Tumgik
#feyre is the only reason all of them are even alive
readychilledwine · 3 months
Note
hii!! i’m in love w your writing!!❤️❤️❤️ can i please request one where it’s azriel x reader. Feyre sees azriel wearing a ring on his left finger and asks,
” i’ve seen you wear that ring forever azriel, what does it mean? ”
” it’s my wedding ring ”
and her jaw drops bc she didn’t know he even had a lover.
” who is she? do i know her? what is she like? ”
he smiles faintly and says
” her name is y/n, she’s my mate and wife and she isn’t a warrior like us, she works at a library downtown. you don’t know her, only rhys and cassian do. we have a house in the outskirts in velaris. she is very sweet and i love her more than anything, our daughter is- ”
” YOU HAVE A DAUGHTER ????? ”
he nods and tells them all about her, he asks if feyre wants to meet reader and their daughter and feyre smiles and nods. He asks reader in the mating bond if it’s okay to bring her, nyx, rhys and cassian to dinner. reader says yes and azriel tells feyre he’ll pick them all up tonight before leaving to help his wife prepare. Reader meets feyre and become friends instantly, nyx and their daughter become friends aswell.
” how did i not know this?? this makes so much sense now. How he never sleeps here and he’s gone for days sometimes but not on missions. ” feyre asks rhysand.
”don’t worry i didn’t know for a long time either, Az is a very private person, he is extremely protective of his family. i’m glad he told me at all. either way he’s still a mystery sometimes, i learn new things about him all the time and i’ve known him for over 500 years” rhys says and laughs knowing your perfect for his brother 🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️😭🥹😍
Haven
Tumblr media
Warnings - none
A/n - I played with this for a while, rewrote it several times, and then made something that met in the middle of what came to mind, but still stuck with the request. Hopefully, you love it, dear 💜
Tumblr media
Feyre had been in Velaris for 5 years. 5 long years and she had yet to figure out why Azriel kept a simple black band on his left ring finger at all times.
The two of them were on the couch, Rhys across from them, as they looked over maps of a few of the Illyrian Camps that had been recently renovated. The new cabins, mess halls, and dorms were a huge success, and figuring out the same layout for the remaining few was a huge topic of interest for the three smaller camps.
She glanced at the ring one more time before tapping it. Rhys and Azriel both looked at her, brows raised. "So, not magic," she muttered to herself. She tried spell cleaving it, "And not a ward or shield."
Azriel blinked at her, brows knit in silent question. Rhys had his hand over his mouth, hiding his amusement. Leave it to his wife to provide entertainment without knowing it was needed. "I-" she sighed. "You wear this ring all the time. I'm trying to figure out why."
Both of the males chuckled. "Probably the same reason you wear your wedding ring, Feyre Darling."
The High Lady made face, tapping the ring again. "Don't be ridiculous, Rhys. I would know if Azriel was married."
"Evidently not, my love."
Feyre and Azriel held eye contact, the male then going back to the maps. "Since I have extensive time in Steppes Peak, I think it would be easiest to move the mess hall here, at the base of the mountain, maintain the warroom in the carved out cave, and build better dorms here," he pointed to an empty part of the map.
Rhys nodded, drawing it out on the empty map he had. "I'm sure y/n will agree with whatever you say."
"Okay, stop." Feyre crossed her arms, pouting slightly at the two of them. "Azriel isn't married, and making up some name to make me feel stupid isn't kind."
Azriel sighed. He leaned back while dropping the scent ward he kept on himself at all times. He watched as her face fell. He knew his scent, chilled air and cedar, was the predominant one in the mateship, but now a soft floral scent, something like lavender and warm honey clung there softly.
"I've been married for longer than you have been alive, Fey." Azriel patted her hand. "I have a daughter older than you and another younger than Nyx."
He watched as her face fell, a small amount of hurt flashing across it. "Why didn't you tell me?" She paused, looking at the sleeping heir in his craddle. "We could be having play dates. I could have a friend who understands."
Guilt settled into his face as he pulled her into him. "I torture people for living, sweet sister. I execute people on your orders. I imprison people with a flick of your wrist." He tilted Feyre's head up. "Y/n has no combat training and refused to learn. She likes to sit at home writing poetry, baking, and cuddling our children. I do not bring her around or introduce them to anyone to keep them safe." His face held the ghost of a rare smile. "I think I've brought her to meet Rhys and Cassian once."
Rhys nodded. "I've met her once here and several times behind your back in town. Especially after my first niece was born."
Feyre kept her gaze on Nyx. "He could have a friend," her voice was distant.
Azriel stood, placing a kiss on her forehead as he did. "I'll be right back." Rhysand's smile grew wide. Folding the maps and putting them away. He moved to the liquor cabinet, bringing down one of his more expensive wines.
Azriel reappeared with you and both daughters in tow. Your oldest ran to Rhys, jumping on him and holding him tightly, her wings fluttering with joy as she did. "Hello, Amara," he nuzzled into her hair. "Missed you so much, baby girl. Cassian is on his way."
He walked with her in his arms to the table, setting the wine down and then carried her over to Feyre. "Would you like to meet your aunt?" She allowed Rhys to set her down and turned toward Feyre.
There was little question she was Azriel's. She was the beautiful artists dreamed of painting. Soft classic features framed with inky black hair that fell in gorgeous curls. "Feyre, this is our niece Amara. She's 56. She was my favorite suprise when I got home from the mountain."
She smiled shyly, keeping close to Rhysand. "Hi."
"Hi," Feyre didn't know what came over her, pulling the Illyrian female close to her and holding her. "I'm so excited to meet you."
Amara wrapped her arms around Feyre, returning the gesture. "Me too. Mom and I have been BEGGING dad for a while. But you know how the bats are."
The door slammed open, rushed loud footsteps and a panting filling the hall. "Where's my baby?!"
Amara pulled away from Feyre, smiling softly before moving away from all of them. She was rushed by Cassian, lifted up into his arms as he spun her.
Feyre looked to her side, noticing Azriel next to her, holding a swaddled bundle. "This is Iris. She's a month younger than Nyx." Azriel wouldn't look away from his daughter and her peaceful sleeping face. "I fear the day she loses her chipmunk cheeks."
Feyre looked around the room, trying to find the reason this was happening and felt her heart shift when she saw you, arm wrapped around Rhysand's bicep, looking at Nyx.
You were wingless, long dark hair braided back. Soft leggings and a sweater that was a few sizes too big covering your frame. Cassian had moved next to you, bumping you with his arm and smiling down at you. "He's so beautiful," your voice was a melody, a soft echo that brought calm to the room. "And so sweet. Look at those rosy cheeks."
Rhysand pulled you away, moving you back to Feyre. He handed you to Azriel, arms out expectedly. "Don't make me command it."
The shadowsinger placed his youngest in Rhysand's arms, hands shaking despite the trust between them, "Be careful with her. Please." Rhys nodded, moving over to Cassian. "Feyre, this is y/n, my wife and mat-"
Feyre didn't allow him to finish, hugging you instantly, tears lining her eyes as she did. "Please tell me we can be friends and cry about our babies together."
"I didn't realize that would even be a question. Of course we will be friends, and of course we will cry about all of the things. Our mates don't get it. Cassian, though, Cassian will join us."
The warlord stuck one finger in your direction. "Let me love them in peace, y/n."
You leaned into Feyre, "Has he cried while holding Nyx yet?"
She nodded. "Oh yeah. Big illyrian baby."
"The worst, aren't they? Rhysand, did you want me to make dinner?"
The High lord looked at Azriel, a small look of guilt on his face, "Please."
You squeezed Feyre's arm, kissing Azriel as you moved towards the kitchen. "You know where to find me if she needs me." He nodded.
Azriel moved to Cassian, watching like a hawk as the general snuggled the small babe in his arms. Amara was sitting by Nyx a look of love and adoration on her face as she sighed.
"She's perfect for Azriel in every way," Rhys stroked Feyre's hand. "I was nervous at first too when he brought her home. I was even more nervous when his fears manifested in the form of being deeply private with her. But she is perfect for him."
Feyre nodded, watching as Azriel glared as Cassian due to the loud squeak his baby had just let out.
"His girls are beautiful." Rhys hummed in agreement. "Y/n is beautiful."
Feyre moved to Amara's side, sitting next to her and smiling as her niece started asking questions.
She didn't realize it until now, but this was the missing piece. The part of the puzzle that had sat empty despite every thing around it being done. You and your girls were that lost center.
Now she just had to convince Azriel to keep bringing you around.
Tumblr media
General tag list:
@hnyclover @glitterypirateduck @slytherinindisguise @mischiefmanagers
1K notes · View notes
olenvasynyt · 2 months
Text
“It seems like you’ve decided to fall in with two people without their homes of their own as well.”
I really need to talk about this, and the fight Feyre and Lucien have in ACOFAS in general because Feyre is so wildly frustrating during this whole conversation, and I want to delve into it line by line.
So this is when Lucien arrives for the Winter Solstice.  Elain has left the room and the argument him and Feyre have begins with Feyre saying he should live in Velaris.
Chapter 18 of ACOFAS: “‘You could come live here, is all I’m saying,’ I pushed.  ‘Truly live here, stay in Velaris for longer than a few days at a time.  We could get you nicer quarters—‘ Lucien got to his feet.  ‘I don’t need your charity.’”
First issue that isn’t a huge deal but “nicer quarters”?  Not a home, just quarters, an allowance, a charity, as Lucien says here?
And it just keeps going downhill, because when he explains that he is getting along with Vassa and Jurian just fine, she is almost taken aback and shows a bit of jealousy.  Her biases are really starting to show as well as her lack of self-awareness.
I rose as well.  ‘But Jurian and Vassa’s is fine?’ ‘You’d be surprised to see how well the three of us get along.’ Friends, I realized.  They had somehow become his friends.  ‘So you would rather stay with them?’ ‘I’m not staying with them.  The manor is ours.’” ‘Interesting.’ His golden eye whirred.  ‘What is.’ Not feeling very festive at all, I said sharply, ‘That you now feel more comfortable with humans than with the High Fae.  If you ask me—' ‘I’m not.’ ‘It seems like you’ve decided to fall in with two people without their homes of their own as well.’”
She lashes out and basically says that the Night Court isn’t Lucien’s home.  
This part is so awful to me for multiple reasons. Now, there is the critique of Lucien having prejudices towards humans in ACOTAR.  That is probably the only critique I will accept, he was an ass in the first book; the way he talked about humans negatively impacted Feyre.  And this could be applied to Eyre’s side of this argument, Feyre could be like “huh you’re friends with humans now, that’s interesting.  You always shat on humans before.”
But I do not think this can be applied to this argument because 1. Feyre, after her change to High Fae, is more comfortable with Fae than with humans, we can see this in ACOMAF, she does not like eating human food, she is hyperaware of all of the differences between being fae and being human.
and 2. Feyre and Lucien have had a conversation about the human war in ACOWAR.  Lucien said he would have fought for the humans if he was alive during the War:
Chapter 3 of ACOWAR: “‘If you’d been alive for the War, would you have fought on their side?  Or fought for the humans?’ ‘I would have been a part of the human-Fae alliance.’ ‘Even if your father wasn’t?’ ‘Especially if my father wasn’t.’”
Maybe he has had some prejudices against humans before but he does explain he would fight for their freedom, he talks about how he disliked their alliance with Hybern.  I always viewed his comments on humans in the first book as him directing his anger and frustration with Feyre and not his idea of humans in general.  He did not like Feyre for killing Andras and he had very little hope when it came to the curse. And after Lucien sends Feyre to capture the Suriel and almost gets her killed, he feels guilty and is also like “Feyre…I thought you would be more mad at me for this” and she is like “nah I get it, I killed your friend.”
