#tarquin would be gossiping with Rhys

[yaralulu]

I fully believe tarquin,helion,and thesan are bffs and have formed a secret club for being the only normal high lords in a room full of lunatics .Rhys is a sociopath,tamlin is losing his mind,beron is straight up evil,and kallias refuses to join (they’ve tried recruiting him multiple times).The three of them have the best gossip in prythian —helion is obviously the starter of every gossip session,thesan somehow knows everything about everyone,and tarquin would never admit it but gossiping has become his new guilty pleasure 🤗.

#this is based off vibes and only vibes #the gossip after the highlords meeting was crazy #acowar #tarquin #helion acotar #rhys acotar #tamlin acotar #acotar #sjm books #a court of thorns and roses #acotar headcanons

[maddithefangirl]

Wait for Me part 2

Azriel x Rhysand’sSister!reader 

a/n: hi everyone! thank you so much for the support on the first part. I didn’t think anyonw would really see it let alone enjoy it! Please enjoy this next part that I hope is any good. Also if anyone wants to request a fic let me know because I need all the inspo I can get with school going on right now. 

x

There is nothing Azriel has done more than worry about you. Word had come that the curse was broken, but there was still no word from you down the bond. The minute he saw Rhys he couldn’t even appreciate his return because all he could think of was Y/N. “Where is she?” he almost screamed. He was met with a solemn look and a deafening silence. “Where. Is. She? He said sharply. After once again being met with silence Azriel pinned Rhys against the wall, hand to his neck not forceful enough to cause any pain, but enough to prove a point. Rhys pushed Az off of him and took a deep breath. “She didn’t want to come back and face you after what she had gone through. The words come out so quiet that it could’ve been a whisper. 

Az’s world came crashing down around him. Had these 49 years meant nothing to you? Had you moved on? Oh Cauldron, did you find somebody else Under the Mountain? He wanted to punch something, do anything to stop the numbness that he felt inside. For years the bond has been closed on your end, and he could not figure out why… but maybe this is the reality that he tried so hard not to accept. You didin’t want the bond. 

It doesn’t matter that he had been pining after you for centuries or that you professed your love for him right before you were taken away. This was it for him, but maybe he was not it for you. Stop. There’s got to be a better explanation than that. He knows you better than to believe that crap. 

He decided he needed to reach out in the only way that he knew you would answer. 

- - - -

Your journey was harder than expected. Could you have winnowed? Yes, but where is the fun in that? You still don’t even know what you’re doing at this point… 

You break out of your trance when a piece of paper appears in front of you attached to a pen. It’s exactly who you think it is until it's not. The only thing that you see on the paper is 

     -A

That one letter makes your blood run cold. Could it really be him? Is Rhys trying to trick me into talking to him? He would, you know that, but he also knows how fragile you are right now. You write a soft,

     hi

If someone were to look they’d barely notice that there was something more than a smudge on the paper, but he saw. It takes 7 long minutes to get anything in response. What would he want with you now after he knows you’re running away from everything? 

You've been walking for days now enjoying the fresh air you haven’t felt in years. It was liberating to feel the grass beneath your feet and the sunshine spilling through the trees. The wind was in full force, an indication that it was about to rain, but that didn’t stop you. You had thrown caution to the wind after being shackled and silent for years on end. The marks were still pink on your wrists, feeling a slight twinge of pain when you twist them. 

You reached Summer about three days ago, trying to remember the way to your friend's cottage. You didn’t want Tarquin to know of your presence until you had settled and seen your best friend. Chrissy and you had been friends for over 200 years. She was your confidant and an avid gossip when she needed to be. You spent many winters with her just cozied up in the cabin she lives in when her mom was still around. She became your own mother on many occasions. 

The thoughts overwhelm you so that you barely remember you were waiting on a response. The words you have been dreading to see again,

“Please come home, mate”

Mate… I open the bond a little bit to send a small pulse through to tell him you got the message but ultimately put the pen and paper away. Those thoughts and emotions were some that you didn’t want to open up to yet. Not without someone in my corner.

#azriel x reader #azriel x you #azriel x y/n #azriel #azriel shadowsinger #acotar x reader #acotar fanfiction #maddistyles17 #wait for me by maddi #maddi is anxious for this post #hello does anyone ever read these

[littlequeens]

random aelin in prythian things !! - would kick everyones ass for being mean to nesta - dancing ballet with nesta!!!! - shopping with mor on the rainbow. these two would do damage - besties with lucien. you can't tell me these two wouldn't sass and gossip about everyone together - goes out drinking with cassian and azriel. her and cass always get shit faced. azriel hates this. - no summer court building is safe. i'm so sorry tarquin. - illyrian leathers with!!!! so!! many!! siphons!!!!!! - would kick rhys and cassians asses for allowing the brutal treatment of illyrian females for centuries and then help them reform their ways :) ur welcome - loves elain because she bakes the best chocolate cake she's ever eaten

#･ﾟ* ❛ 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧 / ooc #/ headcanon: aelin galathynius #rowan and az: aelin no #cassian and aelin: aelin yes! #pls I need these interactions like yesterday

[thesistersarcheron]

i love the sneaky, scheming reputation of the night court. i really wish rhys leaned into flaunting it with the blood rubies tarquin sent him instead of revealing his wings to the other courts during the war.

can you imagine the drama, the gossip, two years later when the most powerful high lord from prythian's most feared court proudly presents his newborn son and heir, carried by the mate so beloved he made her his high lady... and that child has illyrian wings? wings that rhysand and feyre noticeably do not possess? wings that only his two most trusted military advisors, his brothers-in-arms, have? i would kill to be a fly on the wall among helion's inner circle when he learns about nyx. i think nosy, dramatic, daemati feysand would too.

plus, i think the scandalous story of the night court's heir could definitely distract prythian for a solid six months while the inner circle collects the dread trove and gets a few steps ahead of koschei.

#feysand #feyre archeron #rhysand #nyx #the night court #acotar #just imagining azriel dryly presenting a powerpoint to the IC with all the hot goss he's been collecting about nyx's parentage #''eris believes 'be careful how you speak about my high lady' means i'm the father'' #mostly i'm just confused because didn't most of the high lords know rhys during the first war when he had his wings out anyway? #is the fact that his mother - the lady of the night court!!! - was illyrian not common knowledge? #the spring court knew at the very least! but somehow the wing reveal was shocking at the high lord meeting? #so anyway if rhys thinks they've forgotten that he HAS MASSIVE WINGS he's gonna fk with them for fun and profit

[feyresdaughter]

A Court of Wings and Ruin, chapter 47:

“He had it coming,” Viviane said. “Eris is a piece of shit.” Kallias turned to his mate with high brows. “What?” She put a hand on her chest. “He is.”

I love that Viviane just speaks her mind

I looked to Azriel, currently leaning against the wall beside the floor-to-ceiling window, shadows fluttering around him. Even the birds in their cages nearby remained silent. I said down the bond, "Is he all right?"

She's such a mom during the HL meeting, it baffles me that I just realize that now

Uncompromising will swept over the stars in his eyes. "I’ll kill him myself if he does. Or hold him long enough for you to do the job. I think I’d enjoy watching you."

Hehehehe me too, Rhysie

Helion braced a hand on the door frame and grinned. “How’d you convince Thesan to give you the better view?” - “He finds my males to be prettier than yours, I think.” - “I think it’s a wing fetish.” Helion’s robe swayed with his graceful steps, brushing his powerful thighs. He spied me standing by the round table in the center of the foyer and bowed. Deeply. “Apologies for the bastard act,” he said to me. “Old habits and all.” [...] Rhys said to me, "Helion favors both males and females. Usually together in his bed. And has been hounding after that trio for centuries." I considered— Helion’s beauty and the others … "Why the hell haven’t they said yes?" Rhys barked a laugh that had all of them looking at him with raised brows. "Would you like someone to join us in bed, Feyre darling?" My skin stretched tight over my bones at the tone, the suggestion. "You’re incorrigible." - "I think you’d like two males worshipping you."

WHY IS SJM TEASING US AND NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH

Helion drew his gaze from Mor long enough to ask Rhys, “You and pretty Tarquin had a moment today. Do you truly think he’ll join us?” - “If you mean in bed, definitely not,” Rhys said with a wry smile as he again sprawled on his spread of cushions.

They definitely fucked in the past

“What happened?” Helion didn’t break my stare. “I tore the beasts apart with my bare hands.”

Hot

While we spoke, I said down the bond, "Helion is Lucien’s father." Rhys was silent. Then— "Holy burning hell." His shock was a shooting star between us.

They love gossiping, you can't tell me otherwise 😭

Rhys snorted, returning to the stars. I came up to his side and slid my arm around his waist. He opened his arm to me, cupping my shoulder as I rested my head against that soft spot where his own shoulder met his chest. A heartbeat later, his wing curved around me, too, enveloping me in his shadowed warmth.

THEM JUST BEING CUTE AND DOMESTIC I WANT MORE

“It wasn’t … easy.” He amended, “I thought I’d vomit all over the floor.” I squeezed him a little tighter. “I’m sorry you had to share those things—sorry you … sorry for all of it, Rhys.” I breathed in his scent, taking it deep into my lungs. Out— we had made it out. “And I know it likely means nothing, but … I’m proud of you. That you were brave enough to tell them.” - “It doesn’t mean nothing,” he said softly. “That you feel that way about me—about today.” He kissed my temple, and warmth flickered along the bond. “It means …” His wing curved closer around me. “I don’t have the words to tell you what it means.” But as that love, that joy and light shimmered through the bond … I understood.

“I want to share this bed with you, though,” I breathed. “I want you to hold me.” Stars flickered to life in his eyes. “Always,” he promised, kissing my brow, his wings now enveloping me completely. “Always.”

YOU CAN'T PROMISE THAT IF YOU JUST SACRIFICE YOURSELF EVERY 5 MINUTES RHYSAND

#a court of thorns and roses #acotar #feyre archeron #feyre archeron supremacy #feyre cursebreaker #feyre darling #high lady feyre #feyre #feyre acotar #feyre supremacy #high lord rhysand #rhysand acotar #rhysand #rhys acotar #feysand #high lord helion #helion acotar #acowar #a court of wings and ruin #feyre x rhysand #feyreandrhysand #rhys x feyre #viviane acotar #azriel acotar #azriel shadowsinger #azriel spymaster #azriel

[myfriendscallmeraba]

The high lords and ladies of prythian should have a yearly gathering with team-building exercises. Maybe then we’d actually get some peace and quiet.

