#this was maybe the moment cardan really warmed up to me

[sweetvillainjude]

There’s something so raw about the image of Cardan with his sleeves rolled up washing the blood off Jude’s hands, after he’s ruined his velvet jacket to stop her bleeding. It’s one of the moments where we clearly see how much he cares for her. He wouldn’t let the guards touch her, despite—from his perspective—not having any way of knowing she wasn’t there to kill him. On top of that, he declares to the palace crowd that Jude is the rightful Queen of Elfhame, who is not in exile, stunning everyone. And then later tells Jude that he had been terrified, not of her but for her.

“It was terrifying,” he says, “watching you fall.”

“Mortals are fragile,” I say. “Not you,” he says in a way that sounds a little like a lament. “You never break.”

Jurdan are wild because they may not have been able to verbalise what they felt for each other, nor even admit it to themselves, but it showed through their actions anyway.

#this was maybe the moment cardan really warmed up to me #and later jude’s like damn i hogged his bed this whole time crap #like guaranteed jude he was just scared he might lose you he didnt give one damn about u getting blood on his sheets #he was terrified for you he said as much! #ahhhhh #jurdan #jude duarte #cardan greenbriar #jude x cardan #the queen of nothing #the cruel prince #the queen of nothing spoilers #tfota #the cruel prince spoilers #AHHHHHHHH

[yureichi]

I’ve gathered quotes from twk and qon of Jude being in love but pretending she wasn’t bc why not. let’s gooo.

“My body has acclimated (to poison), and now it craves what it should revile. An apt metaphor for other things.”

“(After the crossbow incident) I am shaking, I realize. The aftereffects of believing someone tried to assassinate Cardan, of realizing he could have died.”

“I wish I could think of a place he’d be safer.”

“I look into his eyes. His hand slides to my hip, as though he might pull me closer. For a dizzy, stupid moment, something seems to shimmer in the air between us.”

“I still feel the warm pressure of his fingers against my skin. Something is really wrong with me, to want what I hate, to want someone who despises me, even if he wants me, too. My only comfort is that he doesn’t know what I feel.”

“Our gazes meet, and there’s a shock of mutual understanding that our bodies are pressed too closely. […] I am aware of the warmth of his neck beneath my twined fingers, of the prickly brush of his hair and how I want to sink my hands into it. I inhale the scent of him—moss and oakwood and leather. I stare at his treacherous mouth and imagine it on me.”

“Then his mouth is against mine, and my lips part. I close my eyes against what I’m about to do. My fingers reach up to tangle in the black curls of his hair. He doesn’t kiss me as though he’s angry; his kiss is soft, yearning.”

“I’ve wanted this and feared it, and now that it’s happening, I don’t know how I will ever want anything else.”

“I hate you,” I say, the words coming out like a caress. I say it again, over and over. A litany. An enchantment. A ward against what I really feel.”

“I hate you,” I breathe into his mouth. “I hate you so much that sometimes I can't think of anything else.”

“I like him better than I’ve ever liked anyone and that of all the things he’s ever done to me, making me like him so much is by far the worst.”

“She loves him, I realize uncomfortably.

His fingers trace their way down her arm to the back of her wrist, and I remember vividly the feeling of those hands on me. Kiss me until I am sick of it, he said, and now he has most certainly gorged on my kisses. Now he is most certainly sick of them. I hate seeing him with Nicasia. I hate the thought of his touching her.”

“I wonder if I will ever be able to look at him again without remembering what it was like to touch him.”

“It occurs to me that maybe desire isn’t something overindulging helps. Maybe it is not unlike mithridatism; maybe I took a killing dose when I should have been poisoning myself slowly, one kiss at a time.”

“[…] All I want to do is walk into his arms. I want to drown my worries in his embrace. I want him to say something totally unlike himself, about things being okay.”

“The offhand implication that he’s not alone most nights bothers me, and I hate that it does.”

“I cannot look at him as he goes out. I am a coward. Maybe it’s the pain in my leg, maybe it’s worry over my brother, but a part of me wants to call after him, wants to apologize.”

“I hope Cardan misses me.”

“I wonder what would have happened if I’d admitted he wasn’t out of my system.”

“But when I think of the night he was shot at, the night he did coin tricks, I can’t help recalling him gazing up from my bed, intoxicated and disturbingly intoxicating.”

“I am unnerved to find myself here, in the new High King’s new bed—one I am still too human to lie in, beside someone who terrifies me the more I feel for him.”

“But there is also a weakness in me, because I dreamed of him kissing me for all my time in the Undersea, and now with his mouth on mine, I want to sink my nails into his back.”

“I don’t want to think of someone else standing beside Cardan in my place.”

“The very thought of being there (Elfhame), of seeing Cardan, speeds my heart. At least no one is privy to my thoughts. Stupid as they are, they remain my own.”

“I want another bite at the everapple, another chance at power, another shot at him.”

"He looks every inch the spy from the Court of Shadows, down to the sneaky smile pulling at a corner of his beautiful mouth."

#she just kept saying well I like and worry and care about him and we desperately want to make out but of course we still hate each other #lololol #jude duarte #cardan greenbriar #tfota #the folk of the air #jurdan

[likecanyoujustnot]

Cardan’s letters pov

Part 5: vexation

A/n: I wrote this one last don’t know why. Oh well. I really struggled for ideas for it. I had to make sure cardan didn’t sleep on his back in the court of shadows scene lol.

Part 4. Part 6

Another bloody revel.

I was getting sick of them. Which was saying something since I used to count down the days till the next one.

But Jude had been here then.

I still hadn’t heard back from her, and the roach was refusing to give me any information about her, probably knowing I would do something irrational. Which I would.

“My king.”

Jude?

I turned to the voice.

“Taryn.”

She looked like she hadn’t betrayed me and her sister a month and a half ago. She looked innocent. But there was a tiredness to her, evident by the bags under her eyes and her pale skin. Her simple green dress doing nothing for her complexion.

There was no news of Madoc other than he was somewhere north with the court of teeth. This unnerved me. He was undoubtedly biding his time until he stuck. He always believed me to be a weak and incompetent king. And I would show him I was not.

“What do you want?” I snapped.

“I wished to know if you had heard from Jude.” Her hands where clasped in front of her.

I kept my face as blank and my posture as relaxed as I could. “Why would I? I exiled her, put a death penalty on her head, if she sets foot here she could die.” She could die, if a guard found her and decided to kill-now-ask-questions-later, I didn’t even want to think about it. But Taryn didn’t need to know about the loophole.

“I wasn’t sure if maybe she’d asked to be able to come back.”

“It’s Jude, she doesn’t ask permission, if she wanted to be here she would, and she would first go for the people, who have betrayed her.” I put an emphasis on people, hoping she would get the hint that Jude was just as upset with her as she was with me. Presumably.

I got the reaction I wanted from Taryn. She flinched. “I really didn’t mean it.”

“You didn’t mean to pretend to be my seneschal, and trick me into releasing my general from his oaths, effectively allowing him to declare war on me?”

“He made it sound like it was the right thing to do.” She looked at her feet.

“That’s what manipulation is. Now get out of my sight.” I didn’t have time for her self-pity stories.

How could she just stand there and look so much like Jude, but be so wholly different? I watched her retreating back, her shoulders tense.

I stared at the wine in my glass. Horrid thing.

There were footsteps up to the dias.

“Cardan.” A soft feminine voice said.

Nicasia. My former friend, my former arranged fiancée, my former lover. Before she’d ruined that. Today was a day for bringing up past demons.

“What.” I snapped, not even trying to be pleasant. I was only going to stay another few minutes before I went back to sulk over my disastrous marriage.

She looked beautiful. Dark hair swept up and held in place with pearled combs, the cut of her deep purple dress low and inviting. Once upon a time I would’ve invited her to my bed, but the princess was as interesting to me as a rock in that moment.

“You’ve been acting weird.”

I sighed. “I don’t need you to worry about me.”

“You’re my friend.”

I raised a brow at her. “Didn’t stop you from cheating on me.”

She at least had the decency to look ashamed. “That was a long time ago.”

“Yes, and I’ve finally come to terms with it, I was never enough for you Nicasia, no one will ever be, you will tire of who ever warms your bed and move on like they never existed.” I was married now, and Nicasia needed to understand nothing would ever come of pining over me again. “I no longer have to deal with your presence to avoid upsetting our parents, I will never marry you, no matter what your mother may want. And that is final.”

She looked hurt. “Is that it? You’re ending our friendship over mistakes I made years ago?”

“I’m ending our relationship for many things, what you did to Jude when you kidnapped her being one, allowing balekin to control her, starving her.” The way she looked as she was half dragged out of the water would haunt me till the end of my days. She’d been so pale, so thin. I threw up that night. Cried for seeing her like that. My strong fierce Jude. “Allying with the man who killed my family-”

“Those were my mother’s choices.” She protested.

“And you went along with them.” I shut her down.

“Is that it? Jude? You care that much for her you would cut me out of your life?”

“I’m not cutting you out, I’m merely suggesting you stay away from the high court when it is not absolutely necessary.” I stood.

“It is Jude.” She laughed. “Of course it is, I knew you liked her, we all did, you’d stare at her, bring her up in conversations that had nothing to do with her, you’re pathetic.”

I kept quiet. I could not deny it. I loved Jude more than anything. And i was glad to be rid of Nicasia, had been looking for a way for years. Now I had one.

“I hope she never comes back. Or she does just so she can kill you. You’d deserve it.” She storms away back to her entourage of kelpies and merfolk.

Good riddance.

She had been a good friend, cruel, but never to me. When we’d decided to take our relationship further, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Until it wasn’t.

I’d written another yesterday.

To the High Queen of Elfhame

Above me is the same silvery moon that shines down on you. Looking at it makes me recall the glint of your blade pressed to my throat and other romantic moments.

I do not know what keeps you from returning to the High Court- whether it is a vexation with me, or whether, having spent time in the mortal world, you have come to believe a life free of the folk is better than one ruling over them.

In my most wretched hours I believe you will never come back.

Why would you, save for your ambition? You have always known exactly what I am and seen all my failings, all my weaknesses and scars. I flattered myself that at moments you had feelings for me other than contempt, but even were that true, they would make but a thin gruel beside the feast of your other, greater desires.

And yet my heart is buried with you in the strange soil of the mortal world, as it was drowned with you in the cold waters of the undersea.

It was yours before I could ever admit it, and yours it shall ever remain.

Cardan

It was the longest one that I had written, one that bared what was in my heart, and left things unsaid, for me to tell her if she ever did come back.

I took the crown of my head and studied it.

It was heavy, made of soft gold, it would be so easy to just, break it.

But I wouldn’t do that.

I kept it in my hand as I got up to leave the revel.

I was stopped by a young woman, thick dark hair that offset the slightest green tinge in her skin. I noticed her fingers had an extra joint. Strange, but not unheard of.

“My king.” She bowed.

“Can I help you?” I sneered at her.

“I was wondering if you may wish to join me tonight?”

I huffed. “Not interested, sorry.”

She looked crestfallen as I walked away.

I caught a flash of orange hair as I walked away.

Of course Locke would swoop in to “comfort” a woman at the same party his wife was at.

He made me sick.

I hoped someone cut his throat

I stared at the ceiling from where I layed in bed. Hands folded over my bare stomach, wishing, as I always did, that Jude was here. She would chastise me for being so pathetic, for longing so strongly for her.

56 days. 8 weeks. 5 letters.

And I hadn’t even gotten a “piss off Cardan, I’m not coming back”

It was silence.

As always during this time of night, even before her exile, my thoughts strayed to Jude.

To her smile and mouth, her soft hair, her curves and the way she tasted when I kissed her. The noises she did her best to muffle. How every time she looked at me I wanted to make the world disappear so it would just be the two of us and I could live out my fantasies.

Great. Now I was hot and uncomfortable. But I wouldn’t do anything about it.

This was my self-inflicted punishment, the misery.

I couldn’t sleep on my back.

The position was too vulnerable. Reminded me too much of the horrors I’d faced from my brother.

Maybe one day I would tell Jude.

Maybe.

If,

She,

Ever,

Came,

Back…

#the cruel prince #cardan greenbriar #cardans letters pov #jurdan fanfic #jude duarte #jude x cardan #the queen of nothing #queen of nothing #folk of the air #the folk of the air

[tfotababe]

Synopsis: Jude Duarte thinks she is poisoned. She feels sick? It must be the poison. She eats more? It must be because the poison made her weak. She missed her period? Yeah, must have been the poison. Was she poisoned? You guessed it! No! Word count: 4, 101

When the physician took his leave, Vivi, Heather, and Taryn took Cardan over to the corner of the room. "If anything happens to her or the baby, I will be the one fighting you alright?" Vivi received a slightly painful nudge from her wife of five years. "You should bring her to a mortal doctor so we could see if it's a girl or a boy." Heather told him. "She's going to have a lot of changes. She's going to be more vulnerable, her mood would change time and again, she'll need to be taken care of, a lot." Taryn fills him on the struggles of human pregnancy, putting great emphasis on the last part. On the other hand, Jude was left with Oak and Amelia. "Why are you crying auntie? Do you not like the baby?" Amelia asks the currently very emotional Jude. Oak had stopped with his device instead giving his older sister a listening ear. "You know Lia, sometimes when people are really happy they cry." Oak explains, giving Jude a tissue. He had matured quite a bit after breaking up with his 'girlfriend'. He said he wanted to become a better 'man' for her. "Oh, so auntie is really happy?" She averts her gaze to Oak. "Yes, Lia. Hug me?" Jude finally says. She was propped onto the headboard of the bed. she opened her arms and invited Lia to come over. Her niece in turn, crawled on top of the bed and went into her embrace. "You're so warm!" What Amelia said was more comforting than it would have been in any other context. To Jude, the giggles she got from Amelia sounded sugary. She wonders if her child would say that about her voice too, if their giggles would sound just as sweet or if it would sound sweeter. Seeing Oak looking at them, she removes a hand from Amelia's back, also inviting him. "No. I'm not a kid anymore." Oak crosses his arms, looking away. "If you won't hug me as a kid, what about as my brother?" Jude asks. "Fine. but only because it would make you happy." Trudging over to the side of the bed, Oak made it look like a walk of shame. Still he crawls onto the bed to give Jude the hug she asked for. If it is because she is soon to be a mother or because she likes Oak and Amelia that she feels this moment gratifying she doesn't really know. After a few moments, Vivi, Heather, and Taryn decided to give Cardan and Jude some time to talk to themselves. Taking Oak and Amelia with them. Cardan walks to Jude. He could immediately spy the doubt in her eyes. "We will do great Jude. You will do great." But, even the supposedly solacing kiss that Cardan gave his wife, didn't help in the nine months of pregnancy. 1 Month The Queen has been tossing and turning in her sleep. She tossed and turned so much it woke the King. "Jude..?" Was the first thing the King muttered The Queen turns to look at him in the eyes. "Cardan… I'm famished…" The words paired with a deadpan look was rather ironic. The King couldn't quite stop his laughter at such a chucklesome moment. "What are you laughing at?" The Queen scowled. "Well-" The King removed his hand from his eyes to look at his Queen but then the Queen looked too adorable for him, he couldn't help his laugh yet again. This time though, it was of affection rather than amusement. Wiping away the tears, he asks his Queen. "Well then, what does the High Queen of Elfhame crave at 12 noon when many are asleep?" The King sits up on the bed. "Veal. I want veal paired with potatoes and cheese. Do we still have ice cream? Did we get ice cream? And maybe bread too. And after that something sweet but also a little salty… Do we have something like that?" The Queen rests her head on her palms while looking up at the King. "I doubt we'll be able to get any of what you want here in Faerie. Come, let's head to the mortal realm." To that the Queen's face lit up.

2 Months The High Queen and King of Elfhame was invited to a revel. They accepted, it would be careless of them not to when it had been planned for them. They shouldn't have. They should have just been careless. The Queen had one hand at Nightfell's hilt while the other sub-consciously positions itself on her stomach. The King, regardless of not knowing how to use a sword, had put himself in front of his wife. "We'll get a higher pay if they discover the woman has --" Cardan needed not to hear the rest of what the slaughterers had to say. With an outstretched hand, Cardan made the tree roots come alive. Grabbing those who was sent to harm the High Queen and dragging them into the soil. When he turns after hearing the clang of metal, he sees the Queen fighting two different Fae. He would have left her to fight them, she could finish them, he knows. But he couldn't do that. Especially not when another folk joins in. Still, before he could do anything, the other two the Queen had been fighting is on the ground, their necks slit. He sees Jude mutter something but not quite hear it then just like that, the third folk had been cornered in a bush, slowly being swallowed by the land. He was about to say something to lighten the atmosphere, if it was possible, however, his wife had collapsed. Lucky were they that he caught her. If not, he might declare war on the rulers of the court. It had tired him to call on the land even as a Faerie, how much more spent is she, carrying a child, holding a sword and commanding the land? It took all his might and every bit of his responsibility to not yell a declaration of treason.

3 Months Taryn had introduce her twin to the term 'Baby proof'. Hence, why when a new item is being brought in the palace, The Queen would appear from thin air to ask "Is that baby proof?" A new shelf is getting installed? The Queen would stalk in and tell them, "Make sure that's strong enough for a kid. oh, and add those soft corner things Taryn gave." Was it heart warming? Yes. Was it irritating? No. But then the Queen started to look at anything and think of it as bad for the future child. When she saw anything sharp, her eyes would grow big and she'd say "Cardan! That's not baby proofed!" She saw a book -- "That could fall on their head. Make sure to lock the room." The only thing she wasn't baby proofing now were the swords. But Cardan could see the 'baby-proof-that-thing' glint in her eyes. If it was not for the training, those swords would have been stoppered right away. No questions asked. Just orders. Was it heart warming? No. Was it irritating? Yes. The King smiles.

