#let us explore Prythian

[the-darkestminds]

It would be so refreshing and interesting for the next ACOTAR book to take place somewhere other than the Night Court. Whether it be the Spring Court or the Day court or the human lands, Lucien could be used to draw the setting of the story away from Velaris. I’m dying for a change of scenery.

#please Sarah #let us explore Prythian #let us see a new court #sarah j maas #sjm #acowar #acomaf #acotar #a court of wings and ruin #a court of mist and fury #a court of thorns and roses #a court of silver flames #a court of frost and starlight #acosf #ACOFAS #elucien #pro elucien #lucien vanserra #lucien x elain #Elain

[sourholland]

Guilty as Sin

CHAPTER ONE ; azriel x fem!reader

summary: the lost princess of the dawn court finds herself brazenly escaping her own personal living hell. seeking refuge, as well as peace to plot in the city of velaris—she meets azriel shadowsinger and through the throws of disdain and discomfort they are forced to work side by side, intertwined through their shared scars.

a/n: ok so this first chapter is literally all exposition and world building within this world, i’m so sorry :( i promise that it will very much so pick up. this series is mainly about me exploring different aspects of my writing, i’ve never written a long series before. my longest is 50k and each chapter was about 2k words so this is something i feel really proud to put out, even if it is just the first chapter. if you’d like to be tagged please let me know!! this fic isn’t necessarily inspired by, but is a lot like taylor swift’s new song “guilty as sin?”. feedback always appreciated:)

warnings: strong language, mentions of trauma regarding men, heavy themes of ptsd and suicidal thoughts

spotify playlist (unfinished)

wc: 5.4k

Run.

The word cut through your mind, slicing through each and every thought you possessed as you gazed downwards at your bloodied hands. There was so much blood. Hot, thick blood ran down your forearms, coating your face and the inside of your mouth. Your stomach lurched, however by the grace of the Gods, you fled.

In over fifty years, you had not left this camp. Since you were just a girl, at twelve years old, you had resided within the hidden stone of the warrior camp. Now you had no choice but to utter a quick prayer to the Mother and run fast and furiously forward without looking back. Only the knife you had just used remained sheathed at your hip as you felt the ground beneath your boot-clad feet. There was a cloak pulled around you, it covered your face well and kept you concealed. 

What was that saying, you thought silently to yourself in between painful dry heaves. ‘Feet don’t fail me now.’

It was nightfall and you ran tirelessly through the forest you had been warned to never brave on your own. As a child, your mother had warned that you must not meet what lurks after dark. She told you that not even those beasts would mind slaying the Princess of the Dawn Court. To them, the title was useless and your blood was just the same. Blood. You reeked of those warriors' blood and sweat and desperation. It was clad to your skin like a layer of oil or grime, the taste of iron making you spit. 

A part of you wondered if you would die out in this forest, no idea where you were or what place Cousin Thesan had brought you so many decades ago. Stopping to lean against a tree, you panted and let the silent tears flow at once. Where were you? For all you knew, he had dropped you within the Continents and only used very good wards to keep the camp hidden. Why had you let them take you? What hadn’t you fought harder against Thesan’s word as Amarantha began exercising power among Prythian.

You had no answer, but only began to run once again. There was no choice, unless you planned to slit your own throat and simply give up. No. You are a warrior, you are a fighter and nothing would keep you from finding your cousin and demanding answers for his crimes. That’s what his actions were to you, criminal and inhumane and you would not be surprised if in the end–you adorned his blood on your hands as well. 

“Who dares enter this part of my forest?” A voice drawled from nowhere in particular, causing you to flinch and raise the dagger shakily in defense. “What is your name, girl?”

The voice came from the trees, you swore to yourself. It came in whisps and wind, the blackness of the forest making it impossible for you to determine where exactly the source was. If there was a source. It omitted what you swore was a chuckle, an unfamiliar sound to you for so long. Sweat collected at the nape of your neck and temples, hair stuck down to your forehead and your skin blazed as you continued to rotate in full circles with your dagger pointed at nothing.

“Y/N, Princess of Dawn and Bringer of Light. What is your business in dwelling here? This is no place for a young Fae girl. Especially one so sweet as yourself, and you wear the blood of ten men. It is as if you hope to die tonight,” the voice whispered, a hot, invisible breath on your neck. “Do you hope to die tonight?”

“No,” you finally spoke into the abyss. “I hope to locate my homelands, I am in search of the High Lord of the Dawn Court. Show yourself.”

The voice ignored your demand, “leave this forest, Princess. For the ones hunting you are far worse than those warriors you slaughtered miles back.”

The stiff cloth of your dress began to itch beneath your robes and you stood taller than before as the voice surrounded you. Perhaps you would die tonight, at least you would have gone out thrashing and fighting until your final breath. There was a mild ache behind your brow and the night sky showed no signs of daybreak.

“And why have you refrained from killing me?” You finally asked, shifting back and forth and contemplating whether or not to begin running again. 

“I possess no body. I am nothing but the wind and the trees and the breeze against your skin,” it hummed, cynically. “Cross the river up ahead and veer left, the path will lead you out of the forest and into the countryside where at least you will not be hunted for sport and strewn up and cut open for the creatures that dwell here to eat you alive.”

A cold chill ran up your spine and left your fingers to form fists.The spirit-like being was gone as fast as it had stumbled upon you. How did you know, you wondered idly for a moment. Its presence was absent, the air feeling more desolate and empty than it had moments before. It could very well be a trick, a way to lure you into its very trap and do exactly as it said.

You continued on to the river and went left, just as the being had told you to, as it had cooed into the shell of your ear. It was only about a mile later and you were coming into a dark clearing where animals lay sleeping along large acres of land. There were cows and sheeps first, then you saw pens of pigs and chicken coops further. Looking back, you saw how truly terrifying the forest was in comparison to the moonlit field.There were a set of yellow eyes staring out at you, but as soon as you blinked they were gone as if they were never there to begin with. While you knew you would never know, you threw a prayer up to the Mother regardless and hoped that the breeze-like thing that had most likely saved your life was at peace.

There was very little you could do besides walk along the outskirts of the land and hope to find some inclination of where to locate your court. Your court. The Dawn Court was filled with your people, people who had not seen you in five decades. The memories of your childhood were like knives in your gut, twisting and turning until finally you expelled them from your mind and breathed in deeply. The trek was long and you walked all through the night with no direction of where to go or what to do with yourself. There were not exactly any signs pointing you towards your home, or once home. Now you had no home, the camp was much more like a prison than a home to you. 

“Are you lost?” A little Fae girl spoke, taking in your appearance as she found you still walking along the countryside that next morning. She did not appear to be scared, however she was very young and held a basket of wildflowers in her hand.

“Yes,” you almost cried at the sight of her, another human and a female at that. It had been fifty three years since you had encountered someone of the same sex. “Where am I?”

“I live just beyond that hill. You are in the Dawn Court,” she said wearily, pointing over and beyond the hill that sat a few hundred yards away. “Should I fetch my father to help you?”

“No,” you said, knowing well what you had done the night prior and how you appeared. “I am looking to get to the Dawn Court Palace, do you know where I might be able to find it?”

The girl, no more than nine, looked over you once again and it was as if she was assessing your soul. She drew her lips into a fine line and set the basket down to begin spouting off some directions. You nodded, taking in all of them with careful consideration and noting that the spirit had led you onto the right track for some odd reason. Once the girl had finished, she merely bowed her head and turned back towards her house. 

.·:*¨☆◦✦◦☆¨*:·.

The Palace was nothing like you had remembered it. It was so much brighter and broader than you recalled within the narrow escape of your child-mind. The Dawn Court Palace gleamed under the beaming sun that had been burning your skin for hours as you followed the little girl’s instructions. 

It was so vast and yet it seemed to call out to you, there was a long way to get to even one of the many stairs leading up to the Palace and so many guards standing tall at every entrance you could see. There was no way in, you thought. Not when you look as you do. Would any of these men even know who you are, you wondered. 

“Who goes there?” A loud voice bellowed, bringing you away from your thoughts.

Who says who goes there, you thought. Prick.

Well it looks like Cousin Thesan spared no expense in making sure no one went in unnoticed, you rolled your eyes internally and spun on your heels to meet the look of the brooding male who wielded his weapon against you. He did not recognize you, as you had expected. His eyebrow had a long scar going through it and he held a blade in his hand, waiting for an explanation.

“Stand down!” You matched his tone, standing tall while the male practically laughed in your face.

“You are lucky that I have not already gutted you for crossing into our territory–”

The sound of you swallowing hard could be heard from even where he stood. You planted your feet and let all of those lessons on looking the part of royalty run over you. The guard was cut off by your sharp and fierce voice, “I am Y/N, Princess of Dawn! Stand down or don’t. I can’t say that I really care either way, but you very well might when I cut out your tongue and feed it back down your throat.”

The man went rigid for a moment and he took in a sharp breath. He seemed to be assessing you, his eyes scanned your frame while his weapon remained as it was. A part of you wondered if he thought you were bluffing, however the dried blood seemed to tell him everything he needed to know. He maintained his authoritative stance, only drawing back to call over some of his men. He whispered something into one male’s ear and his face went blanche. He looked over you with such careful consideration and shock, his eyes wide open and doe-like from where you stood.

“You claim to be the Lost Princess?” He finally spoke, tilting his head to the side to expose a long, fleshy scar across his neck.

“Well the last that I checked–I am the only Princess of the Dawn Court, however I am most certainly not lost, sir. I do wish to speak to my cousin, though,” you requested, earnestly. “As soon as possible.”

The Lost Fucking Princess. Who even comes up with this bullshit?

One of the males who adorned guard-like clothing brought you into the Palace wearily. He did not lay a hand on you, but motioned you to walk in front of him as if you posed some sort of threat. Perhaps you did, killing Thesan had crossed your mind once or twice. The idea of watching him writhe excited you quite a bit. The thought nearly brought a smile to your lips, only managing to suppress it when you began climbing the steps.

.·:*¨☆◦✦◦☆¨*:·.

The male brought you to a throne room, sunlight dancing along the walls and spilling onto the floors. Everything was so magnificent, the aura of the room was nothing short of golden. Blood boiled within you as you recalled all of the years you had wasted away to nothing, hidden in that rotting, despicable camp where all you ate was leftover meat scraps and watered-down soup for over fifty years. 

Thesan sat at the forefront of the room, he wore a crown and spoke to the male at his right in a hushed whisper. It was almost as if he did not know you were here, like he was uninformed of your arrival in his court. When the male who brought you in nearly tripped over his feet to murmur into Thesan’s ear, you had your answer. Your cousin’s eyes snapped towards you in an instant, he rose to his feet immediately and you swore you could feel the blood pumping in your ears. With a hot face and white knuckles, you barreled towards him with the intent to kill.

“You promised me! You promised me!” Your magic rippled across the room as you shouted, pure rage causing the ground to shake. “You left me there to rot like vermin! How could you?”

With tunnel vision, the two men who had been holding you back were nearly invisible as the ground continued to shake violently. Thesan was silent, his eyes were wide with genuine revelation and disbelief. Thrashing and clawing and screaming was all you could do. He had taken years from you, good years that had been ripped away and stolen from you as a child.

“You’re nothing but a fucking liar, Thesan. We share blood! I am your family and you threw me out to the wolves. I was twelve years old and you abandoned me. I trusted you with my life. My life!” you cried and flinched at the guards’ hands. “Get your fucking hands off of me!”

The two men who held you were sent flying backwards by an invisible force, your magic had been provoked and was now rippling off of you in waves. Thesan approached with his hands out, he still had not spoken a word. With a wave, he cleared the room and it was only the two of you left standing.

“Y/N,” he said in a soft hush. “Please just allow me to explain–”

“Explain? Explain how you brought me to your sick fucking camp when I was a girl and lied to everyone under the guise of my protection? Explain how after three months, your letters and visits stopped? Oh, perhaps you plan to explain how you left me to live with ten cursed warriors for over five decades and I have to find out six days ago that Amarantha was defeated by a human girl years ago as I still sat by idly waiting for my dear Cousin Thesan to retrieve me from my own personal living hell?” The words were like knives, piercing Thesan one after another as you resisted the urge to rip out his throat. “Explain, go ahead.”

Thesan could not believe his eyes, nor the venom spewing from your lips. He surveyed your too-thin figure and cold eyes, how they had changed so much since he had last seen you as a small girl. Everything you said was true, to some degree. He could not deny any of it, however he had not realized how the camp had treated you. He had not banished you, but relocated you for reasons of his own before Amarantha could rise to full power. When Thesan caught word of what had begun under the mountain, he made rash decisions and sacrifices that he was not proud of and would have to live with for the rest of his immortal life.

“Y/N, I did send you away for your protection. Do you believe that my brother would have let me live if I sent his only child away to live in squalor while we all reside in a palace? I sent you away because my people were being ripped from their homes and your mere existence puts a target on your back,” he said, steadily. “A Princess, the sole heir to the Dawn Court. It is unheard of. When my brother’s mate–your mother–birthed a girl, our people were ecstatic. As years passed and Amarantha began her show of power, everyone grew antsy for my heir. I tried, I remain trying to produce an heir to this court.”

You shook your head, hot tears running down your dirt-crusted cheeks. “Not good enough,” your voice cracked.

“Please, just hear my words,” he begged you. “When you were twelve years old, I assumed tensions were at their height and our people grew restless. Amarantha had begun slaughtering innocent Fae across Prythian and with no heir, whispers surfaced of the Princess of the Dawn Court. A female heir, one who reeked of power at that. Males who would never kneel before a female began to place bounties on your head, terrified that I would be slayed and there would be no one but you to resume my place.”

Thesan breathed deep, but continued. “I told my brother that the safest option would be to make you disappear. We would claim that you were hunted by Amarantha’s loyal subjects, nowhere to be found. I gathered some of my strongest men who had committed wrongdoings within my court and banished them to the camp where they would be tied until I liberated you.”

“You locked me away with criminals!” You seethed, already knowing but surprised at his willingness to utter the words freely. “How do you think your filthy, touch-starved, vile men acted once I had first bled?”

“This is where I have committed wrong,” he whispered. “It was only supposed to be a year, maybe two while I gained footing and figured out a way to take back what Amarantha had stolen from me. Three months after I sent you away, she captured the entirety of this court. Every court, save for Spring, went Under the Mountain. You were concealed, hidden so well by my wards, that she never even bothered to go looking for you. She believed that her own subjects had killed and discarded you. That was the extent at which things had gotten, she merely trusted the death of the Princess of the Dawn Court was another insignificant casualty to her reign. Everyone believed you to be dead. My letters stopped because I was trapped, my power basically nothing compared to what it once was.”

The truth washed over you slowly, blinking away tears but staying put and shaking your head at him. It was still not good enough, it would never be good enough. For fifty-three years you had known nothing but scraps and gangly men and the dirt underneath your bleeding fingernails. 

