valkyriesbooks

[valkyriesbooks]

Valkyries by hollyberryarts [instagram]

[valkyriesbooks]

A very happy birthday to our Taurus queen, Nesta Archeron! 👑 I'm sure she'd spend it with her besties and chosen sisters, Emerie and Gwyn! And I just know that the House would give them all the smuttiest books to read and all the chocolate cake to eat.

A very big thank you to @/michi.illustrations for working with me on this gorgeous commission to celebrate! Do not repost without credit and do not feed into AI programs.

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"Azriel dipped his head in a sketch of a bow, something restless settling in him. Even his shadows had calmed. As if content to lounge on his shoulders and watch."

"Gwyn nodded her farewell, again facing the ribbon. A warrior sizing up an opponent..."

This beautiful art based on the Gwynriel interaction that happened in Azriel's POV was made by @_inkye (ig) and commissioned by me 🩵

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Whoever you are… I hope your pillow stays cold on both sides everytime you lay your head down

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Look, forbidden romance is nice and all but this,

“No,” Gwyn wept.

“No, I won’t. I’ll face it with you.”

Something deep in Nesta’s chest cracked. Cracked open completely, and what lay within bloomed, full and bright and pure.”

THIS is what I want for Azriel. Someone to absolutely break that dark mass of self hatred inside of him.

Not by him hiding, deflecting, brooding and trying to feel nothing but feel EVERYTHING.

To have that love that is so beautiful and unbending and show it off to the world. Like Rhys and Feyre do. Which Azriel himself stated is something he envies.

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If you want to try to convince yourself that Az’s shadows skittering back and disappearing is good thing. Go for it.

BUT…

It’s kind of a big ask when those same shadows are capable of dancing, singing and peering curiously.

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“I’m not excusing that dm to Yaz… But—“

Girly, her posting theories that debunk your ship is NOT mocking 😭🙏🏻

I can literally pull you a file with over 70 screenshots to show you who is actually more toxic, and this is something noted by even the people who are not into the shipping stuff.

[valkyriesbooks]

Inspired by a post from @stargirlie25 about Elain flower braiding Lucien's hair. I just had to!!

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Why do E/riels use Az’s shadows dancing to music in the HOFAS bonus chapter as a “gotcha!” moment? Gwyn was never actually singing when his shadows ‘danced’ with her. In fact, they played with her breath “LIKE there was some SILENT music”, it’s a comparison. A play on words. Quite literally a simile.

She was never singing…they just like her. They’re active when they’re happy, or when Az is feeling playful. They’re an extension of him, and will be a part of him forever. He doesn’t seem to want to get rid of them, so I’m also not sure why them disappearing around Elain is a good thing but I digress.

[valkyriesbooks]

I will be a menace. To Illyria besties.

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Please...Stay a Gwynriel Fanfic by TheValkyriesShadow

Read it here on AO3

Time stopped as Gwyn felt a searing jolt of pain pinch in her chest. Her gaze slid from Koschei's outstretched hand to her mate, to where his blood slid down his chest, and finally to his face. Even in the darkness Gwyn could see his hazel eyes, dampened with pain and anguish as he looked back at Gwyn. His lips parted and he collapsed.

Every fiber of her being began to scream, to thrash - to exact revenge.

To save and protect.

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

“Az - argh!”

Azriel's head snapped to the left at the sound of his name.

He saw her then, lying amidst rubble. She looked to have been thrown against a stone wall that crumbled down around her with the force -

Gods… what happened?

Or the one where I wanted to rip out my own heart as I write...Enjoy!

[valkyriesbooks]

When SJM chose to point out this:

And then a few pages later in the same chapter she chose to point this out: (It is Gwyn’s breath)

I knew that Gwynriel was endgame.

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So, my friend @hlizr50 posted this lovely art during Gwynriel week and it inspired an idea that's been rolling around in my head until I finally spit it out in Word tonight. So, don't mind any typos or grammar, I did exactly zero editing 😅 Enjoy!

793 words

A distinctly masculine yelp called the entire training ring’s attention to the far end where Gwyn was…. Hanging from the Shadowsinger’s back… side? It was hard to tell from this angle. All Cassian knew for sure was Gwyn’s coppery head was much higher than it should be, and her feet were wrapped somewhere around Az’s middle, rather than on the ground. His brother stumbled at the sudden shift in weight, his wings flaring wide.