#gosh imagine all the chaos #tamlin would be brooding #beron would hopefully be dead so eris can be high lord #Rhys and Feyre will be the annoying overachievers that are good in everything #hellion will be trying to get some #kallias will be simping over Viviane and trying to make her proud #tarquin would be gossiping with Rhys #no one would get any work done #tho harion would probably finish early #they’d probably end up fighting every time #it’s gonna be for no reason successful but it’d be fun💀 #rhysand #feyre acheron #kallias #helion #tarquin #eris vanserra #tamlin #tharion #high lords #high ladies #prythian #acotar #acomaf #acowar #acosf #acofas

[vidalinav]

Tarquin tells Rhys that he’s going to stay for two weeks. During this time, they’ll talk of treaties, draw up some plan of trade, some easy comings and goings of Night Court and Summer Court residences. Cassian tells Rhys that they don’t need a treaty. Throw him out now, he thinks. 

“Is something going on with you?” Rhys asks, leaning back in his chair, ever the High Lord. Cassian is starting to hate High Lords. 

Cassian crosses his arms, grinding his teeth. He’s in the sitting room in the estate. Amren solves a puzzle as if nothing about this meeting is important at all. Mor talks to Feyre by the dining room, gossiping rather than listening to Rhys moan about Tarquin and peace treaties. Nesta, not that she goes to these meetings, is out doing gods know what with Tarquin who wants to view the city. 

Take me to all your favorite places, he says. Cassian rolls his eyes just thinking about the way Nesta’s light up. Bookstores and restaurants and museums. She knows them all. Nesta goes with him, first. Why does Tarquin care? Is he planning on buying a winter house in Velaris? 

Cassian’s blood runs cold at the thought. 

“He’s jealous,” Azriel says, throwing a scroll at Rhys which he easily catches. 

Mor’s head jerks up at the word, even Feyre smirks with interest. 

“No,” Cassian dismisses, but he’s never been a good liar. His voices pitches high and Rhys eyes him with humor, “I... just think that we don’t need Summer Court resources, when we have an abundance of them already.” 

“You’re also banned,” Amren comments helpfully, “I would say that makes you the most biased towards these dealings.” 

“You’re boyfriend is from the Summer Court, wouldn’t that make you the most baised?” Mor asks. Amren simply shrugs. 

“I mean have we considered that? That male banned me and now we’re opening our borders?” 

“Our borders have always been open,” Feyre says, not so helpfully. The look she gives him has him sinking in his seat. “Also, you wrecked the central magistrate.” 

“They’ve rebuilt it,” Cassian argues. 

“You mates are all the same,” Amren groans loudly, “She’s not going to fuck Tarquin.” 

“Shut up Amren!”

“That’s the best you can do? I’m sure Tarquin’s more eloquent.”

#nesta archeron #nessian #cassian #you best believe I’m going to get the teasing I’ve always wanted #Big Bat Boy Jealousy

[aelingalathyniusrailme]

rating randomly generated ships acotar addition

vassa x the weaver 5/10 just because of how random it is.

nesta x rhys 7/10 now before anyone starts screaming, hear me out. this is assuming that all of the canon couples do not exist. there is no feysand or nessian. now they would kinda be a power villain badass couple. like they are basically the same person and when two people who are very similar come together, they can either clash or be literally unstoppable. so ima go with unstoppable. #hot villains you root for. it’s kinda icky but i’m not wrong

feyre x tamlin this generators a traitorous bitch. NO/10 we already went through this and we know the outcome. it’s time to put this where it belongs. in a sewer

eris x azriel 12/10 I did this twice because I wanted to include more characters and both times this happened. it is clearly fate. azris for the win. enemies to lovers trumps all

mor x kallias 3/10 random. I don’t like it

tarquin x lucien 8.5/10 I firmly believe you can pretty much ship anyone with tarquin but I actually love this. kind of a power couple if you ask me

ianthe x king of hybern 10/10 I hope these two terrible people destroy each other

jurian x hellion well the universe clearly wants this to happen. I did it like 3 times and all 3 times hurian? jellion? was together. ig it’s inevitable. idk how to feel like 5/10

viviane x elain. 8/10 bubbly winter gf meets quiet spring gf. say less. I approve

bone carver x suriel 100/10 this is a powerful powerful couple. the amount of gossip. the amount of tea they could be spilling together. honestly it’s a shame sjm hasn’t done this (genderfluid meets non-binary)

cassian x emerie remember nessian doesn’t exist and apparently emerie is now bi or straight so like 6/10. could be kind of badass i’m ngl. but it also makes me uncomfortable

devlon x merril 10/10 she would knock the sexism right out of his toxic ass. both of them are bitter and treat the people they are in charge of terribly. it’s a match made in heaven. I support

gwyn x amren very much giving me golden retriever gf meets milf. so 8.5/10 could honestly serve

#acotar #elucien #feysand #gwynriel #nessian #elain #rhys #nesta #cassian #feyre #gwyn berdara #emerie #eris #azriel #mor #tarquin #lucien #hellion #the bone carver #suriel #bone carver x suriel #feylin #azris #vassa

[feysandandnyx]

I think there are three things the ACOTAR fandom doesn't quite understand:

1 - Feyre and Rhysand have no right to tell Lucien what they think of his true parenthood. Rhys and Feyre were just suspicious. They were gossiping. Feyre and Rhysand are Beron's political allies, it would not be a healthy strategy for such a fragile alliance to reveal that Beron raised a child that is not legitimate. If anyone in this story has to tell Lucien the truth, it's his mother

2- I love Lucien. Much. But no one at the IC should be forced to treat Lucien beyond courtesy. Rhysand has always had problems with Lucien, mainly because of Tamlin. As a leader, he's not wrong to not trust Lucien 100% due to Lucien's relationship with Tamlin. Rhysand also cannot be held responsible for the way Tamlin treats Lucien. Tamlin helped murder Rhysand's family. Rhys saved Tamlin's life Under the Mountain and during the war, Rhys is not obligated to forgive Tamlin because he was saved by him. There is still a lot between them. Even so, Rhysand makes monthly visits to Tamlin. Rhysand was also on Lucien's side and against his brother in the Az chapter. Rhys prioritized his relationship with Lucien over Az's interests. This shows that Rhys may not have a good relationship with Lucien, but he respects him as an ally.

3 - The concept of IC says a lot about it. It's intimate. It is the family of Rhysand and Feyre. It's not something that can exactly be extended to Lucien or anyone outside. Even so Lucien is the only person who is not part of the IC (I'm including Elain/Nesta who are Feyre's sisters here) who is always present at the meetings during the Winter Solstice which is something extremely intimate to be held within the family. Varian has also appeared at these meetings and Tarquin has already been invited.

I don't understand some of the problems that happen about IC when the concept is pretty obvious. They are a family.

#feyre archeron #feyre stan #pro feyre #high lady feyre #pro amren #pro rhysand #pro inner circle #inner circle

[elucienschild]

Nyx’s first birthday

review: It is Nyx first birthday, and for the occasion the High Lords of each court are invited, and Feyre is stresses that something happens.

Tonight was Nyx’s first birthday, Feyre and Rhysand were determined to do the right thing for their baby, and, even if Feyre was stressed as she has never been, she agreed to follow the tradition. The first birthday of the child of the high lord, and in that case high lady too, was supposed to be celebrated with his family, of course, but also with the high lords of the other courts. It was their first time meeting the child, except for Helion, who already came to meet him, it was a real surprise for the others. Feyre wasn’t scared of Kallias, Thesan, or even Tarquin, but she was of Beron and Tamlin, she had no idea how the high lord of the Spring court would react when he will meet Rhys’ and her baby. This is why Lucien is in the Spring court for a week now, trying to calm the Beast, and convince him to come, not to make any more scandal like in the past, but to enjoy some company.

Feyre is freaking out, trying to dress up her baby. “Nyx, please baby, stay still”

“Sorry mama”

Feyre was shaking while closing the last buttons of Nyx’s shirt. Rhys arrived in the room. “How are my two favorite people?”

“Papa !” Nyx was running to his father in a second, and Rhys took him in his arms. “Hello, my baby, you are good looking”

“Mama dressed me”

“I guessed that babe. Why don’t you go look for auntie Elain? We will leave for the House of Wind soon.” He let go of his son, who runs to his aunt’s bedroom. “Fey... You need to calm down... Everything will be alright”

“How can you be so sure? What makes you think that Beron won’t try to kill him? Or kidnap him?”

“We won’t let him. Cassian and Azriel are warned, they have to watch Beron and his sons. We both will be with Nyx the entire evening, and if he isn’t with us, he knows he has to stay with someone. And, Fey, if anyone tries to hurt our son, I will kill them myself.”

“I wish I could be so confident” She sighed and looked at him. “If Beron is acting suspicious-”

“If he is, he or Tamlin or anyone, you take Nyx and fly away. As we said, if anything happens, you go hide Nyx to the cabin. Alright ?”

“Okay. Yes, I’ll take him to the cabin.”

Rhys approached slowly his mate by behind and hugged her. “I love you, and you are beautiful in this dress”

“I love you too, and thank you, you know I prefer wearing your shirt”

He laughs “Yes I do” then he gives her little kisses on her neck, slowly. “Come on, everyone is already waiting for us at the House.”

“Let’s go then.”

-

When they arrived, and after saying hello, they went to their place. Rhysand, Feyre, and Nyx we're near the door, to welcome the High Lords and the other guests. Morrigan and Amren were near the banquet. Cassian was with Nesta on one of the couches. Azriel already disappears, and Elain, alongside Gwyn and Emerie were talking on another couch.

Only a few minutes later, the guests started to arrive. Helion was the first to arrive with some people of his court, Nyx was pleased to see him, as always, because he always brings a lot of gifts, and Nyx loves gifts. Soon after him Thesan and his people entered, then Kallias and Tarquin. Feyre was relaxed for now, and Rhysand was looking after her every minute to be sure everything was fine. She was holding her baby in her arms as he was tired to stand. After an hour, Beron accompanied by his wife, the poor lady, and his sons appeared.

“High Lord. Lady” he looked at them in triumph, Feyre could have slapped him in the face just for the lack of respect he gave her.

“It is High Lady,” Rhys answered in his cold voice, the one he usually takes in the court of Nightmares. “I will ask you to show my mate respect before she makes you give her.”

He rolled his eyes. Arrogant. “Sure, High Lady. So I guess this is your son.”

“It is.” Feyre holds Nyx closer to her, mistrustful of the High Lord of the Autumn court. Nyx as a well-behaved kid, politely say hello to Beron.

Then they left to say hello to the other High Lords and to eat.

“See, it’s alright. He knows he cannot reach the limits.”

“He is potentially working with Korschei, Rhys, he is dangerous.”

“I know. But right now Korschei cannot reach us, and Beron isn’t strong enough to try anything against us. So try to relax darling, it is alright.”

“I hate when you are too calm”

“I know, but someone has to, your mother instinct is crazy,”

Arrogant Bastard. Fuck you, she said through the bond. And then hear him laugh. I love you too. She smiled. She stepped closer to Rhys as he holds her against him.

“Everything’s alright kiddo?”

“Can I go play papa?”

“Only one person left, and then yes, you will be able to go play.”

The little kid nodded. A minute later he gave a little scream of happiness and jump from his mother's arms, and runs towards the door.

