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sarawritestories · 2 months

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Unwavering Presence Chapter 8

Cassian X Archeron Sister (Reader)

Summary: Rhys and Cassian talk about Under the Mountain. The twins, Rhys and Cass meet the bone carver where Y/N sees someone unexpected, the IC goes out for dinner and two familiar faces come to greet Y/N. Cassian gets jealous.

Content Warnings: broad allusion to the S/A of Rhys. Mention of death by childbirth, unwanted touching from a stranger in a bar setting.

A/N: This is a chapter that i'm really happy about! I'm excited to share but this is also where I'm going to warn that we're no longer going to follow canon exactly. Big moments will happen in the same order but i'm adjusting time lines and some canon moments to fit what I want. I hope you liked this chapter as much as I do. I'm also close to 500 followers and that's crazy. Thank you for reading and giving my stories some love!

Word Count: 6.5

Unwavering Masterlist, ACOTAR Masterlist, Chapter 7

Rhysand’s POV

I opened the door to peek inside, and my heart swelled. The twins were curled up on the bed together Y/N’s arm protectively over Feyre. Their faces were so peaceful, not a worry on their features. I smiled and closed the door. Turning to walk away, I jumped as Cassian was leaning against the wall arms crossed, “Rhysand, High Lord of the Night Court, unapologetic snoop.” I flipped him off and he chuckled. “Everything okay?” His tone turned serious.

I smiled, “Yeah, they are sleeping together.” I paused as Cassian raised an eyebrow, “I mean they are asleep on the same bed. Don’t make it uncomfortable, brother.”

Cassian feigned offence placing a hand over his heart, “Rhys, how you wound me so!” I rolled my eyes, as my brother’s face grew serious, “Do you think they are going to resolve their issues?”

I tucked my hands in my pockets, “I think they have already begun.” I looked back at the door and could hear the two rustling in bed before they settled. I nodded my head toward my study. Cassian held his arm out letting me lead the way. When we got into the study Cassian sat on the couch. “Cassian.”

“Rhysand.” He counters his elbows resting on his knees as he leans forward, hands clasped together, his siphons gleaming in the fae light.

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, “I have a confession to make.”

Cassian brows furrowed, “By all means, Rhys, leave me in suspense.” He chuckled his laughter died in his throat at my face, “Shit, what is it?”

“There is something about that night that Y/N defended those girls, I never told you.” Cassian gave me his undivided attention. I held my hand out and Cassian rose from his seat, tucking in his wings he gripped my hand, and I took him to that night:

Cassian.

This girl reminded me of Cassian. Even as Amarantha cinched her wrist together, Y/N kept her chin up, her eyes met mine noticing aware her twin was on my lap her head on my shoulder. My hand remained on her waist. Amarantha had Y/N pinned to her. It’s like I could hear him chuckle, “Where the hell did you find these two human women, brother?”

Breathe. I’m sorry Y/N, I cannot help you.

Those girls didn’t deserve to see the cruelties of this world just yet. Try to keep their innocence.

Cassian would have said something similar with that same stance that same glint in his eye. I gave her a nod, and for the first time in 49 years I could not reign in the memory of my brother or the hope in my chest of seeing him again. Maybe these two human girls would be able to break this curse. Then I can go home and tell him about her. I can’t afford to think that way and I chug the rest of my wine.

“Eris Vanserra, please step forward.” My blood ran cold as the heir of the Autumn Court’s name came out that witch’s mouth. My gaze drifted over to the red-haired male step up as Amarantha forced Y/N to her knees and pressed her forehead to the floor.

I gripped her sister tightly as she began to wiggle, “Darling, dance for me, will you?” I whispered in her ear. She drunkenly giggled and got up to begin to dance. I could feel Y/N’s pulse quicken, Breathe. Through your nose. I could see she obeyed as Eris lifted her to her feet. I fought against gritting my teeth keeping my mask of cool indifference. I focused on Feyre as her hips swayed positioned right between my legs. My gaze drifted back and saw that Eris put a collar of flames around her neck and he was guiding her by a leash of flame. The crowd separated as he approached me.

Feyre spun and saw her sister and smiled, “Y/N,” she grinned not realizing her sister was in the grips of a viper and yet she still held her chin up high a challenge in her eye. Again, I could hear Cassian’s voice, “You need to keep her safe, Rhysand. Keep her alive so I can meet her.”

I pulled from the memory and Cassian sat in the chair across from mine, his face unreadable and his shields were locked up tight. “Cass, it was the second time I let myself think of you. The first is when she defeated the worm, and she gave a dramatic bow to the crowd as Feyre threw a muddy bone to Amarantha. When Y/N ran up to those girls I allowed myself to think of you and the hopes of coming home so I could tell you about them. Y/N did something dangerous without ever knowing.”

Cassian took a deep breath, “What was that?”

“Hope,” I lifted my hand and a decanter, and two glasses appeared I poured two fingers worth in both glances and handed one to my brother, “She gave me hope that we would make it out of this, that we would be able to come home. And when I dropped Feyre into her cell, I made it back to my room and cried. I cried so hard I vomited I let out 49 years’ worth of missing you, Azriel, Mor, even Amren.” Cassian chuckled, “This one human girl unraveled me all because she reminded me of you.”

Cassian smiled and gripped his hand in mine, “Well you did make it home, brother, and you kept you promise too spiritual me.” I snorted as he continued, “She’s wonderful Rhys.” He released my hand, and I watched as his eyes went distant, “Is it possible to fall in love with someone from the first time you’ve met them.”

I tilted my head, “What?”

Cassian sat up straight, flaring his wings, and his cheeks turned a shade of red against his tan skin, “What? Did I say that out loud, mother above.” He drinks the alcohol to the dregs and sets the glass down. “I enjoy her company. Is all I’m saying.”

I chucked, “Someone have a little crush, brother?”

Cassian leveled me with a glare, “Shut it, you prick.”

“I mean, Y/N, is funny. Kind.”

Cassian interjected, “Extremely kind.”

I grinned slyly, “She’s also beautiful.”

Cassian exhaled and his face morphed into a lovesick teenager’s, “The word beautiful doesn’t hold a candle to what she is.” Cassian blinked and looked over at me. “You’re an asshole, you know that?” I chuckled and stood having this sudden feeling of being dirty I plucked lint from my shirt and Cassian’s brow furrowed, “You’ve been doing that a lot since you’ve been home.” There was an underlying question that caused me to straighten my spine. “You don’t have to talk about it, Rhys, but I am here, if you want to.”

He stood and walked out of the study leaving me as my thoughts drifted to those haunted

Reader’s POV

I could feel eyes watching me as I slept and I jolted awake, Feyre doing the same to see Amren at the foot of the bed. “Don’t you knock.” I muttered rubbing my eyes. The morning sun filtered in the room.

Amren threw an amulet onto Feyre’s lap, “This is on loan. I expect this to be returned.”

Feyre looked at the jeweled necklace and looked at the tiny female confusion on her face. “What is this?”

“It’s, what helped me get out of the Prison, girl, you’ll need it today.” With that she left. Feyre and I exchanged glances and I simply shrugged sliding off the bed.

“Y/N,” I turned as my sister slid out of the bed as well, “Would you come with us today? To see the Bone Carver.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” Rhys purred as he leaned against the door, Feyre threw a pillow at him, and he ducked in time that it flew in the hall. Rhys smirked and tucked a hand in his pocket. “Such a violent little thing.” I rolled my eyes.

“You two make me sick.” I muttered at the same time Feyre asked, “Don’t you knock.”

Rhys looked at me, “Do you want to come join us today?”

I nodded, “Sure, whatever I can do to help.” I walked toward the door, Rhys blocked the door, I crossed my arms.

“Want Cassian to come?” Rhys lifted a suggestive brow.

I pursed my lips, “He’s a grown male, he probably has other things to do.”

Cassian popped up behind Rhys, “It just so happened that Rhys cleared my Schedule, Princess.” He gave me a wink and I fought the butterflies flittering in my stomach.

“A group adventure it is.” I looked at Rhys, my smile falling as I noticed the dark circles sunk in his eyes and stars gone and he looked distant. You, okay? I reached out into his mind.

Rhys met my stare, Never better.

Liar.

High Lords can’t afford to have breakdowns in the time of War, Y/N.

I snorted. Someone better inform the High Lord of the Spring that.

Rhys laughed and placed a kiss on my cheek, “You are something else, Angel.”

My face didn’t change. If you need to talk, I’m here. You need to heal too. War or not.

Stars flickered back into his eyes, and he nodded as I moved to get to my room. The sound of boots was the only indication that I was being followed. “Something I can do for your, General?” I didn’t bother to turn around as I asked the question.

His hand gripped my wrist gently, “I wanted to see if you were okay.” His eyes drifted from my face to my chest. His face tilted as he gently pushed my hair behind my shoulder. I had to remind myself to breathe as he tugged the tunic to reveal the new tattoo there. “Well, hello,” he purred as his eyes flicked to mine, my toes curled, and I had to fight my arousal by his sensual tone. “This wasn’t here a few days ago.”

I took a deep breath and centered myself trying to ignore how him rubbing his thumb against my tattoo caused my whole body to thrum in response. “Feyre and I made a promise to one another. The tattoo appeared not long after that.”

Cassian nodded, letting the silence blanket the hall and I was able to take a good look at him. His eyes had a warm kind glow to them and being this close little flecks of green poked through, and one eyebrow had a slit going through where a white scar laid bare. His face had stubble on it as if he hadn’t shaved yet and I yearned to cup his face to feel it against my skin. My eyes drifted to his lips full and as tan as his skin. My mind wandered as I thought what it would be like if I pressed my own to them. What would he taste like. Cassian shifted eyes widened and I hadn’t realized how close our faces had gotten. I took a step back and cleared my throat, “I should probably get ready.”

Cassian rubbed the back of his neck and a blush fell onto his cheeks it made him look boyish, “Good idea,” his voice was husky and slightly strained, and he tucked his lower lip behind his teeth. He was beautiful in every sense of the word.

I turned forcing myself to look away from him and headed to my room when his voice rang out, “Princess,” I turned my head back he opened and closed his mouth and opened once more, “The prison is cold make sure to bundle up.” He looked pained as he said it, almost embarrassed.

“Thank you, General.” I winked and continued to my room all the while settling the erratic beating of my heart.

***

Cassian was not lying about it being cold. Rhys had winnowed us to the side of the mountain where the cold air pierced my skin. I wore my leathers with fleece line leggings and a long sleeve tunic underneath, but my teeth were still chattering. Cassian shuffled in the bag he brought with him and pulled out his leather jacket. There were patches on the back that were able to detach when he wears it to accommodate his wings. The wind caused a few of the loose strands from his bun to fly into his face though as he approached me, he seemed unfazed by the cold as he held up the bag. “Here, Princess.”

I slipped my arms into the leather sleeves, and he raised the jacket to my shoulders. Warmth encased my upper body as his jacket falling to my knees. Cassian’s hands gave my shoulders a squeeze, “Thank you.”

Cassian leaned in close his warmth seeping into my bones as he whispered, “You’re welcome.”

We made to the entrance of the building and Cassian interlaced his hand in mine and gave it a comforting squeeze. Rhys was the one that broke the silence talking to Feyre, “Do not let go of my hand. No matter what you hear or what you see. Do. Not. Let. Go.” Feyre nodded.

Rhys turned to me. Not like you would want her to let go of your hand. I smirked as Rhys leveled a glare my way, the only indication that my statement got to him. “Same with you, Y/N. Don’t let go of Cass’ hand.”

I lift our entwined hands and open my hand up as Cassian’s still clamped down and go as far as shaking our arms causing the male behind me to chuckle, “I don’t think he would let me. If I want to.”

“Not a chance. Not here.” Cassian murmured.

“Amren-“a hand clamped over my mouth muffling the rest of my sentence and I tried to wriggle from Cassian’s grasp fighting against how his body pressed against me makes me feel.

Rhys sighed, “We don’t mention her near or in the prison.”

Cassian released my mouth and I shoot him a glare. “Why?”

The General spoke this time, “The prisoners here do not take kindly to her escape. If they know we know here it could get messy, fast.”

“Next time just say that.” I punched his shoulder, “No need to manhandle me.”

He kissed my cheek, “Sorry, Princess, won’t happen again.” He leans in lowering his voice, “Unless you ask me to.”

Heat crept up my face as he straightened to his full height, and I tried to ignore how the words left a pool of heat in my belly, I punched him again, “Shameless flirt.”

Cassian laughed, “Keep it up, Archeron, and your punches could actually hurt me one day.”

I scowled as we entered the prison my humor dying as the darkness consumed us. The low fae lights didn’t help with lighting the path before us. Though Rhys and Cassian led us like they knew the place backward and forward. I could feel Feyre’s tension as badly as my own as we turned this way and that. Every turn reminded me of the path Under the Mountain but before my mind could wander too far into those memories there would be a squeeze of my hand. Like the male beside me knew where my mind was going and wanted to bring me back to him.

After a few minutes we reached the cell of the bone carver. Feyre looked back at me, and I gave her an encouraging nod. Rhys led her into the cell, and I stepped closer to Cassian our hands still entwined, and he curled his wing around me giving me extra warmth. We stepped inside and moved around, and I lowered my head finding my feet interesting.

Feyre and Rhys had begun their musings but the metallic smell from the power this creature possessed was making it hard for me to focus. I drowned out the conversation picking up key words. The book of breathings and Like calls to like but everything else was drowned out I tried to focus on Cassian’s hand in mine and how he was rubbing his thumb along the side of my hand. Back and forth back and forth, before I knew it, I was matching my breathing to the slow movements his thumb was making to center myself. The cell fell silent as I finally adjusted to the cell.

A female voice flooded my ears, “Look at me Y/N Archeron.” I looked up and was taken aback by the female before me. She was beautiful. She had one hazel and one Blue gray eye that looked so much like Feyre’s she had long dark hair braided in a crown atop her head a few wavy pieces that strayed from the updo framed her face highlighting her pointed ears. Her tan skin was clad in leathers similar to the ones Cassian and Azriel wore. What really caught my attention was her wings, they too were like Azriel’s and Cassian’s broad and beautiful even when tucked tightly behind her. She smirked, “Step closer, child.”

I attempted to take a step, but Cassian’s hand stayed firm in mine gently pulling me back to him. I wouldn’t move back to him I wanted to get a closer look at the female, she had a slender face, freckles kissed her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. She looked so much like Cassian, but then there was that smile and it looked so similar to the one my twin and I share. Was this a relative of Cassian’s? She was beautiful.

Her laugh was boisterous, “Who do you see when you look upon me child?”

Don’t answer that. Rhys voice flittered into the spot of my shield for him.

“I don’t know.” I answered honestly.

You’re a great listener, you know that?

Cassian once again gently tries to tug me back to him. As the Bone Carve paces like a wild animal in a cage, “I wonder, what secrets does the human Archeron twin keep. Tell me one secret, Y/N Archeron.”

“What do I get for sharing a secret with you?” I asked and tried to release my hand, but Cassian refused to let go.

“Oh, clever girl,” The females wings fluttered, “A secret for a secret then and as a sign of good faith I will go first.” She met my gaze, “There are ancient creatures that roam these lands, Legend states that they were extinct in the first war. They were not, they just went into hiding. They want to come out and play again.”

Rhys swore, and I looked back and saw Cassian’s face paled as he muttered, “Dragons.”

The female looks back at Cassian, “Indeed, Prince of Bastards.” Something made me bristle at the implication of the title and the sneer on her lips. She turned back to me. “A deal is a deal.”

Rhys stepped in, “No we’re leaving, your insight has been very helpful.”

He turned and my sister was made to follow, Cassan gripped my arms releasing my hand and turned me away but wiggled out of his grasp and took the opportunity of his mistake stepping toward the Bone Carver, “A secret of any kind?”

She smiled and bowed her head, “I am partial to the darkest secrets, but I will accept any, Y/N Archeron.”

“Y/N,” Cassian’s tone was laced with warning that I promptly ignored.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, “I am responsible for the death of my mother.”

***

We returned to the Town house in complete silence it wasn’t until we were in the dining room that Rhys debriefed Azriel, Amren, Mor. About what the bone carver said about the Dragons and the Book of breathings. I just listened as they talked about half the book being at the summer court and the other half with the human queens. I could feel eyes on me, but I proceeded to ignore his gaze and focus on Rhysand.

“I want to keep this between us for now. I have a plan to test Carver’s theory that Feyre can sense these objects. Like calls to like but I will need a few days to do so. I’ll send a letter to Tarquin and see if he will allow us to make a visit there. That leaves the human queens.”

I mutter, “Nesta and Elain could help.”

Feyre nodded, “We could use their manor as the meeting point. They could be our Correspondence with them since they reside in the Human lands.”

“You both willing to go back and talk to them.” Rhys looked at me.

“You did give us the job as your human emissaries, Rhys. I’ll do what I must.” Feyre nodded in agreement.

‘Alright, send word to your sisters tomorrow and see if we can set up a time to meet. However, I think tonight we have earned off. Let’s go out to dinner.”

Everyone cheered, even Amren had a sly grin to her face as they exited to go get ready, Cassian, Feyre, Rhys and I stayed in the dining room. I met Cassian’s gaze his lips were in a tight line and his arms were crossed over his broad chest. He was stunned at my confession at the prison, but he didn’t say a word, he had just grabbed my hand and led me back out, holding it tightly to keep me grounded. His eyes went vacant for a moment and when they went back to normal, he looked to Feyre and grinned “Feyre, let me escort you back to your room. Maybe that way I can talk you into fighting lessons. With me.” He held out his arm for her to take and winked, and my heart sunk. He was flirting with her. I mean I guess this was the first time I’ve seen him interacting with other women in the court. I had been so wrapped in my bubble that I never noticed that he was a natural flirt.

Feyre smiled and looped her arm in his and he walked out leading her upstairs. Rhys was facing the door looking out at Velaris, I pushed out of my seat, “What did you mean today?” Rhys asked turning to face me, “When you said you were responsible for your mother’s death.”

I shrugged, “What I said is what I meant, Rhys.” His brow furrowed. “Can we not talk about it? Please.”

Rhys sighed and walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her, “Fine, but we have to talk about it.”

I pulled away, “Like how we have to talk about how Feyre is your mate?” His face paled as he dropped his arms. “I’m human, I’m not dumb, I noticed your behavior changed. She doesn’t know does she?”

Rhys shook his head, “No,”

I shook my head, “When did you find out?”

“When we said goodbye after we beat Amarantha.”

Shock rocked me, “You were going to let her marry, him…”

Rhys bit his lip, “I was going to respect what she wanted. I wanted her to be happy. Then she called out for help, Y/N, she was begging for anyone to save her. I felt it down the bond.”

I nodded my head, and I cupped his cheek, “Don’t keep her in the dark forever, Rhys, she’ll hate you for it.” With that I walked to my room to get ready for dinner.

***

We arrived at the restaurant, and everyone was dressed to the nines, and I opted for black silk pants and a sapphire blue corset top and a leather jacket. Put my hair up in a ponytail and placed a matching sapphire blue bow and some comfortable slippers. I walked down and Azriel shared an amused look, “Well Archeron, may I say blue looks ravishing on you.” He kissed my cheek. It was then that I noticed I matched his siphons. Everyone laughed as a blush crept up my face and I glanced at Cassian. He looked bemused but still made sure to extend his arm for me to take to escort me to the restaurant though it was apparent he kept us a good distance from the shadow singer.

Even at the dinner table Azriel sat by the window and I was making my way to sit next to him, Cassian guided me to the end of the table on the opposite side. “Cass, he doesn’t bite.” I murmured.

Cassian pulled out my seat for me and gently pushed me in, “Yes. He does. And he is a sore fucking loser.”

Azriel snorts, “I’m sorry she chose blue instead of red, brother.”

Rhys buts in, “She is allowed to wear whatever she wants, in whatever color she wants. Just because she wears a color doesn’t mean she is swearing an allegiance to either of you.” The kind restaurant owner came and brought our food and handed us a goblet for Amren. “Thank you, Nicolette. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

The older female bowed her head, “Likewise, Rhysand. I hope everything is to your liking.” She looked to Feyre who was dressed in another radiant midnight blue Top and matching pants. “Its an honor to meet you Cursebreaker,” her gaze reached mine, “You as well Y/N Archeron. I hope you enjoy.”

Simultaneously Feyre and I said, “Thank you.” She smiled and left.

We all began eating and I looked over to Amren, “You don’t eat.” Not a question.

“Very observant, girl.” Amren snorted swirling the goblet in her hand.

“Are you not high fae?” I asked curiosity getting the better of me.

Rhys interjected, “She is in a way.”

“I do not know what I am completely, I did take form in a high fae body I chose this body.” Amren said in a tone telling me that that was all the information she was willing to give. I took a note and began drinking out of my own glass.

Azriel leaned his elbows on the table there was a mischievous glint in his eye, “Y/N, tell me. Did you have any lovers back in the human realm?” I choked on my drink; a fit of coughing erupted. A hand was rubbing my back and I looked to see Cassian giving Azriel a glare that if I were on the end of it would make me want to crawl out of my skin. Azriel didn’t seem phased.

“Just one.” I answered when I regained my breath. “Lover is a generous term for it though.”

Azriel quirked a brow, “Oh, why is that?” Feyre shifted in her seat uncomfortably by this conversation.