Chapter 18 of ACOTAR: “‘You can’t possibly forgive me that easily for sending you into danger.’ ‘No.  And part of me would like nothing more than to wallop you for your lack of warning about the Suriel.  But I understand: I am a human who killed your friend, who now lives in your house, and you have to deal with me.  I understand.’"
People shit on Lucien for that moment but this was when he finally realized who Feyre actually is.  He realizes his mistake in judging Feyre and apologizes.  And this is when their friendship starts to truly develop.  
"‘Tam told me that your first shot was to save the Suriel’s life.  Not your own.’ ‘It seemed like the right thing to do.’ The look he gave me was more contemplative than any he’d give me before.  ‘I know far too many High Fae and lesser faeries who wouldn’t have seen it that way—or bothered.’”
And 3. also he met Vassa, Jurian and Feyre’s father and other humans during his mission to find Vassa and an army.
So him having past prejudices towards humans should not and is not Feyre’s issue with him being friends with Vassa and Jurian.    Feyre does not bring that up to him or imply it in her inner dialogue.  It seems like her issue is Lucien found friends outside of the Night Court.
“Friends, I realized.  They had somehow become his friends.  ‘So you would rather stay with them?’”
She almost sounds like she is jealous or confused.  “You would rather stay with them and not with me and the IC?”  It’s almost like she’s thinking “why don’t you love the IC and the Night Court as much as I do?” which is so ironic to me and lacking any self-awareness! You should know why he doesn’t like going to the NC, Feyre. He explains it after this moment in the conversation. 
And I will get to that point later, I want to go in order because Feyre just keeps going downhill:
After Feyre implies that Lucien doesn’t have a home, Lucien then makes a boundary.  
“Lucien stared at me, long and hard.  ‘Happy Solstice to you, Feyre.’”
He is saying, “I am done with this conversation, I do not want to talk to you anymore, I am leaving.”  
“He turned toward the foyer, but I grabbed his arm to halt him.  The corded muscle of his forearm shirted beneath the fine silk of the sapphire jacket, but he made no move to shake me off.  ‘I didn’t mean that.  You have a home here.  If you want it.’”
And Feyre does try to apologize and correct herself because she knows she was wrong for basically implying he doesn’t have a home but she is cutting over this line Lucien drew.  You can tell Lucien does not like it when she grabs him and forces him to stop leaving.
He does not want to talk to her about this, and for good reason because when he is like “alright I will continue this conversation” and begins to explain to her the Band of Exiles, she interrupts him, dismisses him, makes fun of him.  
“Lucien studied the sitting room, the foyer beyond and the dining room on its other side.  ‘The Band of Exiles.’ ‘The what?’ ‘That’s what we call ourselves.  The Band of Exiles.’ ‘You have a name for yourselves.’  I fought my incredulous tone. He nodded.  ‘Jurian isn’t an exile.’ Vassa, yes.  Lucien, two times over now. ‘He can call himself whatever he likes.’ But I asked, ‘and what, exactly, does this Band of Exiles plan to do?  Host events?  Organize party planning committees?’”
Frustration 1 with her saying, “what is the band of exiles planning to do?  Organize party planning committees?” Two pages ago there was a whole conversation and inner dialogue about how there has been no governing in the southern human lands and that Vassa and Jurian have a vision for the future and want to change, they are planning to actually do something for the humans and the land you used to live in as a human.
“[Vassa and Jurian] both trying to lead the humans who occupied the sliver of land at the southernmost end of Prythian.  Left ungoverned for so long.  Far too long. “‘Mercifully, their vision for the future of the human territories is mostly aligned.’”
and frustration 2. He was trying to explain to you his genuine feelings and struggles!
“I made friends who have something in common with me, who appreciate me,” and she interrupts him and she makes fun of him for it!  It sucks!
The Band of Exiles is a stupid name, I love Lucien but I do cringe whenever I hear that name.  And they have always had this back-and-forth banter and crude jokes with each other, but this is a terrible moment to joke around because Lucien is trying to explain his feelings and his reasons, but she’s just being dismissive.
Also another point: her looking down at him for having a group name.  She also has a group name with her friends.  The Court of Dreams, the Inner Circle.  And those aren’t any less cheesy, y'all, I’m sorry, I said it. 🤷‍♀️
Another thing that is so goddamn frustrating to me is he is like “these are all the reasons why I don’t like being in the Night Court.”  1. He can’t stand to be in the same room as Elain, he is upset that she is avoiding him.  2. He doesn’t like getting charity from her and Rhys.  And 3. he also hates how Feyre and Rhys ruined his chance of going back to the Spring Court because of the way she used him to get revenge, and the way Rhys acted with Tamlin when he visits.
“‘I don’t have anywhere else to go.  You ruined any chance I have of going back to Spring.  Not to Tamlin, but to the court beyond his house.  Everyone either believes the lies you spun or they believe me complicit in your deceit.’  ‘I can’t stand to be in the same room as [Elain] for more than two minutes.  I can’t stand to be in this court and have your mate pay for the very clothes on my back…' ‘…Tamlin sent it to our manor yesterday.  My clothes.  My belongings.  All of it.’”
And Feyre acknowledges this.  But she doesn’t feel guilty despite seeing how upset it made Lucien, how it so negatively impacted him.
“‘But the blame for that behavior was not on Tamlin’s shoulders alone.  I’d created that rift.  Ripped it apart with my own two hands. I didn’t quite feel guilty enough to warrant apologizing for it.  Not yet.  Possibly not ever.”
She can still hold resentment towards Tamlin but why can’t she apologize for how it affects Lucien?  I really dislike Feyre and Rhys because of this, and regardless of this making them look inconsiderate and thoughtless, I think this makes her and Rhys look like bad rulers.  Lucien is like, "this affected me negatively, but it’s also going to affect you.  And probably Prythian.  This was a bad call on your part."
“‘Why?’ ‘Perhaps it had something to do with your mate’s visit the other day.’ ‘Rhys didn’t involve you in that.’ ‘He might as well have…your mate should have known better than to kick a downed male.’ ‘I can’t say I’m particularly sorry that he did.’ ‘You will need Tamlin as an ally before the dust has settled.  Tread carefully.’ “I didn’t want to think about it, consider it, today.  Any day.”
Feyre just dismisses it.  She does not want to consider what Lucien is saying.  
The one thing I will sort of applaud Feyre for is when she tells Elain that Lucien is a good male after he leaves.
“‘He brought you a present.’ ‘And that entitles him to my time, my affections?’ ‘No.  But he is a good male.’  Despite our harsh words.  Despite this Band of Exiles bullshit.  ‘He cares for you.’”
However, she is lashing out at Elain because she’s frustrated with the conversation she just had and is upset that she was in the wrong.  
“I know I wasn’t truly angry with her, not angry at anyone but myself, but I said, ‘You couldn’t say a single word to him?  A pleasant greeting?’”
Feyre is misdirecting because she does not want to think about her mistakes.
I have some issues with Elain, it’s very true that she doesn’t owe anything to Lucien just because she’s his mate, I think it would be better for her to stop avoiding Lucien and actually say her feelings.  But I’m talking about Feyre in this video, I can make a Lucien and Elain video later.
I don’t know, Feyre has really gone downhill for me after ACOWAR.  You can still like her but I know I’m not the only one who dislikes her now and Feyre’s mistakes and biases and the way she hurts people cannot be ignored.  
Idk what else to say besides Lucien. Deserves. Better.
307 notes · View notes
mycadences · 2 months
Text
When Elain was about to be thrown into the Cauldron (so this was before she even entered the "oh so evil and corrupt" Cauldron that "definitely twisted and created fake mating bonds!"), notice who was the one who had a visceral reaction:
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Also notice how I didn't include Azriel's reaction? Yeah. Because he had none. Azriel had no reaction to Elain's greatest trauma -- her transformation into a High Fae. I can't even find any quotes during that scene, and if you don't believe me, grab your copy of ACOMAF and verify it for yourself. This is why they are definitely NOT mates. Meanwhile, Lucien tried to help Elain although it was their first meeting, so how it possibly be that their mating bond is fake and created by the Cauldron when he felt the bond even before she went in?
In fact, during ACOMAF, Azriel was heavily implied to be shipped with Mor:
Tumblr media
But Mor, as we all know, was likely retconned and revealed to be bisexual in ACOWAR (with a greater inclination toward females), putting an end to their ship.
Meanwhile, contrast Azriel's reaction toward Elain's violation to how Cassian reacted when Nesta was going through the same thing:
Tumblr media
Cassian's wings were shredded. He was in a sea of agony. And yet when Nesta was being thrown into the Cauldron, he was fighting to stay conscious at her screams. Because Nesta is his mate.
The same way that Eluciens are undeniably, irrefutably mates, evil Cauldron be damned.
Alternatively, you can also contrast to this scene:
Tumblr media
Azriel is the Night Court's Spymaster. Yet he didn't leave a single one of the Hybern soldiers alive for questioning? He killed them all immediately, suggesting that he was in a fit of blind, uncontrollable rage.
Which one screams mate behavior to you?
Edit to add: I finally found it! The evidence that Azriel knew to keep at least two enemies alive for questioning, so it was obvious he was incapable of thinking clearly when he killed every single one of the Hybern soldiers who hurt Gwyn.
Tumblr media Tumblr media
In this scene (in ACOSF), Cassian and Azriel were attacked by Autumn Court soldiers, and if Cassian knew the reasoning behind keeping two soldiers alive, obviously Azriel (the actual Spymaster) would, too.
"But -- Elain was wearing a cobalt blue dress when she met Azriel!"
Yeah, so? Nesta was wearing an amethyst dress when she met Cassian...
Tumblr media
... and she ended up with Cassian, didn't she? If cobalt is Azriel's color then crimson is Cassian's (these are the colors corresponding to their siphons btw), and if SJM intended the scene to be a parallel, wouldn't she have Nesta in a crimson dress?
Also tons of people wore cobalt outfits. Feyre, Eris, Helion, even Vassa in ACOSF. I guess we should start shipping Vassa and Azriel! Azris shippers should celebrate, since by Elriels' logic your ship is confirmed!
And if you really want to compare outfits, I think it's significant that both Azriel and Lucien draped their coats over Gwyn and Elain respectively in light of their traumatic experiences. This is how you do a proper parallel.
Even SJM herself alluded to being an Elucien shipper:
Tumblr media
Yes, this was from her actual Pinterest account before she took it down. If you search online for it, you'll find other people talking about it and that this is true, it's not just some random fake account lol.
Elriels claim that Gwyn is the red herring in their ship. I propose the opposite -- Elain is the red herring in Gwynriel's ship, like how Azriel is the red herring in Elucien's ship. Because think about it, if Elriel were really meant to be, why would SJM need to introduce Gwyn as a potential love interest for Azriel? She already had one red herring in Lucien, did she really need a second one? No, she didn't. So why? Why does all the evidence, new and old, point toward Gwynriel and Elucien and not Elriel?
Because there was never Elriel. Elriel were never mates, nor would they ever be. There was only ever Elucien (which came first) and Moriel (but Mor was retconned into being bisexual), which eventually gave rise to Gwynriel and highly likely Emorie (Mor x Emerie).
297 notes · View notes
lovemyromance · 1 month
Text
Listen, if someone can just tell me why/how Azriel knows that Cassian would feel it if Nesta was dead, I'll shut up forever.
Tumblr media
I'm definitely willing to accept that this is another literary, figurative way to just say "Oh, you'll know in your heart if she's alive or not."