4 Months The King and Queen are taking a bath together. Normally, it would be the King between the legs of the Queen, leaning into her chest with his eyes closed. With the Queen feeling the vulnerability of a pregnant woman though, their positions were reversed. "Do you feel better?" Cardan asked his wife. Planting a chaste kiss on her temple while stroking her stomach, which is progressively increasing in size a day at a time. "Hmm?" Jude looks back, eyes ending on his lips. She pecks it before continuing with what she had to say. "Very much." "Right. Then, would you like to head to the mortal world now?" The Queen nods. The King get's up and helps the Queen stand up. After that, everything went fast for the Queen. They get clothed, got everything ready for their travel, and arrive at the mortal world. Only when they are at the doctors office did time run normally for Jude. Gliding a device on her stomach, the doctor give her a happy smile. "It seems you will be having twins Mrs. Greenbriar." She announces. "Twins?" Cardan jolts upward from his seat beside Jude's bed. "Yes sir." She nods happily. Jude and Cardan could only look at each other in horror. It was mostly joy, yes. Still, Cardan couldn't believe he would be having two children at once and Jude doesn't believe she'd be able to care for so many.

5 Months The King woke to rustling. From his bed he sees his Queen slumped over the table, face in her hands. When he had processed the situation, he stands up immediately. Feeling the sudden movement, Jude looks up. She wipes her tears and walks over to her husband. When their paths meet, Cardan was fast to cup Jude's face. "What happened? Do you feel anything wrong? Does anything hurt?" He asked her immediately. "Do you think I'll be a good mother?" Jude says, voice hoarse. "Of course." Cardan answers. "How? How could I give anything I didn't experience? I grew taught by Madoc. What if our children end up the way I did?" She looks up to meet his sincere gaze. "Jude, you gave me many things you yourself lacked. I doubt you'd be a bad mother, look how I turned out. I believe a mostly drunken, irresponsible Fae would be harder to manage than a child. You'd do great. And when you can't do it, I'll help you. You won't even need to ask for it." Jude cries. Cries so hard Cardan wonders where all her tears come from. Still, he strokes her back comfortingly and until she falls back asleep, he tells her all the things he knew could assure her.

6 Months The High Queen was stroking her stomach when the High King entered their chamber. "Jude... You'd do absolutely fine as a mother. Had we not talked about this?" The King hastened his steps, immediately cupping the cheeks of his wife. The Queen chuckled, "I know. I believe what you had told me was enough to give me confidence in my future motherhood..." "Then?" He wondered what else she was worried about if not how she would do as a mother. They had enough riches to provide for the children, they had established their rule, what else was there to worry about? "Names." She says "We haven't thought of names." The King was overcome with relief. He had thought it had something to do with the child being human or Fae or maybe she wished the children to be introduced to the mortal realm. "What type of name would you like?" The King sat down beside the Queen. "Something significant." She leaned on his shoulder. "Such as?" "Alice..." She looked at the King in the eyes. The King smiled. He was about to say something but the Queen beat him to it. "Or something meaning river..." "River?" The High King wondered what it meant... "Oh." The King realized. "Oh." The realization sunk in.

7 Months By this time the King had refused the Queen to do anything in connection to the work he had dubbed 'fatigue-inducing'. Which means the King stressing, pushing himself to his limits and the Queen getting angered at him treating her 'like a child'. "I am no doll, Cardan!" The Queen shouts when the King, yet again, snatches the report she had in her hands. "I have been with you for long enough to know that Jude." The King tries to keep his voice steady. "Then let me do what I have to!" The King felt his patience coming to an end. "Look at yourself, Jude. You can't even walk properly! You waddle! You shouldn't strain yourself with anything more. Carrying one child is strenuous enough but you are carrying two!" The King raises his voice. Arms flailing about. "I was kidnapped, almost torn in half Cardan! I could do this! My using the thing in my head won't tire me so much!" She crosses her arms. "Stop being so witlessly dense Jude!" Jude held her stomach. Oh. He didn't mean those words to come out so forcefully... "Jude... I didn't-" He was about to explain but Jude had snatched the paper from his hands. "You didn't mean it? Then let me finish my responsibilities." She says, smug. Still, Cardan knows. She's hurt. He hurt her. She had always found sword fights better than words and raised voices. She'd be more sensitive to them now. He opens his arms. Cardan knew forcing a hug on her would only make her try to break free more. Asking for her voluntary gesture would be best. If she refuses, it would be fine. He'd just have to woo her. Jude accepts. She cries. "I'm sorry..." She says in between her sobs. "I just-- I don't like it... Doing nothing makes me feel weak... Useless..." She cries on his chest, words mostly choked out. "I was in the wrong... I shouldn't have shouted. I should have understood better. I'm sorry." He says in her hair. Leaving a few kisses. He lifts her head up. "I love you. Alright? I'll let you do it, under the condition that you force to finish nothing." "...Fine." She answers weakly. He guides her to their bed. Sitting her on his lap, lightly rocking her, he repeats his pleads for her forgiveness.

8 Months "Jude! What are you doing!?" The King's voice echoed through the halls of the palace. "It's fine! The doctor said I should exercise. Do you want my delivery to be difficult? Does my agony please you to such a point?" The Queen shouts back. At times like these, the attendants know to step back. They would not be able to do anything and they would only be punished for their meddling with the royal couple. "My dearest, even now as we are speaking you are holding a sword!" The King stomps his feet. Glaring at the Fae who dares look their way. "It's made of wood. It won't do any such to me!" By the time the Queen finishes her statement, the King is in front of her. The King tries to snatch the sword from her hands, he struggles quite a bit but only until the Queen lets go, by which he stumbles back. "It could hit you or worse hit your stomach." The King says heaving in air after the struggle for the wooden sword. "You could exercise but only with those mortal devices that Vivi brought. Swords are far too dangerous for you and our children." 9 Months The High King and Queen had gotten invited to a revel. Again. The revel would be held in the Court of Termites, an allied court. Still, the High King feels the need to be wary. The Queen's sisters had given him a generous amount of sources, all of which said that the last month of pregnancy would be most straining on the body of the woman. He wished not to add any more. She was the High Queen and he was the High King. He could ask for her to be excused from the event. But, Jude even when supposed to be weak and delicate remain obstinate as ever. "The land was able to protect me. You were able to protect me. I trust, shall anything happen, you'd protect us again." The Queen assures the King. Even without it though, they would still be going. Could he still refuse when they are already getting ready? Cardan had been guarded the whole time while heading to the revel. Making sure he could feel the Bomb and the Roach's presence. When they got to the venue, Lord Roiben and his consort greeted them. Talking to Lord Roiben, The King looked at Jude and her swelling stomach. "I had told you." He said. "I understand." The head of the Court of Termites nodded his head. "I offer my late congratulations to Your Majesties." He bows his head, this time to the Queen's direction. "We'll head in first." Kaye told the men. When she and the Queen are alone she asks if she minds meeting new Fae. Of course, Jude said she didn't mind. The Fae Jude had expected to meet were closer to an ally rather than a friend.

The female Fae's she was met with however, had asked her so many questions, so many words, she had protectively wrapped her hand around her stomach. The action had somehow become her defensive instinct. Something that, when done, makes her feel safe and assured that the teensy creatures inside her hadn't slipped out. "How does it feel to carry twins? Is it heavier?" One asked. "Does it feel different, human pregnancy?" Another leaned in. "I heard mortals glow when with child. True it seems." The other said, crossing her arms around her chest, eyes slitting. Another tried to rub her stomach, she backed away. It was an innocent gesture she knew, the Fae did look rather young. "Sorry." The young Fae looked very apologetic. "Had I truly forgotten to tell? Mortal pregnancy, is much more vulnerable than that of Fae. Mortal mothers are more caring of their children as they have as much a chance of losing their child as conceiving them." Kaye explained in Jude's place. "It's alright." Jude smiles, removing one hand from her stomach, only letting one on top. She guides the hand of the little Fae onto her stomach. After the scene, the atmosphere had turned a warmer, friendlier one. With Jude answering their questions and them giving her advice on motherhood And yes, Jude knew better, but to see the creatures she had expected to abhor her give counsel for the caring of her child warmed her heart tremendously. ~~~~~ A mix of sugar and spice, those nine months. Still, those times couldn't quite compare to the birthing of the royal children. Giving birth went quite fast or maybe it was because of the great commotion that ensued. When the Queen's water broke nobody was beside her. She panicked. Panicked real bad. "Cardan..?" She asked the empty room. She had peed her pants, she was about to give birth, and yet she didn't know which was more absurd. "Cardan!" She screamed. Heavy foot falls could be made out from outside the room and then BOOM! the door flew off its hinges -- quite literally. It had landed beside the table actually -- "What. Happened!?" The Queen finally looked up. The King was in the place of the door, legs apart, arms spread wide. "I peed my pants." She looked, still very pretty, but her expression had been ghastly. Eyes big as saucers, mouth hanging open, body frozen, trousers wet, hands holding-- or rather -- grasping and forcibly squeezing at the poor parchment in them. "Huh? I thought you were -" "I'm giving birth, you knuckle head!" With that the King carried the Queen in his arms, shouting orders for Tatterfell and the Bomb, for towels, warm water, and anything that could help childbirth. The Queen had finally been set down onto a bed, peaceful but not really. The attendants outside were running around like stormed mice, shouting "THE HIGH QUEEN IS GIVING BIRTH!! THE ROYAL CHILDREN ARE COMING!!" like an alert signal. In no time, the whole palace had been bombarded with the news. Cooks thinking of food to give a mortal who just gave birth. Attendants cleaning the floors, making sure not a spec of dust was in the palace. Others locking the doors to libraries and sword storehouses. With a lot of struggle the women were able to get the King out the room. When he heard Jude scream, he screamed. When another scream came, he held his hands over his ears, also screaming. "Can I really do nothing? She sounds as though she is getting butchered. Do mortal children crawl their way out of their birth giver?" Cardan looks back at Taryn, hysteria obvious in his eyes. "Cardan! Get Cardan in here!" Before Taryn could answer, Jude's voice came muffled from inside the room.

