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utterlyazriel · 9 days

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let me keep you company

a/n: a wee break from the doom & gloom of wtssf! it's unedited so i want no flack for that thank u <3 enjoy <3 wc: 5.1k whoops synopsis: You're studying in Velaris and a certain Shadowsinger catches your eyes in more than one way. It takes a while to realise the shadow keeping you company means more than you expect.

For the record, you had never met a Shadowsinger before.

You'd never even seen one. Sure, you’d read about them briefly in your studies and almost every Fae in Prythian had heard about them in whispers and rumours.

Rumours that increased more so when a Shadowsinger rose to become a hand for the Highlord, his own personal spy. Then became the spymaster of the entire Night Court for the next Highlord.

But beyond gossip and unfinished chapters within the scripts of your libraries, the knowledge of Shadowsingers is far limited. They’re rare. For all you know, Shadowsinger’s are a ghost— moving as a shadow, disappearing in and out of the darkness of the world.

You had never met a Shadowsinger before—so it makes sense that you hadn't an ounce of a clue what to expect.

Staring at him now, 6 feet something of pure muscle, you're a bit embarrassed at your own surprise.

Because he's probably— no definitely— the most beautiful Fae you've ever laid eyes on. His hair is tousled and dark, his glorious tan skin that's mostly hidden beneath the black of his fighter leathers, and his amber eyes that laid on you for only one long moment. Breathtaking is the only adequate word for him.

All that beauty and he's a Shadowsinger.

And it's not like you thought he wouldn't be like, well, any other Fae. But also... you kinda did? Mother, you should've known Freya was tricking you when she said they were all just shadow-y corporeal forms.

But she's also not entirely wrong there. There are dozens of wispy shadows that hover around him in constant motion, dipping and flying around his shoulders and if you look close enough, you can see how he seems to ripple at the edges. Shadows blur the edge of his very being.

You wonder if he can disappear into them all together, if that was one of the abilities granted with them. Does he control them? He must, you think, if the title is Shadowsinger.

But looking at him now, his beautiful face turned to face the Highlord you should definitely be listening to, they flit about almost absentmindedly, as though they have a mind of their own.

One curls up by his ear and you watch it, fascinated, more and more questions springing up in your mind— what do they feel like on skin? Do they make any noise? Is that what they're doing now? Talking to—

A sharp elbow jabs into your side, making you jump.

Your head whips to the side, an instinctive scowl almost overtaking your face before you plaster it over with a smile, realising your mistake. Your mentor, Sergei, clears his throat and smiles awkwardly ahead at Rhysand. You blink and take another moment to realise you've been asked a question.

"I'm— I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" You try not to sound as mousy as you feel but the question comes out as a squeak anyway. He is the Highlord of the Night Court after all. You suddenly feel very foolish for being so easily distracted.

Thankfully, Rhysand regards you with an easy smile. He's leaned back in his chair, relaxed, and his violet eyes dance with humour as he flicks his gaze over to where you had just been staring.

"That's alright. Azriel is a piece of eye candy, I can't blame you for staring," He all but purrs, a hint of mirth pulling at his lips as he casts another glance at his Spymaster. You're taken aback by the casualness of his words.

Rhysand continues. "I was only saying that for the duration of your stay, you'll be hosted in one of my homes, the House of Wind. You aren't afraid of heights, are you?"

A smidge of fear pinches at your stomach because, honestly, you aren't overly keen on the idea. But you know better than to turn down the generosity of a Highlord.

You take another glance at the wings of his Spymaster and General and pray that it's not too high up.

"Not... much." You answer honestly.

There's a chuckle from the side of the room and your head swings around at the noise. It's not the Shadowsinger, though he looks as though he's politely trying not to smile, his chin ducked. It's the General, just as beautiful as his brother but in that more rugged way.

He flexes his wings out a bit, showing off their mighty wingspan. "We'll rid you of that fear in no time."

You try for a smile but it might be closer to a grimace.

"Fantastic." You say, not managing to put all your enthusiasm into the word like you hoped.

Another sharp jab of Sergei's elbow in your side. The Shadowsinger, Azriel, huffs a quiet laugh, his amber eyes flashing up to steal another look at you. You try your best not to fluster.

It's going to be a long two months.

—

As Sergei's apprentice, you're expected to shadow him through his allowed time within Velaris.

Which means if he goes to the library, you go to the library.

There's just one problem; the library is down in the city and your temporary home is up in the mountain. The quickest way down is with wings.

Rhysand— or just Rhys as he had told you to call him— had relayed the information that you could ask either Cassian or Azriel to escort you if you didn't wish to take the stairs.

Cassian, the General, had been the one to fly you down and back the first couple of times you had asked and you weren't in any particular hurry to relive the experience.

Cassian was nice and he was more than friendly but seemingly incapable of understanding any fear of heights. You weren't sure if that was just the only way to fly— swooping and dropping fast enough to make you shriek— but it certainly seemed to be Cassian's way.

Which leaves you with the option of either asking the Shadowsinger or taking the stairs.

You get down about two hundred steps before you start to regret your decision. But, also, how in the Cauldron were you supposed to ask him to take you? (Never mind that you had asked Cassian quite easily, albeit very nervously.)

Oh, hi Shadowsinger who I can't stop staring at for both your abilities and your handsome face—care to sweep me into your arms and carry me places?

As if, you snort to yourself.

You take the thousand stairs all the way to the bottom and trot towards the enormous library, pretending your thighs aren't aching with overuse or that you're out of breath. Thankfully, the library itself isn't too far from the House of Wind, carved into the same side of the mountain.

As expected, Sergei is less than pleased with your tardiness.

"Sorry," The word rushes out of you in a wheeze, probably too loud for the library, as you scuttle in the entrance. A few priestesses turn their heads to look at you and you cringe, raising your hands in apology. "Sorry, I'm sorry,"

You focus back on your mentor and try to catch your breath, all while you explain. "I took the stairs and it took—" You huff out a breath. "—way longer than I thought."

Sergei's face softens a bit at your explanation, his face taking on a pitiful smile. "Still not enjoying the flying?"

"You are?" You ask in response. The thought of Sergei, your old-Fae mentor, swept up in Cassian's arms as he dips and dives makes you chuckle just a bit.

Sergei shakes his head as if to change the topic of conversation, deciding you've wasted enough time already. He turns, beginning to head further into the library and you follow behind him closely, eager to brush over your early morning fumble. The cavernous structure within the mountain yawns out ahead of you and you get all of two moments to wonder just how deep down it goes, when—

"You did not ask for a ride this morning."

Azriel steps up beside you, seemingly from nowhere, his steps falling in time with yours with ease. You jump, startled, and your footsteps falter for a moment. You're relieved to say that you only make one embarrassing noise in your surprise.

"I— oh, it's— I mean, I just..." You trail off, feeling flustered. "...like to walk."

You chance a glance up at him. He's wearing that same polite expression from yesterday, as though he's trying not to laugh and you get too caught up in the swirlings of his shadows to remember to be properly embarrassed. Both of you walk in tandem behind Sergei, slowly descending into the lower levels of the library.

"If you insist," He says, his voice low. It sends something warm down your spine and you pray he doesn't notice how your body temperature is definitely climbing.

His amber eyes pin you with another look, his lips twitching into a small smile. "However, if Cassian is giving you trouble, I would be happy to provide a smoother ride."

You flounder for a moment. You don't want to get anyone in trouble.

"I— he's not giving me trouble," You stammer.

Azriel smiles a little wider as if he can tell how polite you're trying to be. He slows to a meander and you realise only after you walk past him, it's because Sergei has stopped himself, turning down one of the many aisles.

You skid yourself to a halt and turn back, praying your flaming face isn't as obvious as it feels. You're not entirely sure if Azriel is accompanying you today but you're sure that Sergei would've mentioned it if he was.

You dip your head in a strange, awkward bow motion. Then point to the aisle Sergei disappeared into.

"I'll be... going this way."

Azriel's smile grows, like you've told a joke, and he ducks his head. He peers up at you through his dark lashes and you wonder if anyone's ever told him how damn beautiful he is. Probably. You're probably the last in a long line of people. Mother, his eyes though.

"If you don't wish to make the hike the other way," He murmurs.

He extends one of his hands and you watch the dozen shadows swarm around it, one of them separating from the pack to dive to the ground. It shoots forward and spins around your ankle, almost happily. "Just let the shadow know. I would be happy to assist."

When you look back up, he’s already gone without a sound. You try not to look so surprised— you’ve seen someone winnow before but you’re almost certain that the way Azriel moved about silently was something else altogether.

“Y/n!” Sergei’s voice echoes down the shelves, reminding you that you’re still late. You throw a quick glance around to check but it's fruitless; you can’t see the Shadowsinger anywhere.

You turn and bustle down the aisle quickly, not wanting to keep Sergei any longer. It takes only a second to notice the sole, black shadow that dances along behind you.

Guess you have company.

—

Okay, so, the shadows are definitely their own little guys.

Mainly because you can’t imagine how Azriel would be controlling them when he’s nowhere in sight.

And this one shadow is being awfully helpful.

The first time you drop your quill, knocking it to the ground as you lean over one of the many intricately carved desks, trying to reach another book, you don’t even notice it fall to the ground.

In fact, you have no idea how many times it’s picked up your fallen quill that you’ve undoubtedly knocked over countless times— only that it had given you the fright of your life to have it hover before your face, gripped only by the wispy shadow Azriel left with you.

“Holy shit!” You gasp, your loud voice echoing in the quietness of the library.

Sergei's head whips up, his eyes narrowing at the intruding sound with evident disapproval. You quickly snatch the quill out of mid-air and sink down in your seat. Gods, the echoes in here were doing you no favours.

“Sorry,” You whisper. Your eyes dart down to the shadow that retreated to your side, flickering around your ankle more wildly. “Er, thanks.”

It feels a bit silly to give thanks to something you’re not sure can hear you. But you figure if it can pick up your quill, you're better off using your manners.

Sergei gives you a somewhat bewildered look and you try to appease him with an awkward smile. It works enough for him to continue his work but not without one more lingering glance of worry in your direction. Great. You're talking to shadows and your old-man mentor thinks you're a bit nuts.

The shadow continues its helpful endeavours, following you when you head down different aisles at Sergei's request. It dances across the shelves, dissolving occasionally just to puff back up somewhere else, pulling your attention this way and that. It's playful. Friendly.

You deduce by the end of the day that you know even less about Shadowsinger's than you had thought. The abilities and personality of just one shadow are uncanny; like a silent friend keeping you company. You imagine that Azriel rarely gets lonely with as many as he has. Maybe you'll ask him.

