because you’re afraid that a joke might push him over the edge. “Can I see my babies?”
Azriel looks like he might protest. You’ve been changed and brought to a different room once the painkillers and healing drinks the nurses had forced down your throat had begun to work, but he thinks of his rowdy children and your fresh injury, he worries for you.
But you’re pleading, “Please, Love. I need to see them.” And he gets it.
Because he finds himself needing to see them as well.
“Drink some more water, tell me what happened, and I’ll get Rhys to bring them in.”
You hold his gaze, nodding finally. 
Azriel helps you drink some more water, nearly a whole glass before you begin.
“I was on my way back from the mercantile,” you start, swallowing harshly as you wrack your brain for what had happened. “Just a quick trip to get some treats for the little ones,” you laugh dryly, tears welling up in your eyes. Azriel’s quick to thumb them away, caressing your cheek with his warm hand.
“I didn’t see him coming until it had already happened,” you admit shamefully. Your mate had taught you better than that and you had failed him.
Your mate sends nothing but warmth down the bond because while you may have been taken by surprise, he knows you didn’t go down without a fight.
“I didn’t understand how bad it was until after he was laying in the snow next to me and I looked at my torn coat and saw all the blood.”
You remember crying out as his blade slashed across your body and took you to your knees. You’d been able to act through the pain, kicking a foot out behind you and sweeping your attackers feet from under him. 
It was easier to pry the longsword from his hands when he was gasping for air and even easier to make sure he never took another breath again.
“I don’t remember getting home,” you exhale a shaky breath, “I was just holding my side and there was so much blood Az, so much blood.”
He shushes you softly, upset with himself that he’s asked you to share this story. If he had known your attacker was dead he wouldn’t have asked and before he can try and stop you you’re already continuing.
“I was afraid to go home,” you admit, and his hand clutches yours tighter, “I didn’t want the babes to see me like this.”
Your admission hangs over the both of you, loud in the otherwise silent room.
“I’m glad you did,” Azriel’s voice is thick with emotion, “If you hadn’t and I had lost you…”
“You didn’t,” you reassure, maybe for the both of you, “Let’s not think about that.”
He doesn’t know how he’ll ever be able to think about anything else but he nods, agreeing.
“I hid it the best I could, but you know Wren,” the thought of your oldest brings a smile to your face, “He’s so smart, that one. I told him to watch the babes for me while I went to clean up and he tried to talk to me, tried to ask me what was wrong but I just kept going, telling him that I was fine and would be out in a minute…” you trail off because you weren’t out in a minute. On the floor unconscious in a minute more like.
Azriel kisses your knuckles, lingering on your fourth finger before he answers, “He told Baz to come get me. I was talking to a commander and he came running up screaming and crying out for me. Scared me shitless I tell ya. Didn’t even have a coat on.”
Your eyes bulge and you try to sit up, distressed over your son out in the mountains without a coat, “Is he–'' your question is cut off by a hiss and Azriel’s on his feet guiding you back down onto the bed, gentle hands on your shoulders. 
“He’s alright, Love. They all are. Got them all checked on while they were helping you. Not even a sniffle,” Azriel soothes. He relaxes when your shoulders droop and you settle back into the pillows.
“Thank you,” you whisper, thumb brushing across his knuckles, “I love you.”
“I love you too, (Y/N). So fucking much,” he breathes, shuddering when you caress his cheek.
You tug on him weakly, puckering your lips for a kiss that he easily ducks down for, the tension melting away from his body now that you’re awake in his arms.
“Can I see them now?” you ask as soon as you pull away. Your mate huffs playfully, already calling out to Rhys in his mind.
The door slams open, Wren and Baz racing into the room with the Inner Circle hot on their heels. Rhys is holding Zuzu, Feyre’s hugging Jax close to his chest while Cassian and Nesta each hold a babe, their own boys trailing in behind them.
Azriel shoots to his feet, catching his two oldest sons around their waists before they can launch themselves at you.
“Mommy,” Wren cries from his father’s grasp and Baz bursts out into tears at the sight, reaching over Azriel’s shoulder for you.
“Az, let them go,” you scold lightly, but caress the bond, thankful for stopping them before another injury could happen.
“Boys, you need to be gentle with mommy, okay?” Az holds each of their arms, making sure that his order has been received by each son before slowly letting them go.
They’re both on your uninjured side, Baz tumbling into your arms. He climbs up onto the bed and you hold him close, letting him cry into the crook of your shoulder, reaching out for Wren with tears in your own eyes.
“Hi baby,” you whisper, voice thick.
“Mom,” he breaks, tears spilling as he climbs up next to Baz, letting you run your fingers through his hair.
You bite your lip, holding your boys as close as you can, before looking around the room at the rest of your children, your family. 
Each one is looking at you with smiles, some pained, some relieved, some teary, and you know that if something had gone wrong, that your children would be in the best of hands.
Your teary gaze slides back to your mate. He hadn’t looked away from you while you were taking everyone in, seeming to know exactly where your mind had just been. But he doesn’t want to think about that right now, all he wants is to hold you and his children as close as he can, forever and always.
Cassian hands Knox off to Azriel as he rounds the bed to your injured side, taking the spot next to you to block your injury as he gestures to his brothers and their mates to bring forward the rest of your children.
Let us know if you need any help, Rhys speaks to Azriel and the shadowsinger nods, looking at you with the babes all curled in close, hugging each other tight.
He knows they won’t leave you now, but he doesn’t care because everyone is here together, in one piece.
One big family.
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hellcat8908 · 5 days
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Let Her Go Poly Bat Boys x Female Reader
Warnings: pure angst with no happiness, language, little bit of suggestiveness
You knew you had messed up, but you were beyond the point of caring. For months, you have put up with the whispers of your relationship with your 3 mates. You were fed up with being smiled at by various fae only to have them call you a whore the second they thought you couldn't hear them. You had tolerated it for the sake of your mates and for your court. Tonight was the breaking point for your patience as you heard the ear grating voice of Tamlin's mate.
You couldn't help but hear her opening commenting on your relationship. Her comments had you seeing red before she openly called you a whore. Before you could realize what you were doing you grabbed her by the hair and slammed her face into the table. "How dare you disrespect my relationships! You have no room to talk on things you know nothing about. Not that your opinion matters, you're just a hole for Tamlin's cock!" You manage to shout before Cassian pulls you away from her and starts flying you home.