Cardan didn't think another second before dashing into the room. When he came in, he sees Jude holding onto two cloths coming from the ceiling, legs parted, Tatterfell between them. "Just a bit more!" The imp raises her voice to overlap the screaming. Cardan get's shaken awake and continues his walk to Jude and with a towel he wipes the beads of sweat on her forehead, swiping away the baby hairs. With a bit more screaming and a few more tugs, the prince was out into the world. Brown locks and eyes from his mother. Pale skin and tail from his father. With another set of screams and tugs, the princess was reunited with her parents and sibling. Raven hair, ebony eyes, and tail from her father. Rich tan skin from her mother.

~~~~~ Now, a week after their birth, it was time for the twins to rightfully receive their names. The High King and Queen headed to the throne room one child in each of their arms.

In front of the throne, a mat of grass was set. On that mat, they laid the future heirs to the crown.

Just like nuptials, giving names to Fae children was kept only to the child and parents. Names, after all, are the weakness of the Folk. The Queen raised her open arms. Tilting her head heavenward, eyes closed. "Sobriquet 'Alina'- " She speaks only for the ears of the infant. Putting her hands down, eyes opened, she bends at her knees to put her hands on the marble tiled floor. "Answer only to 'Alice Catalina Greenbriar'. One besides the name given to you shan't weaken, sway, nor hold authority over you." She whispers into the air, letting her words turn into crystalline mist. From underneath the little princess, grass grew greener, flowers budded. A branch of the throne circled protectively around the child; acceptance. The land accepted the princess. The Queen kneeled, bowing her head; a show of gratitude toward the land. Once the Queen had stood up, it was the King's turn to bless his child with a name. He opens his arms and just like the Queen, tilts his head upward after closing his eyes. "Sobriquet 'Veride'- " He sets forth a worthy name for his son. Repeating the gestures, words, and actions of the Queen, he lets his words turn into a warm glimmer of moonlight. "Answer only to 'Everild Wade Greenbriar'. One besides the name given to you shan't weaken, sway, nor hold authority over you." The same way it did to the princess, the grass around the little prince turned a vigorous shade, vibrant flowers sprouting from it. Forming a similar cot, the throne wrapped a branch around the prince. The King and Queen could only smile. Any words they could use was probably an understatement to the burning in their chests. ~~~~~ The Queen, King, and the royal children came out into the revelry.

Jude's foster father, former Grand General Madoc was the first to greet them. Looking intently at the boy he says "He looks very much like you, Your Majesty." he puts his gaze to Jude. "I believe so." Cardan answers in Jude's stead. "Would you like to hold them?" Jude wasn't going to ask such a thing but seeing the glint in Madoc's eyes, she felt it would be fine. "Would that be fine?" His time in the mortal world has rather calmed his want for bloodshed. It had given him time to think of what he had done, time to ease into the position of father. Holding the little prince and princess, he feels ready to embrace another position. "They're very precious." He looks alternately at the infants in his arms. More than ever, he feels he had missed so much of Elfhame. Of his foster daughter Jude. "I'm not so forgiving but, if the children are at ease with you… I'll learn." Jude tells her foster father, taking one of the infants from his arms. "You should enjoy the revelry." The King says taking the other. "I'm appreciative of the consideration your Majesties." The former General bows before blending into the crowd.

There was no wine in this celebration. All attendees were told to wear an unsparing amount of clothes. The songs sung were restrained. Still, the celebration felt just as merry as any other. ~~~~~

The King is starting to think the food he ate in the revel had some type of drug in it because even now, with sleepless nights haunting him. Cardan could not think of any better instance in his life. Having his daughter flailing her arms in his embrace, his son in his wife's arms, grabbing at her hair -- Yes, in this rather chaotic moment -- he feels as though he is walking through a grass field on a balmy summer day. And even the cold night air seeping in through the window could not overwhelm the warmth he had in his chest.

Now, poison only adds sweetness to his once bitter wine and the more he has, the more willing he is to drink.

[<- Prev]

#I pulled the name giving ceremony out my ass >.> #no edit we die like men #Jurdan baby #cardan greenbriar #holly black #jude duarte #the folk of the air #judecardan #jurdan #tfota #the queen of nothing #folk of the air #jurdan fanfic #finished #I hope your tooth rot XD

[schrullesworld]

The Confession...

Prince Cardan (C): Hanna, I already got an earful from my husband, my daughter and her...friend. Can you please not... Queen Hanna (H): No, I will not, I will give you an earful as a friend. What were you thinking? C: I don’t know okay! I just reacted in a harsh manner.

H: Did you even think she would be save or well in a warm house. C: I- H: No, you didn’t, Cardan you are my best friend We know each other since I was little. But you are a dumbass. C: As if your husband hasn’t been thinking of kicking Amber out when she got pregnant. H: You don’t get to say that. C: What? Oh...I’m sorry, you are right.

C: But seriously, do you think he wouldn’t have done that? H: No, I know Keoki. C: Like he would never cheat on you? H:...that is different. He loves our daughters. C: [sighs] Just drop this, Helga is back at home...

H: [wants to say something but stops herself] C: Is everything good? H: You told me that Keokim cheated right? C: Yes? I mean...it is obvious. H: Do you know with whom? C: No...I mean...who is it? H: ...I know... C: Hanna, who is it?

H: I can’t tell you... C: Hanna please, I won’t be angry at you, okay? H: I don’t want to ruin your marriage. C: Why my marriage? Is...Hanna is the person Keoki is having an affair with - my husband? H: [looks at him for a long time but nods] C: I knew it! Garrett acted suspicious the whole time.

H: I shouldn’t have said anything... C: No, it is not your fault. And wel...ehm Hanna? H: Huh? C: We are not much better right? H: Maybe...I am just...I don’t want to ruin your marriage. C: You are not ruining anything.

H: [hugs him] Thanks. But everything is good at home? Besides the things with Helga? C: [nods] I got punched by Kaleo. H: Wait really? C: Yes, came up and said he would punch me and he did. Cannot blame him. My nose hurts a bit though.

H: I never would have imagined that. Cardan? C: Hm? H: Why are you still holding my hand? C: Oh...ehm... H: Cardan? What...is it? C: You are beautiful.... H: Oh...ehm thanks?

C: [kisses her all of a sudden] H: [steps back after a moment] Cardan, why? C: I don’t know...I just... [looks at her] I love you. H: [looks at him shocked] Cardan...I...I am married ...and you are too.And I am a Queen. C: And I am a ruler as well...I know but...I still love you. I always have. Not always of course but when you...kissed me after your father died. H: Cardan...I...love you as well.

#sims 4 #sims 4 royal family #sims 4 royal #sims 4 royals #the sims 4 royal family #sims 4 cc #miraraeroyalstartersave

[wanderingpages]

Alright chapter 2 🤪🤪🤪

Starting off with more hotgirl math. “When it’s my first year of college, it’s his third.” so thats like, 18/19 & 21/22? Anyways i love that hes an honorary frat boy like that slays, did not have to be hazed but clears everyone in the fraternity. Also, stop being a lil hater Jude 🤪😮‍💨

Not him calling Madoc Dad, hes a fucking menace for real and its getting me all warm (Could be covid too). Jude wanting to impress Asha is insane babygirl has mommy issues for real and it hurts!

Obsessed with you using Taryn to describe Jude, then literally never speaking of Taryn again. Begone thot❤️ also his jewelry… im so tingly inside. Like not a lot of people really go into detail about jewelry. This is so sexy of you, Peach 😩😩 “He has a pointer finger under my chin, I feel cold metal graze my skin where a lone ring rests today. I asked him at the wedding if they meant anything, but he laughed and told me he just liked how they looked. I like pretty things, little sister. And I like adorning myself with them, too.” - like sir……  i know that means you want Jude on your lap asap

Also the detail in general, Peach, its sooooo good, i am IN Judes head FOR REAL, this is a MOVIE to me. Pure taboo anon wya, we need to start a petition for that company to direct this like a netflix series lmao !!

“I hate, i hate, i hate” X 10 - but mostly i hate the way i dont hate you !!!!!!!!

“He catches my wrist before it falls to the side, his thumb running over the bright red knuckles, uncovered today, looking at them disapproving for a fleeting moment.” i like that Jude has this flaw and Cardan doesnt even mention it, just notes that its there, and its a part of her, and she probably needs therapy over it 💀🥰

“Maybe I should have asked during that car ride, or during that dance we shared, or maybe when we were outside right before the storm. Maybe that’s why he’d acted as he had that night, why he had said what he said about our parents.” – tEA!! When do we know what actually went down at the reception?

“Or just tell them your mine.”-- im gonna be sick and i know jude os puking her guts out fr 

More hot girl math - “A whole year, and now he decides on small talk?” so this is a year after the wedding. Damn not them holding a candle for each other for 365 days !!

“In my head, the girl is Taryn, I tell myself” - yeah keep telling yourself that, babes. Love that her ignorance about this is literally canon lmao ❤️❤️❤️

Your hot girl math is mathing 💀

lol thought daddy issues was too overplayed had to switch it up rq

Thank you for all your compliments ☺️☺️☺️ like this was so sweet to see in my inbox 😭😭

Not pure taboo again 😭😭😭

Yes that’s the reference ❤️

Absolutely needs therapy

Actually I do have a chapter dedicated to what happened at the reception ngl so, soon maybe hahaha

My favorite thing about writing Jude is her ignorance about Cardan and his motives 🤭

#asks #also rip Taryn lmao #I really did only use her to describe Jude 😭😭

[anonniemousefics]

cardan pov ch 21 anon here— I totally wouldn't mind a long, steamy detailed one 😍

Ps - you're a sweetheart to even give the option 🤧

Yessss -- you are my kind of people. (I was actually hoping someone would want this! lol.) Gather around, my thirsty sinners. You asked for it - it’s His Monstrous Bride Part III. (This isn’t all that explicit -- I tried to make it pretty. :) ) 

(Also I didn’t do much editing - sorry. I need to get back to work. LOL.)

For reference, here’s His Monstrous Bride and His Monstrous Bride Part II and this little steamy Cardan POV drabble from The Wicked King and also this sappy thing.

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

There’s no escaping it this time. Cardan is escorting Jude Duarte back to his bedroom, their bedroom, and there’s absolutely no escaping it. Every eye has been watching them all evening. Surely every conspiring mind has now been examining their relationship from afar for its weaknesses, and Jude must know this, too.

That has to be why she’s taking it this far, Cardan tells himself. She must want to keep up the ruse, a show of their marriage’s fortitude.

So, when the door closes behind them, his first plan is to take the secret passages to the Court of Shadows for the night – as he has every night since Jude returned. He’ll find a cot there and practice attempts at flipping coins through his fingers until he can’t keep his eyes open anymore. He’ll try not to think about Jude.

And one day, that will become habit. One day, it won’t be so bad.

Behind him, Jude sighs and sags against the doorframe. When he turns to look at her again, she almost hurts to look at. She is ravishing, draped in decadent gold that glitters like chain mail. If she is exhausted, she hasn’t looked it yet. Or maybe he hasn’t been paying close enough attention – the gown dips perilously low in the front, and it’s been practically impossible to keep his eyes from taking little trips there.

It’s that sight and more that pulls him back a step against his better judgment -- and then another.

“You were very formidable tonight, my queen,” he tells her. He likes calling her his queen. He likes even better the look she gets on her face when she hears it. She seems as little flushed when he steps nearer.

“After that speech you made, it didn’t take much,” she says, looking up at him with those big, warm brown eyes. When she looks at him with admiration like this, he thinks he might actually be something worth loving. Or at least, he will make himself so if it means Jude will always see him like this.

“It cannot be anything other than the truth,” he reminds her. “Or it never could have left my tongue.”

He’s spent many fantasies in his younger days dreaming up villainous soliloquies, but he finds now, looking down at Jude like this, so close and so soft, her eyes glittering, her pink lips parting, his mind drifts to poetry. He wishes he had better words to give her. He wishes he had the magic to make her understand what he feels.

If she could know, maybe then she could feel something in return…

But then, Jude says, her voice low, her cheeks flushing: “You didn’t come to bed last night.”

Cardan scrambles to hide his surprise. After slapping him in the royal rose garden, he’d felt fairly certain she wouldn’t want him anywhere near their bed. He must be misunderstanding…

“I’m here now,” he says.

How many times has he wished he could see into Jude’s mind? He’s lost count at this point. Is she angry with him? Is she plotting? Is she desiring him? He never knows. He can’t keep up. What’s important is that, right now, in this moment, she isn’t moving. She’s still gazing up at him, her eyes flitting over his mouth, and he’s so aware of her warmth. If one of them were to move, they could be touching.

He’s going to try. He must. He’s desperate for her.

Gingerly, carefully, he takes her hand, and she lets their fingers entwine again. She gazes up at him again, like an invitation. Her eyes are so clearly full of hope, with the tiniest quirk of a smile on her lips – and he’s done for. He gives in to the unseen pull that draws him to her lips.

He’s kissed her before, but this. Oh, this. When he’d tricked her into marrying him and traded kisses with her in the dark, it wasn’t even as good as this – and until this, that had been his favorite. In that moment, he’d felt like he was hers, and she his, and for a moment, everything was safe and right. He’d cursed the memory of that feeling while she was in exile, fearing he’d never again have anything so perfect – but here, he thinks he might have been wrong about that. He hopes he was wrong. It feels like she’s surrendering to his lips, arching into him, each kiss a request for another.

He never wants to stop. When she’s like this, he wants to kiss every soft bit of her she’ll let him. He touches fingers to her chin, leaving kisses across her mouth, her cheeks, her jaw. The sigh she lets out when he dips to kiss her neck sends a bolt of desire, hot and severe, all though his whole body.

“You looked like a knight in a story tonight,” he murmurs there. “Possibly a filthy story.”

She kicks him in the leg, but he feels her smile against his skin – he knew she’d love that. He takes her lips again – he would give anything, everything to keep making Jude smile.

Nothing’s slowing down, and he’s dizzy in this pull of heated desire and confusion – where is this going? What is she thinking? Surely, she’ll shove him off soon, like she did in the room behind the dais. But she’s staggering, too -- maybe just as dizzy -- and he presses her to the wall. The air leaves his body when she pulls at his shirt, sliding her fingertips up his back.

There’s no misreading that, right? She’s clearly into this. His tail seems to think so, the little traitor. It’s wrapped itself around her ankle, and the feel of her calf beneath it sends thrills up his spine. It’s so deliciously indecent – he’s losing his head. He wants so much more. His fingers push into her hair – her skin is hot under his hands. More.She wraps her arms over his shoulders, pulling him flush with her curves. More. He takes her in his arms, his hands at her hips, lifting her feet off the floor.

It’s then she draws in a tight breath. Freezes in his arms.

Of course. Of course. He sets her back down. He knew this was coming. This was too much. He’s too much. Now he’s overwhelmed her. Her cheeks are rosy, her eyes bright – her chest (oh, gods, her chest) heaves like she’s been running.

“We need not--” he starts, and he’s out of breath, too. But Jude shakes her head.

“No, just give me a second,” she says, and bites her lip, and Cardan feels absolutely feverish. He wants to bite that lip.

Jude takes a step back. This may be his undoing. If this is going to end poorly, he may end up running off into the night, shrieking like a feral lunatic, never to be seen again.

“I’ll be right back,” she says, which is somehow not reassuring at all. Especially when she turns and fairly flees for the wardrobe.

Cardan is dumbstruck and breathless as he turns, looking wildly around the room for his own exit. What did he do? How did this happen? She seemed just as desperate for him seconds ago – what did he do? His palms are sweaty – was that it? Did his hands disgust her? He tries to dry them on his trousers, which are feeling a little uncomfortable and too tight. Oh, no – was that what she’d noticed? His – his…

Cardan closes his eyes. There’s going to be no coming back from this humiliation. (At least now his trousers are comfortable again.) It’s time to go feral. Time to join the cats of the wild that raised him. This is his destiny, he supposes.

There’s some rustling behind him from the wardrobe, and he knows it’s Jude returning. Probably to tell him it’s best if she finds her own rooms. He takes a deep breath and swallows to steel himself.

And then turns.

Jude.

Jude is – Jude is – Jude Duarte is completely naked.

Cardan makes some completely embarrassing sound in his shock. She is -- oh, gods – she is exquisite. He has always thought her the only real thing in a land of spirits, and she has never looked more real than she does now. That enticing curve of her ears is nothing compared to the full swell of her hips, the heaviness of her breasts, the formidable curve of every toned muscle. He feels more real just looking at her.

She’s biting that lip again, her eyes glittering with mirth.

“Come here.” He means to ask it, but he can’t help it. He must have more of this.

Her gaze smolders as she sashays to him. Then drops to her knees before him.

Is this a dream? It’s a very good one. Cardan really hopes he doesn’t wake up too soon.

“Is this what you imagined I’d be like,” Jude asks, her voice husky, “back in your rooms at Hollow Hall, when you thought of me and hated it? Is this how you pictured my eventual surrender?”

Cardan’s face burns. Admitting his darkest fantasies to Jude Duarte was not something he’d ever planned on doing. But she doesn’t seem to hate the truth of him – she may not love him, but there is clearly something she doesn’t mind so much.

“Yes,” he hears himself admit. He’ll take the gamble.

Jude presses a hand to his thigh. He wonders if she’ll notice the twitching in his pants.

“Then what did I do?” she murmurs.

This can’t be real. Can it? It’s not even been a week since she slapped him. And he’s not sure she won’t do it again if she knows the truly depraved things that once filled his prepubescent mind.

But she also might not…

“I imagine you telling me to do with you whatever I liked.” Another gamble. The truth hasn’t hurt him yet tonight.

Jude splutters out a laugh. Cardan smiles, nervously.

“Really?” She sounds incredulous.

“Along with some begging on your part. A little light groveling.” He cannot believe he’s doing this. He should be slapped. “My fantasies were rife with overweening ambition.”

And then Jude slides back to the cold stone floor, lying on her back before him, and his heart stops. He’s read that in novels before – about sights making the hero’s heart stop. He assumed it was an exaggeration – hyperbole. It is not. He’s not sure how he’s still alive.

“You may do with me whatever you like,” Jude says, extending her arms out to him. “Please oh please. All I want is you.”

She’s teasing him. He knows it. She thrives on trickery. Still. How can he not at least get a little closer? He must at least try…

He draws in a breath. Drops so that he is on all fours, hovering above her. Beneath him, her auburn hair splays out like a fan across the stones, and the hollow at the base of her slender throat darkens with each breath. She reaches her hands to his shoulders, holding him there. Holding, he notes – not pushing away.

He turns his head to kiss her wrist. Her pulse races beneath his lips – he’s not imagining it. He knows he’s not, and it’s then he’s starting to understand that this may not be a trick. Jude wants him. Jude Duarte wants him – even after learning the truths of his darkest imaginings. That is absurd.

That is…utterly glorious.

“Mock me all you like,” he murmurs and brushes back a lock of her hair, tenderly. “Whatever I imagined then, now it is I who would beg and grovel for a kind word from your lips.” Her lips part slightly in surprise – she is the very picture of his desires. “By you,” he says, “I am forever undone.”

And undone as he is, Cardan is helpless to his body’s call. He bends to kiss her again, and when he does, she slides her fingers into his hair, pulling him to her. When he arches against her naked body, he groans, aching with need. Somehow his shirt is undone – he’s not sure which one of them did it. Only that it’s got to go. He wants to feel every inch of her against him. If she’ll let him.

And just when he thinks he has her figured out --

“I’m not mocking,” Jude whispers against his ear.

That stops him.

He pulls back. It is absolutely unbelievable that she has not been teasing him. She truly wants him to do with her as he pleases? There is still so much about Jude Duarte he does not understand.

“We have lived in our armor for so long, you and I. And now I am not sure if either of us knows how to remove it,” he says.

“Is this another riddle?” Jude asks. “And if I answer it, will you go back to kissing me?”

Gods. He will never tire of the puzzle of Jude Duarte.

And now that she seems to be truly offering, truly wanting, he is further surprised to realize how drastically his own wants have changed. Every fantasy he had pales in comparison to witnessing Jude Duarte want him.

“If that’s what you want.” He moves to be at her side. He mentally kicks himself for not sounding more sure of himself. It’s just… she has hated him for so long. And she may not love him ever.

But wanting him. She does want him. That is enough. That is more than enough.

“I told you what I wanted,” Jude challenges. “For you to do with me whatever--”

“No,” he cuts her off. She doesn’t understand. “What you want.”

Show me you want me. He wants to witness the proof.

And she shows him. She straddles his body, and it is better than anything he could have imagined. She is statuesque – she is monumental. He is in awe below her.

