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roguestarsailor · 3 years

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JUST FINISHED THE QUEEN OF NOTHING AND IT IS *AMAZING*. THE WHOLE ENTIRE SERIES IS AMAZING. I HAVE MANY THOUGHTS BUT I AM FILLED WITH LOVE FROM THIS BOOK SO I CANNOT WRITE RIGHT NOW! JUDE AND CARDEN MY LOVES MY PRECIOUS PRECIOUS BABIES I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVEEEE

JUST AHHHH THE COMPLEXITIES OF EACH CHARACTER AND THEIR DECISIONS AND AHFKDSHJK ITS NOT LETS JUST MURDER PEOPLE AND IT LOVELY I LOVE THAT FOR THEM I LOVE THAT ITS DKSLJFDSFSDKLJ JUDE IS A DUMBIE IN LOVE AND THE BEST SCHEMEING BITCH EVER I LOVE HER WOWWW

STAND OUT MOMENTS INCLUDE

“Jude, you can’t really think I don’t know it’s you. I knew you from the moment you walked into the brugh.”

“He’s every bit as terrifying as any serpent.

I don’t care. I run into his arms.”

Cardan’s fingers dig into my back. He’s trembling, and whether it is from ebbing magic or horror, I am not sure. But he holds me as though I am the only solid thing in the world.”

I feel a guard’s hand close on my arm. Then Cardan’s voice comes. “Do not touch her.”

A terrible silence follows. I wait for him to pronounce judgment on me. Whatever he commands will be done. His power is absolute. I don’t even have the strength to fight back.

“She’s my wife,” Cardan says, his voice carrying over the crowd. “The rightful High Queen of Elfhame. And most definitely not in exile.”

another stand out is

“You ought to have taken what we offered,” Lord Jarel says, swinging his spear down toward me. “Your reign will be very short, mortal queen.”

Then Grima Mog is there on her stag, taking the weight of his blade. Their weapons slam together, ringing with the force of the impact. “First I’m going to kill you,” she tells him. “And then I’m going to eat you.”

IM SO SORRY BUT THIS IS WHAT I WILL BE POSTING ABOUT FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS IM SO IN LOVEEEEEEEEE

#amandabookthoughts #amandathoughts #the folk of the air #the cruel prince #the wicked king #queen of nothing #holly black #jude x cardan #im so fucken glad locke just died and we forgot about him #that was such a good move #not sure how i feel about taryn and the ghost being romantic #but whatever #anyways #mardoc on earth is gonna be funny as shit #also the complexity of his relationship with jude is so good #its like its fucked up but its like making peace w what happened #its learning about love #its learning to define love #the whole story is well done #its a bit fucked up #and jarring AS A MORTAL reading this #but it makes sense #vivi is constantly like THIS ISN'T NORMAL #and shes right #but jude makes do #i love the narration shifts #from anxiety to more like distressed and then cautious confidence #like we're growing through jude's eyes #its beautiful #good book series so far

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abruisedmuse · 4 years

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"What is this game?" The High King questioned, stretching out on the velvet chaise, legs overlapping one another, dropping an arm over the back. Cardan eyed his nephew with curiosity as Oak climbed up on the chaise with him.

"Hide and seek uncle. I play it with my friends on the playground at school," Oak's coffee colored eyes danced with excitement. He didn't think the King of Elfhame would be interested. Still there was no harm in trying, "Do you want to play?"

"Is a playground required? I don't know these mortal games. "

Oak laughed so hard his cheeks turned red. Cardan thought briefly, the smallish fae would fall off. He wondered what exactly was amusing about this. His brows rose slightly awaiting an answer as Oak's laugh simmered to light chuckles.

"No it doesn't. It's not a mortal game. I played with Jude all the time. I never beat her though. Didn't you have any friends?"

"I… not really no," he looked to Oak. Cardan couldn't tell this kid his past. He wouldn't burden the day of welcoming Taryn's baby into the world with sadness. Besides Jude would be furious with him and not in a good way.