Upon entering the house, Cassian informs you that Rhys is doing damage control, and then him and Azriel will be home. You roll your eyes as your anger simmers just beneath your skin. "Of course he is." You mutter under your breath. "Do you have something you wish to say?" Cassian asks. You don't miss the warning in his tone. "No." You answer before turning to change. After taking a step towards the bedroom, you decide enough is enough. You turn back to Cassian, "Actually, I do have something to say, but I'll wait for Rhysand and Azriel. That way, I don't have to repeat myself."
You storm off towards the bedroom and change into sleep pants and a shirt. Leaving your dress on the floor, not caring if it gets wrinkled. You rejoin Cassian in the living room. Neither of you is talking as you wait for the others. How much ass kissing does he have to do, you think to yourself as you grow impatient. You sit in the chair with your arms crossed, staring at the clock as you watch the minutes pass. Moments later, Rhys walks in, followed by Azriel.
Rhys pours himself a drink while Azriel joins Cassian on the couch. "Go to bed, we'll discuss this in the morning." Rhys says, not bothering to look at you. "No! We're going to discuss this now because this is long overdue." You say as you stand up. Rhys turns towards you, "Go. To. Bed." He says. You notice the tension in his body and how stormy his eyes are. "No. If you don't want to talk, then fine, but you'll listen." You say, growing more angry at his dismissal of you.
"I have had it with pretending not to hear the vile comments about the four of us being mates. I have tolerated it long enough, but not anymore. I know I'm not the only one who hears what they whisper when they think we can't hear them or when they think we're too busy with other conversations." You state, hoping for some sort of acknowledgment from one of your mates. "Do you even realize what your little outburst could've costed us?! We could've lost valuable allies tonight! Every mission and meeting that we've had with other courts could've been wasted because of a few whispers!" Rhys says as his grip tightens on his glass.
You stand in stunned silence at his words. You can't believe he'd invalidate your feelings, but he just did. In a moment, everything changes, and he seems none the wiser. Cassian and Azriel notice the change in your mood and share concerned looks. You take off your shirt and pants, leaving you in your bra and panties. You cross over to Rhys and kneel in front of him. "What are you doing?!" He asks. "Just taking my place as your whore, isn't this what you wanted?" You say in a calm tone, even though you're anything but.
"You're being ridiculous. This isn't the time for your games." Rhys says before watching you crawl to Cassian and Azriel, kneeling between them. "Well, if my High Lord is tired of me, maybe it's time the lord of bloodshed gets a reward or maybe the great spymaster. Whoever you feel deserves a little treat for doing such a good job lately." You practically purr. "Stop! You don't get to cheapen our relationship!" Rhys shouts. You quickly stand. "If only I were the one who cheapened it. You did that the moment you disregarded my feelings and confirmed it was okay for others to say whatever they want as long as it helps build alliances. I never once felt ashamed about our relationship until now, until you made me feel like a whore. I hope it was worth it." You say before picking up your clothes and walking out of the room.
You heard Rhys's glass break against the wall before you locked the door to the guest room. You could hear the three of them arguing, but it didn't matter now. The damage was already done. You couldn't even bring yourself to cry, let alone feel anything but numb. After a while, the house grew quiet, and you assumed they'd gone to bed. The fact that none of them had tried to comfort you or talk to you only added to the sting of tonight's events and realizations. You knew you wouldn't be able to sleep, so you tried to read. It became obvious you couldn't focus after reading the same page for the fifth time, unable to remember any of it.
Sitting at your desk, you pull out a pen and paper. You decide to write a note to your mates:
Azriel, Cassian, and Rhys;
If you're reading this then I have left. It wasn't an easy decision but a necessary one. These last few months have taken more of a toll on me than I had realized. Our relationship has turned from something beautiful and special into something ugly and spiteful.
Azriel, you taught me so much about myself and I am grateful for that. You're love is deeper than the seas and full of wonder. I'm glad I was one of the few who got to swim in its depths.
Cassian, you made me stronger both physically and mentally. You love with a passion that rivals any other. I am grateful you saw the potential in me and helped me become a better version of myself
Rhys, you believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. You allowed me to make mistakes and never judged me or criticized me for it, until now.
I love you all but in your own ways you've destroyed what we had built and I sat idly by and allowed it to happen. Take care of each other like you always have.
You let out a frustrated sigh as you grab a blanket and step out onto the balcony. You curl on one of the loungers before covering up with the blanket. "Can't sleep?" Azriel asks from the shadows, causing you to jump. "What do you want?" You question after composing yourself. "To check on you." He says, stepping out of the shadows and leaning against the railing. "You've checked on me, now leave." You say annoyed. "I wanted to apologize for not defending you against the rumors and gossip." He says softly. "Apology not accepted." You respond coldly.
"I know I've let you down and hurt you and have no right to ask anything from you, but please don't leave us. I'm asking you to give us a chance to fix this." He says, his eyes pleading with you. "You're right. You have no right to ask anything of me. You've had countless times to step up and fix this, but instead, you let it reach this point. You've all let this fester into something so deeply wrong in my mind that I'm not sure it will ever heal. Rhys's words tonight spoke louder than any actions you could hope to have repaired this. He very well might have placed the final nail in the coffin." You say solomnly.
"Don't say that, love. There has to be a way for us to fix this or at least me to fix this." Azriel pleads, though his words don't reach your heart. "Good night, Azriel," is all you say before retreating inside. Azriel stands on your balcony, his heart breaking as he feels you shield the bond. Once inside, you sit back down in bed. Burying your face in your hands as you relive the last 8 hours. With determination, you place the note on your nightstand and pull out your suitcase, and start packing the basics. Numbly grabbing your simple clothes, leaving the various dresses they had bought you along with your training leathers. A series of heavy knocks interrupts you. "Go away." You call through the door.
"Please, let me in." Cassian says, his voice strained with emotions. "I want to be alone." You say. "You don't mean that." He says as he tries the door handle. "I do." You answer as you close your suitcase. Surprisingly, there's no reply from Cassian. Moments later, you learn why. He walks in from your balcony. "Seriously?!" You ask with annoyance. "You left me no choice," he says. "You could've respected my wishes." You reply. His eyes land on your suitcase, "No, you're not leaving!" He says, his voice full of panic. "Cassian," you start to say, but he cuts you off. "You're not leaving! I need to fix this with you!" He says as he opens your suitcase and starts unpacking.
You repack whatever he takes out, creating an endless cycle. "Please," he says as tears line his eyes. "I need you. I need to come home to you after long missions, I need you to keep me grounded and remind me I'm more than my job. I need you to be here and let me love you." He says as his emotions spiral. "Cassian, I need you to let me go." You say softly, watching his heart break in front of you. "No! I can't lose you, I will do whatever you ask, just stay, please." He says as he drops to his knees in front of you and holds your waist. "Cassian, let her go." This time, it's Rhys saying it from the balcony archway.
