gwynberdara

[gwynberdara]

Drawing Up the Plans [ Eiris Modern AU ]

Prompt: Modern AU Eris x Iris "celebrate" Valentine's Day. Inspired by this post. I have no other excuses. / Find it all here. Rated: SFW. Brought to you by: Taylor Swift's - I Think He Knows & Gorgeous Author's Note: Happy love month! Here are my morons doing their thing in modern au format. I had fun writing this so I hope you enjoy reading it :) [ Repost of my original one from 2023 with some minor updates ]

tagging: @riorsonxaden /  @climb-the-mountian / @vanserrass / @positivewitch / @animezinglife / @zenkindoflove / @rosewood-cafe / @clockwork-ashes / @carnythian / @secret-third-thing / @runningwiththeoceans / @that-golden-lyre / @thedarkinmansfield / @readychilledwine / @goldenmagnolias / @mali22 / @readthelastpaage / @maidr-00 / @electromagnetic-waves / @eastofatlanta / @moobell55 / @bibliophiliaxvignette / @devilsfoodcake22 / @weesablackbeak / @ladywhilemia / @alohaangels / @feysandfeels / @corcracrow / @dawneternal / @gracie-rosee / @mage-neve / @illyrianvalkyrie / @saint-stella / @carolynmezzosoprano / @rainbowsnowflake / @queenoftheworld1998 / @wolvesnravens / @lalaluch /

Iris watched him with a look of slight disdain on her face as her...whatever he was, sat across from her at their local ice cream shop. Eris was sitting with one leg crossed over the other, an ice cream cone in one hand and his eyes locked on his phone in the other.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as he nonchalantly brought the cone closer to his mouth and licked the creamy sweetness. 

She clenched her fingers around her spoon and scowled. 

It was just ice cream. He was only eating ice cream and yet — Iris clenched her thighs together and her scowl deepened when his traitorous tongue darted out again to take more.

It was obscene. Slightly erotic. But mostly it was obscene and she couldn’t take her eyes off him. 

Iris didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing it was doing something to her. They’d only been orbiting around each other for a few weeks, and she was barely tolerating their interactions. He was so obnoxious and yet despite her many attempts to avoid him, they kept running into each other. The two of them ended up in the same space too often for it to be anything but fate.

She blamed it on how small this town seemed to be. And the fact that he was a rich, attractive man with too much confidence. Iris had moved into town a few months ago and during her first week, stumbled into him at the local bar where he spilled his drink on her. He insisted it was an accident but that hadn’t stopped her from throwing her drink at his face in return.

Needless to say, they treaded very aggressively around each other.

“Is there something wrong, Iris?” he asked and Eris met her gaze with a slight smirk, finally putting his phone away. “You’re awfully quiet.”

“Everything about you is wrong.” she mumbled and her gaze dropped to her own cup of ice cream. Iris had opted for a cup rather than a cone; She didn’t exactly trust what would come out of his mouth if she licked an ice cream cone in front of him. 

She twirled the spoon in the sweetness as Eris chuckled then made the mistake of looking up to watch him as he once more, slowly, took another lick of his ice cream with a raised brow. 

“You seem to have quite a problem with me and yet, here you are.”

“You asked me to meet you here, asshole.” she snapped and the corner of his wicked mouth lifted.

“Wound up a little tight today, are we?” he asked and had the audacity to smile as his tongue slowly lapped more ice cream.

Her lips curled in disdain once more as he smirked his way through another lick and Iris closed her eyes with a deep sigh. “What the hell do you want, Eris?”

“Are you not enjoying our date?”

Iris’s eyes shot open and both brows went up. “Date?”

“Yes.”

“You think this is a date?” she asked flatly.

“You think this isn’t?”

“When the hell did you ask me out on a date?” she asked with an incredulous laugh. “When did you dream that I said yes?”

Eris had the nerve to chuckle once more. “I asked you out to share some ice cream. On Valentine’s Day. Here we are. Date.”

Iris squinted then her gaze flickered around the shop and it hit her how blind she’d been; it was decorated with red and pink hearts everywhere. She’d been so annoyed when she walked in to meet him that Iris hadn’t even noticed. How the hell had she missed that it was Valentine’s Day? 

True, she hadn’t really celebrated it in years. But it wasn’t her fault that most of the men she’d tried dating sucked. 

Besides, it was the day after Valentine’s Day that was worth celebrating. All her favorite chocolates were on sale. 

Finally rolling her eyes at his smirk, she said, “Every time I think you’ve reached your limit of audacity, you surprise me by outrageously exceeding it.”

He smiled once more then took a deliberately slow lick of his ice cream. “I like to keep you on your toes. I think you rather enjoy it.”

“I don’t enjoy anything about you.” she snapped, stabbing at what was left of her ice cream. “I don’t even like you.” 

He snorted. “Sure. You definitely want to fuck me though. I bet you’ll like me a lot more then.” he said smoothly. 

Iris’s brows shot up and she let out a huff of laughter in disbelief, her grip tightening around her spoon. “You are one cocky motherfucker. Especially when this is your idea of a Valentine’s Day date,” she huffed. “A date I definitely did not agree to.”

“Don’t worry, I absolutely want to fuck you too,” he said, raising his ice cream to toast her. “In fact, I insist.”

Iris willed her face not to flush, for her body not to betray her by reacting to his words. In the midst of all their unfortunate meets and bickering, had she thought about what it would be like to fuck him? Sure. Would she ever admit it? Definitely not.  

“You’re unbelievable,” she said with a shake of her head. “How has no one in this town choked the life out of you yet?”

“It’s because I’m pretty.” he said with a smirk. “And very, very rich.”

“And so humble.”

“Exactly,” he said with a wink then straightened. “In all seriousness, when are we going to make this official between us?”

Iris rolled her eyes. “What, exactly, is there to make official?”

“You and me, little gazelle,” Eris replied with a knowing look. “Let’s not pretend this dance is anything but foreplay. Say yes and I’ll show you exactly the kind of dates I take a woman on.”

“Ah yes, the recycled list of dates you’ve used on all the women you go through?” she said with a snort. “Pass.”

“The kind of dates I only plan for one type of woman,” he said and the corner of his mouth ticked up in a way that made her toes curl. “And I’ve only ever met one of you.”

Iris watched him in silence, taking a moment to think of an appropriate response. He really was unbelievable. Obnoxious. Uppity. An ass most of the time. But…she had to admit, there was something that drew them to each other. Like an invisible string dragging them down the same path. 

She’d resisted at every corner. And yet…gym? Eris had been there. Cafe? He had been there. The park while on her morning walks? He’d somehow been there. If it weren’t for the look of genuine surprise on his face every time, she’d think he’d been stalking her. 

But then they also ended up at the same social events. Town meetings. Fundraisers. Parties. They’d had a…moment at the last gathering that replayed in Iris’s mind for longer than she would’ve liked. She’d deny it to her last breath but Lucien and Elain had witnessed it and though Iris loved having them as friends, she knew they were way too excited about whatever this was between her and Eris to let it go.

Iris placed her spoon in her ice cream cup and then leaned back in her chair, watching him curiously. 

“Eris.”

“Yes?” 

“What do you want from me?”

He gave her a small smile she hadn’t seen on his face before, one that softened his features and it made her instantly look away. “I simply want us to spend time together.” 

“Why?”

Eris shrugged. “You feel it. You know why,” he said. “I want to see where it goes.”

Irid did feel it. As much as she would’ve liked to deny the chemistry between them, it was hard to pretend nothing was there when seeing him automatically made her pulse start racing. She hated it. But she also wanted to see where it would go.

She pursed her lips and waited a heartbeat before answering, “Fine. On two conditions.”

He took another obscene lick of his ice cream and waved a hand for her to continue. She tried not to squirm.

“One, physical contact will be limited to what I am comfortable with and sex is completely off the table.” Iris said firmly. “My body isn’t a prize you earn. We will simply see if we have a good time.”

“Agreed,” he said graciously. “My body, however, is absolutely available should you feel the need to explore it. I will humbly oblige.”

Iris rolled her eyes for what felt like the millionth time. “I’m not interested in going on dates with an egotistical ass who just wants to show off his money.” she said with a pointed look. “Don’t waste my time if you aren’t actually serious about this.”

“I am very serious.” he said and frowned. “You think I enjoy feeling this way about anyone?”

Iris felt her heart flutter at the look he gave her. If she wasn’t mistaken, his ears had gotten a little red. “And what way is that?”

Eris took a bite from his cone and squinted at her for a moment before answering. “When we’re on our date, I’ll tell you.”

She hummed her agreement and tried not to fidget in her seat at the movement of his mouth. “Either way. If you’re trying to impress me just so I don’t pour more drinks over your head, know that I don’t want flashy, I want real.” she said firmly. “You need to earn my trust.” 

Eris watched her silently for a heartbeat then the corner of his mouth ticked up. “Okay.”

“And we tell no one.”

“Embarrassed to be seen with me?”

“Of course.” she said with a snort and Eris had the nerve to laugh softly. “Besides, I like privacy. People in this town are always in each other’s business. I know way too much about people’s bedroom habits.”

“Nesta and Cassian?” he asked with a snicker.

“Yes. Holy shit, do they have stamina.” Iris muttered, causing Eris to grin.

