#no lucien pov | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

clockwork-ashes · 2 months

Text

All You Have Is Your Fire - Part IV

Find Part I here :)

Summary: 'I can hear your heart beating through the stone.' For the briefest of moments, Lucien wondered if his mate would know exactly when his heart’s steady rhythm came to a sudden stop.

Note: A huge, huge thank you to the lovely @bettdraws who literally deserves all the credit and whose post inspired me to start writing this. I could not stop thinking about this head canon, and it was so kind of you to let me try and make a story from it :) And a huge thank you to everyone reading!

Tag List: @anishake

Part V >>

The Autumn Court was on the constant verge of death, Elain knew, but it was still the loveliest place she had ever seen. Eris had winnowed them first to the border, where the trees created a canopy so thick, she couldn’t even see the sky. The richest reds, the darkest oranges, and the deepest greens had surrounded Elain. Cora had looked as equally impressed by the change of scenery, and Elain had wondered if the woman had ever left the stifling Hewn City.

Autumn was everything Elain had imagined the lands of faerie to be like. The chill was biting, she had noticed, cold like the first kiss of winter. She had been stunned into silence, had forgotten she was upset that Eris had not even let her say a proper goodbye to her family.

Before Elain had had a moment to catch her breath, before she could truly appreciate the wild flowers and the unfamiliar trees, Eris had not bothered to warn her or Cora as he took them directly to the Forest House.

Eris had let go of her hand so suddenly that Elain had stumbled, and had grabbed onto the woman who would act as her lady’s maid. Cora had gently supported her, shooting an angry glare at the Autumn heir’s turned back.

Eris had led them through winding halls, windows dark at the late hour, torches their only light. Elain had realised that she much preferred the flickering flames of Autumn to the faelights ever-present in the Night Court.

Eris had given them a moment to look at the guest suite, all wood and stone and comfortable carpets, before he had told Elain they would be going straight to Beron.

Elain understood that Lucien was in a great deal of danger, but the quick pace at which everything was happening was enough to make her light-headed, unsteady.

“The High Lord is expecting you,” Eris offered her his arm, but when Elain hesitated, he added, “and it’s best not to keep him waiting.”

Elain did not reach for Eris, instead she asked, “Because I’m Lucien’s mate?” She very nearly spat the last word at Eris in distaste. Saying Lucien’s name out loud was like a vicious blow, especially since she so often refused to allow herself the liberty. On the other side of the wall it was improper, Lucien wasn’t Elain’s husband, and the familiarity with which his name fell from her lips was enough to rattle her.

Eris shook his head, the firelight from the torches reflecting off his golden jewellery. “Because he received your letter.” His answering smile was ruthless, that of a wolf. The expression didn’t reach his amber eyes.

Elain only frowned in confusion, she glanced at Cora. “I never–”

Elain did not get the chance to finish her statement, not as Eris waved his hand elegantly and a letter floated gently past her face. She snatched the paper from the air, her eyes scanning its contents with growing disbelief.

The Night Court’s wax seal was still intact and the letter was simply worded, respectful.

Lord Eris Vanserra, it is with great urgency that I write to you, so that I might request an audience with the High Lord of the Autumn Court…

Elain continued to skim what was clearly a plea for help. Cora moved closer to peek over Elain’s shoulder and she made a low sound of displeasure.

What surprised Elain the most was not what was written in the letter, but rather the elegant, looping scrawl, exactly like her own. Even the signed name, Lady Elain Archeron, was identical. Her lips parted slightly in surprise at the perfect forgery.

Before Elain could say anything, Eris spoke, a hidden warning in the tone of his voice. “I received your letter just in time, Lady, my father was growing tired of waiting for someone to notice Lucien’s absence.” His words were careful, so much so that Elain wondered if Eris was worried about someone listening in on their conversation. He offered her his arm once more, a flawless gentleman.

This time, Elain was quick to loop her arm through his, nodding in understanding. Briefly Elain wondered how Eris had managed to forge the letter so well, but she pushed those thoughts aside, vowing to bring it up again at a later time. The light blue fabric of her sleeve was an ugly contrast to the deep green colour of Eris’s velvet jacket. “I am glad, then,” Elain said softly, “that I sent my letter to you when I did.”

Elain saw as Eris’s shoulders dropped ever so slightly in relief, although he said nothing in response. The thick oak doors of the guest room opened silently, the long hallway beyond was menacing, shadows dancing as the torches flickered.

Elain took a deep breath to calm herself, her posture perfect, just like her mother had taught her a lifetime ago. Elain wondered if the steady heartbeat she could hear was her own or Lucien’s, now that distance no longer separated them.

Eris stepped forward, and Elain followed, Cora just a few steps behind. Elain was grateful for her strong and silent presence, but before all three of them could walk past the stone entrance of the room and into the hallway, Eris paused.

Auburn brow raised, he glared at Cora with flames in his eyes. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’ve come with the Lady, shouldn’t I stay by her side?” Cora snapped, her words sharp and lacking any of the respect one would have expected her to show a prince. Elain liked her instantly.

“It’ll only annoy my father,” Eris replied, glancing at Elain before he faced Cora once more.

Cora looked like a queen, Elain thought, her braid as good as any gold crown. “And leave the High Lady’s sister alone with you?” The last word was a snarl.

“You’re her lady’s maid, not her personal guard,” Eris responded, not taking his eyes off Cora. She continued to glare, and Eris smiled mockingly, daring her to argue.

Elain felt as though the tension between them could be cut with a knife, locked as they were in their silent battle of wills.

“Besides,” Eris drawled, “what use will you be against the wrath of a High Lord?”

A blush stained Cora’s brown cheeks, the fingers of her one hand curling into a fist. Elain wondered if she would have hit Eris, but she did not wait any longer to find out if that would have been the case.

“Thank you, Cora,” Elain interjected. “I’ll be fine.” Her words were confident, even though Elain herself was anything but.

Cora did not seem satisfied with the way the night seemed to be unfolding, but all she did was sigh in frustration. “Good luck, then,” she said quietly. “I’ll be here when Lucien is freed.”