"No! We need to fix this!" Cassian says. "If she wants to go, then let her go." Rhys orders. You grab your suitcase as Cassian reluctantly releases his hold on you. They watch in silence as you unlock your bedroon door and walk out. You only hesitate for a split second at the front door. You take one last look as the fond memories with your mates replay. You step outside and pull the door shut on your past before taking the first step towards your new life.
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readychilledwine · 6 months
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Bound by Fate Pt 4
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Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 5
Summary - When Kaylee Archeron meets Azriel, her world turns upside down. Between balancing her trauma, new powers, a mating bond, and war looming over her new home, Kaylee learns every thing is not as little as it once seemed.
Warnings - jealousy, poor communication
A/N - it's @azrielappreciationweek free day and ✨️double post day✨️
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No one spoke at breakfast. The tension in the air between Rhysand and Azriel was at a breaking point. The two had been heard arguing with each other early in the morning while Cassian stood there and tried to play middle ground.
Kaylee poked the eggs in front of her. Glancing up at Amren every so often as the ancient female studied her as if she was an old textbook written in some unknown tongue. Her gaze flicked to Cassian, and the general smiled softly at her before pushing fruits her way and taking the eggs. "Did my mate give you permission to take her food or were you just feeling entitled to it?"
Kaylee sighed. "I don't like eggs, Az. He's been eating my eggs for a few weeks now." She felt his discomfort down the bond. Another thing his brothers got to learn while he was being forced to play the part of her sisters' keeper.
He was angry. Beyond angry. He was being forced to make a sacrifice and guard Elain and Nesta while his own mate was burying her pain and feelings so deep within herself he thought she'd explode.
Silence fell back over the table, leaving the door open for that heavy tension to set in again. Kaylee felt a pressure in her mind, as if something that shouldn't be there was forcing it's way to her. Rhys shifted uncomfortably. "Kaylee. Stop."
"I'm not doing it on purpose."
"I know," he sighed. "Just think of your powers like a faucet and turn the faucet off."
Kaylee tried. But something kept reaching for her, calling to her like a siren spell, and her magic locked in on it. Cassian froze at the sight of her, eyes glowing white as she began to almost radiate, at the same time, Azriel froze, eyes going almost black as his head tilted to the side. "Uh, Rhys?"
Amren paused her drink, looking between the two mates before chuckling. "Well, that solves that mystery. Azriel has a beast form."
Rhys was in Kaylee's mind, searching for a way to pull her from accidentally bonding to a centuries old creature his own brother had not even had touch with, but that bond, that damned and blessed mating bond, blocked him. Rhys closed his eyes, knowing there was only one other option to stop them from completing the connection. "Azriel, I am commanding you as your High Lord to leave for the House of Wind at once."
Kaylee fell unconscious as the connection severed, Azriel immediately holding his mate's face as her nose bled. "What the fuck just happened?!"
Rhys stood, moving between Azriel and Kaylee. "She found your beast form. It would appear after a millenia without a tamer, every form of beast is anxious to have a fae who speaks for them and their well-being." Rhys took a napkin, gingerly cleaning Kaylee's nose before motioning for Cassian to take her.
"Until she has control, Azriel. It's best if you stay in the House of Wind. Amren and I can push her out. You-"
"I will not be banned from seeing my mate," the growl he released had shadows clashing against starlit darkness, siphons beginning to glow as their wearer's mind and magic prepared for battle.
Rhysand rose a brow, "So you will risk all of us and her? If she makes you shift for the first time and your beast kills her, what will you do, Azriel?"
Azriel growled again as Cassian protectively held Kaylee away from him and backed up. "Give me my mate, Cassian."
Amren came between the two then, silver eyes a flame. "Touch her and you toy at the risk of sealing that connection, boy. Listen to Rhysand and think of her. Not yourself."
It was a stab in Azriel's stomach, his brows knitting together as he backed away from them in anger. "She's all I think of," he said firmly but quietly. "She needs me just as much as Nesta and Elain seem to think they do." He disappeared then, swallowed whole by shadows and gone from the Riverhouse.
Kaylee woke up alone and afraid, tugging the bond the way Azriel told her to whenever she needed him. She was met with silence. No soft tugs back, no wave of comfort. She stood on shaking legs, trying to remember what happened as she drank the water the house provided.
She remembered Rhysand's beast trying to speak with her. A great powerful thing with large wings and talons. She remembered telling him Rhys wanted her to get out and the creature's great huff of annoyance like he was no more than a frustrated cat wishing to has his way.
Then she was trapped by something else, and it wanted much more from her. Another winged beast, dripping darkness like ichor. It had not let her see it, just its imposing figure as it pinned her below it and stared down at her.
Her eyes grew wide when she remembered what it growled. Mate. She tugged the bond again desperately, praying to every fae God he would answer. It was a cold knife to her heart when he left her in silence.
Rhys stood and watched as the stag nudged Kaylee, then rested his large head on her shoulder as if he was hugging her. She wasn't okay. He could feel her turmoil tearing her mind and heart apart. They had been training for hours now, her practicing warging into the beast, their communication, their emotional link. Rhys now knew of several areas of the forest that had been plagued by evil. He knew of areas where food and resources were lacking. He knew what he could do to restore those areas and had begun drafting out plans.
He walked to the stag and Kaylee, scratching the stag behind his ear and then placing a hand gently on Kaylee's back. "Are we content with today?" The stag seemed to nod and gently pushed Kaylee into Rhysand's waiting arms. "Let's go get some food for you, little one."
Cassian greeted them, nodding as he stirred stuff into the soup he was making. "How was our antlered friend?" Kaylee shrugged, her eyes still looking wide and lost. She went upstairs, leaving Rhys and Cassian alone in the kitchen. "She needs him. We either take her up there or bring them here, Rhys."
Rhys rose a brow. "She needs the woods."
Cassian didn't argue, tightening his lips into a line. "We're going to lose Azriel if you aren't careful, Rhysand. You know this is all he's ever wanted."
Rhysand sighed taking the seat across from Cassian. "Do you remember when I accidently shifted for the first time? The damage and hurt I caused." Cassian closed his eyes, nodding at the painful reminder. "I've had centuries to be one with my beast. Azriel didn't even know he had one. If he shifts and hurts her in anyway, we will lose him for not protecting her. We are damned if we do, damned if we don't."