“It has been years since Amarantha was defeated,” you gritted out. “Defeated by a human girl–”

“Feyre Cursebreaker, High Lady of the Night Court and human no longer. Myself and the other High Lords used our power to bring her back from death as High Fae,” he told you. “I know you will never forgive me for not retrieving you immediately, however we entered a gruesome war against Hybern and have only just begun to recover and rehabilitate. It is no excuse, I know this. I hoped by now that I would have an heir, nothing has changed in regards to how your existence might be received by this court.”

He had left you there while everyone rejoiced in their freedoms, fought on the frontlines of battle, and then even still once we had won. Nothing but pure, unadulterated rage consumed you and yet all you could muster up was a pathetic noise straight from your throat. He had done all of this because he simply was not capable of bearing a child and assumed that you’re suffering was all the more worth it if he could fuck his way to the ideal future High Lord of Dawn. All men are the same, you thought with a sickness churning within you.

“You are a sick excuse for a man,” was all you spat. “Where are my parents?”

“Dead,” he lowered his head. “They died swiftly, soon after we arrived Under the Mountain.”

The gift that just keeps on giving, you thought whilst holding back a near sob. He gazed upon you with pity, finally taking you in wholly. The blood. There was so much blood and he could tell from the scent that it did not belong solely to you.

“What of the men at the camp?” 

“Dead,” you replied, just as he had. “I cannot say they went swiftly, as I slaughtered them all.”

The images of blood spewing and spilled flashed across the forefront of your mind, the way that some of them went quick and others went begging for a semblance of mercy. You looked down at your palms, flexing your fingers and feeling the energy throughout your entire body. It pulsed at the tips of your fingers, throbbed in the heels of your feet, and thrummed at the backs of your eyes. Over the years, there had been no one to teach you to manage it so more often than not it consumed you whole. 

You could kill him, you let the idea wash over you. Or at least you could try. In his home with all of his warriors, it would prove difficult. He was the High Lord, your High Lord–no, death was too swift and simple. You would need time to plan out your next steps, you pondered whilst maintaining a stone cold facade. You would have to play your cards right, he would deal with you based on how you acted as you stood before him. Truthfully, the idea of living with him puts you on the brink of physical sickness. You would rather die than be forced to stay under the same roof, lips curling slightly with disgust as he gave you another look filled with shame and guilt.

“I will not stay here,” was all you spat at him. “Not here, not in this court with you, I wish to be sent elsewhere.”

“Elsewhere? Do you understand what will come of your sudden return to our lands?” Thesan’s eyes were fixed on you, his voice near hoarse. “Y/N, I know that–”

“I will not stay here. I ask this one thing of you. I will not spread word of your pathetic sterileness, nor my title to the Dawn Court if you will simply offer me this one thing. Do you not owe it to me?” 

While the immense grief and pain in your voice was authentic, you made sure to create the illusion of your complete and utter wreckage. Mustering up tears, you had to get out of this place. There was no possibility of your survival if not, not even at the hands of these so-called people out for your blood–but at the hands of yourself. Every bit of you was exhausted, conveying complete and utter devastation into your eyes as he debated your request. 

Do you not owe it to me?

Thesan rubbed violently at the bridge of his nose and nodded to himself, he squeezed his eyes shut and for a moment you remembered the admiration you once felt for him. Admiration turned into blazing resentment and rage that had nearly created an earthquake. He wouldn’t force you to reside here under him, would he?

“I will do my best at making other… arrangements,” said Thesan after a few moments of tense silence. “I make no promises, as we may very well be approaching the brink of another war, however in the meantime you should wash up.” 

A breath of relief escaped you, “what of the guards who know who I am? I told them.”

“I should like to call in a favor from Rhysand,” he murmured, almost as if he was speaking to himself.

.·:*¨☆◦✦◦☆¨*:·.

“Leave me, please” you said to the servants gently, thanking them for the filled tub and fresh gown that was laid out for you within the spare bedroom and adjacent bathing room.

Everything was so prim and proper and doused in sunlight, it made you nostalgic for a life that once was. The water was steaming, layers of blood and grime covering you as you sunk down into the tub. The magic of the tub was forced to refresh itself almost as soon as you sat, growing murky immediately as you began to scrub your skin raw. 

Would it be easier to drown yourself, you breathed a shallow breath. No, someone was posted outside of the bedroom door listening in. A guard, most likely. He would hear, putting an end to your pathetic excuse of a suicide attempt and then Thesan would never let you leave. Or maybe he would, perhaps your untimely death was just what he hoped for in order to rid himself of the problems you presented him with.

Getting clean felt impossible, even with the tub enchanted to replace its filthy water. Your hair was oily and your skin remained covered in a film of grease. It took over an hour just for you to feel somewhat clean. At the camp, there had thankfully been a tub with running water and an enchantment of certain supplies so you never went without. Food, however, was hunted for you and everyone else. As the only female, every night you received what was left on the bone of whatever animal they had slaughtered in the nearby woods, eating last time and time again. 

One of the servants came in to help you dress in the gown custom to the Dawn Court, it fell to your ankles and glistened with what you could have sworn was pure sunlight. The tall woman braided your hair back and applied rogue to your cheeks and an oil to your lips. As you gazed into the mirror before you, you could hardly recognize yourself for the first time in five decades. There was something so regal about you, a light cascading off of you like an aura of gold. Thesan possessed the same coloring, the light pouring out from him in bouts of power. 

The woman knew who you were, you could tell that much from the way her eyes danced across your reflection. She said nothing, though. You thanked her, smiling softly as if she had not just seen you covered in days old blood and filth. The Lost Princess, you recalled what the male had referred to you as outside. She has no idea what to think of you, it seems. Maybe that was for the best, perhaps you were better as the shadow of a girl who once was but no longer existed. Instead, some sort of killer prowled beneath your now eternally crimson stained skin. 

“The High Lord has called for you,” the woman said softly, pulling you from your thoughts and causing your eyes to drift to meet her gaze in the reflection of the mirror. 

Once you had begun your trek back to the same room as earlier, the sun had begun to fall and the sky was painted endless shades of pink and orange. There was so much open space, all of the windows gaping to allow for as much sunlight as possible during the daytime. You had never felt so exhausted, eyes burning from the lack of sleep you had acquired on your journey and the use of power earlier on in the day. 

When you entered the room, Thesan was in conversation with a man that you could only assume was Rhysand. He was attractive in an almost inconceivable way, like one of the Gods. None of the males at the camp had resembled anything like him, no one in the Dawn Court resembled anything like him. Lucky High Lady, you thought mindlessly. Rhysand seemed to chuckle at nothing, turning to meet your gaze.

“Princess,” he greeted you with the friendly upturning of his lips. “Welcome back from the dead is in order, I suppose. I’m Rhys.”

“Funny,” you huffed a stiff laugh at him and extended a hand for him to grasp. Power ricocheted off of Rhysand in a way that caused your stomach to flip. “Y/N.”

His eyes simmered with something like pity mixed with amusement, he was not blind to the fact that you still had not looked Thesan in his eyes. Rhysand had been steadfast in arriving at the Dawn Court, his solemn look told you that he had been briefed on some of what was going on. How much, though? What had Thesan deemed important enough to share and what was determined as insignificant. Clearly as you had been cast away as insignificant, he could not be trusted to relay information.

“Rhysand has consulted with his High Lady and they have agreed to offer you a place to stay in the Night Court for as long as you should require it,” Thesan informed you. 

“At what cost?” 

“No cost,” Rhysand assured you at once. “Thesan has… told me of your circumstances–”

“What circumstances?” You demanded, cutting him off. “What did he tell you?”

There was a tense silence as you grew flustered and aggravated by your cousin. Thesan knew nothing of your circumstances, he knew absolutely nothing of what you had endured. Rhysand had strangely given you a look of understanding, it was as if he knew exactly what you were thinking. Like he had been inside of your mind, reliving the experiences with you.

“He told me of your power, he told me you have yet to learn how to wield it as well. He says that he senses you may have inherited more than just his healing gifts, but that the nature of your identity is sensitive. I admit that I do have to agree with him in concealing your return, Princess–for now, at least,” Rhyand only looked to you, his words carefully chosen so as not to upset you. “I have a house in Velaris, the city where I live, it houses three people as of late. My two brothers, Azriel and Cassian, and my mate’s sister Nesta. You would stay there, it is secluded enough that you will have as much privacy as you desire. I spoke with my healer Madja, she has agreed to allow you to work under her in an apprenticeship of sorts. She’s one of the best, not just in Velaris but anywhere in Prythian. I feel you both may be able to benefit from each other, her experience and your magic. My cousin Mor has offered to train with you once she arrives home from Vallahan on business, until then one of my brothers–”

You cut him off again, “Training? I do not wish to offend you, but why should I need your family to train me?”

“Y/N,” he began, assessing how honest he should be. “You have no muscle built up whatsoever and considering the fact that you have no hold on your own power–I suspect that your ‘training’ consists of the intent to kill and luck. In Velaris you would learn to fight and hopefully hone some of that power.”

It was this or nothing, you knew that. Either you would remain in the Dawn Court, or you would go with Rhysand and figure it out from there. Thesan’s face was now unreadable as you looked between both of the High Lords. 

“All the while I hide away so that no one knows my true identity?”

“No,” Rhysand responded. “You have matured, when you left this court you were only a girl. No one in Velaris will question you once I dim some of that power coming off of you. My inner circle knows your true identity, however to everyone else you will be ordinary High Fae. This is partially why you’ll work under Madja.”

Nodding slowly, you consider your options or lack thereof. Rhysand seemed genuine enough, you thought to yourself and could have swore he smiled slightly. Giving Thesan a once over, you met those violet eyes and nodded slowly.

“Alright, I’ll go to Velaris.” 

#azriel x you #azriel x y/n #azriel shadowsinger #azriel x reader #azriel shadowsinger x reader #azriel #acotar #acotar x reader

[acourtofmarvels]

Patience - Cassian

No OC this time, just your average Cassian x Reader (I used she/her pronouns but please use any you would like to.)

Summary: Y/N has been apart of the IC for 100 years after they saved her from a horrible incident that left her broken and traumatized. Cassian knew she was his mate from the second he saw her. Though he never could tell her, not after everything she endured.  They put her back together. She loved them and they loved her. Her family. Though, in the recent couple years she developed feelings a little stronger toward the male who she would soon find out to be her mate. 

Warnings: hints of abuse and assault. fluff

Word count: 3369

Cassian

"Why haven't you told her?" Rhysand asked me. I looked at him like he was crazy. He must be. Thinking I could ever tell her.

"How could I put that on her? After all she's been through. She's open to us now. She's stronger, braver. She's finally starting to learn to cope with her trauma. I don't want to scare her with something so... intimate."

I saved her. I have kept her safe. I helped her, trained her. Held her when she needed it, gave her space when she needed it. Those 50 years when Rhys was under the mountain she never left the House of Wind once. She didn't feel safe without her High Lord here. Even though Az and I were always with her.

"Cassian..." Rhys started.

"You kept it from Feyre, why? Cause you wanted to keep her safe, you didn't want to scare her. You wanted her to be ready for it. Thats exactly what I'm doing." He's being so hypocritical. How could he think I could just spring this on her?

"You've know for 100 years-"

"I knew the moment I saw her. She was covered in her own blood and vomit, bruised, broken and bare. You didn't see her, Rhys. You didn't feel-" I felt sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I was the one who covered her, brought her to Valaris to be healed and saved."What those monsters did to her..."

"They're dead now. They'll never hurt her again." Yeah. I killed them all. Made them suffer. Had them begging and pleading for their lives.

"She's still healing. I'd wait another 100 years if had to." 

Her POV

"We can go back if you want," Mor said quietly to me. We walked down the cobblestone sidewalk through the markets in the town square. Her arm linked in mine, her way of letting me know she wasn't leaving my side.

"No, I feel... good. It's a beautiful day. Everything feels like it's fitting into place. I've noticed these past few months that I finally feel like my old self again. But.. better."

It felt so good getting out of the house. Walking down the streets of my home. Home. I'd been here for a century. I've found my family here. People who love me, scars and all. And I love them. They're my rock. I wish I could say that I put myself back together after being broke for so long but it was them. They hold me together.

"Have you gotten all your gifts yet?" It was solstice this week. Everyone's favorite time of year.

"I have." I smiled at her. "And I'm not telling you what I got you." I knew by the tone in her question that's exactly what would lead next.

"Come on! Did you get it when we were together? I always take you shopping. How could you have possibly gotten my gift?"

"Cassian took me yesterday." I didn't like going out by myself. Too much anxiety. Mor or Feyre always go shopping with me in the markets. The boys take me other places, exploring Prythian if I please.

"Cassian never goes shopping with me! Gods, how did you convince him to do that?"

"I just asked him and he said yes." I shrugged. Cassian has always been sweet. He never tells me no. I feel guilty about it sometimes. I don't want to bother him.

"You have him wrapped around your finger, I swear." Mor groaned and I laughed.

"I do not." My face felt warm as a blush crept up upon my cheeks. Me blushing for a male? That hasn't happened since before... "Cassian just worries about me."

"Yeah worries a little too much." She rolled her eyes playfully. "You're staying at the town house with all of us this week right?" Rhys and Feyre mentioned they wanted everyone there this week. It was kind of tradition but this was the first solstice since the war and it just felt a little extra special.

"Of course. And I will also be drinking my weight in wine."

"Oh gods, a drunk you is never good." Mor and I both laughed loudly. I didn't drink much. Only with them. And usually on special occasions.

***

"Leave! You'll see us when we are ready!" Feyre yelled through the door. Rhysand wanted to see which dress she picked. He was being very persistent. It was so cute.

"Just a peak, my love," he said. I could practically hear the smile in his voice. I felt a weird pang in my chest. That was weird.

There was some more playful arguing between them before Feyre finally came back over to the vanity where I was sitting as Mor was doing my hair and makeup.

"He's acting like a child and I just took away his toy," Feyre mumbled, "Illyrian baby."

Mor was the first one of us who was ready. She was wearing a long black silk dress with her signature red lips. Feyre was wearing a dark blue sparkly dress. It took me a while to pick which dress to wear. Feyre insisted on the maroon one, while Mor wanted me to wear the emerald green. I am bad at making decisions so I let Elain pick and she favored the maroon one more like her sister. 

"Mother above we look hot," Mor whistled as the three of us stood in front of the giant mirror in Feyre and Rhys room. 

The door squeaked as it opened, Elain slipping through. "Stop being annoying, you swear you've never seen her dolled up before." She mumbled to whom I could only assume was Rhysand. She closed it behind her, pressing her back to it. Elain was in a pale pink dress. She favored the lighter colors. "The boys are getting rowdy and insist we go down to eat dinner."

"They're children, I swear." Feyre rolled her eyes but she was smiling, as was I. Feyre followed Elain out the door. I briefly heard Rhys say some curse words at the sight of his mate before Feyre shut the door behind her. 