Oak seemed to pick up on the way he said it. Indicating that Cardan may not have had friends. At least ones who would play games like this.

"That's okay! I can show you how to play," he paused rushing out the rest, "If you want that is. I had a great teacher!"

At that Cardan smiled softly. Of course he did. Oak had Jude after all. She was great at many things. Cardan sat up leaning towards his nephew, "Teach me this game. Perhaps we can best our lovely Queen one day."

Over the next several moments, Oak sat next to his uncle. Forgetting titles of royalty as he excitedly explained the game. Cardan focused on him intently listening to his directions. Covering his eyes, counting to ten, and finding the other by looking behind, under and in places. He thought about this playground and the places Oak would hide. The King of Elfhame tried to imagine a younger version of Jude running through Madoc’s estate hiding and seeking a small Oak from places. Somehow he got the feeling Oriana wasn’t all too pleased, that put a wide smile on his face.

“Ready to practice?” Oak asked with a smiled equally as bright and wide.

Quickly Jude moved down the long hall. Though Taryn redecorated the entirety of Locke's estate. An eerie feeling still lingered in her skin. She only wanted to check on her King and her brother. Or she supposes her nephew now before returning to assist with Taryn. In all honesty, Jude felt like she would be better in the bedroom with Cardan and Oak than assisting in labor. Taryn asked and said she needed her twin. Jude had obliged. They were still falling into a rhythm, the two of them, Jude believed her asking was a good sign. Approaching the door she heard Oak shouting. Hearing Cardan laugh she pressed her ear to the door.

"This isn't fair! You're too good at this!"

"You have met my wife. I've picked up on some of her traits. Blending in seems to be one of them."

She bit back a snort. Of all the things Cardan could pick up, blending in was definitely not one. Cardan continued.

"If you want to be better than my darling Jude. Then you must get better at finding me."

"I'm the teacher! Don't ever call Jude darling again. It's gross."

Jude clasped her hands over her mouth. Body shaking in laughter.

"It is not gross."

"Then what is it?"

"Romantic."

"That's gross uncle."

"I am the High King. Do you want to try that again?"

She knew that tone. Oak was starting to tether a rope of annoyance with him. Reaching for the handle Jude readied to turn the knob when she heard opening the heavy wooden door. She wasn't sure anyone would believe the image before her eyes. The High King of Elfhame laying flat underneath a four post bed. His voluminous inky strands falling to the tip of his brows. Looking up at Oak glaring as if he was daring him to truly repeat his word.

"Do I want to know why you're under the bed and looking to choke out a child? Your nephew to be exact."

Cardan pulled himself out from the bed dusting off his clothes, "My dearest Jude. It is a simple game of hide and seek."

"Jude, I was teaching Cardan so we can play together. The three of us.."

Jude looked her husband up and down. Raven feathers clinging to his shoulders, his crown resting around his ears. His tail. She wondered where in the fae he was choosing his hiding place. There's no way Cardan should be so difficult to find. Smirking, Jude wandered over to Oak whispering in his ear. Oak grinned at her nodding. She held Cardan’s gaze mischief mingling in her eyes.

"I can do one round before I go back to Taryn. My lovely lazy King," she drawled, "Why don't you show me just how good you are. And I'm on Oak's team," she spoke sternly, her hands resting at her hips.

Cardan followed her movement, how her position shifted placing a foot infront of the other at an angle. Oak frowned, his brows furrowing. There was something odd at play between The King and Queen. Both of them watching the other with great intrigue. Looking as if they would devour one another. The thought made him sick. He didn't need to see them kissing.

"Fine. If I win. I choose the...dessert tonight. If you win you do," by the smirk on his king uncle and the way he said dessert, Oak had the feeling he wasn't talking of sweets. But more kissing. He doesn't understand why he would need to choose it. It made no sense to him.

Jude was silent for a beat before agreeing, taking Oak outside in the hall waiting in the room across the way. Giving Cardan to ten to hide. Though he couldn't see them. Jude and her foster brother turned nephew kept tradition. Blanketing their eyes with their palms. Reaching to ten Jude turned to look down at him smiling. Ruffling his tousled hair in-between his horns.

