#i still think aedion is trash though

[tomtenadia]

For the Love of a kingdom - 32

Hellooo... A bit of a filler chapter. We have sort of resolution from last chapter and then a lovely Gal/ Aedion moment.. Also... Yrene discovers she has a suitor.

“Move.” Gavriel ran to Aelin and pushed Fenrys aside, kneeling at her side and started to channel his healing magic on her.

Aedion arrived in that instant and Lorcan held him back when the man started shouting.

“Gav is looking after her.” 

Aedion kept trashing but Lorcan was strong.

“Ok, she is fine. Let’s take them both back.”

Gavriel lifted Aelin in his arms and Lorcan went to get Rowan. The blizzard was now gone and the skies were blue and the sun shining.

Fenrys walked to a corner where there was a dark spot and assumed that was where Maeve died. He stared at the spot and then spat on it “You deserved to die, bitch.”

He walked away and joined the rest and started to walk back to Orynth.

The walk back took almost a day. It was night when they arrived back at the castle. Lorcan and Gavriel ran to the healer and Aedion followed them in apprehension.

“What happened?”

“They killed Maeve,” explained Gavriel “Rowan has a burnout and Aelin we don’t know but she has a lot of injuries. I healed her as much as I could.”

Yrene jumped into action “Rowan on the sofa. He just need to sleep.” Yrene pointed at the bed “Aelin on the bed and now all of you get out.”

Aedion was about to protest but the healer stopped him “general, I am not asking.”

Once the room was empty she quickly had a look at Rowan and confirmed that the warrior was in a deep healing sleep after a burnout. Aelin was now the priority. She checked that the baby was fine and then moved to her injuries. She had no idea how she got them but Aelin had a lot of fractures and the signs of a magical burnout as well. Yrene started methodically and cleaned her first then brushed her head tenderly “you two going away like that scared us all. We have been worrying so much.”

The healer only stopped when her magic needed recharging. She tucked Aelin in bed and went to the group who was very likely waiting for an update.

They were all gathered in the massive living room. All seated except for the fae warriors who were standing and towering over everyone, still looking ready for an attack. Something she had no problems with. It was too soon to lower their guard completely.

“So, I have news.”

They all stopped whatever they were doing and turned to Yrene.

“Rowan is recovering from a burnout. His magic well is completely empty and it will take him a while, but he is fine.”

“How is that possible, though?” Asked Fenrys “When we got near the cave the blizzard was caused by him. It was not natural and if he had no magic left…”

It was Emrys who answered “according to the stories some very powerful magic users can fuel their magic as protection when they are unconscious,” he explained “I think Rowan was trying to protect them both after the battle or whatever happened.”

“What about Aelin?” Aedion was standing too now and the general was not in a good mood.

“She is relatively fine. I healed all of her fractures and cuts… it’s just…” she paused “her magic feels wrong.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s not a burnout. In Rowan I can feel his well being empty but the magic is still there. In Aelin…” she looked at all of them “the magic seems to have gone.”

“So she has no more power?”

“I don’t know. We need to wait until she wakes up.”

Aedion stormed out.

He ran to the royal chambers not caring that the healer had told him not to. He had to be at her side. In the past few months had risked loosing her far too many times and it hurt. He was meant to protect her. It was the promise he made to Rhoe and Evalin. He was just a teenage boy at the time but knew that he’d do anything to keep her safe.

Once in the room he moved quietly to the bed. Both Rowan and Aelin were laying side by side deep asleep. He sat at Aelin’s side and took her hand “I was so scared. When I saw that mountain collapsed I feared the worst,” his hand gently brushed her forehead “Once you are back on your feet we will have your kingdom the way it was and we will have a belated solstice festival.”

His hand then slowly moved on her flat stomach “Lysandra told me that you are pregnant,” he chuckled “don’t be mad, she just couldn’t keep it in. But hasn’t told anyone else and I won’t either.” 

He was silent for a moment “I will be awesome uncle Aedion,” he sighed deeply “I hope you are really happy with him. It’s a risk but the people seem to love him so I will stop moaning your poor choice in males.” He kissed her brow and sat back down never letting her hand go.

Lysandra found him hours later asleep on the chair.

“Look at him, Aidan, we are busy and he sleeps,” Lysandra walked to her husband and kissed him gently.

“Hm?” Aedion slowly became awake and stared at the image in front of him. His wife and son, safe and sound. He grabbed Aidan and let his wife sit on his lap. His three most important people in his life there with him.

“Where did everyone go?”

“Oh Elide kidnapped Lorcan and hopefully she is teaching him to be less broody,” she joked “The twins have joined Dorian in courtly stuff. Fenrys is very good at that kind of stuff. I can see him as an ambassador.”

Aedion relaxed back on his chair and considered the idea. Fen was great with people.

“Your dad said he was going to the forge. Rowan had mentioned it was getting busy again and was going to finish some orders.”

He sighed “It still feels strange having him around,” he admitted “Don’t get me wrong, I like it, but I am not sure if I am doing it right.”

Lysandra’s hand brushed his jaw covered in stubble “first of all, I love you all rough like this. Love the beard,” she kissed him “second, go talk to him now that you finally can.”

Aedion kissed the head of his son “did you hear that? Mum loves me with a beard.”

The little boy looked up but continued chewing on the collar of his shirt.

Lysandra pulled the item of clothing away “Yrene says that he is teething and that we are in for a few interesting months.”

Aedion lifted him in the air and the boy squealed in delight “you are growing up.”

“Mama.”

Lysandra screamed out loud in joy and was glad that Aelin and Rowan was so deep asleep that could not be woken up.

“Finally.”

Aedion spent a little more time with his wife and son and then announced he was going to see Gavriel. Lysandra had let him go with a kiss.

Orynth was slowly returning the buzzing town he loved. A few more people were roaming the streets, some vendors had appeared again in the market square and a few decorations had appeared on some doors. The solstice had been a week before but there had been no celebrations. He knew that had pained Aelin deeply.

Snuggled in his cloak he walked to the smithy where his father was. It felt strange to know that all the weapons they had in the castle had been made by a man that a while ago was dead set on killing Aelin and now was king consort. He chuckled and entered the building. The heat hit him as soon as he was inside and it felt nice.

His father had his back at him and was working on what looked like farmers’ tools.

“Father.”

Gavriel turned and the man smiled brightly and removed his visor “Aedion, what brings you here?”

Aedion looked around the forge, realising he had never been inside “well,” he drawled “this will soon become officially the royal forge, I was just checking out the place.”

Gavriel placed the tools aside and removed his gloves. His father was shirtless and with a leather apron and he could see the array of tattoos covering his chest and arms. Aedion was curious all of a sudden.

Gavriel must have noticed him staring and his artwork “They are all in the old language. Rowan tattooed them on me. It’s friends I have lost in battle,” then he pointed at a spot on his heart, a beautiful intricate symbol lay there “this is your mother. I got this the day I begged her to flee and be safe,” he fell silent and leaned against the table “Your mother was an amazing woman and I loved her since I set my eyes on her,” he looked at his son, so identical to the woman he still loved after a long time “I wanted her safe. Had I known she was carrying you I would have fled like Rowan did. Gods, I should have left anyway…” he bowed his head almost in shame “But I had to try and protect my country.”

As a warrior, Aedion could understand that and from the pain in his father’s voice he knew that it could have not been easy.

“Mum was safe here. She died of illness, not by Adarlan men.”

Gavriel seemed to relax at that “You remind me of her so much.”

Aedion breathed in hard then coughed “so, what are you making?”

His father smiled and was glad for the interruption of the poignant moment.

“Mostly farmer’s tools for now, although Dorian has placed a few orders for some swords after he saw Rowan’s work.”

Aedion was silent.

“How do you feel about Adarlan?”

“I was the one who called Dorian and it was the right thing to do. He is helping. People have accepted him and Aelin is not mad at me. I can’t complain. He is not his father.”

“The young king is very good and I have a feeling that Adarlan and Terrasen will form a very powerful alliance once we are back on track.”

Aedion nodded “she fixed already some of the trade deals that Perrington had damaged.”

Gavriel chuckled “she will make a fine queen with a very much loved king consort at her side.”

“Everyone seems to love Rowan too.”

“Because they do. He helped them during the tough times. He repaired houses, found food for them and protected the weak,” Gavriel was silent “the night you captured him, we were trying to steal some flour, barley and other basic provisions. We were not going for the gold.”

“I was just following orders.”

Gavriel placed his hand on his son’s shoulders “I know, at the time it looked like we were the terrorists. I am not mad. You had your orders.”

“Aelin was trying so hard.”

“I know, Aedion. I always liked her and did not approve of my friends crazy plans against her,” he confessed “Elide joining was a blessing. She stopped Lorcan from doing something incredibly suicidal.”

“Dad, it’s in the past. Let’s focus now on the future.”

Gavriel smiled “That is a wise thing to say, my son.”

They laughed happily and then Gavriel decided to show him a few tricks of the job. Aedion accepted happily.

*

Yrene was pacing along the courtyard when a voice called her. She turned and saw the captain of Dorian’s guard waving at her. She had heard how Kyllian and the other talked about him and was not a fan of the man. 

“Captain.”

“Miss Towers,” the man bowed at her “I have been trying to get a moment alone for a while.”

“And why is that?”

She saw a hint of a blush and almost giggled “Am I too forward if I say that I find you interesting? And perhaps would like to spend some time with you?”

“You do realise I am friend with the queen and all the rebels too?” She looked at him not afraid on confronting him on his behaviour “I have heard what the bane said about you and I must say I am not okay.”

He bowed his head “I apologise. King Dorian already gave me a good dressing down for my horrible behaviour and I am working on it, especially since it looks like that we will be staying here a bit longer than planned.”

Yrene relaxed a bit “you do not insult the queen or the fae warrior. We owe them a lot.”

“I have learned my lesson.”

The healer finally smiled “well then captain, mind joining me for a walk around Orynth? The town is finally getting back on track to how it was before.”

“It will be my pleasure, milady.”

Chaol offered her his arm and Yrene gladly took it and together they strolled through the main gates and out in town.

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#rowaelin fanfic #rowan whitethorn #rowaelin #rowaelin fanfiction #aelin x rowan #aelin galathynius #lysaedion #yrene towers

[starfallkaz]

Incorrect ToG #26

Lysandra: should we have a Romeo and Juliet moment?

Aedion: yeah sure

*later*

Lysandra: What are you doing?