“Nyx come back here !” Feyre was in a panic when she noticed that Nyx was running to Lucien. The redhead holds him in his arms, a large smile on his face.

“Hello little one, I missed you”

“Hi uncle Lucien, I missed you too” Nyx was shining, he always loved his uncle Lucien, and he hated when he had to go away for business. Lucien was walking to Feyre and Rhys, still holding Nyx, with Tamlin by his side. Feyre froze at the sight of him, Rhys sends a wave of comfort through the bond, and Lucien, as he noticed too, hold Nyx closer to him.

“It is good to see you, Lucien. Tamlin” Rhys salute him, Feyre and Nyx did the same.

“Mama, Papa, can I go play now?”

“Yes, babe, you can”

He jumps from Lucien’s arms, and then looks at him “Can you come to play with me please?”

“Sure” He smiled and follow the little one to play with him.

“He seems... Adorable” Feyre could have told that Tamlin was being a hypocrite, he hated this child before he even met him. Which was unfair, but she didn’t care, as long as he stayed away from her baby. Feyre’s mother instinct grows more every day, she didn’t even know she could have an instinct like that, her own mother never take care of her, how could she know how to take care of a child? But it was natural, the way she holds him, helps him, teaches him. Everything was natural. She has to admit that Nesta helps her a lot, since her sister was feeling better thanks to herself, her friends, and her mate, she had shown a real overprotective form that Feyre never knew she had. Nesta was visiting Feyre every day since her labor, and she loved it. They realized that they didn’t know much about each other, and they were trying to get closer. Nesta herself was happier. You could tell she was smiling more, and she was even trying to be more social. Recently she started talking with Lucien, and they find out that they kind of liked similar things, the first one being Elain. Nesta would never admit it, but Feyre knew she liked Lucien and she found him funny. Even though she told him that she hated his new friends. Nesta still disliked the mortal queen, Lucien was telling her it was because she didn’t know her and that Vassa was kind, but Nesta ignore it and forbid him to have a relation with her, I think I never saw Lucien laugh that much than this day. Indeed, he was already fond of Elain, and would never cheat. Even if they are not a couple. Yet. She started to acknowledge him when she was babysitting Nyx, she had some issues and Lucien was the only one here to help, since then they often babysit together, last time she even agreed to go to the restaurant with him, and when she came back and tell them everything she was shining of happiness. Feyre concentrated again on the discussion.

“He is.” Rhys ends up saying. Tamlin didn’t dare to say anything more and lead to the other High Lords.

The rest of the evening was calm, Nyx opened his gifts, all happy, and eat the chocolate cake Elain made for the occasion. Feyre ended up talking gossip with Mor, she learned that Lucien and Elain spend the evening together, playing with the kid, or just some time alone. Amren and Varian left early, apparently, she had forgotten to lock the door of her apartment, of course, the others knows what it means. Cassian and Nesta, to Feyre’s surprise, didn’t leave the party to spend time together, their mating bond was still so fresh that sometimes they needed to leave in an urge. Rhys spent the evening with all the other High Lords, talking about annoying things that Feyre didn’t want to know. Emerie joined Feyre and Mor in the middle of the evening, Gwyn and Azriel had started a competition and she didn’t want to be in between. Feyre could have sworn that something was happening between the two of them, but they were keeping it a secret.

When the party was over, Feyre, Rhys, and Nyx went back home. Elain decided to sleep at the House of Wind, of course, it was to spend more time with Lucien but she would never admit it. Feyre put Nyx to bed and join Rhys in their room.

“See? Everything was alright” He said when she entered the room

“Yes, sorry I panicked.”

“Don’t be sorry darling, it is normal, I wasn’t so confident either. But they stayed away from our baby”

She climbs into the bed after undressing and Rhys holds her close to him. “As they should”

He laughs “Good night darling”

She smiles and closes her eyes. “Good night”

#acotar #azriel #elucien #gwynriel #sjmaas #acosf #acosf spoilers #lucien vanserra #a court of thorns and roses #acomaf #feyre darling #feyre archeron #rhysand #cassian #nesta archeron #elain archeron #nessian #feysand #nyx #nyx archeron #nyx acotar #morrigan #prythian #high lords

[julemmaes]

"OH you are jealous" for nessian please❤️❤️❤️

Jealousy - October 10th

Nesta Archeron x Cassian

A/N: LOOOOVE THIS. Nessian is kinda competing lately for the second place on my top 3 otp (yeah I know what otp means, no need to correct me) and I think by the end of this week they’ll probably get the place yk. Hope you like this and again, sorry if they’re all coming by extremely late, but I have a life;)

Word count: 2,374

Nesta was shouting from the stands while Azriel passed the ball to Cassian and her boyfriend started running to reach the touchdown. Helion and Rhysand were protecting him, tackling and pushing anyone who tried to steal the ball from him. Lucien had entered the field to replace one of the defenders who had been suspended and was now running alongside him.

Halfway through the game, Eris, who was one of the best players on their team despite his bully temper, had seriously injured one of the players from the opposing school and the game had to be interrupted for about twenty minutes.

Nesta and her sisters were shocked to see the injured boy's leg bent into an unnaturally angle and she was so sorry when what must have been his girlfriend ran out onto the field on the verge of tears. The boy's heartbreaking scream had been horrifying and Nesta knew that if anything like that ever happened to Cassian she would beat up whoever tried to hurt him herself.

The opposing school, Adarlan High School, was struggling a bit and Nesta was really sorry that the players couldn't properly focus on the game. She realized on her own that the concern for their friend had to be greater than winning the championship. It was a huge displeasure, also considering that until that moment they had proved to be worthy opponents and that both teams had given a hard time to the other.

Even without Eris, however, their team was doing very well and when Cassian finally reached the extreme in the opponent's part of the field before the last quarter of time ended, the stadium exploded in chaos between screams of joy and chants to exalt the players.

Feyre hugged Nesta with enthusiasm, while they too joined in the chants and the girl managed to see Cassian shouting as he crossed the field and threw himself at his teammates. They all started laughing wildly and when the students began to take to the field to cheer the players and celebrate, Nesta did not hesitate to join the crowd.

She kept her gaze fixed on Cassian, who was getting pats on the back and hugs from everyone as he yelled to his friends how proud he was of them. She saw Tarquin jump on him and throw him on the ground and not a second later, the whole team was throwing itself at him. Nesta burst out laughing, imagining her boyfriend crushed by all those smelly, heavy bodies. Cassian always told her how much he hated that part of the games where everyone was attacking him since he was captain, but she knew how much he really loved his team.

Once on the field, Nesta was scrambling to make her way through the crowd, Elain's hand wrapped around her arm so they wouldn't get lost. The noise was deafening, but she could still hear Feyre loud and clear when she said, "Oh fuck, here they are."

She didn't need to ask who it was, she knew very well that her sister was referring to the cheerleading team.

She saw Amarantha's red hair and Feyre snickering sarcastically when she hugged Rhysand from behind, who stood oblivious to everything while talking animatedly to Helion, "Oh, hell, no."

Elain giggled amusedly when another one of the girls threw herself at Azriel and he jerked aside, looking at the cheerleader confused and stepping away, raising an eyebrow and inspecting the crowd around him. The middle sister didn't even say anything before running towards him.

As soon as Azriel saw her, he opened his arms wide, smiling widely and letting the force of the impact of Elain's body overcome him, throwing them both to the ground. Nesta could not help but smile, seeing them both laughing carefree as they rolled around in the field. She gasped when Thesan threw himself on them and Azriel had to move quickly to avoid him hitting Elain.

Feyre laughed, "Jeez, they are so stupid." then she looked her in the eye, smiling, putting her hand on her arm, "I'm gonna go to Rhys, I'll meet you later." she warned her waving.

Nesta nodded distractedly, focusing her gaze on the people around them, in search of that familiar bun of his. Her stomach twisted when she saw two equally familiar black braids flying in the air. Two braids that she well knew belonged to Emerie.

The girl was hugging Cassian like every time after a victory. Nesta knew full well that Emerie had been Cassian's friend long before she even got to Velaris, and her boyfriend had reassured her several times that there was nothing between him and Emerie, but there was always that bit of doubt in her mind that prevented her from making friends with the girl. That made her wonder if they were not meant to be together. After all, it was not so unusual for the quarterback of the football team to get together with the captain of the cheerleading team.

Everyone was always questioning how Cassian could be with a bitch like Nesta and not with Emerie who had a body to envy even the most beautiful model.

Looking at the three from the outside, you could not understand why the guy had chosen the perfect schoolgirl with a stick up her ass instead of the nice and always available perfect girl next door that everyone would want as a girlfriend.

Cassian seemed to be having so much fun and didn't seem to be looking for her and Nesta, not wanting to bother him and risking to burst that bubble of his, possibly precarious, decided to go back and get on the sidelines, watching him for a while longer. He was smiling so light-heartedly that she couldn't hold back the smile that popped out on her lips shortly after.

Coach Drakon was congratulating the other trainers and when she turned in his direction, only realizing at that moment that she was alone on the sidelines, he smiled at her, apologizing to the coach of the opposing team and going towards her.

Nesta kept her arms crossed at her chest, hoping to look confident, and not indignant and uncertain about what she should do. Hoping not to seem desperate that her boyfriend hadn't even noticed her absence on the field.

Drakon put one arm around her shoulders - just as Cassian held his on Emerie's shoulders and the other tightly around Tarquin's shoulders - looking her in the face with a curious expression, "What are you doing here all grumpy?"

Nesta loved Coach Drakon with all her heart, but sometimes she would have preferred him to mind his own business. When she didn't answer, the man looked at his players, looking at Cassian. He clicked his tongue once, "I see."

Nesta arched an eyebrow, looking at him sideways, "You do?"

Drakon laughed, giving her a quick squeeze on the shoulder and dropping his arm, putting himself in front of her, so as to cover her view of the entire crowd. "You're not as discreet as you think you are, my dear Nesta."

The girl grunted, "I'm not doing anything."

"I can see that for myself." replied the coach, trying to hide a smile, "And that's the problem, don't you think?"

Nesta looked him in the eye, gritting her teeth, "I think Cassian is enjoying the glory of his victory and I don't want to bother him."

"I've known Cassian for four years, darling, and I can assure you that he has never shown an ounce of how he feels for you to that girl over there." he placed his hand on her shoulder again, squeezing, "And as little as I know cheerleaders," he continued, "Emerie is harmless."

Nesta grimaced, "How do you know for sure?"

"Must I remind you who trains them?" he asked her laughing with that deep laugh that made half the teachers in their school drool. She shook her head, knowing full well that Myriam and Drakon had been married for more than ten years and were in charge of cheerleading and football teams respectively.

"Well," he muttered, "because those girls do nothing but gossip during practice, just like my boys, and Myriam and I know exactly who likes who. Trust me when I tell you Emerie is not a threat." Nesta nodded, sighing.