“They aren’t the only ones with stamina like that.” he said, nearly purring and Iris shot him a murderous look.

“Don’t.”

He held up a hand in mock surrender. “And your second condition?” he said then took another lick of his ice cream.

And this time Iris had finally had enough. She leaned over and yanked his cone from his hands, dropping it into her bowl. “You aren’t allowed to eat ice cream in front of me ever again.” 

Eris blinked then burst out laughing. “Why?” he said incredulously. “I thought the choice of strawberry ice cream suited our date theme.”

“We’re not on a date,” she said flatly. “And the way you eat ice cream is obscene and you should be fined for public indecency.”

Iris watched him laugh again and hated how it made her pulse race faster. Eris lit up when he laughed. It made him more youthful, and at ease, versus his usual expression that made a person want to punch him in the face.

“Ah.” he finally said with a smirk that Iris didn’t trust one bit. “I see you caught on to my tactic.”

Iris narrowed her eyes, willing herself not to flush. “And what tactic is that?” she asked, already regretting the question as his expression.

“I wanted to make sure you knew that ice cream wasn’t the only thing I could eat obscenely,” Eris said, his voice dropping low and Iris felt her body heating. “I hope my display was to your liking.”

This motherfucker. Iris took a breath and closed her eyes, slowly counting to ten before opening her eyes again to find Eris still smirking obnoxiously at her from across the table. Had she been paying extra attention to the way he ate his stupid ice cream? Yes. Would she ever admit it? No. 

Jerking her chin towards her bowl of ruined dessert. “Do you want me to dump it on your head or do you want to do it yourself?”

“I’d rather you watched me eat it again.” 

“I’d rather you choked.”

Eris chuckled and the sound made goosebumps erupt on her flesh as he stood. She watched him wipe his hands with a napkin on the table and then adjust his dress shirt, his eyes never leaving her face. Tossing the napkin into her melting bowl of dessert, Eris placed a hand on the back of her chair, his other balanced on the table, and leaned in close. 

“I’d be more inclined to believe you if you weren’t devouring me with your eyes, sweetheart.” he whispered and Iris scowled with a flush. Eris paused for a breath as she turned her head to look at him and the two watched each other silently, the world suddenly silent around them.

She wondered if his heart was beating as wildly as hers. If he could see her pulse racing.

Almost as if in a trance, Eris couldn’t help but lean in to gently kiss her cheek, before meeting her gaze again. “I had fun on our date.” he murmured.

“Not a date.” she whispered but Eris only hummed.

“Agree to disagree,” he said with a slight smile. “I knew you’d be my Valentine the moment you poured that drink on me months ago.”

Her face heated. She would not think about what that meant. “I doubt you expected your Valentine to want to choke you out.”

“Oh, I absolutely would want my valentine to choke me out. You can choke me all you want on our next date.” Eris said and finally pulled back with a wink, sliding a small gift bag she hadn’t even noticed across the table to her. “This was bought prior to your conditions so our agreement still stands.”

Iris blinked and gazed up at him. “You…bought me a gift?”

“Of course. I’m not one to show up to a date empty-handed.” Eris said with a pointed look.

“It’s not a date.” she repeated but knew, this time, her refusal sounded weak enough that Eris chuckled.

“You look adorable when you’re in denial.” he cooed and couldn’t help his grin as Iris scowled up at him, running a finger down her cheek before stepping back. “I’ll pick you up at 6, Friday evening. Wear something that’ll rip my poor heart out, little valentine.” 

Iris sat in the silence that followed his smug exit, stunned at the turn of events and how fast her heart was beating. She wasn’t sure what exactly she had agreed to with Eris but felt dazed. Excited. Turned on. Slightly annoyed.

Most importantly, she needed to go shopping. 

Iris would not think about the kiss on her cheek. Or about his promises. She certainly would not think about his tongue and what that stupid mouth of his could do. 

She would only think about finding a dress that would give him the bluest of balls possible. 

Her eyes fell on the gift bag again and Iris slowly pulled it closer to peek in. A note sat atop the tissue paper, hiding whatever it was that he’d gotten her. Biting the inside of her cheek, Iris pulled out the note, trying not to think about her mixed emotions having Eris of all people getting her a Valentine’s Day gift. She opened it and read,

Happy Valentine’s Day, little gazelle. Use it and think of me. Know I could do it better.

But here’s my number so you can tell me all about how you like it. 

Iris flushed deeply and immediately eyed the bag again. “Oh god.” she whispered. Those words could mean anything but knowing Eris – knowing the way he thinks…He wouldn’t. Would he?

She could practically see his stupid face and stupid smirk in front of her and with a scowl, Iris reached for the bag again, slowly removing the gift tissue to peek beneath it at the gift. A small groan slipped from her mouth and she immediately covered it again. 

Of course, he would. 

Of course, Eris Vanserra would think a vibrator would be an appropriate gift for someone he had barely been on a date with. An expensive one at that. 

He was outrageous. Outrageous. She didn’t know whether to be flattered or freaked out that he was thinking about her pleasure. How many guys thought about a gift like this? How many guys were this fucken bold? 

Then again, every interaction with this man only proved him persistent. 

“I knew you’d be my Valentine the moment you poured that drink on me months ago.”

The words replayed in her mind and Iris pursed her lips, glancing down at the bag once more, amusement seeping through the disbelief. Eris hadn’t hesitated from the moment he met her and Iris had to admit, though his methods weren’t great — it, unfortunately, made him come off as very attractive. 

Groaning quietly to herself, Iris shoved the note back into the bag and then sighed, knowing whatever resistance she had been building against him would disappear as soon as she tested out this gift of his. The asshole knew exactly what he was doing. 

And Iris had to give credit where credit was due — she always did like a man with a plan.

[gwynberdara]

vanserrass >>> gwynberdara

new month, new url except it’s not really new lol. also just a reminder all follows and likes come from my main @zoyaslai

[gwynberdara]

Nessian by kotikomori [instagram]

[gwynberdara]

Spirit Meets the Bones XXXV

Genre: Angst/Romance/Drama Warnings: Mentions of physical abuse. Author’s Note:  Thank you for reading <3

thank you @riorsonxaden for always being my beta <3

tagging: @climb-the-mountian / @vanserrass / @positivewitch / @animezinglife / @zenkindoflove / @rosewood-cafe / @clockwork-ashes / @carnythian / @secret-third-thing / @runningwiththeoceans / @that-golden-lyre / @thedarkinmansfield / @readychilledwine / @goldenmagnolias / @mali22 / @readthelastpaage / @maidr-00 / @electromagnetic-waves / @eastofatlanta / @moobell55 / @bibliophiliaxvignette / @devilsfoodcake22 / @weesablackbeak / @ladywhilemia / @alohaangels / @feysandfeels / @corcracrow / @dawneternal / @gracie-rosee / @mage-neve / @illyrianvalkyrie / @saint-stella / @carolynmezzosoprano / @rainbowsnowflake / @queenoftheworld1998 / @wolvesnravens / @lalaluch /

Find it all here.

The moment they had stepped outside of their suite, Eris had gone into the place he always did whenever his father punished him to prepare for the fight that tonight would be. It was a dark place, one that allowed him to always wear whatever expression would piss off the person he was talking to most; it was a place where he could dissociate and keep his sanity safe. Today would be no different.

He could hear Iris’s heart thumping wildly in her chest but her arm remained relaxed as she rested her hand in the crook of Eris’s arm. He held her close; he was used to these kinds of games but this type of evening would all be new for his wife. He had no doubt she could hold her own after their time and training together but if he could sense her nerves, others might as well. So Eris laid a hand over her own that rested on his arm and squeezed. His wife straightened, breathing in through her nose and Eris spared her a glance, watching the way her expression now nearly mirrored his own. A lick of heat shot up his spine; she would do well.

They stood a few feet from the doorway of the ballroom, waiting for their cue to be announced, the music and bustling crowd already flooding out of the door.

“The last time I attended something like this was our wedding,” Iris said out of the corner of her mouth, and despite the tension lining his whole body, Eris hummed.

“It’ll be most of the same,” he said as they shifted closer to the doorway. “Drinking, dancing, and people lying through their teeth. Given this is our first big event since the wedding, we will still be the center of attention.” 

“Great,” she muttered. “I love it when people watch me.” 

This time, Eris couldn’t stop the twitch of his lips, even as the blood pumped in his ears; he wondered what life would be like if he wasn’t constantly on the verge of a mental breakdown. “At least now, they’ll know for sure you can handle my bedroom skills.”

Iris snorted then quickly schooled her expression. “Of course, that’s what you think they’ll be concerned with.”

Eris spared another glance at her, a smug smile for their audience on his face. “My reputation precedes me, wife,” he said. “They’ll be so curious.” 

“Should I be concerned that I'm walking into a room full of people you’ve potentially slept with?” 

“Well.”

“Don’t answer that.” 

His quiet chuckle eased her nervousness to a degree but then they moved and suddenly, the two of them were being introduced. 

The room’s energy seemed to shift as they entered and though his demeanor didn’t change, Iris could sense the tightness in Eris’s body as they walked past those who bowed to them. Eris had glamoured their scents before they had even left their suite and yet, she knew one wrong breath from any of those in the room would have him lashing out immediately. 