2 weeks.
Kaylee had not seen Azriel in two weeks. And now he stood in the living room, a redheaded male in hand and Feyre in Rhysand's arms. The two couldn't stop staring at each other. Eyes locked in need, love, and desperation.
Cassian cleared his throat at the scent of the bond between Azriel and Kaylee and Rhysand and Feyre. He shot the new male, one Kaylee was blocking from her memory, a sympathetic look before motioning for him to follow outside, and Azriel doing the same to Kaylee. "Kaylee, Lucien," Cassian said once they were outside. "Lucien, Kaylee."
"You were there," she whispered. "You were with Tamlin."
He nodded. His beautiful face changed. "We didn't know. I promise on my life we did not know."
"I believe you." They all paused as a shift in the trees came. A large hawk came and landed on Lucien's shoulder, head cocked before flying to Kaylee and resting in her arms.
Lucien stared between the two, then looked to Cassian and Azriel. The wild life around this house was extensive. Thriving. The woods themselves sang songs of joy and healing. He studied the littlest sister, seeing her magic giving and taking. "Dangerous powers. Nature is a cruel lover. She tends to take and take and you do not see the give back right away." Lucien came close to her, stroking the hawk on his feathered head. "The last female with your powers was drained so much by the lands and wildlife, she ran into the woods of Autumn one night never to be seen again. There's children's stories and campfire legends about her."
Azriel growled, causing Lucien to shoot him a look. "Has she bonded to Rhysand's beast yet? Typically the tamers and their High Lord's beasts are quite close."
Cassian shook his head. "We're going to the House of Wind," it was firm, ending the conversation regarding Kaylee's progress before it could start. "Az, you got Kay?"
The shadowsinger nodded, pulling Kaylee close to him and smiling slightly as she giggled and the hawk flew away. They were in the air in seconds, her nuzzled into Azriel's neck, taking in his scent and covering him in hers like a kitten.
Cassian shot a look to Lucien. "Do not bring up Rhysand and Kaylee's bond in front of Azriel again. Please. I would prefer not to have to clean up another fight between them."
"It's not a romantic bond or sexual?"
Cassian nodded, agreeing and thankful the new connection Rhysand had allowed Kaylee to make was solely business. "But we all know how… Animalistic and protective males are of their mates. Azriel believes what they have is beyond sacred. Kaylee potentially losing herself to-" Cassian rolled his eyes with a smirk as the first noises came from the house and picked Lucien up. "There have been signs already, Lucien. Hopefully having someone from the Court Tamers typically are born into will help."
The dinner was silent. Rhys and Feyre sitting at the heads of the table, Lucien across from Kaylee, freshly bathed and in impeccable clothing. Azriel to her right, Amren to her left. And Mor and Cassian on both sides of Lucien.
Kaylee had begged for Nesta and Elain to come down, pleading with every fiber of her being for just a second of their time. Just a singular moment to see them. To be held by them. She was met with silence. That silence turned to rage inside of her. She had destroyed her guest room. Screaming as the furniture replaced itself and began to redo the process until Lucien had came to her.
Not her mate.
Not her sisters.
Not even Cassian.
Lucien.
He held her, whispering words of comfort, telling her she was safe. She had not noticed her own hands shifting, but Lucien had, he watched as the tanned skin turned back from the soft blue it was shifting to. As her nails became normal instead of daggers.
Lucien held her until those moments of shaking rage became what they truly were, trembles of sadness.
Sadness from her mate immediately leaving her at the House to go sit with Elain. Sadness from her older sisters ignoring her. Sadness from the sheer agonizing feeling of abandonment setting into her soul and bones.
He held her until that trembling stopped. And then he held her again as he took in those tear stained cheeks and watering ocean eyes.
Lucien understood Kaylee to his core. The youngest sibling left to their own devices and knowledge in a world they hardly understood. He understood that anger, that sadness, that longing to belong.
He saw Kaylee.
He saw her for more than her power, for more than just Feyre's sister. He saw her for her. He saw her brokeness from mistreatment, her exhaustion from being forced to train from breakfast to nightfall.
And he didn't understand how Azriel didn't. The male cared for his mate, that was clear as he filled her plate with more food, kissed her temple, ensured her drink was never empty. But how he did not sense Kaylee's humanity slipping away already was concerning. Lucien leaned back, studying her as Rhysand studied him.
"Something interesting to you, Lucien?"
He shook his head, eyes still on Kaylee as she looked up, small signs from her breakdown still there. "No," he stated calmly. "Just admiring her. She's not something you see everyday."
Rhys nodded in agreement, pride leaking into his voice as he looked at the youngest Archeron sister. His favorite new project. "No. No, she is not." He allowed his beast to touch Kaylee. Stroking that bond between them gently in praise.
Kaylee gave a slight smile, her cheeks flushing slightly at the complement and at Rhysand's otherside almost purring at contact with her.
And, unseen to everyone but Lucien, Azriel began to seethe.
Taglist:
@impossibelle @luvmoo @wallacewillow0773638 @nightless
@cat-or-kitten @knmendiola @holb32
@mis-lil-red @minakay @whatsupb18 @deeshag @justdreamstars @pyrostatic @acourtofmarvels @no1massassin @dream-alittlebiggerdarling
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aphroditelovesu · 6 months
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can you please write gender, neutral, reader, who has ADHD and the yandere Bat boys from ACOTAR react to reader having ADHD I’ve been waiting for your request to open to request this can’t wait to read it ❤️❤️❤️
❝ 🌹 — lady l: i hope you like it, anon! As a person with ADHD, I wrote it based on my experience and things that happen to me, but I know not everyone is the same, but I hope you enjoy it anyway! ❤️❤️
❝tw: overprotective behavior, ADHD, unhealthy romantic relationships, messy writing.
❝🌹pairing: yandere!bat boys/azriel, rhysand and cassian x ADHD!gender neutral!reader.
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Azriel
Azriel deals with your ADHD however he can and tries his best to be understanding and not stress. He doesn't like it, but he can't do anything to change it. Don't get him wrong, he doesn't have anything bad against you having ADHD, as he knows it's not your choice, but he hates that ADHD has you.
He hates that he worries about you so much because he's afraid you'll end up getting hurt because of your lack of attention. He has never met anyone who poses as much danger to themself as you do and it irritates him profusely.
Azriel gets tired easily and to try to have some peace of mind, he will always have a shadow with you, to look after you and report any movement of you and others. Even if you get angry about this, he won't see it as anything wrong since he's just looking out for your safety.