Before I could answer two tiny voices called out, “Y/N, Y/N.” I turned my brow furrowed in confusion as two small girls came running to the table and when I turned to face them, they leapt into my arms. Two little red-haired girls with tan skin tucked their heads into my neck. I rose, arms securing them as I moved off the chair.

The girls’ mother came toward us, “I’m so sorry. They saw you and they wanted to say hello.”

The two girls pulled away and met Y/N’s gaze and I gasped their green eyes shined bright and their red hair was not matted but curled and their tan skin looked healthy and gleaming. “Well look at you two. You have grown.” I smiled, holding both of their hands.”

Mor’s voice piqued, “You know them?”

One of the girls who was slightly taller, “You remember us?”

I smiled, “Of course I do.” She pulled them into a hug again and the two girls clung to her tightly. “I would never forget either of you.”

Their mom smiled, “I never got a chance to see you, to thank you for what you did for them.”

I met the mom’s stare with a smile of my own, “No thanks necessary.” The girls pulled away from me but still clung to my hands, “I’m glad you girls are okay.” I looked back up to their mom, “I didn’t realize you resided in the Night Court.”

“We were originally from the Autumn Court. I served for the Lady of the Court. Rhysand offered me a place to stay and a comfortable home if I wanted it.” I looked to see her gazing at Rhys with a smile and Rhys nodded his head, “I couldn’t stay in that court knowing what the prince did, so I grabbed the girls, and he brought us here.”

The girl that spoke before said, “We love it here!”

I smiled, “I’m so glad.” I leaned and naturally the two girls also lean in as if we’re telling a big secret “I love it here too.” The girls giggled in response, “What are both of your names? I never got a chance to be properly introduced. I’m Y/N.”

The social butterfly of the two smiled wide, “I’m Alexis, you can call me Lexi. This is my twin Elizabeth, but we all call her Lizzie.”

Lizzie gives a shy wave before biting her lip a bit. I beamed and I turned and point to Feyre, “Well what a coincidence my Twin is right there. That’s Feyre. I call her Fey.”

Feyre gave the two girls a small wave, and the two waved back enthusiastically. Y/N looks to the mom, “I’m Evangeline. Feel free to call me Evie.” I let go of the girls’ hands for a moment and walked toward Evie as she blinked away a few tears and gripped me into a hug, “I can’t thank you enough,” She turned her gaze to Rhys and Feyre and the rest of our table. “All of you, for your kindness.”

Rhys smiled, “The pleasure is ours.” The table all gave nods in agreement.

Lexi tugged on my pant leg, “Can we have a sleepover sometime?”

Alexis!” Evie scolded, “She is probably busy with working for the high-“

I interrupted her raising my hand, “For my two new friends,” I knelt to their level, “I would make the time. You just need to convince the High Lord. I do live at his house at the moment.”

Lexi and Lizzie ran to Rhysand and held their hands up, “Please, High Lord. Please.” I noticed that Cassian and Azriel were trying really hard not to laugh as they saw their brother turn to into putty at these girls hands.

Rhys smiled, “Tell you what whenever, mom needs some time to get errands done, or would like to have an evening to herself you can come to my townhouse and spend as much time as you want with my family.”

“Including Y/N?” Lizzie asked quietly.

Rhys smiled widened, “Yes, including Y/N.” He gave them a playful wink and the two girls giggled and ran back to their mom.

“C’mon girls, let them enjoy the rest of their dinner.”

Alexis waved, and Y/N stands to take her seat, and she feels a tugged on her pants. She looked down to find Lizzie and her eyes lined with silver, and she blurts, “I want to be like you when I grow up.” She looked down sheepishly after blurting it.

I took a minute to process what she said, “What do you mean, Sweetheart?”

She looked up tears streamed down her face, “I want to be brave and kind and not afraid like you,” I could feel the emotion swelling in my chest and tears of my own were beginning to fall. I fell to my knees and pulled her in to a hug, and Lizzie erupted into sobs burying her face in her shoulder. I held out my other arm and Alexis ran into tears in her eyes too. Lizzie whimpered, “I was so afraid I had an accident. You were so brave, Y/N.”

“You were so brave.” I whispered, stroking their hair. I pulled away from them and made the effort to wipe both their tears from their faces. “I think you both were extremely brave. You both held your chin up so high going back to your mom. I was proud of you.” I looked at both girls, “I was proud of both of you.” I smiled and hugged them both, “And we’re here now. And we’re friends.”

“Forever?” Lexi hiccuped.

“And ever.” I promised.

I gave both girls a kiss on their forehead and sent them back to their mom who was smiling with gratitude. I took a seat in my chair watching them walk away, “So those were the girls you told me about.”

I nodded as I shifted back to face my friends, Cassian held out his napkin for me to grab and I graciously took it and wiped my eyes. “Yeah, I didn’t even know they were twins. Kind of poetic.” I chuckled as I felt the familiar callouses of Cassian’s hand on the back of my neck, that thumb rubbing soothing circles and I leaned into his touch. “Thank you, Rhys, for bringing them here and giving them a better life.”

Rhys held out his hand and I took it, and he grabbed Feyre’s hand and gave them both a squeeze, “They deserved it, as you both deserve a chance at a better happy life.”

***

Dinner came to a close and as we walked out in the crisp night air Mor linked arms with me, “I say we head to Rita’s anyone in?”

Cassian and Azriel agreed to join but it was Rhys and Feyre who both declined Amren already left for the evening. I smiled at both of them and waved before I was being dragged away to the bar.

The atmosphere of Rita’s was nothing like the taverns at the human realms, the music thrummed, and the beat could be felt on the floor there were various colored fae lights, Azriel led us all to a table and offered to grab everyone drinks. Mor sat next to Cassian, and I ended up at the end of the booth. I noticed how Mor laid her head on Cassian’s shoulder and he laid his head on top of hers giving her forehead a light kiss and that pang rang in my chest again. How had I not noticed that he is like this with everyone. Clearly he expresses love through touch.

Azriel brought everyone a drink and a shot. I took the shot with fervor and welcomed the burn of the alcohol. Az sat across from me and quirked his brow as I also chugged the drink, he brought for me. This was going to be a long night.

A few drinks in and Mor was basically on Cassian’s lap. I tried not to gape, but it was hard as she kept whispering in his ear. He held her but his face was slightly bored, Az and I just sat and watched the people on the dance floor. His shadows swirled around my ankle, and I smiled.

“Excuse me,” I male’s voice interrupts my appreciation of Azriel’s shadows and look up to find a fae male, with pale skin and blonde hair smiling at me. “Could I bother you for a drink and a dance.” I looked him over his body was toned and I noticed that he had a tail that touched the floor if he were to extend it out. “I just couldn’t help but notice how you beautiful you were.”

I opened my mouth to refuse but Mor cut in, “She would love to.” Mor gave me a light push and I turned back to look at Cassian who seemed more interested in his drink as Mor nuzzled back into him. I gave the male in front of me a bright smile and took his hand.

We walked to the bar, and he said his name was Mark not even bothering to ask for mine, “So I’ve not seen you around before?” He purred in my ear as our drinks came. His tail brushed up my leg and I stepped out of its reach.

“I’m new in town.” I said shrugging.

“For being new in town, you do keep interesting company. The Lord of Bloodshed, The Morrigan and the Shadowsinger. You must have made some impression.” His tail pushed me closer to him, so he grabbed me by the waist. I pressed a hand to his chest, “Sorry, Babe. Sometimes my tail has a mind of its own. I nodded and fought the urge to roll my eyes. We continued our drinks in proximity, and he insisted we go dance. He placed a hand on my lower back his tail once again grazing my leg and moving to the under curve of my ass. The alcohol was settling in my system so that where his hands were didn’t bother me anymore and I let the beat of music take me away.

Mark wrapped a hand around my stomach and held me flush to his chest. “You are such a pretty thing,” He murmured in my ear. I hummed in thanks as his free hand gripped my throat lightly, to angle my head to his. I could see the lust in his eyes as they glanced at my lips, and he leaned in. There was a cough behind us.

We turned and Cassian stood there, ire was in his eyes and the object of that anger was geared to Mark. “Mind if I cut in?”

Mark had a look as if he wanted to say he would but thinking better of it he walked away not so much as a goodbye. His tail did manage to graze my ass. What a dick. Cassian moved closer and gripped my hand and spun me around. He pressed me to his back my head meeting his chest. Both his hands entwined with mine and pressed me closer and calm washed over me. He whispered, “You look beautiful tonight.”

I smiled and shifted my head to see his hazel eyes now soften and his pupils were blown out. “Thank you, Cass.”

He spun me around, so he pressed my chest to his, and his toned arm snaked around my waist. His nose brushed mine, “I wonder though how you would look in red instead of blue.”

The alcohol made me bold because I grinned, “Hmm I wonder how Az would fee-“

Cassian growled, “I don’t want to hear his name out of that pretty little mouth of yours, Princess.”

“Whose name should I say?”

His lips were so close to mine, our breaths intertwining, as he huskily said. “Mine.”

Before I could press my lips to his, Mor tapped his shoulder, “We’re going home, fly me to my apartment?” Cassian pulled away and I instantly missed his warmth.”

“Sure.” He muttered before kissing my head, “Goodnight, Princess.” He turned back to Mor glaring at her, and she only gave him a saccharine smile.

Mor blew a kiss to me before looping her arm in Cassian’s and the duo walked out.

Azriel was beside me in an instant, “She’s a brat.” He murmured and pressed a hand on my back and led me out of Rita’s.

When we reached the Townhome I walked into my room and sat on my bed and looked out at the night sky, hoping to see wings and flashes of red on the horizon.

Chapter 9

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#cassian x reader #cassian acotar #acotar fanfiction #cassian x you #cassian imagine #acotar #cassian fanfic #cassian #cassian fluff

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stormhearty · 26 days

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✨ pairings: eris x reader

🔮 preview: (Y/N) Vanserra was cunning, ambitious, and confident, all wrapped in a beauty that could rival Lady Autumn’s. For forty-nine years, she had been hidden away, in Autumn Court, much like a diamond, waiting for the day she could come out and shine. And so, when the threat of a Death-God loomed over Prythian and Beron slowly became a concern, (Y/N) uses her beauty and intelligence for a ploy bigger than herself — one that included sitting her husband down on the Autumn throne, Eris Vanserra.

📣 trigger warnings: Inner Circle bashing (I love the IC guys, but we’re in Autumn Court territory now)

🔎 rating: PG-13 | 🔏 word count: 5.6k+

💜 masterlist | series masterlist + notes: I thank my lovely nonnie from here for suggesting a Roxana-inspired reader from the manwha, How to Protect the Heroine’s Older Brother! I loved Roxana as a character and I found it very difficult (as many of you know, whom I’ve talked to about this story) to write a character who is cunning and intelligent as my character reference. This series was a beast to write (and I am still writing the other parts of it, so please do be patient) — I wanted it to stay canon as much as possible, but also give a story that would reveal the mysterious nature of Autumn Court. Please do give feedback about the first part of this series! I would love to hear your opinions and thoughts for the next part!

And I thank both @prythianpages & @thesunloveschips for their amazing help with this first part (I apologize to them profusely at times for bothering them)

“Be my eyes, be my ears. Be the wallflower that lurks in the breeze. Be the viper that stings all my enemies. We shall become one, to conquer our shared destiny.”

The burn of the bargain tattoo seared onto your skin, a ring of fire that surrounded your left ring finger. It took you a moment to look at it, admiring the dark ink that stained your skin before much larger hands enveloped yours. Looking up, you stared at familiar amber hues as he slipped the golden band on that finger, hiding the tattoo. Lifting your hand to his lips, he pressed a kiss on your knuckles his smirk widening slightly.

“You will be my secret, (Y/N)… My weapon within the walls of Autumn Court…”

“Do you know who she is, Az?” his High Lord’s voice echoed in his head as hazel eyes focused on the female that seemed to have garnered many lingering gazes.

“I unfortunately do not, Rhys… My shadows do not whisper anything about her. I—-” there was hesitancy in his words, “I didn’t even know she existed.”

The Spymaster was stumped, to say the least.

In his centuries of being Night Court’s Spymaster, wielding shadows to his very will, Azriel had every confidence that he knew everything that happened in Prythian. Nothing was able to pass him nor his shadows — he knew all the intel, the gossip. He knew everything that might be deemed a threat to his court and used that knowledge to his advantage.

But it seemed like something slipped, because there was something… more like someone, that passed his shadows; and that was you who was on the arm of the Autumn Court Heir.

Azriel felt like he should have known you, should have heard the whisper of your existence at least. You were accompanying the Autumn Heir to Winter Solstice, for Mother’s sake! How could someone as vital as you slip passed his shadows.

He waited, waited for those slivers of darkness to whisper something… anything about you. Even just your name, the Spymaster would have been pleased to know.

But nothing.

His shadows lazily moved underneath him, not a care in the world about the female that seemed to have warped his mind in chaos.

You had become an enigma to the Spymaster.

And it was something he would go to the ends of the world to unravel.

He continued silently observing you from his position next to his High Lord on the dias, watching as you pressed yourself close to the Heir side, your hand tucked into the crook of his elbow, leading you through the throughs of people that packed themselves into the grand ballroom. He watched as your rouge dress, a stark contrast to the endless sea of black and blue, swayed around you — like a fire that danced in the darkness of the night. Even Eris stood out in his regality in a similar shade of rouge, Autumn Court colors seeping out from every inch of him.

The two of you maneuvered through the halls like flames blazing through the darkness — and Azriel was worried that you would burn his home down.

And when he watched you lean up to the Heir, whispering something into his ear before a boisterous laugh escaped the Autumn Heir, he sent his shadows across the floor, motioning them to listen in — and all the Spymaster hoped was to get a tidbit of anything relating to you; even just the sound of your voice would have been better than nothing.

However, hazel hues watched as his shadows retreated quickly as they had flocked. And it was only then did Azriel had seen it.

A barrier.

One that was so powerful and so thick that his shadows couldn’t even penetrate. He watched as the tendrils of darkness slithered away, retreating back to their master, hearing their cries of pain as they had attempted to break through the barrier.

That was the reason no one knew of your existence — why Azriel never heard of you, why his shadows never picked up your name.

You were a secret — Autumn Court’s well-kept secret.

The shimmer of the barrier caught the corner of your eye, watching it reflect different colors under the dim lighting. You raised a brow, eyes darting around before noticing the lonesome shadow retreating back to its master. You watched as that lonesome shadow slither through the crowd, slithering back to the Spymaster’s side.

“Did that bastard just —-”

You fought back a chuckle, gently squeezing Eris’ forearm — a silent confirmation about the attempted attack from the Night Court Spymaster. You felt him stiffen underneath your touch and you didn’t need to look to know that the Heir was pissed.

Beneath his mask of well-practiced composure, you felt his body thrum with rage and fire — it swirled and bubbled underneath his skin, radiating up to your palm that rested in the crook of his elbow.

Eris had always been quite overprotective over you, thus the millennial old barrier that had kept your existence a secret from all of Prythian — including from the nosy Spymaster of Night Court.

You were not surprised by the Shadowsinger’s actions — curiosity killed the cat, as many would say. And who wouldn’t be curious about you, the female that hung on the arm of the Autumn Court Heir? You had expected something similar to happen, but it seemed that the Spymaster sending his shadows to investigate you did not sit well with Eris.

No one dared to attack you while in his presence.

“Eris…”

The whisper of his name from your lips paused the rage that bubbled from the Heir — amber hues glancing your way. A delicate smile tugged onto your features, another melodic hum escaping your lips as you reached up and caressed his forearm — a gesture that showed you were perfectly unharmed — the barrier had done its job, keeping you safe. It was a gesture that always seemed to calm Eris down — especially when it came to your safety, a silent confirmation you were safe. You felt that bubble of rage and fire simmer, the Heir calming underneath your touch, and felt his hand slip on top of your own, his thumb gently caressing the gold band on your ring finger— a tall tell sign that he was holding himself back from confronting the Spymaster.

“Ah, Eris!”

Annoyance rolled off from the calm of Eris’ demeanor and you fought all urge to tease the male as you watched from the corner of your eye Keir making his way to the two of you, behind him his daughters in tow.

With a well-practiced smile, Eris gave a bow of his head towards the Steward, you mimicking his actions as surprise tugged on the Steward’s features, his steps paused to a halt at the sight of you at Eris’ side.

“Ah, Keir, pleasure to see you again. I thank you for inviting me to such festivities…” Eris greeted the male with a light smirk tugged onto his features — the normal look of arrogance from the Autumn Heir.

Keir had stiffened at the sound of his name, without any lordship from the Heir, as he bit back a reply with a strained smile, “Of course, Lord Eris. We are indeed partners… I had wanted to introduce you to my daughters—-” the male gestured to his side as his daughters gave a bow, their cheeks pink with a light rose color, evident even in the dim lighting.

You bit back a laugh, glancing up at Eris to watch that smile twitch at the corner of his lips — the annoyance very evident despite his mask of pleasantry.

“Unfortunately…” The Autumn Heir had cut off the Steward, giving the ladies a bow of his head. Eris, no matter what was taught to be a gentleman, especially to females. His mother taught him that. “I do not need a partner tonight for the dance… As you can see, I do have a lovely lady on my arm, and it would be such a shame to ignore her presence… don’t you think, Keir?”

A pleased smile tugged at the edge of your lips at the quip — not only did the Steward ignore greeting you, he had ignored the fact that you… without needing to be announced, would be the one accompanying the Heir for the evening’s festivities. And yet, there he was attempting to set up partnership with one of his daughters.

Keir’s eyes shifted from the Heir to you, his hues shaking as he looked at you.

“My apologizes… my lady, I was not informed that the Autumn Heir would be bringing a partner with him tonight—-”

“—-She has been with me the whole night, Keir… and she has not stepped away from my side. I would think, with your… keen eyesight, it would make it clear that I did not need a partner tonight.”

“—- Ah, yes… I apologize…” the stutter was evident in his tone as he quietly shooed away his daughters, watching longing gazes at the Eris before moving through the crowd. Keir straightened up and gave you a formal smile, before clearing his throat, “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady —- before the festivities start…” What a quick change of subject, “My High Lord would like to speak to you…. if you do not mind following me…”

And with that the Steward turned around, his cape bellowing behind him as he maneuvered his way through the crowd… towards the dias where the Inner Circle had perched themselves for the night.

You watched as Eris rolled his eyes, an annoyed sigh escaping his lips, while you let out an airy laugh, bracing yourself on his arm as you leaned up, your breath against his chin, “Tired of being the most eligible bachelor, Autumn Heir?” you teased him.

It had always amused you on how many marriage proposals Eris had throughout the time you were together, and how many he had thrown those letters into the hearth of your shared bedroom at Autumn Court. You had always teased him about it, much to his own dismay after being with you for several millennials — you always found something to tease him about.

Eris raised a brow, turning his head so that your breaths intermingled, “I had not been a bachelor for centuries, my butterfly… It pains me to pretend that I am every time I step outside Autumn Court.”

You gazed up at him, staring in those amber hues through your lush lashes, “Well… tonight we’ll make that clear, once and for all, won’t we?”

A wide smirk tugged onto his lips, as he let out a satisfied sound before straightening up and guiding you through the crowd, steps behind the Steward to the dias. The two of you were a perfect picture of Lord and Lady, graceful and regal in every way.

Pull… pull… pull…

Eyes snapped towards the dias, your body going ridged for a few moments as you felt the familiar magnetic tug — the call of the blade. Eris paused in mid-step, feeling you go still, his head snapping towards you as eyes betrayed his indifferent expression — worry pooling at its depths. No words needed to be communicated between the two of you, you had known each other for centuries… you were honed into each other’s emotions, habits, gestures… you two could read each other so easily, despite the mask you have learned to put on for centuries.

Your eyes shifted from each member of the Inner Circle, trying to find where the magic pull was coming from, landing on the velvet box that was in the lithe hands of a familiar fae — the eldest Made Archeron sister, Nesta. You felt your magic flicker underneath your skin, answering the pull from that velvet box. You knew that the blade was in that box — the whole reason why you had decided to accompany Eris to the Winter Solstice, stepping out of Autumn Court into the wider world of Prythian, risking your identity, and exposing your person to the Night Court. That box, that blade was your sole reason.

Regaining your composure, you pressed yourself against Eris’ arm, placing your hand on top of his own as you silently motioned him to continue moving forward. The Autumn Heir hesitated, but when he glanced into your eyes and saw the resolution in them, he couldn’t argue. He gently squeezed your hand and started to move forward again before leaning down, pressing a kiss on the side of your head to whisper, “Did you find it? The blade?”

You glanced up at him and just gave him a light smirk, gently squeezing his hand. Another laugh escaped him, drawing attention towards the two before he pressed another kiss on your cheek, “You are magnificent, my butterfly…”

The Autumn wind blew a chilled breeze through the large windows of the Forest House. The sky was still in orange, red, and yellow hues as the moon started to peak over the horizon — the seasonal courts never saw true nightfall, the skies still glittering with their court colors. It had just grown dark enough for sleep to fall on its inhabitants.

Slipping onto the large balcony of your shared bedroom, you pressed your hands against the cool marble railing as you watched a monarch butterfly flutter down from the skies. Magic wrapped its fragile wings as you allowed it to gently perch on your left eye, a sigh escaping your lips as you closed your eyes — allowing its magic to seep into you. Visions passed behind your eyes, your all-seeing gaze shifting from Autumn Court, zipping through the seasonal courts and into the depths of one particular solar court — Night Court.