Aedion: I’ve got the poison

Lysandra: I meant the young foolish love kinda thing, you wet rag

Aedion, blinking: oh yeah, that too I guess

#incorrect tog #throne of glass #incorrect throne of glass quotes #tog #lysandra x aedion #i still think aedion is trash though #lysandra #sjm #incorrect sjm #sjm quotes #KOA #aedion ashryver

[shyvioletcat]

Rudely Interrupted

It Takes Two managed to get 20 000 hits on Ao3 and I wrote this little thing to celebrate because I was just so excited! (I also bought myself some delicious cookies) Thanks for reading everyone!

Ps. This is set just after the beach trip with the other couples.

PPS running into some tagging issues bar with me

~ It Takes Two Masterlist ~

~~~~~

It was not surprising at all how they found themselves in the current situation, all things considered. Aelin had taken the first shower, Rowan heading straight in after once she had appeared in their bedroom in her towel. He’d given her a look, but all she had done was given him a playful shove out the door. They were at home together today so Aelin didn’t bother to put on much more than one of Rowan’s t-shirts. By the time Rowan had finished his shower Aelin was in the kitchen eating the last of her toast. Then her boyfriend had waltzed right in, looking devastatingly handsome with his damp hair and bare chest, his athletic shorts sitting low on his hips. He’d come up behind her and wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck, letting Aelin lean back into his chest. She’d closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh scent of his body wash. It was a scent she had become obsessed with the past few months, a weird pregnancy thing according to Rowan’s book.

And his scent and warmth and steady hands was all it took for her to turn around and kiss him.

It didn’t take long for Rowan to lift her up onto the counter to more easily kiss her senseless, it took Aelin even less time to slide his shorts off his hips–Rowan kicking them away with a soft chuckle before kissing her again. His hands were firm on her thighs, pulling her just that little bit closer as best he could with her stomach in the way.

What was surprising was the lock on the front door unlocking and then the door opening, something completely unexpected for the two of them. For one stuttering heartbeat they looked at each other with wide eyes–then they were moving. Rowan helped Aelin ease off the counter, making sure she was steady before frantically looking around for his pants. Ever the gentleman, he now didn’t have time for that as the footsteps came closer. All he had time to do was drop to the floor as their guest finally came into view, Rowan’s head smacking soundly on the cupboard.

“Hey, cuz,” Aedion said, hands in his pockets. “How are you this lovely morning?”

Truthfully, Aelin was still trying to catch her breath from their previous activities, she knew her face would still be flushed from the heavy makeout session. But she tried.

“It’s great. Good.” Aelin kept in her cringe at her own words. “What brings you here?”

Because she may or may not be quite annoyed at the intrusion, but was trying her hardest not to show it.

“Just came by to grab something,” Aedion explained. “Is Rowan around?”

Aelin nearly choked and couldn’t help the quick glance at the floor where Rowan sat, knees up and looking downright horrified.

“He’s ah– around here somewhere,” Aelin managed to get out. “Why?”

“He said I could borrow the book.”

Oh. The book.

“Um, yeah. I… Rowan knows where it is.” This time Aelin couldn’t stop the face she made at her own incompetence. She should offer to get it, but she was not keen on showing exactly how little she was wearing. Granted, it was a lot more than Rowan was wearing at this current moment.

“You okay?” Aedion asked, no doubt picking up on her weird vibe.

“Mhmm,” she hummed, leaning a little bit closer to the counter.

Aedion looked sceptical. “So, Rowan is around, yeah?”

“Yes,” Aelin tried to say confidently. Then the idea struck her. “Bathroom, he’ll be out in a minute.”

There was the softest snort from next to her and she resisted the urge to glare at her boyfriend. Yeah, it was a flawed plan. She just needed Aedion to go towards the door again.

“Hey, um.” Aelin cursed herself, she needed to pull this together. “Did you lock your car? There’s been some issues with thefts from the cars in the carpark.”

“I parked on the street and most definitely did,” Aedion said with all the confidence Aelin wished she had. “While I wait, can I grab a drink of water?”

“No!” The reply was far too quick and the look that Aedion gave her just proved it all the more.

Aedion’s eyebrows furrowed as he asked, “Why?”

Aelin didn’t have a good answer, she was too busy thinking of something to do that she didn’t exactly notice Aedion stepping around the counter. But her mind managed to catch up but not quick enough.

“I would stay there if I were you.”

Aedion scoffed. “Why would I–”

There was a ghastly moment of silence as Aedion saw everything: Aelin wearing Rowan’s shirt, Rowan sitting there in the corner of the cabinetry with his shorts bundled in his lap. She had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing as Rowan gave her cousin a small wave.

Then Aedion slapped a hand over his eyes, his hip catching the corner of the counter in his rush to get out of the kitchen making him grunt in pain.

“Gods! Aelin!” Aedion exclaimed as he reached the empty space between the living area and kitchen.

“Don’t Aelin me. I tried to warn you,” Aelin said with a shrug. “And hey, at least I’m not the nearly naked one. Lucky you.”

“Really?” Her cousin was not happy.

Aelin shrugged again, feeling braver now that had the safety of the counter again and the cat was well and truly out of the bag. “I don’t know what you want me to do here. Rowan can go and–”

“Nope, nope, he can stay right there thanks.” Aedion was looking at the floor like he wanted it to open and swallow him up. “I’ll go.”

Aedion didn’t spare her a glance as he walked past the kitchen towards the door.

Aelin lent over the counter the best she could to call out to Aedion. “Did you want that book?”

“No. Just tell Rowan to bring it to work,” Aedin said without looking back.

Aelin laughed. “He’s right–”

“I know!” Aedion all but bellowed as he slammed the door behind himself.

The slamming door echoed around the apartment, then it was followed by Aelin laughing.

“It’s not funny,” Rowan said from his hiding spot.

“Oh, yes it was.” Aelin’s voice was shaking.

He stood finally, shorts in his hand. “If I could have crawled into one of the drawers and died I would have.”

Aelin laughed again, resting her hand on his chest, fingers rapping on his skin. “And you two had made such progress since the beach trip.”

Rowan’s hand rubbed at her shoulders as he finally laughed, kissing Aelin on her forehead. “Thanks for trying though. Commendable effort, although entirely not smooth at all.”

“Anything for you, my love.” Aelin shifted to the side slightly, so she could lean her chin on his chest as she looked up at him and grinned. “So, what do you say we carry on from where we left off before we were so rudely interrupted?”

Without anymore prompting Rowan’s hands began wandering as he grinned right back. “Anything for you, my love.”

~~~~~

I thought this up a little too late and it didn't really fit in any of the remaining chapters, so it'd a fun deleted scene. Also it is qyute kate so I hope it makes sense. Thanks again for all your support guys. mwah!

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[theladyofdeath]

In the Bleak Midwinter {20}

A Throne of Glass Period AU: 1920s.

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

A/N: Epilogue coming soon....

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

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

Links & masterlists:

Fanfic Masterlist

Ask me

The Cadre - 1920s AU {TOG}

In the Bleak Midwinter {The Cadre, Part 2}

For what seemed like the hundredth time in days, Aelin awoke in an unfamiliar place. The ground beneath her was damp and cool, covered in sticks and dead leaves. Once her vision cleared, she was blinking up at a surrounding of trees, bare from their fallen leaves of Autumn. She pushed herself up on her elbows, which sunk into the seeping dirt, covering her already dusty, bloody dress in thick mud. 

A fluttering came from inside of her stomach, and Aelin was, once again, grateful to her baby for letting her know that they were still there, perfectly okay. 

After pushing herself up on her knees, Aelin looked around. She was in the middle of the woods, but other than that, she had no idea where she was. 

No fucking clue.

After taking a look around in every direction, she screamed at the top of her lungs.

There was no response.

Once she had randomly picked a direction, Aelin started walking.

With every step she took, she thought of Rowan. 

Where was he? What had Maeve done since she’d left?

Left, been kicked out - same difference. 

Aelin remembered very little. She was hungry, scared, heartbroken from hearing Rowan scream her name from the upstairs, wherever he had been upstairs. She could hear her name, which he shouted from the top of his lungs, through the door in which Maeve had kept her in within the basement. 

Not long after, Cairn entered her room and hit her in the head with the butt of his gun. 

She remembered nothing else until moments ago, when she woke up, tossed on the ground like a piece of trash. 

She kept walking.

Every step hurt, she was beginning to feel dizzy. 

Her hands rested on her stomach, giving her as much strength as she could muster. 

Aelin felt like she had walked for hours, for days, even though the sun never set. Although it was Autumn, the sun was warm, and she was dehydrated. After a while, she decided on a break and plopped down on a log.

Her nightgown was ripped, her nightgown that she had been wearing when they stole Aelin from her bed. 

Aelin forced herself to stand back up, even though her knees shook, and continued on her way. She still had no idea where she was, but she had been walking for so long that she figured she had to be getting to civilization soon.

She imagined that she couldn’t have been out long enough to go somewhere far enough away that she couldn’t find her way back. She didn’t think she had been out that long. But, then again, she had no idea how long she had really been out. 

So she walked.

She walked for hours, walked until the sun began to sink low in the sky.

Then she saw smoke billowing in the distance, high above the trees. 

A mangled cry left Aelin’s trembling body, and she tried to run, even though every inch of her body ached, even though she felt like she would faint.

For my baby, for Rowan. She repeated the words in her mind with every step she took, each time the ones she loved pushed her forward.

Until she fell out into a clearing.

Her house, the manor, sat half a mile away across the vast,green landscape. 

Aelin sobbed.

Hours, she had spent hours wandering around through her own land, her own woods. They had brought her home. In the cruelest of ways, certainly, but they had brought her home.

Why would they bring her home?

Aelin’s blood ran cold.

Rowan had made a deal.

She had no doubt about it.

Her freedom, her to go home, for his life.

Aelin ran.

With every little last ounce of energy she had, Aelin ran across the grass, held onto her small bump as she ran and ran and ran until she was throwing open the front door.

“Gavriel!” she screamed, tears streaming down her face. “Aedion!”

“Aelin?” Lysandra was around the corner, tears in her eyes as Aelin threw herself into her friend’s arms. “Aelin! What - How - Are you-.”

“Rowan made a deal, they dropped me off in the woods, they left me for dead, on our property, they still have Ro, Lys, they have him, and they’re going to kill him-.”

“Ael-.”

“We have to go to him,” Aelin sobbed, her entire body shaking. Lysandra was practically holding her up. “We have to go to him, where are they? Where are the boys? Gavriel! Lorcan! Vau-.”

“Aelin,” Lysandra said, her voice loud, her face close to Aelin’s. “They’re gone.”

Aelin went still. “Gone?”

“They found out where Maeve is staying, where she’s keeping Rowan, they’ve already left.”

“They’ve already left,” Aelin breathed.

“They’ve already left,” Lysandra repeated, keeping her tear-lined eyes on Aelin’s. 

“They’re going to get Rowan?” Aelin whispered.