"Let's find this King of mine."

Oak grinned running out of the room. Jude heard him two steps ahead of her shouting, "Ready or not here I come!"

Jude took the right slyfooting about. Looking behind curtains, under the chaise, behind doors. Oak was on the left pulling off the bed sheets and looking under the bed. Regardless of that being Cardan’s last hiding spot. He moved into the closet searching in between the clothes hung up finding no high king. Jude watched her brother for a moment. Knowing damn well she taught him better ways to search. The kids in the mortal realm were probably terrible at this and he simply followed suit. She'd have to change that

They cleared the bedroom, no Cardan to be found. The high queen pointed Oak to the bathroom. She trudged into the antechamber, that appeared to look like a small study. Eyes shifting left to right at a quickened pace the way the Ghost taught her to. Listening intently to any signs of breathing or movement. She heard nothing. Then she saw it, the onyx fluffed tip of his tail. Desperately Jude wanted to stride over and pull the curtain back, but decided against backing away.

Oak stood in the living room searching again. Quietly Jude approached him, settling her hand on his shoulder. Kneeling, Jude whispered, "Tug gently," pointing directly at her husband's tail.

She followed close behind watching as Oak crept down to the floor, his hand wrapping around Cardan’s tail. Tugging with a gentle touch just as Jude pulled the curtain back. Her husband was found sitting on the ledge of a windowsill. Tail now resting over his lap. Lips pressed together in a thin line as he scowled at her. Oak was laughing and cheering in the background at his amusing victory.

"Not funny Jude. My tail is sensitive."

"I know," sauntering over to him, a lustful smile tugged at her lips. Trailing a finger from the feathered tip to where his tail met the rich fabric of his doublet. Oak made gagging noises as she kissed his cheek before a firm kiss on his mouth. Teeth grazing his bottom lip, "keep playing with Oak and you'll get your dessert."

Cardan's darkened gaze met eyes, "Are you still picking it?"

"Of course I am. You'll like it. As soon as we can have dessert that is," giving him a chaste kiss, "labor can take awhile. In the meantime I need to go back and help Taryn," Jude looked over Oak now laying flat on the bed with a book in hand, "Thank you for occupying Oak. He's having fun with you."

"Well...I've been told I'm funny and charming my dearest Jude," she rolled her eyes, "Go we will be fine."

Jude nodded walking away. Cardan stood in the doorway taking in the rare sweet moment between his wife and Oak. How softer she was with him than anyone else. Oak wrapped his arms around her, Jude returned the embrace. For once he didn't see the cunning beauty of Jude Duarte, but something more serene and maternal.

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Check it out on ao3

Taglist: @hizqueen4life @slightlyrebelliouswriter23 @clockworkgraystairs

If you wanna be on my taglist or send me a prompt let me know 💙

Huge shout out out to @slightlyrebelliouswriter23 for the edit and @clockworkgraystairs for the idea. Thanks again my loves I hope you enjoyed it

#jurdan #jude duarte #cardan greenbriar #cardans tail #oak #tfota #tcp #twk #qon #jurdan fic #high king of elfhame #high king cardan #high queen of elfhame #high queen jude #hide and seek #becca writes

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driedletters · 4 years

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The Cruel Prince • Holly Black ★★★★★

• Quotes

Jude ran at the man, slamming her fists against his chest, kicking at his legs. She wasn’t even scared. She wasn’t sure she felt anything at all.

•

As for dancing, once begun, you mortals will dance yourselves to death if we don’t prevent it.

•

Three is an odd configuration of sisters. There’s always one on the outside.

•

“Dirt. It’s what you came from, mortal. It’s what you’ll return to soon enough. Take a big bite.” “Make me,” I say before I can stop myself.

•

Nicasia’s wrong about me. I don’t desire to do as well in the tournament as one of the fey. I want to win. I do not yearn to be their equal. In my heart, I yearn to best them.