As Cassian watched, Az managed to pry one of Gwyn’s legs from around his torso but she quickly scrambled around his body, repositioning herself until she had somehow draped her body across the back of his neck, one of his arms grasped between hers, the other between her thighs.

“Son of a-” Az’s words cut off with a growl as he again attempted to free himself from her hold. He could hear Gwyn snarl at him to yield, which of course Azriel refused- as he should. He wasn’t defeated yet.

But cauldron, did they look ridiculous. 

Nesta and Emerie appeared at this side, wearing amused looks as they watched their friend make a proper fool out of the famed Spymaster. “What do you even call that hold?” Emerie asked with a snort as Azriel’s wings bent and stretched, trying to stabilize him while he worked to get free.

“I think it’s called a Nelson?” Cassion shrugged trying not to laugh as Gwyn “accidentally” kicked Az’s wing, drawing another strangled yelp from him. “But I’ve never seen it done like that…’ 

He finally loosed a grin as an idea came to him. Focusing his mind, he called out to Rhys, hoping his brother was paying attention wherever he was in the city. A moment later, a smooth voice spoke in his mind “Yes, Cassian?”

“You gotta see this.”

Rhys gave an intrigued hum. “Is that so?” There was a brush at his mind and Cassian opened a small window for his brother to see through his eyes. 

Just then. Az managed to find a ticklish spot behind Gwyn’s knee, loosening her hold with a squeal. Before he could pull her off of him completely, however, she scrambled around again, somehow hooking one leg around his back, one over his shoulder, ankles locked together, and both hands wrapped behind his neck.

This time the shift of weight unbalanced him entirely, sending him to his knees… Gwyn still hanging from his neck.

Cassian couldn’t help a chuckle then as a matching one sounded in his mind. He felt a pause on Rhys’ end before he felt another presence in his mind. “Oh my,” Feyre giggled. “How did she get up there?”

“I don’t know, I heard a shout and turned around to find her hanging off him. Everytime he manages to get an arm free, she moves and traps him again,” Cassian laughed. “We might want to consider ear plugs for the poor priestesses, Az’s been cursing up a storm the last couple minutes.”

Az wedged a hand beneath the thigh wrapped over his shoulder- dangerously high- and Nesta whistled. “You usually have to pay to get that handsy, Shadowsinger. Watch it!”

The hand quickly disappeared with a frustrated growl, and Gwyn, the cheek, laughed merrily at his predicament. From the corner of his eye, Cassian caught sight of Mor and Amren perched on lounge chairs, watching the show. How and when they had gotten here, he wasn’t sure. But they were turning his training ring into theater and he should probably say something, but he was too entertained by the spectacle.

After a few more moments of struggling - each attempt at tickling Gwyn now resulted in her thrashing about and shrieking, battering Az’s poor wings even further, even as she clung to him like a magnet- until finally, Az’s wings drooped with a sigh. 

“Do you yield?” Gwyn asked cautiously, still holding tight. There was a mumble and then- “What was that? I couldn’t hear you?”

“Yes, I yield. Gods damn it.”

Immediately, Gwyn dropped to the ground, rolling numbly from underneath him and springing to her feet with a triumphant crow. Nesta and Emerie burst out laughing while the other priestesses rushed over to congratulate Gwyn on besting the Symaster. Mor, who apparently wanted more of a show, booed loudly and tossed popcorn in Az’s direction, which Cassian had no idea how she’d gotten.

“Is he- blushing?” Feyre asked.

Sure enough, Az had slunk off to the side of the ring, his cheeks pink as he gingerly rubbed his shoulder. His shadows, which had been dancing around him and Gwyn throughout the entire bout, not interfering, now twirled in the air behind him. If he didn’t know better, Cass would think they were laughing. “Yes, Darling, I think he is.”

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My predictions for the plots of the next ACOTAR books

Gwynriel: ACOTAR 5. We’re going to be following Azriel’s story and the connections with the Illyrian’s being made by the Daglan. During this time as well, we will also find the connection of the 8 pointed star on Nesta and how it’s connected with The Mother. It will also follow how the Illyrian’s are mad about the Valkyries being in the Bloodrite and that 2 of them won. During the book we’re going to get some very big information on Koschei and how dangerous he really is and how his bargain with Vassa is going to fuck them over. I also think Eris and the Autumn court will play a small role in this book but it’s going to help gear up for the final book.