“They’re going to get him,” Lysandra promised. 

“And Lucy?”

“Safe,” Lysandra promised. “Napping in her crib, Natalia hasn’t left her side.”

“I have to apologize to Lorcan, I should have protected her, when he gets back with Rowan, I have to tell him I’m sorry, I have to, he has to, Rowan, Rowan has to-.”

“He’s coming back,” Lysandra said, her voice stern, even though it broke as the words escaped her. “There’s nothing to apologize for, it wasn’t your fault, and the men are coming back with Rowan, okay? They’re coming back.”

Aelin’s lip wobbled as she fell into Lysandra’s arms, sobbing, her face buried into Lysandra’s shoulder. 

Lysandra held Aelin close, clung to her best friend, sobbed alongside her, neither saying a word.

It wasn’t until those sobs died down that Aelin finally spoke again, in the quietest of voices.

“Lys?”

“Yeah?”

“What if it’s already too late?” she asked, afraid of the words. The last thing Aelin remembered was his screams, his voice, echoing through the house, terrified. 

Lysandra didn’t reply.

She only held Aelin tighter.

~~~~~

The gunshot rang through Rowan’s mind.

It all happened so quickly.

He was screaming for Aelin.

Screaming, because he didn’t know where she was, his wife.

She wasn’t there, Maeve had said.

She wouldn’t tell him where she was.

His wife.

His mate.

His love.

Carrying his child. 

He screamed for her, over and over again. He screamed, but no one gave him an answer. 

Maeve told him that his time was over.

Rowan didn’t care.

He just wanted his wife.

Maeve told him that he was worthless, told him that it was his fault her life had gone to shit, blamed Arobynn’s end on him.

It was Rowan’s fault.

He didn’t regret it.

He kept calling for Aelin.

Her name had barely left his lips when the gunshot rang out. 

It hit Rowan between the ribs.

Maeve’s face was the last thing he saw before he faded away into darkness.

Her dark, serpentine grin. 

Now, he had no idea where he was.

He wasn’t in pain, though. The bullet had hurt. The bullets always hurt. 

Now, wherever he was, it no longer hurt. 

Maeve wasn’t there, either.

He was still wearing his dingy clothes, his shirt still bloodstained where her shot had hit him.

“Hello?” he asked.

Suddenly, he was in a clearing. He was on his feet, his feet bare atop the grass. He spun around. All he could see was trees. 

“Rowan?”

He knew that voice.

He spun around.

Connall, dressed in his finest suit, was leaning up against the trunk of a tree, smoking a cigarette. He gave Rowan a mischievous grin.

Rowan had missed that grin. “Con?”

“I was wondering when you’d show up,” he said, blowing a puff of smoke into the open air. 

“Where am I?” Rowan asked, quietly.

Connall cocked his head to the side. “You’re still breathing, you know.”

“What?” Rowan shot back. “Where am-.”

“Maeve shot you, in the ribs, and she wants you to suffer a slow, miserable death. You’re still breathing,” Connall replied, his voice light, his eyes bright. “You could still wake up.”

“I don’t understand,” Rowan said, shaking his head.

“What’s not to understand?” Connall asked. “You’re dying. Want a smoke?”

Rowan blinked. Connall was now standing a mere foot away, holding out a box of smokes.

Rowan hesitated. “But-.”

“It’s a little overwhelming, isn’t it?” A new voice.

Rowan spun around.

Elide was there with that familiar, comforting smile. 

“El,” he breathed, and his eyes were suddenly lined with tears as he looked back and forth between the two members of the Cadre that had been lost.

Lost, too soon, too young, long before their time. 

“We’ve missed you both,” he said.

Connall’s grin widened. “Who knew becoming a father would make you so vulnerable, Whitethorn?” 

Becoming a father. 

Rowan wouldn’t be able to see his child be born. 

Elide’s eyes softened. “You can still wake up, Ro.”

If he woke up, he’d be in pain.

What if Maeve was still there? She would stay there, smiling, watching him die. 

He was a dead man. 

“Not yet,” Elide said, reading his thoughts with a kind, gentle smile. “They’re coming.”

“Who?”

“Who do you think?” Connall asked, rolling his eyes. “Your men, along with Rhoe and his men.”

“They’re coming?” Rowan asked, as Elide’s hand rested on his shoulder.

“You didn’t think they’d let you die without a fight, did you?” Elide asked.

Rowan slowly shook his head. “Is this real?”

“Is what real?” Connall asked. 

“This,” Rowan breathed, gesturing around them. “Wherever we are, the two of you.” 

Connall tossed his cigarette onto the ground and put it out with his boot. “Do you want it to be real?” 

Yes, he did. He wanted to see them, was happy to see them.

But he wasn’t ready to die.

“It’s real if you want it to be,” Elide followed, when Rowan said nothing. “You’re still breathing, Ro.”

Still breathing.

The Cadre was coming for him. 

Aelin was alive, he knew it, felt it in his bones. ‘

“Live,” Connall pushed, reaching up to put his hand on Rowan’s shoulder.

The second Connall’s hand touched his dusty sleeve, Rowan’s eyes were shooting open.

~~~~~

They weren’t exactly sure what to expect when they got to the abandoned manor, but they were pleasantly surprised at one thing: they were fairly evenly matched in men, and Maeve’s men were not ready for a surprise attack. 

Two men were shot before they even made it through the door. Chaol and Dorian were walking around the manor, eliminating all threats to the outside. On the inside was Rhoe, Ren, Aedion, and the Cadre, led by Lorcan and his twin revolvers. 

Lorcan shot first and looked who it was after.

They were here, they knew it, and they would be getting them out. 

True to Fenrys’ word, they found the closet that led down to the basement. There were a few more of Maeve’s men that were quickly demolished, but after opening up door after door, they found it was empty.

“It makes no sense,” Lorcan growled, kicking up a door that he’d already opened and searched within. “Where are they?”

“They should be here,” Fenrys agreed, shaking his head. Someone’s blood was smeared across his cheek. 

“They have to be here somewhere,” Gavriel said. 

“The place is massive, we don’t have much time, if I had to take a guess,” Rhoe said, his face paled. “Let’s move. Split up. Search the grounds.”

There was no time to disagree. Lorcan went with Gavriel and Fenrys as Rhoe, Ren, and Aedion searched the first floor. Lorcan was halfway up the basement’s stairs when he saw her.

She was smiling, brightly, as beautiful as she always was.

“Elide,” he breathed.

Gavriel shot him a look, but Lorcan wasn’t paying attention. He was watching as Elide whispered, “Follow me, my love.” 

Lorcan didn’t hesitate. “Follow me.”

Gavriel and Fenrys looked worriedly at one another, but it didn’t stop their feet from moving, didn’t stop them from following him.

“Where is he?” Lorcan asked.

“Follow me,” Elide repeated, but she was moving quickly. They went through the kitchens and through the halls, through the foyer and into the winding hallway.

“Are they together?” Lorcan asked, following Elide up the winding staircase. 

“How the hell am I supposed to know?” Gavriel growled.

“He’s not talking to you,” Fenrys whispered, with a surprise calm. 

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Gavriel asked, exasperated.

Fenrys didn’t answer.

“Who?” Elide asked, at last, as they neared the second floor landing. 

“Aelin and Rowan,” Lorcan snapped. “Are they together?”

Elide’s brows furrowed. “Aelin is gone. Home, safe, with baby Lucy.”

Lorcan said, “Aelin is home.”

“Home? What-.”

“Trust him,” Fenrys begged.

Gavriel growled in frustration.  

They followed Elide to the end of the hall where she stopped in front of a door. Before anyone could open it, her eyes widened. “Turn around!”

A shot rang out, but it missed them all, hitting the spot where Elide’s incandescent form stood in front of the wall.

They all spun, coming eye to eye with Maeve, Cairn to her right. 

“It’s about time,” Maeve crooned, her heels clicking along the hardwood. “But, I’m afraid Aelin has left, and it’s too late for your leader.” 

“Where is he?” Lorcan growled. 

“Don’t bother,” she said, her smile remaining. “Too late.” 

“Where the fuck is he?” Gavriel yelled, taking a step toward Maeve.

Cairn raised his gun.

Gavriel froze. 

“Another step and it will be your last,” Maeve promised, her grin fading. 

“You have a lot of nerve,” Lorcan said, quietly.

Mave only lifted a thin, sculpted brow. “Pardon?”

“My wife,” he breathed. “Connall. Now Rowan.” He shook his head. “You’ve known us our entire lives. Why?”

“Arobynn-.”

“Why?!” He screamed, Lorcan’s voice echoing through the hallway. “You are a ruthless, worthless, piece of shit!”

“Lor,” Gavriel whispered, in warning.

“What’s she going to do?” Lorcan asked, snorting. “Shoot me?”

“Oh, I’d love to,” Maeve snapped, and snatched the gun from Cairn’s hand. It went off, the bullet hitting a nearby lamp, shattering the bulb into countless piece and the clay base into chunks.

Another shot went off.

Everyone froze.

All but Maeve, who fell to the ground.

Smoke was coming from the revolver in Lorcan’s hand.

“That was for my wife, you bitch,” Lorcan hissed, slowly lowering the gun back to his side.

Cairn stared at Maeve’s lifeless form, his lips parted.

His body joined hers soon after, thanks to Gavriel.

Lorcan had already turned and was pushing his way inside of the room that Elide had led them to. After he pushed open the door, he froze.

Then he ran.

He ran to the center of the room where Rowan was tied, hanging limply, in an old wooden chair. There was a crimson stain on his shirt, above his ribs. 

“Rowan!” Gavriel growled, but Lorcan was already on his knees in front of his leader.

“Ro,” he whispered, patting Rowan on his face. “Rowan, hey, Ro, wake up, yeah?” He pressed his ear up to Rowan’s chest.

“He’s breathing,” Elide said, softly, from behind Lorcan’s shoulder. “He was here, but now he’s not. He’s ready to live.”

Lorcan looked up at his wife, and the gentle kindness in her eyes.

She was fading.

“What?” was all Lorcan could say.

“Get him to the hospital,” Elide said, as her form became lighter and lighter.

“Elide,” he breathed. 

Gavriel was untying Rowan, and Fenrys stood close by, not saying a word.

Perhaps he understood.

Perhaps he saw Connall, sometimes, too. 

“Goodbye, my love,” she whispered, and Lorcan knew a tear had fallen down his cheek, but he didn’t care.

Elide disappeared, and Rowan fell forward with a groan. Gavriel had loosened the bonds around his wrists, and Lorcan caught Rowan, lifting him up.

Even as he wept.

Rowan’s eyes were still shut, but the house was silent, all for Rhoe’s voice from down the hall.

“Gavriel?”  