But this is magic fae world with mating bonds that can be felt. With love, attraction, lust, anger, sorrow, all emotion basically being able to be felt through the mating bond between a pair.
So I ask again - how does Azriel know? He taps Cassian's chest and says, "Right here–you'd know, Cass."
Like?? Hello?? How does he have the exact coordinates to this feeling?? What is giving him GPS powers??
Could it be-perhaps-that he knows because he has felt it before?
But when could he have felt such a feeling, if he does not have a mate? How?
It's haunting me, truly. I'm sitting here trying to think how this man would know what that feels like, and I've come to two conclusions:
Maybe Mor is his mate, and he felt that same feeling of emptiness in his chest when she was left beaten/with nails in her stomach from her failed betrothal to Eris. It was a traumatic moment for her, and Azriel has always been ready to defend her honor.
But this situation still doesn't make sense. If they were mates, how is he able to move on from Mor after 500 years? Cassian notes Azriel seemed to have moved on in ACOSF. Mor seems to be perfectly fine and well, so it's not like she has been in any danger since that would imply that's the reason why Azriel knows what a mating bond going silent feels like
OR, and in my opinion, the far more likely theory:
When Elain went into the Cauldron, Azriel was shot by a faebane arrow. Or whatever poison it was that snuffs out all magic, including the bond. He was basically dead to the world. Maybe there was some kind of bond that was supposed to snap between them, and so when Elain went into the Cauldron, it assigned her to a different male, after presuming Azriel as dead.
Maybe that dormant bond still lingered, even when Elain was taken by Hybern. When they put those chains on her, that also snuffed out all magic. Maybe that's when Azriel noticed he couldn't feel Elain anymore. Maybe that's why he was so, so desperate to get her back. To get those chains off her, even though his wings were shredded. Maybe that's how he knows what that emptiness in your chest feels like when you lose your mate.
What is very interesting about the Hybern/Elain's chains situation is that she was still mated to Lucien during that. And yet, Lucien did not magically arrive at their camp (he knows where they were, he arrived like the next day smh), and declare he was going to get her back. He can winnow. He can sense the bond, that thread between him and Elain. Where was he, when he got that emptiness in his chest? When he presumably sensed his mate was gone? He did not act like Cassian when Nesta got taken for the BR. He did not go insane, demanding he needs her back. He did not even attempt to send word or check in with Feyre/Rhys. No, that was all Azriel.
And please do not reply to this with "Oh, well how do you know he didn't do any of that?" um. because if SJM did not mention it on the page, why should I consider that a possibility at this given time? She has no reason to not mention that. In fact, if she were going for Elucien, it would have been a great way to show Elain the perks of the mating bond and have her become more accepting of it, but Lucien was. not. there.
Those are the only two times we've seen Azriel lose his cool. When it's situations around Mor's honor, and now situations with Elain. Not going to even bother commenting on Gw*n, as Azriel has not shown any reaction to her despite being around her every day in ACOSF and barely acting phased and going to save Eris instead when the girls were taken to the BR. Like, completely wrong redhead, my dude.
Personally, I would like it more if Elriel weren't actually mates, and still chose each other. But this whole mating bond thing with Lucien/Elain/Azriel is so suspicious to me. I need some answers Sarah!!
84 notes · View notes
azsazz · 8 months
Text
Dead By Dawn (Part 14)
Azriel x Cassian x Reader
Summary: Zombie!AU: It’s been a while since the end of the world.
Warnings: Blood, gore, injury, graphic depictions of violence, poly!relationship, slow burn, undead, death, mentions of cannibalism, SMUTTT
Word Count: 2,686
(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8) (Part 9) (Part 10) (Part 11) (Part 12) (Part 13)
_________________________________________
Day 194 Part 3
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
The sun is setting and Cassian’s ass is numb.
He hasn’t felt his legs in hours but the way you’re clinging to him so tightly has him going strong. He had found the bunker that caused you to feel this way, so he’s going to suffer the consequences. 
Though, with you in his lap, it’s not really suffering.
You’ve fallen asleep against his chest, his fingers tracing the same soothing pattern across your scalp as he had begun doing when he’d led you outside. He’s thankful you’re asleep. He was worried you wouldn’t be able to sleep with the thought of what you’d seen down in that basement running through your mind.
He can’t stop thinking about it; the blood, the bodies, the message. A desperate man seemingly wanting to keep his family safe for as long as possible, only to be their end, selfishly grasping to stay alive until madness drove him to his death.
Cassian doesn’t know if he’ll ever sleep again.
Sure, you’ve all seen things on par and worse—fuck, the dead are walking these days, but still, this particular instance has shaken all of you to the core, and there must be a reason why.
Azriel is leaning against his shoulder, as if needing the support himself. Cassian will gladly take the burden, even though he knows this is Azriel’s way of showing he understands, that he is here for him even if he doesn’t have the words to reassure you nor Cassian. 
He rests his head atop Azriels.
“You okay?” Azriel asks softly, nudging his head against Cassians. His voice is scratchy and low, the first time any of the three of you have spoken in hours. He’s eyeing the stray zombie that’s groaning loudly just outside the gate. Its bony arms stick through the iron fence, jaw gaping and snapping loudly. It’s far enough away that neither of the men see it as an immediate threat, but he’ll take care of it before you leave.
Cassian nods, swallowing thick. “Yeah,” he says, but he doesn’t mean it.
“I think we should leave,” Azriel suggests. A part of him really thinks that you shouldn’t—that you need to wait here for Rhys and Feyre. They’re going to reach the van, they’ve found gas and might already be at the car by now. They’re probably just having a quick fuck in the backseat. But he’d written them a letter and left it in plain sight, right on the kitchen counter where they won’t be able to miss it.
He can’t help but run his fingers over your hand, curled tightly in Cassian’s shirt. You’ve whimpered in your sleep once and he thought you might wake, chased by the nightmares he’d seen you have the first night you met, but you didn’t. Cassian’s soothing touch had calmed you right down, signing into his neck.
Cassian hums his agreement. There isn’t much else to say, he doesn’t want to stay in this place. It’s like a bad omen, he thinks, if you all stayed under the same roof as the atrocity. 
It’s bad enough you all fucked in their bed.
You rouse, lifting your head from the crook of his throat and squinting against the bright sun to meet their gazes. You stare at them for a moment, drinking them in, how they’re touching you, touching each other, searching for something they’re worried you won’t find. 
But you do. You know that there is no staying, and you relax against Cassian’s chest for a moment more, letting him tuck you in tighter for a final hug before helping you to your feet. 
You’re a bit unsteady, still shaken, and Azriel helps right you with firm hands on your hips, pressing close into your back so you can lean against him if you need. You take what he’s offering, placing your hands over his.
He goes still under your touch. 
You want to flinch, apologize profusely for touching his scars, but you don’t. You soothe your thumb across the textured skin and tip your gaze over your shoulder to meet his, showing him that you are not put off by his scarring.
Azriel’s mouth is set in a firm line, eyes hard and closed-off. You can’t get a read on him and it's like the both of you are locked in battle, but you won’t back down. You refuse to.
Eventually, he relents, slowly melting into you, as if you’ve become a shoulder to lean on instead of something reminding him of his scars. You grin proudly at him.
“We’re leaving,” Cassian says quietly, testing the waters between you and Azriel. He looked uneasy for a moment there, worried about Azriel completely flipping his shit, but he’s smiling softly at the both of you, heart full in his chest.
You nod, agreeing with their decision. Azriel pulls away from you to head back into the house. He’s going to find something to write a note to Rhysand and Feyre, letting them know exactly where you’ve gone.
Unsheathing your knife, you hold it firmly in your grasp, preparing for departure. It feels like it’s been a century since you’ve wielded it, but it’s hardly been a day.
Cassian wants to snatch the knife away from you and replace it with his fingers, twisting them together like they’re meant to be.
“We’ll find them,” you say it more to assure yourself than anything else, but Cassian nods nonetheless.
Azriel returns with your packed bags, sliding it across your shoulders so it sits nice. It’s heavier than it was the other day, and if it's because he’d haphazardly stuffed things into it in a rush to leave, you can’t blame him. His fingers trail down your arms as he retreats, and shivers race down your spine.
Cassian’s blade slides easily into the temple of the moaning zombie on the other side of the gate. The decaying creature goes silent, slumping forward to crash into the fence before sliding into an unmoving pile of rot on the asphalt.
You grimace, watching him wipe the blood on its torn clothes before sheathing it and shoving the gate open. He lets Azriel take the lead.
No one talks as you make your way back towards the van. You’ve agreed to start there and then head north, sticking near the main road in case Rhys and Feyre have managed to make it to the car.
All is quiet as you walk. Only the sounds of your own footsteps skidding across the ground can be heard, and you’re saddened at the thought of how happy you all had been to find a place like that to take shelter in.
It had been a perfect house. There wasn’t much to do on your group's end, tasks that any homeowner would have to make anyways, normal upkeep like fixing the hole in the fence and boarding up broken windows. But that basement…what you found down there will never part from you.
You glance at Cassian from the side of your eyes, admiring his perfect profile, wondering what the normally jovial man is thinking about.
It’s not pretty, what’s going inside of his head. He’s thinking about what that father had done to his children and he’s reminded of Beron—the crazy redheaded man who had set fire to Azriel’s hands and kidnapped you. 
He was going to do to you exactly what the man in the house had done to his sons.
Cassian’s fingers curl into fists.
You open your mouth to speak, to reassure him or ask him if he wants to talk about it or something, when Azriel asks, “Do you both see that?”
You whip your head around, looking at where he’s pointing. It’s an old billboard, a panel missing and fallen on its side, but it's shining bright red letters across the green read:
Eryef—15 miles north.
“It could be old,” Azriel comments. You would glare at his pessimistic answer, but you realize that he’s only being realistic. He doesn’t want anyone getting too excited over something that could be months old. 
Cassian takes his knife and runs the tip of it through the bright red paint. It curls, lifting with a wretched screech that makes you cringe and look over your shoulder, checking your surroundings. Azriel’s gritting his teeth but Cassian is too invested in examining the paint.
“Can’t be more than a few days old, I’d say,” he says, sheathing his blade. “Where do you think it leads?”
The three of you turn to the message again. Eryef…could be the name of a newly founded town, like the ones you’d heard rumors of: communities filled with survivors, coming together like people should have before the world turned into this festering shithole. 
Something is telling you it's not though. The name sounds too familiar for it to be that easy. You wrack your brain for solutions, wondering if Rhysand and Feyre had stumbled upon this very sign while they were out—
“Feyre,” you exclaim, clamping a hand over your mouth. Both men turn to you, looking down at you in confusion.
“We’re going to find her soon, sweetheart,” Cassian says, soothing your hair from your face.
You roll your eyes playfully, batting his hand away. He’s so sweet you feel butterflies running rampant in your stomach. His scowl turns heated at the look you’re giving him, and you know he wouldn’t say no to a quick fuck in the woods. Maybe Azriel could keep watch.
But as your gaze flicks to the other man in your group, you know there will be no keeping watch. The hazel is molten, mouth pulled slightly in a corner to smirk at you like the cock man you know him to be. You want to preen beneath their full attention, and you jump as a branch cracks loudly in the woods.
Azriel shoves you behind him, his reflexes quick. You shove his back in annoyance, swallowing thickly as you feel the corded muscles through his shirt. Now is not the time.
You move your attention to the woods. Cassian’s blade is out again and Azriel’s removed the shotgun from his shoulder, taking in the scene, sunlight streaming through thick branches and lush grasses.