Mor reached for the handle of the door but paused when she noticed I was hesitant to follow her. I could tell she was immediately worried for me. "What's wrong?" Was I really that transparent? 

I couldn't lie to her. She can always tell when I'm lying or hiding something. "I am nervous." I admitted, my hands gripped the fabric of my dress nervously. 

"Why? Has something happened?" I think I was the closet with Mor. She was there since the beginning. For the first few months after the incident I was to afraid to be around males. Mor never left my side. She didn't even know me yet she cared so much. 

"Nothing has happened. Just, something feels different." I could feel the aching in my chest. I had noticed it every time I was around Rhys and Feyre, I didn't understand. 

"A good different or a bad different?" She took ahold of my hand, a comforting gesture she did to know that she was there for me and she wasn't leaving. 

"I'm not sure. I think what I'm feeling is good but it hurts sometimes." She gave my hand a small squeeze. 

"Do you want to leave? I can winnow us out right now. No questions asked. You say the words and we're gone." I smiled at her. 

"No I don't want to leave. I just... I had that on my chest." I took a deep breath. She continued to rub her hand over mine. She always held my hand when I was anxious or feeling emotional. It was comforting, to know she was always by my side when I needed her. 

The door burst open, in came an angry looking Amren. Her hand was gripping the doorknob so hard I thought she might pull it off. "If you don't get downstairs in the next two seconds I'm killing them all." She glanced down at Mor holding my hand and Amren's face actually softened. It wasn't often I saw any other sign of emotion on her face that wasn't anger or annoyance. "What's going on? Are you alright, Y/N?"

I let out a small laugh. I love that they all worry for me. But it does get annoying the amount of times a day I hear Are you okay?  "I'm quite alright, thank you. Let's eat, I'm starving." 

Amren went first, Mor following and myself close behind. The biggest smile formed on my face the second I heard the low, loud, voices of the rest of my family downstairs. I don't even know what they were saying but Cassian's voice stood out to me. My heart sped up and I ignored it like I always did. It was a weird feeling I didn't understand. It always happened around him or even to the thought of him. 

"The night has barely begun and you're already giving me a headache," Amren grumbled as she hopped off the last step. The room grew quiet as Mor and I came into view. My eyes locked onto Cassian's first. There went that feeling again. He pushed his chair back, standing up straight. I noticed Rhysand and Azriel were standing up to. 

"Now don't stop the party on our account," Mor said. 

Rhysand was the first to speak out of the males. "You both look marvelous." He then looked at down at his mate who was sitting in the chair beside him. He must have said something to her for only her to hear because a slight blush freckled upon her cheeks. 

Azriel approached both of us, complimenting us. He hugged Mor, then looked at me for permission. I smiled at him and opened my arms to give him a hug. "Thank you, Az." The males were always hesitant to show any type of affection toward me. I understood why and I was grateful for it. 

As Azriel walked back over to where he was sitting previously at the dinner my eyes locked once more on the Illyrian general. 

"Y/N you look-" Cassian choked on his words. "I mean y-you both look, um, wow." He motioned to Mor and I. I'd never seen him so nervous. 

"Settle down Cass, you might just woo them away." Rhys said making Az laugh. Cassian's face turned red as he sat back down in his seat. Feyre swatted his arm and scolded him silently. 

The night continued on as we ate and drank. I sat at the end of the table with Elain on my right and Mor on my left. The smile on my face only grew bigger as the night went on. 

I kept the smile on my face as I glanced at Rhys and Feyre, who were talking quietly to each other, stealing kisses back and forth. I wanted that. That love that they share. That was the first time I was admitting it. I think I just realized why I felt that pang in my chest every time I looked at them together. That connection was what everyone craved. That unrelentless love. I didn't even know I was ready for that but I now realize that I do. 

I looked away from them. I couldn't watch anymore. I needed to focus on something else before they noticed my change in demeanor. 

I couldn't help but look at Cassian. He could always calm me down in the worst of times. It was like he knew I was watching him cause the second he looked at me every thing changed. It felt like the world stopped and something shifted. It started in my chest, a glowing warmth that began to sooth my aching heart, like a bandage to a wound. The warmth spread outwards, moving to my limbs and beyond my body, forming a bridge between us. 

The second that connection snapped I stood up abruptly, the chair beneath me almost falling back I pushed it back so quickly. The tears were already falling down my face. "You-" I couldn't even form a sentence. I had to cover my mouth with my hand to prevent myself from sobbing then and there. Cassian was standing too, worry all over his face. But he knew. I knew he knew. 

I couldn't breath. I knew people were calling my name. I knew Mor was by my side but everything felt numb. I needed to get out of here. 

I didn't look out as I ran out of the townhouse. Into the cold air, through the falling snow. He's my mate. Cassian is my mate.

"Gods, Y/N, you're gonna catch a cold out here." His voice alone soothed me. He appeared in front of me, wrapping a cloak around my shoulders to keep me warm. 

"How long?" I looked up at him, his face blurry through my tears. 

"Let's go back inside, I don't want you to get sick out here," he avoided the question, which only made me angry. 

"How long have you known, Cassian?" I raised my voice. I wiped my tears away so I could see him better. The sun was beginning to set but the faelights outside were shining on his face. 

"I knew the moment I saw you. It snapped immediately." He said quietly. He looked down at his feet, not daring to look at me. 

"Why didn't you tell me?" My voice was barely above a whisper. I was trying to hold it together now but my voice was failing me. 

"How could I?" Cassian looked up and it was then that I noticed the tears in his eyes also. "After what they did to you. After everything you've been through... I couldn't put that burden on you."

"A burden? You feel being my mate is a burden?" 

"No, never." He reached his hands out like he wanted to hold me, but he lowered them and took a step away from me. "I didn't want to scare you. I wanted the bond to click into place for you. I wanted you to be ready. But I will never force anything upon you. If you want to reject it, I will be okay." It was hard for him to say that. I know he didn't mean to but I could feel him send his sadness through the bond. 

I stepped directly up to him, he straighten up but didn't move away this time. He was watching me nervously. I wanted him to hold me. I needed him to make the first move. I don't want him to be scared either. 

Warmth spread through my body as he gently placed his hand on the side of my face. I let out a small cry as I placed my hand on top of his, wanting him closer. I looked up at him. "You do not scare me, Cassian. There is no one in this world that makes me feel safer than when I'm with you. And I am honored to be your mate." 

Cassian let out a cry of relief as he pulled me into his embrace. We both stood there in the snow, holding each other so tightly, crying with one another. After a few minutes he pulled away first, both his hands cupping the sides of my face now. His thumbs wiping away the few tears on my cheeks. "The honor is mine. And I will give you the everlasting love you deserve, for eternity."

"As will I," I reached up and wiped his tears also. "I will need your patience. I would like to go slow." 

Cassian's eyes went wide and he took a step back from me. "Of course." 

I laughed a little and grabbed his hand pulling him back to me. "This is just fine." He smiled and wrapped his arms around my waist. "And I would like you to kiss me." A blush formed on my cheeks as I said that. I hadn't kissed a male in over a century. 

"You sure?" He asked. I nodded slowly, he leaned in closer and when he was just mere inches away from my face I closed my eyes. Finally his lips found mine in an achingly slow, gentle kiss. He was holding me so softly, as if afraid he would hurt me. "You're it for me. I'm never letting you go." I leaned into his touch, wanting to be as close to him as possible. 

"Should we go back inside with the others?" I asked, nuzzling my face into his chest. 

"Yeah, we should." He replied but neither of us made an effort to move. "They're watching us from the window." 

I whipped my head around to look at the house behind me, multiple heads jumped away from the window. I laughed and shook my head. "They're always so nosey."

"Let's go. It's getting cold." Cassian and I held hands as we walked back inside. He took my cloak off for me and hung it up. Everyone was sitting at the table acting totally normal. 

I noticed Mor has taken my seat, pretending to be in a serious conversation with Elain. Rhys was trying to hide his smile behind his drink. Cassian pulled out the empty seat from beside him, allowing me to sit down before he took his seat. My face was red as a tomato but Cassian had a smug grin on his. They were all pretending like nothing happened, that this was all totally normal. 

"Did you guys know it started snowing outside again?" I spoke up finally, a smirk on my face.

 "What?" "No way." "I had no idea." They all said as a chorus. Then we all started laughing. Thank the mother for that. 

Cassian grabbed the edge of my seat and pulled me closer to him, wrapping an arm around the back of my chair. I grabbed his other hand and held it in my lap with both of mine. I need the connection.

"So did you all know?" I had to ask. I wasn't mad. I found it funny actually. 

"Know what?" Rhys asked, playing dumb. Then a devilish grin formed on his face. 

"I told Rhys the moment I knew, Az suspected the same day." Cassian told me. 

"I figured it out easily," Amren said, her arms crossed over her chest and a bored look on her face. "He stares at you constantly."

 "I do not!" Cassian said loudly and everyone laughed again.

"She does the same, don't worry." Mor smirked at me and my eyes went wide. 

"I do?!" I didn't even realize. My face was so red right now. 

"Oh, all the time," Feyre spoke up. Cassian squeezed my hand, begging me to look up at him. When I did his face was so full of happiness, my heart felt like it was melting. 

He leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Do I have permission to kiss your cheek?" I giggled, literally giggled. Who am I? Where did this side of me come from?

"You have my permission and may do so anytime you want," I whispered back. He kissed my cheek with glee. I was so happy. I loved the affection he was giving me. He was respecting my boundaries and accepting that I wanted to go slow. But I now understood that with me wanting to accept the bond he was gonna take any affection he could get from me. I wanted to give him everything but I need time. 

"I think we can all agree, Cass and Y/N, we are very happy for you both." Rhysand raised his glass to us. Everyone copied, raising their glasses as well. 

Acotar Masterlist

#cassian x reader #cassian #cassian fanfic #cassian imagine #cassian fanfiction #cassian acotar #acotar fanfiction #acotar #acotar imagine #a court of thorns and roses #azriel #cassian x y/n

[silly--fangirl]

okay so i'm not a fan of how nesta was locked up in the HoW basically

so i've been thinking of ways that would be better to help her

so:

1. i think the ic should help her get a job in velaris (or outside of it if that's what she'd prefer). one that would cover her bills and necessities - not alcohol. one that she would be responsible for, to make a living for herself- one to create her financial freedom.

maybe - if they wanted her to help at the library - that could be the job?

and if they can't trust her with just having cash, someone could hold it and give her access to it under supervision - only to ensure she doesn't buy alcohol

2. definitely not ruining the house she chose - letting her stay there under the condition of making it a bit more upgraded.

just simple things - fixing sinks, installing something to keep the place warm, getting a bed frame.

maybe overtime a talk about moving to a nicer place of her choice?

3. take her to counseling - something like the priestesses have at the library.

even if she doesn't speak at first. even if she's mean - giving her an outlet to express her feeling verbally.

4. if they need her to train or get to know her magic - let it be under certain conditions.

if she wants to do idk some prythian form of yoga - let her. she doesn't need to become a warrior if that's not what she desires - and if they need her to be able to protect herself then the required training should focus on self defence.

and exploring her own magic - it should be with a mentor of her choice - one that will put her well being first, not the possible future use of her abilities.

the ic shouldn't use her skills unless she agrees.

i am not sure what else but if someone has any ideas i'd be glad to read them!!

#acotar #acosf #a court of thorns and roses #a court of silver flames #anti acosf #pro nesta archeron #pro nesta #nesta acotar #nesta acosf #nesta supremacy #nesta stan #nesta #archeron #nesta archeron

[violetasteracademic]

Golden Doe in a Valley of Shadow: Chapter One (Ao3 Azriel x Elain FanFic)

Friends! I have been living, dreaming, breathing this Azriel and Elain fanfiction I've been writing. I've got about 5 chapters so far and 30k words solidly edited and so much more still to write. I've been patiently waiting for my Ao3 invite and finally have Chapter One up today!

There are notes on the chapter, but please be aware that while I would not categorize as dark romance there are some darker themes. All warnings and triggers are listed.

This is a canon text and timeline *inspired* piece and my interpretation of a story that could be blended with the time after Solstice, as well as the inclusion of some personal theories and also just plain fun possibilities. My Elain has earth fae powers (where did the CC earth fae come from? Why does no one from Prythian or Erilea have them?!) and carranam will be explored. I'll link to the full chapter on Ao3 at the bottom!

Prieview:

Elain

She hadn’t slept in a week. Not since Azriel had given her that beautiful necklace. It felt so personal, so intimate. Just a few nights before Solstice festivities began, she had teased him about whether or not he would be getting her a gift this year. His cheeks turned a shade of pink she hadn’t seen since the day she called his scarred hands beautiful. Hands he had used to clasp the necklace around her neck, sending shivers down each nob of her spine to the tips of her toes while his touch lingered on bared skin. The ghost of that touch still burned into her nape like a brand.

She had thought all of the glances and secret touches that passed between them had finally culminated to that moment. She could have sworn she heard his shadows whispering to her, letting her know what was in his heart. It was how she was always able to hear him when no one else could. How she could understand what he was thinking as he lingered in quiet corners, that hard mask set in stone on his face. She wanted to run her fingers over that mask. Kiss it softly until those hardened edges cracked beneath her lips and set him free.

His shadows spoke to her, and she watched the glimmer flash across his eyes when she’d silently send her own thoughts back into the darkness. Rhys and Feyre had their way of communicating when no one else could hear them. She and Azriel had theirs.

Why then had he turned away from her? His shadows were swarming, mirroring her whispered yes, yes, yes. She knew in her bones he had wanted to kiss her. Knew he wanted to do much more than that. She could feel the air between them crackling and pressurizing as he lowered his mouth to hers. She didn’t think he realized he had sent a slither of his shadows skittering over every inch of her as he slid his fingers through her hair and angled her head to receive him. Those shadows still held on to her after he had stopped, close enough to her lips that she could feel his labored breaths tickling her nose.

And then he was gone.

It was a mistake.

How could she have been so wrong? Maybe she truly had gone mad. Maybe she somehow lost herself again, unable to build that mental wall between the world in front of her eyes and the raging visions that plagued her mind. She had gotten better. Or she thought she had. And yet Azriel truly did not want her. When his shadows finally loosened their grip, it was as if they were the only thing keeping her standing. Her knees buckled and hit the floor. She gasped in pain. Her skin turned fiery and unbearable. She nearly ripped the necklace off. Nearly brought the element of her powers she kept hidden even from Azriel up from the ground to rip out every floorboard and shred her skin where he had touched her. Just so she had something to show for it. Blood and scrapes and scars to erase the feeling of his hands on her to replace them with something she could see with her eyes and not just her mind. To ensure she hadn’t imagined all of it.