•

Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest, with black hair as iridescent as a raven’s wing and cheekbones sharp enough to cut out a girl’s heart. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

•

You mean because of Cardan and his Court of Jerks?

•

The pictures are taken one right after the other, the kind you have to sit in a booth for. Vivi is in the photos, her arm draped over the shoulders of a grinning, pink-haired mortal girl.

Having stepped off the edge, what I want to do is fall.

•

Liking both girls and boys is the only thing in this scenario Madoc wouldn’t be upset with Vivi about.

•

I delight in the chemicals that would doubtless sicken all the lords and ladies at the Court.

•

We’ve gone three rounds like this already. I keep thinking of the lazy blink of Cardan’s lashes over his coal-bright eyes. He looked gleeful, gloating, as though my fist tightening on his shirt was exactly what he would have wished. As though, if I struck him, it would be because he had made me do it.

•

Beg. Make it pretty. Flowery. Worthy of me.

•

You think because you can humiliate me, you can control me? Well, I think you’re an idiot. Since we started being tutored together, you’ve gone out of your way to make me feel like I’m less than you. And to coddle your ego, I have made myself less. I have made myself small, I have kept my head down. But it wasn’t enough to make you leave Taryn and me alone, so I’m not going to do that anymore.

•

As I make my way back to the tournament and my sisters, I can’t stop thinking of Cardan’s shocked face, nor can I stop considering Locke’s smile. I am not altogether sure which is more thrilling and which more dangerous.

•

Not that I’d be the first to green gown her. Faeries

•

It feels a little bit like expecting a proposal of marriage, only to get offered the role of mistress.

•

“Now no one will be able to control you,” he says, and then pauses for a moment. “Except for me.”

•

Truly, he has come by his cruelty honestly in Balekin’s care. He has been raised up in it, instructed in its nuances, honed through its application. However horrible Cardan might be, I now see what he might become and am truly afraid.

•

Welcome,” says the Roach, “to the Court of Shadows.”

•

Not totally Cardan’s puppet like the rest of them.

•

Hard enough to dig through the page, maybe to scar the desk beneath. If that’s what he did to the paper, I shudder to think what he wants to do to me.

•

I have been trying to feel nothing about what happened. I am afraid that if I begin to feel, I won’t be able to bear it. I am afraid that the emotion will be like a wave sucking me under.

It’s not the first awful thing I have endured and pushed into the back of my brain. That’s how I’ve been coping, and if there’s another, better way, I do not know it.

•

He’s kind of a weird kid, maybe because he’s a faerie or maybe because all kids, human or inhuman, are equally weird.

•

Why don’t you ever trust me with him?” I shout, and Oriana wheels around, shocked that I said a thing we don’t say.

•

Mithridatism, it’s called. Isn’t that a funny name? The process of eating poison to build up immunity. So long as I don’t die from it, I’ll be harder to kill.

•

I do not understand why he likes me, but it is exciting to be liked.

•

We are children of tragedy.” He shakes his head and then smiles. “This is not how I meant to begin. I meant to give you wine and fruit and cheese. I meant to tell you how your hair is as beautiful as curling woodsmoke, your eyes the exact color of walnuts. I thought I could compose an ode about it, but I am not very good at odes.”

•

He watches me as the girl kisses his mouth, watches me as she slides her hand beneath the hem of his silly, ruffly shirt.

•

Do not reveal your skill with a blade. Do not reveal your mastery over glamour. Do not reveal all that you can do. Little did Prince Dain know that my real skill lies in pissing people off.

•

I think of Cardan’s mouth, flaked with gold

•

I love my parents’ murderer; I suppose I could love anyone. I’d like to love him.

•

Time to change partners,” a voice says, and I look to see that it’s the worst person possible: Cardan. “Oh,” he says to Locke. “Did I steal your line?”

•

Dark silver paint streaks over his cheekbones, and black lines run along his lashes. The left one is smeared, as though he forgot about it and wiped his eye.

•

With a sigh, I take down my braids, rubbing my hands through my hair until it hangs wild in my face. “You look…” he says, and then trails off, blinking a few times, not seeming able to finish. I am guessing the hair thing worked better than he had expected.