Drakon smiled at her as a father would with his daughter, "And Cassian would never do you such a wrong. That boy loves you too much to disrespect you in like that," he reassured her. She was about to thank him, when a more than familiar voice caught the attention of both of them.

"Coach!" cried Cassian, "Sir, have you seen Nest-" Drakon turned around, revealing Nesta hidden behind him and Cassian's distressed expression shifted. He smiled at her, standing next to the man and then frowned, shifting his gaze between the two of them, "What are you doing here? I've been looking for you for half an hour."

Nesta had to refrain from correcting him. The game was over no more than ten minutes earlier. She shrugged, "I stopped to talk to the coach and didn't want to bother you." she smiled lovingly at him. He reached out his hand to her and Nesta took it without hesitation, letting herself be pulled against his chest.

Cassian was looking closely at her face and Nesta closed her eyes when he pressed his hand to her cheek, "Are you sure? Everything okay?" he muttered when she opened her eyes again, looking at him in turn. She wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed him, nodding slowly.

Drakon cleared his voice, congratulating Cassian and telling him that they would talk later in the locker room about what happened with Eris and the other player.

Cassian didn't even look at him, too focused on Nesta's face, looking for something that would make him understand what the problem was, but he answered affirmatively, assuring him that he would go to the opposing team to apologize for his teammate's unsporting attitude.

As soon as the man was gone, Nesta smiled sincerely, bending her head back, inviting him to kiss her. Cassian, however, did not seem inclined to accept her invitation, "What's going on, sweetheart?"

When Cassian called her sweetheart, the tone in which he uttered it, said a lot about his state of mind and from the way he had just said it, Nesta knew that he was really worried, so she chuckled, stroking his back and stopping immediately under his shoulder blades, where the shoulder protection started, "Nothing is going on, Cass, don't worry."

"So you're telling me that I found you on the sidelines talking all serious to my coach after we won the most important game of the championship instead of with my friends and with me because nothing is upsetting you?" he asked her, arching an eyebrow. Nesta freed herself from his grip, sliding a thumb over the wrinkles on his forehead. His expression relaxed for a moment before it grew hard again.

Nesta sighed, "I saw you with Tarquin and Helion and..." she mumbled, without meeting his eyes, "And Emerie and I didn-".

Cassian interrupted her, "Oh." he made a surprised face, then tilted his head back, bursting out laughing. Nesta was startled, "What is it?"

When he stopped laughing, he looked at her much more relaxed than a few seconds earlier and had that cocky smile on his lips. He leaned forward over her, taking her lips with his own, kissing her passionately. When Cassian's tongue caressed her lower lip, Nesta let go a breath out of her nose and opened her mouth slightly, letting him in.

Cassian's hands slid down and he bent down even more, grabbing her under the thighs and pulling her up so that she tied her legs around his hips. Her arms instead tied around his neck and her hands ended up in his sweaty hair, now left loose on his shoulders.

When Nesta ran out of breath she broke off and Cassian went after her, trying to catch her mouth with his own. She laughed, bringing her hand to his lips, pushing him back.

Cassian smiled at her, squinting, "So you are jealous."

Nesta closed her eyes, grimacing, "Don't say it like that."

"Like what?" he asked, sniggering and making them both tremble. One of the hands clasped around her thighs gave a light squeeze.

Nesta leaned her forehead against one of his shoulders, "As if it were something to be proud of." she complained. She settled her head better, so that it was placed between his neck and shoulder. Cassian held her tighter, kissing her ear.

"Yeah, sorry," he told her amusedly, "But it makes me laugh."

"And why should my insecurities make you laugh?" she asked, only slightly offended. She pulled herself up, looking him in the eye. She found a spark of love there that warmed her chest.

Cassian gave her a quick peck on the lips, "Because I love you so much that I don't even see the other girls and you feel threatened by Emerie," he chuckled, glancing across the field, "Emerie who's clearly been trying to get Tarquin in her bed for months now."

Nesta shifted her gaze to the crowd of students and the second Cassian put her down so he could turn around too, Emerie jumped forward, grabbing Tarquin by the shoulders and pulling him towards her.

Nesta gasped, "Oh, wow."

"About time!" Cassian shouted, loud enough for his friend to hear. Emerie raised a middle finger in their direction, but the gesture was soon pulled back when Tarquin grabbed her face in his hands and the kiss grew more passionate. Their teammates were cheering them on, jumping on each other.

Cassian turned towards her, holding her hand, and began to walk towards his brothers. He was stroking the back of her hand with one thumb and each caress was a burst of energy for her. When he bent over her, bringing his mouth closer to her ear, Nesta had to suppress the chills.

"See? I'm all yours." he looked at her with glistening eyes of emotion and Nesta felt every worry slip over her.

All hers.

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#nessian #MOFjulemmaes #MultifandomOctoberFestjulemmaes #nesta archeron #cassian #elriel #feysand #emerie #feyre #elain #azriel #rhysand #mention of elorcan #acotar #fluff #jealous #nestaxcassian #cassianxnesta #acosf #acowar #acomaf #acofas #a court of thorns and roses fic #julemmaes writing #my writing

[angelathewitch]

Okay I just finished the ACOTAR series for the first time and I have so many thoughts so I'm gonna write them down.

Also I have not looked at any fan theories or been a part of this fandom very much so all these headcannons are straight from the noggin:

Literally what the fuck is tamlin doing.

Okay getting this out of the way cause its a hot topic. Azriel is my baby I love him but

I would have mixed feelings about him being with both gwyn and Elaine. I love the idea of Elaine being azriels sunshine he deserves light in his life (also their scene in ACOSF had me ejdjbdksks) but also all three bat boys being with all 3 sisters rubs me the wrong way idk.

Gwyn is amazing because she's a badass bitch and if azriel doesn't snatch that up I will. I feel like azriel almost gets bulldozed over by the other bat boys (like he will do the dirty work only because he feels inferior) And I want gwyn to help him stand up for himself.

Gwyn is an adult jfc. I'd be more worried about her trauma.

I am totally a elucien shipper I'm SORRY lucien deserves the world

But at the same time I would totally understand if Elaine couldn't forgive him for his involvement in the cauldron business. That shit was wack. I just want this relationship to be the biggest, most "period drama esqe" slowburn.

I have very mixed feelings about lucien. On one hand lucien has never had a home and when tamlin took him in I can see how that loyalty blurred the lines of right and wrong. But at the same time lucien messed up MANY times where the archeon sisters are concerned.

Nesta deserved her kick in the ass because it was needed. She did not deserve everyone to be a little bitch to her. It felt like feyre was the only one who wanted her rehabbed for nestas sake. I definitely would have preferred Nesta to hit rock bottom and choose recovery for herself (cause alcoholism and things can only be truly solved through self help) Everyone else was uncharacteristically nonempathetic. Idk how Cassian could be okay with her treatment after they mated.

I'm still digesting Rhys and nestas relationship. I like that they don't like each other for most of ACOSF. Nestas reasons for treating feyre poorly are valid, but not excuses. The feyre, Nesta, and rhys relationship thing is weird cause I see all sides. I need more feyre and Nesta bonding they always get interrupted.

I HATE what SJM did to Mors character. What the fuck is up with mor not liking Nesta. Maybe we will get an explanation in the next book but I feel like mor was set up to be a great LGBT character with himbo allies but SJM just dropped her off a cliff. Big mad.

However I do want eris and mor to end up together. Not necessarily romantically, but I want them to have it out and I want eris to support mor. Kinda want them to be mates. Kinda want eris to be gay as well. Kinda want them to get married and them have consorts.

WHY does everyone treat feyre like a porcelain doll when the IC has more collective trauma than anyone else in this universe. Don't get me wrong I'm all about the hurt/comfort but it was so inconsistently written LOL. When the IC was telling their stories the first night they met and then feyre told hers I cackled like sorry but she is a baby

Rhys's trauma is just as recent as feyres... yeah he's a lot older and seasoned but oh my GOD he was consistently assaulted for 49 years. Feyre does very little to comfort him. Idk I feel like it was SO glossed over.

Like in ACOWAR feyre admits that amaranthas hatred wasn't personal it was general, unlike Tamlins hatred. But amarantha and rhys had multiple personal vendettas against each other. Like his amarantha is vaguely feyres tamlin. Rhys didn't even get to kill amarantha. His trauma is untapped. Rhys is the main character feyre is the love interest idc

Idk what yall say rhys is my baby my lovebug my everything. He's got his flaws but you can't love Nesta and hate him at the same time without being a lil hypocritical

But he's fucked in the head for thinking he was justified in drugging feyre every night for 2 months. Almost more mad about that than the SA (I dont really blame Rhys since it is not cannon to me. SJM just messed up 😌 it was so out of character) did he ever really apologize for that??

ALSO I know smj wanted to write like #consentking but half of what he allowed was so unnecessarily dangerous (like the first AND second weaver encounter- if my SO ran off in the middle of a battle to track down a mysterious creature when the task could have been done after the battle I would have be livid. Mor was justified in being mad.)

I'm so mad rhys didn't flatten tamlin during the high lord meeting. Either it will happen in the future or I will burn these books.

THE BAT BOYS HAVE CONNONICALLY BEEN IN THE SAME ROOM WHILE HAVING SEX. the foursomes in my head gets clearer by the day

I HATE the fact that rhys almost had an existential crisis over feyre being so young when she found her mate and not having "lived" and THEN GETS HER PREGNANT??? Are you kidding me. I'm so mad. I don't wanna deal with babies. I hate babies.

But I DO have a fun headcannon that since the bone carver is a death-god or whatever he KNEW nyx wouldn't survive and that is why he appeared as him. Also when the bone carver offered to take feyres first born in exchange for help rather than the oroboughs I think that was also foreshadowing. The only reason nyx survived was because of Nesta and the bone carver had trouble seeing the cauldron.

((Maybe nyx should have died during the birth idk))

Literally I would have enjoyed ACOSF if instead of the pregnancy feyre was busy looking for bryaxis. Literally what happened to him. Wtf

I know the plot armor is crazy thick around the IC but it would have been nice if one of them died. Well, not nice, but more believable. Maybe thats why nyx should have died. Lol I need therapy.

FREAKING HEADCANNON: the archeon sisters are partially fae. Their mom was definitely a descendant and that's why all three sisters have mates. It was hinted that the sisters had mated because they were powerful and cauldron made but Cassian and rhys could feel the pull before the sisters were turned.

Tarquin is the hottest high lord

The whole blood rite thing was stupid. I would have loved if it was spread out over a longer period of time but it was so unrealistic

You know we all love a good #girlboss🤢 moment but the whole valkarie thing seemed 1. Out of no where 2. Really quickly forced (ACOSF should have been like 2 books) 3. If emerie and mor get together life=complete

The inner circle and ther archeon sisters would not get along if they weren't mated to like 50% of the gang

They're too whiny

It's so weird that the mating bond can only be felt by guys??? Lol wut

Okay I know this is a complicated subject but having LGBTs in a universe with mates based in evolutionary advantage seems more homophobic than having a universe without LGBTs LOL. Like their connection can't be as deep cause they can't procreate?? I did like that SJM made up for it a little by saying not all mates are complementary souls.