A buck stands not too far away. It’s frozen still just as the three of you are, taking you in like you are it, debating if it should deem you a threat and retreat into the thicket.
You sure hope it doesn’t.
You hardly even breathe as you watch it, and seconds feel like an eternity. Finally, the buck returns to its grazing and you wonder if Azriel will take the shot.
It will be loud and zombies for miles will filter your way. There is no turning around for you, you won’t dare to seek cover at the house of horrors you’d left. You need to find Feyre and Rhys, and you need to start moving north.
If only you knew where to find them.
It’s Cassian who kills the buck. Surprisingly skilled with the blade in his hand, he tosses it with a strong arm, and you watch it soar through the trees like a spear. Bright sunlight reflects off of the shiny blade—you’ve caught Cassian sharpening and cleaning it more than once, with all of their stockade from the van—and it lights up the forest, spooking the animal, but too late.
“We’re going to be eating good tonight, my sweets,” Cassian grins, chest puffed with pride at the sight of his kill. He takes off into the forest, not a worry in the world about anything else lurking around, ready to pounce, and Azriel grumbles, hooking the gun back over his shoulder in favor of pulling out his own blade, taking your hand with his free one, and following Cassian into the woods.
“If we can afford to start a fire,” Azriel grunts, and your stomach gurgles in response. He glances down at you, a slight frown on his face in worry. You blush, squeezing his hand in reassurance. You never quite thought you’d have someone like this, let alone two, one hunting to feed you and the other worried about your well-being. You can admit, it’s mighty nice.
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•
“Earlier,” Azriel starts, making sure you’ve had your fill of cooked deer meat before taking some of his own. He offers a thick slice to Cassian, who’s still hanging meat over the makeshift spit he’d created, hands bloodied up to the elbow. He wouldn’t let Azriel anywhere near it, even though the other man had protested that he was fine around fire. Cassian wasn’t having it. He takes the food with a playful nip at Azriel’s fingers, winking at him before continuing his work. “You said Feyre. You didn’t just mean that we had to find them.” 
You nod, chewing the meat in your mouth. It’s delicious, and Cassian complained the whole time he was gutting the animal that if he’d had his garden, dinner would be accompanied by a fresh salad with all of the pickings. 
It had only made you hungrier and pray for a solace where he’d be able to do just that.
You swallow, the food filling a part of you you hadn’t known was so neglected. You need to pace yourself. You don’t want to get sick off of the meat before your body can soak up the nutrients. You’ll be damned if you let Cassian’s hard work go to waste.
“Eryef, it's Feyre spelled backwards,” you explain, watching the way their eyes light up. “I think it's them—her sisters, I mean.”
Azriel looks thoughtful, considering your words as he takes a large bite of food. It makes sense, but what’s the possibility that they’re in the same area? That they’re searching for her as well?
“My smart little bird,” Cassian compliments, crouching before you to place a smacking kiss on your forehead. It makes you blush and offer him a bite of your food, but he seems more interested in your lips, though he is mindful enough to keep his bloody hands off of your clothes.
You give in, rewarding him with a kiss and a bite of deer meat. He thanks you with a grin, then slides over a foot to where Azriel is settled beside you, pouting for a kiss from the man as well. Azriel rolls his eyes but obeys, leaning forward to meet Cassian’s tongue with his own.
It makes your body stir with need, watching the two of them like this. Cassian’s fingers curl against the log as he tries his best not to get the gore of the animal on his beloved, but Azriel looks like he could care less, biting at Cassian’s lips in a feral sort of way that has you pressing your thighs together tightly. You watch their tongues clash, fighting in the loving way that they have, chests heaving together and apart, together where they’re supposed to be.
You see the moment Azriel snaps back into reality. His spine goes still and his fingers are still in Cassian’s hair. He’s probably got a load of buck fat in his thick locks but Cassian couldn’t give a shit less when you’re both looking at him like that, all bedroom eyes and squirming bodies. He leaves the both of you to tend to the small fire, needing it but not wanting to draw any attention. Cassian will be up all night smoking the meat at this rate, and you intend on staying up with him.
There had been debate about returning to the house, building the fire within the fence, but you had vetoed it, not only because of the harrowing scene in the basement, but also because of the note you’d left Rhysand and Feyre should they come back. A 911 message that you were heading in this direction, sticking close to the main road and keeping an eye out for a beat-up pink Volkswagen. 
“You truly think it’s them?” Azriel asks, tone taking on a softer note.
You meet his gaze, nodding firmly. “I do. And I think Rhysand and her went that way.”
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
DBD Taglist: @writingsbychlo @kemillyfreitas @5moremin @dream-alittlebiggerdarling @waggel36 @bionic-donut @que-serasera @applepie02 @azrielsbabyg @arcadianmoonlight @pradaxstyles @illyrian-dreamer @secret-ly-here @reiincarnatiion @fuckthatfeeling @shadowsingersmate24 @harrystylesfan2686 @poppyalice2001 @fall-myriad @sstrohma @i-am-infinite @tcris2020 @jeannineee @21stcenturytaegi @ochiolism
287 notes · View notes
mika-no-sekai-blog · 22 days
Text
Tumblr media
Word count: 2800+
Warnings: mentions of blood, nausea
I lightly edited it, but as I have headache I probably didn't notice quite a lot of mistakes. I know I could try another time, but I'm afraid this will take few days
Part XIV | Part XVI
Tumblr media
Even days after your conversation with Feyre, your mind was often returning back to Tamlin with more worries than sadness. You somehow assumed that he didn't miss you as much as you missed him and that he most likely forgot about you and moved on, focusing on his court and its restoration. Otherwise he would stop Rhys back then or he would come to visit you or at least tried to contact you. But what if he couldn't? What if Feyre was right and Tamlin was hurt by your departure?
You wanted to ask somebody about Tamlin and his wellbeing, needed it, but who would answer you? Who could have such information?
Rhys, as High Lord, most likely knew what was happening in Spring Court. However he wouldn't tell you. You dismissed the thought as soon as it occurred to you because, well, now you knew your brother well. Although he left Tamlin alive, angry wasn't a strong enough word to describe his feelings toward him. And except of his family, Rhysand hardly forgave and definitely never forgot.
Another person who could know something, was Azriel. As a spymaster he for sure kept an eye on other courts. He was kind and nice to you, but no matter what feelings he had, his loyalty to your brother was on the first place. If you asked him, he could tell about it to Rhys and then it would be even more difficult to learn anything from anyone.
Feyre mentioned the redhead, Lucien, who claimed to be Tamlin's friend. You hadn't seen him around, but apparently he came for visit from time to time. He seemed to be the only possible choice. Only problem was how to contact him.
Tamlin wasn't the only one occupying your mind. In moments when you weren't thinking about him, your mind filled with old memories and feelings that Rhys revived. You had only one sitting with him so far and even though it was days ago, you were still confused and needed time to process it.
The memories made your life easier in certain ways. You didn't feel so out of place, so homesick anymore. This place changed, but people even though a bit older where still the same. Your current feelings kept mixing together with the old ones and you couldn't say how you felt about individual members of your family and that was main reason of the chaos in your heart.
Thankfully there was Azriel always ready to patiently listen to your rambling which helped you clarify your thoughts and slowly work through it. He never failed you and advised you wisely, guided you when you got lost.
And so it happened that you started meeting him more often, sometimes spending even all day long with him. You were afraid to leave Rhys' property because of the possibility to be again engulfed in the smell of magic. In order to get rid of the stress fresh air and mainly the contact with nature were very important for you. Therefore you were mostly outside, walking together in the garden, rarely staying inside of the house.
The garden around the house was large, kind of smaller park, full of flowers and surprisingly even herbs. It reminded you of your life in the forest and walks with Tamlin. You always picked up some herbs and Azriel made you a tea out of them. In the evening you sat together on the terrace, sipping your teas and silently watched the setting sun. However peaceful these moments were, they weren't perfect and you always missed something. It was unsettling.
Your life was changing little by little, but you weren't content with it. You knew you loved your brother and his two best friends, Mor became kind of friend, although still far from the relationship you had before memory loss, but better than last few weeks. Amren was complicated. You hardly met her at all, so it didn't matter much. You liked even Feyre. However her sisters were different case.
You didn't mind Nesta. She wasn't kind, but she wasn't bad or mean to you. She just.. was. The oldest of the sisters had enough of own problems to solve. And Elain? Before you hardly saw her, now you were meeting her wherever you went. She was like your shadow, staring and frowning at you every time you looked in her direction.
There were also small incidents. Salt in your drinks, dirt on clothes Rhys gave you, that just came back from washing, small amounts of grass, dirt or mud raining on you while you took a walk in the garden alone. At first you tried to ignore it. However the situation was escalating and it was hard to ignore now. You didn't want to point a finger to the culprit, but you knew who's doing it was.
After some time when you didn't react, culprit took it even further. Now it wasn't only following you around and angry looks. Every time you spoke with Azriel Elain appeared and totally ignoring the fact you were in the middle of conversation she started telling him about flowers or something that just happened to her.
Azriel was shocked at first, but as it repeated daily, you knew him enough to notice he was starting to be fed up by her behaviour. Still he tried to be gentleman and gently dismissed her, pointing out the fact that he was busy with something else which she paid no attention to and kept talking, flashing smiles at him.
At those awkward moments, well, you rather backed up. Giving up on your favourite time with Azriel was the best and easiest thing to do to prevent being in the center of the drama. Whatever was between the two of them, it had nothing to do with you. Or that was what you believed. You just assured Azriel that it's okay, that you could talk later and left.
One afternoon, after being again interrupted by Elain, you were wandering through the house aimlessly when you heard an angry voice coming from behind the Rhys' closed office doors. Normally you would ignore it and leave quickly to give him privacy, but when you heard Tamlin's name, you couldn't help it and came closer listening.
"I'm telling you, Rhysand, it's much worse than before. If we don't do something and very quickly, it'll be too late," the voice snarled. That voice. You had already heard it somewhere. But where?
"She is the only one who can help him. Let her at least visit him and talk with him.."
"No," you heard Rhys flatly refuse. "In this state Tamlin is too dangerous. He could hurt her."
"I'm sure he won't."
"Look at yourself. You are his closest friend, yet he would turn you into shreds if you didn't winnow away fast enough. I won't risk her life." Closest friend? Was it possible that the fox-like redhead was in Rhys' office now?
"He seems to have feelings for her and pretty deep ones. Otherwise he wouldn't be so broken after you snatched her away," Lucien snapped.
"Don't dare you!"
There was silence for a moment.
"Your sister is the only person who can help him get out of it. We both know it," Lucien said lowly, his voice still angry, but he tried to speak more calmly. With his every word your heart clenched so painfully that if you looked down at your chest, you were sure you would see a deep gaping wound there.
"You may not agree, but this isn't something you can decide. We ought to ask your sister what she wants. What she thinks. You've already decided for her that she has to come here with you, however, I heard that she doesn't like it. That she isn't happy here and wants to return to Spring Court. If that's the true you can't hold her here against her will."
"You would be surprised how much has changed since your last visit." Now Rhysand was definitely mad, his deep voice icy, dangerous. You hoped Lucien was smart enough not to annoy your brother even more. It could cost him too much.
"If you want to save Spring Court, she is the best shot we have. Think about it carefully. There's little time left."
You didn't need to stay to know what Rhysand answered him. It was too clear. With wildly beating heart you left unnoticed. You knew their conversation was over. Rhysand didn't want to even think about your return to Spring.