Cora’s words were enough to spark an ember of hope within Elain, but as she walked arm-in-arm with Eris to the throne room, panic was beginning to send unwelcome shivers down her spine.

“Don’t be afraid,” Eris murmured, not looking at Elain. He continued to walk at an unhurried pace, the sound of his boots hitting the stone in a steady rhythm. The carved double-doors of the throne room towered just a few more steps ahead of them. “No harm will come to you, Elain, I swear it on my life.”

Elain did not know why she believed Eris’s words, but she tightened her grip on his arm, grateful. The doors opened, the hinges groaning with the weight of the wood, and the throne room was revealed, so unlike the one Rhysand and Feyre had in the Hewn City.

Beron Vanserra sat on a throne of ancient maple, leaves carved into the thick wood with a steady hand. Elain’s first thought was that he looked nothing like Lucien, but there was a ghost of Eris in the turned down corners of his full lips.

Elain fought not to shrink into herself, to keep her head high, at his assessing gaze. He was frightening, and Elain could almost feel his power within the space. Beron was the oldest High Lord, Feyre had warned her, and Elain wondered if that made him the most dangerous.

The Lady of Autumn was a striking figure in a gown the colour of fresh blood. Her throne was just as lovely as her husband’s, although it was smaller. Elain caught the way the lady straightened her back, how she brought herself forward to look at Eris. Her husband did not see the desperation in her eyes as she looked at her eldest son, but Elain recognized the emotion, had seen it before on countless women hoping for miracles.

Eris stopped right before the pair of rulers, dropping his hold on Elain’s arm. Elain elegantly curtsied, her face downturned, the movements practised, and she was grateful for the lessons she had suffered as a young girl. Elain was surprised momentarily as Eris bowed slightly at the waist beside her, the respectful gesture clearly deference to his High Lord and not the comfortable greeting of a parent.

“Lady Elain Archeron of the Night Court,” Beron’s voice was harsh like the slash of a knife. “You have requested this meeting, and while I am pleased by your arrival to my court, I can offer you very little of my time.”

Elain raised her head, smiling pleasantly. “High Lord, Lady” she greeted as her eyes flicked between them, “thank you for welcoming me to your lovely home.”

“You were most troubled in the letter we received,” Beron stated, raising a dark eyebrow as he silently asked her to make her case.

“I am troubled still,” Elain responded, trying her best to twist her words together just as faeries did. It came unnaturally to her, but her time in Velaris had allowed her to become familiar with the specific patterns of the High fae. “I’ve asked only for a moment of your time to make a most significant request.”

Beron’s answering smile was cruel, embers flared in his dark eyes. “Then make your request, child.”

It was intended to be an insult, Elain was sure, calling her a child. Elain was not bothered by it, and she looked straight at the ancient being before her, chin held high. “I have come to request that my mate, Lucien Vanserra, seventh son of Autumn, be allowed a safe return to the Night Court.”

Elain’s words rang clear in the near-empty throne room. The Lady of Autumn’s sharp breath was like the shattering of glass as they all waited for the High Lord’s response.

“The bond has not yet been accepted, everyone knows this.” Beron waved a hand dismissively. “You have no claim to him.”

“High Lord,” Elain began, and Eris reached for her elbow, tension in the set of his mouth. “We were to be married,” she continued, ignoring his silent warning.

“When?” Beron Vanserra questioned, casting a devastating glare in his eldest son’s direction. It was clear that the High Lord doubted Elain’s words.

Panic gripped Elain so suddenly she could barely breathe. “In two weeks' time, on the first day of Spring.” Elain hoped she sounded certain, confident. Eris looked ready to shove her behind him, his body angled in a way that suggested he was ready for a violent confrontation.

Beron’s lips curled into a vicious smile. “I believe you, Lady Elain, and take no offence, but I still must confirm the truth of your claims with my son.”

No sooner had the High Lord finished his sentence and the throne room’s doors opened with a groan. Elain couldn’t help but turn around, drawn to her mate.

You are mine.

The thought crashed through her mind like a wave against the shore, shocking and unwanted. Elain could finally sigh in relief, though, at seeing Lucien bruised and bloody, but knowing that he was relatively unharmed.

Lucien looked proud, arrogant, as he was shoved further into the throne room by a careless guard. He did not notice Elain at first, not until she tugged on the golden thread that tied them together. Beron watched them like a predator watched prey, hungry for a slip in their demeanour.

Elain’s brown eyes met Lucien’s, and all the fire he had possessed a moment before quickly went out. Like the first rays of the sun going over the horizon, horror dawned daybright on the lovely features of Lucien’s face.

Elain looked at Lucien, the smell of burning wood and dying leaves thick in the air, and she wondered if perhaps she had made a terrible mistake coming to the Autumn Court.

#acotar #a court of thorns and roses #elucien #elain x lucien #elain archeron x lucien vanserra #elain archeron #eris vanserra #the lady of the autumn #lady of autumn #beron vanserra #lucien vanserra #this was a bit longer than i thought it would be #i love writing elain but lucien pov in the next part #ashes writes sometimes #all you have is your fire

69 notes · View notes

acourtofthought · 3 months

Text

2021 - Lucien sets his sights on Koschei

2024 - Az sets his sights on threats that exist outside the world of Prythian

In the airport taxiing line, Lucien's plane would have been positioned before Az's.

#elucien #pro elucien #elain archeron #lucien vanserra #pro lucien vanserra #elain x lucien #lucien and elain #pro elain archeron #elain and lucien #anti azriel #I don't actually hate him but I don't think he's more special than characters who were set up long before him #Lucien had a pov in the actual book in ACOWAR and has waited on the resolution of his bond for two years #Az still doesn't know he has a mate #She even talked about writing an acotar book set in the past before she started talking about Az getting a book

53 notes · View notes

bookishfeylin · 11 months

Text

Sorry y'all but the Inner Circle is 100% in character in ACOSF. They've never loved Feyre as her own person and were never her "family" because they've always been willing to put what Rhysand wants first. It's been that way from day one. She's just an accessory to Rhysand to them.