He has always been very protective of you since he has never cared for or loved anyone as much as he loves you and when he finds out that you have ADHD this protection becomes unbearable. Azriel doesn't want anything bad to happen to you and will make sure of it.
Azriel hates it when you cause yourself harm and scolds you vehemently and when you are hurt by his words, he mumbles an apology and pulls you into a hug. He can't stay mad at you.
He tries to be as understanding as possible, like when you forget something or even a date, he tries to think about your well-being and doesn't schedule another date again until he's sure you're okay. Azriel will make sure you are always comfortable with something and, if you take any medication, make sure you never miss it and you will always take it.
Rhysand
If Rhysand could remove ADHD from you with his daemati powers, he would have done it a long time ago. But that's not possible, so he tries his best to take care of you and make sure you're well, fed and safe.
He doesn't like being ignored and when he talks to you, he expects an answer, but he tries to act indifferent when he realizes that you are lost in your thoughts and aren't listening to him. Rhys can't blame you for this, so he always brushes it off and says it's okay when you realize what happened.
Rhysand understands you and is as caring and gentle as possible. The way he talks and acts around you really shows how much he cares and wants you to feel comfortable around him, so he will never say or do something that makes you uncomfortable.
He was always overprotective and that didn't change at all when he found out about your ADHD, but it did increase. Anyone who looks, who thinks, wrong about you will be torn to pieces. Rhysand will not allow any harm to be done to you and any attempt will be dealt with slowly and painfully.
Rhys tries his best to look out for you, writing notes or sending you literal mental notes when you forget something, and, depending on the situation, he will have someone look after you so you don't get hurt. He leaves little notes around the house with simple reminders and some more romantic ones, reminding you how much he loves you and cares about you.
He loves you and is protective of you in the same way he always was, the only change will be that Rhysand will become much more suffocating and will invade your personal space more frequently due to your ADHD, constantly fearing that you will get hurt. Rhys values ​​you a lot, but he doesn't trust you completely and so he has to make sure you're okay and he'll do it his way.
Cassian
Cassian loves the fact that you have ADHD. He knows this may seem strange and insensitive of him, but he can't help but be excited because it makes you more dependent on him in his eyes and he loves taking care of you.
He always loved taking care of you as if you were a child, especially due to your size difference. You will almost always be hidden in his wings and he will be looking at everyone with suspicion. Cassian had become even more protective due to your ADHD.
Cassian tries his best to be understanding and he is very emotional and puts your feelings above him and will take great care not to make you upset, as he hates seeing you mad at him. He is constantly hugging you, because he knows that in his arms you will be safe from all the dangers in the world.
He will always remind you of your chores, leaving notes around the house in places he knows you will look at and will always accompany you wherever you go, to make sure you don't get hurt or end up tripping over something. Your safety always comes first.
If you allow him, Cassian will become your personal bodyguard and follow you around like a puppy. He wants you to depend on him, he needs to protect you, be your hero and he will die inside if he can't do everything for you. It will get to the point that Cassian will offer to carry you anywhere.
Cassian knows it's wrong to think that way, since he knows that having ADHD isn't something easy or cool, but he likes having you dependent on him. He wants to be the only one to watch over you, to protect you and knowing that you have an extra vulnerability makes him ecstatic. He has to take care of you, that's his duty as your mate and as your protector.
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chapter xv - gust & flame
Eris Vanserra x Reader
Eris Vanserra has been a prisoner in his own home since the day he was born. He has done what he had to in order to survive and protect the few he loves. And he is playing the long game. Waiting, waiting, and waiting for the right time to make his move, to usurp his wicked father and become High Lord of Autumn Court. But things become even more complicated when a human girl drops into his life. Perhaps Eris can wait no longer to take his throne.
Word Count: 4,300+
Warnings: violence, suggestions of sexual assault
masterlist
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Feyre watched her boys from across their breakfast nook. Nyx was babbling happily in his father’s arms. His wings were now strong enough to reflect his emotions. They flapped lightly when he was happy – like now. They sagged when he was sad or tired. And they folded tight against his back when he was angry. 
Rhys was feeding him patiently as he tried to also read reports that Azriel had dropped off late last night. 
She should’ve known something was going to ruin their peaceful morning. 
The front door being thrown open was so loud that they didn’t even need their fae hearing to catch it. 
Cassian, Feyre and Rhysand both said into each other’s minds, while also sharing a look. Only the giant Illyrian would be so noticeably loud with his entrance. 
They heard every one of his steps as he marched his way towards them. 
To their surprise, Cassian opened the door to show that Azriel had been right on his heels.
“What is it?” Rhys asked seriously, knowing from their expressions alone that something was very wrong. 
“Y/N is gone,” Cassian answered hurriedly. 
“Gone?” Feyre repeated. She and Rhys both stood from their seats. 
Nyx eyes sensed his parent’s tension and whined in his father’s arms, eyes filling with crocodile tears.
“Her room was empty when I went to escort her to her shop this morning,” Cassian explained. “Drawers were left open and her belongings were strewn about. She packed lightly, left almost everything behind.” 
“Her shop hadn’t been opened for the day. Her scent was nowhere to be found there,” Azriel chimed in. 
“We’ve searched all of Velaris,” Cassian added.
Rhys turned his attention to his Spymaster. “Azriel, I thought you had your shadows following her…” 
Azriel bowed his head with shame. “It’s as though she…vanished. She must have cast some sort of cloaking spell.” 
“Brother, can you hear her?” Cassian asked Rhys and then looked to Feyre for help on the matter as well. 
But Rhys shook his head before the question was even finished. “Once she understood our daemati abilities, I believe she created an amulet to block us.” He shrugged, “Evidently, it made her uncomfortable.” 
Cassian cleared his throat and took a step forward. “There’s something else you should know. But you must promise to control yourself.” 
Feyre took their son from her mate. 
Rhysand’s gaze darkened. “What happened?” 
But Cassian stood his ground. “Promise me.” 
“Fine,” Rhys cooly. “I promise.”
“Last night, Nesta told Y/N the truth about Eris.”
Feyre closed her eyes and let out a long, frustrated sigh. 
Nyx let out another whine, earning him a gentle kiss from his mother. 
“Did she tell her about the deal?” Rhys asked. 
Cassian shook his head. 
“But we should assume she still knows – with her ability to find out information the way that she does,” Azriel commented darkly. 
“Does my sister not understand the risk she took?” Feyre asked exasperated. “If something happens to Y/N while she is still within the border of Night Court, the blood oath could finally claim what its owed!” 