They all looked through the open door. Rhoe stood before Maeve and Cairn’s bodies, Ren and Aedion behind him. 

No one bothered to ask what had happened.

Maeve was dead.

That was all that mattered. 

“We need to get Rowan out of here, to medical professionals,” Lorcan said, although his voice sounded distanced.

Rowan.

Elide.

Blood.

Maeve.

Cairn.

Too much was happening. 

Rowan was being lifted off of Lorcan, then Lorcan was on his feet, following the others out of the room.

Everything was in a blur.

Elide was gone.

Elide was gone, and everything was in a blur. 

Elide was gone.

Gone.

He couldn’t see her ghost, not anymore.

As Lorcan followed the others out of the house, over the dead bodies in which they shot, Gavriel hung close, holding Lorcan up by the arm.

Shock.

Lorcan was in shock.

His wife’s ghost disappeared.

His best friend was shot.

He had shot Maeve.

He was following the others out of the house, but he felt like he was in a dream.

A dream, a nightmare...One of them. Either, or. 

Rowan was taken from the house, put in a cab, and driven away. 

To safety.

To help.

Lorcan watched.

Watched, and waited, and hoped for the very best.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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#tacmc itbmw #tog #fanfic #1920s au #PB au

[imaginedhaven]

Rules of Engagement: Chapter Eleven

Link to Masterpost

Holy crap, we’ve cleared 50,000 words of this. Things are really starting to pick up now, so if I had to guess this will probably wind up being... maybe around 75k-80k in total? It still has to be WRITTEN, though, so... lol.

Also, we’re going to start earning that warning in the masterpost for canon-typical violence from here on out. Just so you’re aware.

Enjoy!

~*~*~

“So, let me make certain I have this absolutely clear,” Aedion drawled in a way that immediately set Rowan on edge.

Rather than reply and risk growling rather than speaking, he nodded, the movement tighter and less smooth than he would’ve liked.

“Aelin came here to Rifthold fully intending not only to continue her relationship with the prince, but to apprehend a criminal—not just any criminal, but an assassin—who was originally from Terrasen and moved to Rifthold.”

Rowan gritted his teeth and gave another silent nod.

“She elected to do this for reasons you are aware of, but that she has not told me and that you refuse to tell me.”

Another nod and another clenching of his jaw.

“And so the two of you have been sneaking out at night, which Captain Westfall”—the name came from Aedion’s lips as though it were a curse in and of itself—“condoned, if not outright allowed.”

The captain spoke up then. “Given the information presented to me, I had little other choice.”

“I’m not finished,” Aedion snarled, and the captain fell silent. “While you were sneaking around the slums of Rifthold, you got into more than one brawl, and you destroyed at least one business, which as of now still has yet to recover, if it ever will.”

This time it was harder to stifle the growl, but as Aedion’s expression didn’t change he must have managed it with at least some success.

“And then last night, it all finally comes to a head when Aelin allows herself to be abducted by said assassin. And you allowed all of this to happen.”

Rowan’s grip on his temper, already tenuous due to the nature of the situation, finally slipped enough for him to snarl at the other warrior. “Do not presume to think I made my decisions lightly,” he growled, “or that I have not spent a single moment wishing it could have been myself in her place.”

The shifter—Lysandra—delicately cleared her throat, and Aedion immediately turned his attention toward her. “If we’re done yelling at each other about whose fault it is,” she said pointedly, “then perhaps we can come up with a plan for how to handle the fact that our princess is missing?”

Rowan nodded shortly, and unfurled a roughly-sketched map of the city over his desk. He watched as the captain’s brow furrowed, likely at the idea that a foreign soldier had been able to acquire this much information about his city, but Rowan chose instead to focus on the plan he had been given. “Aelin’s request was that she be given twenty-four hours as a head start,” he began, “and I see the merit in that. If she’s not able to get the information she requires now, this assassin will go to ground and it could be years before we hear of him again.”

“It likely won’t be years,” the captain interrupted, ignoring Rowan’s scowl. “I did some research on my own into the man she’s hunting. He’s too proud to go completely unnoticed for that long.”

“Be that as it may, this is our best opportunity.” Rowan tapped on a building on his map. “She was taken here. Her captors didn’t notice me following them. It appears to be a stronghold of some sort, almost a guild hall for cutthroats and killers. I think it’s unlikely that they would move her from this place.”

“Unlikely but not impossible,” Aedion retorted. “We should keep an eye on the place.”

“Once you’re satisfied with my explanations, I intend to go there myself. If you can promise to adhere to the plan, you may join me.” He had long since given up on keeping the frosty bite from his tone, but he fisted his hand at his side to keep it away from his blades.

“And how can I trust that this is actually her plan?”

It was the mark of a good soldier and guard, to be skeptical of his statements. If this were any other situation, Rowan would even be grateful that Aelin had someone such as this as family and protector. But this was not any other situation, and Rowan carefully called up a hint of the ice that swirled within him in the hope that it would cool his temper before he killed Aedion. “Whatever Aelin did or did not tell you is between you and her, and I refuse to be pulled into that fight. The only thing that matters right now is making certain that she exits that building safely. Are you going to help with that or not?”

Aedion growled, eyes glinting in a way that strongly reminded him that this male was indeed related to Aelin of the Wildfire, but nodded. “When do we leave?”

“As soon as we’re finished here. Captain? Lysandra? Anything to add?”

Captain Westfall cleared his throat. “If I may, I can’t keep Dorian from noticing she’s missing all day long. Do we have a plan for that?”

Rowan frowned thoughtfully, and Aedion and Lysandra glanced at each other. “That’s a terrible idea,” the shifter said as if in response to some unspoken question.

“It’s the best one we have,” Aedion replied. “This entire plan, such as it is, hinges on secrecy. And you had best believe I’ll be having words with Aelin about coming up with better plans later, but right now we’re stuck with the mess she left us in.”

“Have we considered just telling Dorian?”

“No, he’s right,” the captain interjected. “The less Dorian knows about this for now, the better. He’s terrible at keeping secrets like that from his expression; if we tell him everyone will suspect something is amiss.”

Rowan quickly turned his attention to the guardsman, frown deepening. He very much suspected that this was not actually true, and that the prince was far better at keeping secrets than he wanted anyone else to believe. Perhaps the raw magic that lived in his core was less well-controlled than he had believed?

Ah, of course. The magic. It wasn’t public knowledge that the crown prince of Adarlan was burdened with such a strong gift of magic. It was likely the captain was aware of the secret, and didn’t want any upset to risk a flare-up of the young man’s power at an inconvenient time.

Rowan carefully set aside the thought that Aelin’s disappearance would possibly cause an emotional disturbance in the young prince that was severe enough to unleash his magic. Better to think his control was simply a work in progress like Aelin’s rather than wonder how close they could’ve possibly gotten in a few short weeks.

Lysandra sighed, interrupting his thoughts, and when he looked up at her he froze for a moment as Aelin’s face looked back at him.

It wasn’t truly Aelin’s face, though. Lysandra was trying to adopt her usual confident smirk, but the gesture looked stiff and unpracticed. If he looked more closely the color of her eyes was ever so slightly darker as well, and the scattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose was in the wrong pattern. It was deeply unsettling to be looking at this face that both was and was not his carranam, and Rowan quickly looked away. “It should be close enough to fool the prince, for a short time,” he managed.

“So we’re decided, then,” Aedion declared.

“I still hate this plan,” the shifter cautioned.

Captain Westfall scowled as he stood. “It’s the only plan we have. I’ll do what I can to limit your interaction with the prince. I’m assuming you don’t want a guard sent to the building?”

Rowan nodded. “Best not to call attention to our movements. But be ready, in the event that we do not return.” He suspected all would be well, but it never hurt to have a backup plan.

The captain nodded, the motion tight and precise as he would expect from a soldier of the man’s status, and quickly left. “You can get there on your own?” Rowan asked Aedion.

The younger male stared at the map carefully, then nodded. “I can get there.”

“Good,” Rowan said. And then he flew from the room in a flurry of wings and frosty air.

~*~*~

“You take me to such nice places,” Aelin purred as Arobynn led her into another chamber, slightly larger than the previous one. Her arms and legs remained chained, but with slightly more freedom of movement she could carefully roll her shoulders and her ankles in preparation for moving quickly should an opportunity arise.

“Such a valuable player in the game should be treated with exactly the respect she commands,” Arobynn replied smoothly, though Aelin carefully suppressed a shudder at the bite beneath his words. She needed him to keep talking, to give her time to find the truth beneath the layer of lies she knew he would present.

“Well, I do believe the next move is yours. I await it eagerly,” she smirked.

She glanced at his face, focusing on the way his eyes didn’t move at all when he smiled. “I have a proposition for you, my dear.”

Oh, how she wished she could free a single arm. It was all she would need to make him regret the way he was speaking to her, as well as the bargain she believed he was about to suggest. Instead, though, she relaxed into one of the chairs as he sat in the other. “I’m listening.”

“See, we each have something the other wants,” he continued. “I have information I know you seek, and I would very much like you to stop being a pain in my ass.” Again, that undercurrent of rage slipped through his ironclad control, and Aelin hid another smirk. Riling people who claimed to have excellent self-control was a talent she had developed from the moment Aedion had come to their home from across the sea. It seemed this man was no exception.

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean,” she replied.

“Ah, so you weren’t aware when you and your… companion… trashed the Vaults that I had a significant investment in the business?”

“One of your hulking brutes didn’t like that I beat him fair and square. I could hardly control what happened next.”

“And the safe being cracked open before you left?”

“Complete coincidence, I assure you.” She was well aware that he would have no proof it had been her who had broken open the safe, and she knew that refusing to admit to what he suspected would only make him more angry. That was good. She needed him angry enough to let information slip.

“I see. Then I presume you don’t want to know how your parents died?” Another biting remark overlaid with false sincerity, velvety smoothness underlaid with sharp fangs and claws.

Aelin went cold, sensation fading from her limbs as she stared at him. “I was there. My parents died of an illness.”

“Ah, yes,” he drawled, kicking his legs up and over the arm of his chair. “An illness no healer could cure, or so I heard. I had left Terrasen by then, of course, but word spreads quickly when rulers fall.”

Aelin bit her tongue to hold in a sharp reply before glancing back over at him, expression carefully uninterested. “And assuming I can believe you’re telling the truth,” she said, “what would you ask in exchange for this information?”

“Why, what could any man want from a lovely princess such as yourself?” he asked, and Aelin once more carefully mastered her own expression to hide any disgust. “You have power, and yet you cannot access it without aid. I have that information and more, and yet I lack the power that would ensure my own safety. I’m certain we can come to some kind of… arrangement.”

