fairiewines

[fairiewines]

devon didn't want to seem any more inexperienced than everyone seems to believe her to be, but cadoc was huge. he easily towered over the other dragons that had made their appearances during the day. "oh i already know my thighs are going to burn like hell when he lets me ride him", agrees with a rather painful expression. "is there any specific training you could recommend for that?" raising one brow she diverts her gaze from the flying dragon above, focusing on kade. "mates? he has one? aren't they super rare?" couldn't quite begin to imagine a hulking beast like cadoc having a petite little female dragon as his mate, but devon supposes that stranger things have happened. "wait . . . " it took a moment for his words to seep in to the part of her brain that absorbed knowledge, like the fact that his dragon was coincidentally named aderyn. "your dragon is . . . is my dragon's mate?" what did that mean for their two riders? everyone knew that the bond between a dragon and their rider was stronger than steel, but where did two mated dragons and their riders fit in to things? "so what does that mean, for us? are they . . . i mean they're connected i know that much, but we're connected to them too so . . . " all those years spent pouring over books and yet devon had never once paused to consider learning about this. "you need me", states finally, "and i need you -- to keep them alive and sane. we need each other, don't we?"

"a tiny thing like you on that large dragon . . ." he muses before trailing off with a shake of his head and a short laugh, "i don't think you'll have to worry about his carrying capacity, just the strength of your legs." he was delaying the inevitable, now ⸻ a fact that aderyn was making clear as she pushes her way into his thoughts once more. tell the girl. "she's a pain in the ass, namely." words are in jest, though mostly pointed at the female invading his mind than the girl in front of him. "sometimes i think they're more human than dragon." attention flickers to the formidable beast circling above them, silently pressing him on. "he's waiting for his mate . . . dragon's mate for life. just like a rider without their dragon is dead . . . so is a dragon without their mate." lets out a low huff, fingers pushing through his dark locks. "aderyn and cadoc are never too far from each other. they fly together in and out of battle . . ." can't bring himself to state the obvious : devon and kade were now stuck together, whether they liked it or not. and keeping the femme alive was now a matter of self - preservation.

[fairiewines]

"you exist", femme offers with a tight smile, for in her mind that was a perfectly reasonable reason to dislike him. high lord or not there was something about the male that got under her skin. "perhaps because you are to marry my sister and i am not entirely convinced you will have eyes for only her?" the sweetest of the bunch elspeth's younger sister was far too naive to ever be considered for such a marriage, yet their father had practically screamed in delight when the news came to their home. "no she does not. she barely listened whenever father would begin to lecture us all on which courts were the most beneficial to visit, the ones in which we were expected to keep our smiles wide and our cleavage high." it had disgusted elspeth, to be paraded around men as if they were nothing but wombs and breasts. adreline had been almost entirely unaffected, unbothered and instead doodling hearts on her sheet of paper. "i will pray to the mother for him too, i have high expectations and a cheating husband will be greeted with nothing but shovels of soil atop his decaying corpse", responds with a saccharine smile, a doe-ish flutter of long lashes. "i think my sister is the sweetest girl in this court, she's beautiful and thoughtful and tender. do i believe someone of her temperament can satisfy you? no, no i do not your highness."

"i have done nothing to make you dislike me," he points out, "though it seems my very presence sets you over the edge. why is that ?" though the high lord had done a good job of ruffling her feathers since their first introductions, the reason her original contempt alludes him. "i do not wish to rescind my proposal," he assures, "your sister, though docile, is kind and decent. of course, she is beautiful . . . but i seek beyond vanity. this marriage may be forged in desire for power, but it is clear she takes no interest in politics or petty games. i'd like to think the same of myself." marrying adreline would not be so daunting of a task given her demeanor, and astarion intends to make a good husband regardless of whether love grows between them. "i'm greatly concerned," he confirms, "and i'll be certain to send my deepest condolences for the sorry fool who manages to tangle himself in your web." brows furrow at suggestion that he had not truly conversed with her sister. though their conversations weren't as fiery as the one's he endured with elspeth, they'd certainly been engaging. "you think little of your sister. is that it ? you do not think she is enough to satiate me ?"