“I want--” But she blushes and kisses him instead, her breasts pressed to his chest. She kisses him again and again.

This is what she wants.

Her hands are everywhere – his face, his chest, his stomach. Her fingers are sliding under his trousers.

This is what she wants.

His hands meet hers, and he lifts his hips just slightly to pull off his pants. He watches her face every second, watches for any sign that she’s changed her mind. But she keeps her gaze on his face the whole time – heated. Expectant.

This is what she wants.

He’s aching, wanting, dripping with desire. He holds his breath – she takes him in her hand as she brings them together in a careful slide.

This is what she wants.

She gasps, and he cups a hand to her soft cheek, the other a gentle anchor at her back while she moves slowly. She turns her head and bites his palm, sharp and fierce, a low sound in the back of her throat. It is agony and bliss all at once.

You are what she wants.

He hasn’t done much worthy in the short span of his never-ending life, but somewhere along the line, he must have done something right. He thinks this must be how lion tamers feel – no, better. Jude wants him. She is taking from him all that she wants, and he will give her everything he can. He’ll give her a map and a shovel to dig through the wreckage of his heart. He’ll let her keep any broken bit she likes.

His thoughts leave him completely as they move together as one toward their pleasure and its blissful pain. He knows only that she sighs his name against his skin, and it is the first time in these many long months that he’s actually felt like a king.

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

Tagging: @yellowavocadopit, @dagypsygirl, @ireallyshouldsleeprn, @booklover-sleeplover, @mwejh, @courtofjurdan, @faeriequeenofwest, @sugawsites, @loveyourselfsolid, @owl0y0s, @feelinglikecleopatra, @akaloto, @charrise, @persephxnecoven, @raging-bisexual-alert, @rteme, @nahthanks, @addies-invisible-life, @elorcanislife, @snusbandxknifewife, @poeticbrownmermaid, @duarteegreenbriar, @thefolkofthefic, @alittledribbledrabble, @carmensworld17, @annejulianneh111, @amandlas, @elriel4life, @idk-what-name-to-use, @thewickedkings, @juliazato, @woodsbeyond1, @booksmusicandgoodvibes, 

#jurdan #jurdan fanfic #cardan pov #jude duarte #cardan greenbriar #tfota #the folk of the air #the queen of nothing #qon chapter 21 #queen of nothing chapter 21 #jude x cardan #fic: his monstrous bride #fanfiction #tfota fanfiction

[braiawrites]

Lost & Found

Summary: Admittedly, taking in a strange stray cat is not the brightest idea one might have when one lives in a world of faeries and magic and mythical creatures straight out of old wives’ tales. But no one told this to Jude Duarte, and so taking in that cat is exactly what she does... || From this prompt by @newblood-freya

Genre: Soft, Feel Good Fic

Words: 1862

Rating: sfw

Links:

Fic Masterlist

CHAPTER TWO

Prompt by newblood-freya

Read it on AO3

Writing Masterlist

Send me an ask!

***

Admittedly, taking in a strange stray cat was not the brightest idea one might have had when one lived in a world of faeries and magic and mythical creatures straight out of old wives’ tales. 

But it had been cold and rain had been pouring down in sheets, and the poor scrap of a cat had been huddled in a pathetic little ball among the trees of the Milkwoods, its pelt growing soggy in the onslaught. 

And if that weren’t pitiful enough, dawn had been creeping ever closer, and—while darkness was dangerous in the human world—nighttime in Faerie was quiet and as generally peaceful as it could get in a land where a wrong turn might spell death-by-endless-dancing. Yes, in Faerie, the darkness meant safety, whilst daylight brought dangers from stories untold. 

Consequently, when Jude had stumbled across the sopping black cat—literally, tripped over the thing, as it had lain in the dimming shadows—she had made the somewhat-horrible decision to have mercy on it. She was, regrettably, only human, after all.

“You look as lost as I feel,” she had admitted, crouched before the little creature, hand outstretched. It was staring at her with dark amber eyes, crouched low amongst the wet grass.

“Come now,” she coaxed. “I won’t harm you, little one.”

The animal had sidled up to her, somehow managing to seem hesitant and haughty all at once, and she had scooped it up and held it to her chest, wrapping her coat around its shivering body. 

She ran the rest of the way home.

~ ~ ~

Jude wasn’t entirely sure how Madoc would react to her bringing a cat into his house—she had a vague fear that he might view it as a meal, and a brief image of the lizardlike guard who had taken the tip of her finger for a snack flashed through her mind. 

She couldn’t leave the poor thing in the stables, lest the stablehands find it and kick it out, or one of the larger, carnivorous mounts decide to gobble it up, and so she slipped in through a servant’s door, pausing for a moment beneath the light of a torch set into the wall to peek into the folds of her jacket at the warm, wet cat huddled against her chest. 

“Alright in there?” she asked it, and smiled as the glowing amber eyes blinked back. 

Carrying her boots so as not to track mud through the halls, Jude tiptoed up the stairs to her room. She ducked into a guest room once, when she heard voices down the hall, but most of the manor was asleep by this time. 

As she snuck through the corridors, she felt, for a moment, like a normal human girl in a normal human world, perhaps creeping in late from a party.

“Sometimes,” Jude breathed, turning in to her room and closing her door behind her, “it’s nice to just pretend, don’t you agree?” 

The cat mewed, its little voice creaky.

“Exactly. You get it.” She plunked the creature on her bed as she stripped her coat off and slung it over a chair. The cat jumped down. It had left a little wet patch on her blankets.

“You poor thing,” she exclaimed, “you're soaking!” 

Grabbing a towel from the bottom of her wardrobe, Jude sat on the floor and pulled the cat into her lap. It sat patiently as she rubbed at its ears and shoulders, running the towel over its long, thin body. It closed its eyes as she patted at its soft cheeks.

“Cats are funny, you know,” she remarked to it. It opened its amber eyes at the sound of her voice, looking up to meet her gaze. 

“So delicate,” she scratched the animal on it's fine jaw bone with a single finger, “and yet, if you were to fall out my window, you could walk away perfectly fine.” 

The cat gave what Jude could only interpret as an indignant squawk and dug its claws into the damp fabric of her leggings. 

“I'm not going to throw you out my window,” she laughed, stroking its soft head. “Don’t you worry your pretty little kitty mind.”

They sat quietly for a few moments, the only sounds Jude’s breathing and the cat’s rumbling purr as she stroked its drying pelt, until Jude began to shiver in her damp tunic.

The cat meowed, climbing off her lap and kneading its paws on her leg until she went to grab a dry nightgown, and then turning its back to her as she peeled her wet tunic over her head. 

What a strange cat, she thought as she shimmied out of her leggings. She smiled. They were already covered in cat hair. 

~ ~ ~

Being a human among faeries, Jude had to fight for each moment she spent on the Isles of Elfhame. She had long ago learned that knowledge, while dangerous, was also powerful, and she had made it a priority to know what she could about the goings on of the Faerie court. 

So, naturally, when the palace messenger had arrived with urgent news, Jude had taken it upon herself to learn what he knew. He’d refused to divulge anything to anyone except the General himself, and so Jude found herself crouching outside Madoc’s office, her ear pressed to the door as the messenger began to speak.

“What do you mean the prince is missing?” Madoc rumbled. His voice carried a level of concern that Jude could not believe was entirely sincere. 

“His Highness Prince Cardan has not been seen nor heard from in three days,” the messenger boy repeated. “High King Eldred wishes you to conduct a search.” 

Despite herself, Jude found she held a modicum of respect for the boy; she would have snapped something smart at Madoc’s senseless question, and probably would have received a threat in return.

She held her breath, listening for the Redcap’s next words.

“Where was he last seen?” Madoc sighed. “Or who spoke with him last? Do you have any useful information for me?”

“Only that he was last seen with a pixie girl during the Full Moon Revel four nights prior to this. The girl has been detained but she hasn’t spoken.”

Jude’s chest tightened at the thought of the insolent prince wandering off with some pixie. The girl had probably been tortured for information, although if it were up to her, Jude would have provided ample compensation to the girl for having spent any time alone with Cardan. 

Against all conscious efforts, the thought of the prince’s long, slender fingers sliding up her skin crept into her mind, accompanied by a picture of his face—his cruel mouth and his dark eyes—jeering down at her. Her stomach lurched and she wrestled the nauseating images from her mind.

Madoc’s armour clinked as he marched toward his door. 

Jude spun on her heel and ran. 

~ ~ ~

“Kitty, I’m back,” Jude called into the empty darkness of her room. She tried to pitch her voice softly, but her nerves were still frayed from the messenger’s news.

The cat slunk out from under her bed, a living shadow with bright eyes, and watched intently as she set two small bowls down for him against the wall. 

After dashing away from her foster father’s office, Jude had stopped by the kitchen to find some water and scraps of meat for her furry visitor. 

By the time she’d made it back to the relative safety of her room, the faerie boy had already left, as had Madoc. If he had caught any sign of her presence outside his door, he had either deemed it irrelevant or had decided he would deal with her later.

The cat mewed, stretching up to hook his claws into her leggings. He had devoured the meal. 

“Someone was hungry.” Jude gave a small laugh and scooped the feline up. During the few days he’d been with her, she’d discovered that she quite enjoyed his company. He was a friend she could confide in without worrying her secrets would get out, and more than that, he was a presence she could stand to be around.

Jude pulled off her boots and plopped cross legged onto her bed, cuddling the cat in her lap, stroking his silken fur. 

“Enjoyed dinner?” she asked him.

He said, “Mrrow,” and yawned in her face, showing off long, sharp fangs. 

“Oh, really? And how was your day?” she hummed, to which he grumbled in response. She liked to make idle conversation with the animal, as though she understood him.

“Well, my day was lovely, thank you for asking.” She thought for a moment. “But it was a bad kind of lovely. You know when you get a bruise and it hurts but you keep pressing on it because you like the pain? Like that, but opposite. Like the sun is making the clouds shimmer, and it’s beautiful, but those clouds are going to cause a flood. The sky is still lovely, but it’s the kind of lovely that hurts.”

The cat’s eyes were fixed on her, shining that bright amber as he stared in the way only cats could. It made her uncomfortable.

“No, I suppose I’m not making any sense, am I?” She pulled the cat onto her chest as she lay back, staring up into nothingness, and stroked his back. She pretended the deep rumble of his purr was the thunder of a summer storm, shaking the earth before bathing it in a warm rainfall.

“I’m worried,” she admitted at last, shattering the spell. “It’s been three nights since he’s been in class, and I wonder where he could have gotten to. Why he’s not coming—not that I care about him, specifically. I just like to keep an eye on what he does and the specific messes he decides to make.” 

The cat looked at her sidelong, his gleaming amber eyes pinning her with a look that she couldn’t quite place, although it was decidedly human. 

“Don’t look at me like that,” she scolded, although the cat, being a cat, did not heed her request.

She sighed. Outside her window, the sky began to lighten as dawn crept closer, the daytime sky stretching up to meet the stars through fog and wispy clouds. Her kitty snuggled into her, tucking his head beneath her chin.

“I wonder if maybe he’ll never come back,” she mused, watching as the first drops of rain tapped at the glass, sparkling in the lamplight. 

The cat purred, sounding as though he agreed, which Jude found unfathomably funny.

“I think you and I get along rather well,” she told him.

“Mrrmm,” the cat grumbled, patting at her face with soft paws. He turned his amber gaze on her and she smiled, scratching the cat behind his ear with one gentle finger. She felt warm and content, listening to his purr, feeling his small weight atop her chest as she breathed.

“Maybe,” she hummed, letting her eyes drift back to the rain outside, “we were meant to find each other.”

The cat’s rumbling purr echoed in the space of her room, and Jude felt like she was home.

***

A/N: Alternatively titled Catboy Cardan 2021 but I somehow I felt like that didn't fit the vibes... Anywhomst—thank you, lovely human, for reading my self-indulgent Jude Gets A Cat fic! It had no plot and I did not proofread it, but I hope you enjoyed nonetheless!! If you have the time, I'd love if you reblogged and left a comment to let me know what you thought. Thank you again for reading, lovely, and I send my best wishes your way!

(PS: Please let me know if you’d like to be added to or removed from my tag list!)

Tagging:  @stardustsroses @nahthanks @jurdanhell @my-one-true-l @thefolkofthefic @newblood-freya

#the folk of the air #folk of the air #tfota #fota #the cruel prince #tcp #the wicked king #twk #the queen of nothing #queen of nothing #tqon #qon #holly black #jude duarte #cardan greenbriar #jurdan #jurdan fic #jude x cardan #cardan x jude #jude duarte x cardan greenbriar #cardan greenbriar x jude duarte #jude gets a cat #catboy cardan #soft jude #soft jude duarte #ya fiction #fanfiction #folk of the air fanfic #jurdan fanfic #jurdan fanfiction

[playlistmusings]

Everyone knows you're the way to my heart (Chapter 5)

(1) Prologue (2) Yelled down the hall, but nobody answered (3) Always surprised by what I'd do for love, Some things I'll never expect (4) But I feel something when I see you now (5) And I've never seen you smiling so big

Chapter 5- And I've never seen you smiling so big

Cardan felt like he was floating, or perhaps this was the most grounded he had felt in years. Jude looked dazed and a little terrified, her eyes fixed on his palm flat on her thigh. Cardan moved to stand up, to leave the room before he did something he regretted, like telling her that he knew she loved him-- or even worse, told her that he loved her-- but as his fingers instinctively flexed on her thigh as he moved to rise out of his seat, Jude let out a soft gasp and Cardan knew this was it. This would be a defining moment, for worse or for better, something was going to change and Cardan couldn't do anything to stop it.

Jude's eyes moved up from her thigh to look up at Cardan, full of so many different emotions as they worked their way up his chest and made Cardan uncharacteristically self conscious of the way his top four buttons were undone, exposing chains and necklace that glittered over top his chest. As her gaze reached his neck her soft voice filled the air, "Cardan? Why do you have the same necklace as me?"

"What?" He removed his hand from her leg and walked away from her spot at the table, annoyed that all the build up was seemingly for nothing, that Jude would brush all their, her, feelings under the rug and pretend like nothing had happened.

As the pain from the necklace rose steadily on his chest, he heard Jude stand up behind him. When she spoke he could tell by the tension between her words that her hands were undoubtedly in tight fists, swinging at her sides as she paced, through the tension between her words. "I just-- Cardan, we have the same damn necklace. The one I got from the Roach to find you. I just don't understand why you would have a tracking necklace and still be so determined to avoid me. It just doesn't make any sense."

Cardan turned around to face her again, confusion coloring his face, briefly wondering what the actual fuck Jude was rambling about before she cut off his train of thought.

"Oh no, no, no, no. Oh, I'm sorry-- I didn't even think that-- Sorry, I just, sorry." Her eyes pierced his soul while she said the last word, looking as close to sincere as Cardan could ever imagine Jude being.

"Jude, what are you talking about?"

If it were possible for Jude to look even more embarrassed and apologetic, that's what happened as the words left Cardan's mouth. Her eyes refused to meet his as the next words spilled out.

"I didn't even think that maybe you were trying to find someone else. I was so caught up in myself and you and me that I didn’t even think that maybe you would be looking for someone else. I mean, you're constantly around people, why would you even care about me? Why wouldn't you have a necklace to know where a friendwas?" The word friend came out sounding like she had poison on her lips, as if the only thing stopping her from spitting it out at his face was the chaos in her mind. And that's when it clicked into place.

Jude was jealous. She was jealous of some unnamed, unknown-- nonexistent, Cardan's mind supplied-- person that took up his time and, he barely let himself think, space in his heart. Cardan had to struggle not to laugh, he knew she loved him and he loved her and here they were, about to argue about a stupid necklace and pretend like they both weren't going insane every time they saw eachother.

"Jude." Cardan's voice rang out into the empty room. "Jude, what are you going on about? I'm not tracking anyone."

Jude rubbed her forehead, looking less apologetic and more exasperated. "Cardan I don't know what dumb loophole meant you could say that and not lie, but I don't care, you don't need to deceive me." Before Cardan really knew what was happening, Jude was walking towards him, pulling a chain around his neck towards her when she reached him. "I have the same necklace. The Roach gave it to me to track you, because you're a dick who always hides from me. So you can't fool me, I already know it heats up around the person you're looking for."

Cardan could barely look down at the pendant in her hands, her proximity suffocated him in a way he never wanted to forget. "Jude, I don't know why you think that's a tracker. It's one of the Sensum necklaces, it alerts you of people's true feelings." As the words left his mouth, Cardan realized why the name of the necklace had sounded so familiar. He thought of the faint memories of fairies around him speaking about the Sensum necklaces, a pair of necklaces with powerful charms meant to clarify feelings between people, meant to only work in conjunction with eachother. Which meant that-- "Jude, your necklace doesn't track me."

Cardan felt himself shift on his feet as Jude gazed expectantly up at him. This was it. This was the moment Cardan could choose to reveal everything, to stop hiding from the truth, from Jude.

"Why don't we sit while I explain." There was no way he would be able to get through this with her so close, not with her hands inches from his burning skin. Cardan moved towards his forgotten seat at the oak table, reaching out to turn Jude's chair towards his before she sat.

When they were seated, Jude looking at him in a way that screamed just get to the damn point and nearly made Cardan smile, it was just so Jude. He cleared his throat once before starting. "Have you ever heard of the Sensum necklaces?" Jude shook her head, confirming what Cardan had already assumed. "Okay, well, they were made and charmed a long time ago, before anyone could remember. They have a unique charm, one that only works when both necklaces are being worn by separate people."

At this Jude seemed to absent mindedly pull at the chain around her neck, revealing the counterpart to his necklace that was resting beneath her shirt all this time, he forced his eyes away from her fingertips resting at her neck, looking past her at the wall. Cardan let out a deep breath before continuing, "So, they were charmed to show people's true feelings. So, if the person wearing the other necklace had feelings of resentment or anger then your necklace would cool. Some people said they would sometimes get so cold that they would get frostbite, especially in close proximity to the other wearer, because that, for whatever reason, is another thing they do-- they get stronger as they get closer."

Cardan risked a look at Jude's face, where she looked like she knew something big was about to happen, before she abruptly stood, reaching out towards Cardan's chest for the second time that day. As her fingertips brushed his skin, the heat around his pendant evaporated and Cardan looked deep into her eyes. They were shining and Cardan had just enough time to think about how utterly fucked he was before she spoke.

"What does it mean if they get warmer around the other necklace?"

Cardan nearly groaned as she got even closer as the words left her lips, the breath from them washing over his face. Cardan forced himself to think straight, focusing far harder than he should at getting four words out. "I think you know."

At this Jude closed the, admittedly, very short distance between them, pushing her lips to his. Cardan could vaguely register her hands in his hair and the way his own hands reached towards her waist to pull her closer to him, onto his lap. It was even better than their first kiss all that time ago, where he was desperate and a little drunk and focused on so much more than the way her lips felt against his own. After what felt like forever Jude pulled away, just barely, before standing and pulling Cardan up, ignoring the way he made a sound of reluctance and confusion, "For fuck's sake Cardan, I'm not going to let our first, second, and third kisses to all involve me forcing myself on you while you're sitting in a chair."

Cardan could barely realize what she was saying, his mind lingering on the way she said third kiss, the way she was going to let him kiss her again. With that single thought in his mind, he surged forward, pushing Jude towards the table until her legs knocked against the wood, savoring the gasp she let out when his hands held her sides. He leaned forward, "Well, no, of course not, we can't have that." Cardan ground out, his mouth moving to kiss beside her ear before moving down her jaw. "How else am I supposed to get you to finally admit that you love me if you have all the power?"

Jude didn't waste a second before spinning them, shoving Cardan's hip against the thick oak. Her lips ghosted his as she whispered, "Don't lie, Cardan. We both know that I always have all the power."

Her lips against his consumed Cardan's thoughts, her hands moving up to his neck, tugging him down slightly by the pendant resting against his chest. He let his hands wander, brushing against her back, her shoulder blades, before tugging her even closer with a firm hand resting on the nape of her neck. As Jude gasped into his mouth, she whispered, "But I don't think you'll have much trouble convincing me to admit that I love you."