But to everyone’s surprise, Rhysand comforted his mate. “Y/N deserved to know the truth, Feyre darling.” 
“She most likely left last night,” Azriel added. “Which means she’s probably halfway to Day Court as we speak.” 
“She wouldn’t try the mountains,” Cassian thought aloud. “Probably stuck to the coast this entire time. Y/N would know that’s the safest route.” 
“Both of you, search the eastern shores,” Rhysand ordered. 
Suddenly, Nesta burst into the room, breathing heavily. “She bought two horses. A stableboy in the city told me she was there late last night and paid him in fine jewelry.” 
The males all shared a look. “If she’s on horseback, she is already in Day Court,” Cassian explained. 
Feyre let out a breath of relief. Fae bonds were specific and rigid things. Rhys had promised Y/N’s safety to Eris as long as she resided in Night Court.
But that didn’t mean Feyre was done worrying about Y/N.
“How do we know she’s heading south?” Nesta challenged. 
“The Mortal Lands are the only home she knows. That is where she will go,” Azriel explained quietly. 
Nesta’s gaze narrowed. “But what if she is going to Eris?” 
Feyre was the one who answered. “I don’t think she is, Nesta.” 
Nesta exhaled, knowing her sister was most likely right. To mortals, the mating bonds of fae felt…overwhelming and somewhat terrifying. All Y/N knew was that Eris felt something toward her, something that she was completely oblivious to. It could all be so confusing.  
“But what do we tell him?” Nesta asked. “What do we tell Eris?”
“We tell him nothing,” Rhysand answered curtly. “At least, not yet. We must search for her first. Otherwise, Eris could possibly lose all reason, and his father will surely be suspicious then.” 
“I’m going with Azriel and Cassian,” Feyre announced. 
“Elain and I will stay with Nyx,” Nesta announced. 
“I will send word to Helion,” Rhysand nodded. “He be wary that we are asking about a mortal. And he will annoy me with far too many questions. But we must risk it.” 
Everyone started to take their leave. 
Feyre slowly handed her son to Nesta. “For what it’s worth, I believe you did the right thing telling her. I just wish you would have come to us first.”
Nesta scoffed. “All of you would have only tried to stop me.” 
And perhaps she was right. 
“Now, go and help them find her.” Nesta nodded towards the front door that her mate and Azriel had just left through. 
But once she was alone with her nephew, Nesta began to wonder: what would they do once they found Y/N? Drag her back to Night Court? Clearly, Y/N had no desire to be here any longer. So, would they force her back? Truly make her a prisoner? 
Cauldron, what must Y/N think of all of them now?
–🍁–🍁–🍁–
One Week Later…
Eris had felt a weight in his stomach that had been making him nauseous for nearly a week now. 
Something wasn’t right. His heart told him it was Y/N. 
Eris noticed his mother’s concerned looks during the few times he’d been in the same room as her.
But his father had been keeping him so busy with last-minute commands that there was no way for Eris to sneak off to the Night Court to check on Y/N or even speak to his mother. 
Now he found himself in a rare moment alone in his chambers. And he couldn’t even find the patience to sit.
Instead, he paced back and forth beside the giant fireplace. 
It was storming outside, a common occurrence in Autumn Court. But as the night went on, the lightning and thunder became more frequent, more aggressive. What was it leading to? 
Eris tried to think of way to sneak off without Beron or his spies noticing. Dare he even risk such a thing when his father seemed hidebound on keeping him close. 
There was a tension beneath his skin, scrapping against bone and muscle. It left him restless. It left him aching. 
Something was coming – whether it was coming for him, Eris did not know. 
But he was pulled form him inner turmoil when a letter appeared out of nowhere and floated down, right before his very eyes. 
Eris swore his heart stopped. 
Surely whatever Rhysand had to say would answer this gnawing feeling Eris could not get rid of. Had Y/N been attacked again? Was she hurt? Had that bastard shadowsinger made her cry again?
Eris held his breath as he opened the letter from the High Lord. 
She knows. She knows who you really are to her. And she ran when she found out. We have been looking for her for a week. She must be cloaking herself. We expect that she is heading for the Mortal Realm. Eris, we need your help. She needs your help. 
Eris swore he saw red. 
Y/N knew. She knew and she ran. Why would she do such a foolish thing? She was safe in the Night Court. 
“Fools,” Eris hissed to himself as he scrunched up the paper in his fist and then lit it aflame, not releasing his grip until it was only ash. 
All of them were fools. 
What had they said o make her flee? She’d built a life for herself in Night Court. And she had abandoned it so swiftly. Was the thought of being his mate so horrific? Did Y/N think all of them would eventually force her to be with him? 
Eris’ mind raced with hundreds of questions. 
He had to join the search – immediately. 
Suddenly, someone knocked on his door. 
“Leave me be!” Eris growled. 
But they knocked again, even harder this time. 
Eris marched to the door, preparing to harm whoever dared disturb him. 
When he threw open the door, one of Beron’s most loyal advisors stood before him.
“What?” Eris hissed. 
“The High Lord requests your presence in the throne room, my lord.” 
“I must decline,” Eris forced the words out. 
To ignore his father’s request was to play a most dangerous game. 
“The High Lord will not except a declination.”
It was a warning. Eris understood that. 
What he was trying to figure out was how much he cared at this moment, when Y/N was treading through the most dangerous territory in the Fae Realms - alone! 
Eris snarled before physically shoving past the advisor so harshly that he almost knocked the male off his feet. 
Eris didn’t wait for his escort as he stomped to the throne room. 
Whatever his father wanted, hopefully it wouldn’t take long. Then Eris could flee and find Y/n. 
——
“Why do you act as if you are scared?” Amren asked Rhysand. 
The letter was sent. 
Soon Eris would know what became of his mate. 
And the Court of Dreams stood in the foyer of the River House, wracked with guilt and worry. 
“I do not fear Eris,” Rhysand corrected. “But you do not understand what this will do to him: to lose one’s mate. I only fear what this will do to him.”
“She isn’t dead,” Nesta corrected him harshly, her arms crossed. 
“We cannot be sure,” Feyre sighed shakily. 
“Y/N is not some weakly!” Nesta defended. “She survived on her own out there years before we ever met her. She’s a Valkyrie.” 
Feyre was wise enough to look guilty. She should’ve never doubted Y/N’s survival. 
“Will he come here? Eris?” Cassian asked. “Or will he go on his own hunt for her?” 
But before anyone could answer, all windows were thrown open. 
And a tornado flew in from outside. 