When Sergei and you wind back up the staircases and he dismisses you for the evening, heading into the city for his own further business, you stand at the mouth of the library and ponder if you'll be brave enough to summon the Shadowsinger.

The shadow is still with you, circling your wrist absently. You peer down at it and think of all those stairs. Somewhat nervously, you raise your hand and try to be as casual as possible about talking to a shadow on your hand.

"Hi." You start, trying not to feel foolish. "Um, well, I guess I'm done for the day. Could— could you, if he's not busy that is, uh, let Azriel know? I don't mind waiting if he is."

The shadow zips off barely before you can finish your sentence and your head swings to watch it go, disappearing somewhere to your left.

You can't help but be a little amazed at its speed—it must be an incredible networking system to have a thousand little spies running around for you. No wonder almost all Shadowsingers tend to end up in the same line of work, you think to yourself, still peering in the direction of the shadow when—

"Y/n."

Even though he's said your name soft and quiet, Azriel still manages to take you by surprise. You jump and turn, all in one motion.

"Mother!" Your hand holds over your chest, relief curling in at the sides as your fright ebbs away. "That was fast."

"You called," Azriel responds, as if it's the easiest thing in the world. He gives you an almost shy smile.

It makes you fluster a bit and you gesture to the exit awkwardly and wordlessly, if only so you don't have to come up with a response to his intense and endearing answer.

Together, you wander out from the library and creep towards the edge of Velaris. It's a beautiful city and more than deserving of its title, especially when viewed from the House of Wind. You turn and cast your eyes up the mountainside, your familiar nervous fear pitching up from your stomach.

Then you look at the warrior beside you, tall enough that he's got what feels like more than a head's height on you, with his wings reaching above even his own head. His jaw is sharp and his eyes are already on you as your gaze trails up his face. Fuck. He's really pretty.

Now you're nervous for an entirely different reason.

"We can still take the stairs if you wish," He says, his hand sweeping back to the path you had followed along this morning. His shadows move with his hands, a black vortex that whirls around and around. "I'd be more than happy to keep you company."

Mother, he's not helping you in the slightest, being so perfectly nice to you. You regard the stairs and think back to how many hours it took before your thighs stopped aching—and that was on the way down.

"No, we can- we can try flying again." You say, nodding to yourself as if it'll help quell your fear. It takes another moment to realise that means you'll be bundled up in his strong arms, held against his broad chest and you feel a little shiver run through your body at the thought.

Azriel notices it too, his eyebrows knitting together in concern. "You're sure?" He checks.

You nod, not meeting his eyes, trying to keep your nerve. Flying is already something you're not keen on. Flying whilst being swept up in the arms of a Shadowsinger who you think is the most beautiful Fae you've ever seen? You send a silent prayer to the Mother that you don't do something embarrassing, like puking down his front.

"Let me know if you're uncomfortable at any time," He says softly and then he bends his knees slightly, one of his scarred hands resting on your lower back as the other scoops beneath your knees. He lifts you as though you weigh nothing.

It's impossible not to flush as you get nestled against his firm chest, your hands panicking for a moment as you try to think of a normal place to put them. Around his neck? On his chest? Either of them feels far too intimate for a man you've known only a week.

"You don't have to but I would suggest holding on," Azriel comments with a smile, his chest vibrating with the words. You nod, agreeing with him, but don't make a move to do so, only holding your hands out in front of you to indicate you're not sure where to put them.

The shadows adorning his shoulders move on their own, their friendly presence easing your nerves as they slither down to circle around your wrists. There's a gentle tug and you let them move your hands til they're wrapped around Azriel's neck, moving you much closer in the process.

Gods, your faces are close together. Another couple of inches and you could probably press your lips to his perfect ones—a thought that makes you fluster all over again. Was he getting prettier every time you saw him? For not the first time, you thank the Mother that it was Rhys with the daemaeti gift and not Azriel.

"Ready?" He checks, which is sweet. Cassian had just shot up into the sky the first time, without any warning.

You grip your arms around his neck a little tighter and then nod. "Ready," You say, quieter than intended.

You catch just a moment of Azriel's demure smile, your heart swooping at the sight, before you're both launched into the sky with one flap of his wings.

The noise that escapes you is one you're less than proud of, a squawky sound noise of panic that you bury into Azriel's neck. You expect him to laugh like Cassian had, not meanly but playfully, but instead Azriel's arms just tighten around you. As if he was assuring you that he would not let you fall.

By the time you're up at the House of Wind, Azriel making a far more graceful descent than his brother, you're less freaked out and more ready to point some accusatory fingers in the face of the Night Court's General.

That bastard had been fucking with you! The flight with Azriel proved as much, considering how much calmer and smoother it had been. You couldn't help but say as much as you were placed down from Azriel's hold, glad to be back on solid ground.

"I have some words for Cassian, Mother above," You ramble, straightening out your rumpled clothes from the flight. "Did he think I was kidding when I said I was afraid?"

Azriel smiles at your fieriness, his shadows calmer than they were in flight, moving about lazily. His eyes take a fleeting glance at the house behind you before focusing intently back on you.

"Cassian can have a strange sense of humour at times. He means well." He says. Then he grins. "I should like to see you tell him off— not enough people do."

You hmph. "Maybe I will."

You suddenly realise the closeness between you and Azriel, close enough to feel the warmth of his body. His scent of cedar and mist swirls around you, tantalizing and alluring in a way you've never known before. You take a step back to contain yourself.

"I—uh, well, thank you very much." You say, as sweet as you can. "For the ride."

Your eyes catch on one of his dozen shadows and you smile, observing them for a moment. "And the shadow. It was excellent company."

Azriel brightens, an expression of surprise crossing his face before he schools it away. He smiles, brazen and breathtaking. When he speaks, he sounds a little disbelieving. "You like them?"

You nod quickly, noticing how one of his shadows has snuck off again and circulates your ankle speedily. You laugh at the ticklish feeling of it against your skin.

"They're incredible." You breathe, meaning every word. "I imagine you must've ge—"

"Apologies, y/n." A smooth voice cuts in, Rhys stepping up somewhere behind you and stealing both of your attention. He dressed in more casual clothes than you last saw, but not quite Azriel's fighting leathers. "Azriel here is needed for some brief business. Do you mind if I borrow him?"

The way he poses the question, as if Azriel is yours, does something wonky to your heart. You flounder for a moment, stepping back and waving your hand in the direction of the Shadowsinger.

"Of- of course, by all means." You trip over the words and hope you don't sound too eager to escape his company. That couldn't be more untrue.

You turn back to Azriel and fix him with a smile, hoping it's not as nervous as you feel. "I'll... see you around?"

Azriel steals a glance to the side where Rhys awaits before he nods with another reserved smile. Hold on, is that pink on his cheeks?

"Let me know if you need any more help getting to and from the library. I'd be happy to assist."

And then with a quick nod to you, he walks off to join Rhys, his wings tucked in tight, careful to not nudge you. You watch them go, unable to stop yourself from letting your eyes wander down. Damn, all that training did wonders. What was that saying? Hate to watch 'em go, love to watch them leave.

Ahead, Rhys abruptly laughs and peers back over his shoulder, letting you exactly how well you had shielded those thoughts. You flush and scurry into the house as if it'll save you from the embarrassment of what's just happened. You only hope he won't pass the message on to Azriel.

—

It continues like that for the rest of the week.

Azriel carries you down the height of the mountain and leaves you with a promise that if you need anything, you can tell the shadow and he'll come to find you.

The shadow keeps its usual playful company. Beyond retrieving your dropped quills, it helpfully turns the pages of books for you. When you're focused on what you're writing, it nudges back any loose strands of hair. Once it even brings you a flower from Mother knows where. One single Lily of the Valley, left resting on your desk.

It makes you wonder; are all Shadowsinger's shadows like this? You can't help but imagine these niceties are shaped by Azriel's own soft nature.

Today, whilst you study in the vast caverns of the library, you get an unexpected visitor.

As you take your time scanning through the books in one of the vast aisles, you realise the Fae coming down from the other end of the aisle is none other than the Highlady herself.

"Feyre!" You greet warmly. The two of you had met before when she had taken duties in your home court and if it weren't too bold, you'd say you consider yourself good friends. Feyre smiles, glowing like moonlight, as she realises who it is.

"Y/n," She says your name sweetly and her hug is just as such. She pulls away, ready to inquire about your studies when she spots the trailing shadow behind you.

"Making friends, I see," She comments. Her eyebrows raise almost teasingly as if she's made a certain insinuation. You take a moment to notice what she's referencing.

"It's nice," You say, a defensive lilt to your tone. You hold out your hand and the shadow jumps at the opportunity to skitter around it playfully. "It's like a little friend."

Feyre smiles at your words but chuckles a little. "Except Azriel is anything but little."

You pause at her words, glancing down at the shadow and back up at Feyre. "What do you mean? I thought— they're not- I mean, aren't they...?”

You trail off, unsure of how to word the question you're trying to ask. Feyre smiles, her gray eyes glittering with mirth as she realises what you're figuring out.

"They're all his. Azriel's. He controls them." She tilts her head a bit, watching the shadow that drifts about your hand and wrist. "True, they roam a bit on their own but... Not like this."

"Oh," You murmur, thinking back to that first day in the library.

The playful shadow that lead you back and forth, picking up your quill and turning your pages. It was him, all along.

Something immeasurably warm starts to glow in your chest, a thread that loops through your heart and sends the valves into overdrive. Its warmth grows, something molten hot beginning to bleed in your chest— and it feels wonderful. It feels right.

"Oh," You gasp as you figure it out.

Feyre grins, watching you piece together what the rest of the inner circle has clued together from the very first day. She stands to the side and gestures to the entrance of the library with a tilt of her head.

"Go on then," She urges you.

For a moment, you think back to Sergei who sent you hunting for a certain manuscript Cauldron knows how long ago but the thought is washed away in an instant. You can feel it now, the strong tug in your chest. The connection that binds you to another.

You stride past Feyre, giving a quick thanks! and all but run up the spiral staircases, heading for the entrance. The shadow pings along with you and as you near the top, you look down at it and say through huffed breaths, "You better go get him."

He's waiting by the time you get there.

Against the setting sun, for a moment there's only the silhouette of him— a warrior with tall wings, the edges of him rippling like a mirage. He might just be one; an oasis in your life, the answer that you've been searching for for centuries. You can't believe you didn't notice.