Cardan groaned before moving to kiss away her smirk and deciding that he must be dreaming because there was no other way to account for the way his stomach fluttered at her words or how his chest grew warm even with her hands tugging his face towards hers. Cardan didn't think he could ever get sick of this, of the way Jude was finally so close.

He pulled away, breathing deeply and staring into Jude's eyes, "I love you, too."

The smile in Jude's next kiss was something Cardan couldn't forget even if he wanted to.

@jurdanhell @braiawrites

#tfota #fanfic #tfota fanfic #jurdan #jurdan fanfic #jurdan fluff #jude x cardan #jude duarte x cardan greenbriar

[destiniesfic]

132 Hours, Chapter 13

“Don’t you trust me?”

“Absolutely not.”

Previous

Note: This chapter, like the last one, contains explicit content. Proceed with caution!

Read chapter 13 on AO3, or read below:

I wake up to Cardan nosing the back of my neck, murmuring my name.

My head is fuzzy. I blink my eyes open and, before I am totally aware of what I’m doing, I turn over onto my back so I can look at him. The echo ripples through me from years ago: on your back, like a good little omega. I swat it away. Not now. Plenty of time for shame later.

The light from outside is still so low that I can barely see Cardan’s face, but I know he’s close from the way his breath tickles my ear. And that’s not all I can feel. He’s hard against my thigh. I try to run through the sequence of events that probably happened while I was dozing. Round one had ended; round two is just starting. I wonder how long it had taken for his first erection to subside, or for him to get hard again. I guess I have another shot at finding out.

The insistent pang in my low belly, my constant companion these last two and a half days, throbs with urgency. I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks, my skin prickling. We’re not out of it yet. It’s not done.

Cardan brushes my hair back from my face. “Jude?”

A question this time. Something flutters in my chest. Those words still lurk in my subconscious. Maybe I should feel ashamed now. Maybe this is all I’m good for.

But against all that, I say, “Okay.”

“Okay?”

I nod. “Okay.”

“Okay.” Cardan pauses. “One second.”

“What—” One of his hands brushes my thigh, and I give a full-body shudder. He starts tugging my shorts the rest of the way down my legs. We were in such a hurry that they hadn’t really come off. I prop myself up on my elbows and look down at him. “What do you mean one second?”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“Absolutely not.”

He flashes me a grin. His teeth are so white. Without quite realizing what I’m doing, I touch the place where he bit me, wondering if I can still feel their indentations. “Trust me for the next few minutes.”

“Why—” I begin, but then he gently pushes my hand aside and presses his lips to my neck. I feel weirdly heady, but cover it up by rolling my eyes. “Fine. But you’re on thin ice.”

“Yes, Alpha,” he says dryly, and my heart gives a thud so hard I feel it in my teeth.

I am so distracted I don’t realize his hand is stealing between my legs again. This time, instead of going straight to fingering me, he just touches me, almost leisurely. It takes him no time to find my clit, which is deeply unfair. I groan as he circles his fingers, taking his goddamn time. Not fair. I wonder if he can unhook a bra on the first try, too. His mouth is on my neck, and now my shoulder, and now my collarbone. I am heating up so fast, I think I am going to spontaneously combust before we can even have sex again.

“You know,” he says, sounding infuriatingly self-satisfied as he moves himself a little lower down, “this is way better.”

The sound that comes out of my mouth is somewhere between a whimper and a moan. I don’t know what to call it and am deeply embarrassed that I made it.

At first I think he might go down on me and feel something between anticipation and panic—panic because it’s basically been a swamp down there for days and I really wouldn’t want anyone putting their mouth on me, and also because, as dumb as it might sound, I haven’t gotten to shave. But he stops with his head about level with my chest, and cups my breast in his free hand, which makes me draw a breath in anticipation, but is nothing compared to the sensation that zings through me when he puts his mouth to my nipple.

“Oh,” I whine, and slide my hand around the back of his head to root in his thick, dark curls. “Oh, god.”

And of course it’s when he has me off-balance that he slides his fingers inside of me, two of them, slowly at first. I feel them curl and look up at the ceiling, clutching his hair for dear life, and think, Huh, he does know what he’s doing. He makes a sound but doesn’t falter, not with his mouth or with his fingers, his thumb now circling my clit, the pressure in my body building—

It’s too much. It’s too much.

“Stop,” I cry. “Cardan, stop, stop.”

Right away, he stops. His hand withdraws and he picks up his head, his dark eyes wide. “What? What’s wrong?”

What is wrong? I blink and my eyelashes feel wet. “I don’t,” I begin. Oh, I’m panting. “I’m going to—”

He gives me a sideways look, confused. “Yeah, that’s the point.”

I am equally confused and, more than that, overstimulated. Short-circuiting. Why isn’t he being selfish? Alphas are selfish. “But you haven’t.”

“Oh, god.” Cardan leans forward and presses his forehead against my shoulder. “Don’t worry about me. You’ll make it up to me. Do you want to come?”

My feelings are scattershot, frayed wires sparking, but I nod, because I do. I really do.

“So let me take care of you,” he says. He pushes me back so I’m lying down, my head on the pillow, and goes back to work, paying attention to my other breast and rebuilding the rhythm he’d established with his fingers. It isn’t automatic, but eventually I let myself be overwhelmed. I let him overwhelm me. And when I clench around his fingers, when everything seems a little too much, I don’t fight it.

You know how in old movies when people are about to go to bed together they pan away to fireworks in the sky? It’s like that behind my eyelids, resonating through my whole body.

Cardan is there when I come back to myself, of course. He rests his chin on my sternum and smirks up at me. In that moment, seeing how pleased he is, I want to make him feel as vulnerable as I do. I want to take him apart. I want him.

I growl and drag him up by the shoulders, and that smirk becomes a gasp when I reach down to wrap my hand around his cock. I nearly gasp, too; his skin is hot under my fingers, and he’s so hard that it must hurt. Good, I think deliriously—I was in agony for days, after all. But my heart probably isn’t in it because I’m trying to wrap my legs around his waist and get him in me.

“Wait—here—” he says, through gritted teeth, and he lines our hips up a little better. My hand falls away so he can enter me unimpeded. It’s easier than the first time because I am warmed up, because of all of the fluid, but there is still that beautifully unbearable friction. This time, I moan openly before pressing my face to his shoulder to muffle it, and he responds in kind, quieter but clearly less self-conscious.

He seems a little more in control of himself this time, working up to a demanding pace with surety. My hands roam up and down the skin of his back, which I’m surprised to find is not smooth, like I thought it would be. Instead, my fingers run over ridges of scar tissue, raised lines striping his back, a few of them. I would ask, but it is very much not the time. I tuck the knowledge away for later and concentrate on matching the rhythm of his hips. Not that I have to work very hard. With him, it’s easy. Our bodies seem to just know what to do.

I feel his breath on my cheek and realize his face is right there. What would happen if I tried to kiss him? There’s a chance he’d turn away. Omegas are for mating, not kissing—that’s what locker room talk would have you believe, no matter what the Ghost thinks or how he says the world works outside of what I’ve seen of it. Omegas are disposable, and when they aren’t… well, my mom did run from Madoc. But Cardan likes me. He said he likes me.

Worst case, would it really be such a bad thing if I kissed him and he hated it? I definitely don’t mind making him uncomfortable. We’ve done more than kiss—we’re doing more right now—plus, kissing him is an easy way to confirm whether or not he does like me.

And if he does, I’ll know. And if I know, I can use it somehow. Because if the real power is in being wanted, then…

I tilt my head up and brush my lips against where I think his must be, and end up finding half-mouth, half-cheek. Cardan freezes, and I feel a little thrill of satisfaction at being—right? wrong?—before he turns his head and finds my mouth with his again.

It’s like I’ve stuck my finger into a wall socket after being told explicitly not to. That is, it’s electric, and also like I might die from it. For a second we’re both holding our breath, closed lips pressed together, then I open my mouth and Cardan groans, clutching my face in his hands and kissing me hard. Now we’re truly right up against each other, my mouth to his, my chest against his chest, as though we could match heartbeat if we just got a little closer. His thrusts slow, but not in a bad way; they become deeper, more deliberate, like he’s trying to draw this out.

It feels surreal. It feels the way sex looks in movies. There’s nothing embarrassing about it. I am always watching, always analyzing, always anticipating, but now I am thinking of nothing but his skin against mine.

The end of this round is much less dramatic than my first panicky orgasm in the middle. I just hold onto Cardan, my arms around his shoulders, my legs wrapped around his waist, and let go, just as he does, his face now in the unruly cloud of my hair, the rest of him taut and shaking. When it passes, I lie there under him, breathless and slightly stunned. He doesn’t seem much better off. His entire body goes slack against mine.

“Oh,” he says in my ear. “Oh.”

I turn my face toward his in the dark. “What is it?”

He picks up his head a little, enough that I feel his mouth brush my cheek in passing. His arm reaches across me to brace itself against the mattress, and then his face is above mine again, black eyes shining. “That’s what that’s supposed to feel like.”

“Haven’t you had sex before?” I am incredulous. “Haven’t you had sex before a lot?”

He huffs a laugh. “Yeah. But not like that.”

I try to puzzle out what he means. I mean, in rut, with knotting, sure, and this time had gone a little smoother than the last, so that could be all. I’m pretty sure he’s been with omegas before. And I know he’s had a least one serious relationship, although that was with Nicasia, an alpha. Not that Cardan and I have a relationship of any kind, so that’s not comparable at all.

We’re stuck face to face this time, but at least he’s given me a model of what to do. To make it a little comfortable, I roll us onto our sides again, and he lets me. Then he kisses me again. We stay like that for a while, just kissing, riding out the residual tremors of climax.

I’m a little disappointed when he stops kissing me, but his wild grin more than makes up for it. He shakes his head. “I can’t believe you asked me to stop.”

“I was overwhelmed!” I exclaim, blushing fiercely. I am very glad it’s still dark. “Scrambled eggs, remember?”

“Huh?”

“My brain.”

“Oh, yeah,” he chuckles. “For real. And you’ve really never…” He trails off, trying to figure out how to phrase his question. “Like, what’s the furthest you’ve gotten?”

I raise my eyebrows. “What do you think?”

Cardan shrugs. “I don’t know. Locke implied some things.”

“Ugh, Locke.” I pull a face. “Locke barely got a hand up my shirt.”

He raises his eyebrows back at me. “Did you slap him for it?”

I shake my head. I can’t bear to tell Cardan that Locke, to his minimal credit, scaled back his advances when I seemed skittish. “I punched Valerian, though, and he technically didn’t even get that far.”

Cardan frowns. “Whatever he did, it wouldn’t have counted,” he says, surprising me. “You know that, right?”

“I’m pretty sure it would have.”

“I mean, not in the way I’m talking about. In the way that matters.”

I don’t know what to make of this at all. I have always thought of sex as something tthat would someday be done to me and not with me; it never occurred to me to differentiate between what I do or don’t want. That it makes a difference. I draw a line up and down his bicep, and before I can stop myself, I am asking, “How many of your times haven’t counted?”

“Oof.” Cardan is quiet for a second, then says, “I’d like to think they all have, but… I have done some things, shall we say, under the influence that I probably shouldn’t have. Wouldn’t have, if I had been sober. So, there’s that.”

“Yeah,” I say. It’s about what I expected him to say. I don’t want to ask him the horrible question of whether this counts, right now. Because, despite the horrible circumstances, I think it counts for me. I feel oddly brittle when I think about how it might not for him. So I ask a different question. “What about the scars on your back?”

“Aha.” Cardan puts his head down on the pillow. He was waiting for me to ask, I realize. “I fought a bear.”

“It feels like you lost.”

“Hmm.” He leans forward to tuck himself against me. My head fits perfectly under his chin. “You should see the bear.”

“I’d like to. Does he have a name?”

There is a long pause, then Cardan says, so softly I almost don’t hear him, “Yes.”

I reach around me to run my finger over one of the lines. I vaguely recognize the pattern and what might have made it, but people aren’t supposed to get flogged anymore. Instead of my angry fire, I feel fathomless sadness. The list of suspects is small, and none are good news.

I ask slowly, “Do you want me to kill him for you?”

Cardan lets out a little disbelieving laugh. “No. Thank you, but no.”

“I mean it,” I say, and am sort of surprised that I do. I had made a similar promise to the Bomb while I was delirious. Now I am much more clear-headed, although possibly a little dickmatized.

“I know. It’s complicated.”

“What’s complicated about it?” I demand, picking up my head. “He hurts you. What else is there?”

He lifts his hand and runs it through my messy hair. “Let me put it another way,” he says, curling a lock around his finger. “If it turned out Madoc actually did plan your parents’ deaths like Vivi thinks, would you still love him?”

I open my mouth, and then I close it.

“See.” I can hear his rueful smile. “It’s complicated.”

I put my head back down. I want to call on my fire and say, Of course I wouldn’t love him. Of course I would swear to enact revenge on him for all my days. But even as I think it, I remember how he rested his hand on my shoulder when he came to retrieve us from the hospital that terrible night, how he taught me to protect myself, the pride in his eyes when he watched me graduate. And I know it is not that easy.

“I was born when my father was in his sixties,” Cardan says, resting his chin on top of my head again. “I was an alpha, at least, but I was premature, and small. Dain tried to convince my father that I was defective, that I shouldn’t inherit anything. I overheard him talking about it on the phone. He didn’t care if I knew. And that part didn’t work, of course, but some of that idea stuck with dear old dad, or maybe he was just too old to have a child underfoot. He didn’t really raise me. No one did, until I started acting out in school. Then they sent me to Balekin.”

“To make you behave?” I guess. “Or, no… to make you more alpha. To toughen you up.”

“Yeah.”

I can connect the dots from there. Cardan got bumped down to my year, and he got worse. Maybe not when teachers were looking, but worse all the same. His home being hell didn’t excuse that, but it did explain a lot. “From where I’m sitting it just made you a terror.”

“Well, you’re not wrong. And by certain philosophies, that is how to be an alpha.” He pauses, stroking my hair. “But I’m beginning to think there are other ways, too.”

---

I am on the cold floor of my own basement, the one in Madoc’s mansion, wrapped in the scratchy blanket that used to be one of the layers on the king bed in my parents’ house. I’m not naked anymore, but fully dressed in my school uniform: white, collared shirt; blue and green tartan skirt and the bicycle shorts I always wore under it; too-long socks.

Valerian is here. I know before I even see him and dread looking up. But I do, like my eyes are the camera lens in a movie, drawn unfailingly toward the source of motion and conflict. His nose is bloody, his eye blackened, and he is sneering.

I try to roll away from him, but I’m caught in the blankets, and I panic. He plants his foot on my hip. “No, you don’t,” he says. “You should have just let me do it then if you were going to let Cardan do it now.”

“Shut up!” The more I try to struggle away from him, the more tangled up I become. The thudding of my heart is so loud in my ears.

Valerian snorts derisively and wipes the blood away with his hand, smearing it over his face. “You’re a filthy animal,” he snarls. “That’s all you are. That’s all you’ll ever be.”

My eyes snap open.

I am back in our cell. Cardan is stretched out next to me on his stomach; we must have both been asleep when we came undone. He is completely naked, because I have stolen all of the blankets. Dawn is beginning to shine through our one tiny window. I am on my back, staring up at the ceiling, trying to make my heartbeat settle, the shapes resolve themselves.

“Jude?” Cardan asks, feeling for me blindly with an outstretched hand. “Whatsit?”

“Nothing.”

He opens one dark, sleepy eye. “That’s a lie. Bad dream?”

“No.” I roll onto my side to face him, pulling the blankets over my chest. “I’m really okay.”

Cardan’s hand settles on top of the blankets, pressing gently against them, which just makes my heart race again and undoes all my hard breathing work. “Your heart’s going crazy.”

“Are you a doctor now?”

“And you smell freaked out.”

My brow furrows. “You can’t smell when I’m freaked out.”

“I can. And when you’re angry. Your scent gets all… spiky. Spicy.”

“That’s racist,” I deadpan.

“No, it’s not,” he scoffs, but then he looks mildly concerned and sits up halfway, propping himself up on his side. “Wait, is it?”

I sigh. “Fine, you’re right. It was a nightmare.” I hold up my hand, tracing the outline of it against the ceiling. “But I’m fine. Dreams can’t hurt me. They’re just dreams.”

“Yeah,” says Cardan, but he sounds unconvinced.

“Aren’t you too horny for serious talk?” I ask. I can feel from the urgency of my pulse and the faint tingling in my fingers and toes that we’re not out of the woods yet. Admittedly, the nightmare did kind of dampen any urge I had to touch anyone ever again, but that’s not a problem he should be having.

“Um.” He glances down at himself. I also glance down. At that moment I am so glad I’m not a man; they can’t hide anything. His voice is strained when he says, “I mean, kind of horny, but obviously if you need to talk—”

I shove his shoulder to turn him onto his back, then crawl over to him. I’ve watched some porn, and also, you know, television, so even though I’ve never done this, I know how it’s done. I push myself up and swing my leg over him to straddle his hips. I have never gotten to be taller than Cardan before, but it’s not just the angle that changes him. He looks up at me like I am a beautiful stranger, someone he’s never seen before and might never see again, and then he tries to blink it away, but he’s too slow. I feel the breath woosh out of my chest.

“You’re trying to distract me with sex,” he accuses.

That was what I was trying to do—distract him and myself—but now I’m not so sure. Maybe I just want to have sex with him. Maybe I am choosing him just to choose him. Is that better or worse? I push my hair back over my shoulder, shaking it out. “Is it working?”

“Uh-huh, it’s—working great.” He runs a hand down my thigh. “But do you have it in you?”

“Yeah.” I nod, too, to drive the point home. The warm flush is starting to return to my body, but not as strong as before. My heat is finally, finally coming to an end. “One more time.”

“Okay.” He places his hands on my hips. “I should probably—”

Before he can tell me what he should probably do, I sink down onto him—and then gasp, because gravity is working with me this time so it happens way quicker than I thought it would. It doesn’t hurt, but it’s startling.

“Jude,” he groans. “I was going to say I should probably warm you up.”

“I’m plenty warm,” I say, moving my hips experimentally. As long as the heat lasts, I shouldn’t need too much stimulation to get going. I feel so full of him that it’s intoxicating.

I thought being on top would be more of an up-and-down motion, but it turns out grinding down on him or rocking back and forth feels just as good. I am surprised to find that I am not at all self-conscious, maybe because I have the best view of Cardan yet, and he is watching me like I’m a miracle, like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he takes his eyes off me for a second. I run my hands over his shoulders, scratch my nails a little against his chest, just to see him bite his lip. Not the fake lip-bite he’d do in front of a camera, either. One he can’t help.

“Jude,” he says again, moving up into me as I grind down on him. His hands stroke up and down my thighs. His eyelashes flutter. “God, you’re so fucking pretty.”

I pause. “What?”

“Oh.” Now he looks startled. “Uh, I meant you’re—”

“You’re pretty, too,” I say, before he can take it back. A smirk is curling the edge of my lips. He is pretty, underneath me, his hair spread out on the pillow like that, his face flushed. Even the tips of his ears are red, although that’s probably from embarrassment.

Cardan blinks at me, then recovers his dopey grin. “Damn right I am,” he says, and then he shifts, coming to sit up with me in his lap. He cards his fingers through my hair again. “But you’re something else.”

I look at him, at his perfect, stupid, handsome face now nearly level with mine, and my heart aches in my chest. Soon my heat is going to break. We’ll have no reason to do this ever again. And when we’re let out of our cell, one way or another, we won’t even have a good excuse to keep in touch.

All at once, I realize how much I don’t want that. I don’t want it to be over.

I reach out to touch his cheek, and he presses his hand against mine, holding it there. “Do you trust me?” I whisper.

He watches me with those fathomless, dark eyes, and says, “Yeah, I do.”

Maybe that’s the wrong answer. Maybe he shouldn’t. But I guess he’ll find that out for himself.

I lean forward and sink my teeth into his neck.

Next

#jurdan #jurdan fanfic #judecardan #jude duarte #cardan greenbriar #the cruel prince #the folk of the air #tfota #the wicked king #the queen of nothing #mine: fic #fic: 132 hours

[snusbandxknifewife]

How We Got Here/Where We’re Going

Hello yes hi! I am proud to introduce my gift for the lovely and amazing Tess, @clockworkgraystairs ! This started out as a wedding fic, but I couldn’t get it to work right until I was giving @wanderingpages her regularly scheduled Mayari update and saw her asynchronous pregnancy au and was like “!!!!!Holy shit that’s it.” So, without much further ado, I present the beginning of “How We Got Here/Where We’re Going”, an all human, modern au where Cardan and Jude have been a thing since college, ended up getting pregnant and having a daughter and marrying in their late 20s. Now it’s their honeymoon and they’re looking backwards at their past and forward towards their future.