A rusty hammer struck metal, sparks of light flying into the air as the loud ring echoed in your ears. You watched delicate, yet calloused fingers grip the hilt of a forged blade — a power from those very hands seeping into the metal, one that mimicked the ancient Cauldron, which was lost. The blade breathed fire, one so similar to your own that you felt it pulse, no… push against steel — calling out to you, as if it knew you were waiting, watching from afar.

Shifting your gaze from the mysterious Made blade, your eyes wandered to those fingers, traveling up their arm to their features — the eldest Made Archeron sister. You had heard of the eldest sister of the High Lady of Night, once a human, doused in Cauldron power that made her into fae. Her powers were unknown to all, and yet — here she was, creating a weapon from her unknown powers.

“It looks like she isn’t quite as lovely as the winds have whispered…” you murmured, mirth in your tone as you continued to watch the vision unfold before your eyes.

“Who isn’t as lovely?”

Arms wrapped around your middle, large sturdy hands pressing you against a much sturdier front. Another sigh escaped your lips, eyes fluttering open, breaking the connection of magic as you watched the butterfly disappear in a waft of red and orange mist. Your hand raised, swirling the colors in the air before it dissipated. Twisting your neck, you glanced up at the Autumn Heir, his features illuminated by the colorful autumn sky.

You had always thought he looked ethereal.

His complexion glowed something dark that always stirred something inside of you. How his auburn hair beautifully framed his chiseled features and how his amber hues glowed — his innate fire burning through those irises.

Those amber eyes caught your own, his brow raising as his question was left in the air. A chuckle was pulled out of you at his look, “The eldest Made Archeron…”

Eris’ brows scrunched in confusion, as your comment did little to answer his question. He knew that there was much more hidden behind your simple words about the Made fae, much more than you were willing to tell him without him prodding you more. You lifted a hand to gently smooth Eris’ brows, a feeble attempt at a distraction — for both you and him.

“What did your butterflies show you, (Y/N)?”

Eris was able to read you so easily, no matter how many walls you had put up, the Autumn Heir was able to see right through them. He had learned how to read you for centuries, ever since the two of you were children — ever since that fateful day.

You felt him grasp your hand, tugging it away from his face, giving your palm a caress, causing a sigh to escape your lips.

“She forged a blade that breathed fire, one similar to our own… I do not know the purpose of said blade, but I am quite sure it has to do with that bloody bargain you made with that High Lord…”

It was no secret to Eris that you had despised that bargain between the High Lord of Night — a bargain to help him claim the Autumn throne from his father. You understood that it was under stressful circumstances — the looming doom of war with Hybern, needing allies during the war. However, you had known that Eris didn’t need that bargain, not with anyone within the Forest House walls, especially not with pesky Night Court bats — not when he had you to help with the coup within Autumn wards.

You needed no help from overgrown bats with what you had promised Eris all those millennials ago.

“(Y/N)…” he called your name, pulling you from your thoughts. Eris held your waist and turned you in his arms, pushing you against that marble railing, forcing you to look up at him.

Raising a brow, you tilted your head up at him.

“If they made a blade for us… then we’ll use it — take advantage of it,” he asserted, “Let’s play into their little game for now. Make them think they’re on higher ground, that they have control — but when in reality, we’ve always known. And you never know…” A smirk tugged on his lips as he leaned down, his breath brushing against the apples of your cheeks, “That blade might be useful for our plan…”

A light, airy chuckle escaped your lips, “You’re asking me, Eris… out of all things… to act dumb in front of those bats?” amusement laced in your tone.

He chuckled as well, pressing his lips against your cheek, “I’m asking you, my butterfly… is to act dumb with me. We do better everything together, right?”

You hummed, eyes fluttering close, your lashes brushing against his cheeks. Your arms slid up his more muscular ones, hidden beneath his sleeping tunic, wrapping your arms around his neck, pressing yourself against him, “Then that means, Autumn Heir… you will have to bring me to that Winter Solstice ball if you want me to act with you.”

Eris froze underneath your touch at the mention of Winter Solstice. He had mentioned it a few times to you in the past several weeks — especially when Keir kept sending secret correspondence, begging him to join the festivities. The correspondences had annoyed Eris completely, any chance the Heir had was to verbalize his annoyance to you about it — and you had been very amused to hear it each time. You were to let him go on his own to the Court of Nightmares — it was something you didn’t need to be a part of. You could remain in Autumn, continue to secretly monitor his father and brothers, gain followers, and be the wallflower that you have always acted as.

But, with this newfound information and the idea of the Night Court using the bargain against Eris, you knew you couldn’t just be passive with the invitation.

Opening your eyes, you looked up at Eris who had a conflicting look — you knew why he had been so hesitant.

You had never stepped outside of Autumn Court — no one knew of your existence outside of the Court. Despite being in Autumn Court for millennials, Prythian didn't know, the other Courts didn’t know of you. And yet, you were willing to sacrifice your identity, your role in his bigger plan to gain something as simple as a blade that a Cauldron Made Fae made.

Eris didn’t like the idea, it didn’t sit well in his thoughts.

Reaching up, you pressed your thumb between his brows, smoothing the skin there, “You will get wrinkles at this point, Eris…” you mumbled, eyes focusing on the skin there before catching his gaze, “I have done everything I can here, Eris…” your words were cryptic, you knew Eris would understand — you couldn’t risk it, not when the walls, trees, the winds in Autumn would listen and give away your plan.

“… I have asked you to use me, Eris. All those millennials ago, on that day… so use me. Make me the weapon I made myself into. I can't help you now if I'm in Autumn —-”

Sure, you had been the one to limit your influence solely on Autumn Court, but if Prythian called, then you are willing to step into the larger world.

Your eyes showed your determination, your willingness to devote your entirety to him as you've done for years.

A reluctant sigh escaped his lips as he forcibly pressed his lips on your forehead, “Alright. I will bring you… but you must remain by my side the whole night. No one will rip you away from me..”

An amused chuckle escaped your chest, leaning up to press your lips against his pulse, “So overprotective, Autumn Heir. It sounds like you're too fond of me…”

You felt Eris shake his head at your teasing, tugging you closer before maneuvering you back into your shared room for the night.

The bellow of Keir’s introduction pulled you out of your thoughts, watching the older male give a sweeping bow — overdramatic and with flair — his words of congratulations echoing throughout the large ballroom, the citizens echoing the same sentiments. As the elder male stepped aside, you stepped up along with the Autumn Heir, giving an elegant curtsy, while Eris gave a regal bow at his waist.

“And allow me to extend our congratulations, High Lady of Night, on behalf of my father and the entirety of Autumn Court…” Eris bellowed, his voice of regality, “A Fae child being conceived, what a miraculous announcement to give during Winter Solstice…”

You drowned out the conversation between Eris and the High Lord, barely focusing on the pageantry between them. It was rare for you to be so out of focus on the situation. Normally, you were in tune with your surroundings, focused on the now; however, all you and your magic could focus on was the call of the blade that thrummed inside that velvet box. You watched as lithe fingers grip the box tighter, and your eyes shifted to the eldest Archeron sister

“—- Before you go, Eris…” your delicate ears perked up, eyes shifting back to the High Lord who waved his hand allowing a dark wind to carry that velvet box through the air, handing it into Eris’ awaiting hand, “I offer you a gift, a solstice gift. A friendly token… between a High Lord to a future High Lord…”

Eris’ gripped the box tight in his large hand as you felt the muscles underneath regal clothes grow taunt.

A quip, from the High Lord. A disguised reminder of the bargain between the two of them.

Gently squeezing Eris’ forearm, you urged him to open the box, to ignore the jab from the older male. You felt those muscles relax underneath your squeeze, his mask of indifference returning onto his features as he opened the velvet box.

Inside that box, laid on plush pillows, was an ornate dagger — it was roughly the size of the Heir’s forearm, its handle weaved from iron as if it was cloth, an intricate design of wood and fire etched onto the metal.

One that was similar to the vision that you had seen weeks ago.

Eris picked up the blade by its serpentine handle, raising it, and watched the silver and jewels shine in the dim lighting. It was a beautiful blade — much more than you had seen in that vision. From the corner of your eye, the two of you locked gazes a light smirk tugging on his lips before the air around him flickers.

Eris’ magic throbbed in the air, as you watched flames appear around the blade — surprised screams echoed around you, as all eyes were on the pair of you — the center of attention. Eyes glanced at the Inner Circle, watching the guard dogs step in front of their masters to protect them, your keen gaze watching how the Captain pulled the eldest sister in his arms. A curious brow raised before you gazed back at Eris as he poured his power into that blade, disappearing into the silver in a flash of bright light.

A groan escaped the Autumn Heir, his head tilting back, a long breath escaping grinning lips. It took a moment’s breath before he regained his composure, rolling his shoulders back before his gaze returned to the blade, turning the blade in his hand as the metal changed, the color from a simple silver to a dark black — an obsidian color that swallowed up the light. A mixture of auburn and saffron tinted the onyx-colored blade, changing the way the light hit it — a blade mimicked a dark fire, swirling underneath the dim light.

Eris flipped the blade, holding it by the blade as he turned his body, facing you and staring at you with those brightly colored hues — flame and light within those irises — handling the blade to you, a nudge of his chin, gesturing you to take the blade.

A light chuckle escaped your lips, fighting the urge for your knees to buckle at the look on the Heir’s features — it was an alluring look on him, the power that raged in his eyes, in his veins — as your gaze shifted down the column of his throat and followed the patterns of his auburn suit to the blade in his hand. With lithe fingers, you grasped the hilt and you felt a shiver run up your spine — the mix of Eris’ power along with the power that already surged through the metal, Nesta’s power — no… the Cauldron’s power — was intoxicating. The call and pull of the magic that pulsed in the blade was strong and you felt your own magic answer the call, causing you to tilt your head slightly as you stared down at the blade, your magic pulsing underneath your skin.

What a dangerous weapon… You thought as you shifted slightly out of Eris’ hold to move the slit on your skirt, where an empty sheath was strapped onto your leg, sliding the blade into its new home — a perfect fit.

“I had been meaning to ask…” The High Lord’s voice reached your delicate ears as you glanced up, fingers trailing up your thigh before pressing yourself close to the Autumn Heir again.

“Who are you?”

Eris gently squeezed your waist, as you stepped out of his hold and you gave a sweeping curtsy, one as dramatic as Kier’s earlier.

“Late introductions, I apologize, High Lord of Night…” your tone had mirth and sarcasm tied underneath a layer of elegance and regality, “My name is (Y/N)… (Y/N) Vanserra.”

You glanced up at the High Lord through your lashes, watching his façade of arrogance and boredom shift into surprise — his face showing his thoughts:

Vanserra? Beron does not have any daughters.

Nor did he take up a second wife.

Vanserra? On the arm of the Autumn Heir…

Bright violet hues glanced between you and the Autumn Heir that stood behind you, before locking onto your gaze — your colored hues staring into violet hues. In defiance, you tilted your head up, as you straightened from your curtsy.

And that’s when you felt it — those tendrils of his powers creep near your mind, you couldn’t help but frown, your body stiffening, your hand gripping your gown tighter.

In your entire lifespan, you have never encountered a Daemati — especially one as strong as the High Lord; you had thought that the barrier would protect you from such intrusion of your mind, but it seemed, even that was futile against the power of a High Lord Daemanti.

Not breaking your eye connection with the High Lord, your eyes glowed an eerie ruby hue as you focused on that tether, that connection that he forged between your minds, to those coils of darkness that invaded your mind.

How. Dare. He.

And with a flick of your wrist, your mind grew walls of flame, surrounded by fire hounds who growled and attacked those shadows — successfully pushing him out of your mind. You heard a faint yell from the High Lord, and you saw his hands sear with flames, his hands combusting as he frantically tried to pat it down on his leathers. However, the feeling of lightheadedness started to cloud your mind, and you teetered on your heels before you felt Eris’ arms wrap around your waist, pressing your back against his chest. Eyes pinched close, panting, fighting off the heaviness you felt throughout your body.

It had been simple enough, you had thought, to push the High Lord’s power from your mind — but it seemed you had used too much power, in such a quick second that your delicate stature was giving up. Your mind grew hazy, spots of darkness appeared in your vision and you fought every urge to just pass out right there that you barely noticed the commotion that surrounded you.

Feeling Eris’ grip on you tighten as you heard him growl, “Did you just try to get into my wife’s head, Rhysand?! How fucking dare you!”

That had fully ticked off the Autumn Heir. Not only did the Spymaster attempt to attack you from afar, but now the High Lord tried to invade your mind. Two attempts at your life were too much for one night for Eris — and he threw his well-practiced self-control out the window.

Shrieks from the onlookers reached your ears as you peeked an eye open, noticing a bright light that illuminated the dark room. Heat radiated onto your skin, feeling Eris bring you closer to him, protecting you from the ring of fire that surrounded the both of you, separating the two of you from the Inner Circle. Blinking the haziness from your mind, you watched through the flames as the General and Shadowsinger stood in front of the High Lord and Lady, weapons drawn against the two of you.

“Eris…” you breathed out, grasping his Autumn colored suit, “Calm down…”

His head whipped towards you, that fiery gaze staring down at you, “But he tried to invade your mind, (Y/N)…”

A confirmed hum escaped your throat, straightening yourself in his hold, “I know… But I got him out. That’s all that mattered… And don’t blame the barrier,” you panted, blinking away the spots at the corner of your eyes, “His power is immune to it I guess…”

You stared up at him, your scarlet hues dimming back to your normal colored ones. Amber hues stared into them, assessing your condition, hesitation marred his features.

“Bring down the flames, Eris….” you softly commanded him.

His eyes flickered between you and the Inner Circle before he followed that command, the ring of fire flickering until it had gone out. You did not bother to appear composed — you could appear fragile — play into the heartstrings of the citizens of Hewn City.

The High Lord of Night Court attempted to invade the mind of Autumn Court Heir’s wife.

Word would spread throughout all of Prythian — sympathy and pity would be whispered your way while scrutinizing words would be thrown towards the High Lord.

Even if you despise showing such vulnerability to anyone let alone the Inner Circle, you can use it to your advantage.

You pressed yourself closer to Eris, playing the soft wife that just got attacked by a High Lord. Eris’ arms wrapped around you, as he bared his teeth against the Inner Circle.

“You attempt to attack my wife in your Court, Rhysand, and yet you have your dogs try to protect you? We have not laid a finger against you nor your Court, and you have weapons drawn against us,” anger vibrated in Eris’ tone. He knew how to play your games, he knew exactly how to play them with you — and yet the anger, the fury that lurked in his features were genuine, “You have no damn right to try to lurk in our heads, even if you are a High Lord.”

The General and the Spymaster shifted in their stance, their eyes foggy before stepping aside to reveal Rhysand, cradling his now scarred hands — that was what he got for trying to attack you in front of his people.

“…I…”

“I do not accept your apology if you ever were to have one, High Lord…” surprise tugging onto his features at your declaration, “Myself and my husband arrived on Night Court soil as guests, and yet we are treated as enemies. I have done nothing to you to cause you to try to invade my mind.”

Whispers surrounded you, words of ill-intent for their High Lord reaching your sensitive ears.

She’s right. They have done nothing to them, and yet he tried to hurt her.

The Autumn Heir had every right to act the way he did. It was to protect his wife from Rhysand.

I never did like him… He has trapped us here in the Mountain while he and his people live in Valeris.

He’s nothing but a hypocrite. He says that he welcomes all, but he hurts others as he sees fit.

You fought back a smirk, staring at the High Lord as his features flickered — his mind racing on trying how to turn the situation back to his favor. But you knew, both of you knew, it was too late for him to do anything.

Things have turned in your favor, much like you had hoped.

“I have no need to stay for the festivities any longer, Rhysand. You have attacked my wife twice in one night, your Shadowsinger earlier tonight and now you. I do not feel safe within the walls of your Court and I do not feel safe for my wife’s safety either…”

With a growl escaping his throat, he gently maneuvered you into his arms, lifting you bridal style, turning on his heels as he stepped out of the Court of Nightmares, the crowd parting to make way for him as flames surrounded the both of you. You felt him pause mid-step, and you glanced up at him with a raise of your brow. Eris looked down at you, his face contemplating for a moment before he looked over his shoulder, back at Rhysand.

“—-And the bargain between us is over High Lord… Especially after tonight. No one dares to hurt my wife in my presence.”

The Autumn Heir winnowed the both of you out of Night Court in a flash of fire and light.

And back into the depths of Autumn Court.

👑 General Tag List: @prythianpages @strangelygreat

🕯️Series Tag List: @imma-too-many-fandoms @assriels @kiarathace

#acotar fanfiction #acotar x reader #a court of thorns and roses #acotar fic #eris vanserra x reader #eris vanserra #eris acotar #eris x reader #eris vandaddy #autumn court #( .series : bleeding crowns )

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lyssasdrafts · 4 months

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— AFTERGLOW 🦇🌟

azriel x reader smau!

status: completed!

pairing: azriel x reader, slight eris x reader

includes: humor, angst, fluff, modern au, coffee shop au, college/university au, strangers to lovers (for azriel x reader), childhood friends to lovers (for eris x reader)

description: being a childhood friend of the archerons and vanserras; you happen to keep running into a certain member of the inner circle at velaris university, but pursuing a new relationship with someone else is hard when you struggle with commitment issues from your first love.

content warning: contains themes of azriel’s canonically toxic family life, mentioned/implied homophobia for mor’s arc (chapters containing these will have a warning)

00 profiles: y/n’s group exiles cafe inner circle

001: “ i blew things out of proportion ”

002: “ i pinned your hands behind your back ”

003: “ thought i had reason to attack ”

004: “ fighting with a true love ”

005: “ boxing with no gloves ”

006: “ this ultraviolet morning light ”

007: “ chemistry ‘til it blows up ”

008: “ tells me this love is worth the fight ”

009: “ tell me that you’re still mine ”

010: “ why’d i have to break what i love so much? ”

011: “ it’s all me, in my head… ”

012: “ i’m sorry that i hurt you ”

013: “ but it’s not what i meant ”

014: “ i don’t wanna lose this with you ”

015: “ just wanna lift you up, not let you go ”

016: “ i lived like an island ”

017: “ tell me that it’s not my fault ”

018: “ i don’t wanna do this to you ”

019: “ i’m the one who burned this down ”

020: “ just don’t go ”

021: “ meet me in the afterglow ”

bonus chapters:

002.5: “ who’s that barista guy? ”

013.5: “ why are you calling me your babygirl? ”

021.5: “ the wedding ”

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clockwork-ashes · 2 months

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All You Have Is Your Fire - Part IV

Find Part I here :)

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

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

Tag List: @anishake

Part V >>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You are mine.

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

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

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

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

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

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tsunami-of-tears · 6 days

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But Daddy I Love Her

Mor x Vanserra!Reader

A/N: IMO this is some of my best writing yet. Thank you to the anon who requested some angst with Mor. I’ve been wanting to write some more sapphic stuff, so this was fun 💕 Also thank you to @daycourtofficial for being my sounding board ✨ As you can tell I didn’t go with either title option we discussed 😘

Wordcount: 4.4K

Warnings: Fem!Reader; Angst; Beron being Beron; Controlling father dynamic; visit to the Court of Nightmares; coming out; canon homophobia + patriarchal bullsh!t.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧

Reader

Your father was a complex character, to say the least.

He was every bit the callous ruler that he portrayed to the world, but inside his blackened, hateful heart there was a soft spot. You. His only daughter.

While your brothers were pitted against each other and forced to fight for his approval, you couldn’t do much wrong.

He was protective of you to a fault. So much so, that you were never allowed to court anyone. No one was good enough for his precious pup. Not that you were very interested in males anyway, having grown up with a litter of brothers. You found males irritating at the best of times, and utterly repulsive at the worst.

You were closest to Beron’s eldest and youngest sons – Eris and Lucien. They were very protective of you too, but in more of an annoying way. They always had your best interests at heart.

You were never allowed out of the Forest House unsupervised. Adventuring with your brothers was the only time you got let off your leash. You could run with the hounds, fish in the stream with Lucien or just simply be – relaxing under a tree, reading aloud to Eris.

You often dreamed of a world where you were free. Free from your father’s strict rule. Free to do as you please. Free to be whoever you wanted to be.

But alas, this was not a world for the dreamers.

————

The conflict with Hybern was drawing nearer and your father was summoned to attend a meeting with the six other High Lords of Prythian.

Your entire family was to attend, to showcase the strength of Beron’s brood.

You enter the meeting room together, sticking close to Eris and trying to seem confident, bored even. You keep your head held high, ignoring your brothers’ sneers beside you.

“Enough” Eris murmurs, calling all three brothers in line.

You take in the grand room around you, and the wealth of power convened within.

You recognise most faces from Under the Mountain but some were new to you, their allegiance given away by the shades of midnight blue and black that they wore - the Night Court. The Court that your father despises the most. The Court you were raised to hate.

The High Lord, Rhysand, sat with a casual grace, his great taloned wings stretched out behind him. Beside him was his High Lady, Feyre - the saviour of Prythian - in a glittering dress that looked like it was made of pure starlight.

They were a beautiful couple, and you wonder how evil the male could truly be if he proclaimed his wife as his equal, something that had never been done in all of Prythian’s history.

The rulers of the Night Court meet your curious gaze; for a second there is understanding on their faces and you have to remind yourself not to smile.

You break their stare and your eyes flit over two more winged males and a female who shared the same golden hair and blue-grey eyes as Feyre before they settled on a blonde female.