Sometimes, when she felt herself getting lost again, she’d hold up her palms out in the garden. Call forth the thorn covered vines to wrap around her wrists and dig in just so she could keep track of where she was. The pain had become a comfort. The blood a reminder of the ground beneath her. Baking and cooking helped in the same way. She knew everyone thought less of her for not showing a warriors strength like her sisters, for not being more interesting. But menial tasks were often the only way she could manage to get through the day. Tasks that resulted in physical evidence of what she had been doing. Blood on her hands. Flour on her nose. The sweat from the sun or the heat from the oven. Proof that she hadn’t left herself again. Breathing, and breathing, and breathing through it all.

Azriel didn’t want her. She tossed and turned in the sheets, trying to will down the ache in her chest that pressed down with such intensity she had to keep a bucket next to the bed in case she became sick from it. He didn’t want her. She truly had gone mad thinking that he did.

The larks began chittering in the trees outside the window, alerting that dawn would be breaking soon. Resigned to the sleepless night, she pulled a plush lavender fleece lined robe Nuala and Cerridwen had gotten her for solstice (so similar to the fuzzy blankets she had picked up for them) and padded down the stairs. Moving around the world as quietly as the wraiths. It brought a certain kind of peace to stay in the background. It still brought a flush to her cheeks if someone asked her a question or called for her while her visions moved across her mind. She couldn’t always orient herself away from them quickly enough to avoid concerned looks. She was so tired of the wary eyes on her. Always waiting. Always worried. It was easier to stay hidden.

The kitchen was softly lit with faelight, just enough to start quietly gathering ingredients and kitchenwares to make scones. Snowflakes drifted over the garden, large and fluffy, clinging to the stripped buds of the winterberries harvested right before Solstice. It still took adjusting to be met with the sight of falling snow and simply enjoy the beauty of it. To bask in the safety and warmth of the townhouse and release the gut clenching anxiety that used to grip her on snowy days in the cottage. Wondering how many nights she and her sisters could make it through another winter with threadbare blankets and hardly enough food to survive. She shook her head, clearing memories. Azriel had helped her move on from that. And now she had to find the strength to move on from him. She would do it. She always did, even if no one ever truly saw how deep she had to dig to get out of bed and face each day with a smile.

I hope you fall for this story as much as I have. These two are so dreamy to write.

#elriel #pro elain archeron #pro elriel #azriel x elain #elain x azriel #elriel endgame #elriel fanfic #spicy elriel fanfic

[acourtofthought]

i used to think elain’s book could be coming next but i don’t see that happening anymore… after hofas (i’ve read it already) and all the bonus scenes, i don’t see her and lucien playing an important role in the foreseeable future. it’s very clear to me that az will be the next protagonist. what do you think?

ps.: i love you blog! thank you for bringing so much joy for us eluciens 💖

And you are not alone as I know many feel that way!

As there will be minor spoilers for HOFAS, I'll add the rest below.

But let me ask you, after reading the crossover and the bonus scenes in HOFAS.....what would Az's story be? What would Gwyn's story be? Outside of what SJM already introduced in SF? (Because we know their story will eventually deal with the Illyrians, the Valkyrie, maybe Merrill).

Because there is nothing that HOFAS really and truly tells us with any sort of certainty what would happen in his book, the details are still a bit fuzzy, a lot less fuzzy than what an Elucien book would handle.

At the end of HOFAS, there were no new pressing threats that we know of that were introduced to the world of Prythian. There could be possible threats.....there's a few loose threads that she could create a storyline out of, but what was really left for Az to resolve?

In the crossover we learned who Truth Teller once belonged to so of course we'll eventually discover how Az came to have it. But is that really any different than us knowing that Elain hasn't full explored her powers or Lucien isn't currently aware that Helion is his father?

In the bonus, we learned that Az likes "club" music. But is that any different than us already knowing Elain and Lucien love being outside in nature, that Lucien once enjoyed reading for pleasure or that Elain loves gardening and baking?

We learned Az feels strongly about his mother but Lucien hasn't been able to see his mother in centuries since book 1.

We learned he was still a bit moody over not having a mating bond but how is that any different from the disappointment and longing Lucien had on his face near the end of SF?

I think there's a chance that SJM will set up the Prison lands to become the lands of the Valkyrie but does that seem realistic that something that major would happen 3 months after SF when Gwyn wasn't sure she'd leave for Nesta's mating ceremony? When the Valkyrie really only consist of three females right now who haven't even had battle training which Cassian said could take years? When setting up the Prison as Valkyrie territory is not necessarily more important than the threats the rest of their world is facing?

So what important role would Az be playing in the very next book when we don't even know exactly what role is needed for the next ACOTAR book as it relates to the crossover? Especially when CC3 is not ACOTAR. On her website, she does not tell readers they need to read CC before reading the ACOTAR series.

Try to pretend that you know nothing of CC3 and focus on where things left off in SF because not every reader is in this fandom and not every reader of ACOTAR will have read CC. I personally only know two people (in my day to day life) who have read the ACOTAR series, one also read TOG but did not read CC and the other has not read either CC or TOG. So they have no idea about bonus chapters or crossovers or anything of the sort.

The problems that were threatening their world at the end of SF were Beron, Koschei, the treaty, Spring being a weakened target and the IC needing the Spring Courts forces, Vassa being called back. The Illyrians weren't even a big deal at the end when you consider Gwyn and Emerie were laughing about them being mad (no one was laughing over Beron, Koschei, Tamlin).

Who is connected to those storylines? I don't think it can be denied that Elain and Lucien were heavily tied to them in SF.

The entirety of CC3 probably took place 3-5 months after the events of SF so how is Lucien not connected to the problems in Prythian when by the end of CC3, as far as we know, the problems in Prythian are still Beron, Koschei, the treaty (and so on)? Koschei and Beron are the current threats, not the threats of the foreseeable future. Eris literally said his father is angry about his ally being killed and wants to ally with Koschei. Cassian tells us that army's usually don't move in winter but now Spring has come to their lands. The IC permanently stationed Lucien in Spring because of their worries about Tamlin's state of mind.

And those problems all exist outside the NC so if Nesta, Az, Rhys, Cassian, etc. were dealing with Bryce once she landed, then isn't it possible they were able to do so because Lucien and Elain are / were already dealing with the rest?

Elain never once showed up in CC3. We even had mentions of Feyre, "when Feyre gets here", "when Feyre hears of this". But nothing of Elain so wouldn't it make more sense for SJM to start the next book filling in the blanks on where she was and why she was completely absent? Why Mor was completely absent (when you consider at the end of SF, Mor had headed back to the continent for the treaty)?

It feels a bit like people are thinking that just because SJM introduced the possibility of new issues for the members of the IC, what happened in SF no longer matters but I feel that couldn't be farther from the truth. The possibility of new issues doesn't erase the issues that were left unresolved in SF and to me, it would make more sense if she began the next ACOTAR book dealing with the issues ACOTAR readers were left with and not jumping right into something she only recently introduced in a different series. Especially when we don't know if the crossover was supposed to set up for the very next ACOTAR book and if SJM plans on tying Koschei into time travel stuff or if it was simply setting up for what comes after Elucien deals with Spring, Beron, Vassa, Koschei and there is going to be a threat from outside their world after his defeat. But.....it's still anyones guess though I think Elucien is still hanging in there for getting the next book.

#elucien #elain archeron #lucien vanserra #pro elucien #pro lucien vanserra #pro elain archeron

[theoverlyenthusiasticwriter]

Fenrys x Azriel Masterlist

So, for context, in all of these headcannons, Fenrys accidentally fell into Velaris while working for Maeve (pre-Aelin) and while Rhys was still under the mountain. He doesn't speak the language, so Mor uses her magic as kind of an automatic translator that doesn't work on writing or music.

*These are not in order. Some of them may also occur after Fenrys leaves Velaris and finds his way back fifty years later*

Read more on Ao3

Migraine

Fenrys knows something's wrong, and he's not about to let Azriel suffer without help.

Better?

Fenrys Moonbeam was accidentally teleported to Velaris fifty years ago. Finally, he has the chance to return, with his lover in tow, only Velaris has a few more characters than he remembers.

Speak my language

Fenrys explores the restraints of the magic Mor uses to translate everything for him in Velaris.

Howl

This is the moment that Azriel and Fenrys fall in love with each other. Well, maybe not the moment, but the realization.

Woof

They're falling for each other. They both know it. There's no going back now. On the evening of Fenrys' birthday in Prythian, Azriel takes him out to a secret spot.

*****

Extras:

Moodboard

Thoughts

#acotar #acotar fanfiction #sarah j maas #acomaf #acowar #acofas #a court of thorns and roses #my fanfiction #throne of glass #throne of glass fanfiction #throne of glass fenrys #fenrys moonbeam #fenriel #fenrys x azriel #azriel #crack ship

[cest-la-vieve]

Meeting Eve (The Ninth Time)

Summary: Azriel shows Evelyn around his home while facing the realization she's his real home. He finally gives into his urges, claiming her just as fully as she longs to claim him.

Word Count: 5.7k

Warnings: cussing, az being insecure, hints to sex

Notes: hehe love this lil illyrian who doesn't know how choose between letting his head, heart, or you-know-what lead his interactions with our sweet evelyn. please enjoy!

Next: The Tenth Time

ACOPAP Masterlist

---

Showing Evelyn around the city was nothing short of life-changing.

For her, I mean.

Definitely not for me.

My heart wasn’t warmed as I led her down the streets that my brothers and I would sacrifice anything to protect. I didn’t memorize the way her eyes widened around each bend, as her face lost all hints of stress as she nearly skipped like a child to each shop. My shadows didn’t take note of every item she fawned over so they could remind me when it came time for the solstice or her birthday.

I know if my brothers were here, they’d be teasing me relentlessly about the way I followed her around the city like a stray pet, eating up the scraps of attention she gave me like I was starving. She truly was a queen amongst men. Even if logically I knew we didn’t have queens in Prythian, seeing the way she interacted with various faeries, asking about their lives, making promises to reconnect with them later… It was making me rethink why we didn’t. She’d be perfect for it.

I would have been content to trail her for days, weeks, if she asked. But as the sun kissed the horizon and then eventually dipped below it, I knew there was one place I had to take her.

She started to turn a corner, already beginning to wave to a shop owner, but I reached out and grabbed her hand before I could second-guess myself. She whirled around, eyes wide, like she was expecting something to be wrong. When she realized it was just me, stopping her from exploring further, her entire face scrunched in confusion and suspicion.

I noticed you could tell a lot from the way her nose scrunched. It was the one tell she had difficulty hiding. Even if the rest of her face was impassive, her nose would twitch or screw up in anger, disgust, sadness, you name it.

I held her hand a little more firmly as I steeled myself. I offered her a small smile in apology for cutting our excursion short but nonetheless, I said, “Come with me.” It was a question, nearly begging her to accept.

I could see the gears turning in her head as she debated her response, the way her eyes darted back to the street that was now lit with Faelight and alive with music. She didn’t let go of my hand, though, and that filled my chest with hope.

Eventually, she used the hand that wasn’t encased in mine to delicately tap on her chin. She met my eyes, a serious glint shining in hers as she asked, “You’re not taking me somewhere to kill me, are you?”

A scoff of amusement left me before I could stop it. I knew as well as she did that I wouldn’t need to ask permission to take her somewhere and kill her. I fought back a shudder at the thought of even considering hurting her even as my shadows whispered how pretty she’d look with a knife gently pressed against her skin.

She stuck her tongue out at me and, to my continued shock, I did it back. It was getting harder and harder to keep up the 500 years of walls I had built whenever I was around her. She awoke some small part of me that had long since been hidden in the dark. I wasn’t sure if I wanted it to stop or not.

Her mouth parted at my childish response and before she could protest, I turned and used our still-connected hands to gently pull her along behind me. This was one wall I could take down, for her.

I led her along, traveling the well-worn dirt path to the little wooden bridge that had been here for as long as I could remember. It was the one place I had managed to keep hidden from Rhys and Cas, knowing that, with them involved, the wood would be left in splinters at the bottom of the Sidra. Plus, the residents of Velaris rarely traveled this way, as the only thing on the other side was a wide expanse of farmland.

It took all of my self-control to drop Evelyn’s hand, feeling like it belonged there always, but I gestured for her to walk onto the small bridge. She nodded a bit before walking out, stopping in the middle and looking out at the water.

I took long, lazy strides to walk up next to her, nearly folding my body in half to brace my forearms against the familiar rail. I hoped she didn’t hear the deep exhale of relief as I settled into my usual position, letting the calming light of the moon wash away some of the lingering tension.

When I didn’t sense Evelyn moving to join me, I tried to explain, “This is one of my favorite spots in all of Velaris. I come here when I need quieter than the House of Wind or Townhouse can offer.”

I kept my gaze trained on the horizon, tracking the way the moonlight danced along the water, sending my shadows out to play with it. I saw her nod out of the corner of my vision and her ethereal voice said, “I had many places like that, though it changed depending on where we lived. Sometimes I’d walk out into the forest until I couldn’t take another step and just sit under a tree to get away for a bit.”

For all the time I had spent agonizing over our differences… The hours wondering how a ray of sunshine and joy and love could be fated to a miserable bastard like me… Maybe we weren’t so different after all.

She didn’t speak for a long while and I wasn’t sure what else to say. My mind raced and I fought to keep my pulse steady, forcing myself to confess, “I haven’t… I haven’t brought anyone here.”

She had joined me against the railing, perching so carefully it seemed like a breeze could knock her over. I was more than prepared to catch her if that was the case. She cleared her throat, speaking so softly, it was barely more than a whisper as she responded, “Thank you, then. For showing it to me.”

I could only nod as the weight of what I’d done when I decided to bring her here settled on me. I shifted my focus back to the moon, letting its soothing song work on calming down all the darkness inside of me.

We stood for a while, side by side, breathing in tandem, and if I let myself, I could practically feel the tether between our souls humming in approval at our proximity. I wondered if she could feel it, the tie between us, pulling us closer and closer…

“Azriel.”

Her voice was its own kind of song, lilting and breathy. I dropped an arm to my side, turning to look at her, and my breath caught in my throat.

Her green eyes were hooded in peace and languidly dancing in the moonlight. Her hair fell in slight waves down past her shoulders, framing her collarbones in a way that had me aching to run my tongue over them. I already knew her skin would taste just like the moonlight that reflected off of it, light and dark at the same time, with a magical quality you’ve only read about in books. I ran my gaze over every inch of her, noting each inch of exposed skin, and analyzing each slight shift in her posture.

It was only when I began to smell her arousal that I locked eyes with her - only to see that while I had been practically eyefucking her, she had been doing the same. I clenched my hand into a fist at my side, willing myself to calm down, but smirked at the idea that even unaware of the mating bond, she wanted me.

“Yes, Evelyn?” I purred.

Her question - demand - caught me off-guard. “Teach me to fly, Azriel.”

It was as if 5 centuries of hatred hit me at once. I often tried not to think about the Illyrian wings and power she was cursed with. There were few things I hated more than the Illyrians and their misogynistic, unnecessarily cruel, and outdated ways. There was a reason that Cassian was appointed General and not me. I could hardly stand to be in a room with any of them, let alone Devlon.