~~~~~~~

Outside, fluffy grey clouds hung over a soft blanket of snow, masking any sound that might’ve accompanied the rising of the sun. Her bed was soft, her sheets warm, her room quiet. Jude couldn’t quite figure out what woke her up. Then, as she stretched out, her fingers hungrily searching as she fought sleep, she realized what it was: Cardan was missing.

Sitting up, her eyes bleary and drool dried on her cheek, she pouted. When she remembered that she didn’t have a stitch of clothing on—and that, plus a snowy log cabin, makes for freezing nips—she grumbled and burrowed back into the comforter.

Oh to have been a fly on the wall in the little cabin bedroom as Jude Greenbriar tumbled around in her nest of blankets, dragging them with her to grab underwear and pajamas and socks and fighting to avoid any cold air as she dressed. Cussing and tripping as she went, Jude scowled into nothing and cursed her fiancé—

Wait. Husband. It’s husband now.

—she cursed her husband for abandoning her to the elements and taking his space heater of a body with him when he went.

Jude wrapped herself up in her ball of bedding and went out the door, now awake enough to listen for movement in the small cabin. A pot clanged from the downstairs kitchen and her husband yelped and she smirked.

That’s what you get, loser.

As Jude walked down the stairs, she couldn’t miss the chaos of the living room. Most of their suitcases were still packed up and set by the fireplace, their skis and snow jackets barely made it in the door, and their wedding clothes were strewn haphazardly across the sofa. She was honestly impressed that they’d made it inside the house.

Just as she made it to the bottom of the stairs and headed towards the sofa to run her hand over her wedding dress, she heard something that made her stop.

“—And how should I know? Honestly Nic I’m not even sure how to bring it up to her,” Cardan sighed from within the kitchen, bustling around like he was making breakfast. “I think it might be good for us. Still, with how everything went when we had Faye, I don’t want to pressure her.”

She couldn’t help but frown in concern as her mind flitted back through everything she could remember about their first daughter and her pregnancy. From the confusion of her missed period to the worry as they waited on the test to the way Cardan’s eyes had lit up when the Ob/Gyn told them they were having a little girl.

What on earth would Nicasia be talking to him about?

Jude tried to tell herself that it was obvious, Nicasia was only days away from popping, and her pregnancy had been a bit of a nightmare. Maybe she was just nervous? But, then again, why ask Cardan about giving birth? Jude had been the one who carried Faye and, far more importantly, Nicasia’s own wife, Taryn, had already had a child herself.

Completely ignoring the fact that calling a man away from his wife on his honeymoon was probably in poor taste, but she digressed.

She kept herself as still as possible, angling her head so she could hear better.

“Yes, I know that, Nic,” he let out a little frustrated laugh, and Jude could just picture the way he would be pinching the bridge of his nose. “But Faye will be starting school soon and that’ll be a circus in it of itself, never mind adding on the stress that this would.”

He went quiet again and Jude crept back towards the stairs, hoping he wouldn’t walk through the kitchen door and catch her spying.

“I know you and Taryn want the little man to have a friend, but you remember how tough it was for Jude our first go round.”

Oh.

Jude’s hand flew to her belly and she had to jump to catch the falling blankets before they made a sound and alerted her new husband.

So she wasn’t the only one who was getting suggestions about expanding the family.

It made sense, everyone had been talking to Jude about the idea as the wedding had gotten closer. Oriana had been completely starry eyed ever since Taryn’s firstborn, Rosemary, had graced them with her presence. In fact, their stepmother had barely batted an eyelash at Jude’s worries when she’d fallen pregnant during college, she was far too excited at the idea of another grand baby. Madoc had gotten past the shock and the disdain for Cardan enough to be hounding them for a grandson. Taryn thought having cousins the same age made for perfect best friends. It was a mess.

Sure, Nicasia being pregnant had bought them a little respite, but she could go into labor literally any minute, so there went that.

Jude rolled her eyes and began loudly making her way down the stairs again, giving her husband fair warning this time as she walked through the living room and towards the kitchen.

“Hold on, here she comes,” he whispered, low enough that he likely thought she couldn’t hear. Then, she hit the kitchen door with her mobile blanket fort and he spun around with a: “hey Hot Mama!”

“Stop calling me that, you dork,” she made a face, instantly regretting her decision not to sneak up and scare him.

He’s stood there by the stove, wearing nothing but his low-slung flannel pajama pants and grinning at her like an idiot as he leaned back against the counter. She refused to let her sneer fall, only growing more annoyed at how he could walk around half naked in such a freezing house.

“Huh?” He must’ve forgotten he was talking to Nicasia because he seemed surprised when she began speaking on the other end of the phone. “Oh, yeah, Jude’s finally awake. Y’know I kept her up last night, heyo.”

Jude let out a disgusted groan and he just started to laugh, giving her an exaggerated wink and thrusting his hips forward in a way that absolutely did not put butterflies in her stomach, thank you very much.

He tilted his head, listening to Nicasia for a moment before finally giving up. “Here I’ll put her on speaker.”

“Hey Nic!” Jude smiled, finally dropping her pretenses and walking over to give Cardan a big, blankety hug and morning kiss. “How did Faye do last night?”

“She was great! Didn’t get up until about seven this morning. Of course the little man already had me up, fuckin’ kid always sitting on my bladder,” Nicasia griped through the phone and Jude snorted. “I don’t know how you and Taryn both did this it sucks.”

“Yeah, but the payoff is really cute,” she shrugged, leaning her head against Cardan’s collarbone. “Especially when they have your nose or your eyes or they start saying how much they love their Mommy.”

“Is Rosemary ready for baby?” Cardan asked as he wrapped his arm around his blanket bundle of a wife.

“You know how she gets, she’s super attached to her moms. Well have to see once Taryn and I actually bring him home.”

“I’m sure she’ll be a great big sister, she’s always been wonderful to Faye,” Jude offered, smiling as her husband pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “She was very sweet when Faye was a baby.”

“She was three then. Seven-year-olds have much bigger personalities.” Nicasia sounded exhausted, more exhausted than a normal pregnant person would be and Jude worried at her lip.

While they hadn’t always been the closest, she and Nicasia had grown into a really solid friendship ever since the other woman had begun dating Jude’s sister, and she didn’t like to see her struggling. Nic had been a huge help in Jude’s own life and relationship, she’d been an amazing friend to Cardan, she didn’t deserve anything but the best, happiest transition to a family of four.

“Well she takes after her mother.”

“What’s that supposed to mean, Jackass?” Nicasia laughed at Cardan, her voice sounding like the tension broke a little.

Jude opened her mouth to give some word of advice or make some statement about how sure she was that it would be ok, but got cut off by the sound of commotion on the other end of the phone.

“What? Oh, yes Faerie-Faye it’s Mommy and Daddy,” Nic said, sounding far away from the phone. “Of course you can darling, here you go.”

Jude’s heart swelled and tears unexpectedly pricked at the back of her eyes as their daughter fumbled with the phone. She felt guilty, having forgotten for a moment that they were on their honeymoon without Faye. It was their first trip alone since her birth, and they’d both been on pins and needles when they’d said goodbye to her at the reception hall last night.

“Mommy?” Faye’s voice, tiny and soft like the twinkling of a wind chime, came through the phone. “Hello?”

“Hey little elf! How are you? Mommy misses you so much,” she gushed, reaching out and taking the phone from her husband in a mindless attempt to feel physically closer to her daughter. “Have you been good for Aunty Taryn and Aunt Nicky?”

Jude listened attentively as her four-year-old prattled on about everything she’d done since she left the reception hall with her aunts and cousin last night. To hear her tell it, Faye had had a great time. While it made her happy, Jude also found herself a little sad at the idea that her baby girl was doing so well without mom.

“And Daddy, Aunt Nicky let me touch her tummy when baby cousin kicked!”

“Were you gentle, Princess?” Cardan asked. He always called their daughter Princess, had since the first moment he’d held her in his arms. “Remember what we’ve said about soft hands.”

“Yes Daddy I used soft hands and nice words!”

“That’s my girl,” he said, that proud grin he always got whenever Faye listened to them plastering itself across his face.

The phone fell away and they heard some distant talking before their daughter was back on.

“Ok Mommy and Daddy, Rosemary is awake and we’re playing Rome. I love you, bye-bye!”

And she was gone before either of them could say another word, likely dropping her Aunt’s phone on the floor, if history could serve as a teacher. Jude tried not to let it hurt too much, she knew how seriously Faye took Rome—her word for the pretend gladiator-style tournaments her and her cousin put on. On any other day she’d be slightly smug at how well her kid swung a sword, but today she was away from her daughter and it really sucked.

“Sorry about that, I’ll make sure she stays on longer tonight,” Nicasia promised before either of them said anything. “But you know gladiator is a serious time in our house.”

“Oh to be sure. My wife is raising a little killer.”

“Looks like it runs in the family,” she laughed back. “Listen I’ll let you to go do gross honeymoon shit. Love you both, I’ll let you know if baby boy makes an early appearance.”

“Love you too, tell Faye we love her,” Cardan said, taking his phone back when she ended the call.

And, just that quickly, the little cabin in the snow-laden forest was silent again. Jude in her mountain of covers looked up at her new husband, her pout from earlier back as she tried not to cry.

“Awe, don’t do that to me Mama Bear; you know she misses you,” he frowned, pulling her close and kissing her temple.

“She’s my baby Cardan,” Jude whined, her voice muffled against his chest. “When did Rome become more important than Mommy?”

He scoffed, gathering her and her extra padding and setting the whole pile atop the kitchen island. “Rome is not more important than Mommy, you know that.”

“Rome sure sounded more important than Mommy.”

He turned his back with a roll of his eyes, reaching for the coffee that he must’ve been brewing before she woke up. She stopped her pouting long enough to take in the sight: Cardan’s messy black hair, his low-slung pants, the blatantly obvious fingernail marks carved up his back from last night. It was certainly a sight for sore eyes; it’s not every day you can wake up to something like that when you’ve got a toddler in tow.

“When you’re done ogling, would you like a cup?” He looked over his shoulder quickly, catching her in the act. His eyes twinkled so bright and full of mischief she didn’t even feel bad about being caught, she just smirked at him as she nodded.

Jude looked outside and saw that the heavy grey clouds had given up the fight and large, fluffy snowflakes were falling, bathing the world in yet another layer of snow.

“I hope Nic doesn’t go into labor early, we may be stuck here if the snow doesn’t stop,” she observed, suddenly quiet as she took the cup from his outstretched hand and brought it to her face, soaking in the warmth.

Cardan followed her gaze as he leaned back against his own counter, sipping from her Mrs mug that Liliver had gotten her as a joke. He looked pleasantly tired, not wired like he’d been after an all nighter in college or exhausted the way he was when Faye’d had a bad night as an infant. He looked like he was fit to curl up in bed with a book and be lazy all day, content with his place in the world.

It was a good look on him.

“She told me earlier that her doctor said she was only at 1.5 centimeters, she should make it to her due date.”

“I didn’t.”

“Well you were full of surprises with Faye’s pregnancy,” he mock-glared at her and she chuckled into her drink, remembering the look on his face when she’d told him her water had broken in her final.

Then his words hit her and her smile fell as she remembered what she’d overheard him saying to Nicasia. Cardan, well tuned in to her body language after so many years, noticed instantly.

“What?”

What good is spying if you narc on yourself?

She sighed and stared into her mug, trying to figure out the words as he watched her, worried something was wrong. Then, finally, “I overheard you talking with Nic about my pregnancy with Faye.”

“How much did you hear?”

“Just the end, you talking about how tough it was, how you didn’t want to pressure me,” she admitted, continuing before he could respond. “I don’t want you to think you’re pressuring me I know we’ve talked about it and I—“

“Woah, woah, woah, calm it down Hot Mama let me explain,” he cut her off, taking her cup from her hands and setting it down in the counter so he could hold her. “That conversation wasn’t about the pregnancy, just the timing.”

“What?”

He sighed, his jaw working like it always does when he’s a little frustrated. “Nic called right after I got a text from my brother. I should’ve talked to you first but the timing just worked out weird.”

“From Balekin?” She crinkled her nose in a frown that she knew he found adorable. “What could he possibly want? He knows he literally missed our wedding, right? The wedding that was yesterday.”

She cursed herself internally as she saw his little wince. She shouldn’t have said it so harshly, it just pissed her off that the man who raised her husband would refuse to be there when they got married.

“No, from Dain,” Cardan said, stopping her thoughts right in their track. “It’s about the company. Rhyia is apparently sick of being CFO, wants a peace of the trust fund baby action like me.”

She couldn’t help but grind her teeth at that, remembering that glorious fight all those years ago at his family’s mansion when he’d announced their pregnancy.

“So what do you have to do with it?”

“Dain wants to keep it in the family,” he chewed at his bottom lip. “Remembers I was in for business and you were in for finance. Thinks we could make a go of it together.”

“Oh so now you’re family,” she laughed angrily, her blood already boiling again after four years of avoiding the subject. “You weren’t family when you were a defenseless kid and you weren’t family when we were pregnant and fucking panicking but now he needs something—“

She broke off with a huff, flexing her fists and aching for her punching bag back home in their basement. It really wouldn’t do getting this riled up, it hadn’t helped them before and it wouldn’t help them now.

“Cool it, Supervillain, I see that look in your eyes,” he chuckled, forcing his hands under the blankets so he could grab her by the hips.

“I’m not a supervillain,” she grumbled.

“You’re my supervillain,” he cooed back, leaning forward to press soft little butterfly kisses to her jawline. “My sexy little supervillain Hot Mama.”

“I hate you.”

“You love me.”

She decided not to answer as he continued kissing down the line of her throat, his breath hot over her pulse and his lips soft against her chapped skin.

Jude couldn’t help the way she tilted her chin up, the little grin that graced her face as her eyes fluttered closed. She missed moments like these, times when they could be overly affectionate without having to worry about the baby seeing and yelling about how gross it was.

He pulled away and her eyes shot back open, ready to complain until she saw the look on his face. He was troubled, almost apprehensive.

“I was honestly thinking about agreeing,” he admitted before she could ask what was wrong.

Her brain short circuited for a moment, too distracted by his kisses to remember what they had been talking about. When she finally connected the dots, she frowned. “But you bought out of the company years ago, babe. Why go back to the headache?”

“A higher paying job,” he sighed, stepping away to run his hands through his messy hair and lean against the counter again. “I don’t like the idea of charging your sister more for my help, but I still want to make sure we have a secure future.”

“Baby, I know our finances. We are fine.” She took a sip of her coffee. “Even without my paycheck.”

“Still, I’d rather be safe. Plus Faye will be going to school next year and I’ll have all that extra time on my hands,” he looked away from her, chewing at the inside of his lip as he watched the snow fall. “We’d be able to really change how we live if we took this job. A better house, vacations, secure college fund for the kids.”

Jude studied Cardan, her eyes roving over his midnight black curls, down his ears—which used to be stretched—across the tattoo of her and Faye’s birthdates at his wrist, and she smiled. He’d changed so much since they first met, given up a lot of his more daring, self-destructive ways to provide for her and their family. He’d stepped up when she needed him to, he’d stepped up in a way that no man in his family ever did for him. She was proud.

“I thought kids is what you’d been discussing with Nic.”

His eyes shot back to her, but his head didn’t turn. She was quiet, almost nervous as she said it. They’d talked about maybe one day having more kids, mentioned it the same way one might say they wanted to hike the Appalachian trail some day.

But it had been so scary with Faye, so hard figuring out how to become parents, how to maintain their relationship and build a home, all while they were just barely adults. The pregnancy had been tough and full of shock, the family had been kind of a mess on both sides. It was just a disaster from the word go.

Still, Jude remembered how Cardan looked when he first saw that positive pregnancy test all those years ago. She remembered how he used to love waking up at night to feed the baby, called it his special Daddy-Daughter Time. She saw the way he still held one of Faye’s sonograms in his wallet every time she took her birth control.

“Did you now?” Cardan barely sounded like he was breathing.

She nodded. “I heard Nicasia giving you the same guilt trip Taryn gives me about cousins.”