The past few months had given Iris the opportunity to interact with many of the people in the room whenever she joined Eris during his daily duties but those meetings were a different image to the one she was expected to present today. 

Today, she was expected to hold herself as the High Lord's son’s wife, a princess of this court – not just any female of the high fae. She would woo as they did, smile with teeth, and say words she didn’t mean. It was a night of masquerades and when all the masks fell tonight, they would be ready.

Just as her husband did, Iris held her head high, her expression as haughty as her mate’s and the two walked until they reached the dais of the throne where Beron and Lady Enya were seated. 

And if Eris had been tense moments ago, it increased tenfold as he bowed before his parents. 

“Father. Mother.” he greeted and as he straightened, Eris maintained a casualness in his gaze even as the smile on his father’s face had chills skittering down his back.

His father said nothing as Iris allowed a small smile to her mother-in-law before nodding her head once more to her father-in-law. The High Lord still said nothing, tilting his head as he watched them in a pregnant silence. Only when Lady Enya cleared her throat did his expression shift to slight disdain, glancing at his wife.

“You both look wonderful.” Lady Enya said, her voice warm despite how rigidly she sat in a flowy golden dress; Eris knew that color was a deliberate choice. “Iris, that dress is beautiful on you.”

“Thank you, Mother,” she replied, color staining her cheeks as she smiled slightly again – until the High Lord snorted and her expression immediately straightened.

A muscle feathered in Eris’s jaw but again, he forced himself to relax. “I hope you both are enjoying the festivities so far,” he said casually. “The night seems to be starting as a success.”

“So far,” Beron mused quietly and Eris didn’t miss the way his father watched how closely Iris stood to him. They waited as the High Lord’s gaze seemed to catalog every detail of their attire, his eyes narrowed slightly as his gaze flickered from the lapel pin on Eris to the tiara on Iris’s head then to the new ring on her hand. His brow lifted but Beron only glanced back at Eris. “Are you prepared to start the dance? I take it you’ve made sure your wife doesn’t embarrass us in front of the whole court by tripping.”

Eris tried not to roll his eyes. “Considering she’s a pianist, following a tune isn’t going to be an issue.” 

“I suppose,” Beron said and glanced at Iris, the corner of his cruel mouth lifting. “Will you be able to handle dancing in your pretty dress, Iris?”

Iris smiled blandly. “I suppose we’ll have to see,” she said and Eris had to fight to keep his lips from twitching at her tone. “I look forward to your review, High Lord.”

Beron’s brow lifted, his finger tapped on the armrest of his throne as he watched her then looked to Eris who held his breath. After a moment of silence, he waved a hand, dismissing them entirely. 

Nodding, Eris aimed to move but didn’t so much as shift his feet before he felt a presence behind him and plastered a frown on his face for his father’s sake as he turned to find his brothers bowing. Emil stood on his side while Finn and Izak were beside Iris. 

“Well. I see you’ve all managed to clean up appropriately.” Beron said then his eyes shot to Izak whose beard was trimmed but still present. Though the High Lord’s expression remained impassive, his grip had tightened on the armrest of his throne. “I thought I told you to get rid of your barbaric beard.”

“If whoever you’re going to shove down my throat ends up marrying me, she’ll have to deal with how barbaric I look regardless,” Izak said with a saccharine smile and Eris’s head turned to glance at his brother. “I promise you, Father, I will still woo her.” 

It fell silent between father and sons and Eris blinked when he noted a shield rise around them, his mother’s expression tightening. 

“It seems as though your time away from me has made you forget how I don’t like to give orders twice,” Beron said eerily calm. “Maybe you and I need to start spending more time together, Izak. I think you need more reminders moving forward.”

Izak bristled and Eris stood rigidly, his father’s warning to him from last night still fresh in his ears. He didn’t so much as let his face shift as the High Lord glanced at his eldest son — as if his father had heard his thoughts, daring him to say a word.

“Do you have something you’d like to add, son?”

Eris shook his head, a bland smile on his face. “Not at all, father. I’m here to dance.” 

Beron scoffed but Lady Enya placed a hand gently over her husband’s and the High Lord shifted beneath her touch, glancing at his wife with a frown. “What?”

“Now that the boys are all here, should we welcome our guests?” she asked, her tone airy and Beron grunted then gestured for his sons to move aside. 

Eris managed a breath and Iris squeezed his arm once as they all turned to face the room as one, lining beside the throne, each of them matching the pompous expression of their father.

The room fell silent as the High Lord stood and glanced around the glittering room, Eris’s gaze flickered across the open space, filled with their guests. His mother had truly outdone herself; the ballroom was a shimmering spectacle. Crystal chandeliers holding fire magic adorned the ceiling casting a warm, golden glow over the polished marble floors. The intricate molding on the walls was covered in glittering gold, reflecting off the large, arched windows that lined the opposite side of the ballroom where the breathtaking view of the sun setting over their city was on display. The other end of the room had tables lined with food for guests to enjoy as the orchestra filled the space with enticing melodies and the shimmering colors of autumn all around them seemed to be mixed in with the fresh florals, brightening the room. It was luxury and elegance in one swoop. He supposed if it would be her last one as the Lady of Autumn, she would be going out with a bang.

“Merry night to all.” the High Lord began.

“Merry night to all.” the room answered.

“Tonight is a night we eagerly wait for each year.” Beron continued and Eris wanted to laugh at the irony of his father’s words; the High Lord had no idea just how eagerly they’d been waiting for this particular day to come. “For the merriment. For dancing and drinking. But mostly, to celebrate our court breathing in a new year. We welcome the changes that bless us every year and I hope this year will be filled with more. In fact, I think this year in particular will shower us with an abundance of blessings.” The High Lord paused and Eris didn’t quite like the gleam in his eyes, especially when he met Eris’s gaze and smirked before turning back to the room. “This is the time of year when we cleanse and rid our lives of all the things that do not serve us, that do not make our lives better. We can only move forward when we rip out the weeds that poison our gardens.” 

As his father continued speaking, Eris felt his blood run cold. His father’s words and behavior as of late couldn’t be a coincidence. A casual glance at his brothers told him his thought process was right. But Eris could do nothing but listen as the High Lord weaved his lies to the court that already knew the truth – knew him for what he was. 

He fought his scowl and reminded himself to take a deep breath through his nose, knowing the way his anxiety spiked didn’t go unnoticed by his wife. Iris didn’t shift from her position next to him but the glance she spared him helped settle him until the High Lord finally ended his speech and gestured to his sons. “Now to begin our festivities. The crown prince and his wife shall lead you all into our dance.”

Beron looked to Eris and jerked with his chin for them to move. Eris maintained a pleasant expression as he nodded to his parents again, making eye contact with his mother who smiled that tight smile again and he didn’t like that one bit. Turning to Iris, he extended his hand and as she slipped her own into his and began walking towards the dance floor, the room fell into a hush.

“What’s wrong?” Iris asked quietly but Eris shook his head slightly. 

“My father’s words don’t sit well.” 

“Do you think he knows something?”

“I think I don’t believe in coincidences and his choice of words is always deliberate.” 

As they reached the middle of the dance floor, Iris took a deep breath and met her husband’s gaze. “How do you want this to go?”

Eris took a moment to take in the vision that she was before him. Looking at her – being near her always steadied him. His father would be unnerving this evening, regardless of what happened, Eris knew what he was in for. And yet…yet this night was already taking so much from him. He didn’t want to lose this moment too. 

He was tired of losing. Eris had already lost so many years, so much life because of his father. He tried not to let his hands clench into fists as the crowd watched them, tried not to think too hard about how much more he had to lose. 

“I want to dance with my wife and not worry about anything else. At least for a few moments.” he said quietly and despite his stoic face, Iris could see everything else he was trying to say in his gaze.

“Well. We can certainly do that,” Iris mumbled, a polite smile on her face. “It’s not like this is anxiety-inducing at all.”

“Don’t tell me my wife with the dagger hidden on her is nervous to dance.” he attempted a teasing tone, his eyes scanning the crowd before landing on his wife again. 

Iris pursed her lips slightly as they moved to stand opposite each other.“Practice and performing are two different things, husband.” she said and against his will, the corner of his mouth curled up.

“What did I tell you before we left our suite?” 

“I will not be afraid and I will not hesitate.” 

“That’s right,” he said, the signature smirk that inspired homicidal tendencies in most people blooming on his face. “The snakes are all out to play tonight but they hold nothing to you. You do not let them prey on your emotions.”

“I am the wife of the crown prince,” she said and her nose lifted in the air, channeling everything about the unflappable energy her husband always exuded, her smile sharpening. “I am prey to no one.” 

His own smile was that of a predator, pride unfurling in his chest at her declaration. “If you can survive how dreadful I apparently am, you can survive anyone,” he said as the two bowed to one another and then moved in close.

“It has been a task to tolerate you,” she teased, resting her hand in his extended one as he rested his other hand on her waist.

Eris allowed himself a small chuckle, aware of the way the whole room watched their every breath. “What an honor it is, to be tolerated by you.”

And husband and wife focused on each other, the room silent as they waited for the music to begin. Iris let the starting notes wash over her as she prepared herself for her first dance with her mate – the air thick with the buzzed excitement.