I wanted to scream this at her, tell her that this wasn’t a group she wanted to be like. But one look at her pleading face told me that I would cave.

Afraid that if I opened my mouth, I would say something to incriminate myself, I nodded. 

Thankfully, I was saved from the awkward repercussions of my acceptance by Rhys’s gentle prodding on my mental shields. I easily lowered them enough to let him in, as he purred in post-sex satisfaction, We’re done.

Wear your poor mate out, brother?

As only I can, Azriel.

I mentally snorted at him, sure he could feel just how annoying I found his haughty attitude, and turned to Evelyn, telling her,  “Rhys and Feyre are ready to host us back at the townhouse.” Best to leave out the unseemly things I’m sure our High Lord got up to with her sister.

She shrugged before taking off. I saw the slight hesitation in her steps, her false confidence in the directions causing me to chuckle to myself. Her stubbornness would get her into trouble one day.

I easily strode in front of her as she paused at an intersection, trusting her to follow as I led the way through the streets and to the townhouse.

I sat at the table, my shadows whispering to me about the movements of the Autumn Court male. I kept one eye on him and the other on Evelyn as she easily, naturally, sat in the seat next to me.

She turned a confident grin to Cassian, proudly announcing, “Guess what, old-timer?”

“Yes, kid?” Cassian turned to her, eyes alight with mischief.

Evelyn grinned conspiratorially, leaning forward to whisper-shout, “Azriel’s gonna teach me to fly.”

I nearly choked, knowing my brother would have nothing short of a million questions about this arrangement but shrugged noncommittally as he raised a brow at me. Evelyn and Cassian’s relationship brought me a lot of solace, knowing she had him keeping an eye on her but situations like this were sure to bring me a lot of grief, too.

Cassian’s look promised this was something we’d discuss later and I mentally groaned at just the idea of that conversation. He clasped a hand to his chest in mock hurt, asking Evelyn, “And you didn’t even think to ask me?”

In a steady voice, she instantly quipped, “You couldn’t handle me, General.”

And fuck if that didn’t turn me on.

Rhysand and Feyre walked in before their teasing conversation could go further. Cassian smirked at Rhys and I caught Evelyn winking at her sister. I swiftly kicked Cass in the shin, both for the insinuation about the flying lessons and for embarrassing Feyre, who gave me a grateful smile.

Evelyn looked at me, clearly wondering why I hadn’t admonished her.

I nearly rolled my eyes at her but settled for a look that told her she could get into her own trouble, I’d only help get her out.

Rhysand was focused wholly on Lucien, Cassian and I rising instinctively to threaten the Spring Court emissary as Rhysand lazily drawled, “I assume Cassian or Azriel has explained that if you threaten anyone in this house, this territory, we’ll show you ways to die you’ve never even imagined.”

I sent out shadows to test the male, making sure they noted his intentions, as he and Rhys delved into a conversation. I felt Evelyn rise and slowly make her way between Cass and me. I nearly laughed at the picture we likely painted - the two most feared Illyrians in Prythian and the recently-Fae female from the mortal realm who was nearly half our size. Yet somehow I knew, when it came to Feyre, she was the most dangerous of the three of us.

As Rhysand and Lucien discussed our High Lady, I found my eyes drawn to Evelyn, thinking that in a different life, our love story could have been just as beautiful as Feyre and Rhysand’s. In a life where I wasn’t so scarred, so broken. In a life where being involved with me wouldn’t bring death to her doorstep.

“I was in love with Feyre long before she was ever in love with me,” Rhysand told Lucien, and Evelyn’s eyes snapped to me.

She looked away quickly but that split-second made me wonder if she was thinking the same.

Lucien retorted, “How fortunate that you got what you wanted in the end.”

Evelyn was hissing like a wildcat and throwing herself forward a second later. I grabbed one of her arms while Cassian held the other while waiting for Rhysand’s order. 

His eyes flicked to us, a clear command to keep her restrained and stand down, even as he said, “I was willing to lose my mate to another male. I was willing to let them marry, if it brought her joy. But what I was not willing to do was let her suffer. To let her fade away into a shadow. And the moment that piece of shit blew apart his study, the moment he locked her in that house…” 

I nearly joined Evelyn in launching myself at Vanserra, barely restrained rage causing me to shake and tense. Yet… Evelyn sagged in my arms, the fight leaving her body as quickly as it came. Mine went with it, instantly converting to worry as the female who always had fight in her seemed so… lost.

My shadows, of their own accord, brushed against her, sensing her discomfort. Despite my trying to reel them in, they continue to swirl around her until she jumped in recognition, casting a sweet smile to the floor where they danced. 

“I’m going to see my sisters up at the House. Would you like to come?” Feyre invited the red-haired male. Rhys didn’t seem thrilled as he sent me a side-long glance, letting me know just how much reconnaissance I’d have to do on Lucien.

Evelyn walked with the others to the roof, standing off to the side as everyone sorted traveling. I sent a mental note to Rhys that I’d be taking Evelyn, his smirk practically feline down our bargain bond. I sent him an obscene gesture in return.

I didn’t say a word as I walked over to Evelyn’s side, just offering a hand and asking her the silent question. She nodded and I swept her into my arms, pressing her tight against me as we flew to the House of Wind.

The second my feet touched down on the balcony, Evelyn was pushing off of me, whispering, “I’m going upstairs.”

I stared after her for a moment. Something was clearly wrong. But with Rhysand’s violet eyes looking over at me, I knew he wanted me to find more information to aid in this upcoming war.

Walking over to him and Feyre, I assured Rhys I’d address his ‘pressing business’ before stalking upstairs.

I pushed open the door to my room, running a hand through my hair in exhaustion. Even with how smoothly the day had gone, how easily I had relaxed with Evelyn under the moon, the war with Hybern was enough to send every nerve in my body on edge.

Sitting in the chair at my desk, I began combing through the papers of reports sent to me by various members of the vast spy network I commanded. I had been so confident walking into Hybern’s castle, reassured by the multiple checks Cassian and I had conducted, the information coming into and out of the island, everything.

And for it to go so horribly, irrevocably wrong… I had failed.

I failed Rhysand. I failed Cassian. I failed Feyre. And I failed Evelyn.

For everything that I’d been through, somehow every night since, I had woken from a nightmare of some sort. In fact, most nights I found reasons not to sleep. It was almost easier when Evelyn was unconscious, having that drive to keep me going for days or weeks at a time. Because when I closed my eyes… It was either the memory of Cassian’s screams as his wings were shredded, Rhysand’s broken shouts when Hybern broke the bargain bond between him and Feyre, or the sight of Evelyn spilling out of the Cauldron that haunted me.

My eyes skimmed the reports, working automatically to look for words of importance, even as my brain spiraled into the events of that day. It had been about an hour when I realized I hadn’t heard Evelyn’s door open from down the hall, despite Rhys sending a message several minutes ago that dinner was soon.

I had just begun to stand when I felt the rumble of Rhysand’s power shake the foundations of the House. Several of my shadows returned from where I had stationed them in the corners of Evelyn’s room, practically shouting messages of danger at me.

I stepped into the shadows without a second thought, searching my way through the House until I found her. Rhysand stood in the doorway, a promise of violence in his eyes, while Feyre stood behind him.

Evelyn… Eve…

She sat on the bed, hair wild, eyes brimming with tears, dressed in little more than her pants and a plain chest binding. I stomped down the innate part of me that wanted to hide her away from the gaze of another male, the part that screamed mine. Now wasn’t the time.

Judging from the white light fading from the edges of her eyes and silhouette, she had lashed out with her power. And Rhys… Rhys had met it with his own

She desperately crawled toward Rhysand and her sister, begging, “I didn’t- I wasn’t trying to-”

“It doesn’t matter, Evelyn.”

My vision, clouded by the shadows, flashed red.

How dare he threaten her?

Rhysand’s tone was enough to kill a lesser Fae or at the very least turn them into a whimpering, sniveling mess.

Evelyn simply looked past him and at Feyre. Despite the seriousness of the situation, my chest filled with pride and all I wanted to do was kiss her for her relentless attitude. Her broken voice shattered that image as she nearly sobbed out, “Feyre, you have to believe me, please.”

At their silence, she crumbled into herself. And I had had enough.

I stepped out of the shadows, rising to stand in front of the bed. I flared my wings out, covering her and silencing that soul-deep need to make sure I was the only one to see her in such a state of undress.

I met Rhysand’s gaze steadily, no longer seeing my High Lord and Lady standing there, but threats to my mate’s safety. I would tear them down if it meant protecting her from harm.

“Leave her alone, Rhys.”

My brother looked torn but I knew the same instinct drove him as his expression hardened and he let his power fill the room. I didn’t balk though. I would never balk, not for her. My brother wouldn’t either, not for his mate. He said, “She attacked Feyre.”

“She didn’t know what she was doing.”

Feyre stepped forward, murmuring to Rhys, telling him to calm down, but I could see the hard glint in her eye too. She didn’t trust Evelyn’s ability to wield this power but I knew better. Evelyn wouldn’t hurt a fly; this power was just so corrupted that it acted on its own.

Even so, Feyre’s words calmed Rhysand down. I saw the way his shoulders relaxed and he reeled his power in a bit.

I flared my wings further, one hand twitching towards Truth-Teller, knowing my brother could still snap and the threat wasn’t completely neutralized. Evelyn shifted behind me, rising off the bed but I remained as still as I could, practically burning holes through Rhys with my glare.

“Azriel,” she whispered, placing a small hand on my shoulder. It was like a switch flipped in my brain at the sound of my name on her lips. I almost moaned at the physical contact like a fledgling Illyrian.

“It’s okay.”

And just like that, I wanted to curl up in her arms, rather than take her in mine. Those words had never sounded so sweet and I’d never actually believed them.

I took a deep breath.

She was here. She was alive. And she was whispering my name. It was okay.

In my moment of reflection, she side-stepped my wings, slowly approaching Rhysand and Feyre as she spoke, “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. I didn’t even know I could do that.” Her voice wavered. 

I would kill Hybern. I would tear him limb from limb and smile in his face as I did it. I’d kill that Cauldron too. Somehow. Anything to make them pay for her voice sounding like that. 

She continued, tears streaming and quiet sobs between words, “All I know is that one second, I felt like I wanted to crawl out of my own skin and I couldn’t breathe. This body’s so… different and overwhelming. The next, Feyre was walking into the room and I was trying to stop her… I just didn’t want you to see me like that.”

Evelyn stopped in the middle of the room, her hair blanketing her, covering those sinful shoulders and her lack of clothing.

Feyre surged forward and my hand wrapped around the hilt of my dagger before Rhys commanded into my mind. Stop.

I bared my teeth at him but as Feyre took Evelyn into her arms, the two of them crying together, I realized there was no threat.

Rhys sent an image of us doing the same, me wrapped in his arms as we cried together in acceptance.

I flipped him off. Both mentally and physically but his smirk told me that we were okay.

That single gesture released a knot I hadn’t realized had formed in my stomach. As much as I was willing to take on the world, the Mother herself, and sacrifice each piece of myself for Evelyn, for 500 years I had been ready to do the same for Rhys and my court.

Maybe we could have our own version of what the Archeron sisters were sharing… with far less hugging and crying.

Feyre moved back to hold Evelyn at arm’s length, confessing, “When I became Fae… I didn’t have anybody to help me through that transition. I want you to know that you do.”

Rhys stiffened at the reminder of Under the Mountain. I did too. Cassian and I didn’t do well with reminders of Rhys’s sacrifice and our inability to do anything about it.

“Don’t mind him. He’s just being an Illyrian baby,” Feyre said, easily dispelling the tension.

Rhys sighed before apologizing, “I’m sorry, Evelyn. For my initial reaction. We just got Feyre back and… I could not bear losing her again. That being said, you do have to learn how to control that. I won’t allow you to put yourself or others at risk.”

I watched Evelyn nod, then try to cover herself. I growled low enough in my throat that only Rhysand noticed, meeting my eye over the top of her head. He gave me a teasing smirk.

“Maybe she should go to one of the camps to train.”

“No!” I snapped, stepping close enough to Evelyn to feel the heat of her bare skin. She jumped in fright and I reached out a tentative hand to her shoulder in apology.

Addressing Rhysand, I ground out, “She goes nowhere near those camps. I’ll train her.”

The triumphant look on his face taunted me as I realized that was exactly why he’d suggested it. The asshole was pulling the same shit as when he sent her to my room as I had gotten out of the shower. Backing me into a corner so my carefully crafted plan to stay as far away from her as I could to keep her out of harm’s way crumbled.

“She’s your responsibility then, Az.”

Fuck.

“Um, excuse me,” Evelyn’s bright voice spoke up, no longer choked with emotion. She took decisive steps over to Rhys, jabbing a finger into his chest, still ignoring just how easily he could snuff out her light. “I am my own responsibility, thank you very much.”

She walked back over to me and I spread my wings out as she wiggled her way to my side. It felt so right that I didn’t even let myself question the show of physical affection. “He’ll have to deal with me just as much as I’ll have to deal with him.” 

I laughed at just how true her statement was.

Gods, I loved this female.

She smiled up at me and I looked down, smiling back. For a second, I was lost in the moment.

My heart reminded me that she was mine, my head realized she was grinning at me like I had put the sun in the sky, and my cock reminded me that she was half-naked.

Cauldron boil me.

Feyre’s voice sounded out distantly, “Well, like I was coming in to tell you, dinner is ready downstairs when you want to come down.”

Evelyn started, blushing at her sister as she glanced down at her uncovered chest. I smirked as I bent, grabbing the discarded shirt from where it sat on a pillow.

She looked around sheepishly as she said, “Oh, uh, thank you. I’ll come down in a minute, I just need to find-”

“This?”

I dangled the shirt from a finger, nearly winking at her as she pulled it over her head. It was rare to see her so flustered and I wanted to paint every room in the house that delicious shade of pink that dusted her round cheeks.

Rhys winnowed Feyre to the dining room, my shadows informing me that we were now alone. Evelyn straightened out her hair, patting down her shirt as if checking that it was really in place, and turned to the doorway. Her nose scrunched - in confusion, this time - as she found it empty.

She turned back to me with a half-smile.

“If you keep your face like that for too long, it’ll get stuck.”

I huffed a breath, not expecting the quip after how embarrassed she had been a moment before. I worked the smirk off my face, though it was hard considering how delicate she looked right now.

It was only as I traced her body that my gaze snagged on the raised red lines on her arms, already beginning to heal. Some of her nails were broken and I could see parts of her shirt that hadn’t completely survived the mauling she must have dealt it.

A panic attack. She’d been in here having a panic attack while I’d been doing paperwork.

“What you said… I mean. I’m sorry you felt that way. I can’t imagine what you must be feeling.” I tried to put myself in her place, realizing if someone stripped away every single one of my Fae abilities, leaving me utterly human, I wasn’t sure what I would do.