You didn't hear what exactly happened to Tamlin, but it wasn't necessary at the moment. You were already too worried after talking with Feyre. However now wasn't the time for that. You had to act. This was the chance you hoped for. Lucien was here and you had to take an advantage of it. He would leave soon, but you needed to talk with him before that, somewhere nobody could see you or hear you.
You hid into a dark alcove in a hall that Lucien had to pass on his way out and waited. Long time nothing happened, house was too silent and you started to worry that he left through the garden. You shut eyes, tears gathering in them, your head fell back against the wall. You missed him, your only chance to learn something about Tamlin.
A sound of angry footsteps filled the hall. Somebody was coming your way. You held your breath, peeking from your hideaway. As the person passed by the window his hair caught the light, shining brightly as a fire. You breathed a sigh of relieve. It was Lucien.
When he was only few inches from your alcove you whispered. "We need to talk."
Lucien's eyes widened, following your voice to the darkness you hid in. It took only a second. He halted and bending down he pretended to adjust his shoelaces. "Where?" he whispered. Really clever of him. You smiled.
"Meet me in the garden. Under the oak tree."
Without another word he stood up and left. You waited long enough and then stepped out from your hideaway. Walking slowly as if nothing happened, you headed to the opposite direction. You passed the terrace and stepped into the garden. Pretending to be on one of your strolls, you walked until the house disappeared behind the dense grove.
A massive oak tree grew in the farthest part of the grounds, hidden from prying eyes. It was ideal place for secret meeting. You looked around. You were all alone. You hoped Lucien would be already waiting here, but maybe he couldn't find this place even though this was the only oak tree in the garden. You sat down dejectedly between two strong roots and pulled knees to your chest, praying to the forgotten gods for a pinch of luck.
"I hoped to see you around," male's voice came from behind your back. You turned around, eyes wide. You didn't hear him come. Lucien stood there leaning against the tree trunk, hands crossed on his chest, playful smirk on his face. "And meanwhile you came to me."
He reminded you of a curious fox, his russet and gold eyes scanned you from head to toes. His smirk disappeared and jaw clenched, eyes narrowed. "I shouldn't have mentioned you in front of him," he muttered more to himself than to you.
You were curious what it was about, but you didn't ask. You were sure you already know the answer. You decided to get straight to the point.
"I heard what you and Rhys were talking about." With a thoughtful expression he scanned you one more time.
"You are really interesting being," he muttered. "I didn't know we had company. But I didn't sense you in that hallway either."
You shrugged. "What happened to Tamlin?"
His lips pressed into a thin line, he seemed to be considering whether to answer you.
"I don't care what Rhys says or wants. In this case. Tell me everything."
He ran hand through his long red hair and sighing sat down astride on one of higher roots. He leaned back against trunk and looked into the garden.
"It's bad with him," he sighed, worried.
"Is he hurt?"
"No, I guess not yet. But.. Do you remember the state he was in when you two met?"
You nodded. "He was quite wounded."
"I didn't mean his physical state," he snorted.
"I wasn't talking about his physical state. He was depressed. So much that he didn't want to eat and drink. He had also nightmares."
"Ah." Lucien stayed silent for a few heartbeats. His voice was grave. "It's even worse now. He won't change from his beast form, snarling like wild animal, lashing his claws all around. When I went to talk with him, he tried to kill me. I don't know whether you've been in his manor, but it's in catastrophic state. Like some beast's lair. He quite destroyed it.."
Your heart grew heavier with each word. Pain in your chest and behind your eyes was almost unbearable. "Why do you think I can help him? You are his friend. You could do that, too."
Lucien's brows raised and his lips slowly parted in a grin. "Tell me. Do you know the reason why he gave you that pendant you're hiding? What it symbolises?" Your brows furrowed, but before you could open your mouth he continued. "It's not that I don't want to help him. Otherwise I wouldn't be here, right? Unfortunately I can't help him. Nobody can. Except of you." His gold mechanical eye turned too you.
It didn't make sense. Why couldn't anyone else help him? You gritted teeth.
Your fingers touched the pendant through the fabric of your clothes. How could he know about this? You took it out only in your room when you were alone. The only person who saw it was Feyre. You looked up at him.
"You didn't answer me."
He rolled his eyes, slightly annoyed by your incomprehension. "You really didn't notice? I saw you two together for a short while and noticed. For Tamlin you aren't just an ordinary friend. Whether he acknowledge it or no, he seems to have quite deep feelings for you. The pendant is proof of that. Roses have a very special meaning for him."
You turned away from him, so Lucien couldn't see your face. You were shocked by his assertion and.. hurt. That was not true. He couldn't be further from the truth. Tamlin.. he didn't need you. Last time you were together he was already fully healed, ready to leave the cottage and you behind and return to his duties. The pendant was just a gift of gratitude. There wasn't anything else behind that.
You bit down on you lip so hard you drew the blood. This just added to your overall confusion and there wasn't enough time to start spiralling now. It was only a matter of minutes before someone would start looking for you. So you pushed those thoughts away, decided to think about it later.
"What can I do to help him?"
Lucien straightened, intrigued by the change of subject. He exhaled deeply. "The best would be if you went to him. I think he needs to see you, have you close enough to touch to have some effect on him."
"I don't think Rhys would allow it."
"I've already heard his opinion," Lucien grimaced. "His is as stubborn as-"
"Be careful what you say," you snarled. "He's my brother."
Lucien gaped at you. With open mouth. "Are you kidding me? Last time I was here you couldn't stand him. Nobody here. Feyre said you-"
"Stop messing around and rather tell something I could actually do for Tamlin," you interrupted him for the second time.
He seemed to want to say something to that. His eyes narrowed at you, but changing mind the fox-like male closed his mouth and instead looked around the garden, thinking. "As I said before, your visit would be the most helpful. Maybe.. maybe you could try to write him. I'm sure he'll chew it up before finding out who sent it, but who knows. Even stranger things happened."
"I'd have to go to the house. Somebody could notice." Sudden smell of magic took your breath away and a wave of nausea rose in your throat.
Lucien handed you two sheets of paper and pen. "Is it enough?"
You just nodded with clenched teeth and taking the writing tools you stood up, walking away from him. He didn't need to know what you were writing. When you were done, you put the letter into an envelope, sealed it and handed it back to redhead.
"It better work," the sighed. "I'll let you know if he reads it or replies." With that he winnowed away.
You stayed seated under the oak tree, thinking about Tamlin and things Lucien told you, until Azriel came looking for you.
Tumblr media
Taglist:
@impossibelle @sevikas-whore @b0xerdancer @ladylizzieofdarbyshire @tele86 @mybestfriendmademe @nocasdatsgay @yunloyal @nebarious @isabiss @st0rmyt @lilah-asteria @ubigaia
69 notes · View notes
draemgal · 8 months
Text
rescue | azriel
Tumblr media
inspo ✎ᝰ
↳ hello! I've seen that you have open applications and I don't know if you want to write this, but I'll give you the idea. Az has to go rescue y/n and her daughter (either her real daughter or y/n's daughter, whichever you prefer) because the bad guys took them? y/n she fought back as much as she could but she was outnumbered, if you could write about that that would be great, thank you so much!!
i’m not the best at writing combat scenes but i wanted to try! i hope i make up for it with the rest of this. :) y/n’s daughter is in her teens.
your wrists ached from the metal shackles binding them to the floor. blood was crusted on your brow, lip, and hair. some of it wasn’t yours, but it all stung the same.
you had failed.
you fought as much as you could, killing a few but the sheer number of them was more than you had encountered.
you looked over at your daughter, she was asleep with tear-stained cheeks.
you were with your daughter and you had failed. she watched her mother get overpowered, her mother surrender. her mother scream at the top of her lungs to spare her, to do whatever they needed to do as long as they let her daughter go.
your mind raced to azriel, your mate. you knew he would find you, but you didn’t know how long the two of you had. nausea ran it’s course through your body at the thought of anything happening to your daughter.
you couldn’t protect her if you were dead.
it had been an ambush by hyburn. you and your daughter were at the library with feyre and nesta, deciding to split up. you didn’t even notice when they came at first, but when you did it was too late.
your stomach pained with thoughts of feyre and nesta, praying that they got out in time.
it prided you that no one had touched your daughter, you cut off their hands when they reached for her. but one of the soldiers had grabbed her from behind as she fended off the others, and you had begged to let her go but they refused. they found her valuable, being the spymaster’s child. they wanted to see what she knew and used her age and naivety to their advantage.
she was not azriel’s biological child, but it didn’t matter one bit to him. he stepped up to the plate and loved her all the same. when you and azriel first started seeing each other, you told him that if he wants you she comes too. he nodded and told you he didn’t want it any other way.
you smiled fondly at memories of the two of them growing together, him teaching her to ride a bike and tucking her in at night.
it was that moment that you knew you’d do everything in your power to get her to see him again.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆
“azriel, just take a second to breathe!” rhysand reasoned, placing his hands on his brother’s shoulders to stop his relentless pacing.
azriel scowled and pushed him off. “you’re only telling me to take a second because your girl is okay, mine are gone.” he spat and continued pacing, chewing on his nails and running through the endless scenarios and possibilities to get to you.
rhysand shook his head and placed his hands on his hips. “maybe you’re right, but i know that assuming the worst won’t bring them back. we need to sit down, breathe, and come up with a plan of action. until then, nothing can happen.”
azriel knew that the high lord was right, but couldn’t help his mind from wandering. the only thing keeping him sane was the reassurance of you being alive through the mating bond.
“has she contacted you through the bond at all?”
azriel shook his head. “not since it first happened with feyre and nesta. all she said was that hyburn has them, she doesn’t know where she is.”
rhys contemplated for a second. “there’s only so many places she could be. hyburn wouldn’t risk us find out a secret base just yet. they have to be somewhere we know about.”
azriel nodded, trying to control his breathing.
cassian placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “they came in search for nesta, but they didn’t get her. they aren’t going to take your girls somewhere we don’t know about. they are so incredibly strong, azriel. so think back to when you went on spy missions. think of the layout and where they could be.”
azriel closed his eyes and went through his memories of his missions until he had a revelation.
“you ready boys?” rhys asked, standing up.
cassian’s siphons lit up on queue, as did azriel’s.
“let’s go get my girls back.”
⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆
rhysand winnowed them to the point where they could fly the rest of the way.
cassian and rhys were supposed to fend of the enemies until azriel could reach the two of you and free you.
when they touched down, cassian unsheathed his weapons and crouched, sneaking around corners to buy azriel time to send his shadows out searching. the darkness dispelled from your mate and followed bodies, sneaking under doorways and remaining unseen.
rhysand waited by the entrance, observing the sheer number of soldiers that roamed the building. a course of worry fluttered through azriel’s veins, knowing it would take far more training than you had been through to fend them all off.
but he felt the bond flutter and refocused himself.
it didn’t take long before cassian let himself indulge in battle, hyburn blood splattering on floor tiles and the sound of metal clanging together.
numerous hyburn bodies fell in a line, a steady pace of one after the other as cassian tore through them, his sheer power not giving them a chance in this ambush.
rhysand stayed behind, only getting involved if cassian shot him a cry for help. it was too risky to blow his guard, the boys knew that.
azriel moved through the bodies, slicing the throats and limbs of whoever crossed his way. he felt the bond between your souls getting stronger as he walked through the corridors.
he found his shadows in a group by a door straight ahead of him, it was guarded by two large men. he set his sights on them, his scarred hands gripping his blade tighter. the two guards sprung into action, attempting to take azriel out. they were no match for the blue siphoned illyrian, and found this out for themselves as azriel sliced into their flesh, letting their fresh blood splatter his leathers.
he savored this moment; killing the two men that kept his girls away from him.
when their lifeless bodies fell to the cold ground, he busted the locked door down.
your face lit up but you weren’t able to move, the shackles weighing you down. “azriel!” you cried, your hands aching from not being able to touch him.
he rushed over to you both. “free her first,” you ordered, pointing to your stirring daughter. she had slept through most of this because you begged her to, telling her that when she wakes up azriel will have come and she’d be safe again.
azriel freed your daughter and kissed her head, promising he wasn’t going anywhere before rushing over to work on your shackles.