Your footsteps echo on the marble as you march right up to him and Azriel watches you closely the whole time, his amber eyes soft but his expression hinting at his nervousness. Gods, he's wonderful. You can't believe he gets to be yours and you get to be his.

"How long have you known?" You ask because it's the first thing on your mind. You're nearly panting from the exhilaration of your sudden exercise, from the dawning future that's blooming right in front of you. He's your mate. Gods, how could you have missed it?

Azriel smiles, that same tentative one that's been driving you crazy all week. His wings give a little shake behind him, a giveaway of his nerves.

"I... suspected from the beginning." He chooses his words carefully, wary of how you might respond.

You can't help your little gasp, feeling even more of a fool. You curse, ducking your head before you glare back up at him, no real heat in your gaze. You have the urge to give him a little shove, just for keeping you in the dark.

"And you didn't think to tell me?"

One of his shadows spins up unexpectedly, dancing across your shoulders and tickling your cheeks gently. You startle in surprise but something sweeter curls up in your chest at the tenderness of its touch.

"Believe me," Azriel says with a quiet chuckle, his amber eyes darting over your face intensely. "I've been trying."

You melt. Eyes locked with his, you move slowly, letting your arms drift up to drape around his neck like they've done every morning and evening since he began flying you around. You realise acutely that Cassian's behaviour, his shoddy flying, had likely been on purpose. You laugh a little, eyes creasing shut in pure euphoria.

Azriel's hands find your waist and you can feel the slight tremble in them.

"In my defense," You murmur, pushing up on your toes. You're close, so close, your lips hovering just an inch from a kiss—his shadows go wild around you both. It makes you grin. "I had never met a Shadowsinger before."

"Yeah?" Azriel breathes shakily. "Disappointed?"

He says it like a joke but you can hear the note of sincerity in his tone. His hidden worry that he isn't all you dreamed of. It's nearly laughable how wrong he is.

This close you can see his long lashes and every shade of brown in his eyes. You wonder if you'll ever get used to how beautiful he is. Part of you hopes you never do.

"Not in the slightest," You say, nearly a whisper.

Then his lips are on yours, pillowy soft skin against yours, and it feels like coming home. He kisses you, kisses you, kisses you til you're breathless and the glow in your chest could rival the sun in its warmth.

He kisses you and every atom in your body hums and fizzes and comes to life — and all you can do is hold him tight and kiss him back, just as fiercely.

Breaking the kiss to catch your breath, you pant and grin brazenly at Azriel, at your mate, happier than you've ever been. Faintly, you realise that you won't be heading home when the two months of your study are up after all.

Not when you have a man who looks at you so reverently, who kisses you like there's oxygen hidden in the plush of your lips, who holds you like there's nothing more precious in the world.

Not when you know that home is right here, in front of you.

#YIPPEE! written in like... 3 days #no editing less go #love it or leave it #a break from all the doom and gloom of wtssf #azriel #azriel shadowsinger #azriel x reader #azriel shadowsinger x reader #azriel x you #acotar fanfiction #azriel fic #azriel fanfic #azriel acotar #azriel shadowsinger x you #sloane writes

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a-frog-with-a-laptop · 1 month

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Replacement

Azriel X Reader

This is my go at the prompt "Character A was so happy planning the perfect starfall party. They forgot to get a date. Character B has an idea." for @starfallweek.

Can't wait to read what everyone came up with!

Might write more of these two. Not sure. If people want more i will

~~~

She’d been planning this for weeks. Y/N had always loved Starfall and the joy she gets from spending time with her family no matter how tired she gets afterwards so when she finally moved out and was able to plan the parties herself she went all out. This year was her first time planning for her husband's family.

Y/N and the night court’s shadowsinger, Azriel, had married earlier that year and she’d made a promise to herself to plan that year's starfall party to give the Highlord time to spend time with his family and take a break after all he did for her. He helped her family get back on their feet after the war, and fully paid for the wedding and, her and Azriels new house. That proved to be a very good idea.

Y/N had somehow convinced the high lord and lady to take a week off leading up to the holiday giving her plenty of time to plan a surprise party without them and the only way for it to be successful was if they were gone. Y/N had realised pretty quickly how much of a busybody the high lord was.

She had to tell the rest of his family about the plan but couldn’t do that while he was getting suspicious of everyone sneaking around so she dropped hints of a holiday in his head. Even though he was the most powerful high lord he didn’t seem to be the smartest so she turned to his wife the highlady and straight up told her to take her husband and child on a holiday.

~~~

Y/N was out of breath after running up a street and then stairs to catch up to her highlady who was now walking only a few metres in front of her. She pushed a stroller which most likely carried the young night court heir. “Feyre.” Y/N more puffed than yelled out.

Feyre spun around quickly in response, gasping when seeing Azriel's new wife bent over puffing her lungs out. “Y/N are you okay? Should I call for Azriel?”

Y/N put a hand up. “No-” she breathed a deeper breath before standing “-I just ran like 5 blocks to find you but you walk so damn fast.”

“You had to run to catch up to me?” Feyre raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow.Y/N shushed her, “You know what I mean”

Feyre chuckled a light and airy sound. “Well, what did you need?”

“I’ve been trying to convince your mate, Rhysand-” Feyre giggled again at Y/N’s clarification “-to take you and Nyx on a holiday but it seems that he is thicker than Cassian’s biceps and can't get the hint.”

“So you want me to take him?”

Y/N nodded slowly.

“Why?”

“I’m trying to plan a Starfall party so he can take a break in thanks for everything he did for me but I can't get help when he’s such a busybody.”

Feyre laughed again before agreeing allowing Y/N to run straight back home to start properly preparing.

~~~

Now it was the day before Starfall and everything was ready. Well, almost ready. Y/N had realised that neither she nor Azriel had formally asked each other to be the other's date as they had done since before they even started dating. It was technically now a yearly tradition between the two and she wasn't going to break it this year. But even though she wanted to keep the formality they held in earlier years she was too tired to plan anything else.

Y/N had planned non-stop for the past week and that was exhausting. Rhysand, Feyre and Nyx got back from their holiday earlier that day so everyone in the inner circle was walking on glass around the highlord hoping he didn’t mention his own party or even Starfall itself.

Y/N finally convinced herself that the not-tradition tradition she’d created with her husband was worth continuing and set down her book before starting her search for the elusive male. She looked around upstairs in the bedroom, study, and bathroom(hoping to find an undressed shadow singer) before making her way downstairs. Walking into the foyer she stuck her head into the lounge room to see a large bat wing popping up from the lounge.

She winced internally, knowing Azriel was lying on his back and thinking of how uncomfortable it would be for him.

“Az?” Y/N whispered incase he was asleep. His head popped up over the back of the lounge and she smiled at his mussed-up hair and droopy eyes, clearly indicating that he had previously been asleep.

“Yeah?” Azriel muttered in a sleep-ridden voice before rubbing his eyes with the palm of his hand. Even after just waking up, he was gorgeous.

“I kind of assumed we would since you know-” Y/N shrugged “-we are married, but will you be my date to the Starfall party?”

Azriel woke up instantly at that sentence before pulling a face like he sucked on a lemon. Y/N’s face dropped along with her stomach. She immediately started thinking of what he did to have that reaction. What did he do?

Azriel noticed his wife’s distress immediately and sat up more ready to jump over the lounge in case he needed to do some quick damage control. “Sorry. Im going with Cassian.”

Y/N’s face blanked as she reeled back. Her mouth opened and then shut. Before opening again she tilted her head to the side and furled her eyebrows in thought. “Why?”

“Well you see, Cassian can't go with Nesta because she is going with Gwyn.” Azriel started explaining. He realised it wasn’t enough of an explanation before continuing. “Nesta is going with Gwyn because Emerie is going with Mor.”

That was enough of an explanation for his wife because her bewildered look turned to one of thought.

“Oh,” Y/N turned to walk away. “Okay.”

“Sorry!” Azriel called out with a wince on his face.

~~~

It was now Starfall and people filled every inch of the inside of the home and the back garden.

Y/N had invited everyone from Azriel's side of the family that he liked and she invited all from her side of the family who in return invited more people resulting in Y/N being stopped by every second person who claimed to be a distant relative of hers. But she didn't listen to what they had to say. She was too stressed by the fact that Rhysand, Feyre and Nyx hadn’t shown up yet.

Additionally, the sight of Cassian pulling her husband into a dip and kissing him passionately had set her on edge. She’d almost shatter the glass she was holding from anger. Y/N knew it was all a joke but there was this nagging feeling creeping up her spine which could only be described as murderous when watching Cassian and Azriel put on this happy couple act for the joke they had going.

Y/N moved throughout the house towards the front door and pushed her way outside to sit on the front porch to wait for the high lord and lady.

Thankfully she didn’t have to wait long for they arrived almost as soon as she sat down and she stood to greet them quickly.

“Rhysand, Feyre. Welcome back to Velaris.” Y/N smiled broadly as she hugged the couple before turning to Nyx. “Welcome back too little soldier.”

“We are grateful to be back.” Rhysand chuckled.

“And grateful for you to have organised and sent us on that trip.” Feyre added nudging her husband and mate.”

Suddenly everything turned serious as Y/N looked at the two parents.