•

Jude?” he asks, up against the wall, pronouncing my name carefully, as though to avoid slurring. I am not sure I have ever heard him use my actual name before. “Surprised?” I ask, a fierce grin starting on my face. The most important boy in Faerie and my enemy, finally in my power. It feels even better than I thought it would. “You shouldn’t be.”

•

The High King Balekin is a friend to my lady’s Court,” Cardan says, silver-tongued in his silver fox mask.

•

Tell me anyway,” he says, and yawns. I really want to slap him.

•

I hate how I feel around him, the irrational panic when I touch his skin.

•

Cardan’s clothes are disarranged, from crawling under tables or being captured and tied, and his infamous tail is showing under the white lawn of his shirt. It is slim, nearly hairless, with a tuft of black fur at the tip. As I watch, the tail forms one wavering curve after another, snaking back and forth, betraying his cool face, telling its own story of uncertainty and fear.

•

Only in my dreams has Cardan ever been like this. Begging. Miserable. Powerless

•

...a love mark on my brow so all who looked upon me would be sick with desire, ...

•

Let’s talk about your behavior tonight,” says Madoc, leaning forward. “Let’s talk about your behavior tonight,” I return.

•

So he proposed to you,” I say. “While the royal family got butchered. That’s so romantic.

•

I think of Cardan tied to a chair to cheer myself.

•

Then I think of the way he looked up at me through the curtain of his crow-black hair, of the curling edges of his drunken smile, and I don’t feel in the least bit comforted.

•

... ‘mortal feelings are so volatile that it’s impossible to help toying with them a little’.

•

He smiles down at me, as if the reason I’m on my knees is because I am curtsying.

•

I’m nervous,” he says. “I smile a lot when I’m nervous. I can’t help it

•

Very well.” He fixes me with a spiteful look. “I hate you because your father loves you even though you’re a human brat born to his unfaithful wife, while mine never cared for me, though I am a prince of Faerie. I hate you because you don’t have a brother who beats you. And I hate you because Locke used you and your sister to make Nicasia cry after he stole her from me. Besides which, after the tournament, Balekin never failed to throw you in my face as the mortal who could best me.

•

Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It’s disgusting, and I can’t stop.”

•

Just looking at him makes me feel hot with shame. “You sure you brought me here just to talk.

•

Jude Duarte, daughter of clay, I swear myself into your service. I will act as your hand. I will act as your shield. I will act in accordance with your will. Let it be so for one year and one day…and not for one minute more.

•

I fix him with a look. “I can be charming. I charmed you, didn’t I?” He rolls his eyes. “Do not expect others to share my depraved tastes.”

•

Oh, really?” The human surprises me by speaking first. “Yes, mortal,” I say, like the hypocrite I am.

•

We go over the plans again, and Cardan helps us map out Hollow Hall. I try not to be too conscious of his long fingers tracing over the paper, of the sick thrill I get when he looks at me.

•

By this point, I have told this story enough that it’s easy to hit only the necessary parts, to run through the information quickly and convincingly

•

With Vivi, I feel forever doomed to be the little sister, foolish and about to topple over onto my face.

•

I do not have endless patience,” Balekin growls. “Cultivate it,” Cardan says, and with a small bow, he navigates us away from Balekin and Madoc.

•

Jude?” I may never be used to the sound of my name on his lips.

•

The Ghost tosses the crown to my identical twin. It falls at Taryn’s feet.

•

Of Nicasia giving Cardan a lingering kiss on his royal cheek.

•

He rises from the throne. “Come, have a seat.” His voice is replete with danger, lush with menace. The flowering branches have sprouted thorns so thickly that petals are barely visible. “This is what you wanted, isn’t it?” he asks. “What you sacrificed everything for. Go on. It’s all yours.”

• Black, Holly. “The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air Book 1)”. 2018.

#my fav quotes #the cruel prince #holly black #tcp #the wicked king #the queen of nothing #quotes #the cruel prince quotes #quote #principe cruel #rei perverso

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