As the musical notes took off and the two of them moved as one, Eris’s head went quiet. 

Eris had spent weeks practicing with her and each time he held her this close, it made him ache in a way different than how she haunted his heart. She was beautiful in the dazzling lights, her dress twirling around her – a true image of autumn. He didn’t let his thoughts linger on how he would be letting her go until it was safe enough to return. 

If. If it would be safe enough for her to return.

As the melody of the signature waltz of the Autumn Court continued, the music seemed to infuse itself into Eris’s soul as he watched Iris follow his lead. All it took was one look and Iris matched every step of the dance, their movement synched in harmony. They twirled and glided together and Eris relished in the feeling of her pressed against him as they lost themselves in the music. Despite knowing that every eye in the room was on them, the ballroom around them seemed to disappear.

Eris guided Iris with lethal elegance and he couldn't help but admire the way Iris effortlessly moved with him, the gracefulness of it had his body heating. Everyone in her life before him seemed to have underestimated what she could offer – what she could do. It thrilled him to know that he was the one privileged enough to peel back all her layers. 

The warmth of her hand in his own sent a shiver down his spine, and for a moment, he allowed himself to forget the world outside the dance floor. 

He allowed himself to be a male simply dancing with his wife. His mate.

With each turn, Iris’s dress billowed around her, reflecting on the lights around the room and it was like they were a living flame, mesmerizing everyone watching them. 

As the music swelled, their movements matching the pace of the tune, Eris couldn’t help his delight at the little wickedness he found in his wife’s eyes.

“Look at you,” he nearly purred. “A vision on this dancefloor.”

Color stained her cheeks but her expression didn’t shift, her smirk matching his. “I take after my husband so well, I think.” 

“Indeed you do,” he said, his eyes gleaming. “You look almost as sneaky as I do, little gazelle.” 

“Everyone is watching us and as your wife, I must show them how I learned from the best.”

And his ever-present smirk may have seemed wicked to the eyes of their audience, but Iris knew his gaze was nothing but enamored. She preened beneath his heated gaze and danced, following the movements he taught her. The same way he seemed to teach her many things.

Her husband. Her friend. Her mate. 

Eris pulled her in closer as they moved and he couldn’t help but whisper in her ear, “I think I underestimated how captivating you’d be under these lights and in this dress.” He smirked. “You’re about to bring me to my knees.” 

Color deepened on her cheeks and Iris had to take a breath as he stepped back to spin her once before pulling her close again. “Keep whispering sweet nothings like this to me and I will be swooning all over the place.”

“Let me swoon with you then,” he whispered again, his eyes locked on hers. “Let me swoon over you.”

Iris couldn’t help the rapid beating of her heart, how this small moment of joy in between the stress seeped into her skin. Nothing was guaranteed tonight but this moment with Eris here, this moment where nothing else mattered but them, this would be everything. 

So they danced and Eris held her close as they enthralled the room. He didn’t let himself think about anything else but the beating of her heart, the feeling of her body against his, and the golden thread of fate that tied them – the invisible string that would always bring them together. 

He wouldn’t let himself think about his father’s gaze on them like a branding, burning into his skin.  

The final notes of the waltz’s enchanting music echoed around the room, and as the dance finally came to a graceful ending, Eris and Iris concluded their dance with an elegant bow. The erupted applause shattered their bubble of peace and Iris shot Eris a small smile at the way his expression fell into aloof indifference again.   

The music began once more and soon the dance floor was teeming with other couples shooting them curious glances. Eris kept Iris close to him, ignoring the stares, and allowed his magic to shield them from listening ears as they continued to move with the next song. His eyes couldn’t help but flicker around the room, cataloging where he stationed his sentries before returning to the throne where his parents remained.

“Well,” she began quietly. “I hope your father was impressed with our dance.”

Eris hummed slightly as he leaned in, his eyes locked on his father, and whispered against the backdrop of the chatter of the crowd and music, “Fuck him. I was certainly enchanted by your dance.”

Iris flushed and fought back a smile, pulling back to look at him, his eyes flickering back to her. “I told you I was an excellent student.”

“So you did.” he mused and Eris truly wanted nothing more than to stay like this, holding her in his arms, pretending like terrible things wouldn’t be happening very soon. 

But the show must go on and his father watched them too closely for comfort.

Eris shifted them, moving along with the music until they were a little farther away from other dancers, using the hustle and bustle of the dancefloor to seclude them, reinforcing his glamour. 

Iris immediately straightened in his hold but kept her expression casual.

“You remember what I told you about sentry colors,” he said.

“Yes.”

“There are archers with ash arrows in place on the top level of the ballroom, hidden from sight. Soldiers are scattered around the room dressed in their finery on this level. Oren will be lingering around before he walks you out.” 

Iris nodded, keeping a pleasant smile on her face as they swayed. “Understood.”

“Emil had each of the ash arrows dipped in faebane as an additional precaution. Each of us has an extra vial of it to use if needed as well as an antidote to take at the last possible moment so the effects of it last longer.”

Iris blinked. “F-faebane?”

His expression hardened. “We’ve always had a stash of it on hand since the war. I put a vial in your dress pocket and your dagger was dipped in it as well. We can’t take any chances.” A muscle feathered in his jaw as he met her widened gaze and continued, “You see the dagger on my person?”

She nodded again, keeping her eyes on his. “Yes.”

“This was a gift from the Night Court made with the powers of the Cauldron through Nesta Archeron,” he said carefully and she felt her heart stutter in her chest. “If nothing else, this will end it all.”

“And you plan to use it?” 

“If I have to.” he said darkly and Iris tried to maintain her reaction, her brows furrowing.

“Eris…”

“We can’t take any chances.” he only repeated. “He needs to be overpowered in every capacity.” 

Iris swallowed and tried to keep her expression from shifting, knowing they were being watched from every angle but she nodded again, her hand tightening in his. She kept her eyes on his face, trying to memorize every inch of it and the anxiety she’d squashed all morning started to rise like bile in her throat. This whole night was a desperate attempt that would blow up whatever they had wide open. What if something happened to him and she was too far? What if she never found out what happened? What if no one made it out and it simply became a thousand times worse? Iris couldn’t believe she’d been stupid enough to agree to leave him. 

The temporary facade they maintained to find a moment of peace during this day was unraveling rapidly.

His eyes narrowed as he watched her. “Your face is telling people things it shouldn’t, wife.”

Iris quickly forced her expression to relax and instead, simply watched him as he watched her. Iris knew Eris was used to navigating the duplicitous nature of the upper class of this court, and while she was impressed to watch it unfold before her and tried to keep up, Iris knew she had a long way to go. 

Maybe now was the time to tell him she loved him. When he held her like he never wanted to let go – when he looked at her like she was the sun. 

Before she could open her mouth, Eris’s gaze focused on someone behind her and darkened. Without saying a word, Iris knew exactly who would cause this kind of anger in her husband. 

Her mouth curling in distaste, Iris turned to find her father standing before her, a drink in hand, his expression more smug than it should be. “Can I help you?” she asked curtly and despite the pleasure of knowing she irritated him with her tone by the flare of his nostrils, Iris still felt her stomach clench as he took another step towards them.

“You were unhelpful from the moment you were born, I doubt that’ll change now.” Lord Aron said and Iris’s expression flattened. 

“Tread lightly, Aron.” Eris warned calmly, his grip tightening on his wife. “Don’t assume that because we’re surrounded by festivities, I won’t have you bleeding out on the floor.”

“Your threats are noted, Prince.” his father-in-law replied but avoided looking directly at Eris, focusing on Iris instead. “You seem well. You didn’t embarrass yourself dancing.”

“The only thing I have to be embarrassed about is being seen talking to you.” she retorted and moved a step. “What do you want?”

Lord Aron’s smile grated on her nerves but he finally looked away from her and back to Eris. “I merely wanted to offer my well wishes for this new year. Your father seems to have very exciting plans for the future.” 

Eris’s expression only shifted to lift a brow. “You speak about these plans as if you’ll be part of that future, Bertillon. It seems that you wish to embarrass yourself here.” 

His father-in-law’s mouth curled but the lord merely said, “We both know the High Lord holds me in high regard. You married my daughter because of it.” 

Eris took a step towards Bertillon, a lazy smile blooming on his face that made the lord take a casual step back. “I must have given you quite the beating during our last chat if it seems to have impacted your memory, Aron. You have no daughter and you have no sway with me regardless of how well you think you matter to my father.” he said quietly. “I have no qualms about reminding you.” 

Aron scowled, despite the faint scent of fear coming off him. “I am a Lord. As a member of your court, the least I deserve is respect when you speak to me.” 

Eris’s lazy smile turned lethal but it was Iris who spoke, a hand to Eris’s chest, her eyes on her father and face pinched in distaste, “You are a lord of nothing.” she said. “Respect is earned not given to any tasteless creature that comes crawling through. You deserve nothing.” 

Iris straightened and despite the flutter of unease she would always feel around her father, her voice was as cold as ice when she said, “We are your crown prince and princess. You will speak to us with respect or cease to speak at all.” She quirked a brow and added mockingly, “Lord.”