“are you hurt?” you questioned, bloodshot eyes scanning every inch of his body.
he only looked at you and shook his head, the ends of his lips twitching upwards. “i should be asking you that, my love.”
you smiled and wrapped your bruised arms around him. “i did all i could, az.” you mumbled into his shoulder. you pulled your daughter in and he picked the both of you up.
“i cant believe you came, dad.” your daughter sobbed through the shakes that overwhelmed her body.
he pressed his lips to her head once more, and then yours right after.
“i’ll always come to rescue you, no matter what. now let’s get you both home.”
you smiled and nodded, nuzzling tighter into him for security. home.
335 notes · View notes
acourtofthought · 16 days
Text
Elain does seem to have friends in the NC....
Elain was laughing among a circle of beautiful friends, flushed and brilliant. - ACOTAR
...... But she had them in the human lands too.
Elain does seem to have a hobby and interests in the NC......
My sister was beaming, content—prettier than I’d ever seen her, even in her simple muslin gardening dress. Her cheeks were flushed beneath her large, floppy hat. “I think—I think I’d like to see the continent,” I said. - ACOTAR
I was content to listen to her talk about every bud and bloom, about her plans to start another garden by the greenhouse, perhaps a vegetable garden, if she could learn enough about it over the next few months. - ACOTAR
She had come alive here, and her joy was infectious. There wasn’t a servant or gardener who didn’t smile at her, and even the brusque head cook found excuses to bring her plates of cookies and tarts at various points in the DAY. - ACOTAR
Elain had taken charge of planning and finding me a last-minute dress - ACOTAR
..... But she had hobbies and dreams in the human lands too.
Elain called Feysands house "home" but....
"I want to go home." "I want to go home she repeated". - ACOWAR
She said the same of their human manor.
Why are the arguments always only on this supposed fantastic life she's found in the Night Court and how Elain saying the court is her court is evidence that she's where she belongs rather than acknowledging she clearly belonged in the human lands in a much more obvious way.
If you truly look at Elain as she was in the human lands versus Elain as she is in the NC, I'd say her happiness and purpose was much more evident in the human lands. She was beaming, laughing, surrounded by an entire circle of friends at one point, she was the happiest Feyre had ever seen her at another (no one has noted Elain being the happiest they'd ever ever seen her in the NC).
Elain wasn't living in her sisters shadows in the human lands the way she is the Night Court.
She created her own life and wasn't forced to make do with what was available to her as she has been in the NC.
That's the truth of it.
Elain's current life is only what it is because she's had to build it out of the leftovers from Feyre's world.
Do you think out of all the people in Velaris, in all of Prythian, the twins and Elain have so much in common?
Do you think, had Elain had her pick of all the eligible bachelor's in Prythian, Az would be the one she had the most in common with? Do they share any of the same goals? Do they have any similar interests?
It's easy to convince yourself a character wants what they want when you don't take into account how they don't have many options. Winning by default is not really winning at all.
Elain doesn't enjoy bars or taverns so you know where she's had the opportunity to meet others? Feyre's patio, Feyre's dining room, Feyre's kitchen, Feyre's sitting room...
Elain was living in a strange place where all she had to choose from, especially as she was fighting against her bond, is what was available to her. She was scared and uncertain so instead of being in a place to branch out, she latched on to the things that were already there.
It's the same reason Amren was Nesta's first friend, because she was forced to find someone within Feyre's inner circle after just being made. She once considered Amren a friend, did she not? But only after Nesta set off on her own did she discover what made her the happiest, who her real found family is. Where Nesta even traveled to Spring to realize that she didn't feel the same sense of home there that she did the HOW. Nesta explored many other males before deciding Cassian was always going to be who she wanted.
Anyone can make the best of their situation if they try hard enough but that doesn't mean, were Elain to travel to Day, to Spring, to the continent; were Elain to meet more people outside of the Inner Circle, she wouldn't find a life that far surpasses that which she's known in both the human lands and the NC.
If she were to do that, to see what else is out there, to get to know Lucien as even a friend and still decide that the NC, Az and the wraiths are what she wants then I'd fully support it. But I'll never believe E/riel or Elain's life in the NC is authentic until Elain is ready to figure out what she wants outside of what she was forced into.
46 notes · View notes
harmonyindark245 · 2 months
Text
Character Hate
This is 100% a rant and you don’t have to agree with me, but I really needed to talk about it. I’ve been trying to distance myself from the ACOTAR fandom because of all the toxicity, but I always find myself drawn back, especially with the new books coming out and everything. There is a big difference between hating and disliking. And I understand disliking certain characters because they don’t sit right with you. But one thing that I cannot fathom, is the hatred. Why has everyone decided to hate on characters that aren’t our favorite? I just wanted to point out a few specific characters. 
Rhys 
He’s secretly evil. Really? Did you all not read the first three books? I get the argument that we only see him from Feyre’s pov, but even Feyre disliked him until we found out his truth. Also, can we talk about the absurdity of this claim? The man who was SA’d for FIFTY YEARS, who hasn’t even shared his trauma with his MATE because he doesn’t want to burden her with it. The man gave it all up for his friends, family, and PEOPLE. As an Elriel shipper, I was pissed at Rhys for interrupting them, but I GET IT. He wasn’t sure if he was going to survive, if his mate was going to live. Then there was all the other drama that was happening. Of course, he wouldn’t want one of his close friends going out and dueling with the son of a high lord (and technically heir of a whole court). And at the start of ACOSF, Rhys has every reason to hate Nesta, and I don’t think that needs to be justified. And in HOFAS, as a High Lord, he again had every right to be pissed. I just feel like sometimes you guys forget that as well as being a part of their family, he’s also the High Lord of the Night Court.
Nesta
Yes, I will admit that she’s not a good person. But she worked through it. She went through traumatic experiences, that if anyone of us goes through, we would probably behave the same way as she did. But she worked on herself. She healed. She became a Valkyrie. Nobody could hate Nesta more than she hates herself. And I admit that I could never completely love Nesta because as someone who has been in a position that Nesta had been, I can’t even imagine letting my younger sister go through all of that to keep us alive. It’s a completely personal reason, because I would do anything for my sister, and the way Nesta didn’t do anything when they most needed it will always anger me. But I still admire her for how she tried to bring herself back. Because it’s not easy. Feyre was also the same when she was depressed and she also worked on herself. Even though I don’t like Nesta, she does not deserve the hate she gets. 
Feyre (?!)
If you hate Feyre, you probably should’ve stopped reading around the second book.
Elain
What is it with people hating on Elain? I never understood how you can hate someone who has done NOTHING to ANYONE. The only possible reason people could hate Elain is because she happened to like a boy. It’s not as if she didn’t want to help out with the court. She even apologized to Feyre. She even took part in the war. So what is the problem with her? Just because she doesn’t like Lucien and likes Azriel she deserves to be hated upon? She’s boring? She can’t give birth to Azriel’s kids? Is that really what we’re getting to? Again, I can understand disliking her because she wasn’t helpful during the cabin, or maybe because she was rude to Nesta or whatever, but hating her for such feeble reasons? Let’s not forget that it was Elain who convinced Nesta to let Feyre and the three unknown Fae males inside their house and offer it up as a meeting place.
Gwyn
Just because a group of people want to ship Gwyn with Azriel doesn’t mean that other people have the right to hate her. She has done NOTHING wrong. She hasn’t even shown interest in the man. She has her things she’s going through and she is also trying to heal. There has been not a single action done by her yet that deserves the hatred she gets. As an Elriel shipper, I will admit some people unnecessarily try to bring Gwyn down. 
Fans
We are all the same. We read this amazing series by SJM and love the characters and dynamics and want to talk about it share our thoughts and theories and write pieces of fiction for others to enjoy. It’s vile how many hate comments are passed around in this community. You enjoy what you love, and let others enjoy what they love. You don’t need to prove your likes by bringing other people and characters down. You may not realize it, but some of us relate to our favorite characters, and when you say hurtful things against the character, it truly feels like a personal attack. The main reason why I couldn’t stay in the fandom anymore was because of the claims that Elain didn’t deserve to be with Azriel because she couldn’t have his kids. As someone suffering from PCOS and might not be able to have kids, that statement always breaks my heart. Do people think that just because a woman can’t have kids she doesn’t deserve love? There are so many examples of such small claims causing hurt to the fans, which is not what fandoms are for. 
And with that, if you have something negative to say about my rant, then please keep it to yourself. 
44 notes · View notes
nightlyteaandpaper · 7 months
Text
Please stop calling them Morally Grey, they are just dickheads
No one from the Night Court is morally grey. Their actions are horrible, the narrative justifies them.
Feyre destroys The Spring Court, leading to the destruction of the Summer Court, and the only two people who say something against this are the HLs of those courts, but even then, they don't put up much of a fight. Tarquin, after being disrespected in his home, goes to the HL's Meeting and says "Well, the Night Court were the only people who came to help," as if the High Court wasn't the reason his people were attacked. The narrative does not allow Tamlin any breathing room to make his point, right or wrong, instead, the rest of the people on page opening disregard his opinions (which is insane to me because they were his friends longer than Feyre had been alive, and they just take what Feyre says at face value.) Instead, no one speaks when Rhysand magically violates Tamlin's autonomy and shuts him up. No one spoke when Feyre and Azreal were whooping people's asses, despite the NC saying they wouldn't do it before the meeting, and the literal HL of Dawn putting wards on the room for no magic use (which, again, how were they able to use magic to attack people).
Feyre scrambled the minds and implanted thoughts in the heads of the guards in the Spring Court to destroy it and she never looked back on it for more than three seconds and went "huh, that was weird. It wasn't smart to do that because the wall is literally pressed against the Spring Court's ass..." No, everyone pats her on the back for her work. Lucien brings up briefly his discomfort being used as a pawn in Feyre's game and that she single-handedly destroyed his friendship with Tamlin, that older than Feyre had been alive, and the narrative doesn't even have her linger on that thought for more than one second. The narrative is quick to call out people who treat Feyre and the rest of the IC poorly, but never calls out them treating everyone else poorly. The narrative justifies the pimping of Feyre and her physical abuse by Rhysand (twisting her arm to make her agree to the bargain) as a necessary evil but does not extend the same grace to Tamlin, who did what he did as a necessary evil.
Trauma is understood when the person traumatized is the Night Court but never with anyone else. They constantly go back to dogpile on Tamlin, and the narrative doesn't have a single person stop and say, "Yeah, we should leave him alone." In fact, during FAS, after Rhysand tears into Tamlin, he goes back to Feyre, and she says, "You are always a bigger man" I refuse to say male. This is after Feyre writes to him and says, "Thank you for your help, I hope you find happiness too" and it is known that this man is so depressed that he is in his beast form. He does not have a kingdom anymore. Also, no one told Rhys to go to the Spring Court and harass him. One could say that the things the IC did could be from the perspective of Feyre and thus justified, but when we move to Nesta and Cassian's perspective again, nothing is challenged.