#her story is a TRAGEDY. Lucien save her from them PLEASE before she gets killed next time #and frankly it makes sense they've known each other for centuries and he's their high lord so yeah they're loyal to him over her #but her pov not realizing that is so so sad #anti inner circle #anti sjm #pro feyre #feyre archeron #feyre deserves better #anti acomaf

332 notes · View notes

antipinkkitten · 1 month

Text

Day 10 Prompt: Theories

Chapter 41: Deals with devils

Summary: Azriel finds out about the deal, Rhys makes a plan, the wards are cleaved again as Elain finds out what to do. Plus, an ultra sweet Gwyn and Azriel scene.

A Court of Blooms and Blades (123331 words) by antipinkkitten Chapters: 42/50 Fandom: A Court of Thorns and Roses Series - Sarah J. Maas, Crescent City Series - Sarah J. Maas, Throne of Glass Series - Sarah J. Maas Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Elain Archeron/Lucien Vanserra, Elain Archeron/Azriel, Feyre Archeron/Rhysand, Nesta Archeron/Cassian, Azriel/Gwyneth Berdara Characters: Elain Archeron, Lucien Vanserra, Azriel (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Rhysand (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Feyre Archeron, Gwyneth Berdara Additional Tags: Slow Burn, Love Triangle, Rejection, Eventual Smut, POV Multiple, Mating Bond, Heartbreak, Break Up, Healing, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Therapy

#gwynriel weeks 2024 #pro gwynriel #acotar #elucien #romance #elain archeron #multiple povs #pro elain #eventual happy ending #eventual smut #gwynriel #gwyneth berdara #pro gwyn #gwyn x azriel #elain x lucien #sjm books #sjm universe #sjmaas #maasverse

24 notes · View notes

lorcandidlucienwill · 7 months

Text

If the next book doesn’t feature Lucien POV I’m done with this stupid series

If I have to read another book about how incredible the Night Court is with its segregation, sexism, and perfect High Lord/Lady as well as how much Azriel hates himself woe be me pining after Mor and Elain I’m going to vomit. There are 7 courts yet we’ve only seen glimpses of 3. Show us the rest! Logically it makes sense for Lucien’s POV to be featured next bc of the whole Vassa Koschei situation but I’ve learned not to have faith in Sarah at this point.

Also, Elain better be chasing this man, cuz he deserves someone who’ll fight for him

#lucien vanserra #band of exiles #anti inner circle #anti feysand #pro elucien #anti sjm #how have we not got lucien’s pov yet

52 notes · View notes

nocasdatsgay · 7 months

Text

From the Ashes, The Wildflowers Grow

Chapter 1: Family

Word Count: 2675

CW: IDK a baby? None

Chapter Summary: Eris and his wife, Celeste, hold a family get-together to introduce their new child.

Also read it on A03 Here

MasterPost and full fic summary here

First time posting chapters on tumblr AND ao3 so comments, likes, etc are welcome and appreciated.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Waiting in his chambers with his mother, Eris felt the wards break. He rolled his eyes up to the ceiling and watched the magic simmer. He then watched as they immediately repaired themselves.

“Your son is here,” he said, with a sigh to his mother. He stood from his chair. “Dramatic as ever.”

Not even a moment later, the doors to the chambers opened. No knock; his brother never knocked. There was a squeal of a female and golden blonde hair rushing to him.

“Eris,” Elain said, hugging him. Eris took a moment to realize what happened and hug her back. She pulled away and looked towards his mother. She gasped. “Is that the baby?”

“Good to see you Elain,” he said with a slight chuckle.

She left him quickly with her lilac dress twirling around her feet, and went to the couch his mother occupied. She murmured her greetings and his mother handed her the babe swaddled in a green blanket. Elain sat beside her and he could hear his daughter’s little grunts from being shuffled around.

“Oh Eris, she’s beautiful.”

Eris felt another presence beside him. “Where’s your wife?”

He looked toward his brother. Eris was surprised to see him in a tunic and trousers, and not in day court attire. Coupled with Elain’s dress that meant they must have come from Spring.

“She’s napping. I’d rather not wake her. She refuses to rest. So when she does, I don’t disturb her.”

“Sounds like Celeste.” Lucien walked over to his mate.

“You know you can't keep breaking the wards, Lucien.” Eris crossed his arms. “You’ll start a war because you’re too lazy to walk in.”

“I keep telling him that,” Elain said. “But he doesn’t listen.”

Lucien himself replied by dismissively waving a hand and giving his mother a hug. He then peered down at the bundle in Elain’s arms. “Oh thank the cauldron, she looks like her mother.”

“Careful,” Eris frowned. His mother didn’t suppress her laugh.

Lucien only smiled at him. “Have you named her yet?”

Eris didn’t answer him. He heard familiar footsteps to his right and tried not to scowl as his wife rounded the corner. She had changed into a red knit sweater and brown trousers. He was at least happy she didn’t feel the need to put on something more formal. Her brown hair looked hurriedly put into a bun, loose strands framing her face. The dark rings were still under her eyes. He wanted to tell her to go back to bed but he knew not to argue in front of family. She gave them all a smile and Lucien walked over to her to hug her.

“I was just telling your husband what a blessing your child looks just like you,” he teased.

“I heard,” she replied with a little yawn. “But she does have his hair.”

“She’s beautiful, Celeste.” Elain told her with a smile.

Celeste said her thanks while Lucien stepped back and looked her over. Eris glared but didn’t say anything. He knew it was ridiculous, but he refused to feel guilty for being jealous and protective. Even if they’d been married for nearly a century.

Lucien frowned, “Eris was right, you still need rest. You look absolutely terrible.”

“Lucien,” his mother hissed from the couch.

Eris didn’t bother to cut his eyes to his brother. Celeste smacked him on the arm for the both of them. Eris chuckled when he saw Elain, still holding the babe, glared over for a brief moment before schooling her features.

“Elain, come get your mate,” she laughed. “It’s been over a week. I’m fine.”

“She refuses to let me help,” Eris interjected. Celeste rolled her eyes. “It’s the truth. I practically have to steal my own child to bond with her.”

“Now that is a lie if I ever heard one,” Celeste came over and took his hand. “If I’m not holding her, he is. Edith said it would spoiler her.”