If they had been under different circumstances, Eris would have her against the wall and kissing her senselessly in a heartbeat. He knew it would never be easy for Iris to face her wretch of a father and though it was a simple thing for Eris to tell his father-in-law off, he knew how significant this moment was for her.

He composed himself enough to grant Aron a smirk and say, “I believe what my wife is too polite to say is, go back to the shithole you came from and get out of our sight.”

Her heart beat rapidly standing before her father like this, but Iris was facing scarier things tonight and her father was nothing. She made herself lift her hand and wave him off knowing it would make him see red. “Off you go.”

Indeed, color stained Lord Aron’s face as he glared at them both. “You think you can speak this way and get away with it but you’ll eventually get what’s coming for you.” he snarled quietly. “The night is still young.” 

Eris’s demeanor didn’t change but the damper he’d had on his magic loosened just so as he glanced at his father-in-law, smiling slightly when a choked sound slipped from the lord’s lips; his magic had wrapped itself around Aron’s throat and a crashing sound echoed as his glass slipped and shattered on the floor, clutching at his throat. 

“Are you threatening my wife, Bertillon? Because that can count as treason and I would love to have my way with you in the dungeons.” Eris said, his magic flaring beneath his skin and Iris couldn’t help the delight she had watching this unfold.

“I do think he owes us an apology.” Iris said, a small smirk blooming on her face at the rage emitting from her father. 

Aron wheezed and Eris smiled at the sound, sparing his wife a smug glance of his own. “I believe you’re right.” he agreed and then glanced back at his father-in-law. “Since actions speak louder than words and I do hate the sound of your voice, you’ll need to show me how you beg for forgiveness. Bow.”

Hate simmered in Aron’s face as Eris’s magic lashed out and the lord was forced to bow a full ninety degrees then lower, knowing the eyes and ears that watched them, knowing the ring of flame around his throat didn’t allow him to say anything at all. Eris let a few moments pass until he glanced at Iris, watching her father’s humiliation with a smugness that matched his own before chuckling darkly. 

“I believe my wife said ‘off you go’.” he chastised calmly and waved a hand. “Do so silently or I will silence you for the remainder of this evening.” Eris’s smile widened in a way he knew usually sent people running. “And as you said, the night is still young.” 

He released Lord Aron who stumbled back, breathing heavily, his hands on his throat and anger radiating from every pore in his body. His father-in-law had opened his mouth again but Eris’s gaze narrowed and it seemed the lord had finally noticed the attention they’d drawn – and that if he tried to speak, he wouldn’t be leaving this interaction standing. 

With a low growl, the lord turned and Iris silently watched her father stomp away, swallowing as her grip tightened in the folds of her dress. It would never be simple but as she took a breath and turned to find Eris watching her with a flicker of pride in his eyes, she knew it would get easier. 

“I am ridiculously aroused by your little moment there.” he teased gently and Iris shook her head, biting the inside of her cheek. “You waved him off like he was a dog.”

“Don’t insult the dogs, please,” she muttered. “I didn’t realize he’d be foolish enough to find us knowing we can’t stand him. Especially with an audience.” 

“As we’ve known before, he is very stupid.” Eris mused then gestured with his head for them to walk, offering her his arm. “Are you alright?”

Iris looped her arm in his and nodded. “It’s never…easy to see him but I don’t have time to care about him. There are more important things to worry about,” she said and bit her lip, glancing at him as they walked towards the refreshments table. “His words. Do you think he meant something by them?”

Before Eris could answer,  Finn sauntered up to them.

“Pretend to be annoyed with me, brother,” Finn said, his expression painted with mischief.

“No pretending necessary,” Eris said and Iris’s lips twitched. He waved a hand to shield them from listening ears. “What is it?”

Finn walked with them, a cocky expression on his face despite the seriousness of his tone. “Father witnessed your conversation with your father-in-law and didn’t seem to be too happy about it. Aron said something to him then fucked off to gods knows where.” he said and Eris nodded.

“And?”

Finn’s expression shifted just slightly and Eris straightened, his shoulders tensing. “I’ll have you also know that Father was seen walking out with Mother a few moments ago. I don’t know where they went but Emil is already following them.” he added quickly, sensing Eris’s anger. 

“And Izak?” he asked tightly.

“Wooing a potential bride,” Finn said dryly and they looked over to where Izak towered over a lord and his daughter, the potential bride nearly hunched in her cowering, even as Izak paid her no mind.

Eris’s expression had darkened and Iris squeezed his hand, looking at Finn. “Thank you for letting us know. Is…everything else in place?”

Finn nodded tightly. “I’m waiting to get an updated signal back from Mikel. We’ll see how the rest of the evening goes.” 

His brother disappeared without another word and Eris kept his eyes on the crowd ebbing and flowing throughout the room and he didn’t like the calm of it all one bit. He couldn't help but feel that Aron had been sent as a distraction and Eris cursed himself for that momentary lapse in attention. 

Finn and Izak maintained a casual distance from him, always keeping contact. Oren had appeared on the outskirts of the room and only gave Eris a nod before disappearing again. 

People continued to mingle, dance, and laugh the night away as Eris watched it all in silence as the minutes ticked away. Even with Iris standing by his side, stepping up to connect with the groups of people that passed them, he couldn’t help the dread that had been planted in his chest. 

The dread worsened when ten, then fifteen, then twenty minutes passed and neither Emil nor his parents returned.

“Where the fuck are they?” he snarled quietly and Iris’s brows furrowed, glancing towards Izak hovering by the door from their secluded spot in the corner of the room.

“You’re starting to make it obvious that something’s wrong,” she mumbled and smiled politely at the passing couple. “Did you want to go check?” 

Eris shook his head, blood pumping in his ears. “I don’t want to leave the ballroom.” 

“It’ll be fine. People are everywhere,” she said and gave him a pointed look. “Go.” 

He worked his jaw, looking at her for a moment, calculating their next move and then took a breath through his nose. He didn’t want to leave her at all but he needed to find his mother and the moment he did, his mother would be out of here. He needed Iris out now then. 

His hands twitched at his sides but he refrained from touching her the way he wanted to – there were too many eyes and ears. “I think I’d rather you left now.”

Iris fought to keep her expression straight. “Already? That’s sooner than we planned.” she whispered and Eris’s mouth went into a thin smile.

“Careful, wife. You sound like you’re deeply attached to me.”

Her brows flattened but she shook her head at his attempt to tease her, despite the thundering of her heart. “This is not the time for your jokes.”

The corner of his mouth curled up against his will and before he could say more, another shield glamoured them against the watchful eyes around them. “If I don’t joke,” he confessed quietly, fighting to get the words out from the tightness of his throat. “It’ll make it harder for me to let you go.” 

“Then don’t let me go,” she said and Eris tried not to focus too much on the slight pout of her lips. 

“You and I both know I am selfish in many ways but this…I cannot be selfish in this.” 

Iris glanced down, her hands tightening in the folds of her dress for a moment before taking a breath and meeting his gaze again, holding out a hand. “You are not selfish. You’ve been doing your best for everyone at the expense of your own sanity at times. Don’t minimize yourself like that.” 

Eris’s jaw worked as he tried to find the right words – say the right things to her. If this was to be their goodbye, he wanted her to…remember him well. His chest tightened as he slipped a hand into her open palm and held. 

Something in him knew the High Lord was somewhat aware of what was happening. The beginning of the end was here and Eris needed to get his wife out.

He watched as she drifted closer to him, always being pulled in his orbit the way Eris always craved to be in hers.

 His wife. His mate. His lifeline in this wretched cell of a home.

“My Father being gone this long makes me think he knows things are afoot. I don’t know how much he knows but he has to be aware that something is happening so I need you out of here before we find out.” Eris said hating the concern on her beautiful face.

“But –” 

“Iris, please.” 

And it was the use of ‘please’ that made her chest ache as he watched her. She clung to his hand for a moment longer as their eyes shared all that hadn’t been said before and yet – she had to tell him she loved him. He needed to know. 

“Eris,” she started and licked her lips, her heart nearly beating out of her chest. She wanted to tell him. She needed to tell him. This night couldn’t end like this. They couldn’t say goodbye in such a way.

And it was like he could see right through her. 

Because regardless of the people around them and his mouth curled into that signature smirk that made people want to throttle him, his eyes – his eyes softened for just a moment, in the way they only ever did for her and he leaned close to her ear, brushing a featherlike kiss to her cheek. “I know,” he whispered and Iris felt her chest cave in.

“Then let me –”

But he shook his head and Iris blinked. “You have already given me so much.”

“I don’t like the tone of where this is going,” she said and couldn’t stop her expression from shifting as that smirk of his softened as well. She felt the shield cocooning them reinforce as he took a step closer to her.

“You know words aren’t my strongest suit but…I’ve given a lot of thought to what I’d say to you at this particular moment. When I had to let you go.” he began and his free hand raised to gently caress her face, Iris nuzzling into it. “And it made me realize how you…you are the only person who has ever made me want to say anything worth speaking.” 

“Don’t say that.” she chided softly but Eris shook his head again. 

“I may have fire running through my veins but I’ve always been cold. Until I met you,” he said so softly, that Iris felt her whole being start to shake. “I don’t know what else will happen tonight but know that whatever happens, you have been the greatest gift of my life and until the flames turn me to ashes, you will always be my beginning, my middle, and my end.”