Elucien: ACOTAR 6. This book is going to focus on Koschei (obviously) and how Elain’s powers as a seer might be able to see what Koschei is planning, once she gets her powers under control. Because let’s not forget, in ACOWAR Elain saw a black box which makes me think she can get around Koschei’s powers. (Maybe???) And I bet with the help of her mate (reluctantly. Because it wouldn’t be an SJM book without reluctant mates) Eris is going to be keeping Lucien and the gang informed on Beron movements (I don’t see the Night Court having a lot to do with this book. I think it’s going to be mainly Elucien taking down Koschei). Lucien finds out that Helion is he father and thus his spelling cleaving powers come to light (get it 😏😇) and with the help of Elain’s seeing powers and Lucien’s spell cleaving they take down Koschei.

Now I 100% know I could be wrong. Which is fine. If anything someone can find this post and write a good fanfiction over it 😂

As for the novella, I think it would be between ACOTAR 5 and 6 and making it a bridge for the two books. OR it would be an epilogue where we see the babies of all the happy couples that Sarah has said she has planned!! (NESSIAN BABIES!!)

I also think ACOTAR 5 with be Blue (cobalt blue) and ACOTAR 6 is going to be Green

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Cassian raised his eyes to the portrait behind his High Lord’s mammoth desk. The golden faelight orbs in the room were positioned to make it seem alive, glowing. Feyre’s face—a self-portrait—seemed to laugh at him. At the mate whose back was to her. So she could watch over him, Rhys said.

Credit: termesart (Twitter)

[valkyriesbooks]

Guilty Pleasure

Wrote this a few weeks ago and thought I would write more but never did so here <3 Very slight hofas spoilers in the beginning so be warned.

2.3k words

Summary: Gwyn finds Az in the training ring to ask him a favor. He's taken by surprise, but obviously he can't deny her anything.

***

“I thought I might find you here,” Gwyn said, leaning against the archway that led into the training ring. Azriel spun around, seemingly surprised at her ability to sneak up on him. Twin daggers glinted in his hands, reflecting the moonlight that shone above them. Truth-Teller, safely returned to this world, was securely strapped to his thigh. 

Gwyn fought a smirk at the thought of how moody he’d been in the days without his favorite dagger to keep him company. As badly as she felt for him, it was simply too easy to tease him about having to sleep without his comfort weapon. 

“Berdara,” Azriel said, turning to throw the daggers at a target he’d set up at the other end of the ring. Of course, both landed dead center, the tips of the blades grazing each other in their proximity. Show-off. He turned back around with a slight twitch of his lips and made his way to the archway where Gwyn stood. “What can I do for you?”

Azriel’s shadows brought him a towel, one of them darting to graze Gwyn’s cheek before returning to lounge above the Shadowsinger’s wings. Azriel wiped the towel across the back of his neck, muscles flexing in his arm as he did so. Gwyn watched a bead of sweat slide down his forehead and temporarily forgot what she came here for. It was unfair, really, that she had never seen the male across from her have a bad day in the looks department. She’d seen him bloodied up and wincing in pain, yet that unnatural beauty never seemed to leave him. 

“Gwyneth?” Azriel hedged, still waiting for an answer to his question. She blinked a few times to clear her mind and scolded herself for getting so distracted. She straightened her spine and crossed her arms, still leaning against the archway and hoping she looked effortlessly confident instead of embarrassingly desperate to appear that way. 

“I have a proposition for you.” At his raised eyebrows, she amended, “Well, not a proposition exactly. A favor. Something I’d like you to help me with.” 

“A favor, huh? And what makes you so sure I’m the best person to ask? I’m sure Nesta or Emerie would be more than happy to help.”

“This isn’t the sort of thing they can help me with, I’m afraid. Not something I want them to help me with, at least.”

Azriel scanned her face, clearly intrigued but trying to hide it. He swiped that damned towel behind his neck once more before letting his shadows take it someplace else. With two steps, he was leaning against the opposite side of the archway with his back to the wall, mimicking her stance and forcing her to shift so she could look at him. 

“All right, I’ll bite. Though I make no promises that I’ll be of any help.”

Swallowing her nerve—and pride and embarrassment and fear—Gwyn stared into the shadowsinger’s hazel eyes and said “I wish to go to a pleasure hall. And I’d like you to take me.”

Based on the endless silence that now stretched between them, Gwyn was sure she’d broken Azriel. He stood unblinking for so long that she was tempted to reach out a finger and see if he would tip over like a statue. Cauldron, how would she explain to Rhysand why his infamous spymaster had malfunctioned?