“Nonsense,” his mother replied. “She’s always said that. What she didn’t tell you is when she was my healer, she coddled every single one of my boys.”

Celeste grinned. “I think she says it mostly because Eris also takes her to all his meetings even if she’s sleeping.”

He brought her hand up and kissed the tops of her knuckles. He held her gaze tightly. “How can I not? I love to show off your work.”

Lucien made a gagging noise. “Please get a room.”

“These are our rooms,” Celeste replied.

Eris pulled her to him and kissed her cheek, then her lips. He was very pleased with the way she hummed in response, kissing him back.

“Disgusting,” Lucien grumbled.

Elain, ever the polite one, changed the topic. “Did you name her?”

Celeste pulled away, and turned towards her. “We have.” She looked back at Eris.

She asked him a silent question and he nodded. He saw the brief sadness in her eyes and he gripped her hand tight. He knew it would be hard for her, especially with Lucien present, but he stood by her decision when she asked before the baby was born.

He watched her look over to Lucien. Her voice cracked a little when she said, “Her name is Andrea.”

Realization washed over Lucien and his eyes widened. He looked to Eris but Eris only shrugged. Their mother, who had been watching quietly, stood and went to Lucien, squeezing his arm. Elain looked confused.

“That’s a lovely name,” their mother replied.

Celeste let go of Eris’s hand and she went to Elain to retrieve their child. “She’s named after Andras,” she said softly to her. “He was a dear friend,” she turned to Lucien. “A very dear friend to the both of us back in Spring. He gave his life for us to be free. I wanted to honor him.”

Lucien was still eyeing Eris. “And you’re fine with that?”

Eris glowered. “She could have named her Tamlin and I would be fine with it. Truly Lucien, that’s the first comment you want to make?”

Celeste thankfully took no offense and laughed. “Would you let me name your child after my former high lord?”

Eris bristled a little at the reminder. “You labored for two days, as long as it wasn’t Morrigan I was fine with anything.” He swore he heard Elain snort at that remark.

Lucien nodded and looked him over with a grin. “Just checking. You are the jealous type. But I should have guessed Celeste gets whatever she wants.”

Eris only looked to his beautiful wife again, holding their child. He didn’t bother to change his expression into something other than the adoration he felt. “You say that as if it’s a terrible problem to have.”

Another knock came to the door. His other brothers, Piran, Asher, and Cillian filed into the room; followed by Celeste’s mother.

“These three were loitering in the halls,” she stated with great humor before curtsying towards Lucien, Elain, and his mother. “Something about how my daughter’s husband would murder them if they woke her.”

Eris didn’t hide his grin. “I can’t fathom where they heard such an outlandish story.”

“Eris,” Celeste shuffled the babe in her arms so she could smack his arm gently.

“It was kinder for me to kill them if they woke you than to let them suffer your wrath.” Eris retorted. “Everyone in this room knows you’re a monster to wake up.”

Celeste scoffed, dramatically looked very offended. “You wound me deeply.”

Piran stepped around them to greet Lucien and Elain. “Good to see you both.” He turned his head to Lucien. “You keep breaking the wards, Lucien and I’m going to have you banned from Autumn again.”

“I repaired them, didn’t I?” Lucien replied.

“Boys,” their mother said with a tone of warning. “Lucien, promise to your brothers you will stop breaking the wards.”

“You treat me as if I’m a youngling.” He rolled his eyes.

Asher spoke up from near the door. “That’s because you act like one.”

Everyone laughed, including Elain, which made Lucien scowl. She finally cut him a look and he replied. “Fine, I promise I won’t break the wards again.”

Cillian said from beside Asher, “this room is a bit crowded. We came to fetch you all.”

They all filed out the chamber and Eris took Andrea from his wife. He still wasn’t used to it; holding the little being the cauldron blessed them with. She was still so new to the world, for any stark features to truly stand out other than the red hair, pale skin, and her blue eyes. Her little face scrunched as she settled in his arms while he walked down the hall. He smiled down at her for a moment and glanced at his wife walking beside him. He’d probably never understand what he’d done to earn this kind of happiness.

They all reached the conference room that was refurbished as a sitting lounge several decades ago. Once Andrea was placed in the cradle, he sat with his brothers to continue talking. Even Lucien joined them. Eris would never admit how much that meant to him. His mother and Celeste’s mother were off to one side chatting. They offered to sit close to the cradle to keep an eye on the baby. Elain and Celeste went to the far side of the room. Eris could hear his wife talking, catching bits of gossip from Spring and how Elain was bullying the Tamlin into letting her redo the flowerbeds during her visits. He did catch the shift in Elain’s tone that had him worried for only a moment.

“I started that book you sent me. You are just as terrible as my sister,” Elain said. He could see the blush on her face from his seat. “You did not warn me about chapter 33. You told me it wasn’t that bad.”

Celeste laughed loudly. “It’s not! But if that made you blush, then skip 40. It’s nothing but-”

He instantly knew exactly what they were discussing and immediately blocked them out. His wife’s reading habits was something he decided a long time ago was none of his business. He glanced over and his gaze caught Lucien’s. Apparently he was doing the same thing, from the look he shared. Eris bit back his laugh and focused on what his other brothers were saying. It wasn’t long before a knock came to the door, stifling the conversations in the room.

Rowen, the captain of the guard, poked his head in. “Lord Helion is here. Shall I escort him in?”

Eris looked at his brothers. Unspoken words were exchanged between them with a look and Eris stood.

“I’ll go.” When he got to the door, he looked at Rowen and nodded to the room. “Go in and visit.”

Rowen looked at him skeptically. He ran a nervous hand through his dark hair. “Are you sure?”

“You’re family, aren’t you?” He patted his friend’s shoulder. “Go meet the baby. You haven’t even seen her yet.”

Eris understood his hesitation. Rowen was a good leader but very reserved. Asher was always the more outgoing one and Rowen gladly let his husband take on those responsibilities. He watched Rowen stare into the room for a moment. He then gave Eris a nod and went through the door. He took a shortcut to the main hall and found Helion waiting near the front entrance.

“Afternoon Helion.” His greeting was short. Even after all the time that passed, their relationship was still complicated.