Iris blinked rapidly, fighting back all the worry and all the tears she knew threatened to find their way to the surface, swallowed hard. “Eris –”

“You are important with and without me so I expect you to carry yourself with that importance. Know that you matter. You have always mattered, especially to me. Do not let anyone knock you down, you understand?” he urged. “You are my wife and my mate. You matter more than anything and I lov — I love you with everything that I am. With all that I know how – I love you.”

Her face fell and Iris couldn’t stop the tremble of her lips as he squeezed her hand. “Eris, I lo–”

But he shook his head with that softness that was only ever hers. 

“You already have my heart sitting in your hands. Save those words. Give me something to look forward to,” he said and stepped back, his expression falling back to its natural arrogance, and Iris couldn’t help desperately squeezing his hands one more time. “I want to hear you shout it from the rooftops.”

“Promise me you’ll be the one left standing. I won’t leave until you promise.” she nearly begged and he gave her a weak chuckle. 

“I will do my very best, wife.” 

She bit the inside of her cheek and tried not to cry – try not to let the gap in her chest bring her to her knees knowing what was going to come. She didn’t want to go. She didn’t want to leave him. 

But her husband’s shoulders already carried so much. He didn’t need to worry about her. He needed her to be strong.

So Iris rolled her shoulder back and swallowed hard once more then cleared her throat. “I’ll save those words for you but know that everything that I am is yours and I will be waiting for you. I will always be waiting for you. So don’t – don’t you dare make me wait too long.” she whispered firmly and he squeezed her hand in return, sparing her one last glance.

“Nothing will hold my body from crawling back to you,” he promised. “Now, go.”

With a final glance at her husband, her best friend in the whole world, and the mate she never knew she’d have, Iris forced herself to take measured steps away from him. Forced herself to walk away. Even as every fiber in her body begged her to turn back. 

[gwynberdara]

Elucien Calanmai 🔥

whatcha doing there lucien

uncensored

[gwynberdara]

the wedding people is a 5/5 star read btw

[gwynberdara]

Sometimes I think I am okay then I remember the first thing Lucien did after fighting in the war was run across shore, haggard and bloody, just to get to Elain and check on her.

[gwynberdara]

Happy New Year! 🎊✨ I finally finished reading tome 1 of ACOTAR and I loved it! 😍 As promised, here’s a sketch of Lucien 😌🦊🍁

On my way to reading tome 2! (No spoilers pls! 🤫)

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« A Court of Thorns And Roses » and its characters belong to Sarah J. Maas.

[gwynberdara]

Elain and Lucien enjoying a quiet moment together 🌷

𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽’𝓼 𝓪𝓰𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓽 𝓶𝔂 𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓼𝓽

𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓵𝓲𝓹𝓼 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓶𝔂 𝓷𝓮𝓬𝓴

𝓘’𝓶 𝓯𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓮𝔂𝓮𝓼 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝔂 𝓭𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝓶𝓮 𝔂𝓮𝓽

Thank you so much mysleepyblue for this wonderful art! It was an absolute joy to work with you! I can’t get over how beautiful Elain and Lucien look together in your style!

Wishing everyone a merry holiday and a happy new year! ✨

commissioned by me | art by mysleepyblue

characters belong to Sarah J Maas

[gwynberdara]

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[gwynberdara]

A conversation I don’t think yall are ready for yet is that you can love a character sooooo much and relate to them and see yourself in them but at the end of the day they’re still fake and that’s why someone else’s take on them or headcanon about them isn’t a direct message about you or insult to your identity. If your identity is so wrapped up in a character that you can’t distinguish between reality and fiction, then you are the problem. Not some random person online who interprets the character differently than you.

[gwynberdara]

Lucien and Elain—the couple I am most excited (and worried) for in ACOWAR! Drawn in ink.

[gwynberdara]

Spirit Meets the Bones XXXIV

Genre: Angst/Romance/Drama Warnings: Mentions of physical abuse. Author’s Note:  Thank you for reading <3 I hope you enjoy this next chapter and where the story is going :)

thank you @riorsonxaden for always being my beta <3

tagging: @climb-the-mountian / @vanserrass / @positivewitch / @animezinglife / @zenkindoflove / @rosewood-cafe / @clockwork-ashes / @carnythian / @secret-third-thing / @runningwiththeoceans / @that-golden-lyre / @thedarkinmansfield / @readychilledwine / @goldenmagnolias / @mali22 / @readthelastpaage / @maidr-00 / @electromagnetic-waves / @eastofatlanta / @moobell55 / @bibliophiliaxvignette / @devilsfoodcake22 / @weesablackbeak / @ladywhilemia / @alohaangels / @feysandfeels / @corcracrow / @dawneternal / @gracie-rosee / @mage-neve / @illyrianvalkyrie / @saint-stella / @carolynmezzosoprano / @rainbowsnowflake / @queenoftheworld1998 / @wolvesnravens / @lalaluch /

Find it all here.

The morning had arrived in a blink and proceeded to be a whirlwind. 

The Forest House was fueled in chaos as final preparations for the Autumnal Equinox ball took place, and the house staff and sentries were coming and going to make everything perfect. 

Eris had never been this on edge in his whole life, and he had survived Under the Mountain. A mix of dread and restrained panic pumped through his veins, but the leash he had on himself was held tight. He and his brothers had one moment this morning—they shared one glance across the room to ensure everything was going accordingly, that Mikel's signal ensured Theo, Cosette, and Helene were fine, and then dispersed to go about getting ready. 

Now, Eris stood in his bedroom, fixing his cufflinks as he glanced at himself in the mirror then smoothed his hair on the side and adjusted his crown. He looked every bit of the favored Prince of the Autumn Court in a fitted dark maroon suit, golden embroidery decorating the sides of his coat. A suit he wore like armor, that told the people of his court that he may follow his father’s every word but he was power. His suit, the crown, and the devilish smile he wore like a mask – one he wore so well to hide the true purpose of this night. A purpose he’d prepared for in three different ways: a bandolier under his jacket, the Made dagger given to him long ago by the Night Court sheathed at his side, and his magic. Did he truly believe he needed weapons when his magic thrummed so violently beneath his skin, itching to be released? No. But when it came to taking down Beron Vanserra every moment, every measure counted.

He made himself take a deep breath. He would dress to impress, regardless of how many people he’d run his blade into tonight. 

“Help me with my dress?”

Eris turned and at the sight of his wife, his head emptied. 

His beautiful, beautiful wife. 

She knocked the wind out of him on any given day but gods fucken damn it, did she look magnificent dressed up. 

Iris stood before him in a beautiful maroon A-line dress. It was lace covered in a mix of sequins and beading with full sheer sleeves and if the cinched waist didn’t do him in, the modest sweetheart neckline giving him a teasing glance at her cleavage certainly would. She smiled at his reaction and Eris took another moment to admire the light makeup dusting her face and the styling of her hair. Her eyes were lined with light kohl, her blush giving her a lovely glow, and the terracotta shade coloring her lips made him want to desperately ruin it. His eyes zeroed in on the delicate necklace of olive branches he had left as a suggestion with her dress and his wretched heart swelled that she had actually worn it. 

Eris was certainly particular about his appearance and his wife matched his vision exactly. 

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you with your hair up,” he commented quietly. 

“Do you like it?” she asked shyly and Eris’s smile was soft in a way it only was with her, especially when his eyes locked on the tiara he had chosen specifically for her to wear. 

“Oh, I love it,” he replied, his soft smile blooming into his signature smirk. “Dare I say, you look absolutely delicious.”

Iris flushed prettily, lifting her nose in the air. “Only delicious?”

Eris chuckled, a hand reaching out to gently touch a curl framing her face. “You look like a goddess of autumn,” he murmured, his smirk softening again. “And I am but your humble devotee.”  

Iris couldn’t help the rapid beating of her heart at his compliment, her flush deepening. “If you keep being nice to me, I’ll be forced to be polite to you.”

“Heaven forbid you be polite to your mate. How dare I,” he said with a snort and Iris flipped him off, earning her a chuckle. He gestured for her to turn, regretting it almost immediately at the scooped neckline of the back as well, more of her skin on display. Before he could stop himself, Eris traced a hand down the bareness of her back and Iris shuddered beneath his touch, glancing at him over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing playfully.

“Don’t you start touching. We won’t be able to stop,” she warned and Eris’s grin was full of male smugness.

They had spent last night all over each other and this morning, Eris had awoken to Iris’s hand sliding down his body and they lost another hour exploring each other. 

It had been very hard for them to stop.

And now, like any respectable husband, he couldn’t help but leave a featherlike kiss on her exposed skin before calmly zipping up her dress. 

When she turned back to him, the two stood face to face, taking each other in quietly, and the longer he looked at her, the harder he had to fight the anxious dread wrapping around his chest like barbed wire. Gods, he had so much to lose. 

This day may have been a long time coming for Eris but he had never thought he’d have someone by his side through it all. Someone who was all his. His Iris, who watched him with that knowing look, read into his emotions better than anyone else. 

He never thought he’d be understood. And yet, as Iris stood before him, despite all that would happen today, the tentative smile she gave him soothed his jagged soul. He felt a fluttering of peace in his chest. He felt her. 