“That’s a high price you ask,” she replied. “And you haven’t done nearly enough to prove you’re worth such an arrangement. After all, it is I who would need to convince the lords of Terrasen to accept you. If you can’t convince me…” Aelin deliberately yawned, and cheered internally as Arobynn gritted his teeth, silver eyes alight with anger.

“If knowledge regarding your own parents isn’t enough to convince you,” he snapped, “then what about information regarding your former lover?”

“It’s quite bold of you to assume I did no investigating when I discovered his body,” she retorted.

“Ah, but I would wager you have yet to learn who bid me send him to Orynth in the first place, and who gave the command to cut his life so tragically short.”

The callous admission that he had passed that command along lit a fire in her veins, and she reached for it before recalling that she was bound in iron. The wildfire fizzled, mere sparks that slipped from her fingers. “And what assurance could you give me, that you would tell me and that you have proof?”

Arobynn stood, and Aelin did finally cringe as he slid two fingers under her jaw to tilt her head up. “My dear, do I look like a man who leaves anything to chance? You’ll have your proof once I have our agreement.”

Aelin jerked her head back, freeing herself from his grip. “That’s a shame, for there will be no agreement until you’ve presented your proof.”

Almost immediately, Arobynn’s casual expression melted into steely anger. “What a shame indeed,” he murmured. “Perhaps you would care to enjoy some more of my… hospitality… first.”

As the man stepped away and opened the door, someone else entered the room. Aelin carefully stood as well, but even with a single glance she knew this wasn’t a fight she would win. Not with her limbs and power both bound by the iron chains clamped around her ankles and wrists.

At Arobynn’s nod, the newest arrival to the room gave her a predatory grin and dragged her toward the wall. Her face made contact with the wall as he shoved her against it with a hand between her shoulders, and while she was stunned by the impact he attached her chains to hooks affixed to the wall. “Do let me know if you decide to change your mind,” Arobynn called, and then the door closed behind him as he left.

Aelin heard the sound of a whip cracking, and as if from a distance she heard herself screaming as fire spread along her back.

~*~*~

Lysandra finally relaxed into her role as she sat beside the prince for the evening meal. True to his word, the captain of the guard had kept him busy for most of the day, giving her time to overcome her nerves at having to pretend to be someone like Aelin. Oh, she had acted before. She had played roles for clients and courtiers alike, and she had certainly changed her face many times.

None of them had felt nearly as important as this. Everything was on the line, completely dependent on Dorian believing her performance as his potential future wife.

It’s only for one day, she reminded herself as her fingers twisted around each other. She had complete faith in Aelin’s ability to execute a plan, as well as Aedion and Rowan’s ability to keep her safe. It was up to her, now, to give them the time they needed.

Dorian’s parents seemed to be completely unaware of the swap, and Lysandra had spent enough time listening to Aelin’s tutors to be able to follow the light political conversation that was taking place. Even Dorian was engaging with her just as he would with Aelin, and when he grinned at an offhand remark she awarded herself another point for her acting.

As the meal came to an end, Dorian looked over at her again. “So tell me, did you want me to do something terribly predictable and show you the gardens? Or can we skip that part?”

Lysandra laughed in reply as Dorian grinned. “Perhaps another time. I still have to read several of the books you’ve loaned to me, if I hope to finish them during this visit.”

Dorian stood, then, and turned to face her with an ostentatious bow. “Then I hope you will grant me the honor of allowing me to escort you back to your rooms, Your Highness.”

Lysandra chuckled and shook her head in what she hoped came across as a fond gesture. “You’re impossible,” she accused.

The prince laughed in reply. “I assure you that I am not,” he said. “I am here, after all. Unless you’d care to discuss the philosophy of such a statement, of course.”

“I rather suspect we would be here all night,” Lysandra grinned back as she stood, allowing him to take her arm and lead her away.

It was easy enough to allow Dorian to escort her back to Aelin’s room after the evening meal, though she couldn’t help a moment of surprise when he followed her into the main seating area. He glanced at the book Aelin had left open on her desk, humming thoughtfully as he read a few sentences. “Ah. I thought so,” he muttered.

“What are you talking about?” she asked, mimicking Aelin’s easy grin as she relaxed into a chair halfway across the room.

He turned to her then, and a chill in the air matched the frost in his eyes. “If I invited you to share my bed tonight, shifter, would you demur like the princess you claim to be? Or would you say yes, believing she’s already given into my charms?”

~*~*~

In another situation, or if he were simply an observer and not a participant in this conversation, Dorian might have been amused at the nearly-comical widening of not-Aelin’s eyes. Instead, though, he only felt a cold rage at the deception.

To the shifter’s credit, she immediately dropped the guise of Aelin and returned to her usual appearance. “I told them this was a terrible idea and we should just tell you,” she grumbled. “What tipped you off?”

“A few things,” he replied, “though the most suspicious to me was that this book is open to where Aelin left off last night when I left. She hasn’t read it today.”

The shifter—Lysandra, if he was remembering correctly—nodded. “I didn’t think you would come back here,” she confessed.

Dorian sighed. “Why don’t you start by telling me exactly what it is you’ve all been keeping from me today, and why the captain of my guard appears to be working with you.”

That was the part that was the most shocking to him, if he were being truly honest with himself. He had never once had cause to question Chaol’s loyalty, and he didn’t want to begin now. He only hoped there was a reasonable explanation for why he had been so eager to ensure he spent as much time as possible embroiled in his training and studies.

As he thought about the possibility that his captain and friend was conspiring with these people, as good as he believed Aelin’s intentions to be, he had to take several deep breaths to stop a layer of frost from forming on his hands. His control over his magic was much better than it had been when it had first manifested, but strong emotional responses still riled the power that slept within him. Unless he wanted to entrust his deepest secret to agents of Terrasen, he needed to keep his feelings in check.

The frost finally ebbed, and the shifter began to speak. “Your captain is only involved insofar as to keep you removed from all of this,” she said quietly. “We provided him with enough information to ensure your safety, nothing more.”

“That still leaves a foreign princess, her most loyal soldier, and a blood-sworn of Doranelle in my capital city, with a purpose of which I am not aware, causing an unknown amount of chaos.” Dorian fought back a sigh at the thought of the headache this would no doubt cause for him, and that was if he was fortunate enough to avoid worse fates.

“They’re… dealing with a threat that could bode ill for you and Aelin both.” The woman was clearly trying to decide how much to reveal and how much to hide, and if he wasn’t the person she was trying to deceive in this manner he would have respected it far more.

“What is the nature of the threat?” he asked.

She sighed. “A former crime lord of Terrasen, who left a few short years before her parents died. He’s created a new home for himself in Rifthold, styling himself the King of the Assassins. She’s been attempting to find him for years, to bring an end to a career that’s gone on for far too long already.”

Dorian sighed. “And I presume if I ask you’ll have absolutely no idea why a crown princess of Terrasen is involved in hunting an assassin, and didn’t simply leave it to her warrior cousin.”

“It isn’t my story to tell,” she replied, looking away.

“Of course it’s not,” he grumbled. “Apologies. I believe you when you imply that this wasn’t your idea and that you’re only involved out of necessity. But this puts me in a… delicate situation.” That was an understatement; if word of Aelin’s actions got out it could be disastrous.

“I understand,” she sighed. “Which is why I wanted to tell you what I could.”

Finally, he nodded. “And when do we expect her to return?”

“By morning,” she answered.

“Very well. I will do what I can to keep this quiet and out of the public eye. But I will be asking Aelin about this later.” It was the best he could offer, and by the look on her face she understood completely.

Without another word, Dorian turned on his heel and returned to his office, asking a guard on the way to send Chaol to him. It appeared they had much to discuss.

~*~*~

“I detest this plan,” Aedion hissed in the direction of the hawk on the nearby roof as the sun began to set. “We should be going after her.”

The hawk took flight, circling the square before landing behind a box and turning into Whitethorn in a soft flash of concealed light. “We have to trust that Aelin can get herself free,” the warrior said. “We’re foreign actors in Adarlan’s capital city. If we break into that building without cause, it puts Aelin and her prince both in a difficult situation.”

It was interesting, how a subtle difference in Whitethorn’s tone was able to so clearly indicate that he wouldn’t mind causing a little trouble for the Adarlanian prince. “You don’t like Dorian,” he realized.

The statement earned him a scowl from his Fae companion. “I have no feelings one way or the other about the prince.”

“You realize my senses are better than a human’s, right? I could hear that you don’t like him.”

Whitethorn’s response was the carefully crafted words of someone used to diplomacy. “I have no reason to dislike him. And we’re not talking about this. It’s almost time.”

Finally. He’d hated sitting in this alley waiting for something to happen. “Time for what?”

“If Aelin is going to keep to her schedule, she’s about to make her next move.”

“You think she can get out of there without us?” It wasn’t that Aedion didn’t trust his cousin’s abilities. No, he knew she was a capable fighter and a powerful magic user. But he knew that she would be unlikely to use her magic unless absolutely needed, given the possibility of a tense political situation if she were recognized.

When he turned to face Whitethorn, the other male wore a small but ferocious grin, eyes positively glowing. “It’s not her I’m worried about,” he responded. “Anyone who crosses her on her way out will deserve exactly what she gives them.” And judging from the look on his face, Whitethorn would revel in their suffering.

The house they watched over was quiet, its occupants likely asleep given that their profession meant being out at all hours of the night. Aedion sighed. “I still don’t like this,” he admitted several minutes later.

“Given that I don’t like it either, I could hardly expect you to.” For all his posturing, and for all the strange glee that had come over him when he had spoke of what Aelin would do to those who crossed her, now the warrior was tense, eyes dark with what Aedion suspected was worry.

Even though the Fae beside him was sworn to a queen that was not his own, Aedion realized he wouldn’t rather have anyone else at his side for this particular mission. He had watched Whitethorn and Aelin grow close over the previous weeks, closer than anyone would’ve suspected. He didn’t know much about magic, but he suspected that sharing it as they could was a rare gift. If he could trust anyone to feel the same urgency he did to ensure she got out of this alive and as unharmed as possible, it would be this warrior.

Suddenly Whitethorn’s head tilted and his eyes narrowed, much like Aedion would have expected in the male’s other form. “What is it?” Aedion asked, only for the other male to gesture for his silence.

Soon enough, Aedion could hear it as well. There was shouting coming from inside the house, at least two masculine voices. He couldn’t make out the words, and based on Whitethorn’s expression he couldn’t either, but something had changed. As he watched, the warrior pulled two knives from his boots and twirled them gracefully around his fingers. It was a good choice, and Aedion went for his own knife as well, knowing his sword would be nearly useless in these cramped alleys. “We stay here,” Whitethorn was saying. “Those are male voices. I haven’t heard Aelin yet, which means they haven’t discovered her. We only go in if it’s absolutely necessary. When she leaves, she’ll come this way. If anyone else makes it this far…” The grim smile on his face indicated their fate clearly enough.