I was disgusted with myself for not realizing it sooner. And not realizing what was happening while I had been locked away in my own misery.

She sized me up, looking for all the world like I was nothing more than an insect that had wandered into her home. Not her mate. Not the Illyrian bastard who had killed and tortured too many to count. Not even… her friend. Just an interesting bug that posed no threat to her and Cauldron if that wasn’t refreshing. To be considered as I was and not for what people had heard or the persona I gave off.

Realizing that gave me the confidence to say, “If you ever need help with your ‘adjusting’, my door is open. And you know where my room is.”

Her brows furrowed at my teasing but her eyes gave away her amusement. As did the smile she subconsciously let slip and the scent… Fuck, what was she thinking about?

“Azriel, you know you didn’t have to do that. Defend me like that.”

It was my turn to be confused. How could I explain to her that I wanted to? That I always would? Without saying that.

Gods, why did this have to be so complicated? If I was anyone but myself… This would be simple.

“No, Evelyn. I did have to. Rhys means well but he doesn’t know… Just how bad those camps are. If I can help it, you’ll never have to see one. The things they do to females…” I thought of the screams, the scarring, the abuse. She’d get nowhere near it.

The memories of my father and brothers flooded me before I could stop them, my hands clenching at my sides as I heard my shadows frantically calling to me. I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to catch my breath, trying to…

I felt her small, soft body collide with mine and my lips parted in surprise.

“Then thank you,” she whispered into my chest.

She squeezed me so tight, though I doubt she even realized it considering her previously human strength. It was enough to break a rib if she tried. But the pressure felt… calming, reassuring. It grounded me in a way I had never felt before.

She held me for minutes it felt like, until my breathing came easier.

She was the moon.

Just hours before we had stood on that bridge, the moon working the stress from my body as it had so many times before. It was constant, enduring.

She was my moon and I was the tide, drawn towards her yet pushed away in the most intoxicating dance.

She let go, starting to pull away, but I placed my hand on the small of her back as I had imagined doing so many times before. My hand sprawled nearly the entire expanse of her back, her muscles flexing as she leaned to tilt her head back.

“But I’m not more important than your relationship with Rhys.” She closed her eyes, taking a shaky breath. “You’ve known him for more than 500 years and me for a matter of what, months? I’m not worth it.”

Not worth it?

That’s what she thought of herself?

This brave, strong, infuriatingly sarcastic and smug, and beautiful Fae… Thought she wasn’t worth it.

If either of us were unworthy of the other it was me. 

If each kill turned one drop of my blood black then all my veins ran darker than the shadows that surrounded me.

I wasn’t worthy. But she was. So I told her as much.

“Yes,” I breathed, reaching a hand up to caress the soft skin of her cheek. I swore I could feel the tears that had lined them. For once, I didn’t even mind the way my scarred hands look compared to her flawless skin as she sighed softly and leaned into my touch. “You are.”

Her mouth dropped open in surprise.

Her bottom lip was so inviting… I made my decision then.

If I could just taste her, claim her, once. Just once. Then it’d be enough. I’d thank the Mother for it every day and live the rest of my immortal life in bliss off the memory of her lips against mine and the noises she’d make for me.

“Can I-” I tried to ask.

But she beat me to it, with the attitude she always carried, “Just kiss me already, Azriel.”

Nearly a year of wanting burst through me in the form of a groan. My knees would have buckled from the sheer force of those words and all that they implied if I hadn’t been on a mission.

“As you wish,” I managed as I pulled her impossibly closer and claimed her lips with my own.

It was life-shattering and making at the same time. I felt that chord between us stretching tauter and tauter and I almost willed it to snap, for her to feel the way I felt.

But it didn’t matter because she was melting into my arms and my hand was tangling in her hair, wrenching her head to the side for better access as my tongue ran across her bottom lip.

The gasps and whimpers that left her as I ruined her for any other male went directly to my cock but I kept my focus on her lips. I stepped forward, crowding her space until she was forced to lean backward. My one hand held her up from her waist while the other remained in her hair.

Gods, this would never be enough.

I was a fool for thinking this would do anything more than make me crave her even more. Make me want her wrapped around me in the most sinful of ways, crying out even louder and screaming my name.

I felt my shadows swirling at my feet, trying to convey something, but I couldn’t be bothered to care.

Not as Evelyn arched her back, pushing her full breasts even more firmly against my chest and-

“What the hell?!”

Evelyn’s hands were on my chest in an instant, pushing me away from her. 

I couldn’t move my focus from her, hypnotized by everything that was Eve, her flushed skin, swollen lips, and quick breaths.

It was only when her expression changed from lust to desolation that I registered a voice had spoken.

I turned to the door, only to find Cassian there. His eyes were wide and his mouth was gaping.

Fuck.

-

Taglist: @mis-lil-red @ambivertedcroissant @reareaikea @biblophilefox82 @in-some-fandoms @hollyismentallyillhelp @donttellmehowtowrite @issybee0611 @vera0124 @juulle987 @bankerfrog @pricklepearbloom @sevikas-whore @strawberyseas @azzydaddy @amberash05 @supersoilderswhxre @judig92 @historygeekqueen

#acopap #meeting eve #azriel x evelyn #azriel x reader #azriel pov

[the-lonelybarricade]

I’m screaming!!!!! “The fae dealt in magic and bargains. They were casual with their intimacy, unruly in their courting. Here, a kiss could be meaningless. But in the human world, a kiss was a vow. It was the penultimate stage of a courtship, a promise that a gentleman intended to intertwine his life with that person.

Lucien kissed her as if they were human.”

Your characterization of Elain is fucking amazing. I’m Ngl I didn’t really like Elain before reading this solely because I didn’t really understand her or her choices but god damn the way you write it makes so much sense. I loved how you showed how much Elain is such a lady. Usually when reading about her it’s just said and god does that make me want to roll my eyes every time but I FELT it when reading this chapter. The way she is constantly at war with “this isn’t proper” vs “I feel like I need” is chefs kiss!! Also I totally picked up on how specifically with the teapot and the decorations she was searching for a topic of conversation that propriety would expect but because she doesn’t have enough of an education in prythian she is unable to have and it makes her feel so unsettled as she has always even when she was poor was able to rely on propriety and social norms. UGGGHHHHHH I can totally see Lucian understanding that her acting and wanting to act like a lady is not from a place of expectation but of comfort so he would totally help her learn about pyrithian customs and courtesies without judgement. Like he’s an emissary he has the most experience come on. And that quote!?! That quote?!??????? I don’t have the words! So well done! SO WELL DONE!!!!!!

^^ This was actual footage of me looking at my phone this morning and seeing this ask

Sometimes you write a sentence and you get so giddy because just writing it down made you feel so much and you can't wait to share it to see if it makes anyone else feel that way too. Lucien kissed her as if they were human was that line for me. I really didn't know if it would have the same impact for anyone else and i don't even know how to express how happy it makes me feel that it resonated with you, too 🥺

I'm also happy that I was able to influence your perspective of Elain!! I really adore her character and I appreciate that you kept an open mind and let me share my vision of her! I think she and Lucien have a lot in common in regards to posturing as a source of comfort, and I love writing a relationship where they challange each other to step out of those comfort zones—Elain, by letting go of some of her mortal ideals around propriety and what's expected of her, and Lucien, by learning to be more vulnerable.

I also completely agree with you that Elain is feeling uncomfortable about her lack of Prythian education, since so many of her would-be social crutches in the human world aren't useful in a fae setting. There's definitely an element of her needing to find her feet and Lucien, as someone with an excellent education of Prythian and also with his newfound exposure and conncetion to the human world, is in such a great place to help her navigate those changes. I think that's such a cool observation and that's something I'd really love to explore in future fics!

Thank you so much for sending me this, it really made my whole day and I'm so happy you enjoyed the story!! 💕

#Breaking & Entering #elucien

[acourtofantumbra]

Ever since I reread Crescent City I have been irked by one intrusive thought: why doesn't Bryce have powers like Feyre?

And while, I'll follow that thread to start... know my eye is twitching toward the dragon theory I've been chipping at alone here on my mountain (of crazy). We'll get there. Hold your horses.

Now, here's the thing about the Bryce power = Feyre type power theory... we don't know that Bryce doesn't? A gorgeous double negative I know, but Bryce is told multiple times like, "hey girlie, your workout is future you's warmup... so... get on that." She is very much skimming the surface of her power's full potential. Granted, she doesn't have a ton of folks with the kind of powers we're dealing with on... idk... Prythian? I wonder if anyone there might be able to help her out or has any experience unlocking a stubborn independent female's full potential. Pray for her.

But Feyre discovers she has literally all of the powers because the High Lords each give her a drop (a Drop) of their power. Other than the High Lord equation, show me the difference between these two pictures. (Plz don't do that I know there's more but ssssh)

As we can see in the passage above ^ , Bryce and the Gates essentially activate the "power yielded" by every Migardian who has visited them over the centuries. Notably...

Every kind of Migardian. Bryce isn't just powered up by fae power, but shifters, and mer, and draki, angels, sprites, and just to be cute SJM leaves us with a mf-ing ellipses. She will never let us know peace.

All of this cross species power is able to blast Bryce back up to a battle-torn Lunathion with a power level that makes her AK dad shake in his boots.

But in CC2 we start to explore Bryce's light power that acts as a beacon and conduit for power - she can get "charged up" and notably does something resembling carranam with Hunt. She also learns to winnow (CC version of it). But this is all she's had the time to work on with a group of fae, angels, and shifters who are in a world with a power suck (literally).

But we never see Bryce idk... growing a tail or in Feyre's case sprouting some sexy (Rhys' words not mine) wings. And I find that suspicious as hell. But I also think good things come to those who wait and perhaps that's where we're headed. Obvi there are so many incredible "Bryce and Dusk Court" theories out there... they plague my dreams and I hope people never stop blowing my mind with them. But what about... Bryce casually absorbing all the powers of Midgardians and being a doppelFeyre theories? I'm not equipped to explain what's happening to the people so please someone help me out.

Anyway, there's one more bit. My dragon bit I wont let go. Look, if one day my dragon theories mean anything, I have a group chat who is gonna make me feel like the smartest gal in all the land. If not... SJM... what was with all the breadcrumbs? Anyway, I present you this...

Look, I know I'm talking about dragons and looking for dragons, but also so is SJM. And I just think it's all rather convenient that it's been a back burning plot with ONE OF THE FEW ABILITIES to defeat a Prince of Hel... like... it's gotta materialize at some point. Why not CC3? Why not in Super Bryce? It's Chekhov's dragon.

I also need to stop pushing everything onto CC3 like it will finally give me all the answers because when has Sarah ever done that?

#sjm multiverse #sjm multiverse spoilers #sjm theory #cc3 #crescent city #bryce quinlan #house of earth and blood #house of sky and breath #house of flame and shadow #the drop #feyre archeron #dragons

[bubybubsters]

i wish you would write a story where you and i meet and then become besties for life. our children then become besties. and then we grow old together

You

A/n:……………..

Wc: something

*****

We first meet in our freshman year of high school. Both are noses are stuck in our schedules as we try to figure out where our classes are in Prythian High. Our first period is Adv English 1 with Professor Archeron. I’m walking out, having already found the class (as I’m brilliant), and I smack straight into you as you’re walking in, 22 minutes late.

I trip over air and you slam into you. You fall into the hall and as we’re both on the floor staring at eachother you say, “falling for me already, love?”

I, having previously had no social interaction, blush furiously and jump up to run away. But you catch my wrist. “I’m joking love, relax. You can call me ‘darling.’”

I stutter out some type of greeting and you smile. You sit behind me in class and at every group project you choose me as your partner.

At first I am a nervous mess and keep messing up the project but you encourage me and make sure I’m comfortable. About half way through the year, during mid terms, I open up and we become besties.

As the year goes on we meet others but we stay besties through freshman year.

Then, you meet Lucien.

And I meet Eris.

And it’s the first time we start to pull apart, barely talking each week. We miss eachother but our other activities take up so much time and any free time is spent with our boyfriends.

Then, I’m at the Forest House, in the kitchen with Eris when you come in with Lucien.

The brothers greet eachother regularly and we stare at eachother.

How did we never realize the two were brothers?

From then on we’re besties again and that’s the end of sophomore year.

During the summer we go on double dates to the beach, the coffee shop, the ice cream shop, the park.

But junior year starts, and we’re drowned in homework because we’re both so smart and taking 5 to 6 AP classes. We study together but start to pull away from our boyfriends. Well I do, Lucien is in our grade but Eris is a senior and he’s also drowned in college stuff.

That’s how junior year passes.

But during the summer we go to Sydney, Australia. We spend the summer getting tans and exploring the great city.

But senior year starts and we both get accepted early into different colleges. I’m going to Sweden and you’re going to France.

But we won’t let anything ruin our friendship and we each buy tickets to prom. You and Lucien become High Lord and Lady and have that slow dance that everyone’s jealous of.

Prom night is the best of my life and and hopefully yours.

We spend the summer living in the moment instead of dreading what’s to come.

Our first year of college we both call a few times but we’re not nearly as close as before.

This goes on for many more years until we both graduate and move to Canada.

There Lucien has a job and the two of you reunite after years apart. Eris lives in another city but we drive down every weekend. We slowly earn our way up to the top branches of our job and become important people.

You and Lucien are married and I’ve never seen you happier.

A year later, on the exact same date, I marry Eris and we become one big family.

40 years later we both have 2 kids. I have to girls because Er is such a girl dad and you and Lucien have a boy and a girl.

We eventually retire from our jobs and start a bunch of new hobbies together.

We learn to pick locks. To box. To play instruments.

But what becomes our biggest hobby is our book. It’s a fantasy. We work on it together and argue over the smallest things all while Eris and Lucien treat us to what we deserve.

One evening, we go out for ice cream at the local shop run by Emerie. She hands us our orders and we cuddle with our families as we sit and stare out at the sunset.

We hold hands and know that we’ll only ever need eachother.

The end!

*****

I hope you lick it@thelov3lybookworm

#bubybubsters #fanfic #me x you #I LOVE UOU #SO MUCH #the most lovely #bookworm

[elliemarchetti]

Five Ways to Seduce a Male [5/5]

Merry Christmas to everyone involved in this year’s @acotargiftexchange

@aldbooks this is the last gift in my little advent calendar, I hope it’s the proper grand finale you deserve!