Hybern was so powerful and for WHAT. I don't understand

Vassa, lucien, and jurian being a trio is so weird 😐

I WANT A NOVELLA ON THE STORY OF AMREN AND VARIAN. They are my otp. If anyone has made it this far and knows of some good amren and varian fanart pls let me know

Okay that is all for now thank you if you read down to here xoxo gossip girl.

P. S. Also I am starting throne of glass and am having a hard time getting into it. Can anyone vouch for this series please I'm conflicted.

Edit: omg I was zooted when I wrote this and didn't realize my phone autocorrected cassian to Caspian RIP

#acotar #acosf #acosf spoilers #elucien #gwynriel #azriel #pro nesta #a court of thorns and roses #a court of war and ruin #a court of frost and starlight #a court of silver flames #a court of mist and fury

[feysandfeels]

TSwiftMaas pt 2, I’m back and thank you for letting me rant

Champagne Problems - Feyre/Tamlin, maybe a bit of Mor/Azriel

Gold Rush - literally the moment Feyre first sees Rhys on Calanmai and then snaps out of it. Or Emerie seeing Mor (ACOSF new a esta book). Also Rowan seeing *the nightgown*

Happiness - Elain x Graysen

Cowboy Like Me gives me Aelin attitude vibes but Feysand too? “Eyes like stars”

Evermore - Rhys and Feyre (literally dreamed of each other at their worst moments, he sent her the music and stars and he was seeing her)

I so agree on Ivy and I was so happy to see you say that!!!!!

Dude you are so welcome here, rant away!

It also gives me the chance to add some more. So ACOTAR x Taylor Swift part II (Part I)

lol at rowan literally having gold rush seeing Aelin in her nightgown.

Feysand:

Delicate - I don’t know why but this song always gives me Feysand in summer court vibes, when Feyre says “but for a moment I hoped he might be as lonely as me” and Rhys admitting that he is jealous that Feyre smiled for Tarquin (king deserves all the smiles imo). The song is the start of both of them truly realizing that they are falling way more than they intended for the other, but it’s all delicate because of the political implications, because of their own healing process. “This ain't for the best My reputation's never been worse, so You must like me for me” both of their reputations are at a low, so to speak everyone in Prythian is gossiping about how Feyre left Tamlin on their wedding day and is now being seen with the High Lord of another court and being introduced as a member of his court and well Rhys’ reputation has always sucked. However they both manage to see beyond their respective reputations and masks, and this song is perfect for that. 

Cowboy like me - Feyre quite literally “never wanted love, just a fancy car” and fancy car here is some financial stability to be able to *live a little* yet she found Rhys and in him he found an equal who now “hangs from her lips like the gardens of Babylon”. Also the way I feel when Taylor sings this is the exact same way I feel with Feysand: my body transcends into another dimension. 

Nessian:

The archer - from Nesta’s perspective is just delicious: “I’ve been the archer, I’ve been the prey, who could ever leave me darling, but who would stay” through the progression of “you could stay” is exactly what Nesta’s thought process is like. She sees herself as above everyone but has tremendous whiplash moments where she only sees the ugly in her and wants someone to see her for all of her nuances and all of her spikiness and then Cass does and she realizes that and is lie...he could stay. And I just... it’s just.. beautiful. The Archer has always been a Nessian song to me, a Nesta song to me and I cannot believe I forgot to add it in the original post. 

Elucien: they really claimed my favorite Lover songs didn’t they?

Cornelia Street - they’ve been heartbroken before and this feels so right, but what if it’s not it, what if it’s just the bond.. they never want Cornelia Street again. Also “drunk on something stronger than the drinks in the bar” as in their feelings for one another are stronger than the mating bond pushing them towards the other. Finally to be perfectly honest, they claimed this song with this lyric “Windows swung right open, autumn air Jacket 'round my shoulders is yours“. AUTUMN AIR? LUCIEN, JACKET AROUND HER SHOULDERS? THE JACKET HE GAVE HER DURING THE HYBERN SCENE IN ACOMAF. 

Feyl*n: 

You’re not sorry - Because T*mlin can’t actually be sorry for something he doesn’t understand so all his apologies are empty. He truly doesn’t comprehend the root of Feyre’s decision to leave him, so all his words and promises are meaningless and Feyre finally figured it out: “All this time I was wasting Hoping you would come around I've been giving out chances every time And all you do is let me down And it's taking me this long Baby but I figured you out And you're thinking we'll be fine again But not this time around You don't have to call anymore I won't pick up the phone This is the last straw Don't wanna hurt anymore And you can tell me that you're sorry But I don't believe you baby Like I did before You're not sorry, no no, no no”. This can also relate to Feyre sending him the letter and him not having to call her/look for her anymore.

Coney Island - the moment when you think about where did all the goodness and love there was go? When Feyre is wondering that perhaps who they both were after UtM were not meant to be together. And also feeling the, not guilt exactly, but the heaviness of wondering who did she kill those fairies for, who did she break for : “Break my soul in two Looking for you but you're right here If I can't relate to you anymore Then who am I related to? And if this is the long haul How'd we get here so soon?”And things simply don’t get better and whatever love was there can’t come to the surface anymore and the fire is getting smaller and their relation ship and the “efforts to save it” feel like they don’t work but make you realize  “Over and over Lost again with no surprises Disappointments, close your eyes And it gets colder and colder When the sun goes down”.

#Feysandfeelsasks #Feysand #Nessian #Elucien #ACOTAR #ACOMAF #ACOWAR #I refuuuuuseeee to tag the asshole of the spring court #Taylor Swift

[julesherondalex]

Enchanted (Elriel) - Part II

Summary: Elain has always known there’s more to her feelings towards Az than just friendly affection. When Azriel and Elain are sent to Adriata on a diplomatic mission, could this finally be the chance for close friends to become even closer?

Word Count: 5821

Read on AO3 here.

Previously on Enchanted...

“Or we could scout the city – see what Adriata really has to offer for a few days.” 

Elain looked up in surprise and, what was impossible to hide, increasing excitement. “You mean like a vacation?” she asked somewhat hopefully. 

Azriel cast her a rather shy but still mischievous glance and nodded. “Like a vacation.”

Part I | Part II | Part III

Is aggressively stabbing at your food impolite? Elain wondered the next morning during breakfast. She certainly felt like stabbing her food – repeatedly at that.

She could see Cresseida’s gracefully long fingers twirl a strand of her pearl-white hair, while the female unabashedly stared at the shadowsinger perched right next to the Archeron. Azriel had just answered one of her unending questions about Velaris. The City of Starlight was well known now, which was strange even for Elain who had barely known about the city and its hiddenness herself.

However, Rhys had explicitly required they try to revive the alliance between the courts – intently staring at the stoic spymaster doing so. Elain knew that’s why Azriel was being so talkative this morning – knew how hard it was for him to openly discuss his home.

She had felt him tense during the beginnings of their conversation, but his tension had eased with time, leaving Elain to wonder whether he had taken a liking to the Princess of Adriata.

Cresseida was quite unabashed with everything she said – cunning even – and she was unapologetically flirting with the handsome Illyrian. She was a princess, Elain thought. A very attractive one at that. Elain wouldn’t be surprised if Azriel invited the female to his bed – which was undoubtedly something Cresseida would approve of.

The fork slightly bent between Elain’s fingers. Shocked at the intensity of her own jealous-ridden emotions, she let the twisted silver disappear in the creases of her sky-blue dress.

Looking up from her lap, she met Varian’s gaze, who was seated right across from her. A muscle twitched in his cheek before he reached for his drink and downed it. Elain wasn’t sure whether the male was trying to hide his grin, but she was certain her cheeks were aflame.

Do not falter, she chided herself. He’s not yours to be jealous of.

But she couldn’t help it. She found herself wishing for her own pair of wings so she could flare them in that terribly territorial way Elain had seen Cassian do countless times.

She believed Nesta secretly basked in that particular showcase of Illyrian territoriality, constantly messing with her mate to provoke that primal instinct. However, Elain had neither wings nor was Azriel her lover in any way. She had no right to claim him whatsoever.

The flower-grower was yanked out of her thoughts by Tarquin, who was seated to her left at the head of the table.

“So, Elain, how is your mate? I met Lucien during one of the peace treaty meetings; he seemed to have taken a liking to Jurian. Are they still on talking terms?” he asked her in his ever kind way of polite curiosity.

Elain felt Azriel’s attention snap to her in an instant.

Though Lucien’s name had caught her off guard – especially while she had been deep in thought concerning her feelings for another male – she straightened almost imperceptibly and looked the High Lord in the eye.

“You see, Tarquin, Lucien and I aren’t mated any longer. But he is, indeed, in the mortal realms with Jurian and Vassa. I have good reason to know he’s doing well there,” she responded without as much as hesitating.

Elain may have mourned the breaking of a bond so sacred to the Mother in the first few weeks, but she was neither ashamed of her decision nor did she regret it. And she would not take anyone’s criticism about it.

Tarquin, to his credit, seemed earnestly surprised at her admission, and slightly embarrassed all the same. He grinned sheepishly at her, scratching his brow.

“I must confess, I am not experienced in the act of collecting gossip that seems to come with the position as High Lord. Please accept my apologies.”

Elain cracked a smile at the male, remembering how truly brief his history as High Lord was.

“No need,” she assured. “Though I could arrange a meeting with Feyre and Rhys for you; I’m quite certain they’d do wonders teaching you the high art of gossiping.”

To her surprise, Varian chuckled – nodding as if to agree with her – Tarquin joining him. Even Cresseida’s attention was directed at her now, the amusement and something akin to acknowledgment clear in her eyes. Elain briefly glanced at Azriel, whose attention she could feel the heaviest – as if his eyes upon her made her skin prickle in a way that shot excitement and alertness through her veins.

Azriel glanced at her with what could only be described as a proudly fond expression, his lips having tilted up at the corners. That was as much of her beloved private smile she’d get in the presence of so many others.

What she’d said to Tarquin about her broken mating bond hadn’t required her utmost bravery to say aloud – the way Azriel looked at her, though, made her feel like she’d just won a prize.

“I know I’ve said this before, but the way you handle Tarquin … that is very impressive, El,” Azriel later told her while they made their way through the narrow streets of Adriata. Faeries were all over the city; the weather so hot, every breeze coming from the sea felt like a fresh breath of air. Elain felt sticky with sweat despite her fluttering dress.

The seer looked up at Azriel, meeting his soft hazel eyes and the honesty in them. He did look impressed, but she only shrugged in response.