“They do seem to think that baby boy should have a friend.” His face didn’t give anything away. He was, for the first time in years, so carefully blank around her.

“What do you think?”

The air, still frigid enough to keep Jude wrapped up in her nest, seemed charged with electricity as Cardan finally turned his head back to face his wife. If she’d gazed upon him with an untrained eye, she would’ve thought he looked like the picture of cruelty, an evil sneer pulling at his lips as he studied her through lidded eyes.

But Jude’s gaze wasn’t untrained, she knew her husband. And, so, she knew that the man in front of her was absolutely terrified as he said: “I think there might be some merit to the idea.”

He took a long sip of his coffee to hide his smile as Jude worried at her deformed ring finger.

“You?”

Well, here goes nothing

“I was thinking about stopping my birth control,” she quietly said, trying not to let her heart leap at the slight quirk of his brows. “Maybe not actively trying but, y’know, also not actively preventing.”

As soon as the words were out, she felt kind of panicked. Up until that point, everything they’d done—moving in after they got pregnant, getting engaged, marrying—had felt kind of inevitable. But having a second baby wasn’t necessarily a foregone conclusion. Talking about it felt nerve-wracking, like they were actually moving to make their family a reality.

“You want a kid with me?” Cardan sounded kind of awed, his jaw a little slack as he watched her.

“I have a kid with you, babe.”

“No,” he held a hand up. “No it was different with Faye. She wasn’t planned, she just happened and we figured out how to make it work.”

He set his drink down and once again crossed the distance between them, digging in to her cocoon as he pressed his forehead to hers.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love Faye with all my heart, she’s the best thing that’s happened to me,” he continued. “But the idea that you’d be more than ok with, that you’d literally want a child with me—“

“Does it shock you?”

He let out a small laugh, shaking his head as if to clear it before gazing up at her with love in his eyes. “Yes, Jude Greenbriar. Yes it does.”

“Well it shouldn’t,” she snorted. “I carried a little you once before and she turned out pretty damn cute.”

“I think I’m going to need to hear you actually say it.”

She laughed, her head thrown back as the sound filled the kitchen. She wrapped her arms around Cardan and kissed his temple, holding him close and thanking the gods that they’d made it to that point.

“You need to hear me say what?” Jude teased, her grin contagious as Cardan looked up at her.

“Jude, my darling my dear, my sexy little Hot Mama,” he started, dutifully ignoring how she dramatically protested at the nickname, “I need to hear you say that you want to have my child.”

Jude leaned forward, taking in the soft, earthy scent of him with a mischievous smile.

“Cardan, my love my sweet, my amazing sexy husband,” she imitated him, tilting her head to drag her teeth across his jaw.

He leaned back, giving her the room to slide off the kitchen counter and into his arms. The blankets fell off her shoulders, exposing her to the cool air as she pressed herself against him, already feeling just how desperately he wanted her.

She let her hands wander the expanse of his chest, her fingers ghosting over his skin until she could reach around to the nail marks on his back. With a smile, she traced them, remembering how he’d earned those scrapes when he spread her legs open on the floor last night after they’d given up on making it to the couch.

Cardan grabbed her by the hip, sliding one of his knees between her thighs and locking his eyes with hers as he waited with bated breath for her to finish.

Jude, not one to deny herself a good time, let the strap of her pajama shirt fall off her shoulder as she bit her bottom lip, leaned forward, and whispered--

“Put a baby in me.”

~~~~~~~~

A/N: Ok so a few things, one the tumblr app wouldn’t let me copy and paste all the story on mobile so I had to retype some online so I’m sorry if the format fucked up. Also I have a bunch of ideas for these kids so if you want to see any more of this AU, feel free to send in requests! Happy holidays @clockworkgraystairs , I hope you enjoy cute Parent!Jurdan doing cute adult shit!

Tag list: @cardan-greenbriar-tcp @hizqueen4life @slightlyrebelliouswriter23 @thewickedkings @aelin-queen-of-terrasen @cheekycheekycheeks @queen-of-glass @b00kworm @doingmyrainbow @jurdanhell @thesirenwashere @illyrianwitchling @courtofjurdan @clockworkgraystairs @st00pid231 @booksandlewks @fateandluminary @addies-invisible-life If you want to be added, just let me know!

#jurdan #cardan greenbriar #jude duarte #tfota #tfota fanfic #tyrannosaurus lex writes #au #how we got here where we're going #hwghwwg #modern au #jurdannet secret snusband #secret snusband

[lovingmyselfcore]

Protect You

I promise as we move along more things will happen in each chapter and I’m not really sure what exactly this is but we’re moving forward so yay

Chapter II: My Sister’s Getting Married and I Get Drunk. It’s a good system

Every time I looked at Taryn all I could think about was the betrayal that came with discovering your twin was in a relationship with your boyfriend, and she had been for a while. I know that Vivi didn’t expect me to just ‘get over it’ but I could tell she wanted me to. She pushed me and Taryn as close together as she dared without risking my wrath as she called it. That gleam in her eyes when I would actually look Taryn in the eyes with something other than hate. She wanted her sisters back, I could understand that, but I doubted we could ever get back to where we were, once.

“Jude,” Taryn’s sing-song voice invaded my mind, curling around my brain and ruthlessly squeezing the sleep out of it.

Light flooded my eyes as she shoved my curtains open. “I noticed you didn’t wake up early like you always did.” Her mouth formed a delicate frown. I wanted to punch it.

“No,” I said, sitting up. “I didn’t have to go in today and recently I’ve been so exhausted I decided to sleep in,” I narrowed my eyes, “Until somebody ruined it.” 

Taryn crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s my last day visiting, Jude. I thought you might want to spend it together.”

I just stared blankly at her.

Disappointment flashed across her face, “Fine. But hurry and get ready. I have news I’ve been scared to tell you, but Vivi convinced me I should.”

Now that caught my attention but I quickly schooled my face back to unconcerned.

Her mouth lifted slightly like she knew I wasn’t completely unaffected.

Without another word, she strode out of my room. I scowled at her back and stuck up my finger once she’d turned the corner.

I threw off the covers and reached for my phone.

I’d gotten a text from The Bomb.

Bomb: It’s been about a week since you started guarding Dain with us, we want to get closer. Come for drinks tonight.

Jude: I have a sister thing tonight, I can’t.

My finger hovered over the send button before I pressed it. I don’t know why I didn’t accept. Going for drinks with them sounded like it would be much more fun than what was awaiting me at this very moment.

I groaned and tossed my phone on my bed, moving for my closet.

I walked towards the living room and was immediately assaulted. My little brother, Oak threw himself at me, wrapping his tiny arms around my hips.

“Hi, buddy,” I murmured.

“I’ve missed you, Jude!” I leaned down and picked him up, swinging him around my body, relishing in his giggles.

“Jude,” I set him down at the sound of Oriana’s voice. She stood in the doorway, eyes flitting in every direction like she was looking for the nearest exit. I knew the feeling. She pursed her lips. “The family is waiting.” Not our. Never our. She still didn’t like me. Hadn’t ever. She’d slowly warmed up to Taryn and even Vivi over the years but every time she was in a room alone with me she looked like she would rather claw her own eyes out.

I nodded, peering around her to see Vivi, Taryn, and Madoc in the living room. I wouldn’t ask why they were here. I wouldn’t give Oriana the satisfaction.

I sat next to Vivi, pulling Oak into my lap. I didn’t miss the quick look Oriana shot me as she settled down, angled towards me as if to pull him away. I held him tighter.

“Jude. I have something very big to tell you.” Taryn’s voice held a forced lightness.

She shifted uncomfortably, twisting her hands in her lap, drawing my attention to them. Or more specifically, what was on them. A single finger, specifically.

Something in me twisted. “You’re marrying him.” It wasn’t a question.

She nodded and I squeezed Oak. “Good for you.” I transported Oak onto Vivi’s lap, he went willingly, wrapping his arms around her neck as she tickled his sides.

Even the sounds of his laughter and the humming of the furnace and every other appliance in our house could not help what felt like a deafening silence blanketing the room.

I nodded to myself, making to stand. “Good for you,” I repeated. 

“The engagement party is in two weeks. I’d like for you to be there.” Her eyes shone as she looked up at me and that something twisted again.

“Sure.” I found myself saying. “I’ll be there.”

Everyone was still staring at me so I announced, “I’m going to get breakfast from that cafe down the street.”

“Bring me some scones!” Vivi called after me as I shoved my phone in my back pocket, threw my coat on, and walked out the door.

“Sure!” I called back as I slammed the door closed behind me.

~~~~~~~

I sat in the cafe, at a table against the wall occasionally sipping my coffee and picking at my muffin.

I didn’t love him. I’d figured that out pretty easily after the initial ordeal all went down. I was definitely more hurt by her betrayal than his. Actually, I was never that hung up over him. So why did I hate the idea of her marrying him so badly? Well, it wouldn’t. I took a deep breath forcing myself to do one of my best talents. I took my feelings and wrapped a thick wool blanket over them, rolled them over an invisible hill, and pushed them off the edge.

I stabbed my muffin with a plastic fork and slumped in my seat, closed my eyes, and tried to let the classical music drown out the world.

“My sweet nemesis,” A voice purred. “How lovely to see you here.”

My eyes flew open, Cardan was standing above me.

He grinned as my surprise morphed into a glare.

He peered around the cafe carefully before shrugging off his coat, probably something Italian and worth more than my life, and sat down in the seat across from mine.

My eyes lifted instinctively and I saw someone slide into a seat nearby. His security guard, probably. He followed my eyes and let out a long-suffering sigh. “I couldn’t get rid of them all.”

I rolled my eyes, “They’re here to protect you, you know.”

“But you’re here,” He smirked. “You’re all the protection I need.”

Something in my brain woke up. “I’m what you need protection from,” I snarled.

“There she is.”

“What do you want, Cardan?”

He lifted a hand to his heart and pouted. “Come on, dear. You can’t expect me to only be here because of you.”

I raised my eyebrows and looked around the cafe, neutral tones, plants, a generally calm environment. I looked back at Cardan, glitter smeared across his eyelids, winged eyeliner painstakingly applied to perfection, midnight-black curls in disarray. Breath smelling of wine and something else I wasn’t sure I wanted to identify.

I scoffed. “Right. This is definitely your scene.”

He grinned again, “Not really yours either, Jude.”

I shrugged, “I needed to escape.” I was shocked at the honesty and for a second it appeared he was too.

“From what?” He asked.

I rolled my eyes and stabbed my muffin again. He watched with a small smile. “Like you care.”

“I do, actually.” He leaned forward, resting on his forearms and I found myself leaning slightly forward too. “Tell me your troubles.” He was close enough I could see his clear eyes. He was looking at me like he really did want to know, so I told him.

“Taryn is marrying Locke.”

“Yes.” He said. “This is news?”

I furrowed my brows. “This isn’t?”

“He told me he was going to do it quite a bit ago, but that doesn’t matter. Why does this trouble you?” Something I couldn’t decipher flashed across his face and his voice got tight. “Do you love him?”

“What? No, of course not.”

“Good, he’s not good enough for you.” The sincerity in his tone caught me off guard and I went quiet. He did too.

We sat there in silence, watching each other. “Jude.” His voice was quiet.

“Yes?”

“Be careful.”

I sat up straighter, “What do you mean?”

He glanced around, his eyes flitting from the security cameras to his own guard and back again. “With my brother.”

“I can take care of myself.” 

“Maybe, but getting involved with him. With us, in the way that you are,” His voice was strained. “Just, be careful.”

“What are you talking about?” I demanded.

He sucked in a breath. “I can’t, Jude. Just,”

He stood up and shrugged his coat back on. He hadn’t met my eyes, he was still watching everything and everyone around us.

“Be careful. Or you’re going to get hurt. Badly.”

~~~~~~~

Cardan’s warning stirred something in me, something that caused me to, as soon as he was out of the cafe with his security in tow, pick up my phone and text the Bomb.

Jude: Is that offer for drinks still open?

Bomb: Definitely

Jude: Just tell me the time and place. I’ll be there.

~~~~~~~

“What made you decide to come?” Bomb - or, as I just found out, Lilliver - asked as I waved down the bartender for a refill.

I shifted in my seat.

“Nothing good, then?” Ghost - Garrett - asked.

I looked at him and he grimaced, “Your body language is screaming at me.”

I let out a noise between a laugh and a groan.

“Spill, girlie.” Roach - Van - demanded.

“I just found out my twin sister is marrying my high school boyfriend.”

Van whistled, low. 

“Damn,” Lilliver said.

“Oh,” I said. “It gets worse.”

I explained to them how Locke had been with Taryn longer than he’d been with me, but the two of them were in a secret relationship. And Taryn knew about me and him the whole time.

“How’d you find out?” Van’s speech was slurred as he leaned forward. He sloshed his drink and Lilliver slid away gracefully to avoid the spill. 

“Oh,” I sighed, resting my head in my hands and letting out a humorless laugh. “He told me.”

Garrett leaned forward then, eyebrows raising. “So he grew a conscience?” 

I shook my head, rolling my eyes.”Of course not. He just thought he had me deep enough in his grasp that he could.” I brought my hand to my chest as if to contain the hiccup. It didn’t work. “He thought he could keep dating both of us.”

“What the fuck.” Lilliver said, Van and Garrett, echoing the sentiment.

“Wait,” Lilliver held up her hands in a pause motion. “I’m drunk so I’m kinda slow right now but, Locke.” She waved her fingers. “Isn’t that one of Cardan’s friends?”

Van looked like she’d just explained why the sky was blue. He looked at me for confirmation.

I nodded, taking a deep drink. “That’s how I met the Greenbriars. Cardan and I were in the same grade. Vivi and Rhyia are close.”

“So you were in the same circle?”

I laughed, “God no. Exact opposite ‘circles’. Cardan and I declared each other sworn enemies day one, Valerian and Nicasia despised me on sight and Locke for the most part had stayed out of it.”

“Until he decided to date you both just to see if he could.”

“Yeah,” I sighed.

“Did Cardan and the others know?”

“Kind of?” I shrugged. “I’ve never been clear on how much Valerian knew. But, Nicasia found out he was dating one of us and told Cardan.” My voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, “Neither of them liked it very much.” Van snorted. “Locke decided to out me and him to the school,” I waved my drink through the air. “We dated publicly for a little while and then at senior prom I found out what was going on with him and my sister. The rest is history.”

Lilliver winced, “Prom?”

“Oh yeah,” I said and grinned. “Great memories.”

Garrett looked at me sympathetically, “I’m sure.”

“Oh!” I declared, accidentally slapping Van in the arm, “I got into a physical fight with Taryn after, too.”

“Did you win?” Lilliver asked and at my grin and smug nod she cackled. “Atta girl.”

I hiccuped and set my drink down. “I’m going to dance,” I announced and wormed out onto the dance floor.

I danced for what felt like hours, the music had burrowed into my blood, my bones. I couldn’t stop. People were passing me drinks and more that I can’t even remember. The world was a blur. Somewhere, I recognized familiar voices but I drowned everything out aside from the pumping in my ears.

I know I threw up on some girl at some point because a high-pitched voice was yelling at me, I couldn’t make out a single word she said but almost immediately after a hand wrapped around my upper arm. “Come on, Jude. You have to go home.”

I resisted but clearly, I wasn’t coordinated enough to fight back because their grip only tightened. “Stop fighting,” The voice hissed, pulling me through the groups of people, I opened my mouth to call out for someone, anyone but my voice was caught in my throat. “It’s just me.”

“Cardan?” My voice came out in a whisper and the world sharpened. 

It was Cardan, he was holding me tight against him as we exited the club. He looked down at me with an indecipherable look in his eyes. “Some guys were watching you, and you'd already had enough to drink. I’m taking you home.” His voice was harsh.

“I can take care of myself.” I spat, finding the strength to pull away from him, but he kept his hand on my arm.

“I know you can, Jude.”

"Dain's going to kill me for getting this drunk when I'm supposed to be on call isn't he?"

Cardan's silence was answer enough.

"Are you sure you don't love him?" Cardan asked suddenly.

"Who?" I furrowed my brows. "Dain?"

"Well, I certainly I hope you don't love Dain. But I'm talking about Locke."

I tried to look at him but he wouldn't meet my eyes. "I'm sure. Why?"

His grip tightened. "Getting basically blackout drunk the night you're told he's marrying your sister is on the more on the extreme side of the scale."

I laughed despite myself. "I don't love Locke. But even if I did, why do you care?"

"I don't," He snarled.

I hummed, "You can let go of me now, I can walk." 

He snorted, "Sure you can." Suddenly he released my arm and I stumbled, throwing my arms out for balance.

Cardan crossed his arms, watching me, amused while I stumbled on the sidewalk like an infant.

I flipped him off but it was the wrong move. It took my concentration from keeping upright and I stumbled sideways just enough to slam into a streetlight.

I winced and my hand flew to my head. Cardan stepped forward slowly but lunged when my knees buckled and I collapsed.

"That's going to be a wicked bruise," He grinned down at me.

My eyes were heavy as he swept me into his arms, “I’ll kill you. You and I both know I can.”

I felt myself being lowered into his car but he didn’t let go. Settling us both into the backseat, I felt his laugh more than I heard it. “I know, Jude.”

The last thing I heard before I passed out was him giving his personal driver my address.