To describe her as breathtaking would be an understatement.

She needed no introduction. Not with the rage upon her face as she watched your family, the pure venom in her eyes.

The Morrigan.

You’d never met the female your eldest brother was formerly betrothed to, and he never spoke about her.

Morrigan’s fury wanes as she looks at you. For a moment you can see behind the mask she was wearing. You can feel the pain underneath, you can see the love for her family and her Court. Only for a moment before she built that wall back up again, sealing herself within.

You knew her anger towards your family was justified and you couldn’t help but empathise with that. Like so many women, your mother included, she’d been dealt a losing hand.

You successfully kept your eyes off Morrigan for the remainder of the meeting, remembering the role you had to play – the shy, pretty pawn of the Autumn Court.

If you failed at this game, the results would be devastating.

————

After the meeting ended so terribly, you were hiding out in Eris’s quarters, avoiding the path of Beron’s temper. The pair of you were curled up in front of the crackling fire with Clove, your favourite hound, asleep in your lap.

Eris has been quiet since returning from the Dawn Court. His mind was surely racing after the encounter with her.

You turn towards your brother slowly, breaking the silence, “You never mentioned how beautiful she is. You never speak about her at all.”

Eris knew exactly who you meant. “What’s there to say?” He shrugs, “She’s free from the burden of being with me in this festering court.”

“You think so low of yourself, Eris. Someone will be very fortunate to have you doting on them one day.”

Eris wraps his arm around you and kisses the top of your head affectionately. “Until then it’s just you and me, bright spark.”

You smile at his nickname for you, one he gave you when you were just a faeling. “Don’t forget Clove!” You exclaim, ruffling the hound’s coat.

————

In the months following the final battle against Hybern, Eris spent a lot of time in the Night Court, working to secure a strong alliance for Autumn.

Eris was about to head off again, to a ball at the infamous Court of Nightmares.

You hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Morrigan.

You needed to see her again, but she’d never step foot in Autumn.

You’d have to go to her.

By the grace of the Cauldron, Beron said yes to you attending the ball with Eris. You were both so stunned by his answer, that you were lost for words. Before dismissing you both, your father had one order for Eris: Do not let her out of your sight.

And so you found yourself in the Night Court, deep inside the Court of Nightmares.

You did your best to bite down on your anxiety as you walked up the dimly lit hallway leading to the ballroom. The intricate carvings of beasts on the walls only add to your feeling of unease.

You breeze through the large doors, arm-in-arm with your brother. The two of you are the epitome of Autumn.

Eris wears a suit in a deep burgundy colour, much like the spiced wine you drink to warm your belly on a crisp evening. Your gown of burnt orange swishes around you as you walk, the sequins catching in the faelights, twinkling like the embers of a dwindling fire.

All eyes turn to you as you walk down the aisle, but you don’t notice them.

All you see is her, and that golden thread connecting your souls, sealing your fate.

Oh no.

Oh no no no.

Panic floods your veins as you realise who you’re walking towards.

Your mate.

Your brother’s ex-fiancé. Your father’s enemy.

Not her, it can’t be her.

Not here, with so many people watching.

Your feet slow to a stop halfway to the dais and you turn to Eris. Concern flickers on his face - he can sense something is wrong, he has no idea just how bad it is.

You drop his arm, mouthing ‘I’m sorry’, before disappearing into the air.

You don’t know where you’re headed or what you will do next. All you know is you need to leave. Now. And get someone safe.

The thought, somewhere safe, echoes through your mind as you appear in a clearing atop a mountain.

The sun had just dipped below the horizon, making the sky glow a brilliant shade of orange. The air is cold against your skin, and you rub your hands on your biceps in an attempt to regain some warmth. In moments like these, you are thankful for the fire within your veins.

You look around, attempting to glean your location. You spot a cabin on the other side of the clearing. As you turn towards it, the front door swings open. An invitation.

You approach the open door and wonder if there’s a spell on the cabin, tricking you into a false sense of safety to lure you inside to your death.

You glance around, the only movement you spy is the rustling of leaves in the wind.

You peek inside and see the small dwelling is well-maintained, but there doesn’t appear to be anyone home. It looks comfortable and homey, with whimsical paintings of vines and flowers framing the door.

Whatever is inside that cabin can’t be worse than the wrath you surely face back in Autumn, so you step over the threshold.

————

Rhysand

Rhys watches intently as his guests from Autumn walk towards the dais.

Eris is his usual cocky self, strutting beside his sister. Every bit the High Lord’s heir. Y/N looks like a living fire, glowing as she walks beside her brother. Despite being siblings, there were clear differences between the two fae. Unlike Eris, who Rhys found to be insufferable at times, Y/N had a kind warmth to her. A sweetness that somehow hadn’t been soured by her father over the years.

She was like the flames that dance in a hearth. The kind of fire used to warm a home or cook a comforting meal that chases away the cold and loneliness.

Of course, those flames could still burn you if you got too close.

Y/N stops in the middle of the room. Her eyes not moving from Rhys’s cousin, stood beside his throne.

‘Something is wrong,’ Feyre says into his mind.

Rhys quickly throws a glamour over his guests, shielding them and his Inner Circle from the rest of his court.

Rhys glances at Mor, whose eyes are glued to the flame incarnate before her.

The expression on Y/N’s face is pure terror as she disappears into a cloud of smoke.

Eris grabs at the wisps of darkness but it’s too late. Y/N is gone. His eyes are filled with panic as he turns back to Rhys.

“You Vanserras love to put on a show.” Rhys drawls. “How did she get out past the wards?”

Eris rakes his fingers through his hair, tousling the slicked strands. “I don’t know. I didn’t even know she could winnow.”

Rhys clicks his tongue, “It seems the little fox was hiding some tricks.”

Eris looks Rhys in the eye. “We need to find her,” He says.

Rhys raises a brow at the Autumn heir. “We?”

“Beron will kill us all if she’s gone missing. His only order was not to let her out of my sight.” Eris shakes his head in shock.

‘Azriel, go. See if your shadows can find her.’ Rhys orders his spymaster mind-to-mind before the male vanishes into the shadows.

“If she’s still in this court, we’ll find her,” Rhys says calmly, expertly masking his concern that the Jewel of Autumn vanished while in his court. “Let’s go, we can continue this little chat somewhere without an audience.” He rises to his feet, dropping the shield and addressing his court. “I’m afraid I have to leave you to play amongst yourselves. Keir, don’t make too much trouble while I’m gone.”

Rhys strides out of the ballroom with Feyre by his side. Eris follows behind closely with Cassian and Mor on his tail.

————

Once out of view, Rhys takes Eris’s hand and winnows him to the Moonstone Palace on top of the mountain. Rhys heads straight to one of the living rooms, opting for somewhere more comfortable to continue the conversation. He silently requests Nuala bring up a tea service as he sits comfortably in one of the plush armchairs.

Eris slumps down in the chair opposite Rhys, rubbing his temples. His complexion has paled to a colour much like the white stone walls of the palace. Eris’s usual swagger and charm disappeared with his sister.

“I shouldn’t have agreed to bring her,” Eris sighs, hands ruffling his red hair.

“I’m surprised Beron let her out of the palace,” Rhys admits. As much as he detests the male, he can’t help but feel sorry for him.

“No one is more surprised than me,” Eris says. “She was the one who asked to come. When Y/N really wants something, not even my father can say no.” Eris smiles softly, as if picturing his sister’s compelling arguments.

Rhys nods in thanks to Nuala as she sets down a tea service. He starts pouring a cup for Eris as he turns towards him. “What happened then?” Rhys asks. “Y/N looked as if she’d seen a ghost.”

“The bond snapped,” a female voice says from the doorway.

Both Rhys and Eris’s eyes snap to Mor as she strides across the room and sits across from them on the sofa.

“What bond? And who with?” Cassian asks from behind her.

“With me,” Mor says quietly.

Rhys can’t keep the shock from his face. “But you’re…” He trails off, gesturing at Mor’s figure.

Mor just sighs, “Cousin, I’ve always known that I preferred the company of females. That’s why he, you know.” She risks a glance at Eris who is meticulously masking his real feelings as he sips on his tea.

“Cauldron, I didn’t think I was that bad,” Cassian jokes.

Mor rolls her eyes and nods her head towards Eris. “He knew. That’s why he didn’t touch me. That day on the autumn border, Eris gave me my freedom. I let you believe him to be horrible because I wasn’t ready to embrace that part of myself, truthfully I’m still not.” Feyre places her hand on Mor’s arm as she makes her admission.

“We’d never judge you for that, Mor,” Rhys says sincerely.

“It’s been instilled in me since I was a faeling, the fear is not something one forgets easily,” Mor shrugs.

“When did it snap for you?” Eris asks, his face still void of emotion.

“At the High Lord’s meeting,” Mor responds. “That’s the only reason I came today, hoping to see her again. I know Beron would never let her be with me, but I still had some shred of hope. Clearly, he’s poisoned her view of me…”

“He hasn’t,” Eris interrupts. “You’re not a frequent topic of conversation, and Y/N never asked about you until after that meeting. She never said, but I suspect it’s why she wanted to come today. In some ways, she’s lucky that she’s been so sheltered. She’s still kind. She saw how all of you acted that day, she saw through the masks. My father’s only weakness is her. Beron is completely blind where Y/N is involved. He will start a war if we don’t find her.”

“We’ll find her,” Rhys says. “Do you have any idea where she would go?”

Eris rubs his chin as he contemplates. “She doesn't ever go anywhere unsupervised. She loves being in the forest, but there’s no way she could transport herself that far.”

“I’ve got Azriel searching,” Rhys says. “There’s not much more you can do right now. You can stay here, I’ll show you to your suite.”

Eris nods, “Thank you, but if you think I will sleep while my baby sister is missing, you are sorely mistaken.”

Rhys smirks back at the male. “Oh I know, but this way you can sulk in private.”

————

Eris

Eris is pacing in his room when there’s a soft knock on the door. He exhales before opening the door to the blonde female in the hall. Eris folds his arms across his chest and inclines his head, inviting her inside.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell them the truth,” Mor says. “I’ve been lying to myself for so long, I’d convinced myself that part of me didn’t exist.”

“There’s always got to be a villain, I understand why you did it. But thank you for apologising.”

“This bond... It is not going to go well with your father.”

Eris nods, agreeing with her. “We’ll deal with that later. When I’m High Lord, you’ll be welcome in Autumn again, if you ever wish to return.”

“Will you have me over for tea?” Mor scoffs. “I don’t know how this will work with Y/N or if she even wants it. But I’d like to try if she does.”

Eris straightens defensively. “I’ll support whatever will make her happy,” He says.

The pair stand in silence for a few moments before Eris smiles sadly, shaking his head. “I should’ve known,” He laughs. “When she was a child, she never wanted me to play as a prince, we both were princesses… As she grew, she never took much interest in courting anyone. If Beron had forbade me or my brothers there would’ve been a riot on his hands. But Y/N was never phased by it. Truthfully, I think she was relieved.”

Mor returns his smile. “I’m glad she has you. We’ll find her, don’t worry too much.”

————

Reader

In the cabin, you stare at the eyes on the wall. You would know them anywhere.

You knew your mate had been here, maybe it was even her cabin. Deep down, your heart knew you’d be safe here.

You feel so tired, right to your core. You didn’t know you could winnow, your leash had been so tight you never even tried. Mother knows how far you just travelled.

A steaming cup of tea appears in your hands, the scent of cinnamon and chamomile reminding you of home. Somehow, the cabin knew what would calm you down.

You pull a blanket around your shoulders and sit on the lounge, worn with decades of use, admiring the colourful paintings adorning the walls and every surface. You can tell this place is well-loved, and many happy moments have been spent here.

Exhaustion nags at you and you fight your drooping lids until you can’t any longer. You slip into the darkness of sleep, wrapped in the blanket, with your mate watching over you.

————

You’re woken by a cool sensation on your ankle. You look down and see a wisp of shadows wreathing around. It circles a few times before disappearing into the air.

It’s early in the morning, the first light creeping over the mountains outside. You’re still wearing your ball gown, the fabric creased from your slumber.

Your head spins as you remember the events of the night before.

‘How long have I been sleeping? Oh gods, Eris must be going out of his mind…’

A sharp knock on the door pulls you from your thoughts.

You stand slowly, stretching your stiff limbs and go to answer it – for a moment you forget it’s not your house.

One of Rhys’s winged friends stands on the porch. “Y/N, are you okay?” He looks you up and down, taking in your dishevelled hair and wrinkled dress. “You’re not injured? And how did you get inside?”

“I’m okay, I guess. The door opened for me. It felt safe.”

The male nods, “Eris is worried about you, I’ve just let Rhys know I found you and you’re unharmed.”

“Thank you,” You say.

“Mor wants to speak to you, is that okay?”

You nod in answer, “Yeah, we probably need to have a chat.”

“She’ll be here soon, can I get you anything?” He offers.

You shake your head, pulling the blanket further around you.

“Okay, stay inside, she’ll be here soon.”

————

Eris

Keeping to his word, Eris didn’t sleep at all. He was watching the sunrise breaking over the mountains when he heard a knock at the door. “Come in,” Eris calls out.

Rhys enters the room. “Azriel found her, she’s safe, Mor has gone to bring her back.”

Every cell Eris was tensing is released at Rhys’s words. He tries to roll his shoulders but they are stiff after a tense night.

“Are you sure that’s the best idea?” Eris asks. “She ran because of the mating bond.”

“Mor wanted to speak to her privately. They are the only ones who understand.”

Eris nods, feeling relieved that his sister has been found. He’ll be able to rest once he lays eyes on her again. “Thank you, for helping,” He says.

Rhys waves a hand dismissively. “It does work in my favour to return her safely,” Rhys drawls. “But I would do it anyway.” He turns to leave, “You should eat something, it’s been a long night and we have much to discuss now.”

————

Reader

You do your best to freshen up while you wait. You smooth out your hair and change into some fresh clothes summoned by the cabin – a soft v-neck camisole, cropped at the navel and flowing harem pants, more skin than you’ve ever shown outside your bathing room. The matching set is a brilliant shade of forest green that perfectly complements your hair.

A knock sounds on the door, announcing your mate's arrival.

“Hello Morrigan,” you say stiffly, unsure where to look or where to put your hands. You settle with holding them clasped at your front to stop their trembling.

“Just Mor if you like, can we talk?”

You nod and sit across from each other, the air hangs heavily around you.

Mor sighs, breaking the tense silence. “I guess it snapped for you?”

You nod, the words not making it past your lips.

“This is a cruel twist of fate,” She laughs darkly, leaning forward on her knees.

“Do you not want it?” You ask, trying to hide the hurt in your voice.

“No,” Mor answers quickly. “That’s not what I meant. With my history and our fathers, I don’t see how it could work.”

Why beat around the bush, you suppose? “What happened, with my brother?”

Mor looks at you curiously. “He never told you?”

You shake your head.

“We were amicable, not quite friends, never lovers. I confided in him about my preference for–” She waves at you. “Female companionship… and that I didn’t want to be someone’s wife. Of course, my father had other plans. I ruined them by… sullying myself, and my father dumped me on the border of your court. I’ll spare you the grizzly details right now, but your brother gave me my freedom. I wasn’t ready to tell people the truth, so I let my friends believe Eris to be a monster. In truth, I was the monster all along.”

You allow her candid words to wash over you. What your brother had done, allowing himself to be the villain when nothing was further from the truth.

You stand, moving to sit closer to Mor.

“I never believed the things Beron said about you,” You admit, looking into Mor’s warm brown eyes. Eyes that are full of hope.

“I know that I’m sheltered, but I see the way he treats people. Even my brothers, Lucien especially. I do love him as a father, but as a person… he is awful. I long for the day when Eris takes over Autumn, and I can finally be free. Until then, I will dream of a better world.”

A tear falls from the corner of Mor’s eye and you rest a hand on her knee.

You steady your breathing before continuing, “I’ve never had much interest in males and never allowed myself to consider alternatives. I’d like to try this, if you want to. I know courting in secret will be difficult, but I’m willing to give it a go. I’m ready to start building the world I’ve been dreaming of.”

Tears stream down Mor’s face and she pulls you into a hug. You savour the moment and for the first time, you allow yourself to hope.

————

“ERIS!” You call out, running towards your brother and jumping into his arms.

He catches you easily, wrapping his arms around you. “I was so worried, bright spark,” He says softly into your hair.

“I know. I’m sorry to do that to you. I panicked. I didn’t even mean to winnow, it just happened.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay. But maybe don’t show that trick to anyone else,” Eris puts you down and stands back, taking in your appearance. “It seems this court suits you, Y/N,” He smiles. “Come now,” he extends his arm for you to take, “We’ve got business to discuss with Rhysand. We need to figure out something official so that Father will let you return here with me.” He winks as he walks you to meet with the High Lord.

————

You’re convinced your brother is a genius.

He told your father that you and the High Lady got on well and that your presence allowed him and Rhys to get on with business while the females ‘talk about fashion and whatever else they like to discuss.’

You had batted your lashes at your father, insisting that the High Lady needed some help with fae etiquette and that she was seeking your help on how to be a proper lady.

Beron scoffed at the thought of the ‘wild human harlot’ ever being considered a lady, but he couldn’t say no to your wide-doe eyes. Especially not when Eris mentioned that the friendship could give Autumn more sway in political discussions.

Eris winnowed you both to Rhysand’s Moonstone Palace for your regular ‘meeting’, where Rhys, Feyre and Mor were waiting for you.

Mor looks ethereal under the starry night sky. Her hair flows like liquid gold in soft waves down her back. Her dress is a deep wine red, paying homage to your home court and hugs her curves perfectly. Your eyes linger on her figure for a few moments before moving back to her face.

Thank you, Mother.

Rhys steps forward. “Welcome back, we won’t be staying in the Court of Nightmares this time,” He explains. “We thought it was time to show you our true home.”

Feyre smiles warmly, her eyes twinkle with anticipation.

Rhys takes Eris’s hand and Mor takes yours, winnowing you into the sky above a sparkling city.

Wind rushes around you as you free-fall. The stone floor of the balcony getting closer and closer until it hits your feet. You steady yourself, feeling grateful for your fae reflexes.

Still holding Mor’s hand, she leads you to the balcony's edge. You look out at the city sprawling below you, alive and bustling. The humming sound of life below is like music in your ears.

Mor smiles widely at you. “Welcome to Velaris,” she says. “The Court of Dreams.”

#a court of thorns and roses #acotar fanfiction #mor acotar #mor x reader #mor x y/n #mor x you #morrigan #vanserra!reader #requests

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bookish-whore · 2 years

Text

Meant to Be

Azriel x Reader

Words: 7k

Warnings: fluff, mutual pining, suggestive sexual behavior, angst angst angst angst (I’m warning you it's verryy angsty), canon typical violence, major bloodloss, character death

A/N: Okay this is the longest fic I have written so far and it might be the saddest thing I’ve ever written. It is loosely based on this lovely request. I took a few liberties with the plot, but I ended up really loving it and I hope you do too. <3

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Azriel sprinted through the woods.

He knew there wasn’t much time, and he was desperate. He continued trying to use his magic but the faebane coursing through his body prevented him from winnowing, from using his shadows, and from communicating to the high lord.

He was stranded.

He held your body close, attempting to shield you from the rain, although the storm was the least of his worries. He was most concerned about the deep gash across your abdomen, the wound had been steadily bleeding with no indication of slowing down. You had already lost so much blood, he needed to get you to a healer and quickly before it was too late. He pushed that thought out of his head. You would not die; He wouldn’t allow it.

He took a deep breath, praying to the mother that you would be alright. You suddenly stirred in his arms, the movement catching him off guard. You whimpered; the pain must be excruciating and the sound of you in pain ignited a raging fire beneath his skin.

Azriel held you closer, hoping that his scent would help calm you. Even though you didn’t know about the mating bond, he had to hope that your fae instincts would still recognize the connection and that it would help soothe you.

“Shhhh it’s alright little dove, I’ve got you” he whispered into your hair as he clutched you to his chest. The rain droplets steadily sliding off his skin and onto your face.

You coughed, it was a wet sputtering sound and Azriel looked down to find blood trickling out of your mouth. He fell to his knees cradling you in his arms. “Y/n, stay with me, just a little longer” he pleaded as your eyes closed once more.

You were still breathing, but only barely, a death rattle settling in as your body began to shut down. He picked you up in a swift motion leaping into the air, opening his wings wide as he took off. He knew the flight would only exacerbate your injuries, but he was running out of time. He had no other choice.

72 hours earlier…

Azriel had no idea why he was being summoned to the High Lord’s office, he had just seen Rhys and Feyre last night for dinner and he couldn’t fathom what was so urgent. That was until he walked into Rhys and Feyre’s office to find none other than Eris Vanserra engaged in a hearty conversation with his high lord and lady.

Eris had been a spy for the Night Court for some time now. It began a few years ago, during the war and as it turns out Eris was a decent male, he much like Rhys, had been perceived as a villain because his circumstances demanded it, Eris was the next in line to inherit the Autumn Court and once his father was dead and he could ascended the throne he ensured them that a series of changes would happen in the Autumn Court.

Eris greeted Azriel with a simple nod of his head and began to share his information, what pained the shadowsinger was that it was good information and was the key to a number of issues that had been steadily piling up.