Three men burst through the door of the building, exchanging panicked instructions before departing in different directions, and Aedion and Whitethorn crouched behind a cart to conceal their presence. One man ran for the alley they had chosen for their hiding place, and before Aedion could do anything the Fae warrior was already in motion, clutching the man to him in a twisted parody of a lover’s embrace before drawing a blade across his throat. “They’ll notice when this one doesn’t come back,” he whispered as he dragged the man behind their cart. “We don’t have much longer.”

A slim figure stumbled out of the door next, and Aedion grinned. “We don’t need much longer. That’s Aelin.”

She was almost unrecognizable, golden hair turned red with blood and darkened with ash, but there was no mistaking the eyes that met his, pained but determined. Then those eyes shifted away and he knew she had seen Whitethorn standing beside him. From the sharp intake of breath at his left he knew the warrior had seen her as well, and soon he had abandoned all talk of secrecy to cross the small crossing in several quick strides.

Aelin moved, trying to meet him halfway, but her motions were fumbling and clumsy. She said something to the warrior that Aedion couldn’t quite hear, smiling up at him…

And then as he watched, she collapsed into the male’s arms.

Whitethorn quickly lifted her, carrying her into the alley and out of sight. By the time they reached Aedion she was already unconscious, either from pain or from exhaustion. Judging by her face, Aedion suspected it was a combination of both. “Get her out of here and back to the palace,” he said quietly, adjusting his grip on his knife. “I’ll stay here and make sure you’re not followed.”

Green eyes met his, clearly searching for something. Aedion didn’t know what the warrior was looking for, but finally he nodded and adjusted his grip on Aelin.

Before he could get far, though, Aedion called to him again. “Oh, and Whitethorn?”

“Yes?” he replied, expression tight with concern.

“Take care of her.” And then Aedion turned his attention back to the house with a grim smile. He didn’t know what its inhabitants may have done to his cousin, but he had absolutely no problems with delivering justice to any of them foolish enough to come his way.

~*~*~

Tagging:

@ireallyshouldsleeprn @queen-of-glass @fangirlprincess09 @sassys-world @morganofthewildfire @superspiritfestival @perseusannabeth @sis-it-dont-add-up @jlinez @julemmaes @emilyoftheshadows

#haven writes #rules of engagement #rowaelin

[modern-fae-female]

Elorcan Modern AU Chapter 10

The next day Elide was feeling better after her reassurance from Lorcan that he did like her and wanted to go out with her. She knew her friends would bombard her with questions, but all she could think about was how is hands felt intertwined with hers, the stolen glances at each other throughout their date, and the soft skin of his cheek against her lips. Elide wasn’t sure what pushed her to kiss him on the cheek, but she was glad she did because she couldn’t seem to think about anything else, except maybe their next date after her shift at the bookstore on Saturday. As per usual she did her routine and made her way to school where she saw her group of friends all look at her cautiously as she walked up to them. 

“ Morning guys,” Elide said cheerfully as the events of last night still played throughout her mind. 

“ Well I’m guessing from your cheerful attitude the date went well then,” Lysandra said. 

“ It did, the restaurant was so pretty and the food was amazing and he bought me some new books and it was just a great night.”

Elide looked up at the rest of the group after she finished her little ramble and was taken back by the smiles on their face. 

“ Well, I guess maybe it just took a little love for Lorcan to be decent,” Aelin said. 

“ Maybe, but either way it was great and were going for a walk and coffee after my shift at the bookstore on Saturday.”

“ Just be safe,” Manon said like she always did before she went to hang with Lorcan. 

“ Always.”

Lorcan still couldn’t seem to stop thinking about last nights event after he woke up and had a small smile plastered to his face. Fenrys being Fenrys didn’t stop teasing him about it at home and when they were walking up to school. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Elide talking to her friends, most likely about last nights date and his smile seemed to grow bigger, and he couldn’t control it. 

“ Lorcan, there you are. Can you come with me for a second,” Maeve said as they walked up to the school and she put a hand on his arm. 

Maeve. How could he forget Maeve. The women he loved, he did love her right? I mean she did tell him to get close to Elide and that’s what he was doing, so what if he had some fun with her. 

“ Yeah,” he replied and they both walked over to a corner on the side of the school with no one else there. 

“ What is with you lately, you have been so cheerful. You don’t do cheerful Lorcan. My sources have also told me you went on a little date with the crippled girl last night.”

Lorcan practically growled at that name and started walking closer to Maeve until he practically had her cornered, “ Don’t you ever call her that again,” he said in a low and threatening voice. 

“ Oh, so know your all protective of her, well I guess that makes since, since you are her, what was it, her little knight.”

Lorcan froze, how did she know about their nicknames for each other. 

“ That is none of your business,” he growled again. 

“ I will not have another Whitethorn situation again, I have a new assignment for you. I have really taken to not liking the little Lochan and I want her gone. Your new assignment is to brake her little heart.” 

Lorcan’s heart stopped. Break her heart? He couldn’t do that. So maybe he was falling for her even though it was for an assignment, but he couldn’t, wouldn’t do that. 

“ No, I wouldn’t do that.”

“ Oh, so know your disobeying me. Well if the little prize I said I would give you if you completed the assignment isn’t enough, what if I tell the whole school about your little secret about your childhood, about who your family really was.”

Once again Lorcan froze. People in the school new he was adopted by Fenrys family but no one knew who his real family really was. 

“ You wouldn’t dare.”

“ Oh, but you know I would. So do this assignment and it can stay our little secret and maybe you can still get our prize. Do I make myself clear.”

Lorcan didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t break Elide’s heart but he also didn’t want the whole school to have another reason to hate him. 

“ Fine, I’ll do it.”

The bell rang and Lorcan stormed off to history, now having the smile completely wiped off his face. Maeve too walked away, but what neither of them knew was that Aedion and Asterin were in the room above the corner next to the open window, and recorded the whole conversation. 

Lorcan stormed into class, but his heart started to melt as it did when he say Elide sitting there with a big smile on her face. When she say him storm in she was confused. The date went well didn’t it, she thought. 

“ Hey,” he said as he sat down in his seat next to her.

“ Hey, are you ok?” 

He seemed to shift uncomfortably at that question.

“ Yeah I’m fine, just a little hard to explain to my friends that I went out with you.”

Elide didn’t think about that. She knew the tension between Maeve and her friends and was so worried about what hers would think she didn’t think that his friends would probably be mad at him. 

“ Oh, were they mad at you?”

“ They were more confused then anything, but its fine.” 

Elide nodded now feeling bad that his friends probably hated him because he went out with her. She felt a hand that she quickly identified as Lorcan’s gently grab her chin and tilt her face to face his. 

“ Hey, that doesn’t mean anything, they can hate me for all I care but it won’t change how I feel for you, ok?”

Elide’s heart melted at the gentleness of his hand and the softness of his voice and by the look in his dark eyes, she could he his was serious. She gave him a small smile and nodded. 

“ Good.” He then grabbed her hand with the same gentleness and pressed it to his lips. Elide felt her face heat up as he pressed a small kiss to her hand, just like you do to a princess. She chuckled as he continued to hold her hand until class started. 

Across the classroom Aedion had taken his seat next to Manon. 

“ Manon, we have a big problem.”

“ What do you want Arshyver?”

“ Here, listen to this, but you need to promise not to do anything when you finish listening.”

Now Manon was intrigued as he took one of Aedion’s airpods and put it in his ear. He pressed play on something and she could hear some ruffling and them Maeve and Lorcan’s voice, and she heard the whole thing. After the conversation was done Manon looked over to see Loran placing a kiss to Elide’s hand and was ready to jump up and kill him until Aedion placed a hand on her shoulder. 

“ Hey, remember what I said. Now I sent this to the rest of our friends and told them not to do anything right now.”

“ Not to do anything!! That man is playing her and she is totally believing he likes her and he will break her heart and you don’t want to do anything!!” Manon said yelling under her breath.

“ Not what I mean, trust me I care about Elide too and I am trying not to get up and punch him in the face, but we need to tell Elide in the best way for her. So I told our friends to meet in the janitors hallway during lunch and we can all tell Elide then.”

Manon looked over to see them holding hands and wanted to get up and strangle him, but she new that it would only make things worse, which she didn’t want for Elide. 

“ Fine, but afterwards I’m punching him.”

“ Oh, I think we all want to.”

Sorry for not posting for a while, finishing school and holidays were crazy, but thank you everyone who has read this story. Sorry for the slight cliffhanger( not really). Hope everyone has a happy new year and stay safe.

@elorcan-trash @bri-loves-sunflowers @wealessy 

#elorcan #elide lochan #lorcan salvaterre #elide and lorcan #modern #high school #throne of glass #tog

[aelin-queen-of-terrasen]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞 | 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤

Rowaelin modern AU ▶ Masterlist

note: hi, this is my first multi chaptered fic so constructive criticism is always welcome. quick shout-out to @pansexualharrypotternerd for the invaluable help! Love you! 💖

──────✧❅✦❅✧──────

The only thing redeemable about a high school with a bunch of brats who had sticks shoved up their asses was recess. Half a day had passed and Aelin was already swarmed with homework, previous assignments still pending and she needed to prepare for the upcoming Maths test by the end of the week. Recess offered a much needed break.

It would go better if Lorcan stopped being such a hard ass though. "Please?" Aelin whined. "I will fail Math if you don't help me."

The bastard snorted. "You will fail Math either way because you refuse to listen to me when I teach." Lorcan was not wrong but Aelin shot him a glare anyway, picking at the miserable stuff they dared call food in this cafeteria. With the amount of fee the school charged, you would think they would serve quality food here but nope. It tasted worse than it looked which was saying something.

The two of them were the only ones at their usual table today. Fenrys had taken a leave because of catching the flu, Connall was sitting with his teammates today and Aedion and Lysandra were a no show, likely making out in some vacant classroom.

Lorcan had finished his lunch already and was waiting for her. Aelin chewed slowly, more like swallowed (the food was disgusting but she was hungry), eyes flitting from one table to another until they landed on a hooded figure sitting alone by the corner, the scowl on his face visible from a distance.

Rowan Whitethorn.

Lorcan followed her gaze to the corner, then said, "Whatever you are thinking, Ace, drop it. He is trouble."

He certainly looked like trouble with wicked looking tattoos covering half his face and his right ear pierced. The hood was pulled over his face, eyes trained on the empty tray of food. She had never seen him have lunch with someone else. Hell, she had never seen him talk with someone else. Most of the school was convinced Rowan communicated in grunts and nods, not words and that he was either a werewolf, a gang leader or included in some very shady business.