Nesta says that the only reason she hates Rhysand is because he is smug, not because of how he treats her. Nesta was threatened because she, albeit not in the kindest way, told Feyre that she was going to die in childbirth, and while Feyre said it wasn't right, there is nothing longer than a paragraph about the whole situation. It was just over as soon as it started. Nesta gets locked in the house for God knows how long (which, again, doesn't make sense because if she could get down the steps, get tired, and come back up, she should be able to make it all the way down the steps. Walking down the steps isn't what tries people out, it the coming back up because you are going against gravity) and no one thinks, "Hmm, that is exactly what Tamlin did to Feyre." They both locked someone in under the guise of protection. Cassian sees how the IC is treating Nesta, and while he tries to say something, he is always shut down.
And I will close on this. In an interview a few years ago, SJM said that Rhysand was a gift to her and that he could basically do no wrong. She also mentioned that the reason why Nesta was mad at Feyre and Rhysand was because she was jealous of their perfect life. This, my friends, is not how you write a story. This is an example of Authorial Fiat. You may say, "it's just a fantasy story" and I will say "Shut up, we know. I don't know how told tell you this, but: stories have to make sense."
142 notes · View notes
Text
New Nessian Drabble
just a little brain child I couldn’t shake off. Set a few years after ACOSF.
“What the fuck was that, Nesta!” Cassian snapped at her the way he only did when pure terror was coursing through his veins. Posture tense, fists clenched at his side, chest puffed out in that undeniably general-esque way of his. A stance and expression and throaty growl that brought fully grown Illyrian warriors to their knees.
But there was only one reason Nesta went to her knees in front of Cassian, and respecting his bullshit attempt to give her the general stare down was not that reason.
“I made the right call,” she shrugged, loosening a clip to slide the dagger buckled to her bicep down. “A little help?” She motioned to the intricate series of loops and fastenings that kept Ataraxia firmly sheathed down the column of her spine.
“The right call?” Cassian wretched his own twin blades easily off his back, wings splaying out to tear the buckles open.
“Showoff,” Nesta muttered.
“This isn’t funny.”
“I’m not laughing.” Nesta stared at him. “Im waiting for you to help me with my sword. Or do I need to find someone else?”
Cassian’s long legged stride ate up the meters of carpet between them in four strides. His hand raising to the side of her neck, head shaking in exasperation as his large thumb carefully stroked the column of her throat. “You could have died, Nes.”
“Yeah,” she nodded. “It’s a war, Cass.”
Cassian heaved a breath in, lungs filling with Nesta - crackling flames and honey toasted almonds. What would he do if he had to live the rest of eternity without that scent in his lungs?
“Hey,” Nesta said, a touch more gently. The ice-dipped flames in her eyes blinked out and were replaced with a brilliant, clear blue. She placed her hand on top of his, moving it down from her throat to the centre of her chest, just over her left breast. She took a deep breath in time with him and held his palm against her skin until the rhythm of their hearts slowed into one even beat. Not two hearts beating in sync with each other, but one single organ responsible for the lifeblood of two mates. “It’s ok. I’m safe. I’m right here.”
Cassian swallowed, nodding once before letting his forehead rest on hers. Golden-brown eyes ringed with emerald blinked slowly in time with blue-grey ones. So close their eyelashes fluttered against each other.
“You aren’t allowed to die before me,” Cassian whispered.
Nesta snorted in her attempt to cover up a laugh. “I do not remember agreeing to that.”
“It’s only fair,” he muttered. “I had to live 500 years without you.”
“That absolutely does not count,” Nesta scoffed. “I wasn’t even alive. And it’s not as if you were sitting around like a monk pining for your potential mate.”
“It counts,” Cassian nodded his head against hers. “I always knew something was missing. Someone.”
“Cute,” Nesta shrugged, “still doesn’t count.”
Cassian smirked, hands coming to wrap around Nesta’s waist. He let him thumbs wander naturally to the dimples on her lower spine, where she seemed to carry all the tension of Ataraxia’s massive weight. Slowly working relieving circles through the muscles. “Should we make a bargain?”
Nesta laughed out loud, forehead falling forward onto Cassian’s chest as she keened into her mate’s touch. “You really don’t get enough credit for how funny you are.”
“I’ve been saying that for centuries.” Still rubbing her back, Cassian rested his chin on her head and breathed her in once again. “I want the opposite of Rhys and Feyre’s bargain.” Nesta stilled. “I want you to promise me that you will keep living, even if it is without me.” Nesta’s mouth opened to argue, but Cassian continued speaking over her. “A few decades, even a few centuries … it isn’t enough time, Nesta. I love you, and I will always love you, but if something happened to me.” He swallowed, “Just promise me that you would still live. Not just survive, live.”
“I can’t promise that,” she whispered into his chest. “But I can promise that I will keep going. And that I will try.” She shrugged, the motion lifting his chin. “That’s the best I can do.” It was far more than she could have promised before the first war they saw together.
“Thank you,” Cassian whispered, pressing a kiss into her hair.
“It would be pointless to ask the same of you, wouldn’t it?”
Cassian took a deep breath in, “I’ve had my time, love.”
Nesta did not argue with him this time. She knew exactly what he meant. He had time to experience life, to learn and grow. To be young and reckless, to be wise and respected. He had time.
Nesta had survived so much, and lived so little.
452 notes · View notes
astrababyy · 1 year
Text
idk ‘cause nesta’s “redemption arc” is more like redemption arcs; in that she’s had to redeem herself multiple times. it’s gotten to the point where it’s an overused storyline that exists just to make the story interesting.
nesta redeemed herself in book 1 by going after feyre after she was taken and developing a mutual understanding with her little sister. nesta redeemed herself in book 2 when she risked life, status, and livelihood to help a sister she’d probably spent months thinking was dead. imagine being nesta, seeing the door open and witnessing your supposedly dead sister walk through it. in the end, nesta still agreed to help feyre after everything.
in book 3, nesta still helps the ic even though the reason she’s been forcefully turned fae, kidnapped from her home despite rhys and cassian’s promises to protect them. she risks her life and faces her trauma to speak to the high lords, and she’s probably one of the only reasons that meeting didn’t go to total shit. she risks herself to save cassian in the final battle, and she goes out into said battlefield completely inexperienced to help the ic.
and then in book 5, it’s the same thing AGAIN. nesta needs to redeem herself AGAIN. does it matter that she went after feyre in book 1 as a full human, knowing full well that if she had gotten inside prythian she most likely would’ve been mauled instantly? NO. does it matter that nesta risked her entire life and livelihood to help a sister who couldn’t spare a single moment to send a freaking letter to her sisters letting them know she was still alive? NO. does it matter that nesta risked her life time and again in book 3 to help the war efforts and assist the ic after their repeatedly broken promises to her and elain? NO.
nesta’s redemption arc is disingenuous because she’s already redeemed herself MULTIPLE TIMES. there’s literally no need for her to do it again and again and again. but she does it anyway! her character is used as this punching bag for feyre angst, all her actions dismissed and outright ignored so the “nesta redemption arc” plot line can be brought back full force again and again. because acotar’s audience apparently had the memory of a goldfish, no one seems to understand that SHE ALREADY DID THIS. and so, the process repeated itself.
three. fucking. times.
200 notes · View notes
Bryce Quinlan
okay. I don’t think I’ve expressed my dislike for the main female of Crescent City enough. Here are my reasons and a little bit of ranting and comparisons.
Bryce Quinlan is SPOILED. She always gets what she wants for the consequences be damned.
Bryce refused Connor for so long only to promise a date THE DAY she breaks up with her boyfriend and he dies.
She acts like Danika couldn’t have kept anything from her and continues to be hurt over it when she was a rebel. Danika had the right to keep things and didn’t do anything wrong.
She ignores everything, not just advice, but common sense. In HOEAB, she basically doesn’t listen to anyone who says anything to her, she also doesn’t shy away from literal demons trying to kill her. (This is a common case of MCS but still.)
she’s a terrible mate. This is shown mostly in HOFAS when she dismisses Hunt over and over again, when his fears are very much valid.
she doesn’t take responsibility. Bryce Quinlan murdered two Fae kings and basically said that she didn’t want the kingdoms and all fae should suffer except her small group of people because of her father. That’s petty.
She doesn’t have a sense of urgency, she turns everything into a joke. And yes I know humor is a coping mechanism but you’re seriously going to stand there and joke about dying to your mate? After treating him like shit, and saying you’d come back to him when you knew you were going to sacrifice yourself, that’s not okay. And yes I know that Rhys basically did the same thing, but he never made such promises.
She is too stubborn to talk about her feelings with her own mate. Her mate begs for communication when she doesn’t give it and expects Hunt to repress his feelings as well. That’s just toxic.
She practically orders the queen of the underworld to make an antidote for a problem that’s been here for about 15,000 years in about an hour. That’s just not realistic.
Those are some reasons in general, but now I’m going to ramble about the first half of HOFAS when she was with Nesta and Azriel.
10. Bryce KNEW she was leading a deadly creature to strangers who were allowing her to live and explore as she pleased. I can’t fathom how angry this made me reading it, not just for the beloved ACOTAR characters having to do it, but it’s just unkind to your very kind captives.
11. Bryce listened to the story of Silene (I think that’s her name) with Azriel and Nesta beside her, and still didn’t trust them. 12. Bryce joked around with them, trying to understand them, but kept herself guarded, while yes, knowing your enemy is a great survival tactic, you could tell they didn’t think of her as a threat. 13. Bryce Adeline Quinlan awakened an Asteri in Prythian (or the prison, idk it’s been a while since ACOTAR.) and she didn’t even know how to kill it. In fact, she couldn’t kill it. Nesta, her badass self, slayed the crowd and the asteri. (not a complaint but I have to add the part where Az legit says ‘stick em with the pokey end!’ Love that part.)
14. After (not) defeating the asteri, she STEALS Azriel’s dagger and LEAVES. One, she stole from shadow baby and that’s never okay, two, she didn’t have plans to return it, and three, she didn’t even know how to wield it.
I also feel like Bryce should have to give something that’s a part of her up. In Feyre’s case, she gave up being human. In Aelin’s case, she gave up 90% (if not more) of her power. But then you have Bryce Quinlan. Around 24 years old, all three parents alive (until book three), and has nothing sacrificed. She should be shot down.
Okay I think I’m done now. But I have to say that after all of this I’d like to point out that I love the Maasverse and Crescent City, but I personally think it would be best without Bryce Quinlan as the main character. Thank you for coming to my Blab-Tok, goodbye.
39 notes · View notes
ellievickstar · 9 months
Text
Between Two Worlds (Chapter 3) DISCONTINUED
A/N: This is a little short but there is a cute omens with Eris and Azriel in this fic so all of you can enjoy :D
Summary: What happens when your emotions consume you, when the love of two completely different people eat you alive as you are lost and trapped in the decision to choose one or the other?
Request: N/A
Pairing: Azriel x Reader, Eris Vanserra x reader
Warnings: Love Triangle, probably mentions of suicidal thoughts, not that much swearing.
Between Two Worlds / Part 2 / Part 3
~*~*~*~*~
“I need your help.”
That’s all you had to say to the High Lady, Nesta and your cousin before they all swept into your room which Helion had situated himself in, tea on the table and one question on their lips: What happened?
They were endearing like that, always ready to care for you, for some strange reason they saw you as some innocent person that they had to protect at all cost. It annoyed you most of the time, but it also made you feel loved on a very different level.
Letting out a breath, you looked at Mor, “Firstly, I am so sorry. I promise that it was not out of ill intentions or anything against you, and I don’t blame you if you choose to resent me forever for this,” And everything was out in the air, how you had been meeting Eris for centuries, how you had grown closer, how you enjoyed you time together. You sucked in a breath. Waiting for Mor to say something.