[fairiewines]

high pitched tone results in a widening of his hues, a startled blink before he exhales. "this isn't about my lack of respect for you or your court, inez. everyone who witnesses you rule across it knows that you are worthy — but those vows are outdated, they're cruel and what true purpose do they serve?" she surely knew that fae were prone to salacious moments, to giving in to temptation, it was in their blood. "if that is what you wish, i won't argue otherwise. although simply adding another body or ten into the same room will not help the issue." for gabriel had witnessed her naked want, had felt her soft skin against his own, had heard those honeyed pleads to take her — to fuck her. there was no forgetting. "if anyone saw or heard they would keep their mouth shut, it's none of their business." although given how much wine had been flowing gabriel seriously doubts a sober eye had crossed them. "you wish for me to ignore every single instinct inside of me? to pretend that nothing happened between us? that i didn't feel you against me?" it was an impossible task, an almost cruel request from the normally just high lady. "inez . . . i cannot promise that i will not want to, but i will try."

"i made vows !" words come out shrill and harsh, as if she's admitting to a fate the high lady had not fully considered when promising her celibacy to the cauldron. takes a moment to collect herself, eyes beginning to burn with the threat of tears. "and you may not understand or respect it, but they are mine." her tone is shaky, though resolute. it was as if she had truly contemplated breaking them . . . for him. "i cannot be alone with you any longer," she confirms, tips of her pointed ears glowing with familiar light. though she could attempt to control it, inez's energy is directly completely at maintaining her distance from the male. "there is nothing between us," she corrects, "there can be nothing. you do understand that, don't you ?" ⸻ "if anyone saw me with you last night . . . if anyone heard me . . ." she trails off at the mere thought, stomach in knots as painful memories of punishments from high priestesses fill her mind. "i cannot command you because you are not my subject," she states through a wavering tone, "but i am asking you as my friend, gabriel. please, do not seek me out any longer."

[fairiewines]

it was not her place to argue against the high lord nor his business in other lands, yet the lower fae cannot help a small eye roll at his words. "and yet before our trip you were here most evenings, were you not?" in spite of his pronounced absence airlie was still tasked with tending to his vacant rooms, something that served as a form of torture for the girl. "forgive you?" words cause her to halt, brows rising as she studies his handsome face. "what do i need to forgive you for?" and what exactly did she need time to think about? with him gone her anxieties and doubts had only multiplied instead of dwindled. "caspian . . . " oh how men could be fools. "do you honestly believe that i assumed you had orchestrated the entire thing purely to sleep with me? because i certainly do not and as for only your desires appearing that night i feel i should remind you of just who asked who to undress the other." admittedly, the wine had boosted her confidence, allowed the reserved female to give in to the urges and passions she had held so close to her chest. to believe it was one sided was to believe in foolish daydreams. "it may be inappropriate", the word slides off her tongue, slimy and vile, "but that does not make me regret it, none of it. do you? i may have been tipsy, you too caspian -- but i knew what i was doing, every single moment." especially when they had fallen in to bed together, how their bare skin had brushed together, how her hips had sought friction against his own.

"i only want to respect your wishes." though, the male certainly hadn't respected any sort of boundaries between them before. perhaps it had been a mistake seeking friendship with the fae. "i've had business," he deflects, "this is the life of a high lord — i am gone most evenings . . . there may be weeks that go by before i return." it was lonely for himself, but for a mate or wife ? caspian wouldn't allow someone to suffer like that. it was better if airlie understood his burden to carry. as she presses further, however, the male can feel his chest tighten. he's uncertain whether it's remorse, heartache, or a mix of the two. "my only intention for leaving you here alone is that the distance may give you time to think . . . to hopefully forgive me," he explains carefully with head hanging with shame. "i took advantage of you in the spring court. the moment i knew we were to share a singular bed, i should've requested a separate room. but i allowed my own desires to cloud my judgment." ⸻ "i didn't take you with me with an expectation of sex . . . and yet, i let you drink and take off your dress. i let you . . ." he swallows thickly as the memory of her grinding against him in the bed floods his senses. "that sort of relationship between you and me . . . it's inappropriate."