“Eris.” Helion gave a little nod. “Apologies for running late. Congratulations. I know your mother is excited to have a new youngling around.”

As if summoned, footsteps echoed in the hall. Eris turned to see his mother and wife walking towards them, his wife holding their daughter.

“You look well.” Helion said to Celeste as they approached.

Celeste scoffed. “Don’t flatter me, Helion. Lucien’s already told me I look worse for wear.”

He frowned. “Did he?”

Eris replied with a little pride, “she handled it.”

Helion cut his eyes to Eris’s mother, who nodded. He looked back to Celeste. “You look like you have a new babe keeping you up at night, but that’s expected. All that considered, you do look well.”

“Eris helps.” Celeste readjusted the baby resting in her arms. “Would you like to hold her? Her name is Andrea.”

Helion nodded and Celeste handed her over to him. He grinned as he took her, part of the blanket falling to the side as she squirmed in his hands. She seemed more awake, her legs shuffling under the white gown they’d dressed her in. Helion cooed a greeting to her and Eris could see her yawn.

“Isn’t she beautiful?” His mother sighed and leaned onto Helion’s arm.

Watching them awe over his child made Eris wonder if somehow, in another life, that would have been how they looked at their own babe. Would that have been how they looked at Lucien? How they would have looked at him? He must have let his emotions show. Celeste slipped her arm around his and took his hand. She weaved her fingers around his own and she squeezed gently. With a blink, he squeezed back.

The moment didn’t last for long, however. Eris knew instantly by the quick little movements his daughter was making that she was about to start screaming. As if on cue, her face scrunched up. Celeste moved first, holding out her arms as Andrea let out a little cry. Helion thankfully wasn’t offended, letting out a soft chuckle.

“And she’s hungry,” Celeste quickly took the wailing babe. She held her close and looked at Eris. “I’m going to feed her and drag out Elain. I left her alone talking with my mother and she was trying to needle out of Elain her cinnamon bread recipe,” she added, making a face.

“I’ll go with you.” His mother told Celeste and stood on her toes to kiss Helion on the cheek.

Eris caught her gaze for a brief moment. He knew she was leaving them alone on purpose. He didn’t hide annoyance on his face. His mother flashed her eyes in a way that told him to behave. Eris crossed his arms. He and Helion turned to watch them retreat for a moment. Eris could taste the awkward silence hanging between them.

Helion finally turned to Eris. “You know you’re welcome at my court, Eris.” Eris could only nod. “I do mean that. Next time Celeste visits, you should join her. I know your mother wants to see more of you. Especially with the baby-“

“I am aware.” Eris finally snapped back. He said it more harsher than he intended to. Helion frowned and Eris continued. “What I mean is, when Andrea is old enough to handle winnowing, I will send notice.”

That softened the Day High Lord’s demeanor. “There is a lot of bad blood between us. I’m not asking for a miracle; I’m merely asking to start making amends. We are family.”

Eris nodded again. He knew he needed to try harder. It had been over a century. He was at least trying. Even if it pained him.

Helion didn’t let the silence lapse for long. “I spoke with your mother and we both agreed there will be Pegasus waiting for her when she’s old enough.”

“That’s hardly necessary,” Eris replied, taken aback.

Helion shrugged, wearing a smirk eerily similar to Lucien’s. “So was giving us two smoke hounds as a mating present.”

Eris rolled his eyes. “Again, hardly. Aspen and Jora missed my mother dearly.”

Helion didn’t seem to buy it but also didn’t further argue. “Shall we?” He asked, looking toward the hall.

“Of course,” Eris nodded.

He told himself one day he would be used to the family he made and acquired, just like he had gotten used to the peace. For the time being, he would try to enjoy it for what it was and accept the happiness the cauldron and Mother granted him.

45 notes · View notes

divinemare · 3 months

Text

you know what would be absolutely perfect? we know acotar 5 is about elain, but like, there’s another book right? i NEED it to be like tog and have multiple povs, like, to have our three sisters as the main characters, but also include other characters povs

#imagine jumping from a feyre pov to a rhys pov to an azriel pov to a nesta pov to a lucien pov to an elain pov #i would actually cry #acotar #a court of thorns and roses #acomaf #acosf #acowar

12 notes · View notes

yanny-77 · 3 months

Text

ATOFAF: Chapter 28: Lucien's Return

Capter 1 | Chapter 28 | 4,204/137,882 Words Summary: In the days before Beron's funeral and Eris's ascension ceremony, Lucien returns to Velaris. He and his friends from Midgard have lunch at the cafe where they run into someone Lucien isn't keen to see.

Note: I didn't have anyone proof this chapter for final edits. Sorry not sorry. Feel free to let me know of any typos you see.

Excerpt:

“Sometimes I think that they’re right.” Lucien hung his head, trapped in his own thoughts. A broken male. For a moment, no one moved, no one even breathed. Declan searched desperately for something to say. Something to ease the lines on Lucien’s face. Something to ease the ache in his own chest. He came up short.�� But Ruhn didn’t. Ruhn stood slowly and made his way to Lucien and crouched before him so that he could look directly into the male’s downcast eyes. “We are not our fathers.” A hard determination settled over Ruhn’s features. “Their sins are not ours, and we do not have to follow in their footsteps. We can make our own path.”

Read Now on AO3

#a tragedy of fawns and fate #yanny wips #declan emmet #declan emmet pov #lucien vanserra #tharion ketos #ithan holstrom #ruhn danaan #bryce quinlan

10 notes · View notes

aprill-99 · 10 months

Text

I like to think that if Lucien could also read minds, he and Rhysand, as two guys who have known Tamlin longest, would have bonded immediately after Aramantha first laid out her curse over sharing the single deafening thought:

“I cannot fucking believe that the ENTIRE FATE of the entire fucking KNOWN WORLD depends on THIS GUY, developing people skills and a sense of emotional intelligence some time in the next 50 years.”

Lucien has a whole ass job because of how bad with people Tamlin is and Rhys straight out says he taught Tamlin about women. Of everyone in that room these are the two most aware of how singularly fucked they are by the terms of this curse.