“I need your child for something.”

~~~

The musicians hired quickly turned up the tempo of the party after the show of stars and everyone started dancing. Azriel had been searching for Y/N for a while now, wondering where she had gone. He was filled with concern and anxiety that something must have gone wrong. So much that he broke the little joke he and Cassian had going on to voice his concerns to the other male.

Azriel kept looking around the backyard hoping to see Y/N somewhere and slowly started slinking into himself when his searching failed until Cassian roughly jabbed him in the arm.

Azriel's head snapped to face Cassian but the other male just pointed to the makeshift dance floor.

Azriel looked and saw his wife carefully dancing around with a little bundle in her arms and relief filled his body. He smiled at her happiness and took the few minutes the song took to admire her.

When the song finished she looked back up to him and smiled a big toothy grin. Azriel followed it with a grin of his own as she started a walk over.

“So Y/N,” Cassian started, “who's your date for tonight.”

Y/N glared at the male before smiling at the now-moving lump in her arms.

“Nyx needed someone to go with so I volunteered.” She smiled back down at the young fae looking up at her in her arms.

“Well, I’ll say that you make a wonderful couple.” Cassian mocked.

“Why thank you, my lord.” Y/N mocked back with a slight curtsy. “Now if you’ll excuse me my date and I must go to bed.”

Azriel watched as Y/N walked off inside the house, Cassian’s teasing of replacement flying straight over his head until an older fae female walked up to them.

One Azriel recognised from his wedding.

“So when are we recreating that image with my grandchild Azriel?” His mother-in-law asked expectantly.

#acotar #starfallweek2024 #azriel #azriel x reader #azriel acotar #rhysand #cassian #nyx #feyre #feyre archeron

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ripdragonbeans · 2 months

Text

To Whatever End // HighLord!Aemond x Mate!Reader

For @targaryen-dynasty's February Sleepover!

Btw if you can't tell it's an A Court of Thorns and Roses AU but also this is fanfic

Thank you @exitpursuedbyavulcan for being my beta! ❤️

Prompts: "I just want to please you" // "let me take care of you"

Summary: High Lord Aemond traded himself for his Court to keep those he loved safe. In giving himself, however, he found himself bound to the witch Alys Rivers and committed atrocities to the other Courts. But it's been too long. Much too long. Aemond's mate, his true love, takes fate into her own hands and goes to free him. To whatever end.

CW: blood, character death, smut, consensual kidnapping???, oral f and m receiving, unprotected sex, creampie, 3rd person

Long silver-blond hair. A violet eye. A sapphire in place of the other. Expert swordsman. Magic wielder. Cruel but loyal. Wingspan like no other. Aemond Targaryen, High Lord of the Night Court.

Aemond Targaryen loved his Court. He would do anything and everything to keep it safe, including offering all of himself to a witch. This witch, Alys Rivers, had him on a tight leash. Very rarely was he able to do what he wished. Very rarely was he able to visit his mother, brother, or sister. Worst of all, he was forbidden to see his mate.

His mate, how he loved her so. When the mating bond clicked into place for them it made everything right. Alys Rivers, however, yanked him back as far as she could. She claimed that if he ever tried to go back to his mate she would destroy her and his precious Night Court. So, she kept him at her side; forced him to execute any innocent who dared look at her. Used his magic to raise hell on every other Court but his. The other High Lords thought Aemond to be a lover to Alys. They believed he warmed her bed to have power over them all. Little did they know that was as far from the truth as possible.

Years went by. Then decades. Then centuries. Aemond could stand it no longer. He was wearing down in the most terrible of ways. His resolve was breaking, he was becoming numb, he was beginning to forget his mate, his family, his Court. Every now and then Alys would try to lay with him. She knew forcing him would do nothing, but to make him desperate enough to be with her would break him. She was close to this, too. Her seductive ways had been beating down on him. He was desperate to get out, he was in pain, he felt guilty for even having those thoughts about Alys.

His mate. He needed his mate.

She could feel anguish, his pain, through the bond. It was enough. It had been long enough, too long, she thought. Tonight, she would bring her mate home and destroy Alys.

As she made her way through the halls of the House of Dreams, all she could think of was Aemond. They could never talk through their bond; Alys was able to block that part. The occasional tug from either of them was all that they had to keep them together. She was so preoccupied with her thoughts of Aemond that she walked straight into Helaena, Aemond’s sister.

“Thank the gods I found you!” Helaena sighed in relief. “We just received word that Alys attacked the Winter Court. Apparently, it was out of pure amusement.” The bite in her voice was evident.

“Aemond! Was he -”

“Cregan Stark reported that Aemond was there,” her voice faded down to a whisper, “punishing those who were captured instead of killed.”

The sister’s friend closed her eyes in pain and whispered her mate’s name.

“Helaena, I'm getting him back. We are ridding Westeros of Alys and bringing him back home.”

“When do you go?”

“I am going now. Wish me luck, friend.”

“Wait!” Helaena grabbed her arm. “There are rumors of the Winter Court planning to fight back against Alys; that is why they were targeted.” She looked directly into her eyes. “Destroy her.”

Much like her mate, she had wings. Not as beautiful as Aemond’s and not nearly as big, but big enough to fly her way to the Winter Court. The journey there was long and grueling. She tried to take no breaks and the ones that she did were brief and out of pure necessity. As she got closer to the court, she could feel the mating bond grown in strength. Yes, Aemond was always near to Alys in the Court of Nightmares, but with her focusing on the attack, her magic against the bond has weakened.

She followed that bond, followed it all the way to the Winter Court Palace. It was there she found Aemond, kneeling beside Alys as she sat on a throne, like a dog.

“Look what we have here, Aemond.” She looked the mate up and down. “I thought I told you that if she came here or you to her that I would kill her and all that you hold dear.”

Aemond made eye contact with you. He was pleading for her to leave, to be safe.

The mate said, “No. I'm not leaving you.”

Alys chuckled. “A fight you wish, then? A fight you shall get.”

“I've always been ready to fight you, ever since you took Aemond away from me.”

“Oh, but you won't be fighting me. You'll be fighting my dear pet.” She gestured towards Aemond.

Fear and denial slid over her body like ice. No.

“I refuse to fight him.”

“You see, your refusal would be accepted but our dear Aemond here made another bargain with me.” Indeed, along with the mating bond tattoo there was a new one. One that held him to his word. He believed you wouldn't try to reach him, so he vowed to fight you if you ever showed up as payment of me keeping the Night Court and the other Solar Courts safe.” Her laugh was nails scraping against rocks.

Aemond slowly rose and unsheathed his sword. Every move was painful. He tried to resist but it was futile.

He whispered to his love, “Please, leave. I do not wish to hurt you.”

“You have already hurt me by believing I would not come to you.” She let the pain shine in her eyes. “But I forgive you, Aemond. I love you.” And she drew her own sword.

“Ah, but to make it interesting,” Alys chimed in. “I will release him from his bargains should either of you deliver a devastating blow on the other.”

Hatred coursed through her veins. “You are vile,” she spat.

“That was not part of the bargain!” Aemond yelled.

Alys laughed. “It may not be, but it will still be amusing.”

His love turned to him. “I love you, but if this is what must happen, so be it.”

Aemond slowly raised his sword and readied himself to fight his mate. Just one devastating blow, that would be it. They could be free.

Their fight was a dance. Twirling to block, lunging to attack. Sweeping up into the sky to avoid. Sweat poured down their bodies. The muscles in their backs screamed with pain and exhaustion as they were constantly in the air. It was all they could to not hurt each other. However, while in the air, away from Alys’ prying ears, they made a plan.

Eventually Aemond found his sword against her throat. He pressed against her until pebbles of blood formed. The bond shook.

“I have her and I have drawn blood,” he called to Alys. “Free me, and free her, and free the Courts.”

Alys tutted. “I said a devastating blow, not a threatening one.”

Aemond’s mate looked to Alys then back to him. He whispered to her, “Now.”

She removed the sword from her neck, ignoring the slicing pain as she slid her hand to the hilt and threw it, aimed perfectly at Alys’. Practiced in magic, however, she deflected it with ease.

“How rude! Attacking a spectator!” She glided towards her. “And now you must pay the price.”

“No, you shall.”

Aemond had retrieved his sword to plunge it through Alys’ neck. He mustered all his strength and poured the magic that she had transferred to him when she was against his sword, as well as his, into the attack and sliced Alys’ head clean off. It fell to the ground with a thud.

Black blood erupted from the body, drenching her and Aemond.

Aemond could only look at his mate. “We did it,” he breathed. “She's gone and all the Courts are free.”

“Yes, we are free.”

Aemond took a step. Then another. Then another. Until he was right in front of her. He gently cradled her face with his blood-soaked hands and brought his lips to hers.

“I thought I would never see you again,” she said against him.

He pulled away. “I must tell you more, I never stopped believing in you. But we must inform Cregan that we are all free.”

Back-to-back the couple cut down and remaining soldiers loyal to Alys until they found Cregan in his own battle. The three of them were quick to overpower the opponents.

Cregan turned to Aemond, the fact that he was standing before him without Alys trailing him hit him hard.

“Is she,” he could not bring himself to ask the full question, lest the answer be unsavory.

“She is gone,” Aemond claimed. He opened his wings to their full length. “She is gone, and we are all free.”

Together, Aemond, his mate, and Cregan announced to the Winter Court that Alys was no more.

“We shall rebuild to be stronger,” Cregan said to his people. He turned to Aemond. “We shall unite.”

Aemond’s mate replied for him, “And together we shall rise above the ashes.”

Once the theatrics were over, the two lovers flew back to the Night Court. While they took limited breaks, they stopped right before arriving at the House of Dreams.

Wings tucked in, they arrived at an inn, Rita's, and found a room.

As soon as the door closed behind them Aemond’s lips were on hers. They danced together as though they were never apart. But their hands wandered as though they were strangers.

He slowly slipped her flying leathers off her beautiful body, taking in every inch of her. Every curve, every scar. He crawled up her body and brushed a hand over the now healed scar that branded her neck. Her body stiffened but in pleasure rather than fear. His touch was gentle, sensual.

“Don't worry,” he said, “I’ll take care of you.” And he kissed her gently.

He pulled away and kissed down her body, paying extra attention to the junction between her neck and shoulder, biting it then soothing it with his tongue.

She extended her neck, wanting more. “Please, my love,” she begged.

Aemond smirked against her and continued his way down her body until he came to her chest.

“Gods, I've missed these beautiful tits.”

He was quick to take a hardened bud into his mouth to tease and lick. Her back arched, wanting, needing, more. His hand slid up her body to play with the other nipple, tweaking and flicking it. All she could do was moan.

He switched, giving the other the same treatment with his mouth. She could feel the coil in her stomach tighten. When he was satisfied with her panting, he continued his journey down her body. He stopped at the apex of her thighs. He looked in awe as he gently stroked her folds.

“Aemond -”

He shushed her. “I just want to please you.”

Aemond tentatively brushed her bundle of nerves and watched as she writhed at her touch.

She looked at him, desperate to see him, only to find a devious smirk on his lips.

“Look at you, so wet for me already. Have you missed me that much?” He taunted.

“Yes, of course I've missed - gods!”

His mouth was upon her, his nose rubbing against her as he feasted upon her. All she could feel was him. All that mattered was him. She closed her eyes in ecstacy as the coil within her threatened to snap.