“It’s nothing. I am just being friendly,” she said dismissively, curiosity making her gaze wander around the street and the people. Mostly, they were Fae but Elain had even seen groups of the braver mortals walking around and marveling.

Azriel gently pulled her sideways, out of the way of a particularly hurried-looking Fae who was striding down the street at a fast pace.

“There’s a big difference between your friendliness and mine. I couldn’t possibly have entertained a High Lord the way you did by just being friendly,” he admitted with a sheepish smile.

Elain stared right ahead when she said, “Your charm seems to have worked on Cresseida, though.” She felt his eyes on her, probably noting the sharper edge in her voice. Elain cursed herself for being so obvious. Azriel shrugged.

“I doubt it had anything to do with my … charm,” he said rather tonelessly, and now Elain couldn’t help but turn to him in disbelief. Had he any idea what kind of effect he had on others? Even now, Fae turned heads to ogle the spymaster, making Elain’s blood boil in her veins. She’d never considered herself as the jealous type. That struck her as a misconception now.

But Azriel either didn’t care or he actually didn’t notice, despite his shadows being on full display and trailing around his neck and ears – undoubtedly whispering their secrets to him.

“Back when Feyre and the others … visited Adriata, Cresseida made advances on Rhys,” he explained, lifting his shoulders in dismissal. “It’s probably the wings.”

Elain stared at him, wide eyed and dry mouthed. She couldn’t help but let her gaze flicker to said wings – the thin membrane with its veins and muscles – taking in their gloriously large extent. Her fingers itched with the need to brush upon them, and see whether the membrane felt as silky as it looked. “I can see,” she only murmured, averting her eyes from them.

When she turned to Azriel’s piercing stare again, it was surprise and something else, something darker, she was met with. But it vanished from his face as fast as it had appeared. Elain could still feel her blood boiling underneath her skin, though it definitely wasn’t jealousy this time.

It was near afternoon when Azriel and Elain decided they had seen enough of the city and headed out to the harbor and the many booths that lined the promenade leading to the docks. Elain was enthralled with the magnitude of all the small novelties; self-made jewelry, ornately painted and carved rocks, jars of homemade marmalade and pastries, anything the heart desired for, really. She dragged Azriel from booth to booth, excitedly discovering with the male by her side.

When they approached yet another jewelry booth, Elain gasped at the sheer beauty of what lay before her: dozens of bracelets, pendants, earrings – all made of sea glass in various colors.

Her eye immediately caught onto a silver bracelet with three beautifully colored, average-sized sea glass stones perched in the center of it; the silver of the armlet was in plaited fashion while the stones were held together by intricately curved silver wires – strikingly beautiful and glittering. Elain made a squeaking noise and gently touched the bracelet with the tips of her fingers. It was the most gorgeous piece of jewelry she had ever seen, and she’d seen many in the wake of the Tiny Ancient One.

“You like that one?” Azriel asked from beside her, his voice amused.

Elain turned to him, with a Mother, yes on her tongue when she was surprised by a full-on cocky grin, stopping the words of excitement from bursting out of her mouth. Encountering his smiles was rare enough, but this kind of grin? Nearly impossible to catch. Which was why Elain had difficulties breathing for a moment – clearly distracted – before noticing why the spymaster was so smug.

It took a second glance at the bracelet, and the flickering of Azriel’s cobalt Siphons in the well-lit booth for Elain to realize the sea glass had the exact same shade of blue as the wondrous gems attached to her favorite Illyrian. Oh.

Elain had automatically come to love a bracelet gemmed with cobalt blue sea glass, clearly amusing the powerful Illyrian with her obvious showcase of fondness toward him. But the Archeron hadn’t even realized that that, in fact, was the exact reason why she’d inherently admired the bracelet. Elain had instantly thought the color beautiful and immediately wanted to purchase it. Now, though, her cheeks burned pink.

The image of her failed confession of love was still too fresh on her mind for her not to be embarrassed. She hadn’t been this obvious before, so why now? Now that she knew he didn’t even remotely think there might be anything more to their connection but friendship. It had been clear in his confusion; he didn’t even expect there to be more to them than pure camaraderie. Elain winced.

Keeping her voice low, she mumbled at last, “It’s rather lovely, isn’t it?”

She could still feel the pleased grin directed at her, though Elain made a point not to look at it or she might burst into flames of mortification and longing all the same.

She knew Azriel was only teasing her – but that was exactly why she couldn’t look at him. While he was only joking, she was completely enraptured by the shadowsinger – her emotions too intense to allow her to simply laugh about her little slip of fondness toward the male.

It felt like every second of quietly loving him crowded her in this particular moment and she couldn’t breathe around all the hours and weeks and months clawing up her throat to escape and find release. It was as if her feelings were pouring out of her skin; every word and every glance she gave Azriel inherited her love for him, and she feared that seeing it was as easy as smelling the salt in the air of Adriata.

Elain had never once felt like she needed away from her Illyrian friend, but right now she could have used a few minutes of solitude. If only to master the cacophony of her emotions.

“Don’t you want to buy it?” Azriel mused, his own voice even closer than before. The seer could feel where his chest grazed her shoulder as he stood right next to her. She saw his hand enter her line of sight, the scarred fingers softly brushing the blue of the sea glass. Elain swallowed hard.

“No,” she responded, feigning casualty while she turned – and put as much distance between their bodies as she could – to examine a pair of earrings with red-glowing sea glass attached to them. “I have enough jewelry back in Velaris. I wouldn’t even know when to wear this one.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Azriel’s hand stilling and retracting from the bracelet. Her gaze flickered to the jewelry once more. Gods, it was truly beautiful, and she needed to call it her own. She’d come back later and purchase it when Azriel wasn’t there to witness her weakness for the bracelet that so clearly represented the Illyrian and his cobalt Siphons. Even if she wouldn’t wear it around him, Elain knew she’d spend hours admiring the sea glass bracelet.

Elain only gradually came to really take in the jewelry beneath her fingers, having feigned interest in it to get rid of the close proximity to the Illyrian. But those earrings with the red glass … they’d make a perfect gift for her fiery sister. They were not too small, but still subtle and intense all the same. She felt a tiny smile tugging at her lips. This would be an ideal gift for Nesta; it was just convenient her favorite color was the exact same shade of her mate’s Siphons. With a jab to the heart Elain realized that her favorite had been blue – just like Azriel’s Siphons. Only they weren’t together.

Get a grip, girl, she found herself thinking – or was that Amren’s voice inside her head?

Slightly dizzy, Elain reached for the earrings and handed them to the seller, wanting the young, beautiful Fae with glimmering pink skin and turquoise hair to wrap it up for her.

Now she needed something for Feyre, and … there: a necklace with a pure black sea glass pendant caught her eye. She could only wonder where the color had come from, but it was such an intense darkness – it almost seemed to swirl inside the gem. Perfect for the High Lady of the Night Court.

Azriel hummed when she showed him what she’d purchased from the jewelry seller and – with a last lingering look cast at the cobalt colored sea glass bracelet – Elain and Azriel made their way through the crowd on the promenade.

Though her mood had slightly dimmed, the gardener retained herself from succumbing to her sudden melancholy. Instead, she took her friend’s arm and enjoyed the buoyant clatter around them. Adriata positively brimmed with life, and it didn’t take long for Elain to be captivated by the atmosphere again; her spirits lifted.

Hours were passing by in the city, and it had become well in the evening. Elain stood by a booth of various painted rocks: the seller himself had drawn faces with startling detail on white stone, all of random people Elain had never seen before.

She had just come upon a certain painting reminding her awfully a lot of Cassian’s face adorned by a funny-looking dark mustache. She turned around in laughter to show Azriel her newest discovery, when she realized that the spymaster was nowhere to be seen.

She twisted in confusion, surveying the crowd for the tall male in a futile attempt to find him. He must have wandered off somewhere, she thought, and purchased the stone to show him later.

It took Az only a couple minutes to find the seer again. Elain saw the spymaster striding toward her with surprising relaxation – hands in the pockets of his pants and his dark tunic slightly moving in the breeze. The dark whorls of his Illyrian tattoos peeked from under the collar of the fabric, and Elain’s fingertips tingled with the need to brush upon them.

She took a moment to unabashedly stare at the male: his towering frame with the tightly tucked in wings, the fullness of his lips and his sparkling hazel eyes with the green and golden flicker. The lazy, crooked grin upon the perfectly chiseled planes of his face.

How could he not see what kind of effect he had? Especially on her?

His whole existence pulled on the strings of her soul and prickled the skin of her body in ways that heated her blood. Sometimes he would look at her in a certain way, with those piercing, predator eyes and Elain would be hit by a hot and cold wave at the same time. She would freeze under his heated gaze; waiting for him to do something, to say whatever was causing the flush on his skin. The same three words were on the tip of her tongue in those moments, dying to find release. But she would always wait for him – to pounce on her for all she cared – and she would have been ready to devote herself to every wish coming from his wicked tongue and scrutinizing eyes.

And that was the worst; Azriel would simply look at her, his sinful lips could notch up in the slightest way possible, no words could be spoken, and Elain would still feel her existence quivering.

Azriel wasn’t a male of many words, she thought, and that was somehow so much worse for her case.

Elain shook her head, trying to discard the heat of her thoughts, the blush staining her cheeks and bosom, and the thought of Azriel thinking he had no charm whatsoever. It was ridiculous.

“What?” He had approached her by now and was still sporting that lazy grin.

“Nothing,” Elain muttered, and twisted away, looking around the promenade once more.

“So,” she began after a moment of observing the docks. “Where’s that fish stand Feyre was talking about? I am dying to taste what had her so delighted.” Lifting onto her toes to peer over the heads of the Faerie crowd, Elain searched for said stand – to little luck given her fairly short frame. With a frustrated click of her tongue she gave up and let Azriel lead her through the crowd.

“You truly want to eat fish? Here? Now?” Azriel seemed amused with the flower-grower. Elain playfully narrowed her eyes at him and put the hand that wasn’t entangled in his arm to her hip.

“Is there a reason you are doubting me, shadowsinger?”

Azriel stared down at her, his eyes shining in the dim light of the promenade. “I am the least to ever doubt you, flower. In fact, only a fool would underestimate Elain Archeron from the Night Court.”

Elain’s heart skipped a beat at his words. Do not falter.

“You’re only saying that because you are my friend,” she tried to sound mocking and playful but her voice didn’t seem to be on board with her intentions. Lowering her eyes to her feet, Elain worried her lip and tried to ignore the sudden lump in her throat. She’d always doubted herself in many ways; it wouldn’t surprise her if he did, too.

Azriel cocked his head to the side, and then he was gently grasping her arm and pulling her away from the busy crowd, into a little alcove of light and shadows.

“There are not enough days in my immortal life for me to thank the Mother for being your friend, El. You are not only one of the very few seers I have ever heard of, but you have a power in you most Fae could only ever dream of. And it’s not just that; you are smart, funny, and the kindest person I know. Not to mention that whatever you touch, plant or person, it will nurture and thrive under your insistence.”