Rhysand went to stand beside Feyre. Cassian rushed to Nesta, blocking her from any attack. Amren and Azriel unsheathed hidden weapons. 
But no one stood before them. Only wind that roared so loudly, they were all forced to cover their ears.
It screeched so harshly, that all of them fell to their knees in pain. 
“Y/N NEEDS YOUR HELP! SHE IS IN GRAVE DANGER! GO! NOW! TO THE AUTUMN COURT! TO THE FOREST HOUSE!”
–––
Eris hid his surprise when he found that the throne room was filled with courtiers. It was far too late in the night for them to be in attendance. 
Then he caught sight of his three brothers. They all sneered at him, proving that they knew something he did not.
Now Eris understood his father planned to make a spectacle of him if his brothers had dropped their duties just to witness whatever this was. 
Everyone else refused to look him in the eyes as he arrived. They feared him nearly as much as they feared their High Lord. 
The High Lord who sat upon his throne with a wicked smile. 
Eris stepped forward, only stopping until he reached the bottom of the stairs that led to his father. He kneeled, and kneeled deeply. He had been whipped for less. 
It wasn’t until Eris peaked and saw his mother’s expression that he knew something terrible had happened. 
She knew how to school her features in front of Beron. She played her role well, and left nothing for others to be able to decipher. 
Eris rose from his bow. “You wished to see me, High Lord.”
Beron tilted his head to the side as he looked down at his eldest son. “You are in charge of guarding this court’s borders, are you not?”
Eris nodded, “I am, High Lord.” 
“Then why was it I who found a witch wandering through our woods?”
Eris swore his fire blood turned to ice. 
There were other witches in Prythian. It could be someone else. Please, let it be someone – anyone – other than her. 
“Witches are cunning creatures,” Eris began cooly. “It is not surprising that one could pass through Autumn Court undetected.”
Beron seemed amused by his son’s response. 
The High Lord snapped his fingers. 
As if on cue, lightning and thunder struck just a second after. 
And a door behind the throne opened. 
Eris had to stop himself from becoming feral when he saw her. 
Y/N was dripping wet, being dragged by two men as both her hands and feet were secured with iron chains that scrapped across the wooden floors. 
There were bloodied scrapes and cuts across her skin, right alongside dozens of bruises. And Eris could see all of them due to the fact that Y/N was only wearing a sheer, white slip. And it was just as drenched as the rest of her, making it completely transparent and practically exposing her nudity to the entire hall. 
If Eris unclenched the fists at his side, everyone would see that he was trembling with rage. 
The males dragged Y/N until she was also at the bottom of the stairs of Beron’s throne. And half a dozen surrounded her with their weapons drawn, showing that they all saw her as a threat. Then one kicked at the back of Y/N’s legs, forcing her to fall onto her knees and face all of Autumn Court. 
Y/N was now mere feet away from Eris. 
When she finally found the strength to raise her head, she locked eyes with her mate. She schooled her features well, not even slightly looking at Eris with any recognition. But he wondered if it was because she was in so much pain. 
Both nostrils of her nose were still bleeding. The right side of her lip was swollen and split. Her left eye was almost black and bruised. And there was a cut on the right side of her forehead that drew a line of bright red blood down the side of her face. 
Y/N had put up a fight, that much was clear. 
“Do you know what makes a witch powerless?” Beron asked casually. “Iron. Many have forgotten this weakness. But witches are powerless, unable to cast – so long as they are shackled with iron.”  
Eris’ jaw was clenched tightly to stop himself from saying anything at all. 
“Yes, it is been quite some time since I have fallen upon a witch,” Beron continued as he stood from his throne and stepped down. He didn’t stop until he was directly behind Y/N. 
Eris wanted to lunge forward when Beron took Y/N’s wet hair and pulled it behind her, exposing her shoulders and neck. 
Beron hand ghosted over Y/N’s neck and then he roughly gripped her chin from behind her. Y/N winced and closed her eyes. 
Eris could clearly see that she was shaking.
“Our ancestors once kept witches as their slaves. High Lords would use them for coitus rituals, on display for all the court to see. I have heard the power these High Lords felt from it was…euphoric.” 
Beron walked around so that he was in front of Y/N, blocking Eris’ view of her. 
“But this one…has already put up quite the fight. She took out ten of my company before they were able to finally seize her.” 
Beron was bating Eris. That was obvious. Which meant he had to know who Y/N was to him, what she meant. But Eris was still figuring out how. Surely his scent wasn’t on her. He hadn’t see in her weeks. 
Eris didn’t move a muscle and composed his face to remain neutral. But on the inside, a war was raging. His instincts were screaming at him to attack, to protect his mate and rip her far, far away from his treacherous father. 
But that was clearly what Beron wanted. 
And Eris refused to give it to him. Not like this. 
Beron walked around Y/N again until he was behind her. Gripping her right arm, he jerked Y/N to her feet, exposing her entire body that showed through her wet and thin underdress. 
“But she is rather stunning, is she not?” Beron asked as his hand gripped her bottom harshly. 
Y/N hissed and tried to lurch away, but Beron’s other hand choked her neck. 
Eris watched as Y/N’s eyes filled with tears. 
“Perhaps we should renew our ancestors practices,” Beron whispered into Y/N’s ear. 
“Beron, that is enough!”
Everyone’s eyes whipped to their Lady of Autumn. The woman who had become more and more broken the longer she stayed in this court. The woman who submitted to her husband and never spoke out of turn. 
Eris tried to give his mother a warning look, but she wasn’t looking at him. No, she was glaring at her husband. 
But Y/N saw this as a moment of distraction.
She brought Beron’s hand that rested around her neck to her mouth and bit – hard. Until she tasted blood. 
Beron howled in with fury and pain. 
Y/N whipped around and lifted her knee to his groin – despite her ankles being chained. Her strike had the High Lord keeled over. But only for a moment. 
“You stupid bitch!” And Beron backhanded her so hard that Y/N flew to the ground. 
But it got her away from him, and Eris had his window. 
Moving his hands, he gathered a ball of flame and threw it, knocking Beron yards back. When he landed, his head slammed back against the floor. 
But when Beron rose to his feet, he was laughing. “You were always pathetic.” The High Lord immersed his entire body in flames. “Do you really believe you stand a chance against me, boy?” 
Eris said nothing as he drew the sword at his side and it too ignited in flames. 
With the wave of his arm, Beron unleashed a monster from his flames – a dragon, made entirely of fire. It lunged for Eris with its jaw open. 
Now the courtiers wailed in fear, knowing their High Lord cared not for their lives and was more than willing to risk them as collateral damage. 