[fairiewines]

highly unusual to the point of discomfort, alaric had found himself reminiscing about that fateful night. he didn't dwell on the pompous guests who practically drooled across his finely tailored clothing as they spoke to him, nor the overly friendly companions of said men. it was them. a conversation that had lasted for less than it should had been stuck inside his mind with seemingly a magic he had never encountered before -- in the midst of a sleepless night he had wondered if nissa had actually performed some taboo spell upon their meeting. the fact of the matter was, they were alike. if he was experiencing such mental roadblocks and distracting thoughts then she had to be familiar with them also. it was merely a matter of time before one acted upon it.

when one is accustomed to sleepless nights it doesn't seem like such a high price to pay, remaining awake until the wax on the candles beside him melt to cover the fine table beneath it. spotting their shadow was akin to a bolt of lightening racing up his spine, a reward for countless nights of patience. politely the high lord waited for the grand entrance -- or the sneaky nissa version of one. "perhaps you should have entered through the front doors, save yourself the hassle?", announced in the silence between them, thick with something he refused to acknowledge. "and i hope you didn't break that window you slid through, sneaky little thing."

closed starter for @fairiewines !

there hadn't been a moment or a motive that passed that wasn't consumed by thoughts of him, the high lord who's forbidden desire trickled into their every move since they'd parted. thoughts which were only diabolically pushed by her family back home as they questioned the progress she'd made to infiltrate his court, and the endless planning regarding their next play. if only they knew she was already one step ahead of them, thankful for effortless shields lest they discover not all of her opinions were shared any longer. a full moon cycle had passed before nissa dared make a move, though, or their eagerness might outweigh their secrets. it was easier than she'd predicted, the trek to his estate, almost too easy. or perhaps she simply knew how to evade his precautions better than most. a cocky smirk dusted across their face, not wiping it clean as they snuck through a loose window, knowing that despite their similar minds, it was much too preemptive to even feel an ounce of success. for, as soon as nissa has made it inside and rounded a few, memorized corners, a curse fell from their lips as they came face to face with the fae she had been hoping to avoid.

[fairiewines]

[fairiewines]

"become a lady of leisure", femme retorts, although in truth niamh would not know what to do with herself if she was without healing. too many ghosts were banging at the door of her mind, if she had too much free time she worries they would break through. it was good for her magic, keeping it in use was like physical training for lachlan, ensuring it remains strong and continues to develop. it's evident that she has been somewhat slacking as she heals his chest, or maybe other injuries were gratefully spoiling her. when the pressure begins to lessen niamh slowly opens her eyes, examining the wound that is now almost entirely knitted together. cauldron. "lachlan, you are a menace. these wounds you get may be the death of me." hues drift from his body, landing on his face and realising that he had been looking at her. mother. swallowing the former priestess instinctively bites down on her bottom lip, the remaining stretches of his skin finally sealing together. "how do you feel?" she would need a nap after her morning work, her mind was exhausted and her limbs heavy, however it was her pulse that she was most concerned with — how it seemingly cared little for being calm.

"you worry far too much if not for stupid brutes like me, then what would you do with your days ?" he questions with a playful smile. "there are other ways to kill something," he assures. knew far more about matters of death and violence than anything else. lachlan was considered one of the night court's strongest illyrians. his dark wings grow stiff, no longer stretched out with ease. the pull of his skin together causes him to grit out a low groan. eyes press shut, complexion turned pale as the smell of sweat and iron fills his nostrils. can feel every movement of her magic in the flesh and muscle. there was nothing pleasant about healing, as much as it would appear so. the feeling of her hand against his chest only makes matters more confusing, heart racing for mixed reasons. there's a sort of softness to them he hadn't quite noticed before. hues open to intently watch her features, jaw clenches as he braces for any final moments of pain & pleasure.

[fairiewines]

as cormac had rightly predicted the initial introduction of saoirse to his friends had gone smoothly, a few curious questions were posed and more than a handful directed toward her past — he simply left it up to her how she wished to answer. it was her story, not his own. dinner passed with the smallest of disagreements between alaric and gabriel, dawn court semantics that cormac knew was not important in the grand scheme of things. "i do hope it lives up to expectations", now standing atop the balcony cormac casts his gaze skyward, awaiting the telltale splash of stars across the darkened view. "so many people schedule their months and years around this." he had no valid reason to be nervous and yet he could sense it bubbling within him, a slight thud of his heart as the pair stood together. everyone had their preferred spots for viewing, some enjoyed experiencing it alone, others with friends and some with partners or lovers. for the first time cormac has someone to share it with. "there, do you see it?" arm rises toward the left, a single bright spark shooting across the sky, the beginning.