This was the closest to heaven Eris knew he’d ever be. 

“You really do look beautiful,” he said softly and the smile bloomed further on her face. “A crown suits you.”

“Thank you. My husband has a good eye,” she said, taking in his suit and how it lined his body so well. She couldn’t help but reach a hand and run it down his arm and somehow, Eris felt his body relax. “You look…”

“Handsome? Dashing?”

Iris rolled her eyes. “If you’d give me a second to compliment you, you’d know,” she said and swatted his chest gently. His answering grin was so boyish, she wanted to kiss him senseless. “But you do look very handsome.”

“And dashing?”

“Very dashing,” she confirmed and let her gaze slide over his body again. “You look so very royal.” 

“I am a Prince, you know,” he said and Iris snorted.

“A prince of being a pain in the ass.” she muttered and his answering smirk made her blood heat.

“Well, we haven’t really had a chance to explore –”

“Do not finish that sentence.” 

Eris couldn’t help his wicked chuckle and Iris shook her head, fighting back a smile. 

The words that had sat on the tip of her tongue for weeks now threatened to burst out of her but Iris held, even as her cheeks flushed lightly. She wasn’t foolish. She’d read stories upon stories of what love felt like. She’d yearned for years. Never truly believing love would find her or something she would experience. 

Yet, Iris knew exactly where her heart stood and despite how their story may have begun, she knew there was no doubt in her mind of what she felt for her husband. Her husband who would be walking into a battlefield at this ball, who could use a moment of peace – a little distraction. 

Eris’s brows furrowed as he looked at her but Iris only leaned up to give him a chaste kiss before pulling away. She couldn’t stop herself from running a hand down his suit again before clearing her throat and giving him a small, shy smile. “I have a gift for you.” 

He blinked in surprise. “A gift?”

“Yes,” she said with a chuckle and turned to walk over to their vanity, pulling out a small box from the top drawer. “It is the Autumn Equinox and regardless of what is happening today, it is a day to celebrate so I wanted you to have a little something.” 

She turned to find his expression carefully blank as color spread across his face and Eris cleared his throat before quietly saying, “You didn’t have to do that.” 

“I know.” she replied then licked her lips before continuing, “But you…you give me so much. I wanted to give you something from me.”

Eris felt his heart nearly crumble. He didn’t know what to do with himself. What to do with his hands. In the middle of all this chaos…she had thought of getting him a gift. Eris had certainly gotten her a gift but hadn’t expected anything from her in return. His windpipes threatened to crash on him.

He glanced at the rectangular box and said so quietly, “I can’t remember the last time I received a gift.”

Her expression softened. “Well, I hope you’ll like this one then,” she said and Eris slowly took the box from her, his eyes never leaving the gift. “I had it custom-made from your mother’s favorite jeweler.” She waved her hand excitedly. “Open it!”

At her tone, he finally looked up from the box she’d given him to catch her wide smile and Eris felt his heart spasm at how beautiful she truly was. Gods…he had to be so pathetically obsessed to feel a little breathless at how her face seemed to brighten when she looked at him. How she kept smiling at him. At him, of all people.

He couldn’t stop his mouth from curling upward as she watched him and Eris took a breath as he slowly, almost reverently, opened his gift and then blinked rapidly before glancing up at his wife.

Iris’s smile turned sheepish. “I know you usually wear your insignia on your armor but I wanted to give you something a little more…subtle to wear for nights like these,” Iris explained, blushing slightly. “A way to keep the pups with you.”

Eris felt the tips of his ears heat as he glanced down at the gold chain lapel brooch. The two pins were adorned with leaves, one engraved with his initials and the other had his insignia of two baying hounds. “Iris…”

She shrugged, her blush deepening. “It’s not easy to get a gift for someone who pretty much has everything but I hope you find it worthy of your fashion sense,” she said and let out a little chuckle but Eris had to swallow hard, emotions bubbling in his chest. 

He was going to vomit.

“Thank you,” he whispered and Iris felt her chest ache.

“You're welcome,” she said with a smile. “Consider it a good luck charm.”

Her tone was as quiet as his own and Eris felt himself drowning. He had woken up overwhelmed – his head had barely been above the water for weeks. The night had barely begun and this unexpected gesture was the one threatening to send him over the edge. 

“I think…” he began then paused. Eris felt his face heating and he had to clear his throat as the words he never thought he’d live long enough to confess to anyone slowly formed in his mouth, “Marrying you seems to be all the good luck I need.” 

Color stained her cheeks as Iris’s heart beat to an erratic rhythm that seemed to match his own. She had been nothing important to anyone. She had lived her whole life as a ghost, alone. 

And now she was supposedly a prince’s good luck. She was the wife and mate of a future High Lord. Iris couldn’t put into words just how much this meant. How it made her swell with pride to be held in such high regard to him. So she gave him a half smile and said, “Even with the constant stabbing threats?” 

His chuckle was breathless, his throat tight. “I think you’ll find I don’t mind a little knife play.” 

“Kinky.” she whispered and the corner of his mouth lifted in a wry smile.

He held up his box. “Will you do me the honor of putting it on for me?”  

Iris grinned, taking the box from his hand, and gently started pinning it in place. Eris stood still beneath her touch and tried not to be too obvious as he breathed in her scent. Tried to keep his stupid hands from shaking as she focused on pinning the brooch into his lapel. 

It didn’t help that he scented himself all over her. To know how their scents mingled in the one place he didn’t have to glamour them.

He had to breathe deeply to calm his raging heart, to resist the urge to wrap himself around her and not let go. All that was to come…there were so many things that could go wrong. So many ways she could get hurt –

“There. All set.” Iris ran a hand over his jacket and stepped back with a knowing smile.

Eris watched her for a moment and he couldn’t help the heat rising through him, his blood set aflame at her smile. At her thoughtfulness, knowing today would be hard enough as it is. And though she was barely a step away from him, he gestured with a finger for her to come closer, “Come here.” he murmured and the blush in her cheeks deepened as instead, she took a step back.

“I don’t trust that tone.” she said, her eyes narrowed in suspicion and he huffed out a dark chuckle, his gaze turning molten. 

“You don’t trust your husband?” he teased in a low tone that made her pulse race.

“Not when he’s talking to me in a tone that suggests whatever he’s going to do will ruin my hair or makeup.”  

At that, Eris couldn’t help his quiet laugh, making Iris’s lips twitch and it never ceased to amaze him how she could ease him in moments like this; the way she always knew what he needed to calm his raging head and heart. “What if I promise not to ruin either of them?” he asked, his small smirk sending a thrill down her spine.

“You are saying words but the tone of that promise suggests the opposite,” she said and narrowed her eyes again, pointing at him. “You have your lying face on.”

He snorted in disbelief. “My lying face?”

“Yes. It’s when you smirk and look like a posh princess. You’re lying.” she said matter-of-factly. “You will ruin my hair and makeup and I will not stand for it.”

His smirk widened and Iris’s toes curled at the sheer arrogance in his gaze. “Fine,” he said and Eris took that little step closer to her until they shared a breath and Iris had to tilt her head to meet his eyes, her lips twitching. “I will keep my hands and mouth to myself and you can kiss me.”

“Oh? Is that all you were going to do?” she asked a tad breathlessly and the slight roguish smile was like a branding on her skin. Gods, she wanted to tackle him. 

“Of course,” he said and his tone was so sincere, Iris’s lips twitched again. “I only want a kiss for good luck.” 

Iris pursed her lips, trying not to laugh at the devilish look on his face, heat pooling low in her stomach. “Well, how am I supposed to deny you that?”

“The idea here is that you won’t.” 

“Ah, but what if I did – to make you pant a little?” she teased and he made a displeased noise.

“But what if you don’t, and in return I give you the gift I have for you?”

Iris blinked then flushed happily. “You have a gift for me?” she asked in a hushed tone and her fingers went to the necklace at her throat. “I thought the necklace was a gift!”

He shrugged as nonchalantly as possible and without his eyes leaving hers, slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out a square velvet box. “Our first Autumn Equinox together and you think I didn’t prepare a gift for you?” he said with a chuckle. “I’m not one to spit on traditions. You just stole my thunder, little gazelle.”

Iris sucked in a breath, her eyes widening, glancing at the box and then back at him. Another beat of silence passed before she whispered, “And what might that be?”

Eris felt the tip of his ears heat again as he swallowed. “You made a comment a few weeks ago about how I never proposed to you,” he said and the corner of his mouth curled up as color stained her cheeks. “Many things about how this marriage began were stolen from us but…I don’t want this to be one of them.” 

And Iris felt herself softening all over again. “Eris…”

He shrugged one shoulder. “You and I have the basic traditional bands but I wanted you to have a ring worthy of your healer hands,” he said and Eris had to work his throat before continuing, “I daresay I think it’ll sparkle nicely as you play the piano too.”

A choked laugh slipped from her lips and she shook her head in disbelief. He hadn’t even opened the box and Iris already knew she’d love whatever kind of ring was in there. 

“We could’ve waited on that,” she said but Eris only hummed. 

He didn’t want to ruin the moment by explaining that he had also wanted to wait on it. His original plan was to propose to her after he became High Lord, starting that new chapter of his life with her the right way. In a way she deserved.