Until next time, your hyperactive elf 😘

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

TW: kinda mild, but NSFW in the end (masturbation)

Words: 1.223

5. Express Your Needs

Elain knew she startled everyone when she disappeared from her bedroom and apparently winnowed outside Prythian just to reach for her mate. She hadn’t done it intentionally, but since then Rhysand insisted for the wards around the house to be strengthened, and the priestesses at the library intensified their studies on her condition, or her ability, as Amren claimed she should call it. In general, Elain felt like a freak, constantly monitored by Nuala and Cerridwen and kept so busy by the entire Inner Circle she was too exhausted in the evening to muster the strength to write to Lucien. Besides, it wasn’t like she really knew what to say. She wanted to talk about her days, the stagnant situation at the Night Court and the progresses Nyx was making, and at the same time it would all be a way to ignore what she did when her sister showed up with her husband to take her home. Worn-out from the bath, the conversation with the Queen and her brain’s desperate attempt to understand what just happened, she let them decide for her again, without opposing or siding in favour of her mate, who claimed that if magic led her this far there had to be a reason. He was right, as he’d been all along in his attempts to know her better and get her out of the cocoon of despair caused by Graysen’s rejection, yet falling back into old habits was too easy, especially when she was a vulnerable mess, so the High Lord brought her back to the very place she unconsciously fled, and Elain could’ve sworn there was a lingering smell of ashes and rot on her pillow. To make matters worse, Lucien’s absence threatened to drive her mad, even more after she tasted what it felt like to indulge in his caresses. In her head, she relived the surreal events at the manor so many times she could hardly distinguish what was real and what not. She was sure that if Vassa hadn’t interrupted, she would’ve done something reckless, something she might regret and would’ve complicated things beyond repair, yet the flashbacks of Lucien’s fingers exploring her jaw and stroking her hair never failed to give her a warm feeling between her legs and that was why she asked Feyre to meet where no one else could hear her admit the shameful things her mate made her think. Nesta showed her the waterfalls on a scorching summer afternoon, and Elain enjoyed its cooling splashed and nature’s peaceful song so much she thought her younger sister should see it too, perhaps as inspiration for one of her paintings. The path leading there was well hidden, lonely but not too difficult, and once they reached their destination, the High Lady insisted on taking a swim and teaching her how to stay afloat and hold her breath without getting water up her nose. With her eyes turned to the clear sky and her long golden-brown hair spread like a fan, Elain could only mentally thank the bird-Queen for her words of encouragement. She was right when she told her she couldn’t be ruled by fear, that it was only a feeling she should learn to use at her advantage like everything else. If she hadn’t listened, she would’ve missed that wonderful view, and probably much more of what awaited in the infinite journey her life had become.

“Breathtaking as this place is, I don’t think we’re here just to hang out,” Feyre told her once they were back on the stony shore, the sun kissing their bare skin. She wasn’t wrong, of course, but the fact this was the reality of things didn’t make it any less depressing. Was there going to be a time when they would act like a normal family again? Had they ever been, or had it been too long since mother’s death and the loss of father’s fortune? Had they ever really acted like sisters?

"I'd just like some advice," she admitted, and apprehension made its way on the High Lady’s face. Whatever she thought of the urgency with which she requested the little trip was shadowed by the fear of an irrevocable decision, able to destroy the resilience and sanity of the only friend she had left from her time in the Spring Court. While the possibility was obviously hurtful, she didn’t press her, nor she tried to change her mind, so the relief was truly genuine when she learned Elain wanted nothing more than a safe way to experiment before accepting the bond.

“With a mental link as strong as yours, I have no doubt you’ll come up with plenty ways to let him know you’re interested in a more physical approach,” she teased, and the topic was dropped, yet Elain mulled over those words for a long time, assuming there must be at least a little truth in them. She could’ve asked Rhysand, who probably used his daemati powers for all his life to achieve such feats, but just the idea made her so nervous she avoided her host like the plague, making her retreat often in the solitude of the gardens. A spicy romance Emerie lent her at the end of summer was the turning point, and it gave her a wonderful and not so sensible idea on how to placate those fantasies creeping into her dreams, so vivid and intense she often woke up covered in sweat and with the evidence of her desire on her underwear. After she made sure everyone was long asleep, Elain locked both the windows and the door, and dressed in nothing but her shortest, thinnest nightgown, she slipped under the light blankets, ready to explore her own body as she wished for her mate to do. It was a strange feeling, investigating the depths of pleasure when there was no one to share it with, but above all it seemed almost unnatural that she could set aside her mother’s teachings and the expectations of mortal society, fully embracing her being Fae and all its benefits. With moral and conflicting thoughts, she caressed her breasts, her nipples already turgid with the excitement the whole ordeal gave her. While the now familiar feeling of warmth was growing in her lower abdomen, she moved a hand on her stomach, her nails tickling the sensitive skin of her waist, her mind gradually emptying itself of ponderings and filling up with images of Lucien. Once she reached the centre of her womanhood and the bundle of nerves above, every coherence dissipated from her conscience, her only purpose to reach her mate, to show him, without flaunting it to everyone or making a decision that would irrevocably change her life, what he could have. Her orgasm built up fast and she came like crashing waves, biting her hand to silence her moans, the mating bond saturated with things better left unsaid. Satisfied, and more exhausted than she’d imagined, Elain settled back into the pillow. At some point she must’ve fallen asleep, but her rest was short-lived, for she heard a noisy coming and going from the corridor, whereupon someone knocked on her door. Feyre appeared from the dark, sleepy eyed and with dishevelled hair, but nonetheless amused.

“May I know what Lucien Vanserra is doing on my front yard before dawn?”

#acotar secret santa 2022 #elucien #elain archeron #lucien vanserra #feyre archeron

[azrielsbitches]

hanna & azriel's first meeting pt. 2

A/N: I've tagged part one and my masterlist so you can read more about hanna & azriel :) requests are open!!

masterlist

hanna & azriel's first meeting pt. 1

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I had decided to sit next to Elain, who seemed the most fearful of the males joining us for dinner. Cassian sat beside me while Feyre sat across from Elain and next to Nesta, Rhys next to her and then Azriel, who was still staring at me curiously.

To be fair, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him either. Those wings… they were magnificent. But while staring at those wings, I noticed that he and Cassian were having trouble adjusting to the chairs.

“Would you prefer a stool?” I asked them shyly, but politely.

“It’s alright,” Azriel answered me and I blushed slightly at having him address me directly. “We’ll make do.”

I nodded and decided to focus on filling my plate. I wasn’t exactly hungry, but I knew Elain would insist I eat something. 

“Hanna,” Nesta said sharply, looking at my dress in disgust. “What is that on your dress?”

I glanced down and cringed. Cora, the woman I had helped give birth just an hour ago, had bled quite a bit. Birth was a messy ordeal and I hadn’t had the chance to change when I got home due to all the excitement. 

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I rushed out, glancing up at the High Lord, who sat directly across from me. “I helped one of the villagers give birth earlier… I’ll just go change.”

“It’s just a little blood,” Cassian chuckled. “We’ve seen worse.”

I glanced over at Nesta again and decided to listen to her, not wanting to hear anything about it later. 

“I’ll be right back,” I said and rushed out of the room, almost glad to be alone. The tension in that dining room was increasing by the second. 

When I returned moments later, having changed into a simple long sleeved navy dress, I could hear Feyre and Nesta arguing… about me.

“Why is she running around outside in the dead of winter, Nesta?” Feyre hissed at her.

“I can’t control everything she does,” Nesta shot back at her. “She’s an adult now.”

“Barely! She’s going to get sick again,” Feyre stated. “She gets weaker every time, Nesta… and she almost didn’t make it last time.”

“Last time we were dirt poor and had no money to see a healer,” I replied as I stepped back into the room. I flushed at having everyone’s attention on me. “I don’t want to live my life locked up in this house, Feyre… I’m sorry.”

“We can talk about this later,” she said after a moment of silence and I saw a look of understanding cross her face. 

I took my seat again and picked at the food on my plate, subtly glancing around at what everyone else was doing. I noticed that Feyre had taken a bite of the casserole and fought to hide her disgust. The other three didn’t seem to have the same problem she was having, Cassian and Azriel were digging in like they hadn’t eaten in months.

“Is there something wrong with our food?” Nesta asked Feyre flatly.

“No,” Feyre said as she hastily took another bite and followed it with a large drink of water. I tried to hide my smile from Nesta, laughing slightly at Feyre’s expression.

“So you can’t eat normal food anymore?” Nesta asked rudely. “Or are you too good for it?”

The High Lord dropped his fork on his plate with a clang and I flinched slightly. 

“I can eat, drink, fuck, and fight just as well as I did before,” Feyre responded. “Better, even.”

Cassian choked on his water and I had to cover my mouth to hide my smirk. Azriel shifted slightly in his seat. Nesta just let out a low laugh and I could see that Feyre was about to explode at her.

“If you ever come to Prythian, you’ll discover why your food tastes so different,” Rhysand said smoothly, trying to calm the situation. 

I hoped he was genuine in his invitation. Seeing Prythian, exploring, and learning from their Healers might be beneficial to the villagers here. And I could see Feyre more. Rhysand glanced over at me with a knowing twinkle in his eye that left me wondering if he could hear my thoughts. That small smile he gave me was wiped off his face quickly when Nesta interrupted again.

“I have little interest in ever setting foot in your land, so I’ll have to take your word on it,” she said, looking down her nose at him.

“Nesta, please,” Elain murmured to her.

Nesta shifted her attention to Cassian, who was sitting beside me and I shrunk back into my seat to get away from her glare.

“What are you looking at?” she challenged him.

“Someone who let her younger sister risk her life every day in the woods while she did nothing,” Cassian began. “Someone who let a fourteen-year-old child go out into that forest, so close to the wall. Your sister died–died to save my people. She is willing to do so again to protect you from war. So don’t expect me to sit here with my mouth shut while you sneer at her for a choice she did not get to make–and insult my people in the process.”

Nesta simply turned away from Cassian and the look of anger on his face was terrifying. 

“It… it is very hard, you understand, to… accept it,” Elain began. “We are raised this way. We hear stories of your kind crossing the wall to hurt us. Our own neighbor, Clare Beddor, was taken, her family murdered… Hanna was the one who found the bodies.”

I flinched at Clare’s name. I had been friends with her younger sister and I had been on my way to visit with Lilia when I came across her family butchered in their home. I glanced up with tears in my eyes to find Rhysand staring down at his plate and Feyre and Azriel staring at me.

“It’s just very disorienting,” I whispered to everyone.

“I can imagine,” Azriel responded with a small, but genuine smile on his face. I felt myself relax a bit at his attention.

“And as for Feyre’s hunting during those years,” Elain continued. “It was not Nesta’s neglect alone that is to blame. We were scared, and had received no training, and everything had been taken, and we failed her… and Hanna. Nesta and I both failed them.”

I bit my tongue, not wanting to make this any worse. But Nesta and Elain hadn’t helped much around that shack we called a home either. I had been the one to cook. I had been the one to clean. Not them.

“Can we just… start over?” Feyre pleaded with Nesta, gripping her arm.

“Fine,” Nesta hissed and went back to eating.

“Can you truly fly?” Elain asked Cassian and Azriel both. Azriel set down his fork, and blinked slowly as he stared down the table at Elain and I.

“Yes. Cassian and I hail from a race of faeries called Illyrians. We’re born hearing the song of the wind,” he answered.

“Is it not—frightening, though? To fly so high?” I asked him.

“It is sometimes,” he continued and Cassian nodded in agreement. “If you are caught in a storm, if the current drops away. But we are trained so thoroughly that the fear is gone before we’re out of swaddling.”

“I wish I could fly,” I gushed before I could stop myself.

“Perhaps one day,” he smiled at me. I could see Feyre and the High Lord glance at each other at Azriel’s response. I just blushed and sat back in my seat.

“Write your letter to the queens tonight,” Nesta announced. “Tomorrow, Elain and I will go to the village to dispatch it. If the queens do come here, I’d suggest bracing yourselves for prejudices far deeper than ours. And contemplating how you plan to get us all out of this mess should things go sour.”

“We’ll take that into account,” Rhysand said. 

“I assume you’ll want to stay the night.”

Rhysand looked to Feyre for her to decide. I looked at her too, wishing for her to stay just a little longer.

“If it's not too much trouble, then yes,” I grinned at her response. “We’ll leave after breakfast tomorrow.”

“I think there are a few bedrooms ready—”

“We’ll need two,” Rhysand interrupted. “Next to each other, with two beds each. Magic is different across the wall. So our shields, our senses, might not work right. I’m taking no chances. Especially in a house with a woman betrothed to a man who gave her an iron engagement ring.”

Elain flushed at that comment, but recovered quickly enough. “The—the bedrooms that have two beds aren’t next to each other,” she murmured.

“We’ll move things around. It’s fine. This one,” Feyre joked. “Is only cranky because he’s old and it’s past his bedtime.”

Old? Sure, he looked older than Feyre, but surely nothing terrible.

“If we’re done eating, then this meal is over,” Nesta said as she rose to her feet and left the dining room.

#azriel imagine #acotar #acotar series #acotar imagine #acotar x oc #acotar x reader #azriel #azriel x oc #azriel x you #acotar headcanon #writing

[goforth-ladymidnight]

Hi again! 💜

I read your feylin onefic and it was wonderful, I really love the way you depict the characters. 💜

The onefic made me curious: Do you have any thoughts, theories or headcanons on how the story of ACOTAR would have continued had SJM stuck to her original plan and kept feylin as the endgame?

I really hope you are feeling better btw, please take care and stay safe! 💜

Hello! And thank you! That story was a joy to write, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it. ❤️ I appreciate your patience in waiting for an answer this question while I was in the hospital. I’m home now, and feeling much better. After giving your question a lot of thought, here’s what I’ve come up with. (Settle in! It’s a long one.)

First things first. Whatever SJM may say about Feysand, she started off adapting the Ballad of Tam Lin/Beauty and the Beast, indicating that she did want Feylin as endgame at one point. I must admit that I do find SJM’s choice to adapt Hades and Persephone for the sequel to be unique and creative, even though I don’t care for the execution. (Or Tamlin’s character assassination.)

So, assuming that nothing changes about ACOTAR (bargain tattoo included), that means that Feyre is still Rhysand’s mate, and she must visit him in the Night Court for one week every month. I want to keep that in this story. Since she has a human heart inside a High Fae body, this gives us room to explore the dynamic between her head and her heart, and lets us wonder if she’ll choose her mate or her own fate (with Tamlin). Of course, since this is my version, she’ll choose Tamlin in the end, but I would prefer that the story actually makes us wonder.

I still like the idea of Hybern being the next big enemy, but the focus of this story would be on Prythian itself. There is a tentative peace after Amarantha’s reign; the courts are trying to rebuild, and Feyre is trying to adjust to her new life.

I’m not against the idea that Feyre and Tamlin both have nightmares after their experiences Under the Mountain. However, I would tie that into the fact that Rhysand hasn’t called in his bargain yet. Give Feyre a physical reaction to the magical bond she shares with him, so that they both bear the consequences of an unfulfilled bargain. Hence we see the nightmares and the vomiting. Perhaps over the week of the full moon? But of course, Feyre and Tamlin don’t realize what’s really going on, since she was once human, and she might think it’s her new body reacting to her “time of the month”.

As for the smaller details, I want to see moments of comfort and calm between Feyre and Tamlin. I want to see them press their foreheads together and breathe in unison when they’re feeling anxious. Love scenes are good, but I also want the intimacy of what comes after. She presses her cheek to his chest so that she can hear his heart beating, and he rests his chin on her head and falls asleep with her cocooned safely in his arms.