Apparently, Beron had been busy these last few weeks, building alliances with some of the more traditional Illyrian Lords attempting to persuade them into a full-blown rebellion against Rhysand. This wasn’t surprising considering Azriel’s own reports stated that there was increased tension and unease within the training camps. What Eris revealed is that the incidents that were drawing attention were staged to draw out the more powerful members of the court. Beron had been hoping to kidnap a member of the inner circle for leverage. Thankfully, it wasn’t going according to plan.

That information caught the High Lord’s attention. Rhysand immediately laid out his plan, he wanted to infiltrate Beron’s ranks, to find who exactly was calling the shots.

Which was why he summoned y/n.

Azriel shifted in his seat. He knew y/n was capable, he had trained her himself but that meant he would be in close proximity to her which might prove to be a problem considering she was his mate, and she had no idea and Azriel was content to keep it that way for now.

There was a quiet knock on the door.

“Come in” Feyre yelled

The door opened and in walked y/n, Azriel couldn’t help but admire her as she made her way across the room to them.

“Y/n, thank you for joining us on such short notice” Rhysand said

“Of course, it sounded urgent, and your letter said it was time sensitive” she said taking her seat opposite Azriel

“It is, Eris has told us that there’s going to be a ball in the Autumn Court tomorrow evening, and I want you and Azriel to attend as emissaries to the Night Court.” Rhysand began “You’ll be gathering information on Beron’s dealings, who he sees and what they discuss but I do not want either of you to engage. This is strictly reconnaissance. From an outside perspective you will purely be there as my emissaries for the Fall Equinox”

“When will we leave” Azriel asked

“Today” the high lord answered “I want you to arrive with all the other guests, it’ll make it easier to blend in”

Y/n nodded along through the remaining details, they would be staying in the Forest House with the other guests attending the festivities and Eris would alert them of any activity they should be privy to.

Azriel and Y/n packed quickly, said their goodbyes and they began the long journey to the Autumn Court.

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

After nearly 24 hours of traveling, taking lots of breaks for Azriel to rest between distances we arrived in the Autumn Court.

It wasn’t what I expected.

I guess hearing stories from Lucien and Eris about their father and their upbringing I somewhat expected the Forest House to be more ominous looking. Azriel and I exchanged a quick glance as we walked up to the gates of a gorgeous stone manor with lots of windows, surrounded by changing greenery. The trees varying shades of violet, red, orange, and yellows. It was idyllic really.

When we reached the doors, Azriel reached to grab the elegant bronze fox door knocker, hitting it against the wood to alert our hosts we had arrived. I wrung my hands in front of me, nervous as the door opened to reveal Eris? I was surprised he answered and not one of the servants in the house. He opened the door and gestured for us to enter, he was trailed by three massive black dogs, with a snap of his fingers they immediately ran off in a tight formation.

“Welcome to the Forest House” he said, making a show of taking my hand and planting a kiss to the top of it. Azriel looked annoyed at that gesture. I didn’t mind, it was all about appearances and we didn’t know who was watching us.

As we walked through the halls of the manor, I took in the paintings lining the long halls and the dark décor that adorned the house. It felt like we walked for ages, through winding halls until we stood outside double white doors.

“This is where you’ll be staying, remember that the ball is tonight in the west ballroom, formal dress, and don’t be late you don’t want to draw attention to yourselves” Eris said before unlocking the door and stalking down the hall back the way we had come.

Azriel and I looked at each other and entered the room.

It was really a stunning space, we were on the fourth floor and the window overlooked the trees in the forest surrounding us, it was an array of orange, red, and violet as far as I could see. There was a fireplace and a sitting area with a couch and some armchairs. The chairs nowhere near large enough to accommodate Azriel’s wings. I took in the other aspects of the room. there was an ensuite bathroom with a large sunken bath and a shower, at least the bath was large enough for an Illyrian, I thought as I surveyed the rest. My eyes locked on the last detail. The bed.

One Bed.

I felt a blush creep into my face as Azriel and I made the same observation.

“Don’t worry y/n. I can sleep on the couch” he said breaking the silence

“Don’t be ridiculous” I said “You would never fit on that couch”

He laughed at that “You’re right, perhaps the bath then” he raised his eyebrow suggestively

“We can figure out sleeping arrangements later” I tried to redirect the conversation away from beds and sleeping as I made my way to the closet.

“Y/n we are both responsible adults, we can just share the bed” he said

“I wouldn’t want Elain to suspect anything” I said, my back turned to him as I unpacked some clothes for tonight.

“Why would she suspect anything?” Azriel asked as he made his way over to me to continue the conversation

My eyes widened, had I misread their relationship? “Well, I figured that you two…”

“Were together?” he prodded

I nodded my head in answer “aren’t you?” I asked

“No” he looked at the floor, hiding the grin that spread across his face “She is just a friend, I helped her a lot while she was transitioning to fae life but there has never been anything romantic between us, she has a mate and I respect that”

“Good to know” I said trying to hide the blush that swept across my face as his gaze lifted to meet mine. He nodded and his gods damned stare was so intense, I immediately wanted to change the topic of conversation.

“We should probably go over the plan” I said softly, suddenly hyper aware of the fact that I was alone with him. and he was so close, his familiar scent of night chilled mist and cedar drawing me in. I cleared my throat and walked into the sitting area. He didn’t think of me that way, I reminded myself. He had no idea that I had harbored feelings for him for years, and I wouldn’t let this mission ruin that.

I sat on one of the armchairs as Azriel took the sofa, he splayed his wings across the cushions, his shadows making an appearance. He had probably sent them to secure the room and gather preliminary information about who was here, and where.

We sat and talked about our strategy; I would take point being that no one really knew who I was which we would use to our advantage. I would dance with as many of the lords as I could to make conversation. My power was useful in this situation because I could look through people’s minds when I made physical contact with them. This made dancing the perfect opportunity to gather as much as I could while Azriel monitored from the shadows.

“You should rest before tonight” I said, “I’m sure you’re exhausted from winnowing and flying us all the way here.”

He nodded “I didn’t realize how tired I would be, it’s been quite the journey”

“How about you bathe now, and I’ll wake you a quarter to the party to get dressed” I proposed

“Alright” he agreed, standing, and making his way to the bathroom, the door closing behind him with a soft -click-

He took his time in the bath, while waiting for him to finish I had called for tea and some food and took up his position on the couch. I figured I would read one of the books I had brought with me to keep me occupied. It was a recommendation from Nesta, she always gave the best recommendations. I poured myself a cup of tea and picked up where I had left off.

Just as I was settling into a decent reading pace, I heard the bathroom door open. Gods damn him. I thought as Azriel emerged from the bathroom. He had to know what he was doing. He had only a towel slung low across his hips, his bare chest still wet from the bath and the tattoos across his chest looked darker in contrast to his tan chest. He had another in his hands and was using it to dry his hair. I couldn’t help but stare as the muscles in his arms flexed with the movement.

I nearly choked on my tea as he made his way into the closet. I heard the rustle of the towel falling on the floor and focused all my attention to the book, my eyes were glued to the pages, but I wasn’t comprehending anything on the page, my thoughts were purely on the gorgeous naked man in the closet.

He reappeared a few minutes later in a simple pair of linen pants, his chest still bare and his toned chest on full display. How I wanted to feel the power of all those muscles…

I pushed those thoughts out of my mind and tried to focus on the page in front of me.

“Wake me in a few hours” he said, looking at me with a smirk on his face, yeah, he definitely knew what he was doing.

Bastard.

“Mmhmmm” I mumbled pretending to be completely focused on the book in my lap.

-----

A few hours had passed. I checked the time from the clock on the mantle of the fireplace and decided I should begin to get ready. I grabbed a satin dressing robe from the closet and made my way to the bathroom. I couldn’t help but stop and look at Azriel, sleeping peacefully on the bed his breathing slow and even. He looked so carefree like this, and I resisted the urge to crawl into bed next to him. I shook those thoughts from my head, this was going to be a long mission.

I took my time in the bath, enjoying the variety of scents and soaps available. I washed my hair and scrubbed my skin until it was pink, once satisfied with my handiwork I climbed out of the tub and toweled my body dry, putting on the green dressing gown and I wrapped my hair in a towel and set it atop my head.

I emerged from the bathroom to retrieve my dress which was currently hanging in the closet, I expected to find the Shadowsinger still fast asleep, but to my surprise Azriel was awake, he sat in the center of the bed his back propped against the large headboard and a book in his hands. My book. I realized seeing the scarlet red cover. My eyes widened as they met his gaze.

“This is quite interesting material y/n” he said with a roguish grin “I wouldn’t have pegged you for a smut reader. I mean this is quite explicit, even for me, and I have 500 years of experience”

“Perhaps you’re simply out of touch” I quipped “and don’t be such a prude, there is nothing wrong with smutty books”

“Tell me y/n, do you imagine yourself in these situations” he asked, his eyes burning into me

“I will not dignify that question with an answer” I said “Instead of this questioning, perhaps you should get ready for tonight”

“Whatever you say little dove” he answered

I made my way back to the bathroom, closing the door behind me and exhaling the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I hung my dress on the door and made my way to the sink to splash some cold water on my face. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I decided that two could play at this game. With a giddy smile I got to work.

-----

With a final glance in the mirror, I smiled at my work, I had decided to go for a simple but sultry look. I kept my makeup minimal but added dark winged liner to the lids of my eyes and painted my lips a deep red color. My hair I decided to leave down, letting it fall in big loose curls down my back. It was time to put on the dress I brought for the ball, it was typical night court black, floor length and was corseted which accentuated my waist, and breasts nicely. It also had an off the shoulder detail which I loved. I clutched the fabric to my chest, holding it in place as I made my move.

“Azriel?” I called, opening the bathroom door a crack “Can you help me” I asked

I heard his footsteps approach, and he opened the door, stepping into the room.

We made eye contact through the mirror, and I noticed the way his eyes drifted over my body, lingering on the open back of the dress.

“Can you lace me up?” I asked my voice slightly catching in my throat

He simply nodded, making his way behind me as he took the ribbon in his hands and began lacing up the corset. I involuntarily released a harsh breath as he tightened the dress.

“Is that too tight?” he asked, looking up from his task to meet my eyes in the mirror

“No, its perfect just caught me a little off guard” I said with a smile

He nodded and continued; my skin tingled as his scarred fingers touched my bare skin. I couldn’t help the indecent thoughts that flooded my brain as his skilled hands tied the ribbon.

“There, all finished” he said, his hands lingering on my hips. His pupils were blown wide as I looked at him

I cleared my throat “thank you” I said softly reaching for my necklace

“Let me” he said extending his hand to me. I placed the diamond necklace in his palm and brought my hands to my hair, pulling it to the side as he reached around me to clasp the jewelry in place.

“Beautiful” he said under his breath, his eyes raking over me before he turned and left without another word.

What the fuck was that. I thought as I took a few minutes to compose myself before stepping into the main area of the room.

I found Azriel dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed. He looked good, he wore an ebony tunic brocaded with cobalt and silver, dark pants, and black boots that reached his knees. I realized we had coordinated outfits as the blue in my jewelry matched the embroidery on his tunic.

“We clean up pretty nice don’t you think shadowsinger?” I teased

He smiled, before extending his arm to me. “Shall we?”

I ignored the butterflies in my stomach and took his arm.

Together we made our way into the fox den.

-----

I was exhausted

It had been hours of dancing and using my magic to gather information. To be fair I had learned a great deal like that Beron’s target has been to kidnap Mor or Feyre and use them as leverage. I had also learned that the meeting with the lords was happening at noon tomorrow and that would be our best chance to gather who was the mastermind of this entire scheme.

By this point it felt like I had danced with every male here. To keep up appearances I made my way over to Azriel, who was currently getting us drinks from the open bar.

“You’re doing great” Azriel whispered, handing me a flute of some kind of sparkling wine. I took a sip, enjoying the fruity taste.

“I’m exhausted, and nearly drained” I told him “I don’t think I can do anymore tonight Az” I whispered

“You’re almost done for tonight little dove” he said placing a reassuring hand on my lower back.

I couldn’t help the fluttering in my chest at his use of that nickname.

“One last dance and we can go back to the room”

“With who? I think I have danced with every male in this room. Including Eris” I said

“With me” he said extending his hand, his Hazel eyes swirled with an emotion I couldn’t quite place. I delicately placed my hand in his and he led us onto the dancefloor as a slow waltz began playing.

Azriel pulled me close, one hand resting around my waist the other still grasped in my hand. I followed his lead, placing my free hand on his shoulder as the music swelled.

Something about this, being so close to him just felt… right? I couldn’t quite explain it, but as our bodies moved in time with the orchestra it seemed like the rest of the world faded away and we were the only two people in the room.

I was brought back to reality with the sound of clapping as the music stopped. We both made a show of bowing to each other before making our way out of the ballroom and back to our quarters. It was a silent walk; I didn’t have the energy to make casual conversation after the intensity of that dance.

I entered the room first and Azriel closed the door behind us as I made quick work of turning on the faelights casting the room in a soft glow. Even in my exhausted state, I feel his familiar presence behind me.

“Do you need help getting out of that dress?” he asks, his voice soft and low

“I would appreciate it” I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I felt his hands glide down my body to undo the knots he made only a few hours ago. I am hyperaware of every place our bodies are touching.

“All finished” he says, leaning down so his mouth is flush against my ear. Its like electricity as his hand meets my bare shoulder, turning me to face him.

I keep my eyes down, looking directly at his chest. He brings his hand to my jaw, placing his forefinger and thumb under my chin gently forcing me to meet his gaze.

“Y/n… you are beautiful” he whispers, like if either of us speaks too loudly we’ll be forced back to reality.

“Don’t say things like that” I whisper back, our bodies so close that our breath mingles in the space between us. The tension palpable as the seconds seemed to stretch.

“Why not” he says, his pupils blown wide.

“Az…” I say, any protest leaving my body as he holds me close. his head craning down. I can’t think as his scent envelops me. My eyes flutter closed as he closes the distance between us, and his lips meet mine.

It feels so right, like we were two halves of the same coin, like we were meant to be.

I bring my hands to twist in Azriel’s hair, deepening the kiss as his hand drifts to my lower back pulling me against his hard body. I let out an involuntary moan at the contact. He took the opportunity to intensify the kiss, his tongue meeting mine as all my doubts and insecurities flew out the window.

After what seemed like an eternity, he pulled away. Placing a chaste kiss to my forehead before making his way to the closet, to change no doubt. I took his lead, confused as ever, and made my way to the bathroom to change out of my dress which was already hanging off my body. I stared at myself in the vanity.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I whisper to myself in the mirror “you idiot”

I quickly take off my dress, putting on a nightgown and remove the makeup from my face. I put my hair into a simple braid and make my way to the bed. Azriel still hadn’t emerged from the closet.

I tried not to think about how he was feeling as I tucked myself into the warm covers.

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I don’t even remember drifting off to sleep but it takes a moment to register my surroundings, I must have passed out last night after…After that kiss.

I went to throw the covers over my head before realizing that I wasn’t alone in this bed.

Azriel had slept in the bed…with me

He was still fast asleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. He had changed into just his sleep pants, his wings were relaxed and tucked behind him, from this position I wondered what it would be like to wake up to him every day.

Stop that. One kiss does not make a relationship, we had some drinks and were both tired. It was probably just a fluke incident. I convinced myself.

I quickly got up, calling for breakfast to be delivered to our room. I didn’t have the energy to get dressed and go downstairs to mingle with everyone from the night before. I’m sure Az would agree when he woke up.

A few minutes later a soft knock sounded at the door, I threw on my robe and padded over opening the door for the sweet nymph pushing a cart full of food to the sitting area.

“Enjoy your meal miss” she said, curtsying before turning and leaving the room closing the door behind her.

I heard a rustling sound as Azriel stirred. He slowly sat in the bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he threw the covers off him and made his way to where I sat.

“Good morning” he said

“Mmhmmm” I replied as best I could, with a mouth full of food.

He smiled “Did you sleep well?” he asked as he prepared a plate for himself and sat opposite me.

“I did” I said, meeting his gaze looking for any sense of regret, or shame from last night. “How did you sleep?” I asked

“Better than I have in decades” he said scooping a heap of eggs into his mouth.

A moment of tense silence passed between us

“About last night” he began

“We don’t have to talk about it, we can just chalk it up to drinks, and exhaustion” I said

“I was just going to say—”

“That you regret it?” I interrupted “don’t worry I do too, so we’re on the same page”

His eyes widened “you regret it?”

“We crossed a line Az, we got swept up in the theatrics of the mission and that’s in part, my fault” I said

“If that’s really how you feel” he said

“It is” I said, but I didn’t dare meet his eyes. He would see that I was lying.

“Alright then” he says.

We finish our breakfast and get ready for the day in silence.

-----

I decided to take a walk along the grounds to clear my head before we planned how to infiltrate the meeting with Beron. It was so tense during breakfast that I needed an escape. Azriel insisted on coming along, for safety, and while I could handle myself, I didn’t protest.

Once we were a safe distance from the house, Azriel said he was going to find a quiet place to train and update Rhysand. He stalked off into the forest, but his shadows remained, swirling around me, keeping tabs on me while he was off.

I walked for a while before I heard a rustling sound behind me. I turned around expecting to find Azriel but was more surprised to find three males I hadn’t seen before.

“Well, well, well, look who it is boys” one of them said “the spymasters little whore”

I hid the panic in my eyes and focused on what I would do. I was alone, with no weapons of my own and I was outnumbered. I decided that my tongue would have to hold them off. If I could distract them long enough, then Az’s shadows would report to him and he would be here in no time.

“Sounds a lot like jealousy to me” I purred back. I wouldn’t let this male intimidate me.

“Why would I be jealous of a female who’s probably been passed around the entire Night Court? I’ve heard stories about how the Carynthians share their women. At least until that High Lady Whore cornered the market”

I hid my disgust “Be careful how you speak about my High Lady” I sneered

“What are you gonna so sweetheart?”

“Whatever I need to” I replied, taking up a defensive stance that Azriel taught me.

“No need for all that, we couldn’t care less about Azriel’s little whore. We just want him. and you’re gonna help us find him”

“I would rather die”

“That can be arranged”

As one of them stalked towards me, I let him think he had the upper hand before I lunged, kicking him swiftly between the legs. While he doubled over, I ran, sprinting through the woods. Not caring about the branches catching my face.

I saw him in a clearing, running through drills on his own.

“AZ” I screamed

He turned immediately, his eyes raking over me for any injuries. “y/n what happened?” he asked frantically wiping the blood from the cuts on my face.

“Males…three…looking- for you” I managed between breaths.

“Okay- its alright, calm down” he said “I want you to go to that clearing” he pointed to a spot within his eyesight that was hidden from the trails. I nodded taking off and getting into position, I decided to stand behind a tree to hide my body from sight.

A few minutes later there was a rustling as the males from earlier made it to Azriel. He easily attacked, taking them down in just a few movements. But he was distracted, the three males in front of him were a diversion as another group approached him from behind, one of them cocked an arrow and sent it flying towards an unsuspecting Shadowsinger.

“AZRIEL” I screamed drawing his attention to the male approaching him from behind. He was slightly too slow turning and got nicked in the arm by the arrow. I noticed the slight wince as he regained his footing. Easily taking down the three remaining males that were pursuing him.

Watching him in combat was a spiritual experience, the way his body parried and struck. He had hundreds of years of experience and in moments like this it clearly showed; I couldn’t help but think back to that dance last night. The feel of his hand in mine, his body pressed close to mine, our breath practically mingling and that kiss…

Before I could register what was happening, I was on my knees, my hands clutching my abdomen. I was so distracted making sure Azriel was alright I didn’t notice the two males approaching me from my position. One of them had me by the hair, twirling it around his fist to get a firm grip on my head while the other cleaned his blade, the blade that just sliced open my abdomen. I wanted to curl over and clutch the wound but the hand in my hair kept me stretched upright on my knees.

Azriel swung his head in my direction, his eyes wide as he took in my situation. He quickly ended the remaining male slicing his throat open in one swift motion and stalked his way over.

“Let- her- go” he said through gritted teeth.

“She seems like such a fun plaything; you sure you don’t want to share shadowsinger?” One of them asked. They both laughed at the comment.

“Step away from my mate” Azriel said, his hazel eyes burning with such intensity I almost felt bad for the end these two males were about to meet. He was death incarnate, and he had a score to settle.

His mate… I thought before the world went black.

Present…

He had flown for what seemed like hours, his wings burning from the strain. He had never flown so fast. As the distant lights from the Velaris began to appear, he felt the effects of the faebane begin to wear off as his shadows appeared, swirling around you, waiting for instruction as you currently lay limp in Azriel’s arms.

He screamed in his mind, calling to the high lord and communicating that the mission had gone horribly wrong and he needed Rhys to get Madja and meet him at the House of Wind. He held you tightly in his arms, whispering words of encouragement into your ear as he winnowed to the house.

As soon as he arrived in the foyer he screamed for help and Nesta appeared. Her eyes widened as she took in your unconscious body. She wasted no time, screaming for Cassian and gesturing the shadowsinger to follow her into the closest sitting room. she pushed a couch to the center of the room, clearing its contents to create a triage area where they could work on you.

Cassian ran into the sitting room, taking in the situation before shouting he would get supplies as he ran to the nearest window, leaping out of it and taking flight.

Azriel gently placed you on the couch, taking just a second to smooth the hair from your face. He sank to his knees beside you as he checked your pulse. It was incredibly weak, but it was there. Nesta’s voice cut through his thoughts.