But nothing was guaranteed. And Eris didn’t want to have any regrets when it came to her. 

“Why wait when we already know your answer?” he said, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly as Iris huffed out a laugh.

“That is not a proposal.”

He lifted a brow. “And how is this not up to your standard?”

“You holding out the box and telling me you already know the answer is not a proposal, Eris.” she said with a choked laugh. 

“Are you really going to say no?”

“Well, I might now.”

Eris couldn’t help his eye roll despite the twitch of his lips. “Your resistance is pointless. We both know you can’t live without me.”

“Wow,” she said with a hum. “There you go projecting your delusions again.”

Eris was fighting back every instinct in him not to laugh as he cooled his expression, grateful — always grateful for these moments with her. Moments when he could laugh. “If that’s your answer, the ball will be filled with quite a few potential brides I could —”

Her hand flew out to yank him by his lapel and his answering smirk was filled with male satisfaction. “Don’t you dare finish that thought,” she warned. “Continue with your botched proposal before I pull out my knife and stick it somewhere you won’t like.” 

Eris’s eyes lit with delight. “I think I like this color on you, wife.”

Iris shook her head, the beat of her heart as wild as his own and as she shared a breath with her very annoying husband, it struck her that this was exactly the kind of proposal they would have. 

“Aren’t you supposed to be down on one knee?” she asked with a raised brow and Eris’s gaze turned molten.

“You’d like me on my knees, wouldn’t you?”

“Just as I think you like to be there.” 

Eris had to restrain himself from leaping at her for the way she knew exactly how to tease him, how to distract him. Gods, he really was in love with her. 

And so he did something he’d never really imagined himself doing at any point in his life.

Without breaking her gaze, Eris slowly slid to one knee and held up the box. His hand was somehow steady as he opened the lid and relished in Iris’s small gasp. 

“Oh. Oh, wow.” 

The ring was exactly what he had imagined for Iris. It had been custom-made and Eris had nearly sent the jeweler into cardiac arrest with how picky he had been. Given how his wife was staring at it in delight, he knew it had been worth it. 

He wouldn’t have settled for anything less. 

Iris couldn’t help but feel her emotions bubbling inside as she stared at the ring. All at once, she was equal parts thrilled and pained, blinking rapidly to hold back the tears threatening to escape. All because this male – this male who she was once so terrified of being in the same room as, had somehow by the fate of the cauldron, become much more. Had remembered a throwaway comment of hers and hadn't hesitated to make it a reality. 

For most of Iris's life, she had been neglected. Never taken seriously, never worth anyone's time, barely thought of. Until Eris. Until this time with him. 

She would never take a moment of this for granted. 

“Well?” he asked her and the look he gave her made Iris’s heart unfurl in a type of joy she had always yearned for. Today would be hard and what came after was unknown. But this, here with him? This would be the constant. Now and forever. 

“I thought you knew my answer.” she said with a small smile that he returned. 

“All that complaining and yet you still won’t actually say yes.” he teased quietly and Iris couldn’t help her soft laugh, brushing her thumb to his cheek. 

“How could I say anything but yes with such a handsome male on his knees for me?”

Eris’s gaze was smoldering as he stood and again, the heat pooling in Iris’s stomach tightened.  They watched each other quietly and despite the feverous energy between them, it always did soften in the silence. Eris could read all the emotions crossing her face and knew his wife’s internal struggle matched his own; it was all too much. There was too much at stake. Too much on the line but this ring…he wanted her to know just how much of a choice she was. And that bridge between them – it had held strong despite how long it had taken them both to find each other. 

It held as they chose each other over and over again. 

Iris held out her hand and slowly, Eris slid the lovely ring on her finger.

Their mating bond seemed to vibrate at their shared smile and Iris couldn’t stop herself from finally leaning in and kissing him quickly, a hand touching his face.

And as it fell silent between them again, her thumb continued caressing his cheek, the words – those feelings that had been haunting Eris for weeks, clogged his throat. He took in her beautiful face and as desperately as he wanted her to know, he wanted to savor it a little longer. For a moment better than this.

But he could hear it in the silence between them. He knew she could too.

Eris glanced down at his hand in hers, the ring gleaming, and the corner of his mouth lifted. “I told you it would suit you,” he said quietly then looked up. “Do you like it?”

“It’s stunning, Eris,” she replied and squeezed his hand. “In fact, it’s almost too nice for me.”

His brows flattened. “And why would you think that?”

“Daughter of a fiend, remember?” she said with a weak chuckle and Eris’s gaze narrowed. 

“You have nothing to do with that fucker anymore,” he said firmly. “You’re my wife. You are mine. And once a Vanserra, always a Vanserra.” 

Iris couldn’t take her eyes off him, his expression so serious and gods, her heart wanted to leap out of her chest at how he claimed her. Someone who cared for her this deeply was all she ever craved, all Iris had ever wanted. And he was standing right in front of her. 

She knew what this gesture meant to him – those words  — that no matter how this night ended, she was his and he would be hers. In actions, in words, and with a bond that wrapped around them as lovingly as the ring on her finger.

“Once a Vanserra, always a Vanserra,” she repeated softly then took a breath, straightening her shoulders. “And as a Vanserra, am I as demure as usual or do we get to be ourselves?”

Eris watched her carefully for a moment then squeezed her hand in his. “If by being yourself you mean tossing a chair at someone, I’d ask you to refrain from that,” he said and Iris swatted his chest gently. Despite the heaviness of what was to come slowly tightening his chest again, he focused on his mate. “But if you mean, we try to enjoy being dressed up and dancing as we execute a murder, then yes – let’s do that.”

Her lips twitched. “So no cowering wife today?”

“Never again,” he promised solemnly. “Today…we ignite.” 

And as they watched each other once more, the silence between them slowly shifted, sobering, as the minutes ticked by. Iris’s expression dimmed and she forced herself to take a deep breath.

She squeezed his hand and Eris glanced down at the ring shining on her finger, working his jaw as he held her hand tightly. “Whatever happens tonight, we will be alright.”

Eris couldn’t help how his expression tightened and without words, Iris knew he was thinking of the exact opposite outcome; it was almost as if he couldn’t help but expect the absolute worst and Iris couldn’t exactly blame him with so much on the line.  

She opened her mouth to ease the tension, to bring back a little of that earlier distraction but Eris rolled his shoulders back, shifting gears.

“Your dagger is with you.”

“Yes.”

“Should anything happen, you use it. This night will be full of snakes. You will not be afraid and you will not hesitate,” he said, his expression darkening. “You will not worry about anybody else. Make anyone in your way bleed and run. I will find you.”

“But –”

“I will find you,” he repeated firmly, and then his tone softened. “I need you to take care of yourself.”

“I need you to take care of yourself too,” she whispered. “Promise me. Promise me you’ll do whatever you can to stay safe.” She gripped his arm, the sight of her pleading gaze a punch to his gut. “Please, Eris.”

His mouth went into a thin line before he sighed, knowing if she hadn’t been holding him, his hands would be trembling. “You know what we’re up against…but I will do my best,” he said quietly and though the answer made her chest feel tight, she nodded.

“That’s all I can ask.”

[gwynberdara]

Posting this here because I’m so pleased with how this turned out, but it’s a gift for my sister that she can’t see yet (she’s not on here)

Over the summer she introduced me to acotar. I’ve only gotten as far as the first book but it turns out I’m not immune to the fox man

[gwynberdara]

[gwynberdara]

The Nessian addition of my Gwynriel minific Little Thief is up on AO3! Tiny Dancer, or in other words, the much requested Cassian lap dance! (You're so welcome)

Snippet below the cut!

Cassian glances down at his single cup, over to their four cups remaining, then flicks his gaze up to Nesta’s. He considers what his song choice should be as Emerie positions herself to make the final shot of the game. Emerie sinks it, cheering. He plucks the ball out of the glass before bringing it to his lips and draining it, all while maintaining searing eye contact with Nesta. 

Never been so thrilled to lose a game in my life . 

He rounds the table, grabbing her hand and lifting it in the air to lead her towards the middle of the living room like he’s a fae Lord leading a Lady to the middle of a dance floor for a proper waltz. 

“What’s happening?” Rhys asks. 

“Cassian lost a beer pong bet. He’s giving Nesta a lap dance,” Emerie delivers the news like it’s an every day occurrence. 

Feyre's and Rhys’s jaws drop as Cassian positions a chair in the middle of the room. A crowd has begun to form, curious. He can see Nesta’s cheeks tinge pink, her eyes darting around at all the people beginning to watch. Cassian pulls her hand to his mouth, planting a soft kiss on the back of it. 

“Eyes on me, Nes,” he says softly, looking at her warmly. She swallows and nods. 

He goes to the corner where a teammate is controlling the music and whispers in his ear what song he wants. Turning to Nesta with a shit-eating grin on his face as the distinctly recognizable first beats of Pony by Ginuwine strain through the speakers, he feels his heart stutter as the first smile spreads across Nesta’s face. His heart outright stops as she laughs. It’s bright and harsh and it’s the best sound he’s ever heard, even against the outrageous bass of the song. 

[gwynberdara]

Another romance cover! The last book cover was a fantasy regency romance, so I suppose this would be more contemporary.