Elain’s breathing hitched when Azriel’s finger trailed a soft and short path from her temple over her cheekbone. The gold in his eyes was shining as if to compete with the light all over the shimmering promenade.

“Believe me, Elain, your friendship is a gift. There’s not an ounce of doubt in me when it comes to you. And if I weren’t your friend right now, I’d make sure to befriend you, even if it would be the last thing I could do. For I’d rather be standing right beside Elain of Night, the seer and flower-grower, the gentle heart, than anywhere else.”

Oh, holy Mother of all life and death, how did one breathe again? Because Elain definitely had forgotten how to breathe around Azriel. She stood there, completely dumbfounded, and stared at the male, not even close to processing his words – the admiration, the respect and honor in them. All for her.

He was … Azriel was so …

Azriel was chuckling nervously, and Cauldron boil her if he wasn’t furiously blushing under her stunned gaze.

“What are you saying, El? Shall we head to the infamous fish booth?” Azriel mused with his twinkling eyes.

Elain had never needed that fish sandwich more in her life.

…

It turned out there was no fish stand at the docks of Adriata but rather various sailor ships selling fried fish directly from the decks. Elain and Azriel walked along the docks, not being able to decide where to turn. Az had sent his shadows to scout the area; the thin tendrils of black smoke almost invisible to the naked eye – but Elain had always found them too alluring not to notice.

Only the best for the Lady, he had teased her with that little grin of his, making Elain want to fan herself right then and there.

Azriel’s shadows brought them to an aged-looking ship with its beautiful, pastel blue and white colored hull. The shadowsinger talked to the sailor and soon enough Elain held a delicious smelling sandwich consisting of fried fish and an even better smelling creamy sauce, lavishly poured all over the goodness.

Elain was still not over Azriel's generous words from earlier, still thinking about the light in his eyes when he had talked about her.

It was hard not to love him. If she hadn't already fallen headfirst for this kind, loving Illyrian, Elain knew she would have by now.

Her skin pickled wherever he touched her, his words lingered in the forefront of her mind.

She wanted to collect every syllable coming out of his mouth and make a list of her favorite words. If you'd let me Azriel, she thought, I'd love you the way you deserve until the day I turned to dust and shadows and even after that. Elain would love Azriel so much, her love would remain even if she was not being.

The seer watched her shadowsinger talk to the sailor, his back and wings to her, and huffed. In a desperate act of drowning her frustration in delicious fish, she – quite ungracefully – bit into the sandwich … and almost choked on it when bits of sauce squirted right onto Azriel's wings.

Elain stood there, frozen in horror, and waited for Azriel to notice that she'd just made a mess of fish sauce on his beloved wings. But the Illyrian didn't seem to have noticed it; he was still talking to the sailor with that low rumble of his voice.

Elain hastily swallowed the bite, burning her throat doing so, and inspected the spot right at the base of Azriel’s left wing – near his muscled back. From up close, there were only tiny drops of cream, apparently not enough to have alerted the Illyrian and his sensitive wings.

She couldn't just let him walk around with sauce all over him, Elain contemplated. Without thinking twice she reached out and swiped her fingers over Azriel's wings, cleaning them of the dots of sauce.

She couldn't have possibly predicted what happened next – even with her ability of foresight. A startled hiss came from Azriel, and he all but leaped away from her fingers – sending a pile of neatly folded fishnets flying over the deck in the process. Elain stood in stunned silence, her fingers still in the air and stared up at the male in shock.

Azriel twisted in a blazingly fast move, his face a mask of unfiltered horror while he tried to process what – who – had touched his wings.

Elain awkwardly turned her hand, so that he could take in the cream on her fingers. “You had sauce on your wing,” she weakly explained, already feeling the threads of utter embarrassment climbing up her neck and cheeks.

Once Azriel realized there was, in fact, no danger directed at his wings but the fingers of a certain clueless flower-grower, his face took upon a deep scarlet color – he was blushing to his ears in sheer mortification.

He mumbled something along the lines of an apology and bent to pick up the strayed fishnets, collecting them and folding them neatly into their original state – all the while Elain and the sailor stood in stunned silence, not quite knowing what to make of the situation.

Elain didn’t know whether she should be mortified over her own audacious fingers, or the fact that Azriel’s wings must have been even more sensitive to the touch than she’d initially thought. The knowledge clanged through her, leaving her body heated and her face even redder than before. Gods, she was a fool. Why had she thought it was a great idea to touch him without his consent? And he clearly had not enjoyed the stealthy touch of his petite friend. Now they were both a mess of humiliated mortification.

“I’m so sorry, Azriel. Really, so sorry,” she now apologized for what felt like the hundredth time. The flush on Azriel’s face hadn’t left him since they had bid the dumbfounded sailor goodnight and started walking toward Tarquin’s palace. Even now, in the dim light of the corridors to their rooms, she could feel his humiliation of having reacted in such a dramatic way to the simple touch of Elain’s fingertips.

“Stop, Elain. I told you, you don’t have anything to apologize for,” he quietly voiced then, hiding his eyes from her by intently staring at his fast-pacing feet. Elain had abstained from taking his arm, and Azriel hadn’t offered to lead her.

“But I didn’t mean to … the sauce … and I just tried to-,” she stammered until Azriel stopped in his tracks and embraced her upper arm with his long, magnificent fingers. The contact nearly made her jump in her skin, heat pooling in her very core.

“Look, I am embarrassed as it is. Please stop apologizing, all right?” he pleaded, looking her in the eyes for the first time since their little incident.

She could all but nod, words were failing her right now anyway.

His grip eased, though he didn’t let go of her. Elain almost fainted out of relief when she spotted that tiny twitch of his lips, and she thanked the Mother for his steadying hand on her arm when Azriel suddenly began to grin widely – just to burst into full-on self-depreciating laughter.

Elain couldn’t help herself – what had happened was so absurd and comical at the same time. She joined the Illyrian with her own giggling, until she was clutching at his arm to keep herself from actually tripping and falling into a tear-streaked, stomach-hurting mess of a female.

“I have never seen anyone jump so high into the air,” she exclaimed breathlessly, still laughing.

The blush on Azriel’s might have been from their laughing fit or the reminder of his reaction, either way he had never looked cuter with that bright boyish grin, Elain thought.

“The worst is that I didn’t even see you coming,” he mused, more calm than before now. “Normally I would have sensed someone who is about to touch my wings. That’s the very first lesson Illyrian’s are taught: to protect one’s own wings for they are our most precious possession.”

Elain smiled, still recovering from the ache in her belly from giggling too much. “You were talking to the sailor. I caught you off guard. It happens,” she shrugged.

Azriel looked at her contemplatively. “It wouldn’t have,” he added, “but there’s something about you, Elain, that makes me lower all my shields.”

Elain would have blushed at that if she hadn’t been for the past hour already.

“That doesn’t sound very good, does it?” she sheepishly asked, swiping a stray lock of honey brown hair out of her face. Azriel’s focus flickered to that strand for a moment, his mouth notching up into a half smile.

“I think it does. It means I am trusting you with my back, El. I’m trusting you enough to forget all about my observations,” Azriel said, staring down at her out of half-closed eyes. The hazel pierced through her chest right into her heart anyway.

Elain had nothing to say to that, the words lingering in the air between them. Only then did she notice they had come to a stop right at the threshold of her room. Disappointment spread through her chest; she didn’t want the night to end, much less to let go of her shadowsinger friend.

Having noticed her glance to the door, Azriel took a respectful step back, probably thinking she wanted to head to bed. Elain hastily gripped his arm before he left for his room for good. “We’re staying for a few days, right? We’re not leaving tomorrow?”

Azriel’s face lightened up. “Of course we’ll stay. As long as you wish.”

Forever then, Elain thought longingly. But as long as we’re together anywhere would suffice.

She reluctantly let go of his arm and opened the door to her room.

Before she closed it, Elain turned to look at the Illyrian, still standing where she’d left him. “Goodnight, Azriel,” she whispered.

Azriel’s face was partly hidden in the shadows, but his eyes – oh, his eyes – burned brighter than ever. Elain could tell he was as hesitant to let her go tonight as she was. How much she wished to invite him to her room – but that was not possible. He wouldn’t approve the reason why Elain desperately wanted him in her room, or at least that’s what she told herself.

And still, his face seemed to mirror her expression of longing and fondness, when he quietly murmured, “Goodnight, El.”

…

Elain threw the light blanket aside and set her feet on the cold stone, finally giving up trying to sleep that night. She had been tossing and turning, unable to shut her mind off against the onslaught of thoughts and emotions – all consisting of her Illyrian friend.

She reminded herself that they were just friends, and nothing more because the shadowsinger was still in love with the Morrigan and would likely love her until the day he ceased being.

Which is all right, Elain told herself. Mor was great, wonderful even. He probably couldn’t help himself loving her, just like Elain couldn’t help herself loving Azriel.

That was what love was about, really. It would strike you out of nowhere and keep you in its fangs until you were either in the arms of your lover or close but never close enough. It would never truly let you go; the love would remain within yourself – hidden in the shadows but desperately wanting to be dragged into sunlight.

After her failed attempt of a confession, Elain would have thought she’d rather keep her feelings hidden than have Azriel know and be bared open forever. But their time spent together in Adriata had been feeding her hope silently. How Azriel had looked at her before she’d gone to bed … that hadn’t been a friend looking at a friend. Elain found herself trying to object to her own observation, but she had seen it – in that moment before Elain closed the door, Azriel had contemplated staying just like Elain had thought about inviting him to her room. And she had been too much of a coward to just ask him.

Now she couldn’t sleep, couldn’t drown all her doubts and regrets.

Adjusting the strap of her flimsy silken nightgown Elain trotted to the open window, facing the now dark blue glittering sea and the sandy beach.

The moon hung high in the sky, gifting enough light for Elain to see the beach. It wasn’t empty as she had expected it to be. Her heart started to thump in her chest when she spotted a pair of familiar wings and dark tousled hair. Azriel. He was seated on a rock atop the shore right below her window – with no one but his own company.

Without knowing what she was doing, Elain grabbed for her thin dressing gown and exited her room. All her mind could picture was Azriel sitting by the sea; Azriel tracing her cheek with a scarred finger; Azriel looking at her with longing in his eyes.

Her heart hammered by the time her bare feet hit the sand of the beach, striding with light but quick steps, trying to reach the Illyrian. Elain had no idea what she’d say to him but they needed to talk. She needed to confess, or she’d choke on these emotions so intense that breathing had become an issue whenever Azriel was close. Even if he rejected her, maybe she’d be able to at least breathe again.

Laughter echoing from the rocks stopped her in her tracks. One of them was definitely Azriel; she’d recognize that sound anywhere. Elain could grow old and forget her own name, but she’d never forget Azriel’s joyful laughter.