“We have to try and stop the bleeding, if she loses anymore she’ll be in real danger and…and we’ll only be able to do so much to save her” she said

Azriel nodded his head, he pulled truth teller out of its harness and delicately cut away the top of your leathers so they could clean and evaluate the wound. Nesta made sure to keep your breasts covered, she dressed you in a bandeau style top that would keep your middle exposed while you still remained covered, she knew you would be mortified if everyone saw you naked while you were unconscious.

While she dressed you, Azriel went to work cleaning the area around the wound he gently soaked a cloth in alcohol and delicately removed the dried blood, dirt, and debris from your abdomen. He hoped this would make Madja’s job faster, and easier. He knew that time was running out. He shook that thought from his head and continued to work. You had to be okay.

Nesta muttered something about pain medication and that she would make something for you to take the pain away. He doesn’t really recall anything except that Nesta left the room.

You stirred, Azriel’s attention was immediately on your face, looking for any indication you were lucid.

“Az?” you whisper, slowly blinking open your eyes.

His body goes rigid at the sound, he could sob from the sound of your voice.

“y/n?” he chanted over and over, like he needed to be convinced that you were here with him. that you were still alive.

"I- I lied" you said, Azriel froze

"about what sweetheart?" he asked

"about regretting it. t-the k-kiss" you said, tears lining your eyes.

"that's okay- it's alright" he said, wiping the wetness from your eyes.

“I- I heard what you said” you said, your voice barely more than a whisper

“What I said?” he asked, his eyes frantically sweeping over yours in an attempt to understand what you meant.

“That we’re m-mates”

He felt his heart stop, “Y/n, that’s not important right now.” he held your hand tightly in his pressing a light kiss to it “help is almost here, and once you recover, we can talk about it. Just wait a little longer darling”

“I’m t-tired of waiting Az..” you said reaching into your pocket and finding a caramel candy, you always carried them on long missions. You held out the toffee colored sweet in the palm of your hand urging the shadowsinger to take it.

His eyes went wide “are you positive you want this, that you want me?”

“I-I…h-have nev-ver been more s-sure of anything” you strained to say “I have b-been in love with you f-for years Az. I w-was just scared that y-you didn't f-feel the same”

Silver lined his eyes as he took the caramel from your palm, unwrapping it and popping it into his mouth. Even in your severely weakened state he felt the mating bond roar to life. That glowing band tethering your very souls together. In that moment he felt nothing but pure, unabridged happiness.

“We’re going to be so happy y/n, I promise” he said as his hands moved down your body. He began to apply pressure to the gaping wound across your middle. He could feel your pain, the mating bond allowing him a glimpse of what you were experiencing, and it was agony. Your voice pulled him from his thoughts.

“Because w-w-we-were m-mates?” you asked

“Because we’re meant to be little dove” he reassured you

“m-meant t-to b-be?” you said between gasping breaths. Your eyes were sparkling despite the pain a smile present on your lips as you imagined a beautiful future between the two of you, but you felt so tired, so extremely tired. Perhaps you would just rest your eyes.

You took a deep breath before your chest stilled, your hand going limp in his, as your eyes rolled closed. Azriel immediately leapt into action. He held the cloth close to the bleeding gash on your abdomen applying pressure in a feeble attempt to stop the blood flow.

“You will not do this to me” he practically screamed as Madja entered the room. “You will not leave me, if I have to claw my way to Hel and drag your soul back to this plane of existence I will, I swear it.” He growled laying you flat to begin chest compressions as Madja assessed the damage to your body.

He needed you and he refused to let you go like this. Not when you just accepted the bond. Not when he imagined a future with you by his side, a future he wanted to promise to you. He would do anything. If he had to cleave out a piece of his own heart to save you, he would reach into his chest with his bare hands to get it. because he could not live without you.

You took a deep gasping breath, faint color blooming on your cheeks as you groaned in pain.

Madja said a prayer under her breath as she began muttering words in a language he didn’t understand. As she spoke, glowing tendrils appeared and began swirling around your body patching the superficial damage while she cleaned and worked on closing the worst of the injuries on your abdomen.

Nesta returned then and began working in tandem with Madja the two of them falling into a steady rhythm. Azriel decided to let the women work, he left a shadow with you holding your hand as he stood in the doorway watching you, his mate, his love, his everything. He brought his hands to his face and allowed the emotions to flow.

He didn’t know how long he broke down, but he began stitching himself back together. As his breathing evened, and he wiped the wetness from his eyes the front door swung open and Azriel turned to find Rhys, Feyre and Cassian making their way to the room.

“Are you alright” Rhys asked, Azriel knew that the High Lord was trying to distract his brother from the knowledge that his mate was on deaths doorstep only a few feet away.

Azriel nodded looking over to where you lay, he could still feel your pain through the bond.

“Rhys… can-can you take her pain away” Azriel asked softly, his red rimmed eyes meeting that of his friend. Rhysand could see the desperation, the pain in the shadowsingers eyes and he nodded making his way closer to y/n.

Through the bond Azriel could feel the high lord as he took your pain, replacing it with happy memories and feelings of comfort. Azriel brought his hands to his face and let the tears flow freely again, unable to control his emotions. His shoulders shook as his knees buckled and he almost fell to the floor.

Feyre was quick to pull him into a tight embrace, she looked to her own mate, their minds meeting as he urged her to prepare for the worst. Feyre’s own eyes filled with tears as Madja’s voice could be heard pleading with you to hold on, to stay with them.

Azriel broke the embrace with Feyre and lunged for y/n, but Cassian and Rhysand were there hauling him away from the makeshift bed where Madja tried to save you. His shadows swirled frantically around him, as if they too understood what was to come.

No force in the world could prevent it.

He felt it then, a pain in his chest.

He fell to his knees, the tears steadily streaming down his face as the realization set in.

The mating bond. It was breaking apart. The edges fraying and snapping as you slipped out of this world, as you slipped away from him.

He clung desperately to that limp string tethering you here, tethering you to him. He wrapped his magic, his very soul around it begging for you to stay, begging all the gods of this world and beyond to save you. But it didn’t matter.

Nothing mattered as he felt it snap.

As the mating bond was cleaved in two.

Where there was once a glowing reassurance of a future, a golden ray of sunshine to brighten his darkness there was now nothing. There was just an overwhelming feeling of emptiness that overcame him.

You were gone.

He let out a bloodcurdling scream, clutching at his chest. He wanted to claw out the shredded remains of his heart. The heart that still beat for you.

That would always and only beat for you.

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Thank you for Reading!

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Taglist (All Works) -> @cherryjain17 @we-were-beautiful @moonfawnx @cityofidek @daily-dose-of-sass @marvelouslyem @moonlightazriel @frieddesigninspiringquotesslime @indaybella99 @gray08 @dreamsofivy @gorgeouslysent

Taglist (Azriel Only) -> @ellievickstar

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#azriel x y/n #azriel x reader #azriel x elain #azriel shadowsinger #acotar fanfiction #acotar fanfic #acotar series #eris acotar #eris vanserra #feysand #cassian x nesta #bookish-whore #one shot #fluff #banter #angst with a sad ending #sorry not really sorry

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lorcandidlucienwill · 2 months

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People got shocked when I suggested an Azriel-Beron rejected mating bond with Gwynriel endgame, but truthfully in many ways, it makes more sense than canon. 1. Azriel's Vanserra beef would be explained better. Sorry, but the canon explanation is pretty pathetic. I totally buy into Azriel being jealous of Lucien for a multitude of reasons, from the mating bond to his impeccable personality, but these guys have been at odds, or at least Azriel has, from the beginning. The wHeRe DiD hE gO was hella weird from Azriel. Like...why is he soooo hyperfixated on him? And I've been turning it over in my head too: yes, Lucien is superior to Azriel in every way in ACOSF, but Azriel has been gifted with more than him in every way except the mating bond while Lucien has lost everything. So why is he still jealous? There has to be more to it. Enter: the mating bond. Azriel still thinks Lucien to be Beron's son. Imagine watching the son of your tyrannical mate be blessed with their perfect match while you're stuck with an abusive monster for a mate. Imagine he has to feel the mating bond strain every day and Lucien, being his son, only reminds him of it? And the High Lord's meeting. I'm not buying Azriel's beef with Eris solely being about Mor, it makes no sense. Mor was uncomfortable with what Azriel was doing, which was choking Eris to death. And you can chalk this up to Azriel being overprotective and not knowing Mor well, but...they've been working together for 500 years??? He has to know basic things about her. Also, Azriel is a shitty spymaster, yes, but even I would figure out my friend's sexuality if I was given 500 years to do it. He has to know. So maybe the reason Azriel was so unhinged was because Beron and the sons of his mate by another faery were there. So he went after his kids as a mating bond instinct to eliminate all threats. And maybe he pretends to long for Mor. Not to protect her like some people suggest, but to protect himself. Imagine how the IC would freak out if they knew their spymaster had such an intimate connection with their sworn enemy? And what if this mating bond is the "secret" Eris suggested he knows in ACOSF? 2. It would explain his fear of fire. I'm sorry, but he should have trauma from tunnels but like...he traveled through them in HOFAS, no problem? That burning thing happened when he was a child. He has had...(checks notes) well over 400 years to get over it. Since they expected Nesta to get over her trauma so soon, and Cassian got over his shit so easily by going on a killing spree, why would Azriel still be so hung up on it? If his mate was a monster with incredible firepower (literally). Chalk the Sangravah thing to trauma from abuse suffered at Beron's hands, explain the Gwyn interactions in the BC with the lightsinger theory, which is a theory I adore except when used to vilify Gwyn, and boom! Azriel-Beron rejected mates, Gwynriel endgame. Or something like that.

#azriel #azriel shadowsinger #beron vanserra #gwynriel #azriel x beron #beron x azriel #lucien vanserra #eris vanserra #the morrigan #mor #i mean just call me queen of the rarepair because i think i'm the first to suggest this ship

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i-am-a-lost-girl16 · 8 months

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Eris Week Day 1: Brotherhood

I don't normally post much of my own writings and head canons but I wanted to give this a shot and was inspired by @erisweek2023 to join.. so please be nice😂

How did Eris react when his younger brothers were born?

At first Eris is excited that he's going to get a little sibling. He spends as much time as he can beside his mother, his eyes wide as he watches her stomach grow and he questions her daily about when they will be here

It isn't until after the first brother is actually born does some of the joy wear off as Beron began to plant the seeds of competition into Eris' mind.

The joy continues with the next one though and even into his third brother, although as Eris grows himself he learns to hide the joy and to keep it to himself so as to not give his father another weapon to use against him.

With each brother Eris falls a bit more solemn as Beron continues to point out all of the competition that they are going to have to face when it comes time to take his spot.

Soon Eris finds his joy soured, he can hardly look at his mother while she is pregnant, knowing that the babe in her stomach would only grow up to one day become another piece in their father's twisted games.

And it isn't fair, Eris knows that there's an order to succession, but why should he have to hate the people he was supposed to be closest too just because Beron encourages it?

I think by the time that Lucien comes around, Eris has trained himself to not show any kind of joy outright at the birth of his brother and a part of him truly believes that he isn't happy. Sure there are moments of comradery but at the end of the day Eris knows better than any of his brothers what their father wants of them. He shouldn't get attached. It's better for everyone if he doesn't.

Still... despite years of carefully training himself, of building up the cold persona that we know for Eris, he can't help but go into Lucien's room that first night he's settled staring down at the young babe swaddled comfortably

And with just like every brother before, Eris watches the sleeping boy, letting one finger reach out to stroke the soft chubby skin of his cheek and for just a moment.. Eris allows himself to pretend that he could be the big brother he used to want to be and when he leaves he holds that small moment of peace in his heart along with five other brother shaped pieces.

This is may seem a little out of character for Eris but I refuse to believe that at the start Eris wasn't so excited to be a big brother and Beron just crushed that out of him.

#eris vanserra #eris acotar #erisweek2023 #eris vanserra head canons #eris vanserra imagine

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erisweekofficial · 8 months

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Eris Week 2023: Day 2 Masterlist (High Lord | Heir)

FANFICTION

Bloodshed by @thelov3lybookworm

Coronation Day by @danikamariewrites

Coronation Day (Eris Vanserra x Reader) by @honeybeefae

Den of Foxes by @thevanserrras

Eris Week Day 2: High Lord by @bubybubsters

Eris' coronation by @fieldofdaisiies

In the shadow of the throne. by @darkphilosophies

Potions (Eris Vanserra x Reader) @honeybeefae

Publicly Pleasing, Silently Drowning by @acourtofladydeath

Relief by @readychilledwine

The Snake and The Wolf by @elliemarchetti

HEADCANONS / MISC

De-stressing head-canons by @i-am-a-lost-girl16

Eris Vanserra Week Day 2: High Lord | Heir Quote by @harperbrynne

Kerosene Scent Guide by @chunkypossum

Neris // Nesta Archeron + Eris Vanserra by @bloomingdarkgarden

ART

ACOWAR Eris by @b-astora; commissioned by @moonpatroclus

Day 02: High Lord / Heir by augusney_draw; commissioned by: @melphss

Eris and Beron by @copypastus

Eris Vanserra Art by @stickyelectrons

High Lord Eris by @starswhogaze

It's hard work being High Lord by @moonyandtoasts; commissioned by@separatist-apologist, @octobers-veryown, @moonpatroclus, @areyoudreaminof, @labellefleur-sauvage, @stickyelectrons, and @ofduskanddreams

Did we miss anything? Need us to update something? Please ping us and we can get this updated for you <;3

#new and improved masterlist #eris fanfic #eris acotar #pro eris vanserra #acotar #autumn court #high lord eris #eris vanserra #erisweek2023 #autumn court heir #eris #eris vanserra smut #eris vanserra x reader #eris x reader #if you read this far #know that STT is trying her best here #if you wanna change what your thing is called #bug her! directly

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lanitalay · 2 months

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Among Flames and Starlight

Chapter 8

a/n: jesus this is so much longer than I thought it would be. But finally I can say that a lil fluff is included and I think Irene deserves it. Hope you enjoy!!!

warnings: canon typycal violence, angst

Word Count: 4k

Other Chapters

Irene could hear the commotion downstairs. Beron was expecting a visit. By the sounds of it, an important one. She put pillows over her ears to drown out the noise but could still make out the sound of heavy footsteps. They felt like pounding on her head. Thump. Thump. Thump. It had been hours of thump, thump, thump. They seemed to be getting louder by the second and Irene could not contain her frustration as she threw two pillows across the room. They were supposed to hit the wall and fall flat on the floor but the steps had been getting closer, not louder.

“Good gods, Irene! What do you think you’re doing?!” Mora stood in the door frame, her hair now disheveled by the blow of the pillows.

“Oh, Mora-” Irene got out of the bed and shakily straightened her nightgown. “I’m sorry, the noise and- I haven’t slept well- I lost it for a second.”

The Lady picked up the pillows and put them on the bed. She turned to Irene and raked her up and down with a scrutinizing gaze. “Dear, the High Lord of Spring will be visiting tonight and you must attend.” Mora got closer to Irene and brushed white strands of hair away from her face “you look tired. Spend the day resting, I will come help you get ready in the afternoon.”

The door slammed as Mora left. Irene touched her face where the Lady had, her skin felt dry and oily at the same time. When was the last time she bathed? Or brushed her hair? The days had blurred together since the fight with Eris. Maybe it had been weeks. Either way she wasn’t keeping track and the Vanserra’s seemed satisfied with her being alive to interfere further.

In front of the mirror, Irene frowned. She looked… rough. The darkness under her eyes was purplish, they looked more like bruises. Her skin was a greasy patchy mess, lips chapped and cracked. And her hair was whiter than she remembered. The strands that used to only frame her face now thicker. She ran her fingers through the brown strands and tried to remember her father’s same locks. He always kept it short so it would stay out of his face when he was with his books. Her father… What would Irden Vallier think of his daughter today?

She wasn’t even a Vallier anymore.

“Irene?” Mora’s voice boomed from the bedroom. “In here.” She called out from the bathing room. “Oh good, you need a bath, let's begin.” Had the whole day just flown by?

Mora called in a maid to quickly clean the bedroom while Irene bathed. When she stepped out of the tub she felt lighter than she had in a long time. Her hair was shiny again and she had scrubbed her skin so hard it was raw and smooth. Mora instructed her to sit down as she used her fire magic to dry her hair and create perfectly bouncy curls. Once she was satisfied, she gathered the brown part of her hair and pinned it up so her neck was showing. “Since the dress you’ll be wearing has a high neckline I think an updo will look nice.” Then she styled the white bits to frame her face.

The cosmetics she applied were light, except for the power under her eyes and she might have used too much blush for Irene’s liking but that did not matter.

Irene was to wear an autumn red gown. The neckline came to the base of her throat. It was sleeveless and flowy. Both females were surprised by how nice she looked, given the state she was in just hours before. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you, Mora.”

“There’s no need, let's go downstairs or the High Lord will get upset.” Mora gave Irene one last glance before walking out of the bedroom and down to the formal greeting room.

Irene followed Mora down the stairs and stood next to her until the High Lord of Spring arrived and she said “dear, go stand next to Eris.”

She didn’t groan or roll her eyes like she wanted to, simply went to stand next to the Autumn heir. “I see you’re alive.”

“So it seems.”

“Silence.” Beron ordered, his voice deep and rusty. It had the same timber as the sound a tree makes when it falls. He spoke like he knew the ending. Like he could see the fall.

The Vanserras stilled and got into a line from oldest to youngest. Irene stood stiff as a board in between Eris and Brando? Maybe it was Cyrus? She hadn’t seen or spoken to the middle Vanserra’s since before the wedding.

The grand doors opened and a blond male dressed in an embroidered yellow and green jacket was ushered in. He was just as tall as Eris and his hair was slicked back, all of his sharp features on display. Irene kept her eyes trained on the jacket and wondered how many hours it took to embroider the Spring landscape along the sleeves. She paid no attention to the formal introductions until Eris presented her “I’d like to introduce Irene Vanserra.” She was alert enough to bow and say “it’s an honor, sir.”

The High Lord of Spring extended his hand and Irene extended hers as was expected. “The Autumn Court was overdue for a princess, never thought Eris would find someone so lovely.” He ended the sentence with a slimy kiss to the back of her hand. Once he let go, Irene clasped her hands and resisted to wipe his saliva away. She mentally gagged at the wetness that now stained her.

When the High Lord finished greeting all of the Vanserras they walked towards the dining room with Beron leading the way.

“Here,” Eris said only for Irene to hear and handed her a handkerchief. Irene wasted no time in wiping away the Lord of Spring’s slobber “thank you.” He only nodded.

The dinner passed by quickly enough. Irene focused on emptying the wine glass anytime it was filled and eating whatever seemed appetizing. Her participation was not desired nor necessary for the success of the visit. Eris would occasionally speak, but the bulk of the conversation was between Beron and the Lord of Spring. Which was well enough, in her opinion. She would return unscathed to her rooms and resume her rotting.

After dessert they were dismissed. Irene was walking back to her rooms when she heard Beron and the Lord of Spring speaking in hushed tones. Looking around, she noticed light filtering through the wall. A secret door. From the mental map she had drawn of the Forest House she was almost certain that behind that wall was Beron’s study.

She would have kept walking. She would have gone back to her monotone routine had she not heard the Lord of Spring say “Victoria as well?”

She stopped dead in her tracks and walked closer to the voices. “From what I gather, they always visit Windhaven together. If you plan on taking out the Lady chances are you’ll have to deal with the princess as well.”

Someone threw ice cold water on Irene. Her blood froze.

Her heart stopped.

“Will we have backup from your Court?”

“Not publicly, we have been working hard to secure Keir’s dark bringers and this would demolish that. But if you need any more information that I can provide I will.”

She wasn’t hearing this. Someone must’ve drugged her. Or she drank too much wine and was hallucinating. Because there was no way that she was hearing two High Lords planning on killing her family. It was impossible.

“What’s the timeline?”

“We have intel that they are visiting tomorrow. The plan is to have it done by midnight.”

Irene covered her mouth as a gasp raked through her. Midnight. Tomorrow.

She could not let that happen. Had she missed the signs? Did Beron know all along? Was she blind? A distraction? None of that mattered though. Not now. She walked as quietly as she could until she was certain Beron could not hear her running, sprinting down the hall.

Eris opened the door to see an out of breath Irene clutching her chest. “I- Eris-” her breathing was irregular. Sharp inhales, short exhales. He pulled her inside his rooms and shut the door. Irene was hyperventilating. “I- they- We- you gotta-”

“Breathe.” He stood in front of her, arms length away and kept instructing her to “breathe, Irene.”

“Eris-” she stepped forward and gripped his arms “Eris he’s going to kill them. The Lord of Spring- I heard him and Beron- We need to do something- I can’t stay here and let it happen-”

It was as if he was meeting a new person. Irene had been a shell for weeks and now she was cutting off circulation in his arms while speaking gibberish. He led her to the bathing room and locked the door there too. Then he turned on the running water and asked her to “please tell me what is the matter.”

She gulped and without blinking said “the High Lord of Spring is planning to execute Victoria and Celene tomorrow night. Beron is supplying information.”

Their plan was a haphazard at best. Eris said that he could not winnow them directly to the Hewn City because Kier might notify Beron and spoil the mission. So Irene mentioned that Mor frequented the Winter Court. If they found her she could deliver the message in time so the Night Court could act accordingly.