Tag: Let me know if you want to stay on the tag list for this. I wasn’t sure but I tagged you anyway :)

@foreverscreaming @ladyofbloodandroses

#the folk of the air #protect you au #the cruel prince #the wicked king #the queen of nothing #qon #tcp #tfota #tfota fanfic #jude x cardan #jude duarte #cardan greenbriar #jurdan #judecardan #twk #hthkoelths

[thewickedkings]

Tell Me What You’re Thinking ~Part 2~

Part 1 || Masterlist

A/N: You asked for part two, and you shall receive. If you haven’t read part one, it’s linked above! This may or may not be more than two thousand words, but I couldn’t help myself. I really wanted to explore Jude and Cardan’s struggles and insecurities in their relationship post QON. Hope you guys like it :)))

Trigger Warnings: Mild Cursing (Let me know if there is anything I missed)

~~~

Jude wraps her hands around the warm tea Vivi made for her.

Vivi watches her expectantly. “So?”

Jude sighs. “Just… give me a second. I need to think.”

Vivi nods and moves to clear away the dishes drying next to the sink.

“Cardan and I got into a fight.”

Vivi snorts. “No shit.”

Jude massages her temples. “I know, but I think I really messed things up. God, I’m so stupid.”

Vivi doesn’t say anything, waiting Jude out.

“I- I just, I don’t know how to tell him things, things that are messing with my head, you know? And he could tell I was being distant, and I hurt him.” Jude squeezes her eyes shut.

“You aren’t the best at communication,” Vivi hedges. She looks up, eyes searching Jude’s face. “What couldn’t you tell him?” she says slowly.

Jude’s neck heats up, and she sips her tea to avoid the question.

But maybe if she can tell Vivi, it will be easier to tell Cardan. “The people, they’re talking about a-” Jude clears her throat. “An heir.”

Vivi’s face softens in understanding. “And what exactly about that is bothering you?”

Jude swallows. “I don’t even know if I want kids yet.” She pauses. “But if- if there were to be an heir, it would be half-mortal.”

Her skin feels tight, the fierce urge to flee and protect herself running through her at the confession. She forces herself to push through, staring intensely at her tea.

Her voice is rough. “It would destabilize the rule. You know how the fae are, they wouldn’t take the heir seriously with mortal blood running through his veins.”

Vivi finishes drying the dishes and pulls out the chair across from her. “Jude, you are their queen. If they have a problem with that, put them in their place.” She pushes a strand of hair behind her pointed ear. “That’s not the issue though, is it? At least not why you can’t talk to him about it.”

Jude takes a sip from her tea, studiously avoiding a response.

“Jude, if you don’t talk to anyone about it, you won’t be able to move forward.”

Jude’s hands clench around her mug. “I know.” Her voice lowers, barely a whisper. “What if he doesn’t want a half-mortal child?”

Vivi’s voice hardens. “Then screw him. But Jude, if there’s anything I’ve learned from seeing the way he is with you, that won’t matter to him.”

“You don’t know how he was, before. He always brought up how mortal, how weak I was. I know he’s changed, I know that, but I still-” Her voice breaks.

Vivi sighs. “Jude, this is something you have to talk to him about it. You can’t just keep avoiding it like you always do. Trust me, I know. You’ll just hurt both of yourselves.”

“How?” Jude rasps. “How do I tell him that?”

“Just like you did. I know it’s hard, but it will be better after you do.”

“But he was so angry. He couldn’t even look at me. What if he’s still mad?”

“He was mad because you weren’t talking to him. I can see how much he loves you, and you probably hurt him. You have to at least talk to him. You owe him that.”

Jude nods, shutting her eyes and letting out a soft breath. “Okay.” She gets up, her motions jerky. “I need to- I need to go. I need to tell him.”

Vivi puts an hand on Jude’s shoulder. “You need some rest. I know you feel like you should go, but you should get some rest before you figure this out.” Vivi gently tugs Jude into the living room and onto the couch. Jude is too exhausted, both emotionally and physically, to protest. Vivi pulls a blanket over Jude, her hand resting on her shoulder for a beat longer than normal.

Before she’s pulled into the welcoming tendrils of sleep, Jude reaches her hand out, fingers grasping Vivi’s arm. “Thank you. For helping me.” She falls asleep before she hears Vivi’s response.

 ~~~

When Jude returns to the palace, something immediately feels off. The flowers outside the palace are wilted, and prickly vines have encased the walls. The air is taut with tension, and Jude hugs her cloak around her.

Instinctively, she knows Cardan will be in the throne room. But instead, she makes her way in the opposite direction to their chambers to wait for him. It seems fitting, to work through this where it started. She gets ready for bed and slips into the blankets, picking up a book to distract her thoughts as she waits.

When Cardan returns to their rooms, it is late. The telling glaze of alcohol is absent from his eyes, yet Jude gets the sense that he had drunk after she left. He pulls off his intricate doublet, leaving only the undershirt beneath, exhaustion marring his actions.

She resists the urge to wrap her arms around him and rest her head in the junction between his neck and shoulder, to relieve some of the burden she had placed on him. He gages her wearily, opting to sit on the armchair next to the fire. He remains silent, and Jude realizes he is waiting for her to speak.

Jude moves to the chair across him. “Cardan, I’m sorry.”

He barks out a laugh, sudden against the steady crackle of the fireplace. “For what?”

“You were right. I was being distant. I wasn’t telling you things.”

His jaw ticks. “I know I was right.”

He has every right to be angry at her. “I’m not good at this. I don’t know how to-” Jude shrugs helplessly, “I want to try to be better. I know I’m not the best at showing it, but I love you.”

Cardan swallows. His gaze is trained on the fire, shadows jumping across the smooth planes of his face. “You left.”

“I was scared.” She says, her voice small. “Sometimes it’s easier for me to go back to hiding.”

Cardan finally turns to look at her. The vulnerability, the openness in his eyes, even after everything she said to hurt him, rocks her. Despite everything, he is still trying with her. And she… well, she had run away at the first sign of trouble.

Jude reaches out hesitantly for his hand, and Cardan doesn’t pull away. She wraps her fingers around his, and Jude’s words stumble out. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I lied. The break was a lie.”

Cardan sighs, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. “I want this to work, Jude. But you have to talk to me.”

“I know,” she says, voice small.

“I know what I want. What is it that you want?” Jude opens her mouth to respond, but Cardan continues. “I cannot… I cannot keep playing these games with you. If you do not want this, then tell me and leave me in my misery. Do not give me hope.”

He rises from his chair and gets on his knees in front of her, clutching her hands between his, his palms warm against hers. His eyes are gazing into her with determination. “You must know I want this future with you Jude. I want everything with you, everything I never thought I could have. You must know...” His voice changes then, something a little like yearning slipping in. “You must know that I want to spend my whole life with you, even have a family with you, if you’d want that.”

Jude flinches slightly, and Cardan catches it.

His gaze roves over her, assessing. “You do not want children?” he says slowly.

“No, that’s not what I… I don’t know Cardan.”

His jaw clenches. “You do not want children with me.”

“Cardan, that’s not what this is about.”

His voice softens, a tinge desperation sifting through. “Then tell me, Jude. What is it? Let me in.” In this moment, he is not the High King of Elfhame. He is her husband.

Jude tightens her grip on his hands and averts her gaze, unable to look Cardan in the eye as she lays herself bare. “The people- they are talking about an heir.” She feels completely and utterly foolish, yet she continues, forcing the words out. “And if we were to have an heir… it would be half mortal. If you do not want that, I understand. It would be smarter for the kingdom, and the people…” Her voice trails off.

Cardan’s hand reaches up to gently cup her cheek. “Jude, look at me.”

She grudgingly lets her gaze return to his, something inside her feeling scraped raw.

“I do not care that our child would have mortal blood. Mortal blood does not make you weaker. You are the strongest person I have ever known, and you are a mortal.” He pauses, his next words tentative. “I know… I know I have said things in the past, but Jude, believe me.” He presses a kiss to her knuckles. “If you wanted a child, with me, I would be the happiest man alive.”

Jude feels as though the weight of mountains has been lifted off her shoulders. Some irrational part of her thought that he would prefer to have children with one of the fae, all her old insecurities still lingering inside her despite everything.

“Okay,” she whispers. “Okay.”

Cardan‘s next words are hesitant. “So that is what this was about?”

She nods, a little ashamed. “What did you think?”

His jaw clenches, and his eyes focus on the wall behind her. He removes his hands from hers and gets up, turning his back to her as he fidgets with papers on the desk. She waits, letting him gather his thoughts. His next words are quick, as though he forced them out. “I assumed you didn’t want me anymore.”

She opens her mouth to protest and then shuts it. It’s his turn to speak. She knows that no matter how irrational his thoughts may seem to her, they are there and it isn’t her place to dismiss them.

His speaks in a rasp. “I think I’ve been waiting for you to leave, because that is how it has always been with me. Why would you want to stay, when you can do so much better?”

Jude’s thoughts start piecing together what he’s saying. His mom, his dad, even Nicasia. They all left him eventually or didn’t even want him in the first place. Something inside her breaks knowing that she had done what everyone else in his life had. Yesterday, he had told her to leave before she could leave him, protecting himself in a way. And she had listened, like an idiot.

The way he gotten on his knees in front of her, telling her how much he wanted her, suddenly made sense. He was genuinely scared she was going to leave.

Jude moves towards Cardan and slowly wraps her arms around him, leaning forward so her head rests against his chest. He shudders and sags against her, his breath warm against her hair. His arms grip her like she’ll disappear if he lets go. The fierce urge to ward him from any evil overtakes her, to keep him here in her arms forever.

“Cardan,” she whispers, pulling back and pressing her forehead against his. “I’m not going to leave. I’m staying right here with you. You are better than anything, anything I could have hoped for.”

His dark eyes bore into hers, searching for the lie. When he finds none, his palms reach out to cup her face, and then he kisses her softly, so softly. She sighs and tangles her hands in his curls, kissing him deeper.

The connection between them, the string that has always been pulling them towards each other, strengthens until it’s almost tangible, an ethereal soft glow. The prickly vines that had grown around the edges of the room begin to soften, jasmines blooming on the stems, their soft scent wafting around them.

And Jude knows, in that moment, that what they have is irreplaceable, the love between them is more valuable than anything in her life. She cannot let him think he is undeserving, that she does not want him.

“You deserve to be loved, Cardan. You do. More than anyone. And- and- falling in love with you is the best thing that could ever happen to me.”

He smiles softly against her lips. “Your love is the greatest treasure I possess,” he murmurs. He pulls back and gazes at her, as if to commit this moment to memory. Slowly, his grin turns playful as his hand reaches for hers and pulls her with him as he walks backwards to the bed. “You are my greatest treasure. And I would very much like to cuddle with my treasure.”

She giggles, stumbling into his warm chest. “Treasure? That’s new.” The seriousness of the moment fades into this, this wonderful thing between them as he pulls her onto bed and into his arms and peppers her face with kisses.

He pulls back teasingly. “Is it not to your liking? I have several others.”

“Hmmm, I guess I’ll have to hear them.”

Cardan presses his lips to her jaw, whispering against her skin. “My sweet villain.” His lips move to her nose. “My darling wife.” To her cheek. “My love.” And finally, finally, to her lips.

Thank you for reading!! If you have sent me a prompt, I have them written, I just have to edit! Thank you so much for your patience <3

Tagging:

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[clockworkgraystairs]

Domestic prompts "Person A is working late. They come home to person B sleeping on the couch with 3 empty cups of coffee close to them. Person B was waiting for person A to come home." So happy for your 1k my love 😘

HELLO MY LOVE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS PROMPT I REALLY LOVED IT!!! 🥺❣️

@awkward-avocado-s Hi hun!! I’m tagging you here since I received the same prompt from you, thank youuuuuuu! 😊

Also, I’m a bit delayed jdjksd I’m sorry, I hope you like it!! 

A massive thank you @slightlyrebelliouswriter23 for helping me with my monstrous sleepy mistakes and for all the hype, love ya so much! 

"Person A is working late. They come home to person B sleeping on the couch with 3 empty cups of coffee close to them. Person B was waiting for person A to come home." Human AU

By the time Jude finally parked the car outside the apartment it was past midnight. Again. 

She cursed under her breath. 

For what felt the thousandth time in the month, her boss had commanded the entire team to stay overtime. He was determined to make their life a living hell. Madoc was lucky Jude respected him like a father, otherwise she wouldn’t pull up with all the extra time crap.

The stairs felt as if they were infinite. Or maybe her feet were getting heavier. Maybe both.

Upon reaching the door she took a second to rest her head against it, the wood cold on her forehead. She’d promised she would return earlier. 

Not that Cardan got mad because of it, he was always supportive with her and her job. Sometimes even more than she deserved. He’d respected her space from the very first moment and never complained for all the late hours. His only comment about it was that we worried about her driving alone at night, nothing more. 

Cardan could read her like the palm of his hand. He noticed when she’d had a rough day and needed space, or when anxiety creeped up and a couple of hugs and encouraging words would make it better. By looking at her eyes he could know if words were unnecessary at all. He would pull her close and kiss her worries away. 

He did so much. And yet she couldn’t make it home early. 

Turning the knob as soft as she could Jude slid inside, her mind running as it tried to find a way to compensate her husband. She should wake up before him the next morning and make him breakfast. Or allow him to read her a chapter of his favorite book. A massage could also- Her mental chatter disappeared abruptly as she lifted her gaze and spotted a figure laying on the couch. 

At first sight it looked like a pile of blankets. Only as she approached she could distinguish Cardan’s sharp features underneath and resting on his chest their 3 year old, who through her half opened lips snored softly as she always did. Cardan claimed she’d inherited that from Jude, that liar.

They were partially illuminated by the tv, where Beauty and the Beast was paused. Jude pressed her hand to her mouth to bite back a laugh, Hallie loved that movie so much and apparently her husband wasn’t able to resist her puppy eyes. 

Under the dim light she was perfectly capable of seeing their ruffled hair. That, she’d inherited from him. Black, unyielding locks sprawled everywhere. 

A new wave of tenderness ran up her chest at the view. This was what made everything worth it. The late hours at work, the stressful days… it was all for them. Her family was the most precious thing ever, and she’d make sure their peace would never be disrupted. 

Jude left her shoes next to her purse and coat to make the least amount of noise possible and walked closer. With careful movements she took little Hallie in her arms. She stirred a bit but with soothing whispers was back asleep in a couple of seconds. Cardan shifted but didn’t wake up. A small stain on his shirt marked the place where Hal had been drooling all over him.  

While walking to the nursery Jude held her baby close. She never got tired of realizing how beautiful she was, and her smell was one of the most relaxing things she could think about. Hallie smelled like home. 

Once Hal was in her crib tucked between her blankets and stuffed animals, Jude kissed her forehead and murmured “Good night my love”, before exiting the room.

The moment she returned to the living room, she had already gotten out from her office clothing and wore an old shirt she’d stolen from Cardan some years ago. 

On top of the small table rested an empty feeding bottle and three cups with remains of what smelled like coffee. Jude sighed. He’d tried to wait for her again. 

After turning off the tv, she slid under the blanket and curled next to him, moaning internally at the warmness. Cardan stirred and half-opened his eyes, mumbling something Jude couldn’t understand. 

“Shh,” she soothed, cupping his cheek. “It’s me.”

Immediately his hand curled around her waist, pulling her closer. He smiled at her with a drowsy adorable expression before frowning in confusion. “Hallie…”

“In her crib, don’t worry.” 

“I’m sorry,” he sighed. “I tried to stay up-”

“Hey, don’t.” Jude interrupted him as a pang of guilt pierced her chest. “There is nothing you need to apologize about. I should’ve been here earlier…” 

Cardan shook his head and buried it in Jude’s neck, muffling his words. “Then you’re not allowed to do it either. You’re out there catching criminals, that shit’s important.”

“Nothing is more important than you.” She whispered, delivering soft kisses along his face, on his cheeks, his lips, on the small circles under his eyes. 

He chuckled and froze a moment before pulling back to stare at the stain on his shirt. “You usually drool all over your important things?” 

Jude let out an offended scoff and pinched his arm, pulling a dramatic gasp out of him. 

“Shut up… don’t blame me for your daughter’s vandalism.” She mocked. 

“She’s an angel.”

“She learned all her devilry from you, don’t think I haven’t noticed she uses that same pout you put every time you want something.” Gods in heaven knew she couldn’t resist that face. The first time she saw Hallie with it while trying to spend more time playing, Jude knew she was royally fucked.

Cardan hummed. “Can’t recall. Sorry.”

Rolling her eyes, Jude’s hands found the hem of his shirt and started to tug it. “You know, it’s bad for your health to sleep with damp clothes.”

“Oh really?” He teased.

“Mhm” Jude smiled. “Take it off.” 

Soon the offending piece of clothing hit the floor, allowing her to press her hands against his chest, feeling his heartbeat. She leaned to drop a kiss there too, making him hold her tighter. 

“Do you want to go back to bed?” He asked. 

Jude groaned softly. “No… let’s stay here. It’s like a cocoon, a warm and comfy cocoon. I had no idea the couch was this comfortable.”

“Well of course it is.” He said, nibbling at her ear. “I bought it especially to be able to sleep here when your snoring fills the room.”

“I don’t- !” Jude started to argue back when his lips crashed against hers. 

She melted into the kiss. Cardan rolled over so he was on top of her, hands roaming down her sides and legs making her moan. That encouraged him to kiss her deeper. The length of his body was hard against her, making her head spin.

“You’re insufferable.” She gasped between kisses. 

“That’s why you love me, sweet Jude.” He answered. He trailed a finger down her back, sending shivers through her body. “Though I must say… I find it quite offensive you’re still able to wear that shirt when mine’s already gone.” 

Biting her lip, Jude considered him for a moment. “We need to be really quiet.”

The way he smiled at her, had her stomach swirling in anticipation. Slowly, he peeled his shirt from her.

“Then you’ll have to try hard, my love.”

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