#I think it could have been a bonding moment is all #actor #acotar funny #from Lucien’s POV the entire first novel is watching your best friend systematically fuck up the most important set of dates in history #also crossing your fingers and hoping the traumatized 19 year old has a thing for tall emotionally repressed blondes #book 2 is finding out she does not #book 3 is discovering you don’t either #lucien vanserra #rhysand #rhys acotar #feyre acotar #Feyre #feyre archeron #rhys x feyre #tamlin #Amarantha unironically nailed the terms on that curse TBH #10/10 cursing accuracy #amarantha #Lucien is basically standing over Feyres shoulder with conversation cue cards for Tamlin for 3/4 of a novel #Tamlin is still doing it wrong in spite of this #Rhys’ grand plan is to make Tamlin as furious as possible and then clear the blast zone and that’s also hilarious when I think about it #there’s an AU where Rhys and the IC are backstage at the mansion like reverse Lumiere trying to push the romance along #for the good of the people #you can’t tell me the IC would not consider that a valid plan to get rid of Aramantha

33 notes · View notes

the-darkestminds · 20 days

Text

A Dying Flame

Eris POV — my first fic

Heyyyyy friends. I decided to write the two scenes UTM from Eris’s POV where Lucien is being tormented and Eris is forced to watch. It can also be found here. I’ve never written anything before so be nice to me 😭 I took a few lines directly from ACOTAR to set the scene and make it as canon as possible, but the rest came from me. I tried to channel SJM's writing style as best I could. I am trash for Eris so I couldn’t resist. I hope you guys like it 🥲 title is dumb so I might change it. I am eternally grateful for any of you who choose to read the whole thing, I promise it’s not too long! 🙏

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

Eris

I stood at the edge of the gathered crowd, struggling to keep the cool mask of indifference on my face as Amarantha once again had Lucien bound and on his knees before her. Would his torment never cease? He had never quite mastered the ability to keep his mouth shut, to leash his tongue until the moment it would best serve him. Lucien’s loud mouth had already cost him his left eye, plucked right from his head by Amarantha herself. Rage coursed through me at the role I was forced to play each day under this cursed mountain. How useless I’d become at protecting those I held most dear.

Lucien and I had not exchanged honest words in over 30 years. I longed for the chance to speak to him alone, to beg him to hold his tongue so as not to draw Amarantha’s ire more than he already had. Not for the first time, I desperately wished for the daemati abilities the High Lord of Night possessed so that I might speak to Lucien privately. Abilities he was about to unleash upon my brother.

Beside Lucien stood a small and ordinary mortal girl, likely Amarantha’s newest plaything to torture and discard.

“Her name?” Amarantha asked Tamlin, who didn’t reply. “I don’t suppose your handsome brothers know, Lucien,” she purred.

Give up her name! I nearly begged him. To hell with the girl. Instead I heard myself say, “If we did, Lady, we would be the first to tell you.” The words tasted like poison on my tongue. My brothers chuckled from behind me.

Amarantha only smiled and nodded at Rhysand. He cocked his head, his eyes narrowing slightly on Lucien, who hissed in pain.

I tensed as Rhysand began smiling faintly. Bastard. He was a loathsome, foul bastard. And though I knew he played a role and wore a mask as much as the rest of us, it didn’t stop me from hating him as he held Lucien’s mind in his clutches.

Lucien stiffened in pain. A groan slipped out of him, and–

“Feyre!” the girl shouted. “My name is Feyre.”

Lucien sagged on the ground, trembling. Relief shuttered through me, and I bared my teeth and snarled quietly at the girl to disguise the trembling in my hands, my legs. He was safe, for now. And no thanks to me.

The conversation continued, but I let my mind drift far away. Tried to feel nothing as I attempted to calm my racing heart. I clenched my sweaty palms at my sides and allowed myself a quick glance at Lucien’s prone form. Alive–for now.

I slipped back into the crowd as they dragged Feyre away. He was alive. I repeated this to myself as the cruelty continued through the night, as it did every night in this miserable place. Alive–as I sipped wine and smiled at the punishment the Attor was inflicting on the poor faeries Amarantha had singled out this evening. Alive, alive, alive a steady chant in my blood as the night wore on.

Alive.

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

“Well, Feyre, your second trial has come.” I heard Amarantha smugly announce from her throne at the front of the room. A gnawing dread had been pooling in my gut for the last hour. I could only guess at what new horror she had in store for the girl, but I grew increasingly anxious when I did not see Lucien amongst the revelers. He tended to lurk in the shadows of the room, one eye on Tamlin, ever the loyal sentry. I couldn’t help the low snarl that escaped me at the thought. That Lucien was willing to risk his own life for the Spring Court brute. The faerie next to me skittered away at the sound.

I slowly made my way towards the gathered crowd. Faeries averted their eyes as I passed. It was a relief that I still commanded a modicum of fear from these leeches. Their fear of me was a weapon I wielded frequently.

Amarantha sat proudly on her throne. The Attor at her left, Tamlin braced stiffly behind her on her right.

“Here, Feyre darling, you shall find your task. Simply answer the question by selecting the correct lever, and you’ll win. Select the wrong one to your doom. As there are only three options, I think I have given you an unfair advantage.” Something metallic groaned at the snap of her fingers. “That is,” she added with a snake-like smile, “if you can solve the puzzle in time.”

I had just gotten a glimpse of the girl when the floor where she was standing began to sink down, revealing a small chamber split in two by a metal grate.

I went rigid as I beheld the figure chained to the floor, previously hidden from view. A loud roaring began building in my head. My skin felt tight and hot as I saw that it was Lucien–Lucien, who would again be part of the night’s entertainment. Lucien wrenched at the chains binding him to the floor. I nearly puked on the throne room floor at the sight of it.

Only the many years of practice in my long immortal life stopped the cry of anguish from escaping me as burning spikes began to slowly lower towards Lucien from above. I was a fool. A wretched fool to think Amarantha was done torturing him. That she would not use his friendship with the girl again and again until she finally broke, or was dead, Lucien along with her. I made to take a step forward but then jerked to a stop. Nothing. There was nothing I could do to stop this without damning us both further. I would be forced to watch in silent agony as Lucien was slowly and painfully crushed under the weight of those red-hot spikes.