“Aemond I'm going -” she was cut short by her own wordless scream. A wave of pleasure crashed down upon her.

Aemond, however, kept feasting on her. He did not want to stop. She tasted divine and he needed more. Her hips bucked up with each lick. The pressure of pleasure began to build up again. He then moved to suck on her bud and plunged two fingers into her wet heat. The change itself was enough to bring her over the edge again. Only then did Aemond lift his head up. Her slick coating his mouth. She reached for him and kissed him deeply.

“Now it is my turn.” She nipped at his ear.

She stripped him of his clothes and ran her hands all over his body. Up and down her hands went, taking it all in, until she got to his length.

It had been so long since she had seen it; she forgot how big and thick he was. He was already hard and his tip was red and weeping. As she ran her hand over his cock he bucked his hips up, racing for more.

His love obliged by sinking down and taking him into her mouth. He groaned as she began to bob her head up and down, tongue swirling around.

“Fuck, my love!”

She hummed in response, earning another groan from him. She could feel he was close and was ready to take his seed, but he pulled out.

Aemond pulled her into a searing kiss. “I am going to finish in you. Not in your mouth but in your hot, wet cunt.”

His language sent a thrill down her spine.

“Face down, ass up,” he ordered.

She complied, excited for what was to come next.

She felt him shuffle behind her. In one swift motion he sheathed himself fully inside her. They both moaned at the feeling of the other. Taking their time, they just stayed there like that.

Until Aemond began moving his hips.

“You feel so good around my cock,” he ground out.

He picked up speed, fucking her into the mattress. She moved along with him, wanting him to be as deep as possible within her.

Aemond’s thrusts soon became sloppy, his rhythm uneven. With each motion of his cock her pleasure began to crest.

“Aemond, please I'm going to -”

“Together. I want us to finish together.”

With one final thrust, she screamed as she tightened around him, triggering his own orgasm.

They collapsed on the bed, his cock still inside her. Together they stayed there until Aemond pushed himself up to grab a wet rag to clean them up. He pressed a kiss to her forehead before wrapping his wings around her.

I am yours and you are mine, Aemond sent down the bond.

To whatever end, my love, she sent back.

She pulled him down into another searing kiss, this one promising that they would not be separated again.

#fics by bean #hotd au #hotd fanfic #Aemond targaryen #aemond one eye #aemond targaryen x reader #aemond targaryen x you

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minicoffee00 · 5 months

Text

The one that got away Part 2 Rhysand x Reader x ?

Plot: you are the closest thing Rhysand has to a mate before he is taken away by Amarantha, what happens when you haven’t seen the man you adore and love in 50 years to come back claiming he has found his mate and he wants nothing more to do with you.

Warnings: Angst

Rhysand had watched as you left, he had stayed silent not prepared to choose. I’m his mind, he tried to convince himself that it was a big decision and he wouldn’t immediately choose Feyre.

But in every dream, in every waking thought it was her. And he could tell himself logically it was an infatuation, and he actually held a live connection to you. However infatuation isn’t as bad as it seems, it’s one for the most passionate and raw connections one can have.

So yeah, it was Feyre, and he tried to convince himself it wouldn’t always be her. But even though the image of you was clearer in his mind than that of Feyre, Feyre was the one breaking through.

You’d left, and Azriel and Cassian had attempted to stop you, but a shake of your head had them regrettably stepping back.

“Why, why did she leave me?” Rhysand asks, as if it wasn’t obvious, leaving both Cassian and Azriel to groan out their annoyances.

“Because you are a prick brother. I get that you want to see where things go with your mate. Any of us would, but you haven’t even thanked her, for everything she has done, you tried kicking her out of her home … you’ve been awful to her. I’m shocked she stayed this long” Cassian admits, feeling rather vocal about this topic.

“Where do you think she’s gone?” Rhysand asks.

“No idea, but she had friends in other courts so it wouldn’t shock me if she’s gone to one of them” Azriel expreses, you were oddly, the lightest aspect of the night court. Eveyone preened in your presence wondering how you’d become tethered to someone as terrible as Rhysand.

And you were slowly were staring to think that it was his kind, polite side of him that was the imposter persona he wore rather than the cruel and cryptic Night Court Highlord. Agreeing with the other courts in their assumptions.

Rhysand had hurt you, and you never imagined he could hurt you as much as he had. Which is why you’d fled straight to your oldest friend, Hellion. He’d always been there for you, whenever you’d felt as if Rhysand was becoming to overbearing and protective and you needed someone to talk to, he was always there.

“Hellion?” You ask as the guard brought you into the palace of the day court.

“My Anima” he sighs looking at you, you’d never know what the little nickname had ment but he called you that before you’d even met Rhysand and it stuck.

“I - everything is so horribly wrong” you say, the tears building up in your waterline.

“Come” he says patting his thigh. You walk over to him and curl into his lap, he only needed one of his large muscular thighs to hole you on his lap, but you used both snuggling further down into him.

“What has occurred” he asks curiously, he didn’t want to admit it but he had a rough idea. He saw the way Rhysand went against Amarantha to protect Feyre and to keep her alive. He knew that something had snapped as she’d been resurrected as High Fae by the vast majority of them.

“Rhysand found his mate under the mountain, he also doesn’t know that he’s been leaving his walls down around me. So I can feel everything and see everything, that he feels now or felt in… in the past” you say remembering how you could feel his guilty self when he did let himself feel some kind of pleasure around Amarantha as it was his body’s natural reaction to being touched so sensually. But you had to see that and feel that without his knowledge. All while feeling these new emotions he held for Feyre.

“Ah yes, I saw them under the mountain. I’m glad you weren’t there and that you were safe in the Night Court” he exclaims knowing you would have suffered a great deal down there as Rhysands wife.

“I - he, I don’t know what to say” you admit, your brain was currently incapable of forming words, it was a void and empty space.

“Hey shush shush, I’m here I’m here. You know, you’ll never loose me. No matter what lifetime we may meet one another in” he smiles, you smile back. And for the first time you actually look at him, taking in his features before meeting his eyes.

His smile was radiant, as light as the rays of sun that shine over his court of day.

He was ethereal.

“Can I please stay with you, even just for a little bit. I can’t face anyone in the night court. Especially if Rhysand is in the process of wooing Feyre” you admit.

“Of course. I’d have it no other way. And who knows maybe I’ll finally woo you after 500 ofd years” he sends a joking wink your way, a light chuckle rumbling through your body.

He always knew how to make you laugh.

“Well maybe we should start to think about long term plans?” You say shyly, his head whipping to you!

“Are you asking for my hand in marriage” he asks eyes wide.

“No, I’m saying that I should get annulled from Rhysand, he’s found his mate so our courtship I guess is void” you admit a thoughtful look on your face.

“This isn’t something you need to think about right now. Shall we take a walk in the daylillies field?” He questions and you smiled. You’d once admitted to him that they were your favourite flower, he had torn down a field that was near the palace of Aster’s just to replace them with daylillies.

He stood up, placing you down gently on the floor.

“Actually first we’ll get you out of this dismal attire and put something lighter on you” he grins pulling you further into the palace reaching a room that was specifically for you when you would stay here with Hellion.

He left you with the made your frowned at your dark attire from the night court, before throwing a white dress your way, that had golden chains and accents on it.

“Why don’t you look like a vision of day” Hellion says leaning with his hands on the doorway leaning slightly through while observing you from head to toe.

“Now, join me for this walk, yes” he asks reaching a hand out to you. And for the first time in weeks, your brain held a good kind of empty feeling, one that was almost freeing from the pain.

A/N: im terribly sorry for how behind I am with the up and coming! I will be able to get lots done tonight and tomorrow! Again I’m so sorry!

Taglist:

@cat-or-kitten

@sstrohma

@horneybeach1

@its-sam-allgood

@starryhiraeth

@xcastawayherosx

@glitterypirateduck

@azriels-mate2

@mavropouloupanagiota

@chasing-autumns-chill

@justdreamstars

#acotar #acomaf #a court of thorns and roses #acotar fanfiction #a court of mist and fury #acowar #acosf #rhysand x reader #high lord rhysand #rhysand x feyre #rhysand

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honeybeefae · 8 months

Note

can i request a newly mated highlord!rhys x highlady!reader fic with them going to the illyrian camps bc they have business to take care of, they still don’t like rhysand bc of his fae side and while walking through the camps she hears some illyrians insult him. Since they’re newly-mated reader can’t stop herself from destroying them. PROTECTIVE READER😍😍😍

um yes 100% this is AWESOME.

Touched Nerves (Rhysand x Reader)

The sound of men grunting and rain pouring was the only greeting you got as you strolled through the camps with your mate, the High Lord of the Night Court.

Now that you were an official High Lady you saw it as your duty to go along to these meetings with Rhys even if he insisted you stayed home. He had been nervous the week leading up, knowing how brute Illyrian men were and how new the bond still was.

Rhysand had told you he was worried that he would end up slitting someone's throat if they even dared to look in your direction but no one could have predicted you'd be the one who was hot-tempered.

"There's the High Lord," A sarcastic male voice chortled as you passed them by, your mate more focused on his conversation with the generals than whatever anyone was saying. You, however, were all ears. "Walking with his newest lay. Did you hear he made her High Lady?

"It's cause Rhysand is too much of a bitch to rule himself." Another male snarked, missing your glare as you glanced at them. "I'm sure she rules over him in the court and bedroom. He always was one to hide behind his mother's skirts."

Your fists clenched in anger as you tried to control yourself. You were always protective of Rhysand's reputation, hating that people didn't know the real him, but with this mating bond, it seemed that that protectiveness had grown tenfold.

"His mother, his sister, and now his mate too. He ain't no real Illyrian." The first one sneered. "He's nothing but a trait-"

You had the Illyrian male in your grasp before he could finish his sentence, your nails digging into the skin of his neck as he desperately clawed at your hand.

"He is everything you wish you were. He's got more Illyrian fight and blood in him than you have in your toes." You emphasized as you dug your heel down into his foot, a sadistic side of you enjoying the way he whimpered and wriggled. "You'll be good to remember that next time you come face to face with someone who could easily wipe you off the face of the Earth, someone like me."

Your nails dug further into his neck and the animalistic side of you wanted to rip out his larynx for even daring to speak ill of your mate. The two men beside him watched on in horror and awe as you easily lifted the mail into the air.

"I suggest you find your dignity that is now in the dirt and apologize to your High Lord, to your leader." You said before throwing him backward, straightening your spine and brushing off your clothes. "Now."

A rush of cool night air blew next to you and you immediately relaxed when you looked to see Rhys smirking, his eyes dancing with amusement as he took in the scene before him.

"Well," Rhys waved a hand to the man, cocking an eyebrow. "I'm waiting."

"I'm-" The man began, red blood marred all over his neck as if he had just been mauled. "I'm sorry, High Lord." He said through gritted teeth, his stare colder than death as he turned and took off into the sky.

The other men followed but not before sending nasty looks your way, one of them mumbling something under their breath. You took a step forward as if to follow but stopped when you felt Rhys's hand wrap around your wrist.