“Even if Mor isn’t there Viviane surely has a way to contact her or maybe I’d be close enough to Rhys for him to hear my thoughts or-”

“We’ll warn them, but first we must change out of these clothes and into something more covert. Go to your room and make sure someone sees you.” Irene nodded and made her way towards her wing of the Forest House.

When she was twenty feet away from her door she made a show of tripping and knocking down a painting. A servant fae came to put it back up from where it had fallen and Irene wiped her eyes, bringing attention to her tear streaked face “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to- here let me help-” but the female shook her head and motioned for her to go on.

Her tears were very real. The thought of Victoria and Celene being put through whatever torment that High Lord intended made her feel sick. For no reason other than sheer instinct she knew they were being targeted for something the High Lord of Night had done. She’d die before anyone she loved got hurt because of him ever again.

Now dressed in a wool lined dress, Irene waited for Eris until he appeared in her room out of thin air “let's go.”

Irene knocks on the Mountain House door which is soon opened by Vivianne. She hoped the Lady would remember her from a brief meeting in the Night Court years ago. “Eris?” She looked at Irene, her head tilted quizzically “Irene Vallier?” Some relief flooded her as she nodded “yes, I apologize for the late hour but we need to get a message to Mor. Is she here by any chance?”

Vivianne nods and steps aside so the pair can walk in. They are led into a small study, bookshelves lining the walls, a square desk littered with official documents stamped “Night Court” and “Hewn City.”

“Wait here while I go get her.”

Irene sighed deeply when she left. “I think this could work.”

“I don’t see why not.”

The door opens again and Mor walks in, head held high. “Irene? What is it? Did Eri-” she stopped once she noticed Eris was standing right next to the witchling.

“Mor, I’m so sorry to barge in like this but it's an emergency. You need to go to Rhys right now and tell him that the High Lord of Spring is planning to kill Victoria and Celene tomorrow night at Windhaven. He knows they’ll be alone and he’s only targeting them. I don’t know why but you’re the only one that can get to them fast enough without Keir knowing-”

“Keir is involved?”

“He’s giving Beron information I don't think knows directly but-”

“Beron is involved?” Sharp eyes lock on Eris. “He has nothing to do with it Mor, he just winnowed me.”

“Irene, what happened to your face?”

“My face? I haven’t been sleeping, that’s not the point. Just tell Rhys-”

“I think you should tell him yourself.” Irene wrinkled her eyes “I could but I need to be back in Autumn before sunrise, can’t you just-”

“No, you’ll come with me and tell him yourself.” Irene looked from Mor to Eris in a silent question. “I’ll go with you.”

“You can stay here, or better yet go back to Autumn. I'll make sure she gets back safe.” Irene felt nauseous. She had no interest in going back to the Night Court. Not when she had spent the last weeks kept awake by everything the High Lord had done to her. But Mor wasn’t reacting to the warning she brought.

“I’ll tell Rhys but only if Eris is there.”

“If that’s how it has to be.” Mor grabbed Irene’s hand in a split second and Eris grabbed the other one just before she could winnow away without him.

In front of the townhouse, Eris' face was like stone. Mor quickly unlocked the door and Irene was surprised to see Rhysand already waiting for them in the foyer. Last time she had seen him it was her wedding day.

It was clear he had just woken up. His hair strewn messily over his face, eyes heavy with sleep. “What is it? Is it- Irene?” He directed the last question to her. Surprised to see the bride of Autumn in Velaris and even more surprised to see Eris standing next to her, hands clasped together.

Irene explained the same thing she had told Mor. “Please just look at my memory and hear for yourself. You have to do something.” He agreed and poked into her mind.

He cursed and ran a hand through his hair. “Mor, wake up Cassian and Azriel. Does anyone know you’re here?” In a flash the blonde was running up the familiar stairs.

“No.”

“Good, stay here until we solve this. My mother and Victoria are at the cabin so we will go get them.” He disappeared and then Cassian and Azriel were in front of them.

“Rhys told us what’s going on.” Irene let go of Eris’ hand as Cassian went to hug her. Azriel stood quietly behind him. “Let 's go.” Rhys announces, now dressed in leathers, and the four of them are gone in the blink of an eye.

“Where are we?” It had all happened so fast she forgot Eris didn’t know Velaris existed. “Oh, right. Well this is Velaris. It’s not known by many so I’m sure you’ll have to swear secrecy or something before we leave.”

“I thought that the Night Court was confined to the Hewn City and the Ilyrian camps.”

“Well it sort of is. But most of the population lives here or on the outskirts.” He nods.

“We can try to rest until they come back, there’s a sitting room through here-” she walks through the hall and into a cozy room with a large sofa. Irene collapses on the plush pillows and takes a deep breath. “I can’t believe Mor was actually there.”

“It was a lucky coincidence.”

She closed her eyes and found herself drifting away until he spoke again.

“Irene.”

“Hm?” She answered sleepily.

“Why would you ask for my help? Why did you trust me?” The truth is that she had not given it much thought in the moment.

“I knew you would help.” She yawned one more time and fell asleep, so tired she did not stop to question how she was so warm without any blankets or a fire.

“Irene!” Her heart stopped when that familiar voice ripped her from a dreamless sleep. Clutching her chest she looked around to see Eris equally startled and Victoria standing in front of her still in her nightgown. “Vic? uff!” the princess of Night jumped on Irene in a crushing hug and peppered kisses all over her face. “You’re home! I can’t believe it!”

“Mhmm!”

“Let me look at you” Victoria scanned her face “you need to sleep more, and have you been eating?”

“I know I know. Do you know why I’m here?”

“Rhys just said we needed to stay home for a while and he said you were here and I could not believe it but here you are!” She shook Irene from her excitement “how long are you here for?”

“Oh, now that you’re safe we can go back to Autumn.”

“What? There’s no way you’re going back. Stay until tomorrow at least.”

“I don’t think we can-”

“We can.” Eris interjected.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, no one will miss either of us for a day.”

“Oh, well I guess we’re staying?”

“This is great! Your room is just how you left it, come on!” Victoria dragged Irene to her old room and Eris followed them, not sure what to do with himself.

“Oh Eris… this is the only spare room we have are you two-”

“It's fine Vic, he can stay with me.”

“Are you sure? You could sleep in my room tonight if you want.”

“I’m sure.”

“Alright.” She squeezed Irene one last time before going to her own room.

“It’s fine if you want to sleep in Victoria’s room, I won’t be offended.”

“Don’t be flattered Eris, there is no way I’m leaving you alone to snoop on my things.”

“What things? You barely have anything.”

“For a second I forgot what an ass you are.”

Eris chuckled and Irene stopped in her tracks.

“I’ve never heard your laugh.”

“You’re not very funny.”

“I thought you were generally incapable of joy.”

“I could say the same thing to you.”

“I can’t do this right now, let's just try to sleep.” Irene began to pull the covers back from her bed and Eris grabbed one pillow and threw it on the floor.

“What are you doing?”

“I know you don’t want to share a bed with me.”

She finished setting up the bed how she liked, turned off the lights and climbed in. Staring at the ceiling Eris’ question from earlier rang through her mind. “Why would you ask for my help? Why did you trust me?” It was a fair question. Why did she go to him? They had gotten off on the wrong foot, had been forced into an unwanted marriage and mainly bickered whenever they spoke. But he hadn’t been the monster she expected. Eris kissed her cheek at the ceremony, warned her about the honeymoon, saved her from the ants, nursed her until she was better and had otherwise left her alone.

“Eris?”

“Yes?”

“You can sleep on the bed.”

“Irene, just go to sleep.”

“Don’t make this a whole thing. Just sleep on the bed, it’s big enough.” She rearranged some pillows to create a barrier down the middle on the mattress. “Eris!”

“What?!”

“Get on the bed!” When she didn’t hear any movement she got up and walked over to him “I’m being nice” then nudged his leg until he let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine, fine, if you stop bothering me.”

When they were both tucked in, she finally closed her eyes and found the sleep she so desperately needed.

Irene woke up the next morning, or afternoon, tangled in blankets and pillows. She realized a noise woke her up. Then remembered Eris was next to her and heard the noise again. “You snore?” She asked but the heir of Autumn was so used to sleeping alone he panicked when he heard Irene’s groggy voice. He woke with a start and once he remembered where he was said under his breath “good gods.”

There was a knock on Irene’s mental shields. “Come to my room” Rhys told her. She was relieved to know he was home so she got up from the bed “the washroom is through that door, I’ll be back soon.”

“What happened?” Irene was horrified to see Rhys. Covered head to toe in dry, crusted blood. “We spotted the convoy on the border and got to them before they knew what was happening. Spring has a new High Lord.”

He swallowed thickly and stumbled towards her. Strong arms wrapped about her shoulders so tight she could barely breathe. His scent plus the smell of the blood was nauseating in the most delicious way. She had given up any hope of having him in her arms again. But here he was “I could never thank you enough, Irene. We had no idea. They would have been-” he didn’t finish the thought. Instead, he buried his head in her neck.

Irene was rubbing circles on his back, trying to comfort him and relishing how he felt against her. “It all worked out, everything is fine.”

Eventually he released her but dragged her to the bed. “How are you? Mor thought something happened with Eris and I swear if he even looked at you wrong I’ll have his head.” Irene shook her head, “I’m having a difficult time adjusting but Eris hasn’t been an issue.” Your father has, she wanted to add.

“Are you being forced to say that?”

“I know it's hard to believe, especially with how I was at the wedding but… I’m ok, for the most part.”

Rhysand cupped her cheek and scanned her face “You slept, the darkness under your eyes looks better today.”

“I actually did, I think I miss my mattress here.”

“I miss you here.”

“Me too, the Vanserras are all so intense and I pretty much just avoid them but-”

“I’ve missed you, Irene.” He punctuated the sentence with a swipe of his thumb on her lips.

Irene froze. “Oh-”

“Stay, I’ll do whatever it takes, do you want to stay?” He was inching toward her face.

“But that’s not possible. I’m married, Eris is in my room waiting for me and-” She could feel his breath on her lips.

“It’s not really a marriage if you were forced, we can have you as an official guest, you can-”

Irene removed his hand from her face “I can’t touch you anymore?” She gulped at the hurt that flashed through his face.

“Did you know I was in love with you for years?”

“You were?”

“Yes, and you never knew and you never felt the same. Which is fine. I'm not angry about that because when we were together there was a tiny glimmer of hope that it could turn into something real. But now that has been definitively ruled out. If I kiss you now it is completely hopeless and I appreciate whatever it is you’re trying to do but my life is not all bad. I have a title now. That's not nothing, Rhys. And sure, I did not choose who I married but… it could be worse.”

She squeezed his hand but didn't notice how he tried to hold onto it a little tighter before she let go.

"We can be friends. Allies.”

He gave her a weak smile as he agreed “friends and allies.”

“So this is where you’ve lived all your life. No wonder you’re so... particular.” Irene rolled her eyes at Eris.

They were walking along the Sidra. Irene wanted to take a moment to say goodbye to Velaris for the foreseeable future and Eris tagged along so he wouldn’t be left alone with a group of people who distinctly hate him. “Hush.” Irene said.

She found a bench with a view of the river. “I’d live in a place like this” he broke the silence that had fallen over them in the last minutes of the stroll.

“It’s a nice place to live.”

“Though, I must say the autumn groves suit you better than a cobblestone city.”

“Can you be quiet.”

“I mean it, gray washes you out.”

“Ass.”

taglist: @sidthedollface2 @acourtofbatboydreams

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theladyofbloodshed · 6 months

Note

What do you prefer Lucnes, Nezriel or Neris?

Elucien or Azris?

How dare you come into my home and make me pick between my children?????

If you have a gun to my head:

Nezriel because I love the complexities on it and I think Nesta and Azriel are compatible in an unhealthy but sexy way in that Azriel will be unhinged and Nesta needs somebody to be absolutely devoted in an obsessed way to her. I also think there's a lot of parental damage that they could grow from and break the cycle of abuse for their own kids. I headcanon they'd have kids really fast and give them they love they didn't have.

Neris because of the political powerhouse they would be. It was dangled in front of us and snatched cruelly away. I think Eris would worship the ground she walked on - but I didn't like the backhanded compliment he gave her in acosf. He does seem like he's way more into her. But also the dances they could have!! Silver flames!!! Autumn court!!! Matching fire!!! A man who won't balk from her power.

Lucnes because canon lets me down and Lucien is scared of her. If sjm wasn't a coward and put them together as planned, I'd be FEASTING. The opposites attract that we could have had!!! Social butterfly Lucien Vanserra and his scary wife Nesta Archeron. Everybody is afraid of her and Lucien's like??? my wife??? scary??? i don't believe it :-)

As for Elucien or Azris, I don't really have an opinion either way. If Nesta isn't at the party then count me out

#anon asks

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jon-snows-man-bun · 2 months

Text

By Turns

Chapter One

Masterlist

The closer Eris gets to his goals the harder he has to work to keep all plates spinning. Tensions simmer underneath his new alliances, pulling him into the Hewn City where the impact of Rhysand’s rule shapes the future.

Pairing: Eris Vanserra x OC. Other pairings to be added.

Other featured characters: Elain Archeron, Lucien Vanserra, Azriel. Variable POV

Rating: E for Explicit. Minors DNI.

Warnings: misogyny, violence, torture and domestic abuse both on and off screen, sex, sexual violence, dubious consent, drug use, character death, no reliable narrators to be found. Further warnings to be added.

Find this fic on AO3

A/N: The first full length fic I’ve ever written, and entirely on the notes app too. I think everybody in this fandom resents the lack of detail and world-building, so let’s get to fixing it via fanfic.

Total number of chapters TBC, additional warnings will be added as they occur but please note, explicit content occurs at the outset and throughout.

About the fic… the Hewn City really gets a rotten deal in canon, don’t they? This is my attempt to sort it out. Please note that involves Rhysand being a real “ends justify the means” sort of guy, so if that clashes with your vision of him perhaps this isn’t the fic for you. Keir and Morrigan are Irish names, so I’ve run with that since the Hewn City doesn’t get much detail in the books.

My characterisation of Azriel also seems to be against type for the fandom - he tortures people explicitly in this fic, and I’ve tried to line him up more with his angry, horny, fucked up in the head attitude that I got from his POV chapter. I don’t think he’s an emo softboi, so if you only like him in that sort of characterisation, this also probably isn’t the fic for you.

Thanks for reading! This is my first fic as I said, so I’d be delighted to have a beta reader if anyone is willing.

———————

The pit monsters were active that night. They didn’t make much noise but Azriel could feel them, waiting there beneath his feet. His shadows didn’t like going in the pits but were skating over the top of the grates and twining with the bars, telling him that the creatures were alert, waiting for him, for his gifts to them.

Some males had hounds waiting at their doors for their return. He had the Hewn City beasts.

Azriel had grabbed the fae from the throne room, dragging him through shadows down and down to the lowest levels of the dungeons. The assembled courtiers and citizens had stepped back from him when Rhysand called him forward, scattering like insects under the light of the High Lord’s displeasure. Azriel hadn’t followed what the fae’s transgression was, merely centring himself for what was to come.

He was a Darkbringer. This would not be easy.

Azriel shoved him through the doorway, turning to close it behind him. When he turned back, the male calmly went to the chair in the centre of the room and looked at him with flat dark eyes, so like Keir’s, which meant they were like Mor’s, too. Azriel could hate him for that, so he did. There was a dull acceptance there, which made everything in Azriel sour, turning to stone, turning to dust. He was blonde, as well; his hair looked grey in the ugly, dank light of the cells. Everything was grey and ugly here.

Rhys dipped into his mind briefly. I want to know who he was meeting with, he instructed. Names. I’ll return to you in a few hours.

This will take longer than a few hours, Azriel sent to him. Rhys’ only answer was the silken slip of his familiar darkness as it left Azriel’s mind.

Azriel began his work.

He thought of nothing at all as Truth Teller danced, by turns fast and sprightly, others slow and aching. It was only when he had the tip of the blade lodged under the fae’s broken third rib, carefully turned to keep the bone from healing, that he began to fade from consciousness. He knew his fate was death regardless; Rhysand had no clemency for Darkbringers who whispered of discontent and mutiny. Azriel paused with his finger in the knife wound as he mulled over how best to motivate the fae for information when his life was forfeit regardless of whether or not he provided it. His blonde hair had stained with blood, dark brown and congealed.

Azriel grabbed the fae by his dislocated arm and dragged him to the grate on the floor. Beneath, the beasts twined, appetites whetted from the blood dripping to them. The fae thrashed as he was pulled, swearing and snarling, but Azriel merely slammed his face against the grate, hard enough that he knew his eye socket would be shattered. The fae fought him, flailing like a trapped animal, but Azriel merely chained him down by his neck and retreated to wait.

This was why the beasts loved him, he mused as the fae started to scream. The only living things in the Hewn City that did.

In the morning Azriel was had no new information to give to Rhys. The fae was done - Azriel had been aggressive, hoping to coax the fae to speak by making death seem sweeter, but if the Darkbringer had any secrets he was taking them to his grave.

Not that he was getting a grave. Azriel merely cut his throat and rolled the body to the waiting beasts.

He opted not to winnow from this low, dank cell, choosing instead to walk upwards and see who might be waiting, see if anyone showed unusual interest in a traitor’s fate. The watery enchanted light pulled him up, and as he stepped through the door of the dungeons he parsed through what his shadows were telling him. They moved without fear here despite the light; even with the enchantment, the Hewn City was shadowed and dim.

Three children are walking to school. A blonde female is baking a rhubarb pastry for breakfast and brewing mushroom tea. A teenager with blue eyes is arguing with her mother over porridge because she wants to attend a dance but her father said no. The fire prince is here.

Fucking Eris. Azriel followed the last one, ignoring the whispers of his shadows about the Hewn City waking up; life happened here despite it all. He had meant to take in those around the entrance to the dungeons, but all whose paths he crossed ducked their heads and turned away. The acrid tinge of fear followed him everywhere in here.

It was a short walk from the dungeons to the court rooms along one of the wider boulevards. The stone fences of some of the grander mansions hemmed him in on either side; behind them he knew the occupants often kept small reflecting pools carved into the rock, little places to sit and take tea. The wooden gates through the tall fences were carved and painted with the crests of the families within: a luminescent moth, a gold seven-pointed star, two bats of rust and grey. He didn’t bother spying on most of these families - his time and energy was limited, far better spent outside of the Court. The Hewn City hadn’t necessitated it in a long time, but perhaps, with discontented soldiers…

He shouldered his way into the room without preamble. Eris Vanserra’s hair was so red in the half-light it was nearly luminous; brilliant, flaming colour after all of the anaemic imitations of life.

“And just when I thought my reception was too welcoming. I’m pleased Rhysand has sent one of his bats to brood in the corner. Tell me, which of the bastards are you?”

Was there ever a day when Eris didn’t antagonise everyone he came across? Azriel curled his lip at him, half a snarl and half a sneer. Eris merely smirked.

“I remember now, you’re not the one who fucked Morrigan. You’re the one who wishes he did,” Eris drawled, turning back to Lord Thanatos dismissively. Azriel only realised he was clenching his fists when his shadows started writhing around him, and he worked hard to master the hot flush of anger that grabbed his lungs and squeezed whenever Mor’s name fell from Eris’ lips.

“And this meeting has been approved with your High Lord, Thanatos?” Azriel ground out. Keir’s second gazed darkly at him, quickly rearranging his face into something neutral.

“Yes, as always, this falls under Lord Eris’ permissions to enter the Hewn City,” Thanatos grumbled. “Now, unless you’d like anything else? Perhaps to execute another one of my soldiers?”

“Don’t tempt me,” Azriel warned, pinning him with a stare. Thanatos didn’t flinch, as usual - Keir was the one who oozed through life like oil, bending away from the slightest pressure but impossible to be grasped with both hands.

By the time he winnowed back and reported to Rhys, he was ready to wash the Hewn City off of him. As he scrubbed the fae’s blood from his hair, he remembered how it had been matted into the blonde fae’s, how the rust brown bat on the gate he passed was the same colour. He let those thoughts flow down the drain, too.

———————

The ceiling of the Hewn City was spelled to emit light during the day and fade to blackness at night, but the light it mustered was watery and grey. It tended to give Eris a headache and was why he largely preferred to visit at night. Unfortunately, Keir and Thanatos preferred meeting at first light. Eris suspected this was to vex him.

“Tell me news of your dealings with Rhysand,” Keir said, gazing at him imperiously from across the black onyx table in the meeting chamber, not even deigning to add pleasantries. He had slunk into the chamber after Azriel had slunk out, the timing too exact to be coincidental.

Eris stuffed his hands in his pockets, affecting a casual insolence that he knew twisted screws into a certain breed of male.

Rhysand referred to this place - rather obnoxiously - as the Court of Nightmares, but he always thought of it as the Court of Masks. A web, a game of chess, a dance; the metaphors were endless, but they engaged in the same behaviour courtiers everywhere engaged in. But Eris had worn a mask all his life. It wasn’t any more frightening for him here than anywhere else, barring the monsters below the dungeons. He knew this dance well and could turn about the floor better than most.

Better than Lord Keir, certainly. His nonchalance was grating on the male, Eris could see in the twist of his mouth, and he smirked. Thanatos merely looked stone-faced and surly.

“My dalliance with Rhysand is as rewarding as ever,” Eris remarked smoothly, an utter lie. Rhysand was as withholding and miserly as ever. It also wasn’t why he was here with the lords of the City today, but he supposed when you had a boot on your neck it was all you thought about. All the same, Keir’s obsession with Rhysand grated.