I stared and stared at Lucien, only vaguely aware of the girl flailing and panicking in the chamber next to him. This was some new level of hell. My nightmare brought to life, one that I could not wake myself up from.

“Answer it!” Lucien shouted, his voice hitched. My eyes burned, and I felt a cold drop of sweat begin to drip down my spine. Only sheer force of will kept the practiced smirk on my lips. The spikes lowered further.

“Just pick one!” Lucien shouted. He strained against the chains, panting frantically, eyes wide.

My brothers around me laughed gleefully, and I forced myself to join in, the sound a pitiful rasp in my ears. I was grateful that the crowd around me was thoroughly distracted by the horror unfolding before us. That they could not hear my pounding heart or the screaming inside my head as those molten spikes lowered another inch closer to Lucien’s body, helplessly chained to the floor. This was the true torture. Not the painful lashes I’d so often received from my father for disappointing him in one way or another. Not the loneliness and fear that threatened to crush me after so many years navigating the snake pit of my father’s court. But this. Forced to stand idly by as my loved ones were killed. Forced to hear the fear in Lucien’s voice as he begged the girl to just pick a lever and be unable to stop any of it.

“Feyre, please!” Lucien moaned. The terror in his voice nearly brought me to my knees. And yet I stood there like a statue. Maybe this was my punishment for being so useless. So worthless. I desperately wished I could take Lucien’s place. That it was me chained to the floor. I deserved it.

I held my breath and shut my eyes as the girl finally reached for the third lever, bracing myself for what was surely to come.

Silence. Then–a sigh. From Lucien.

I opened my eyes at the sound and choked down the sob building in my chest. The girl, Feyre, had actually done it. By dumb luck or fate, she had saved them both.

I did not stay to witness Amarantha’s reaction to the girl besting her once more. Could not stand to be there a minute longer. I turned, not seeing any of the faces around me, desperate to escape the swirl of both panic and relief pressing in on me, threatening to swallow me whole. I could not fall apart, not here.

I stumbled away to the back of the throne room and kept walking until I was alone in a darkened passageway, the sounds of jeering and wicked laughter slowly disappearing. I leaned heavily against the nearest wall and emptied the contents of my stomach onto the floor. My eyes and throat burned and I let out the broken sob I had been holding in. I would allow myself one minute to fall apart, away from prying eyes. Just one minute, and then I would return to join in the merriment of those who had cheered as my brother had nearly been killed again.

I breathed in the damp, cold air of the mountain, my body shaking silently as I sunk to my knees. I listened to the drip, drip, drip of water on the stone floor and used it to slow my quaking heart. When the minute was up, I stood. Tunneled deep down inside until I could barely feel the rage and sorrow. I brought the smirk back to my mouth–it was second nature after all these years. I took one last deep breath, and turned back the way I had come. I had been gone too long, and these caves had eyes and ears that were always watching, always listening–always reporting back to her. And though Autumn Court fire burned in my veins, I forced my heart to freeze over, as cold as Kallias’s ice. I let that ice flow through me as I walked back–as I blocked out the despair that fought to drown me with every step I took. Until I was no one, and nothing.

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

A small part of me was aware that I was in shock. I drifted through the following day as if underwater, not fully hearing the words spoken to me or how I responded. Through it all, I made sure to keep the haughty mask on my face. Only when I spotted Lucien across the room did I feel as if I had come up briefly for air. Our eyes locked, and Lucien’s mouth tightened in displeasure. He held my gaze, emotion flickering in his right eye–there and then gone before I could decipher it. After a beat he looked away and was promptly swallowed up by the crowd.

I knew Lucien despised me. It was written on his face whenever he deigned to look me in the eyes, and I let him believe I felt the same. As much as it pained me to do so, I treated him as if he were nothing to me, no more than trash to be discarded. I hated myself more with each passing day–was at risk of being consumed by it entirely and slipping deep into the burning pit of fire within me. It was sheer defiance against the bitch queen that prevented me from doing so. The hope that I might one day see Autumn again. So many years trapped down in the dark were wearing heavy on my soul. The steady fear that I would fail those I sought to protect slowly ate away at me. What I’d give to breathe in the crisp, cool air of home, to walk amongst the red and gold leaves that sparkled like jewels in the dawn light. I held on to the hope that I would one day return. Tucked it deep down inside where it flickered softly, the aching pain in my heart its only companion.

63 notes · View notes

kazuyaasai-serenaspencerli · 11 months

Text

The morning sunrise hits upon your face, making you squint when you open your eyes. Sitting up, you yawn and turn to look beside you. And there he is, sleeping peacefully by your side. A smile forms on your lips as you shift more closer to him. Disheveled hair, calm breathing, his peaceful expression while sleeping. This image of his is stuck inside your head.

How lucky I am to be by your side... You mutter.

Your fingers reaches out and gently stroke his cheek and gave him a soft peck at the tip of his nose

"Good morning, love".

༻ ♡ ♡ ♡ ༺

MORNING

༻ ♡ ♡ ♡ ༺

PLAYLIST | MASTERLIST

#mlqc gavin #mlqc victor #mlqc kiro #mlqc lucien #mr love #mr love queen's choice #mr love victor #mlqc #mr love gavin #mlqc shaw #mr love shaw #mr love lucien #s/o #reader x ml #unedited #Kaz's povs

46 notes · View notes

acourtofthought · 6 months

Text

Cassian Bonus Chapter Ending “I’ll mail the letter tomorrow morning.” Nesta paused with her hand on the knob and looked over a shoulder. “You know nothing about who I am, and what I’ve done, and what I want. And while we’re on the subject . . . Send someone else next time. If I see you on my doorstep, I’ll scream loud enough for the servants to come running.” He gaped at her, the pain ebbing enough that he could stagger upright. (Nesta had kneed him in the balls) But Nesta was gone, slipping down the hall, where some servant called out to her and she murmured a response

Cassian did not circle over the house. But he could feel Nesta’s attention as he soared for the wall. Even shielded from sight, he could feel those blue-gray eyes on him.The feeling chased him all the way back to Velaris.