And for some reason, hearing it now was like stepping under an ice cold stream of water. She had spent weeks to be the reason for that laugh; whoever had made him laugh now couldn’t have known him more than a few days. And worse, Elain knew the other husky, confident laugh. She had heard it just this morning, and she had seen the seductive, inviting glances accompanying it. Cresseida was here. With Azriel.

Elain couldn’t help herself; she took a few more steps until she could see them, perched side by side on that rock. She could hear them talking.

Cresseida was leaning into the male. And Azriel? Even from the distance Elain recognized his dazzling smile, the open expression on his face. It was like a jab to the heart.

The Azriel Elain knew wouldn’t have smiled this freely with a lady he barely knew, except … except if he was attracted to her.

The jab to her heart morphed into a punch to the gut, leaving Elain breathless and weak in the knees. She lowered her eyes to check if her knees would be able keep her on her feet. In her haste to get to Azriel, she hadn’t even bothered to change out of the flimsy nightgown – her legs being utterly naked. But it wasn’t the skin showing that bothered her. Elain felt bare and strangely naked within her soul.

The Archeron uttered a quiet prayer to the Mother when she whirled around and her legs did work. She quietly made her way up the beach – leaving the two of them behind.

***

dundundunDUN.  Click here for Part III x

***

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[wingsofanillyrian]

The Meeting (Feysand)

Anonymous requested: “ High lords, queens, and others have a meeting 1 year after the war”

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One year after the war

We decided that we would meet in our Court, at the House of Wind. It had been sitting mostly vacant anyway, after the merging of the Court of Dreams and the Court of Nightmares.

Elain had taken great care in arranging beautiful night-blooming flower arrangements in the colors of each Court. It was a gesture I knew most appreciated, and it had helped calm Elain’s nerves about the meeting. I surveyed the Lords and Ladies around me, thankful for each and every one of them. I wouldn’t be where I was today if not for them.

After all, they saved my Rhysand.

Kallas and the newly crowned High Lady of the Winter Court, Vivianne, chatted with Mor, who swirled her glass of wine. Eris had come in his father’s place, and had wisely seated himself as far from Mor as he possibly could. Thesan laughed at something Helion said, who noticed my gaze and winked. Tarquin was speaking with Cressida, Varian and Amren nowhere to be seen. That was probably a good thing.

I frowned, scanning the room once more for the missing High Lord. Ah- there, sitting alone in the corner of the room. I smiled smugly to myself at the sight. Served him right.

They’re here, Rhys whispered through our bond, squeezing my tattooed hand. I squeezed back, giving a barely perceptible nod. I saw Cassian and Azriel stiffen beside my sisters, who were seated against the wall.

I sensed Rhys’ power simmering beneath his skin as the hall’s elegant wooden doors flew open. Five queens. Two withered and old, with gray hair and sagging faces. One with a sharp, angular jaw wearing an expression that could freeze Hell. The cunning one, with her thick black hair braided in a long rope down her back. And the youngest, Demetra.

“Welcome to my Court.” My mate’s booming voice filled the large space; warm despite the frigidness of the company. “I hope your travel was well?”

“We winnowed,” snapped the cunning one, helping her eldest sister to a chair. If Rhys was offended by her rudeness, he didn’t show it. I had no such self-control.

“You know,” I drawled, lazily leaning back on my ivory marble throne, “It wouldn’t kill you to show a little respect.”

The immortal crone scoffed. “Why would we respect you? Look at what you did to us- to me.” I opened my mouth to reply, but Tarquin’s sing-song voice beat me.

“That was your choice to be Made, your majesty.” He perched on his chair, smiling innocently at the queen. I saw Nesta tense next to Cassian, both of whom shot fiery glares at the withered queen.

“The Lords and Ladies of the Courts-“ Tarquin gestured around to each of us- “agreed to this meeting to help you. After the role you played in the war, I think you could show a little respect.”

Tarquin may have been young by Fae standards, but he possessed wisdom that was beyond his years. Wisely, the immortal queen said nothing.

“Yes, well, now that we’ve gotten that formality out of the way, let’s discuss what we called this meeting for, shall we?” I turned to Rhys, his rumbling voice and mysterious aura commanding attention from all those who gathered.

***************

The next few hours consisted of much yelling by the eldest queen and her immortal sister, a healthy dose of sass from a very annoyed Tarquin, and few results. Most of us Lords and Ladies wanted to allow humans a choice to visit our lands if they wished. The queens, however, wanted the wall to remain as it was: a hard and fast barrier between themselves and us.

“What if we created doors?” I spoke as soon as the idea popped into my head, and was rewarded with more than a few curious sets of eyes staring up at me. Rhys’ hand covered mine once more, a silent encouragement to elaborate.

“Guarded entryways between our worlds. Small spaces in the wall where comings and goings can be monitored, patrolled by Fae and human guards alike.” Vivianne smiled warmly at me, turning to her mate, who was nodding in agreement.

“I think that is a wonderful idea.” To everyone’s surprise, it was the youngest queen, Demetra, that spoke with a voice as sweet and pure as honey. “I think that the people should have the right to choose.” Her sisters were silent. Judging by the amazed faces around me, no one else knew what to say either.

The sharp queen stood abruptly, features twisted in a snarl. “We will discuss this further at a later date.” She grabbed Demetra’s hand, winnowing away in the space of a heartbeat. Rhys tensed beside me, then loosed a breathy sigh and ran a hand through his dark raven hair.

“I think that wraps things up,” he said, looking at each of the remaining Lords and Ladies in turn. “Most of you are welcome to stay the night in the guest rooms, if you so desire.” He stepped down from the raised dais, moving with a fluid grace. His finger twisted at the silver ring on his left hand; a nervous tic I noticed he had developed.

He murmured something in Eris’ ear, which judging by the look on the heir’s face, was probably something to the effect of piss off. I fought back a grin and mingled with the crowd, trading gossip with Vivianne and Mor and exchanging stiff formalities with others.

After an hour or so, most of the Lords, Ladies, and various guards had either retired to their guest chambers or winnowed to their home Courts. My sisters and their Illyrian counterparts hugged Rhys and I on their way out, murmuring praises and encouragements.

When it was at last only Rhys and I, I sighed and dropped into the nearest chair. My feet hurt from being stuffed in heels all day, and I had a raging headache from the bickering. Rhys noticed my exhaustion, standing behind me to massage my tense shoulders.

“You did amazing, Feyre darling.” His tender lips kissed my hair, the gesture both loving and proud.

“Thank you, Rhys.” I leaned into his touch, a yawn escaping me, despite my best efforts to contain it.

Rhys shifted behind me, picking me up from the chairs and holding me in his arms. “Let’s get you to bed, High Lady.” I smiled, tangling my fingers in the lapels of his jacket as he carried me to our room, his soft steps lulling me into sleep.

#feysand #feysand fanfiction #feyre archeron #rhysand #nessian #elriel #acotar #acomaf #acowar #a court of thorns and roses #a court of wings and ruin #a court of mist and fury #a court of thorns and roses fanfiction #my writing

[queen-of-lightning-and-fire]

When to Fight ACOTAR Characters

Throne of Glass version

Feyre - Feyre Archeron. Feyre Cursebreaker. Feyre Defender of the Rainbow. Feyre Cauldron Blessed. Feyre. Feyre, High Lady of the Night Court. That Feyre? The one who was gifted life and powers from seven High Lords. In that case DO NOT APROACH. DO NOT GET NEAR. DO NOT FIGHT. DO NOT. I REPEAT. DO NOT. You will die.

Rhysand - Should I list all of his powers? Cause I can. There is Darkness manipulation, winnowing, and daemati powers. There is glamouring and misting and flying. And there is also his training as an Illyrian soldier. He is Rhysand, High Lord of the Night Court. The most powerful High Lord there is. So my word to the wise is don’t do it. Don’t think about it. Don’t even dream about it. Because you’d be dead before you even drew a blade.

Amren - She’s not Rhys’ second in command for nothing. I mean she is some ancient demon being thing that has escaped an island prison that is supposed to be impossible to leave. Plus she drinks blood. Now, if that doesn’t deter you, the last time Amren and Mor fought they destroyed a house. All I’m trying to say is Don’t fight her. Like honesty DO NOT FIGHT HER.

Azriel - He can turn into shadows. He needs seven Siphons to keep his power in check. He is the High Lord and Lady’s Spymaster. He would obliterate you. I’d advise against it.

Cassian - He is in charge of the Night Court’s army. He is in Illyrian warrior and was the best one in his camp at a young age. And like Az he needs seven Siphons. If you fought him … Well you’d be DEAD. So just don’t.

Mor - ABORT MISSION. ABORT ABORT ABORT. She may look like a princess in her fancy beautiful expensive clothes but she is THE Morrgian. She would castrate you without blinking, or flog you while smiling. SHE. WILL. KILL. YOU.

Tarquin - The mermaid king who sends his enimies blood dimonds. WHY DO YOU WANT TO HURT HIM ????? Just be aware that he can flood his city and still be able to spare his allies/soldiers in the process. So really, if you fight him, you’ve just sentenced yourself to die.  

Nesta - She beheaded the King of Hybern. Don’t cross her. Like, ever. Cause if she doesn’t physically maim you, you can bet your ass her words will.

Elain - She may look sweet and innocent and an easy prey, but I’ll have you know she stabbed the King of Hybern in the neck with Truth Teller. She is fierce and fighting her is your funeral. Cause going after her means Nesta and Lucien and Azriel and Feyre and basically a lot of people will be going after you.

Lucien - So out of everyone he might be on the easy side. But he got the nickname “Fox” for a reason. (And it’s not just because of his hair) He WILL hurt you. Maybe he won’t kill you, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t capable of it. All I’m saying is I advise against it.

Tamlin -  He may be a tool that is 5% good, and as much as he should be punished for what he did to Feyre and his people, I wouldn’t recommend going after him. Cause his beast mode is scary. As well as his temper. And he WILL kill you.

Amarantha - THE BITCH NEEDS TO DIE. Oh wait, she is dead. But if she were alive, I’d still say KILL HER. I’m just not so sure how well that might turn out.

Ianthe - THE BITCH CAN BURN. She needs to die. But like with Amarntha I’m not sure if you’d survive.

The King of Hybern - A formidable opponent, no doubt. And like DIE MOTHERFUCKER. But you would be killed in the process. Do I have to remind everyone about what he did to Cassian’s wings?

* BONUS*

The Suriel - You touch my favorite gossip teller, secret spiller, and I CANNOT be held accountable for my actions.  

#a court of thorns and roses #a court of mist and fury #a court of wings and ruin #acomaf #acotar #acowar #feyre archeron #rhysand #tarquin #amren #mor #tamlin #cassian #azriel #nesta archeron #elain archeron #lucien #the king of hybern #amarantha #ianthe #The Court of Dreams #the court of nightmares #the night court #The Summer Court #the spring court #sarah j maas #the suriel