"i think you enjoy disagreeing with me," she teases with a laugh, "it was one of the things we did most when we met." before it was nothing more than an annoyance, but such banter had become endearing. "well, thank you for making me feel welcome . . . i cannot remember the last time i've been to a party." hadn't been allowed to attend most of the ones her father threw without promising to dance with every available suitor. saoirse, along with her sister, had been put out on display for such events. but tonight feels different. "besides allowing me to stay in your home . . . calling on favor's for me to serve at rita's . . . and bringing me along to your gatherings," she reminds, "i'd say you're doing far more than looking after me." there would come a day when she'd have to leave and live on her own, and saoirse imagines that is when the invites would cease. it was not his duty to take her under his wing for an eternity. suggestion that he would not grow tired of her sends electricity through her entire being. "the sentiment is mutual," she assures, "no matter how infuriating you may be." hesitant hues look down at the view below. the femme lets out a gasp, amazed by the beauty of the landscape adorned with lights. "you're not funny," she retorts, gently shoving his shoulder as the two glide through the night sky.

[fairiewines]

devon hadn't yet heard whether any cadets had been killed during threshing, from what she heard it was a given that at least a handful would meet a pretty grisly end. now that cadoc had chosen her it felt like a heaviness had been lifted from her chest, she wasn't a failure — at least not yet. her signet may take a while to make itself known and that was the next big thing, the ability gifted to her would likely determine her standing in the academy and beyond. now watching the swordtail glide through the sky she exhales, taking in his form and the darkened brown of his scales. "i don't know if that's a compliment or not, but i'm going to assume it is one considering i'm not a pile of ash right now." most other dragons had flown away by now, yet cadoc remained, a steady thrum coursing through devon's chest as she studies him. "teamwork", devon wasn't quite sure how she'd manage to ride the damn dragon, but she'd give it her best shot. "careful, if you keep saying things like that my ego might get so big that cadoc won't be able to carry me." grinning she dips her face slightly, looking at him as he fixes himself. "your dragon, what's she like? do they . . . do they have true personalities? because i feel like he does, oh he definitely does judging by the way he's looking down at us right now."

there would be no interfering during the threshing. those were the orders given to every squad and wingleader. still, kade could not help but keep his attention on a certain cadet. had watched others attempt to bond with a dragon only to be killed on the spot. though his faith in the femme was strong, it would not be anyone's choice of whether she paired besides the dragon's. onyx hues peer up at the sky, taking in the sight of cadoc. he'd known the two had paired before seeing it ⸻ aderyn's voice entering his mind to alert him her mate had found a suitable rider. kade's pairing with a daggertail like aderyn, along with his signet had made him a bigger, though more terrifying target. now that he'd be linked to another rider, his troubles increased exponentially. it's clear she does not know, and it would be his news to break. "he would've scorched you already if he wanted to," assures while straightening out his riding jacket, "now that you've bonded there's a sort of teamwork that will develop. riders are the closest to equals we'll ever get when it comes to dragons. . . you both call the shots."

[fairiewines]

from his experiences in the dawn court gabriel could not recall encountering much celibacy, on the contrary it seemed to him that they were more than willing to indulge in the pleasures close contact can bring. "you wish to truly deny yourself of anything that might bring you even the smallest amount of joy? cauldron inez, do you not see how fucking ridiculous that is? how does any of that equate to you being a good high lady or not? if you told me you had decided to not drink again because you did not enjoy it, it would be fine — but i know you enjoyed yourself last night, inez. you cannot deny that." scoffing the warrior rolls his hues, "this is the definition of running, you want to pretend that nothing happened and so you're trying to remove yourself from the situation. that is running, high lady." how could he return to the way things had been before? before he felt her hands on him, her beautiful mouth requesting such sinful things of him. "i believe that is exactly who you are, for everyone has the ability to be more than one thing, do they not?" when she distances herself he sighs, hands wringing themselves together. "bring a thousand chaperones inez, do you honestly think that is going to change anything between us?" there could be an army of bodies separating them and gabriel would still be able to locate her. "no, no i do not inez and i believe that you don't think so either, you've been . . . trained to believe that, to believe that wanting something for yourself is wrong when it's the most natural thing in the world."

she'd been protecting herself from her own desires for as long as she could remember. it was something the priestesses had instilled in her since adolescence. inez was meant to put aside carnal delights for the good of her court. such a lesson was difficult to unlearn ⸻ one she still believed. "it will certainly be my last time consuming any." certainly around him. she stares at the illyrian as he begins to unravel more of the night, accusations weighing on her soul. something inside her coils, a faint string taught with tension. "i am not running." words come out with a sort of emotion her features do not convey. "and i am very aware of the reality i face. that is something you know nothing about." she sucks in a breath, attempting to keep her emotions in check. hues dart around the hall, careful with her words. "i owe a duty to my court. i cannot traipse around in the night pretending to be something i am not." as he takes a step forward, inez does not hesitate to take two steps back. the thought of being met with his scent is enough to make her bones grow weak. "the next time you see me i will be accompanied by a chaperone." had not requested one since she began her rule, but it feels necessary now. the fae could no longer trust herself alone with him, not even now. "i do not need truth serum nor wine to speak plainly. last night was a mistake, gabriel. you must know that."