The rest of the meeting continued in the same fashion. They were all too happy to further codify their alliance by allowing for the purchase of Hewn City diamonds by the Autumn Court - to be celebrated with a diplomatic dinner that evening - and Keir pushed again for access to Velaris. Eris had enquired about the executed soldier Thanatos had mentioned but they stayed mute, protesting that they had no idea he was disloyal.

Unlikely, given that you couldn’t so much as take a breath in the Hewn City without Keir’s permission and Thanatos knew the whereabouts of any Darkbringer at any given point. He set the matter aside for now, mulling it over and deciding to speak with the captains he knew at the dinner later.

———————

It was her eyes Eris noticed first.

In the reception room adjoining to the dining hall, Eris had sauntered in among the crowd. He had chosen a charcoal grey jacket for the occasion, blending himself into the Night Court fashion. The assembled courtiers were the usual blend of schemers and liars, and as he made his rounds, his eyes snagged on hers.

They were dark blue like a moonlit ocean, framed by thick lashes. Deep and fathomless and the blue of a silent midnight.

She was surrounded by the court of the Hewn City, the Darkbringer captains and low lords of shadow and ladies who wove webs of secrets and lies against each other. She wore dove grey silk overlaid with black lace, draped around her like gossamer webs, revealing skin in elegant swaths. Her skin was as pale as marble and, as fashionable here, had been dusted with something that made it look silver and luminous. Half her black hair was twisted back in a silver comb and adorned with a dove feather, while moonstones and diamonds glinted at her throat and fingers like many of the females in the Hewn City.

A daughter of Night. He met those sapphire eyes impassively, glancing over the high cheekbones, the full lips.

He knew his face was the picture of bored indifference, but his fire burned hot all the time, raging to consume, to destroy. It was constant effort to keep it tame within him, something he had refined through centuries. But as his eyes met hers his ribs ached to contain the pressure within him, his fire pressed up under his skin in a sudden rush that hit him like a blow to the chest.

Eris knew Keir was keen to curry favour and preserve the alliance - anything that might open the wards of the City and unleash him upon Prythian. If he wanted to, he could ask for the female; depending on who she was, he could go as far as asking for her to be brought to his chambers and find her waiting there in his bed for him. Females were tools here, chattel to be traded amongst the men.

He reminded himself that weapons were a type of tool, too. Instead, as he took his seat for the court dinner, he was gratified to find her diagonal to him. Was it intentional? A beautiful maiden dangled before him over a meal, to whet both his appetites? Keir sat to his right, Thanatos two down to his left. He was buffeted by the scheming males of this court, so was careful to keep his eyes from devouring her before he knew her measure. Most of the females in Night would go to his bed to pry something of value from his mouth; while females in Autumn clamoured for his attention for the social cache, here they desired his secrets to leverage over their keepers and each other. To tip his hand to anyone was to be taken advantage of - in chess, in politics, in pursuing women; this had been one of the first lessons he learned violently at Beron’s feet.

He didn’t bother speaking to her.

#by turns #eris vanserra #Eris vanserra x oc #Eris x oc #acotar fanfiction #my writing #pls be gentle guys it’s my first time

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shadowscrybe · 2 months

Text

Rayven's Revenge- Chapter 12

Summary: Rayven is the younger sister of Rhysand in the Night Court. She was banished 64 years ago for the murder of her sister. This is the story of Rayven earning her place in Prythian and finding out what it means to be family. We all know how her story ends...but how did she get there? I don't want to forget the demon princess with bat wings. Do you?

Word Count: 1.4k

Warnings: canon typical violence

A/N: I LOVE ERIS VANSERRA GUYS IM SORRY (justice for my boy) but I do love to see him bloody ok SUE ME

Rahne winnowed them into the skies over Autumn. She couldn't risk approaching the Forest House, but she needed to be relatively close to reach out for Eris. If he was even here.

Eris!

Rahne went another layer of wind below her to listen, but the Vanserra’s would never announce themselves to her.

Dammit.

Rayven’s boots crunched on the leaves of the autumn court floor. She held the parchment she swiped from Emerie with two words she’d written for Eris and burned it in her palm.

Even if she couldn't reach his mind here, the fires would deliver her message. The sun was setting and she was due back at court any minute, but she just needed to see his face.

Come on, she begged the whispers of the winds to sing his safety.

Leaves crackled behind her.

“Oh, thank the gods,” she turned expecting Eris, but was met with the face of a beautiful stranger.

“Who are you?” Her fire roared to life.

The dark-skinned female tilted her head to the side and made no move to counter. Her tightly curled dark hair spilled over her shoulders.

“You're Rayven,” she said.

“And you're dead.”

She held her palms up. “My name is Jesminda, but my friends call me Jess.”

“Don't care.”

“Eris is coming,” she said.

Her fire skidded. This could very well be a trap.

The stranger’s lips formed a thin line. The flowy lavender of her skirts spread as she sat atop a boulder. She moved with a casual grace so much like...

“You’re one of Lucien’s.”

She nodded. “I am the one who told him to warn you about Eris. Apparently, you did not listen.”

“Never will. Where is Eris now?” Rahne was not circling her ankles when she looked down for her. She was hovering the air above her head, which usually meant she was pissed. Another Autumn court fae that deceived her senses.

“He sent me first, he won't have much time. He is expected back for departure.”

“To Spring?” Autumn’s shift was directly after hers, they were going too early.

“To Night,” Jesminda said. “You did not know?”

“You know my name, but not my position in my court? Who are you really?”

“A friend,” she attempted a cordial smile.

“She doesn't have any of those.”

Rayven gasped at the bloodied face of her best friend.

“What the fuck-” she braced herself for the rest of the ambush, but he held his hands up.

All clear, he sent her and collapsed in the dead leaves before she could catch him.

“I should've come sooner.” Rayven knelt next to her friend and made her own assessment. His cheek was caked in fresh blood from the gash at the cheekbone. His breaths were shaky between broken ribs. For him to look this bad an entire day later, Beron must've salted the wounds, so they'd linger.

“I will roast him alive,” her flames scorched the vegetation around them. “I will kill him.”

Jesminda didn't even flinch.

There was nothing fatal, Rahne reported, but he had to be really hurt because Rahne wiped at his cheek and he let her.

Beron was perhaps the least deserving highlord out of them all on most days, but this was unacceptable.

Eris just shook his head and inhaled brokenly. “He can't know about you.”

“He did this to you because of me?” She decided fire wasn't the right option. She was going to take each layer off of his rotting corpse.

“I knew he’d never believe it was nothing. When I didn't return with a body, he wanted a name.”

“You should've just told him it was me.”

His wild eyes met hers. “Are you crazy? He will kill you.”

“So instead you'll let him kill you? What name did you give him?”

She tried to wipe the blood off of him but he swiped her hands away. “Don't.”

“What do I do? Tell me.”

“You leave and never come back.” The blood on his face was thinned by a single tear. “If you come here again he will kill you. I only came to tell you we cannot meet here again. Don't send me messages anymore. You've never met me. I don't know who you are.”

No, no, no. “I'm not leaving you here. Come with me,” she begged. “I can hide you in Ironcrest.” She was scrambling for a solution, and he knew it. She announced Ironcrest in front of this stranger. If she became an issue she’d roast her too.

He shook his head. “I told him I caught a lesser scouting the Forest House. They got away, but he said if I returned defeated by a lesser fae unmarked then...” His body shook. “I should've had you hit me harder before you left.”

Rayven couldn't help her scoff. “Broken nose wasn't enough for you?”

He winced when the smile he forced pulled on his skin.

“So because you didn't kill someone, he beat you?”

Eris didn't respond. He didn't need to. Beron was the worst father in Prythian. Hers was cruel, but if he ever laid a hand on her it’d be the last of him having hands.

Eris wasn't in the same position as Rayven. He was the oldest. He had six brothers to protect. Rayven only had herself and Rahne.

“What's her deal,” her chin jerked to the female fixing her hands on her skirt. Her body language was relaxed, but a spy was always collected.

“You may have the spymaster, but these woods have eyes. We’re lucky it was Jesminda that saw us.”

“And who can see us now?” She didn't really want his answer.

Jesminda was the one to respond. “These woods have been cleared. It is just us.”

Rahne was certain the area was clear as well, but Autumn and its inhabitants were slippery creatures.

Rayven snapped her attention to the female. “Full offense, but I don't know or trust you.”

Eris’ cold hand wrapped around hers. “She’s okay,” he coughed. “She told me where to find you.”

“My message went to you?”

“I think you mean, thank you Jess, for intercepting the obvious message before Beron could.” She was as smart-mouthed as the fox.

“It was two words?” She was going to hurt that pretty face.

“Meet now,” she quoted. “The exact day after Eris was punished for a mysterious encounter in the woods. Are you stupid or just that careless?”

Yeah, I’m going to hurt her.

Before she could slip in her mind and convince her she was burning alive, Eris squeezed her hands.

“You have to leave and promise to never return.”

Rayven’s heart cracked. “Don't say that to me.”

He pulled himself upright and readjusted his bloodied tunic. “I’ll be fine,” his eyes didn't meet hers.

“But I won't,” she cried to her friend. “I can't do this without you.”

He pulled her into an embrace. She couldn't even wrap her arms around him before he was pulling away. “Go,” he said.

“Eris.”

“I’ll find a way to see you tomorrow outside of Velaris.”

“I can't come to Autumn, but you can come to Night?” He never made any sense. She was about to give him another bloody nose.

“He is meeting with Keir in the Hewn City tomorrow afternoon.” Jesminda answered again.

“You're free to go anytime you’d like,” she bit out to the spy.

“I am free no matter what,” she said. She didn't have the flame, but something in her roared under the surface. “I’ll see you later,” she said to Eris and didn't offer Rayven a parting quip when she receded into a deadend Rahne had already scoped.

“Why is Beron coming to Night?”

“I don't know,” he said. “He’s only taking me and my two younger brothers.”

“I met with the Highlord earlier, he didn't mention any of this.”

“Keir requested a private audience,” he bristled.

The lord of the Hewn City wanted to meet with the Highlord of the Autumn Court.

Her blood chilled. Keir was kept at the Court of Nightmares for a reason.

“We have a very small window before I am missed. I’ll find you tomorrow.”

“Swear it,” she said.

“I swear it, on my favorite little demon,” he fought the wince of his genuine smile.

“If you don't, we’ll be right back here tomorrow, you hear me? I’ll march right into the Forest House. That's my swear.”

“Go,” he said again. “Don't come back to Autumn.”

“Don't tell me what to do,” her threat fell short. She risked a kiss to his cheek and one last squeeze on his icy hands.

Then Rahne was shooting into the sky, Rayven behind her.

#acotar #a court of thorns and roses #rhys!sister #azriel x rhys!sister #azriel x reader #azriel #eris vanserra

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nocasdatsgay · 2 months

Note

Heyyy :)

🍓🥤🍄🌿

thanks <3

Hi 🥰

🍓 ⇢ how did you get into writing fanfiction?

Would you believe me if I said I was always making fanfic up in my head since I was a small child? (lol thank you disassociating) and around middle school my friends and I had a binder we started writing it down it. I’ve been writing ever since

🥤 ⇢ recommend an author or fanfic you love

This right here: Fanning Flames by @lovely-vanserra-sunshine I’m sorry I feel like this case study of Eris and Lucien growing up is so underrated ❤️❤️❤️ I also recommend headcanonheadcase on ao3 with her hockey uni au. Right now the Feyre Rhys one is my fav.

🍄 ⇢ share a head canon for one of your favourite ships or pairings

Lucien and Elain are the spiciest of pairings like move over Nessian, Lucien has KINKS and Elain is a TEASE

🌿 ⇢ give some advice on writer's block and low creativity

Honestly take the break. If you have writers block 9/10 times it’s cause you might be burnt out. Sometimes just pushing through it does help but really a brain break is okay.

Ask game here

#about me #ask game #fanfic rec #headcanon #answered asks

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chandiewashere · 2 years

Text

𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 - chapter one

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eris vanserra x reader; very light tamlin x reader warnings: lots of angst in this one, i think this is canon typical violence?, body mutilation, character death, blood, unbeta'd i go down on this ship alone series - wip ; taglist open

series m.list -> please follow the "a dangerous game of love and trust" tag for all updates on the series including extras!

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Rhysand hasn't stopped bothering me since the party.

Well, neither has Tamlin, but that's a different story. My darling brother, however, everywhere I go, he's already there with a teasing glint in his eye and a question on his tongue.

'You seemed to be having fun at the Spring Court.'

'Make sure to invite me to the wedding!'

'Don't forget protection!'

I think my head might explode from the embarrassment.

After Tamlin had pulled me away to the garden, the party ended pretty quickly. We spent most of the night chatting and strolling, and I managed to push that enchanting stranger's eyes from my head for the time being.

Thankfully, Rhys had waited to start tormenting me until after we were back in Night Court, but now I cannot escape it. Even now, as I sit reading on the couch, I hear his loud footfalls approaching the room I'm in.

"I hope that's a romance because you'll need all the help you can get."

Scowling, I don't take my eyes off the page as I retort, " At least I have someone interested in me for longer than one night."

"Ouch," Rhys hisses as he flops down next to me, "you wound me so, little sister."

Settling back, he leans his head back on the seat, stretching his arms out to either side, almost resembling a large house cat getting comfortable, and peeks an eye over me.

"We're going to a meeting today, so we won't be able to get to Spring until late."

"Whose we?"

"Dad and I," he breathes, closing his eyes with a huff, "Mom and you will have to go greet Tamlin and them by yourselves."

I take my turn to sigh as I set my book to the side and swing my legs up onto Rhys' lap.

Tamlin had invited us to a picnic with his family a few weeks ago. Something about that the cherry trees are beautiful this time of year. Faintly, I wonder if it's late enough in the season for them to bloom yet; after all, here in Velaris, there was still snow on the ground.

"Well, it's all the better then," I snort, "the fewer people to embarrass me, the better."

That snarky grin makes its way onto Rhysand's face again as he gets up, throwing my legs off in the process. He ruffles my hair and pinches my cheeks as he chuckles, "I'll just have to make it up to you next time we have a ball."

I purse my lips and swat his hands away, getting in one good smack before he disappears around the corner laughing.

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I gasp as I enter the clearing Tamlin has led us to.

You wouldn't think that trees would be blooming this early in the year, but with the temperate climate of Spring Court, the ordinarily green canopy is covered in pink blossoms. A sweet fragrance wafts through the air, and a small stream gurgles in the distance. A small blanket is set out with an array of bread, fruits, jams, and cheeses. I almost can't believe that a place like this exists, and with a wide grin, I turn toward Tamlin.

He is standing towards the front of the herd of brothers while his father smiles gently at us. Everything seems perfect, and my mother comes to my side as we gape at the meadow around us.

"I'm so glad you could join us," the High Lord comments, "though I'll admit I am a little disappointed that Night's High Lord and Prince aren't with us today."

"They send their apologies," I reply with a smile, "sadly, they had some meetings to attend in Day Court."

The High Lord nods thoughtfully, and Tamlin walks towards me while his brothers head towards the food. Tamlin gently grabs my arm and smiles down at me.

"That's fine," he says softly, squeezing my arm tighter. I squirm a little, trying to relieve some of the pressure on it.

His father steps up to my mother and me, and two brothers grab her arms, a fair bit rougher than they ought to. I scowl and try to move to her, but Tamlin's hold is steel and holds me firmly in place.

I look up in confusion at him before the High Lord smirks, the mirth in his eyes turning dark.

"Yes," he laughs, "it's fine."

"Two sets of wings will be just fine."

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Everything is on fire.

My arms are covered in cuts and bruises, and my forehead must be bleeding because my sight is tinged red while one eye stings horribly. A foot is pressed down on my back between my wings, now bent at odd angles and bleeding.

My mother lies on the other side of the clearing on her stomach, staring back at me with tears running down her face as she grits her teeth. Muffled cries ring out as one brother holds her while another slashes randomly with one of the cheese knives. Her back is bare and bloody, and two obsidian wings lay in a neat pile a few feet away.

Loud hearty laughs echo through the now dark clearing; the High Lord has pulled up a chair between us. He takes turns glancing between my mother and me with a sinister grin, like a lion toying with his food.

"I must say I do wish the other two were here," he chortles, "but all's well that ends well. I'll just have to make do."

"Filthy pig!"

He laughs even harder, even holding his stomach in mock pain. The boot pressing me down suddenly rams into my ribs, and I swear I can hear the bones crack.

"You're quite the mouthy one, aren't you? Thank goodness you didn't marry in; I'd have to make Tamlin beat it out of you."

Another crack sounds through the air, followed by my mother's cry as the High Lord makes his way over to me.

He jerks me up by my hair, so I'm almost kneeling in front of him, and puts his face close to mine, "You should learn from your mother and shut up if you want this to go quickly."

I can smell the fruit and cheese on his breath, mixed with the smell of wine and something rancid, and I try to hold back my bile.

"I'll kill you," I seethe as I spit at him.

A crack sounds, and fire blooms against my cheek as I'm thrown to the ground, a groan escaping. As I look back up, black dots swim in my vision, and I am met with another kick to the side.

"We'll see about that," he huffs and sits back down, turning to his two sons.

"One of you, go help Tamlin hold that one down. It's time we finished this."

As I'm still reeling, someone moves my body, so I lay on my stomach again, and another holds my arms to the ground. I'm too weak to move, and someone settles themselves on top of me, knees on either side of my waist, caging me to the ground.

A burning pain flares out from my back as if someone has poured hot metal on my skin, and immediately my body goes stiff before trying anything to get away from it. My limbs thrash around, and one arm comes free, meeting something hard as a low groan sounds out. My sight goes in and out, and I can see my mother thrashing to come to me, lips moving frantically.

She's trying to say something.

Someone is screaming.

My throat begins to ache and burn, my mouth goes dry and I realize it's me. I am the one screaming.

Something pops, the burning subsides, and a large black mass flops down to my side. In horror, I realize it's my wing. They're cutting off my wings.

I hear shouts and curses, and suddenly the weight on my back is gone, and soft feminine hands cradle my face.

Through my blurry vision, I see my mother, sobbing over me and brushing my hair away from my face. Her arms wrap around my shoulders as a throbbing pain sets in, and she whispers something.

"Winnow away."

She is ripped from me, and I am yanked backward by the shoulder as they drag her back across the clearing. We both thrash and pull, trying to get back to each other, and I hear a loud sigh.

The High Lord stands, wiping his hands on his pants as he does, and looks between my mother and me again.

"And here I was hoping we could kill you two simultaneously."

He looks at me, almost disappointed, and sighs again.

"Well, we still need that one, but I think I'm done with the other," He says as he waves a hand at the son holding my mother.

"Kill her."

My body stills, and I look over at my mother. She has a resigned look on her face and mouths back to me.

'Go.'

"Father," Tamlin glares, "you never said anything about killing them."

"Well, we can't exactly let them run free now, can we?"

The High Lord looks back at the one holding my mother, "Do it. We have to finish before the other two get here."

He nods and pulls my mother to her knees, unsheathing his sword. My body begins to move on its own, and I try to go towards her, to save her, when I see a determined look on her face as she shakes her head.

I still, and the brother raises his sword into the air. Her eyes soften, and I start to understand what she asks me to do.

My jaw quivers as tears stream from my eyes. With my remaining strength, I jerk my arm from Tamlin's grasp, freeing myself for a moment. That's all I need, is just a moment.

My mind steels itself, and I raise myself to my feet, my mother's eyes never leaving mine as she nods.

The sword swings through the air.

I take a step.

Shouts ring out as darkness swirls around me, and the last thing I see is my mother smiling, a tear running down her cheek.

"I love you."

And then everything is gone.

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I cough as I step out into a forest, gracelessly falling to the floor as my knees crumple under me.

The bloody meadow, covered with cherry blossoms, is replaced with aspens and oaks. The overwhelming scent of maple fills the air, and small scatterings of snow coat the forest floor. It's getting dark now, the sun filling the trees with the last reds and oranges before night sets in.

I manage to pull myself a little away from where I had stepped out before my arms and legs finally give out, and I barely have enough energy to keep my eyes open. Resting my head on the soft earth, I let out a shaking breath and fight to hold the tears in.

I am not safe yet. I have to keep moving.

I try and try to shuffle further along, with no luck. I couldn't lift a feather right now if I tried. Throbbing pains radiate through my body, and leaves stick to the drying blood.

My eyes get heavier, and I can faintly hear the soft grasses and fallen leaves crunching. My vision goes blurry and begins to dim, and something reddish-orange comes into view.

A warbled sound makes it to my ears, and warmth covers my body like a thick blanket. Exhaustion wins, and I close my eyes.

Faintly, I think that this isn't the worst place to die.

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note: and there you have it! it has been a long time coming but here is the first chapter!! as you can see i did end up keeping in the death scene, because there are a few things i needed in it for certain progressions later, but i hope it wasn't too intense. if i missed any tags please do let me know! i hope you all enjoyed it, i certainly enjoyed writing it. i've actually reread it a few times myself, and i am just loving the momentum it has. thank you all for reading and i'll see you soon!

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taglist: @owllover123 @sol2694 @theviewfromtheotherside

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Please do not repost, translate or plagiarize my works.

#eris vanserra x reader #eris x reader #acotar x reader #chandies.fics #a court of thorns and roses #acotar fic #tamlin x reader #unbeta'd #a dangerous game of love and trust #chandie.writes

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