"Shhh, darling. It's alright. Let them go." He murmured into your ear, pulling you close to wrap his arms around your midriff. "You protected my honor courageously. I would hate for you to stew in this."

"But they were rude to you, rude to me as if you had done nothing for them." You argued, turning to face him with a pouted lip. "I just wanted to protect your name. I don't like it when other people speak of you like they know you. Like they know what you've been through."

"I care what no one thinks but you." He assured, tilting your head up so that he could gaze adoringly into your eyes. "You are all I care about, darling. No one else."

You blushed and he smiled, kissing your forehead softly before turning to start back down the path. He held his hand in yours, keeping your body close, as he snickered and said, "Though it was nice to see you kick his ass."

#acotar #acotar reader #acotar imagine #rhys acotar #rhysand #rhysand acotar #rhys x reader #rhys x reader acotar #rhysand x reader acotar #rhysand x reader #acomaf #acowar #acosf #acofas #acotar fanfiction

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marvelsmylife · 2 months

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Running from Your Problems Part 4

Pairing: Azriel x reader, Bucky Barnes x reader

Plot: news of your disappearance spreads across all of Prythian and the news brings a secret to life.

a/n I know i just posted part three a few hours ago but I couldn’t keep you guys waiting. Things get HEATED in this chapter.

ACOTAR Masterlister

Running From Your Problems Masterlist

It took a week for Rhysand to hear back from the other highlords about your disappearance. Unfortunately, they informed him that you were not on their lands either. That caused Rhysand to stress about how he was going to break the news to Azriel that you couldn’t be found.

After talking it over with Feyre, Rhysand decided to sit Azriel in private to break the news: “What do you mean she’s not in any other court” Azriel shot up from his seat: “One of those high lords is lying!”

“Careful how you speak to me Azriel, you may be my brother, but I’m still your high lord,” Rhysand warned: “The other high lords have already said y/n has not been seen in any of their courts.”

“Then request a meeting with the other high lords. One of them is lying; y/n couldn’t have vanished into thin air. I want my mate back !” Azriel demanded.

Knowing how stubborn Azriel was, Rhysand granted his request and sent a request to the other high lords to have a sit down with them. He omitted that you were Azriel’s mate; he informed them that you were a vital member of his court, and he feared you were taken as revenge.

The other high lords reluctantly agreed to meet and met up two weeks later.

Azriel anxiously waited as the other high lords entered the room with their entourage.

Everyone was quietly talking amongst themselves as they waited for Tamlin to arrive when suddenly Tamlin stormed through the door: “Where is my daughter” Tamlin demanded; puzzled looks appeared on everyone’s faces: “Y/n, where is she !”

There were gasps at Tamlin’s revelation: “Y/n is your daughter !” Feyre gasped at the news: “Why didn’t she tell us you were her father.”

Azriel tensed at the revelation because he didn’t know you were Tamlin’s daughter either. “Because she wanted nothing to do with me,” Tamlin replied: “I left her and her mother when she was an infant. She came to me when she was older, when her mother died, and said she wanted to have a relationship with me, but she looked so much like her mother that I told her to leave and never step into my court again. To this day, I still regret what I said to her and wish we’d mend our relationship.”

While everyone at the meeting tried to process this new information, Rhysand and Cassian quickly held onto Azriel when they noticed the shadow singer had gotten angry at Tamlin's story. “How could you abandon your child, my mate just like that?” Azriel growled; his shadows were going wild as their master grew angrier by the second: “She was an innocent child.”

“You’re y/n’s mate?” Tamlin glared at Azriel: “I knew her mate was in the night court, but I didn’t know it was you. Oh, I feel even more sorry for my daughter, having to be stuck with someone like you as her mate. She deserves better than you.”

Azriel had no idea why, but Tamlin's words got to him, and he tried even harder to get out of his brother's grasp. “Can we please get back to the situation that brought us here today” Beron inserted himself into the discussion: “I had every intention of refusing to help one insignificant female, but seeing as she's the daughter of a high lord, you can count on the autumn courts army to help find y/n.”

It took everything in Azriel not to lunge and strangle the high lord for speaking about you in that manner. Do not let him get to you. He just agreed to help. Azriel heard Rhysand’s voice in his head.

The rest of the courts also agreed to help in any way they could. They started discussing a strategy to track you down and find you when Eris decided to give his two cents: “Have any of you thought that maybe y/n wanted to get away from her mate?” Azriel growled at Eris' suggestion: “I’m just saying, if she is nowhere to be found, maybe she made a deal with a witch or something to get as far away from her mate as possible. I would. If I was in her position.”

“Eris is right; why didn’t we think of that before,” Feyre added before turning towards Azriel: “Not her wanting to get away from you, but that maybe she crossed paths with a witch, and they did something to her, sent her somewhere else.”

“Why don’t we contact all of the witches that reside in our respected courts and see if they know anything?” Thesan suggests, and the other high lords agree.

The meeting ended shortly after the suggestion, but the night court stayed in the same spot. They were trying to list every witch in the night court when Tamlin walked up to them: “You better hope my daughter is still alive, or I will stop at nothing to destroy everything you love and cherish,” Tamlin threatened before he exited the room.

@fxckmiup @bigcreatorwombatdreamer @snoopyspace

#azriel imagine #azriel x reader #azriel x you #acotar imagine #acotar x reader #avengers imagines #avengers x reader

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yoddhasblog · 1 month

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ACOTAR RE-READ!!!

SO MUCH WASTED POTENTIAL

Nesta Archeron??? The icy-steely Nesta??? Giggling over a boy?? I mean she can do it when she feels safe enough to do so but this!?? SJM could've at least tried to lie well

Yes, Feyre, run. Run straight towards the general direction of the night court, doesn't matter there would be wards and stuff in place or that you're a human. Run until you reach Rhysand because of course that's what the suriel meant

The highlord she hasn't met yet?? Return where?? Stay with the highlord was not about Rhys!!!

I genuinely thought in fantasy worlds people just understood time by assessing the position of the sun?

Kind of ironic you know. BATB was generally focused on not putting too much emphasis on external beauty. But here, our girl, ends up with the most beautiful man she's ever seen.

ahh, acotar Feyre was just a breath of fresh air

If Rhys was doing Amrantha's bidding then why brand the innocent guy head with his sigil?

🥺

What do you want Rhysand?? Your ruining everything including your own character

You admit that it was your gift and not your mistress's??

#sjm critical

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drenchedfireworks · 8 months

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Return of their HighLord

We already know that when Rhys returned from UTM, he fell straight on the ground in front of Mor and his first words were "She's my mate". But have we ever thought about what the IC went through as they found out he was coming home?

No doubt Rhys would've communicated with them the first chance he got which was immediately after bringing Feyre back to life. Can you imagine the relief, the absolute heart-wrenching relief the IC felt in that moment?

I imagine Mor would have been sitting at the table at the townhouse, drinking wine straight from the bottle when she heard Rhysand's voice in her head. I imagine it took her a couple of seconds to realize she wasn't imagining it and that her cousin was really in her head, alive and speaking to her. I imagine her dropping to the ground, tears already falling as she spoke to him, as she inquired about his well-being, as she fought with him and demanded he come home at that very second. I imagine her thanking the Mother and Cauldron and silently rocking herself to calm down and process the fact that her cousin was, infact, scathed and hurt but alive.

I imagine Cassian was training. Doing the only thing to keep his sanity at bay so he wouldn't go tearing through the shields and wards Rhys had put around Velaris to save all of them from Amarantha. Cassian felt that quiet bubble inside him burst first. The part of him that had gone silent ever since Rhys had been taken away, had been trapped. He heard his friend, his brother's voice in his head, drawling as he asked him how he was doing. Like Mor, Cassian thought he was imagining it, losing his grip on his mind when Rhys would say something like - "Aren't you going to deign your HighLord with an answer? Prick" which would cause him to drop whichever weapon he was holding and fall to his knees with relief, letting Rhys take over and feel every single one of his emotions while he put his hands over his head and cried.

Amren, who possibly could have been keeping Cassian company on Azriel's request must have seen his breakdown and lurched out of her chair in surprise before she realized the reason. The relief that washed over on hearing Rhysand inquire about her was short-lived as she demanded he tell her everything at this very moment. Her HighLord most probably laughed and even if she could tell it was strained, she didn't question it. After quietly expressing how delighted she was to have him safe and sound, Amren goes over to put an arm around Cassian.

Azriel is probably the first to feel him before Rhysand even extends the greeting to him. His shadows whisper to him about the spell breaking and he reaches out to hear his friend's voice, the same time Rhysand's voice reaches him. For several moments, he is unable to form a response, but he knows Rhys understands. The same way he understands that at any moment, Azriel would be on his way to break the news to the others (in case they haven't already found out) and to go greet their HighLord in person after 49 years of separation. When Rhys asks him how he is doing, Azriel has to sit down in a chair to gather himself as he feels overwhelmed with emotions, tears pricking the back of his eyes as he sends a long list of colorful words back at his friend for trapping him in Velaris, away from him all this while. Rhysand only laughs, tells him he missed him too.

Cassian, Azriel and Amren reach the townhouse just before Mor is about to winnow to the Palace above the Court of Nightmares to bring him back. Cassian demands that she take all of them with her but Azriel holds him back, silently shaking his head. Cassian turns to Amren for help who also shakes her head.

"Patience, General" She says "We do not have to gang up on him from the very first second"

After making Mor promise to bring him back immediately, they let her leave.

For several hours, she paces the foyer, waiting and waiting and waiting as she wonders if it had all been real or if this was some elaborate plan to dupe all Courts.

No, she tells herself firmly. It is real and he'll be here at any moment.

She had expected him to saunter in, hands adjusting his jacket in all his lethal grace, lazily questioning "Missed me so much, you're waiting for me at the entrance?"

She hadn't expected him to fall to his knees in front of her, face paler than she had ever seen, shaking, his gaze unfocused as he blurted "Mate. She is my mate."

Mor thinks nothing of that for the moment as she crushes him into a hug, her barely mended heart breaking all over again as she notices the condition he is in. How terribly broken, how tired and weak and thin he'd gotten. The lines on his face, the pale color of his skin, the disheveled hair and the sunken eyes. For minutes that could have been hours, the two cousins just sit there on the floor, holding each other as they cry. And then she hears his voice, one she had missed very much, ask "Morrigan, my sweet cousin, how have you fared all this while?"

She understands his need to feel some normalcy, so she punches his shoulder but helps him up when she sees him wince, bringing him over to the veranda and seating him in one of the chairs overlooking the snow-capped mountains. Rhysand doesn't touch the food laid out in front of them, only turns to look at the scenery before him, his eyes turning misty.

"What is it?" She questions, gently.

"The Night sky. I was afraid I had forgotten what it looked like"