Eris sliced the fire dragon’s neck with his sword. 
But then a whip of fire wrapped around Eris’ throat, scorching the delicate skin. Out of instinct, he tried to rip it from his throat, which only resulted in burning his hands. 
Beron pulled the whip toward himself, forcing Eris onto his knees. 
“Do you wish to know how I realized that she meant something to you?” Beron spit as he leaned towards his son. 
One of his guards dropped a bundle on the floor to the right of Eris. It was the bow and knife Eris had gifted Y/N. But the thing that surprised Eris was his cloak, the one he had thrown over her shoulders that night he’d found her crying. She had been traveling with it? 
Beron leaned even closer. “Did you truly believe I would not recognize the work of our royal blacksmith?”
Eris roared as he unleashed a wave of his own power, breaking the fire whip his father controlled. It knocked Beron back far enough for Eris to regain his footing. 
Beron cackled as he brushed off the attack. “Tell me, boy. Is she your lover? Or did you plan on using the witch to usurp me?” 
Eris only glared, refusing to feed this taunting with any response. 
Beron stood straighter and opened his arms. “Go on. Try your best.” 
But before Eris could do so, the throne room was thrown into shadow. 
The courtiers wailed in fear:
“I can’t see!” 
“What is happening?” 
A second later the shadows dispersed to reveal that all of Beron’s guards who were guarding the exit had been slaughtered. 
And the High Lord’s evil smirk was finally wiped from his face. 
Eris turned to find Azriel, Cassian, Nesta, Vassa, Jurian, and his youngest brother, Lucien. 
With the understanding that he was no longer alone, Eris had a newfound strength. Even if he fell, they would get Y/N out of here. His life no longer mattered. Eris would either take out his father or distract him long enough to save his mate. 
Eris roared as he sent a wall of flames at Beron. 
Azriel shot for Y/N, taking out any guard that stood between them. When he reached her, his shadows made work of her shackles and broke her free. 
“Can you stand?” He rushed. 
“I can do more than stand,” Y/N growled, and she rushed for the weapons that had been stolen from her. 
She started firing arrow after arrow, killing all the males that had attacked her and dragged her here. 
Then she took in her chaotic surroundings to find Lucien, Vassa, and Jurian holding back the three other Vanserra brothers. Cassian and Nesta were back to back, taking out any soldiers loyal to Beron. Azriel was close to Y/N, covering her back as she had fired off her arrows. 
But then Y/N caught another head of red hair. A beautiful, female High Fae who was throwing flames at anyone that tried to help Beron take on Eris.
His mother. It must have been Eris’ mother. 
All of her allies allowed Y/N to turn her full attention to Eris who was fighting his father with his all power. But he still wasn’t strong enough. Beron was a High Lord and had all the ancient magic of Autumn Court behind him. 
With swipe of both Beron’s hands, a wall of fire smacked into Eris, who didn’t have time to block it. And he was knocked onto his back. 
The sight infuriated Y/N. 
And something deep within her, that she didn’t recognize, rose up to the surface. 
Before she even knew what she was doing, Y/N had sprinted forward and put herself between Eris and Beron. 
“No! Run! Get out of here!” Eris yelled out – no, he begged her – as he struggled to get back to his feet. 
But Y/N ignored him. Because something was taking her over. 
Y/N’s hands reached out to the side. 
She started chanting words that no mortal or fae would ever understand. 
Beron stood and watched, about to laugh at whatever sad attempt this witch had at taking him down. 
But Y/N’s words grew louder, stronger. 
And that’s when the wind rushed into throne room. 
It shattered the every single window with it’s arrival. It caused more screams from the courtiers who failed to flee.
Y/N’s eyes were no longer her own, but covered in white and glowing as if there were two moons.
Her arms raised higher. 
The wind carried the shattered glass from the windows and pelted Beron like tiny they were tiny knives. 
The High Lord underestimated her so much that he hadn’t been prepared to block such an attack.
He hissed in pain as the glass cut across his entire torso. 
But Y/N wasn’t finished. Her chanting turned into a bellow. The words and rhythm had changed into something else. 
In response, the wind now circled around Beron, capturing him in a tornado. But it wasn’t just keeping him in place, it was sucking the air from his lungs as if he was caught in a vacuum. 
Beron gasped for breath, clutching at his neck as if it would help. As he failed, he fell to his knees. 
And while Y/N attacked the High Lord, Eris, Lucien, and their mother had formed a wall behind her, waiting for the moment when Y/N would need backup. 
“NOW!” Eris bellowed. 
Together, the three of them stepped in front of Y/N and heaved fire onto Beron. It all entered the tornado of wind, keeping it contained and concentrated.  
Beron’s cries filled the hall, loud enough to be heard over the wind and tornado. Despite being a wielder of flame himself, it burned him. 
Yet Y/N was growing weaker, she had never tapped into this much power and it was starting to take a toll on her body. 
The other three didn’t see as Y/N’s arms dropped and her eyes rolled back. She collapsed. 
Azriel rushed forward, catching Y/N’s body only a moment before her head could slam to the ground. 
Eris roared as he threw even more fire at his father, stepping even closer to Beron than Lucien and his mother. 
Beron’s skin was scorched to black, half his clothes burnt right from his body. 
Lucien and their mother paused their attack, as Eris marched to his weakened father as he unsheathed a hidden knife. 
Not underestimating Beron or his power, Eris immediately grabbed his father by the neck and pulled him up. 
Eris put his mouth close to his ear and whispered, “Her name is Y/N, and she is my mate.” 
And he drove the knife into his father’s heart. 
Eris then ripped it from Beron’s chest. And with one fluid swing, sliced off Beron’s head completely.
Only mere seconds after the decapitated head hit the floor, raw power filled the throne room. So potent that all fighting ceased. No one could ignore its feeling. 
Beron’s loyal soldiers finally realized their High Lord had been killed. 
And all that power moved to the heir of Autumn. 
The impact of it brought Eris to his knees. He groaned as he felt it take over him entirely and then fell to his hands. 
No one so much as breathed as they saw their new High Lord take over the throne. 
When the power finally stopped transferring, Eris slowly lifted his head. 
His eyes widened. “Y/N!”
And he whipped around to see his mate unconscious and beaten, in the arms of the shadowsinger. 
-----
I have had a really terrible last couple of weeks at work. And then I got really sick, which is how I had time to write this. But most importantly, I worked extremely hard on this chapter. So please, please, please write a comment. Or, as I always say, write me a book report. 🙏
Chapter XVI
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