Aelin lifted her shoulders in a shrug, then changed the topic. She did not need Lorcan to go all overprotective brother on her. "You are sure you can't help me?"

"And have to spend extra time with you? Gods, no!" He made a dramatic show of throwing his hands up in the air.

Aelin smacked his shoulder, grateful that Fenrys was not here to join in on the teasing today. She pouted, rising from her seat and apparently, done eating. "I hate you, Salvaterre."

He rolled his eyes, walking beside her with his own tray towards the trash bin. "You love me, admit it."

Aelin scoffed, even though she did love him, rude bastard and all. "Not a chance," she said.

She wasn't sure what happened next or how but she slipped on some wrapper, there was a loud scream (likely her own), strong arms stabling her—probably Lorcan—and her tray of half finished food went flying through the air, the contents spilling on someone's clothes and hair.

Aelin froze when she realised who she had spilled her food on. Rowan had a blank look on his face, lips pressed into a thin line. With the notorious reputation he had, Aelin could not have chosen a worse person to pick a fight with. It took her all of one moment to summon that insufferable swagger that drove others mad, chin lifted and shoulders squared back.

She did not need anyone to know how nervous she was. "I am sorry," she said.

"I am sure you are," he drawled, the deep voice heavily accented. The scowl on his face deepened when she looked again, letting her know she had made a remarkable first impression and quite possibly pissed off the one guy she should not have fucked with.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Lorcan step beside her. He said, "She said sorry already, it was an accident."

"And I said I am sure she is," he stressed.

If the situation were different and her heart wasn't pounding so hard inside her chest, Aelin would have taken a moment to appreciate the lovely voice, the rich accents or the muscular build. Being around fitness freaks like Aedion and Lorcan had her used to towering male hunks but god, it suited him. He was a real package.

Too bad manners weren't included in it because he walked away after sending her a scornful glare.

"What an ass," Lorcan grumbled. "Let's leave before you manage to set off another hulking brute." He was still cackling when they parted ways for their next class.

──────✧❅✦❅✧──────

This was ridiculous. English had always been Aelin's favourite class but now she was trying to find reasons to avoid it because she did not want to run into Rowan. He didn't scare her, of course, but she did not feel like subjecting herself to his insults and temper after the day she had had. She tried to convince herself that they had been in the same class for years now. If he had never bothered anyone before, he wouldn't start now but as luck would have it, she reached the classroom five minutes late to find two unoccupied seats - one beside Rowan and the other beside her ex-boyfriend Chaol who was trying his best to look like he didn't know she was staring at him.

With a sigh, Aelin made her way to the back, sitting down beside Rowan. She turned to him. "I am sorry, you know?"

He had ditched the stained hoodie in favour of a white uniform shirt that outlined his muscles in a flattering way. They were only supposed to wear uniforms on a special occasion, founders day or on inspection days but his shirt was especially tight, sticking to the sculpted chest beneath the fabric.

"If I wanted to hear excuses, I'd have asked." Gods, why were all hot guys assholes?

She frowned. "It was an accident!"

"You stumbled on thin air, managed to right yourself but spilled your food on me and ruined my shirt," he retorted.

Her temper snapped at it's leash. Aelin had to grit her teeth to keep herself from barking out an insult. Why would she ruin his clothes on purpose? Before she could ask as much, Gavriel called the attention of the class towards the front. Her Uncle made a point to look at her in warning as if he had knew she had been fighting someone she shouldn't be fighting minutes ago.

She sneaked a glance at Rowan again, whorls of black ink peeking out from beneath the collar of the white shirt. She would be angry too if someone embarrassed her in front of everyone.

In good spirit, she offered, "Why don't I make it up to you by buying coffee?"

He ignored her.

Aelin didn't know if she was being brave or stupid as she poked him. "I could wash your hoodie or buy you a new one! Please, Rowan?"

He ignored her again, eyes trained on the blackboard. She was about to poke him again when Gavriel called from the front, "Miss Galathynius, will you please pay attention instead of chatting Whitethorn up?"

Some of the students snickered when Aelin rolled her eyes, cheeks flushing with colour. Just like him to draw all attention towards her and embarass her in front of her classmates. In his defense, she did claim her revenge every time by refusing to address him as anything other than 'Uncle Kitty-Cat.' She had a sneaking suspicion he liked it.

Minutes later, Gavriel announced, "You will all be partnering up for the next project. It determines twenty five percent of your grade so work hard."

"Are we allowed to choose partners?" Kaltain asked from the front.

Her Uncle answered, "Partner up with the person sitting beside you."

There were a few audible groans and excited whispers before class was dismissed. She would be partnered up with the guy who was intent on ignoring her. She was about to offer to do the whole project by herself (because that was a much better option than working with Rowan when he hated her guts) when Rowan rose from his seat with lightning fast speed and made his way towards the teacher's desk.

She made it in time to hear his request: "I would like to work alone on the project, sir. I won't want to drag Miss Galathynius' grade down with mine." His tone held enough bite that Aelin knew he knew she was listening in.

Gavriel scoffed. "Non sense! Aelin will be more than happy to assist you, Rowan."

She smiled tightly in confirmation before Gavriel left, the class almost vacant now. Students were filtering out of the door but Rowan stood with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"I have cheer practice next but we should meet up after that," Aelin said. "We can go to the diner nearby?"

Rowan only grunted in confirmation, sent her one last scathing look and turned on his heel, walking out of the door with his usual annoyed expression etched onto his face. Aelin sighed. If Rowan refused to even utter a word, it was going to be a real treat working together on this project, her only consolation being that she hadn't been paired with Chaol. Though maybe that would have been a better option.

──────✧❅✦❅✧──────

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#rowaelin #rowaelin fanfiction #dancing in the dark #modern au #high school au #throne of glass #aelin fireheart #aelin ashryver #queen aelin #rowan x aelin #rowan whitethorn galathynius #rowan whitethorn #aelin ashryver galathynius #aelin fanfiction

[fireheartfaery]

I started Heir of Fire this morning

(You can find my other documentations here: TOG and COM)

I just passed the halfway point so a few of my thoughts for a trickle of yours:

I love Sorscha. Like I love her. She's so sweet and soft and exactly what Dorian needed while he was trying to figure out how to control his magic.

It always hits me in the face how much Aedion loves Aelin/Celaena (she's still going by this name right now). Like he really would do absolutely anything for her. Also he is so terrified she may think he's this horrible awful person for all the things he's done and halfway across the continent she is thinking the same thing in reverse. They are so connected its scary. I love them.

Obviously I'm utterly and ridiculously obsessed with Manon (and cannot believe it slipped my mind that she was so so protective of Abraxos from the very beginning and not just after she escaped her grandmother's cruel hands).

I am paying more attention to the Thirteen too. Noting the features and names and who is who in the zoo. I knew them before but I didn't know them the way I now want to. They are ethereal. I am infatuated to my core with their strength.

Chaol is in so much pain. He's hurting so bad. All because he was taught magic-wielders are destroying his country and he must defend it. He is so scared to accept the change in the two people he loves the most and he. is. in. so. much. pain. because of it. I need him to breathe and learn and accept. I love him dearly.

Half the Thirteen go out on a regular basis and get dick. That includes Asterin and Vesta who are terrible mischief makers and catalysts in this. Yes I laughed out loud when I read that.

Abraxos has always liked to play in the flowers much to Manon's dismay.

It pains me that Manon thinks she doesn't have a heart. The amount of time she spends trying to convince us she's without feeling would be almost comical if it didn't also make my blood boil that her grandmother is such a bitch to convince her of such trash

Okay onto my favourite part of this book.

Yes you guessed it my BABY Rowan Whitethorn.

He is moody and broody and sullen and stubborn and so so so so so achingly hollow

Him and Aelin have just started becoming friends (he has finally seen her scars)

You know how Aelin is Rowan's heart? Yea Rowaelin is mine.

I love them. I love how they work. I love how they push each other. I LOVE that the mating bond is so bright in all their silent conversations

And obviously Rowan is my everything. Rowan who was burned by Aelin (still Celaena) twice yet he didn't let her go cause she was in danger.

And gods above I forgot how powerful he is. The rest of the books I'm so focused on keeping my panic over anyone dying inside I don't remember that half of them are warriors

But Heir of Fire shows he's warrior-ness so well and without danger and gods it makes such a lethal mess of my heart

One last thing. Nehemia makes me so angry. And I understand why she did it. Obviously. But just rereading how far Aelin sunk because of the death Nehemia orchestrated. Ugh it makes my blood boil.

I'd still die for her though don't get me wrong. You can love someone and be infernally angry with them at the same time. Ask Elide and Lochan ;)

#TOG reread #TOG documentation #Heir of Fire #HOF #TOG #Reading documentation

[shyvioletcat]

I read your Christmas list of prompts

And I feel like these 3, 14, 38, 62 SCREAM aelin and Rowan (mainly aelin to Rowan) lol