“Shadowsinger?” Nothing. “Hello?” Nope. “Azriel?” Finally, a blink of recognition.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard you correctly,” he said, still frozen in place save for the muscles needed to blink and move his lips.

Gwyn couldn’t help the pang of satisfaction running through her at having taken him by surprise. It was her favorite pastime.

“I said, I’d like you to take me to a pleasure hall.”

“No. What? Why?” 

“I’m going to ignore that first part, and as I believe I’ve answered the second part twice now, I’ll move straight to the third. I’m sick of being stuck in this house and wondering what I’m missing out on. I read all these fascinating books about how pleasurable sex can be, and I’m ready to experience it for myself.”

Azriel finally seemed to shake himself out of his stupor, wings rustling slightly as he took in her words.

“I admire your honesty, Gwyn, but this isn’t the way you should venture into exploring your sexuality. Not with the kind of people who go to pleasure halls looking for nothing more than a quick fuck.”

“You visit them quite frequently, don’t you? So what does that say about you, then?”

“That’s different.”

“Why, because you’re male and feel some sort of moral superiority when it comes to sex? You’re allowed to seek it out if you wish but females can’t? Who are you having sex with then, Azriel, if not for the females visiting pleasure halls?” 

A feral smile took over Azriel’s face.

“If you must know, I’m not opposed to the occasional male partner, though I do much prefer the company of females.” She tried not to blush at that, though she knew she wasn’t succeeding. “And I’m not saying it’s different because I’m male. I’m saying it’s different because I have experience and it’s not anything special for me. It should be something special for you.”

Gwyn was sure her cheeks had turned even redder at this point, but they were now flushed with anger. He had no right to tell her what to do, and she deserved to make her own decisions. 

“And who are you to decide that? I didn’t have a say in how my first sexual encounter happened, and I will not apologize for wanting to have a say in how future encounters happen.” The shadows thickened around him at the mention of Sangravah, but he showed no reaction beyond that. “You males aren’t the only ones with needs and urges, Shadowsinger, and seeing how I don’t exactly have suitors lining up at my door to have sex with me, I’ve taken it upon myself to seek them out.”

He opened his mouth to speak, but Gwyn held up a hand.

“I’m not finished. I appreciate that you care about my feelings, I really do. But I’m an adult who can take her own feelings into consideration. I came to you because I know you frequent the pleasure halls in Velaris and I trust you—and, quite frankly, because I don’t think sex is worth walking down 10,000 steps for.”

“That’s entirely dependent on who you’re having sex with, Berdara,” he drawled. Gwyn rolled her eyes at his arrogance, ignoring the twisting in her gut at the sound of his voice. Was it just her imagination, or had it dropped even lower than usual?

“That’s the part of my grand speech that you’re choosing to focus on?” 

Azriel ran a hand through his hair and leaned his head back against the archway. She hadn’t exactly expected an enthusiastic yes, but he was putting up more resistance than expected. Maybe she’d completely misread their relationship. Shame slithered up her spine. 

Of course this was a mistake. He was likely debating how to let her down easy because he was far too considerate to be blunt with her and hurt her feelings in the process. She might as well save him the effort.

Gwyn pushed away from the archway, smoothing her hands over her robes to keep them from shaking. 

“You know what, forget I asked. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable. I’ll leave you to your training.” 

Before Gwyn could dwell on the fact that this conversation would haunt her for the foreseeable future, Az called her name and a scarred hand wrapped around her wrist. Her eyes shot up to meet his, and he immediately let go as if she’d burned him. His voice was soft as he said, “Wait.”

She absolutely could not deal with a pity party right now. Those were reserved for the comfort of her bedroom with a slice of cake and a smutty book by her side.

“Shadowsinger, it’s okay—”

“You don't even know what I was going to say.”

“It’s written all over your face.”

“I’ve spent centuries making sure emotions don’t show on my face.”

“Well you’ve got a few more centuries of training ahead of you then because it’s always clear to me what you’re thinking. Especially when you’re trying to hide it.” 

At this point it would just be easier to swallow her tongue entirely. Why did she have such a big mouth? She could never filter her words around the male in front of her, and it bothered her to no end.

Something sparkled in Azriel’s eyes, though, and he barked out a laugh. It seemed to take him by surprise as much as it did her, and he ran a hand down his face. Shadows twirled at the sound. He shook his head slowly.