That brought tears to her own eyes as she reached over and squeezed his shoulder. Mor then notices the twins lingering in the doorway and immediately goes over to hug both of them.

"My Lady" They murmur, hugging her back with equal fervor.

"Thank you" She silently cries "Thank you so much for looking after and taking care of him"

A quarter of an hour later, when Rhys stands up and walks over to her, she knows and so she smiles, holding out her hand to him "Shall we? Your home awaits"

Rhys says nothing, grateful and eager to be home as he takes her hand and she winnows them back to Velaris.

Cassian, who had been restlessly sitting on the couch, his knee bouncing up and down in anticipation is the first to stand and make his way into the foyer. Azriel is on his heels in seconds, Amren following closely.

For a moment, everyone is silent, watchful. Waiting and wondering if saying anything will break the spell and then as if everyone jolts to reality at the same time, Cassian is already reaching for a laughing Rhys, hugging him tightly and calling him a series of different names, each one more vulgar than the previous one. Rhys only laughs because the entire name-calling is useless in the face of Cassian crying as he holds his brother close. Azriel is still standing in the doorway of the living room, still unable to quite believe his brother is back until Rhys holds an arm out to him and then Azriel's also hugging him, silently crying into his shoulder.

When Amren complains about them making too much noise, Cassian forgets for a moment how dangerous she is and pulls her in for the hug too. Mor, already crying also joins in and for a long time, the circle just stands there, content and relieved to just be alive and happy and together once again.

PS. Now I'm just drowning in the puddle of my own tears.

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stargirlie25 · 2 months

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The 7 courts of Prythian and how much times we as readers have ''been'' in them.

Spring court: four times-ACOTAR,ACOMAF,ACOWAR,ACOSF

Autumn Court: once-ACOWAR

Summer court: twice-ACOMAF,ACOWAR

Winter court: once-ACOWAR (When Lucien and Feyre were travelling through the courts to get to the night court)

Dawn court: Once-ACOWAR

Night court: Four times-ACOMAF,ACOWAR,ACOFAS,ACOSF

Day court: Zero times.

Seems like to me Sarah is saving something for us. For Lucien's (eluciens) book.

Probably because Lucien is HEIR TO THE DAY COURT and Elain is connected to sunshine/light.

We got a bit of Helion in ACOSF as well and i wonder why.

We learned a little about his powers.

Bits and bits through ACOSF we have tiny information about the day court TINY but its something.

Not to mention, Eris talks about being a future highlord and he was featured a lot in acosf but i think he will be explored and the future hl thing in Luciens pov.

So im hoping for Eluciens book.

#acotar #pro elain #pro elucien #pro lucien #pro lucien vanserra

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whoslibby · 4 months

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jealously jealousy. you watched how your younger brother rhysand got everything, highlord, the saviour of prythian, everything. anything he wanted he got it. jealousy was the only thing you felt toward him, it should of been you.

yet here you were no one to warm your bed, no pretty little title to call yourself, no power. however my darling eris saw you. he saw you even without all those things he saw the way you presented yourself, the way your lips pulled into a pretty grin when you got told something funny.

it was hard to see eris, you didn’t even know of his fondness of you, until you’d see him walking around the night court, coincidentally just when you happen to go on walks around.

at first you didn’t like him, after everything he did to your beloved cousin you couldn’t like him. it wasn’t a question he was a prick to put it frankly.

but these walks the two of you’d have when he was in town for business with your brother made you reconsider if mor had told the full story. this brutal man you had learn to know was eris wasn’t him at all, a spec of his character.

he made you feel seen, wasn’t long until you had gifts on your door, bouquets upon bouquets of flowers all in autumn colours. from your darling eris.

secret hideaways together, stolen kisses under the night sky when no one could see. moments like this made you realise your jealousy was pointless when what you wanted was what you wanted. you only wanted to be seen and eris had you feeling as if you were the only thing in the world.

#jj talks #eris vandaddy #eris x reader #eris acotar #eris vanserra #acotar #acomaf #acowar #acofas #acosf #a court of silver flames #a court of frost and starlight #a court of wings and ruin #a court of mist and fury #a court of thorns and roses

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valkyriegwynb · 5 months

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Why the tale of Koschie (Koschie the Deathless) doea not support the three brothers and three sisters trope of what a lot of people are hoping for.

Koschie the Deathless comes from Slavic mythology, often known as Koschie the the Immortal. There are many tales of how Koschie is immortal and where his power comes from but what SJM pulls from his story that was inspired by Andrew Lang's ‘ The Red Fairy Book’ and Alexander Afanasyev's ‘ Russian Fairy Tales’ that both tell the story of Koschei the Deathless that circles around the life and love of Prince Ivan Tsarevitch. Following the death of his parents, Ivan saw his three sisters wed to three powerful kings or wizards that take on the form of birds of prey. Raven (darkness), Eagle (fire), and a Hawk (wind). Within a year, Ivan became lonely and even envious of his sisters for finding love while he remained alone. Soon, Ivan ventured off to find his sisters coming across Marya Morvena, a woman warrior, as they wed along their journey.

Soon after, Marya says that she is going off to war and warns Ivan not to open the door to the castle dungeon (or closet) in the castle they reside in while she is away. Overcome by the desire to know, he opens the door soon after her departure to find Koschie emaciated and chained. Koschie soon asks Ivan for some water, which Ivan does. After drinking twelve buckets of water, his magic returned to him, breaking free of his chains and disappearing. After Koschie disappeared, he soon found out that he had captured Marya and pursued him. When Ivan finally reached Koschie, he warns the man to let him go, but Ivan refuses, thus causing Koschie to kill him. Tossing parts of his body into barrels into the sea where his sister's husbands revived him. They tell Ivan that Ksochie has a magical horse and that he should go to Baba Yaga for one as well.

After surpassing and surviving her tests, Ivan gets a magical horse as well and kills Koschie. Burning his body and saving Marya.

But how does SJM tie this into Acotar? We know that throughout her books, the number 3 has been incredibly symbolic and representative in her series. Though for acotar, we have three sisters and three kings or in some stories, wizards: Highlord of Night, Heir of Day, and Prince of Bastards. Though in other variations of the myth, they turn into night, day, and wind. We have Rhysand, who is basically the personification of Night, Lucien, who is heir of the Day court, and Cassian as Illyrians are said to be created by the wind. And each of these males is mated to the three sisters. But who represents Ivan? Azriel. In the tale of Ivan, it tells of him not only being lonesome but also envious of something his sisters have: love.

Azriel is already on his journey of envy and loneliness that we've seen in his bonus chapter, but instead of going forth, he runs away finding Gwyn. In many variations of the tale, they tell of Marya as a warrior or a warrior princess at times, which leads to Gwyn. Not only is Gwyn a warrior - a valkyrie on top of that, but she could also be related to Beron as well. It was said that her grandmother was a water nymph who would seduce high fae males in the Autumn Court. It could've very well have been the start of his deep hatred for lesser fae as he was seduced by one and why her mother could not be contained in the Forest House. This theory supports Gwynriel and what is to come, but it also supports Elucien too. On different days, Ivan and his sisters were approached by birds of prey.

To support Elucien: Days follow days, hours chase hours; a whole year goes by. One day, Prince Ivan and his two sisters went out to stroll in the garden green. Again, there arose a storm cloud, with whirlwind and lightning. 'Let us go home, sisters!' cries the Prince. Scarcely had they entered the palace when the thunder crashed, the roof burst into a blaze, the ceiling split in twain, and in flew an eagle. The Eagle smote upon the ground and became a brave youth. 'Hail, Prince Ivan! Before I came as a guest, but now I have come as a wooer!' And he asked for the hand of the Princess Olga. Prince Ivan replied: 'If you find favor in the eyes of the Princess Olga, then let her marry you. I will not interfere with her liberty of choice.' Princess Olga gave her consent and married the Eagle. The Eagle took her and carried her off to his own kingdom.

As stated before in other variations of the story, the wizards represent the following: darkness, fire, and wind. In the section that was provided before, an eagle came to the three siblings in the garden as the roof burst into a blaze, and as the bird smote onto the ground, it became a brave youth We've known that Lucien is clever and witty, but he is also brave. He broke through the spell that Hybern had casted upon everyone to reach Elain, he was the first to acknowledge what she did when it came to defeating Hybern, did not doubt her vision when it came to Vassa and went searching for her where he also returned with the one person she adored the most: her father and an army of ships. If Lucien does take the title as Highlord of Day, his beast form would be part eagle.

To support Nessian: Hardly had they got into the palace, when the thunder pealed, the ceiling split open, and into the room where they were came flying a falcon bright. The Falcon smote upon the ground became a brave youth and said: 'Hail, Prince Ivan! Before I came as a guest, but now I have come as a wooer! I wish to propose for your sister, Princess Marya.' 'If you find favor in the eyes of my sister, I will not interfere with her wishes. Let her marry you in God's name!' The Princess Marya gave her consent; the Falcon married her and bore her away into his own realm.

To support Feysand: They returned home, but they hadn't had time to sit down when the thunder crashed, the ceiling split open, and in flew a raven. The Raven smote upon the floor and became a brave youth. The former youths had been handsome, but this one was handsomer still. 'Well, Prince Ivan! Before I came as a guest, but now I have come as a wooer! Give me the Princess Anna to wife.'

'I won't interfere with my sister's freedom. If you gain her affections, let her marry you.' So the Princess Anna married the Raven, and he bore her away into his own realm.

Princess Marya represents Nesta as she is the oldest of the three sisters, Princess Olga representing Elain as the middle sister, and Princess Anna representing Feyre as the youngest of the sisters to be wed.

#acotar #gwyneth berdara #gwynriel #pro gwynriel #gwyn berdara #elucien #elain archeron #nessian #feysand

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fanttasttica · 7 months

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Running into stranger

Rhysand x reader

During your first Calanmai you meet someone new, male who you don't know, but at the same time it feels like you know him. What could that feeling mean? How will your meeting end?

A/N: Hello and welcome to my first fanfiction here on Tumblr :D At first I would like to warn you, that english isn't my first language, so there will be some mistakes. But I know you aren't here for me, so now to the story.. Warnings: smut (only indicated) Word count: 2570