[fairiewines]

"in that case i suggest you free up your schedule for a recap, high lord." how unfortunate that she had to run in to the man alone, if even a single soul decided to sneak toward the garden elspeth could have used their appearance to tamper down her frustration. emotions always ran high in such close proximity to astarion. "have i not addressed you by your proper title? or do you expect me to bow before you and plead for you to not rescind your offer to marry my sister?" a delicate finger taps against her chin, a rather smug expression covering her features. "do you know how many other men proclaim to be the very same? it is rather tiring having to preen and pretend i believe it." fae males were as far as elspeth knew interested in conquering and fucking, ensuring their bloodline continues was one of the main objectives — a little box to tick once they took a wife. "forgive me if i do not believe you, my sister is a docile thing, even if you dare share your bed with another she will sadly look the other way . . . but we are very close, high lord. keep that in mind." comfort was found in each of her sisters, for they shared similar experiences, dressed up and paraded around as if they were nothing more than the outfits they wore and the womb they possessed. adreline was fond of sharing with her siblings, elspeth doubts that will change after marriage. "you are concerned for my future prospects?" she laughs at that, hand dropping to her side, "please, my father worries enough for this entire court. i will act as i wish and if my darling future husband cannot handle that then . . . that truly is of no real importance to me." her father was a sharp thorn in her side, slowly bleeding her out as the years dragged on. "at this exact moment i guarantee you he is scouting out that ballroom, mentally matching men up with each of us. he does not need to fret. but i suppose speaking to a woman who actually talks to you is very tiring."

"i try to be." words come out charismatic, though teasing. astarion was no stranger to the inner - workings of the fae's family. the yarrows treated their women the same way farmers treated livestock. it was not an uncommon outcome for most high female fae, but the high lord cannot say he feels any different ⸻ a mere commodity to sell to the highest bidder. "if it's decorum you seek, i'd expect some reciprocity." it worked both ways. if elspeth wanted politeness, it would do her some good to show him the same respect. "you misjudge me," he corrects, "i can be a worshipful lover." devilish grin is now on full display. "i understand you worry for your sister, but adreline is in safe hands. if it is loyalty she craves, she will receive it." though, it may be the case his future wife would rather have unadulterated freedom to bed whomever she pleases. the inner - workings of their marriage hadn't exactly been hammered out yet. "i see you have done your research. tell me, elspeth, do you plan to judge every man for their past follies ?" can't help but laugh. "i certainly hope not, especially if you plan on taking a husband." or finding a mate. there was likely no perfect male left in prythian. she'd simply have to settle for the current lot. "and here we are. both alone, seeking fresh air. it's perfectly innocent when you do it, but when i follow suit . . ." trails off, hoping to bring light to her hypocrisy. "have we concluded your interrogation ? i believe your father may begin to worry about both of our absences. unless you'd rather explain why we're here together."

[fairiewines]

"i would hardly call her a lover, more like . . . a rather brief distraction from life — she enjoys getting a reaction out of you my love. she can sense the bond between us and it makes her envious, yet if you decide to claw her heart or throat out i will not stop you. considering how she has acted tonight i think it might be deserved." he had no desire to encounter the redhead again, had hardly thought about her since their tryst over a hundred years prior. "i would personally remove their cocks and balls, pin them to the front of this charming palace and let everyone else know that you are mine." such a scene may result in a political headache for the high lord, but alaric would contently deal with it if it meant every fae male in this court and beyond knew that aeryn was taken. "perhaps it was, although it seems to be perfectly crafted to you, my love." fingers stroke between bare shoulder blades, already that primal urge to have her once again rearing it's rather impatient head. "there is never a rush, aeryn. but if you wish to have nice things all you need to do is ask, or simply purchase them yourself." would dread the time his mate wrongly believed they needed to approach him in order to purchase anything for themself. "you choose to wear this dress for the rest of your life?" questions playfully, digits tugging at the ribbons, looping them through those pesky holes. "i may have kept the dress intact this time, but i make no promises once the night is over, my love. so you might want to start thinking about new dresses." a rather large bow was tied at her lower back, not quite the standard of her maids yet he was hardly known for his skills with ribbons. "there, sadly you are fully clothed once more."