This one is late, I know. But here it is! Another fic for my Rowaelin Holiday Celebration. Set in my teacher au, which includes Camp Shenanigans. Please enjoy. Oh and i just went with 1 out of the 4. It’s the card.

~~~~~

Aelin sighed in frustration. She was great at giving presents, fantastic even. She always knew what to get everyone once Yulemas rolled around. But this year she had lucked out, and it was really bruising her ego.

She prided herself on the annual Secret Santa at work, every year the recipient of her gift gushed about how perfect it was. But this year she had no idea what to get, and that was because she had managed to pull stick-up-his-ass Rowan Whitethorn from the moth eaten Santa hat Lysandra had held in front of her. Her best friend and most likely future cousin-in-law had been incharge of the whole thing but had refused to let Aelin swapped when she asked. That’s the name of the game she’d said and sauntered off.

So now Aelin had dragged Aedion shopping with her, just so she could get some sort of help. Aedion had agreed because he’d managed to pull out a dud himself.

“What do you get Manon Blackbeak?” Aedion mused and he browsed a table of holiday inspired knickknacks.

“Bottle the blood of her enemies,” Aelin replied. “I think she’d drink it straight.”

“She probably would,” Aedion agreed and he left the knickknack table.

Manon worked in the science faculty and was honestly one of the most terrifying people Aelin had ever met. So naturally, after a tense getting to know you period, they'd mellowed out into being respectful collegues and eventually some semblance of friends.

“We’ve got a betting pool going on how soon into the end of year party her and Dorian end up in some closet making out,” Aelin dropped casually. “Again.”

“Does Dorian know?” Aedion asked as they walked side by side to go browse elsewhere.

“Dorian is in on it,” Aelin said. “He thinks a half hour tops.”

“Manon would never let him have it that easy,” Aedion added.

“That’s what I told him,” Aelin said. “And then I also told Manon and she said he’s dreaming.”

Aedion scoffed. “Did you just rig it for yourself?”

“Of course not, I never mentioned the bet to her at all,” Aelin replied innocently.

“Why don’t I believe you?”

Aelin tried not to smile. “Fine I did, I promised to split the money with her.”

“I knew it.”

The cousins had reached a holiday display, decorations, cards, and holiday specific foods all set out.

“Hey,” Aedion said with a grin. “You could give him this.” He held up a card.

Aelin looked over and saw what the card had on it.

Will you be my ho ho ho?

“What, and end up in the middle of a sexual harassment case? No thank you.” Then Aelin added, “Why would I even get that for him anyway? I hate him.”

“Of course you do,” Aedion said like he knew all the secrets of the universe.

“What?” Aelin snapped.

Aedion gave her a grin that made her understand exactly why people tended to get infuriated with her. “Nothing.”

Aelin picked up a candy cane and pointed it at him threateningly. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop it.”

The grin stayed, Aelin wanted to throw something at him.

“Okay, let’s focus here. You’re his friend of sorts. What should I get?” Aelin said, wanting to just get out of the bustling shops by now.

“I dunno, he’s still pretty private even though it’s been six months,” Aedion said.

Aelin sighed heavily. “I’m going to have to do it. I’m going to have to do the mug and pen.” Even just saying it left a bad taste in her mouth. “I don’t know what else to do and you’re absolutely no help.”

She didn’t want to resort to the cliche teacher gift but really she had no other choice. She had to get something. Dragging her feet Aelin walked to the kitchen section to look for the least offensive mug she could find, then she would make her way to stationary and find a nice pen. Why did she have to get Rowan Whitethorn? Her reputation would be ruined.

~~~~

The last day of term rolled around and that evening they had the staff get together in a function room of a local restaurant. They were all standing around snacking, drinking, laughing, holiday songs playing in the background. Aelin held court in the corner with most of her faculty, honestly the loudest group in the room. Although Dorian was off trailing Manon like a lost puppy. The two of them were yet to disappear, Manon holding out to the appointed time. Aelin caught her eye across the room, Manon gave her a wink, Aelin tipped her glass in return.

“Ho! Ho! Ho!”

Fenrys appeared in a very cheap looking Santa suit, foregoing the beard, not wanting to hide his beautiful face apparently. He walked over to the tree and started calling out names, obnoxiously good in his role. Aelin sighed, she was still a little cut up about her more than average present. Maybe she could keep it from getting out, keep her reputation intact. It wasn't likely though, everyone loved the intrigue and gossip of who got who.

“Rowan! Seems that even if you’re a grumpy bastard you still get presents,” Fenrys’ voice boomed in the space.

Rowan made his way to the front, even managing half a good natured smile at the joke as he got his wrapped mug and pen. Aelin had to turn away; she was so annoyed. A few other names were called out then Aelin heard her own. She put her drink down and made her way to Fenrys. He was giving her a winning smile.

“I just want you to know your secret Santa had absolutely no help from anyone,” Fenrys said as he passed her a small package.

Aelin took it back to her little corner, shaking it before she started unwrapping it. What she found inside were her favourite chocolates, her all time favourite chocolates. Chocolate hazelnut truffles. These were one’s you didn't just buy from the grocery store. These were only sold at a little store in the heart of the city.

“Okay, which one of you got me this?” Aelin asked her friends.

No one came forward, adamantly denying it was them, it looked like Aelin would be joining in on the present gossip tonight. It took her a while, but curiously it had been Lorcan to give her the answer she wanted.

“It was Rowan,” he snapped as Aelin had been hounding Connall for information for quite a while. “Now, go away. I’m sick of hearing your voice.”

“Happy Yulemas,” Aelin said far too sweetly. She was too stunned to give him any more of a threat, replaying what Fenrys had said in her head. Rowan hadn’t had any help so how did he know exactly what chocolates to get her? She spotted him over by the drinks table, steeling herself she made her way over to him. Not only had he managed to get her the perfect present, but she had given him such an abysmally awful one she hoped he never found out it was her.

Aelin cleared her throat as she poured herself a drink from the punch bowl. “Thanks,” she said lamely.

“It didn’t take you long,” Rowan said.

“Lorcan gave you up,” Aelin told him and she saw Rowan roll his eyes. “I have to know, how did you find out they were my favourites.”

Rowan gave her a wry smile. “Santa told me,” he said cryptically. “And I don’t mean Fenrys.”

Aelin just looked at him, confused, gears in her head working. Before she could figure it out or ask more questions Rowan was walking away.

“Oh,” Rowan said, turning back to her. “And thanks for the mug.”

~~~~~

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[susannadlpena]

Gonna casually check your privilege and say that Emperor Palpatine was resurrected in the Star Wars EU and it worked fine. But trust me not here to talk trash! Authors should be able to do what they want for the good of their stories and one series I’m heavily involved (I even talk to the author) has a character that some would say is favored most of all by the author, but her purpose within her universe has captivated the audience in such a way that we do not want her to fail. Part 1 of 2 >.>

PART II: psychotic-mouse said:I was just wondering what you’d consider is crossing the line into something that’s destructive for the story’s greater picture? While I love the world in ACOTAR, I can’t help but role my eyes at everything Feyre and Rhysand nowadays. I can’t and won’t say they’re obsolete, ACOWAR raised the roof in terms of possibilities and I’m sick of being stuck with Archeron and friends. Like, there’s a universe where GOD EXISTS! To me, ACOTAR needs TOG’s 3rd person pov or a fresh protagonist. Am I crazy?

Hi there! 

Hoo boy, so this is a lot to talk about (and you’re in luck, because I love talking, yikes, sorry if this ends up being more than you bargained for, friend). First of all, you’re totally right. I totally forgot about the Star Wars EU. My experience with the EU is all the books involving Jacen, Jaina, and Tenel-Ka (who I still actively dislike), so it’s a bit limited, and I was going strictly off the movies. Maybe a better example is like if Suzanne Collins resurrected President Snow, or even President Coin. Poor Katniss. 

So, doing something destructive to the story’s greater picture is different than doing something actively destructive. Since we’re on the subject of SJM, we’ll just use her. SJM killing off not only Nehemia but ALSO Sorscha to further two white protagonists is actively destructive. Was it malicious? I honestly don’t think so. Was it ignorant? Yeah. And though I’m of the personal belief that intent does need to be taken into account when examining things like this, I’m also of the belief that impact is more important than intent. I would’ve side-eyed a bit if it was JUST Nehemia, but Nehemia AND Sorscha? That’s a lack of self-awareness that hurts large groups of people. 

SJM does very well, in my opinion, of staying true to the story and not destroying its greater picture. Ex: There are certain characters she couldn’t have killed without irreparably damaging the main characters. Basically any of the main squad. She had to take other things away from them, (Gavriel from Aedion, Aelin’s powers and the human form she’s used as a crutch/security blanket for years, Connall from Fenrys, Dorian’s humor and easygoing personality etc), because despite the criticisms that nothing was lost because no one important died, if she DID kill someone important, the entire message of the story–hope, happiness even when the odds are impossible–would be less impactful. Veronica Roth with Allegiant? Not so much. Killing the heroine in a somewhat pointless death that you’ve lead your readers to root for and want a happy ending for is maybe not the best narrative choice. 

(For the record, though I don’t personally like it, I’m not against authors killing their main characters, but it’s gotta make sense. I’d be surprised, for example, if Jude survives Queen of Nothing. And, to use a character I love instead of someone I dislike so y’all can’t accuse me of being biased, Sam Cortland dying made sense to the narrative arc. It killed me. I low key still ship him with Aelin. But it made sense and it served the purpose of the narrative WELL. I mean I guess he’s not a main character, but he FEELS LIKE IT TO ME OK. *runs to a corner to cry and mourn … still*)

So, you used the ACOTAR world for illustration, so let’s run with that. A little bit of it is perspective and personal taste, right? I personally could read little tidbits about Feyre and Rhys for the rest of my life, because I love them very much. ACOWAR was meh for me, but I know a lot of people who REALLY HATED it, and a lot of people who REALLY LOVED it. And those things that people who really hated it take issue with tend to be things that the people who really loved it, loved. 

That being said. SJM writing a book about Feyre and Rhysand would destroy the series narrative, just like we were saying. Why? Because their arc is over. They’ve gotten their happily ever after (relatively: I mean, every stage of life brings its own problems, and in fantasy that means WAR). But they’ve grown into themselves as characters, so trying to write another book about THEM means one of two things: Either SJM is going to beat a dead horse and there will be nothing compelling because they won’t grow or struggle enough, OR, she’ll have to pull them back in terms of development to create new problems (which to be fair, happens to people IRL, but it usually isn’t something we want to read in escapist fantasy). 

So, you’re right. The ACOTAR world can only continue if it has a fresh new protagonist, and SJM has pointed to the fact that, there will be THREE fresh new protagonists. Each couple will get its own book, and my guess is she’ll start with Nesta and Cassian, because they have the most explosive problems (notice I didn’t say biggest), and she needs to use them to propel audience interest forward to read the others. If she starts quietly, like with Azriel and Elain (sue me, I’ve been an Elriel shipper since ACOMAF), she won’t hold her audience as well. That would be destructive to the story line a little bit. 

I hope I answered your question? All in all, while I’m ‘eh’ about the plot twist in King of Scars, it isn’t destructive to the storyline. It has the POTENTIAL to be, mind you. It will all depend on how it’s handled. If Alina is dragged back in? I’m going to say it destroys, not its own storyline, but the storyline of the Grisha trilogy. If Alina is left tf alone, I’m still side-eyeing, but I’m side-eyeing because of my own tastes, not because I think there’s a fundamental issue with the plot. 

Different things can destroy stories for different people, and those same things can MAKE stories for others. Again, I LOVED Rhys and Feyre’s cameo in Kingdom of Ash. I am a SUCKER for stuff like that, even though it’s silly (it’s a book people, let your hair down, ok). It really ripped other people out of the world, and that’s ok. They can side eye it for all those reasons all they want. My issue is that there’s a double standard (sometimes–not all the time!) with some of SJM’s antis, where they tear her down or ridicule her for making a similar choice to what they praise other authors for.

TL:DR–> There’s a difference between being destructive to your audience and being destructive to your story, and one is much more important than the other. It’s important to criticize. But be aware of your critiques. If you’re slandering an author for something you would praise another for, don’t be surprised when some readers/viewers stop assigning your critiques credibility and ascribe half of what you say to bitterness.  

#kos #kos spoilers #acotar #tog #sjm #veronica roth #allegiant