Azriel Bonus Chapter Ending

Something sparked in Azriel's chest, but he only nodded his thanks and left. He could picture it, though, as he ascended the stairs back to the House proper. How Gwyn's teal eyes might light upon seeing the necklace. For whatever reason....he could see it. But Azriel tucked away the thought, consciously erasing the slight smile it brought to his face. Buried the image down deep, where it glowed quietly. Lucien's POV Ending "When I sleep," she murmured, "I can hear your heart beating through the stone." She angled her head, as if the city view held some answer. "Can you hear mine?" He wasn't sure if she truly meant to address him, but he said, "No, lady. I cannot." Her too-thin shoulders seemed to curve inward. "No one ever does. No one ever looked - not really." A bramble of words. Her voice strained to a whisper. "He did. He saw me. He will not now." Her thumb brushed the iron ring on her finger. Another male's ring, another marker that she was claimed -

Cassian's POV features this line from Nesta: “You know nothing about who I am, and what I’ve done, and what I want.

And Lucien's features this line from Elain: Her too-thin shoulders seemed to curve inward. "No one ever does. No one ever looked - not really." They seem quite similar, don't they? Both have an Archeron sister claiming not to be seen by their mate. This is how SJM writes her romance. The characters might be inexplicably drawn to one another but it's not instant love, they don't know everything about the other from the start. Cassian's POV took place after meeting Nesta on only a few occasions and Lucien's took place when he met Elain for the very first time. They might have a general sense of what they need (i.e., Cassian saw beyond the physical for Nesta from the start and Lucien instinctively knew to take Elain to the sea (where their house in the human lands was or to a garden) but they're still learning about them as they go. Az's is a bit of a mirror to the above as well when he says he wouldn't call Gwyn a friend at that moment in time. Logically, why would they be friends? They had never interacted outside of training so it would be strange if they were friends all of a sudden (SJM is a slow burn type of author, can't you tell?). But it's not long until we get the sense Cassian really starts to understand Nesta, he realizes that one of her greatest frustrations is not being able to do more to protect others so he extends that to her. He studied Nesta for a long moment. His voice was rough as he said, "Five hundred years ago, I fought on battlefields not far from this house. I fought beside human and faerie alike, bled beside them. I will stand on that battlefield again, Nesta Archeron, to protect this house - your people. I can think of no better way to end my existence than to defend those who need it most." And it's not long after Lucien's POV that we see the same progression for him, where Elain wants to be seen and it's clear Lucien does. Where she's upset that her choices were taken away from her so he removes himself from the equation so she can go after what she wants (Graysen). "No - I didn't have time. I felt her, but..." A blush stained his cheeks. Lucien just stared and stared at my sister, as if he'd never seen her before. He glanced at Elain, who was again studying her lap. "I'm not need here. I'll fight if you need me to, but..."

And it's shortly after Solstice that Az understands Gwyn's desire to not be powerless again, where he shows admiration for the work she's done and believes in her ability to make it through the Rite. But the most important similarity in these three situations (I don't think you can include Chaol into this comparison considering he'd hadn't met Yrene in his POV and the humans of TOG didn't have fae mating bonds) is that their thoughts revolved around one particular female at the end: Cassian's POV ended with Nesta literally telling him not to come back or she'd scream for help though he felt her eyes on him as he flew away and he couldn't stop thinking about that fact. Lucien's POV ended with him struggling with the knowledge that Elain is engaged to another male and has no need / want for him. Azriel's POV ended with him being clueless as to why Gwyn's happiness sparked something in his chest. But each was left open ended, with unfinished business with those females. Cassian couldn't stop thinking about Nesta, Lucien was upset over Elain's betrothal and Az will need to eventually realize why Gwyn's happiness brought him such joy. Elain and Az are not unfinished business. He admitted that he would regret going back to kiss her and she returned the necklace. which signals that her business with him is done. Had that been the end of the bonus than maybe an argument could be made but since it ended with Gwyn, it's clear the direction the author is going to be heading down the line. Also, Cassians POV dealt with his emotions for Mor: And then there would be the matter of explaining it to everyone. To Mor. His blood chilled.

And Cassian had been jealous—of Mor’s shy glances at Azriel in those first few weeks. So when Mor had asked him to bed her . . . He’d done it. A jealous, stupid prick, he’d done it, and regretted it at that very frst thrust, when he’d felt her maidenhead yield to him, and realized the enormity of what she’d done.

He’d had lovers, some for a night and some for months, and Mor had never cared, but . . .This woman standing before him like a pillar of steel and fame . . . Cassian didn’t want to tell Mor about her. About how he’d touched her neck.

Lucien's POV dealt with his emotions for Jesminda: She had teased him, taunted him - seduced him so thoroughly that he hadn't wanted anything but her. She'd seen him not as a High Lord's seventh son, but as a male. Had loved him without question, without hesitation. She had chosen him. Betrayal, queasy and oil, slid through his veins. He'd said the same to Jesminda once. In order for a MMC to truly move forward with a FMC, we need to see them address the emotions for love interests of their past.

It's a curious thing then, that Az refuses to answer Rhys about Mor in relation to his actions with Elain. And probably why he's still clueless as to why the thought of Gwyn's happiness sparked something in his chest. He can't move forward with romantic feelings for her until he's ready to deal with his emotions for Mor. These are the important take aways from the Bonus POVs. Not that Cassian wanted a taste of Nesta and Azriel wanted a taste of Elain. Cassian confirms he had lust for Mor but that didn't mean anything. Lucien confirms he was ensnared by Jesminda's seduction yet they weren't endgame. What matters is the hard truths they're willing to face; Cassian acknowledging that he feels some guilt over being drawn to Nesta because of Mor and Lucien feeling guilt over being drawn to Elain because of Jesminda (with Az clearly not ready to face the truths of his past) and that the POVs ended with one female in their thoughts. Nesta (not Mor) for Cassian Elain (not Jesminda) for Lucien Gwyn (not Mor or Elain) for Az

#pro elucien #elucien #lucien pov #nessian #gwynriel #pro gwynriel #anti e/riel #acotar mates

54 notes · View notes