Since half of his face was covered by a mask, Feyre takes every opportunity to brush his hair back from his forehead. Tamlin’s claws haven’t made an appearance for months. I want to see them in his study together as he slowly teaches her how to read. I want to see their engagement. I imagine that the square-cut emerald ring is an old Spring Court heirloom (it may or may not have belonged to his mother), and though Feyre is initially thrilled with it, she begins to feel the weight of her future role as Lady of the Spring Court. (That’s not too different from what happens in canon, but this time the engagement isn’t mentioned as an afterthought.)

Enter Ianthe. She’s not there just as a wedding planner, though she certainly wants to be involved. It would be quite the career-boost, so to speak, to officiate a High Lord’s wedding. However, I don’t want her to seem like a shallow villain who just wants power. I like the kind of villain who has goals we can understand, even if we don’t agree with them. So I imagine that Ianthe wants to re-open The Mountain so that the priestesses can reclaim it, and it just so happens that the ruins are rumored to be the final resting place of the Cauldron itself, which is a sacred artifact to the priestesses.

Side note: I know in canon that the Cauldron was once on the continent, but I would prefer to keep the action to Prythian and Hybern in this book. Therefore my headcanon is that everything related to the Cauldron is in Prythian, from the pot itself to the three feet to the two halves of the Book of Breathings. The whole debacle with the mortal queens wasn’t my favorite part of Book 2, so I’m ignoring that for now.

I’m going to leave the timeline more or less intact, as I don’t want to gloss over the importance of Calanmai. In fact, I might make that a more important feature in Book 3, but for now we have the wedding to look forward to. And Feyre is looking forward to it, especially since it means seeing her sisters again, even if it is just for a short while. I imagine it is Ianthe who makes her doubt whether her human family should come, since Amarantha’s beasts still roam the forests, and there are many faeries--High and Low alike--who do not care for humans. Little comments like that make Feyre begin to doubt herself and her human heart. She’s High Fae now, and she should act like it.

Regardless, not long after, the invitations are sent out across Prythian. This isn’t going to be some small Spring Court affair, after all. This is the wedding of the century! Not only is this a High Lord’s wedding, but Tamlin is marrying Feyre Cursebreaker, the Savior of Spring and Defender of the Seven Courts. This is a chance to celebrate, and to make peace. However, one person in particular is not thrilled to receive an invitation. Rhysand decides that if he’s going to have any kind of chance to win over his mate, he has to act before the wedding.

In this story, it’s OK that Rhys is selfish. He’s not rescuing Feyre from a panic attack. He just spent half a century Under the Mountain, and he’s not willing to give up his mate so easily, especially to his enemy. Feyre has to go with him, of course, and throughout the course of the book, we learn more about what happened between those two High Lords, and she realizes that the Night Court is not as villainous as she had been led to believe. Still somewhat villainous, though, because drama. (Also, I want Tamlin’s side of the story about what happened to Rhys’s mother and sister. Feyre was too quick to accept that Rhys’s story was the absolute truth.)

I have seen some fan theories that suggest that Rhys used his daemati powers to influence Feyre’s thoughts, aka brainwashing, but I don’t know if I would go that far. There would be accusations of his influence, certainly, but I don’t know how far I’d push Rhys to be an outright villain. 

Tamlin is a nervous wreck when Feyre comes back, and he is desperate to find a way to break the bargain between them (but not the mating bond, because his parents were mates, and he knows how sacred that kind of bond is). He pushes for a smaller, faster wedding, thinking that his marriage to Feyre will get Rhys to back off. Then they can have a larger party with all of the High Lords and her human family later on. Feyre is understandably hurt by this, as she doesn’t like to think of herself as anyone’s possession. After all, Amarantha thought of Tamlin as hers, which is why Feyre went Under the Mountain in the first place. So there’s a small wedge growing between our lovebirds. (I did say I wanted Feyre’s choice to feel like a choice, after all.)

I haven’t even mentioned how Feyre’s burgeoning powers play into this. I do know that there needs to be a limit to how powerful she is, and limits are not something that are well-defined in canon. I would still like to see her develop her gifts, but I don’t know how involved Tamlin should be. I just know I don’t want him to forbid training her, because that aspect of his character really bothered me. Make him protective, sure, but not to the point of stifling her. In fact, I think he would be all right with Lucien training her physically, with a sword and on horseback. Tamlin was trained as a warrior, after all, and he learned to suppress his magic gifts to avoid detection by his brothers, so why wouldn’t he think to encourage the same for Feyre?

Feyre goes along with this at first, until Rhys points out that stifling her magic now will only make her a bigger target later. Of course, he offers to train her magically while she’s with him. And how convenient that her magic will help them as they search for the magical artifacts scattered across Prythian? Now we have this push and pull between Rhys pushing her mentally (for his own selfish ends, let’s admit it), and Tamlin pushing her physically. Meanwhile she’s just trying to find the right balance between the two, since she feels torn between what she was and who she has become.

And speaking of training, I liked visiting the Summer Court in canon. Rhys takes her there to get the other half of the Book, but she insists that they ask for it first. Rhys is used to acting alone, so he is reluctant, but Feyre wants to do things right. They still end up stealing it, but only because she has been led to believe that it is for the greater good. (She will have learned about the looming threat of Hybern by now, so she is more easily convinced.) This becomes one of the first big secrets between her and Tamlin, and it eats away at her. On the one hand, she can feel herself becoming stronger under Rhys’s tutelage, but on the other, she betrayed the trust of one of the Seasonal Courts who was an ally Under the Mountain.

The Mountain has always been a natural barrier between the Solar and Seasonal Courts, and though there is a kind of peace between them now after Amarantha, all is not well between them. For fun, let’s say that both halves of the Book of Breathings are in Prythian: one in the Seasonal Courts, and the other in the Solar Courts. We know the first is in Summer, so let’s put the other half in one of the libraries of the Day Court (since I consider those courts as mirrors of the other). Let’s make Lucien’s heritage a bigger part of this story, while we’re at it.

And speaking of heritage, I also want to learn more about existing characters, specifically their names. The Lady of Autumn is one, and Papa Archeron and the King of Hybern are the others, though I’m sure there are more.

I could make this response twice as long, and there is still more I could think to add to this story. For now, I think this is a good start, especially since it’s been a while since I read ACOMAF all the way through. If I sat down and thought about it, I could come up with a whole outline to change that book into a Feylin-friendly version, but I hope you’re content with what I’ve come up with. I have other projects that take precedence, unfortunately.

I don’t want to leave you hanging, though, so I will tell you the conclusion of the story (as it would be in Book 3). I would try to find another fairy tale I could adapt for the final story in the trilogy--and it would have to be a trilogy--but at this point I don’t know which one I’d choose. I just know that Feyre wouldn’t be a spy hellbent on taking the Spring Court down from the inside. That was my least favorite part of ACOWAR.

Anyway, at the very end of the story, Feyre would have to make the difficult decision between siding with her mate or choosing Tamlin. Spoiler: she chooses Tamlin with her whole heart, echoing the concept from Book 1 and tying everything together in a neat little bow. Although the soulmate concept is a romantic one, this story is about taking your fate in your own hands instead of letting it be decided for you.

This question was a challenge, but I enjoyed it! I didn’t expect my answer to take so long or to be so long, so thank you for sticking with me. And thanks again for visiting my inbox!

#inbox asks #pro feylin #feyre x tamlin #acotar headcanon #acomaf rewrite

[offtorivendell]

Could there be a Rift, or the remnants of one, in the Haldren Sea?

Is it permanently closed, or only dormant? Where could it possibly lead?

Please don’t share or screenshot this post without credit.

Disclaimer: this is just a parallel I noticed, which could obviously be very wrong. Thanks as always to @wingedblooms for listening when I send her random quotes and name definitions, I appreciate you so much. 💜

Spoilers: ACOTAR and CC series to date.

A while ago I was talking with @wingedblooms and @silverlinedeyes about the possibility that the gates or rifts between SJM's worlds could be closed - or "off the hook," to use an outdated term - due to a depleted power source, possibly because the three death god siblings were placed in strategic locations around Prythian in order to drain the land of the power required to activate them. I keep going back to Stargate, I know - not sorry - but it really does remind me of the ZPM crystals that were required to establish the long-distance wormholes between different galaxies (ie. in Stargate Atlantis). If they were drained, then the gates - or whatever else they were powering, like wards - couldn't function.

He was accustomed to cold, had explored as deep as his mer’s gifts would allow without his skull cracking like an egg, but this northern stretch of the Haldren Sea was different. It sucked the life from one’s bones, its grayness creeping into the soul. Though swimming would be a Hel of a lot less nauseating. - HOSAB, chapter 5

Light and dark and gray and light and dark and gray— - ACOMAF, chapter 57

I messaged @wingedblooms about this a little while back, but I've been wondering if the Haldren Sea, which was referred to as grey and leeching/sucking life from Tharion's bones etc, was where a Rift could have been; though whether that Rift, if it does exist, would have connected to Prythian or Erilea, or even somewhere else, is the question.

Interestingly - or maybe only coincidentally, it could be either - the name "Halden," which sounds very similar to "Haldren" (as in the sea of which Tharion spoke), means half Danish. Could this be a hint that the sea, or some part of it, is half in Midgard, and half elsewhere? Or is it reflected in the grey colour - grey being halfway between light and dark?

Regardless of where the Rift travels, the language reminds me of what happened to Elain when she visited the Court of Nightmares, during ACOSF.

Elain in black was ridiculous. Yes, she was beautiful, but the color of her long-sleeved, modest gown leeched the brightness from her face. It wore her, rather than the other way around. And he knew the cruelty of the Hewn City troubled her. But she hadn’t hesitated to come. When Feyre had offered to let her remain home, Elain had squared her shoulders and declared that she was a part of this court—and would do whatever was needed. So Elain had let her golden-brown hair down tonight, and pinned it back with twin combs of pearl. He’d never once in the two years he’d known her found Elain to be plain, but wearing black, no matter how much she claimed to be part of this court … It sucked the life from her. - ACOSF, chapter 57

If the Court of Nightmares/Hewn City is an offshoot of the Dusk Court, as I've theorised before, could there be a gate or rift there that was trying to leech Elain's magic to establish itself, and that was why Cassian noted her appearance? Or was it the Court trying to revive itself with hypothetically compatible magic?

The similar language shared between the Book of Breathings' talk of "light and dark and gray" in ACOMAF, and Feyre's description of Elriel's Truth-Teller scene in ACOWAR, "light and dark, the space between their bodies a blend of the two. The only bridge of connection… that knife," which many consider to indicate some sort of Carranam bond - ie. a transfer of power, perhaps the grey? - between Elain and Azriel could possibly be significant here.

What, or whom, could end up acting as the bridge of connection between realms?

Will anyone other than Bryce traverse the space between? Is it relevant that Papa Archeron named his seafaring ships after his daughters?

When do we finally see Hel?

It sounds like it's all coming together, no?

#hosab spoilers #acosf spoilers #elain archeron #tharion ketos #acotar cc tog crossover theory #cc acotar crossover theories #elain's powers #light and dark and gray #haldren sea #northern rift #court of nightmares #hewn city #light and dark #the space between their bodies a blend of the two

[isaslibrary]

House of Sky And Breath Theories (contain Spoilers)

sooo i just finished hosab and let me say it was so fucking amazingggg! while reading i got a few new theories about the worlds of crescent city, acotar and throne of glass

DO NOT - AND I MEAN IT - DO NOT READ IT IF YOU DON´T WANT TO SEE/READ ABOUT THE SPOILERS!!!!

Amren is the 7th lost Asteri sister - They say that the Prince of the Pit swallowed the 7th Asteri, Sirius, whole, but what if he didn't? Perhaps she didn't like what the Asteri stood for, and the swallowing was a method of dragging her into Prythian - "No one has spoken that language in this world for fifteen thousand years" is quoted by Amren when Bryce first speaks to her in HOSAB...interesting that the 7th Asteri sister was swallowed by the prince of pit 15,000 years ago - to me the timelines match up - I know Amren doesn't feed on first light, but she does drink blood...something of power in itself, taken unwillingly - She is said to be a powerful creature of unknown origins, but that doesn't mean that she isn't Asteri. They have chosen angel like bodies but that's not to say they true form is any different to what Amren was before she chose to be put in a fae body -> Could be grasping for straws here but it feels RIGHT

Ruhn looks like Rhys - are they related? - are Rhy's ancestors part of the original fae that went to Lunathion? After all, Theia and "her people were already in Lunathion" when the Asteri arrived (see next bullet to explore this) -> Funny how we don't know Rhys' last name. Could it possibly be... DANAAN?

Bryce and Ruhn's ancestors came from Prythian and ultimately, to the original world of the Fae - Rigelus mentions that Bryce's breed of fae came from a "verdant land, rich and magic". When Bryce lands in Prythian...what type of grass does she land on? "Verdant grass". - Rigelus mentions that Bryce's star of her chest is a "beacon to the world from which the Fae originally came" and that it will lead them back to that world..interesting that Bryce wanted to go to Hel, but ended up in Prythian

Theia came from the lost Dusk court / the Dusk court plays into it somehow -> Danika's project is called Dusk's Truth...coincidence? I think not.

Throne of Glass and Erilea are going to play into this cross over some how - Rigelus mentions that the wolves/shifters are fae but not from where Bryce's type of fae are from...but he does mention that they all came from a different planet where "all the Fae in that world shared their form with an animal" and they perhaps at one stage, "shared a world with [Bryce's breed of Fae" -> I can't keep a certain fae hawk, mountain lion and wolf out of my head - ToG has witches to...perhaps they also went through a rift to Lunathion -> SJM will have us ToG fans beating down her door if she doesn't do a crossover with our fav characters - it's happening and I refuse to believe otherwise

The horn is the fourth trove I´m so fucking sure about it now (had this theorie since the first cc book but now i´m just so sure about it)

Hunt is somehow related to Thurr? - I mean we ALL thought that the underking was Hunts father, but that theory is kind of dead in the water. Guy is an asshole and there was no recognition there - Bryce mentions many times he looks like Thurr, and his powers are similar...how are they connected? Son? Grandson? Timelines are unclear

Rifts are everywhere throughout SJM's books - does a lot of passing happen between worlds more than we are aware? I know Theia and her daughters figured out where all the rifts were in Lunathion, promptly closing them, but that doesn't mean there aren't rifts still open in our other favorite worlds...meaning crossing can happen a lot more easily than we think It would explain a lot of cross-over between linage and missing characters showing up in other SJM series

What do you think about these?

#ruhn x lidia #bryce quinlan #hunt athalar #house of sky and breath #hosab #hosab spoilers #ruhn danaan #sjmaas #pro sjm #crescent city #cc hosab #this book #this book had me hooked #i cried so damn much #i am in love with day and night