“And you’re saying that…he didn’t touch me, all this time, was because he knew that I would be in the same bout as before, but maybe even worse,” Mor repeated. You nodded, guilt seeped in as you revealed Eris’s secret, but it wasn’t right anymore, you were in love with the one person which hurt Mor so much, she nearly died. You had to explain, Eris had agreed that if you felt the need you could tell Mor what really happened from his side of the story, you hadn’t told him why you felt a strong need to. But the letter that had replied your question to explain everything to Mor only said three words: I trust you.
Mor seemed to be completely silent, Nesta looked like for once she didn’t look completely appalled at the thought of Eris, and Feyre, looked at you, it wasn’t anger or sadness, but a vague understanding. You and Eris had bonded over the fact that your fathers were both abusive assholes, she could not blame you for that.
“I…I can’t say I completely forgive Eris for what he’s done, not until he has the guts to come and tell me himself. But, I do now understand why he seemed to be conflicted about helping me. And I know that there was no guarantee that Beron would not have done much worse,” Her eyes were soft as she looks at you, “I do not blame you for falling in love. I just want you to be safe.” Closing your eyes, you sighed in relief. Reasonable. She was being reasonable.
Clearing your throat, you got everyone’s attention as you spoke, “There’s more, I’m also in love with Azriel,” That’s when the simultaneous ‘WHAT’ exploded out of everyone’s mouths. You flinched at how loud it was but smoothed your skirts as you sighed. “Yeah, this is some love triangle shit and the cauldron if screwing with me,” Feyre piped up as she asked, “Well, is there any preference?” You considered for a moment but shook your head. “When I think of Azriel I feel my heart race, I feel my skin burn, I feel free. And when I look at Eris I feel the same. They both make me feel…alive. When I think about them I don’t need to worry about closing my eyes and waking to nightmares. I feel safe, I feel free,” Feyre listened intently. Nest seemed to be deep in thought as Mor started to grin.
“How is it that you hav somehow managed to catch, not one, but TWO brooding males who both have marginal anger issues, don’t like to share, and definitely hate each other? Wow. Good for you!” Clapping her hands together, you could tell that she was plotting, and you didn’t know if you should be terrified or excited.
Soon, it was time to bid goodnight but Nesta lingered even as Feyre and Mor left. “Are you sure about this, being in a love triangle can be tricky,” It was a valid question, one you couldn’t leave unanswered. “I love them both,” You assured. But she shook her head, “That might not be enough.”
~*~*~*~*~
You received a letter the next morning from Eris, a reply to the one you had sent the night earlier after the girls left, detailing the night before without some pieces of information. The letter was, a lot longer than you had expected:
My Dearest Little Flame,
I was definitely upset when you chose to not meet me, but it is understandable since you played guest in a different court. As per usual, my father had a…tantrum, when we returned. Do not worry about me, I know you are, but don’t, I’m safe, I’m well, and I’m definitely not bleeding.
The truth is Little Flame, I missed you, dearly. Yesterday was not fair to you when I attacked your court. I cannot explain why but I need you to know that I am sorry.
On a lighter note, I do hope you decide to wear that pretty little yellow dress again, maybe you could get a red version, and if you can’t I will personally go shopping with you. May I ask, how dare you look so outrageously stunning during that meeting? Absolutely ridiculous, I demand compensation.
Perhaps you could give it to me the next time we meet.
Live Little Flame. Live today and tomorrow. Live for a future for both of us.
With much love,
Eris
You laughed as you read the last of the letter, bringing it to your chest as the words rung in your head like a broken temple bell. My Dearest little Flame. My. Thanking your lucky stars you were alone, you flushed deeply as you placed the letter down to get dressed, this time you wore loose linen pants with a longed sleeved cotton blouse, and layered it with a brown leather jacket. Practical if something happened, and easy to run in. After yesterday, anything could happen.
Greeting the rest of the inner court at the breakfast table, you giggled with Vivian as you caught up in each other’s lives. “Love, how is it that you managed to be so stunning in pants and a loose blouse? I must know!!!” Vivian squealed as she asked you rapid fire questions on how life had been going for you after Under The Mountain.
Below the table you felt someone’s foot nudge yours and as you glanced around the table confused, hazel eyes met yours, mischief shining bright in them. Oh that little- he wanted to play games? Well he better be ready to have his ass kicked.
Maneuvering your foot, you lightly nudged his foot before lifting your heel and lightly storming on his toe. The only indication of his pain was a slight ‘oomph’ that he let out. Holding in your giggle was hard, but you managed, this continued for a bit as you both exchanged light taps and smiling at each other once in a while when your legs got caught in each other occasionally. That was when Nesta, Feyre, and Rhys burst into the room.
“The wall,” Feyre breathed, “He’s bringing the wall down.”
~*~*~*~*~
Next part
A/N: I hope you guys loved it <3 Good night/day loves!!! (I know you are either reading this in class or really late a night)
taglist: @positivewitch@bubybubsters@a-frog-with-a-laptop@artof-aristocracy @azriels-mate123 @sourapplex @forsiriussake @we-were-beautiful
94 notes · View notes
aldbooks · 1 year
Text
I’ve seen a lot of posts circulating through the Lucien tag about how just because Elain and Lucien have a mating bond, doesn’t mean they’ll end up together. If that’s really what you think, fine that’s your prerogative. Ship what you want to ship no one’s stopping you.
However, the author of each seems to be under the impression that all Eluciens (or even most) only want them together because of the bond. (Really they seem to think anyone who ship anything other than their preferred ship has, at best, only the barest reasons for doing so or, at worst, is a terrible, disgusting person. But that’s a conversation for another time)
Let’s be clear. We don’t think they’re a match because they have a bond. We only think that’s why they’ll be end game (because that’s how SJM writes).
We think they’re a match because what we know of them both so far makes them seem (if I’m honest) far more compatible than either Feysand or Nessian. Their personalities and temperaments are similar, they seem to have similar values. Everything about them both screams of a really good pairing.
Another point I keep seeing is that there’s no emotional connection between them unlike existed with the other couples prior to accepting the bond. No shit. That would require they actually know each other and here is where I put full blame on Elain. No, she doesn’t owe him anything but she can’t complain that he doesn’t know her when she won’t let him know her.
Tumblr media
And Lucien does try. No one can say he doesn’t. The man risked his life following Feyre all the way across Prythian, with no magic, helped keep her alive on the way there, just to get a chance to meet Elain. And when he got there, was immediately disregarded by everyone, and treated with contempt. (Yet you don’t see him throwing a tantrum over being kept from her) He visits when he’s invited and tries to speak with her only to back off when she won’t give him the time of day.
We still don’t know why she does this. We won’t until we finally get a look inside her head. But I don’t think it’s for reasons most people seem to think and I do believe that once she actually gives him a fair chance, she’ll like him.
As for why the idea of rejecting the bond was brought up, honestly I think it was to hint at other potentially rejected bonds (a la LoA/Helion or Eris/Mor) but, as I’ve seen so many examples of in fanfic, it could be that we’ll see Elain reject the bond, only to succumb to it anyway once the pressure is gone and she actually gets to know Lucien. It doesn’t automatically spell doom for them. Especially if you’ve read enough fated mate/rejected mate stories.
133 notes · View notes
acourtofthought · 6 months
Text
I'm about to put my foot in my mouth because I just responded to an anon on how I don't see Gwyn playing a major role in an Elucien book because I think Elain's journey will distance herself from Nesta and anyone associated with Nesta (and Az). Just as Nesta needed to discover who she was outside of being Elain's protector, I think Elain needs to do the same and that includes Nesta's found family. I think they'll get along during holidays / dinners in the NC 100%, I just don't think they'll bond in any major way. With Gwyn as a Valkryie and her found a family in the NC, I don't see her traveling to Spring by herself or with Az in an Elucien book.
With that said...........I'm about to steal Mor from Feyre 😂
Tumblr media
In SF we have Feyre saying that Mor was her drinking buddy however things are a bit different with Nyx......
Which wouldn't be worth a second thought unless you look at the following:
Tumblr media
Rhys laid the groundwork in the novella. He's telling us that Mor is not completely happy remaining in the NC for major periods of time. We're also given her POV, showing that she has a bit of wanderlust:
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
In SF, Cassian tells us the darkness of the Hewn City lurks around her like Azriel's shadows, another possible nod to her leaving the NC on a more permanent basis.
At the end of SF, Mor had still not managed to get the peace treaty signed, a situation that had been going on for nearly a year.
Tumblr media Tumblr media
That's where we left Mor at the end of SF.
It's possible a Gwynriel book could deal with Mor finally getting the treaty sign, she and Az are connected. Though I wonder if it would be better if Mor played a minimal role in a Gwynriel book. Not to mention I don't necessarily see Az or Gwyn being the ones to help convince those on the continent to sign the peace treaty.
I can easily see Elain and Lucien, along with Vassa and Jurian, being the ones to join her on the continent to work on obtaining an alliance through the treaty. Not only are both Elain and Lucien excellent at talking to others but along with Vassa and Jurian, they represent the voice of more than just the NC. They'd speak on behalf of the human lands, Autumn (especially if Eris traveled with them as well), Day Court, and the Spring Court.
Which again, might not seem like enough to convince some, however.....
Tumblr media
Elain and Mor already have an interesting bond. When Az said that Elain was a Seer, it was Mor that Elain looked to. Mor also used her gift of truth on Lucien and found him worthy. It was Mor who subtly sat next to Elain after the ravens attack. Mor is protective of Elain, but not overly so. When Elain was glamoured to head to Graysens estate, it was Mor she shared a poignant moment with and Mor who she chose to sit next to:
Tumblr media
And for some currently unknown reason, SJM also decided to tie Mor into Tamlins storyline whereas she could have left her minor part back in ACOMAF.
Tumblr media
I don't necessarily see Mor settling wherever Elain does, or even remaining with her throughout the entirety of the book, she seems to need to roam. I'm not even convinced she'll end up in the NC with Emerie unless Emerie is willing to travel with her (though wouldn't it be interesting if the Golden Queen is alive and now a lion shifter - playing nicely into Mor being drawn to the "untamed wild things of the world").
However Mor leaving the NC on a more permanent basis makes sense to me. As travel companions / plotlines go, not only does it make sense that she and Elain would find common ground as Mor has always been about girl empowerment (something Elain needs) and they are both associated with light and sunshine but I think with Az most likely ending up with Gwynriel in one of the next books and Nesta and Feyre moving into a new phase of their relationship, it's a convenient time for Mor to make her exit, especially with the history that existed between she, Cassian and Az.
I could see Elain gathering friends all along her journey rather than having a smaller found family in the way Feyre and Nesta did. Vassa, Mor, some in Spring and Day, maybe even in Autumn once Lucien reconnects with the LoA. So to me, giving Mor page time in an Elucien book makes sense when you look at the outstanding plots and how Elucien could lend aid to the major one Mor is currently connected to. Not to mention Mor has a past with Eris that needs resolved, possibly before a Gwynriel book, so that when it's time for an Az pov, she's ready to tell him everything. And Eris sharing page time (but not a pov) with Lucien, Elain, and Mor gives SJM a chance to tie up a lot of loose ends including getting rid of Beron once and for all, especially when he also has been traveling to the continent to keep tabs on his father.
Edit / Also Adding: the more I think about it, the more this makes sense to me because now that Feyre has Nyx, she can't really be Mor's found family outside of Velaris. If Mor is meant to not keep getting pushed way into the background and her plans / plot involve her traveling outside of the NC, she needs someone to do that with her. She's got no found family / female friends that can easily leave.
55 notes · View notes