“You’re something else, Berdara,” he said. “Look, do I think it’s a little crazy that you want to visit a pleasure hall of all places? Yes, I do. But I agree that it would be good for you to get back out into the world, and I think you’re brave for wanting to do it.” Azriel took a step closer to her, studying her face. 

“Thank you?” she whispered.

His lips tipped up at the corners ever so slightly.

“I’ll take you.” Gwyn wasn’t sure if she was breathing at that point. Sure, this was always the goal, but now that it was within reach it scared the hell out of her. She wouldn’t deny her attraction to Azriel, but it wasn’t something she’d ever allowed herself to act on for fear of damaging their friendship. He was too important to her. She’d thought that convincing him to take her to a pleasure hall would help her get over him and, well, under someone else, but the prospect of being in a room that promised sin and sex with the male she needed to get over suddenly didn’t sound so appealing. And she was realizing that this might have been a massive mistake.

“Azriel—”

“I’ll take you,” he repeated, then walked towards the target at the end of the training ring. He pulled out the daggers still lodged perfectly in the center and twirled them in his hands. “If you can make this throw.”

Despite her doubts, Gwyn couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of her. If there was one thing she’d never be able to pass up, it was a challenge. Part of her wanted to be a coward and miss the target deliberately so she could take the easy way out and forget this night ever happened, but the bigger part of her knew she’d never forgive herself for the self sabotage. There was a reason she’d come to him in the first place, and she refused to question her choice any further. 

With a smirk that adorned her face often in the Shadowsinger’s company, Gwyn strode towards him. He was still twirling the blades when she held out her hand expectantly. Amusement sparked in his eyes, and he presented the daggers to her with a dramatic bow. 

“You are the most insufferable male I have ever met,” she said, taking the blades from his outstretched hands. He gave her a wink, and her stomach fluttered. “Where would you like me to throw from?”

His reply was a look that said What do you think? She groaned internally but straightened her shoulders and made her way to the opposite end of the ring where he’d been standing when she first came up here. Azriel positioned himself back in front of the archway, halfway between the target and where Gwyn now stood. 

He gestured a hand toward the target, giving her the go-ahead whenever she was ready. 

“Both blades?” she asked.

“Both blades,” he replied.

Humph. Worth a shot. 

She took a deep breath and drew back her arm, then exhaled with the release of the first dagger. It flew in a flawless arc towards the target, embedding itself dead-center. She glanced to her left to gauge Azriel’s reaction, but he tried hard to remain stone faced. A gleam in his eyes gave him away. His shadows swirled around his wings and over his crossed arms. 

Azriel glared pointedly at the dagger still in her other hand, indicating the battle was only half won. She copied his little blade-spinning trick from earlier before moving the knife to her throwing hand. Another glance in the Shadowsinger’s direction revealed a small smile blooming on his face. He’d taught her that maneuver when she’d asked him to go over dagger-handling with her in private. Definitely useless in battle but extremely fun to do.

She was waiting for him to scold her for using the same hand for both throws instead of proving that she’d worked on learning to use her left arm for throwing in case of injury to her right arm, but he either didn’t notice or decided to give her this small advantage. Likely the latter, given his title as spymaster. There was little the male didn’t notice.

Gwyn didn’t let herself overthink as she drew her arm back once more and hurled the dagger down the same path as its twin. 

Now, she knew she was good. She’d trained tirelessly to get to where she was today, and she was proud of her progress. She knew that she could trust in muscle memory and skill at this point in her training to do what needed to be done.

Still, she couldn’t help the way her jaw dropped slightly as that dagger sank into the target next to the one already embedded there, positioned perfectly side by side.

A shadow darted over to the blades, dancing around them.

The breath knocked out of her at the sight of the pure pride shining from Azriel. He held her stare and gave a slight nod, lips tugging up on one side.

“Just tell me when, Berdara, and I’ll be there.”

After one last look at the daggers, Gwyn strode over to the archway. She clapped Azriel on the shoulder and said, “See you tomorrow, Shadowsinger.”

[valkyriesbooks]

Said it before, saying it again.

Azriel was not mated with the third Archeron sister, not because he didn't deserve a mate like his brothers did. Like he assumed it was meant to be. Three brothers, three sisters.

He wasn't given an Archeron sister for a mate because he's looking at the wrong trio. It's not about Rhysand-Cassian-Azriel ending up with the Archeron sisters. It's about Cassian-Azriel-Morrigan ending up with the Valkyries while Elucien serves the most angsty pining known to mankind.