"the next time one of your old lovers decides to make herself known, there won't be any need. i'll happily finish the job right then and there." had dreamt of slaughtering as many fae she could get her hands on after emerging from the cauldron. but to kill for one . . . such an emotion was new to the fae. "and what would you do to them if i allowed it ?" challenges with a whisper of a smile. aeryn wishes to see that sort of possessiveness emerge from the high lord as it had bubbled up inside their own body. "i can withstand it," assures softly, tone filled with adoration, "i'm beginning to believe this body was made for you." as if their soul had been reformulated to include the bond and alaric in its depths. "it's still all very . . . new to me," cautions. such grandeur would take time to get used to, much like their bond. "one dress is plenty." fingers are careful to hold the bodice tightly to her chest as she lets out a laugh. "i don't think there is any tying that could be done to keep you from working so quickly to take it off me." had never seen such fast finger work. "think we're past asking for permission," hums in response.

[fairiewines]

the high lord arriving alone was a sign that perhaps those inappropriate rumours regarding him and his marriage status were solely fantasy conjured up by people who had little else to do with their days. yet there had been a time where airlie had begun to believe, had decided that the distance she now felt from him was due to a potential alliance. "excuse me? i . . . you think i don't want to talk to you?" amber hues widen, a dumbfounded blink followed by a rather tight laugh. "caspian . . . what could make you believe that i do not want to talk? i don't mean to be rude, but you are the one who has been gone for so long — not me." and while it could be entirely down to court politics airlie felt in her gut that it was not. "you are running", she states simply, all this talk of where he will go next, the jumping from one court to another as if something is chasing him, nipping at his heels. "i believe it is, caspian. you make yourself busy so you do not have a chance to stop and think, did you truly believe that i did not want to speak to you? to see you?" his departure had left a very evident hole in her existence, no longer did she rush to his rooms for their evening meal, no more did she feel her cheeks flush and a smile bloom across her lips. "i understand if you have business you have to attend to, do not misunderstand me. but . . . but i suspect that isn't the only reason you have been gone so long and i . . . i wish that weren't the case."

there was much more than military campaigns waiting for the male at the northern border. rumors of high fae vying for marriage had like begin to waft through the palace. much of his counsel and inner circle had grown eager to find the high lord a suitable wife. caspian would entertain such attempts for their sake but had no intention of marrying. there were certain kinds of heirs that would reign in solitude. he offers a short nod to her congratulations, uncertain to what he could possibly say in response. an apology seemed to always be on the tip of tongue and likely would remain there for the indefinite future. "you need not make small talk with me," he explains matter of factly, ". . . you need not speak to me at all if you do not wish to." though he missed their dinners together greatly, it would be unfair to assume the dynamic between them had not changed. "to the summer court," he confirms, "the high lady wishes to speak with me . . . and then i may stay elsewhere for some time." needed a bit of space to clear his head and hopefully provide her with the space she so needed to. "airlie," he breathes out, "it is not that simple."

[fairiewines]

It's almost dawn.

[fairiewines]

Ꮺ closed for @prythiaens

the presentation had been daunting, though she had survived where other cadets had not — witnessing a fellow rider get singed on the spot had left devon's stomach unsettled all day after — and believed it to be some kind of sign. her expectations for the threshing had been quietly optimistic ; if she made it this far then surely, right? after dodging murderous cadets and their hunger to bond, devon found herself back in the flight field, entirely barren with nothing but wild grass and scorch marks until he appeared. the dragon seemed to take up each and every molecule of air in the space, leaving her rooted to the spot as it flew down toward her — directly toward her. she hadn't been ashamed of the stumbling, tripping over her feet as it's nostrils flared hot breath in her direction. not when a being that large was approaching and she could feel it, a tugging inside her, a poking at her mind. and now she sits, cross legged on the brittle grass as cadoc sweeps across the sky above her ; a name he terrifyingly announced inside her mind an hour ago. "do you . . . do you think he's going to burn me alive if i don't do what he wants?" devon's hues drift toward the squad leader, leaning back on her palms.

[fairiewines]

Anaïs Nin, from a diary entry featured in Mirages: The Unexpurgated Diary of Anaïs Nin, 1939-1947

[fairiewines]

Nina Mclaughlin, from "Wake, Siren," originally published in November 2019