It was finally here, you came to age and your first Calanmai was waiting for you. Your family lived in Spring court your whole life and you honestly don't remember, when did you hear about this tradition for the first time. Well.. right now you couldn't even remember how did you get into this white dress and when did your aunt finally left your room, after many hours during which she tried to tame your hair and complete your makeup to perfection. You were staring at yourself in the mirror and you couldn't decide if you loved your new look or hated it. Your aunt did good job, she styled your hair, so they looked like a crown and she even added some flowers from the garden. Your makeup was very light, nothing monstrous, it didn't just feel like you. You looked down on your dress, that was the thing you hated most on your look tonight. Maybe it was because of that deep neckline, which you were not used to. Maybe the fact that you feel like precious porcelain doll in them. You sighed, while shaking your head. It was just for one night. One night and then, you will be free. Well.. until the next year, when there will be another Calanmai and Highlord will be picking another girl, which he wants to fuck, so he can release the magic that will spread through the lands and allow crops to grow. You were just hoping, that the next year, you will not attend. Right now, you were just a single and pure Maiden, an ideal option for tonight's ceremony, as well as a couple of other girls. And your family wanted you to go. Actually, they were even hoping, that you might be the Maiden, who will be picked by Highlord tonight. They probably seemed it as a great opportunity to climb higher in the eyes of society. Saying that their daughter was pretty enough for Highlord to pick her tonight would also ensure plenty of attention and possibly even marriage proposals. You already had some, but not from males your family approved and you didn't mind, because not a single male who wanted to marry you was someone you would want to marry. Maybe you should start coming to terms with the fact that you will probably not marry someone you will love, because that was something your family didn't care for. You were brought up to be a perfect lady, elegant, always polite. Your were expected to hold your tongue and have as many children possible. You hated it. You hated the life your family wanted for you and you haven't even experienced it yet. "Y/N what are you doing?! I was calling for you for the past five minutes." said your mother, while standing in open door to your room. Her foot was tapping impatiently as she waited for an answer, you were going to give her one, but before you could speak, she interrupted you: "It's time to go, or you will be late."

You were relieved, High lord didn't pick you, his eyes were watching you for a while, but then moved to the girl standing next to you. Maybe he saw that you didn't really wanted to be here? You tried to mask your emotions, because you knew how important it was for your family and even though you hated them, you loved them and didn't wish to disappoint them. But since you already had, there wasn't a reason for you to stay. Some people would probably find tonight's festivities interesting, but the only thing you wanted right now was disappear into thin air, so you wouldn't have to watch tons of people have sex, while you were still innocent and insecure about this. Hiding in the shadows, you tried to avoid as many people as possible, which was quite hard, since there were so many of them. Smell of sex was starting to fill air and your lungs, holding breath was not a long-term solution, so you decided to try run faster, but after a fex meters you run into something, or rather someone. Preparing for fall, you closed your yes, but in the end, your body never met the ground. Instead, someone's hand manage to catch you saving your dress from getting dirty, even though you wouldn't mind. You would rather celebrate. Still holding breath, you opened your eyes meeting purple ones, which looked at you in surprise.

"You probably should start to breathe, darling" he said, smirking slightly and you obeyed. "I am sorry," you start pulling away from him nervously and finally looked from his eyes. Your gaze travelled across his handsome face, his neck and to his body, which was covered with clothing, very expensive clothing. "Don't be, I am actually used to girls, who are throwing themselves at me", you replied by raising eyebrows. "You have a very high ego", he chuckled at your words. "Why shouldn't I? Just look at me," your eyes travelled all over his body, once more and you again meet his eyes, which reflected his smile. He was handsome, more than all flowers in this court, no.. He was more handsome than stars on the sky. And since you couldn't denied his words, you rolled your eyes, forgetting good manners for a while. "Sorry", you immediately apologized, after you realized what have you done. "There is no need to apologize, you didn't do anything. Actually, this was probably the mildes reaction I got after boasting myself. My brothers would laugh at me for sure and my cousin would probably start to insult me" you didn't know him, but you still believed him, so you nodded, not knowing what to say. There was silence between you, the only sound was from drums and since you ran far enough, it wasn't that loud either. "Are you okay?" he asked suddenly. "Yes, I am, shouldn't I be?" you straightened up, trying to gather your thoughts. Why are you even here? You should just carry on your way, after apologizing to him, but.. You couldn't. Something was holding you back. Your brain was protesting, when you started thinking about going home. "Well, maybe because you ran into me, like there was a beast following you? I try not to visit Spring court and Calanmai so often, but I know this isn't normal behavior here.." He was clearly not buying your lie, you sighed before replying "I just.. don't like Calanmai so much. And I wanted to get away, before things get out of hand." It looked like he accepted this explanation, nodding his head, "Then why are you here? If you don't like this traditions, you should be home. It's not.. save for you." You knew that, of course you did. This night wasn't only for High lord to find a Maiden and have sex with her. Many others were here to have fun and some males, could be very brutal, if they were refused, mainly those visiting from Autumn court. "Well, you know.." you cleared your throat, embarrassed because of your situation. "My family wanted me to go, they were hoping that High lord Tamlin would pick me tonight", you were whispering, not wanting to say this out loud, because it would make your situation with your family even more real, than it was. Male before you clenched his fists, while his eyes darkened, because now he understood, what were you almost forced to do. It made your heart ache, this stranger already cared more about you, than your own family did. "Were are you going now?" he asked after seconds of silence. "Home," you replied honestly and he shake his head in disbelief. "You are going home after your family forced you, to this? You couldn't possibly mean that," it was understandable that he didn't want to believe you, who would? "I don't have a choice, I don't have anywhere else to go," you shrugged. Of course you didn't want actually to go home. But it seemed better and definitely saver than being outside this night. "You can come with me, to my home" you smiled at his words, not thinking he meant them seriously. "I am serious. I understand that it probably sounds.. well creepy, but I assure you, I don't mean any harm. Maybe I don't know your family, but I am surely better than them, just because I wouldn't ever forced you into anything." Something in your heart was telling you, he meant those words. He seemed actually determined persuading you into going with him. "This is crazy. I don't know you and you don't know me, I.. I shouldn't even be thinking about this," and you still were. "You definitely shouldn't, not that it matters because you're not going anywhere with him or anyone else."

Your family was here. Well, not everyone, just your father, uncles and cousins, standing behind you. You quickly turned, so now you were facing them, stranger came closer to you, so you could almost feel heat coming from his body. Your breath quickened, this wasn't good. They clearly heard you two and because of your word, they knew you were thinking about leaving, about running away from them. Maybe they didn't love you, but they still wanted you to stay, so you could be a puppet in their game. "I.. I am sorry." you looked down, trying to focus on your shoes, instead piercing gaze from your family members. "Don't apologize," strangers voice was kind, well to this moment, now it changed, drastically. His voice was dangerously low and there was something forcing you to shiver, bus it was not from fear. You were confused. "She should apologize. For many reasons and mainly because she failed her job tonight" your father clenched his white teeth furiously. "And because of that, we are here, trying to find her, before she does something stupid, like leaving," your cousin added with venom in his voice. "Thank you for catching me, so I didn't fell and for asking me, if I was okay, but.. I should go." you said, turning your head to stranger, before you could go to your family, he grabbed your wrist firmly but gently. "You don't want to go with them. You shouldn't go, if you don't want to.. And I know you don't want to go with them." His eyes were staring into yours, his gaze was intense, you almost forgot that your family was here, until your father spoked once again. "You have no right to tell her what she can or can't do. I am her father, what she do is my decision, until she gets married." Stranger looked at him and laughed, "Well.. I don't care. I say, that she can decide for herself, what she wants. And if I were you, I would shut your mouth and behave well, before I make you." this wasn't just a threat, it was a promise. At this point, you wanted to cry from happiness, but on the other hand, you were still sceptical. How could you go with him? How could he take you away? One man against five. He looked very strong, but was he strong enough? You didn't want him to end up injured just because of you. As if he was reading your thoughts, he looked at you, and suddenly, you felt a huge way of power, which was coming from him. To this time, he was hiding his powerful aura, but now it was surrounding him. Confusion and fear was visible on the faces of your father, uncle and cousins, but you were calm, you felt safe, for first time in your life. And exactly at this moment you felt it. You felt the bond between you and the male, who was standing beside you and holding you, know protectively around your waist. He smiled at you kindly, "This makes a lot of things easier." It was surprising that you were able to recover from the shock so quickly and you even manage to respond, "You.. you knew." More than a question, it was a statement. "From the moment you crashed into me, but I didn't want to scare you." he sounded honestly, so you nodded and smiled at him once again. "I didn't dare to dream about finding you," your words were quiet, so only he could hear them. In the response, he brushed his lips against your ear, before whispering "And I was dreaming about finding for almost five hundred years, my darling." This romantic moment was interrupted by your uncle, who tried to step up to you, he wanted to grab your hand so he could pull you away, fortunately, he wasn't successful. Stranger was keeping his promise, in a second your uncle was before you on his knees screaming from pain. "Don't you dare to touch my mate." You looked at your mate, stepped closer to his embrace. It worked, your uncle stopped screaming and after he could move, he ran to other males from your family, who were now more terrified than ever. It gave you a sense of satisfaction, but you didn't want to look at them longer than it was needed, "Can we go now? Please." You asked your mate, he replied by giving you the brightest smile you have ever seen and nodded.

You didn't glance back at your family and he didn't too. Your mate was powerful and they knew it. They weren't dumb, it was clear that at this point, trying to stop you would be a dead wish. You left them in the dark behind you, as you followed your mate hand in hand to the little hill. "Even though I plan on calling you my darling for the rest of our lives, can you tell me your name?" you almost slapped your forehead, after all this and you still did not introduce yourself. "My name is Y/N.. What's yours?" you asked, as you stopped on the small hill, where were you headed. "I am Rhysand," your breath hitched. "Rhysand? Isn't that name of the High lord of the Night court?" it was all logical. He wore expensive clothes, he was very powerful.. You were surprised that it didn't occur to you earlier. You were once again shocked and your mate, Rhysand, smiled gently at you. "I know it is shocking. I probably should have said it to you, but honestly.. I didn't know when, this all happened so fast.." after he said that, you started laughing, Rhysand was looking at you, not quite expecting this reaction, but you shrugged and kept smiling. "I just find it funny. My family wanted me to get High lord to fuck me tonight.. And know they don't even know my mate is High lord himself." And he is not only High lord, he is the strongest High lord, who was ever born. "When I think about it now, I regret not introducing myself more properly." you couldn't agree more with him. "Well. they will find out, I suppose. But honestly.. I don't want to think about them more right know. I just want to go to your home." tiredness started to take over you. "To our home," Rhysand corrected you with happiness in his voice, winnowing you away. To your new home.. to Velaris, city of starlight.

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