siderealxmelody

[siderealxmelody]

Revelations

@revengeguided

Eosopherus woke choking on the phantom smoke, tasting it on her tongue. She was moving before she'd fully taken her surroundings. She crossed her room, slipping from it to the makeshift nursery. Rigelus laid in his bed, but he wasn't asleep.

He reached for her silently, blue eyes wide and bottomless. Her heart seized, she picked him up walking back to her rooms.

Fuck their rules.

Fuck the consequences.

Fuck the vows.

Her son needed her.

------

Austrus's anger rose higher and higher. Eosopherus barely left her rooms, barley lifted her whip now. He'd be surprised if her magic manifested at all.

Hesperus insisted they leave it, to let her come back to them slowly.

But they didn't have time for such things. The Fae weren't giving this land willingly and they needed a home.

They needed a Queen.

"Eosopherus?"

He opened the door, Rigelus sat in her lap, sucking on his thumb, staring out the window. Such a domestic scene, a scene that only made his anger grow. What if the others?

Polaris and Octaris desvered to have their sister there! They'd all lost their parents. They'd all lost everything. Why was he getting special treatment just because he was the youngest?

She turned, her eyes so dull. That scared him further, so distant, so numb. So far away. Did she even hear him? See him?

Was her soul still in Asgard pining for her prince?

"Enough of this, we need you at the helm. You've grieved long enough."

They all had.

Theia would not stop to let them mourn, she'd barely stopped now. Even with the meager Asteri presence here - isn't enough.

Would it ever be?

Would they survive?

They'd fled one war to join another. But what was Fae against them?

Her arms tightened around Rigelus.

"Don't take him."

Austrus ignored her, wrenching him from her arms, ignoring his cries. His cries turning to wails screaming for Eosopherus.

His mother had one mentioned how close they were, but he hadn't realized it now. He and Hesperus had been at the front, unable to be home for years at a time.

Eosopherus lunged, her whip slamming into his back, shoving him to the floor. She grabbed for Rigelus, curling around him on the ground.

"Do not take my son from me ever again."

He struggled to his knees, staring as the words sunk in. Hesperus inhaled a hiss, gripping the doorway.

His eyes blazed, their brother so usually mild mannered, so nonchalant looked ready to murder someone. Austrus gripped the floor, trying to keep his own rage in check.

"What did you just say?"

Maybe he'd just misheard. Maybe she and Thurr hadn't been so monumentally stupid.

[siderealxmelody]

Starting Over

@revengeguided

Fenrys turned from the burning house, pulling Feyre through as the wyrdgate began to flash and fracture.

Eosopherus had at least stopped struggled, stopped sobbing for them to wait for reinforcements, wait no doubt, for Thurr.

But Austrus was right, they didn't have time, the Valg wouldn't stop now.

They had to hope Unir would understand, that they'd be able to see the way the Valg had taken advantage of the world.

Eosopherus sat on the ground, gripping Rigelus to her.

Fenrys chose not to comment on how close she looked to Fading right there.

He turned instead to Austrus and Nesta.

"Is it ready?"

"It will be if you all shut up."

Nesta gripped her knife in her teeth, painting the last symbol with blood.

The ruined manor dissapered, Eosopherus let out a low whine. Hesperus holding her shoulders keeping her from flinging herself and their baby brother from the gate.

The world they arrived on was rich in magic, in minerals. It would do, it had to.

------

Austrus ran a hand through his hair, finding Nesta in her makeshift workshop. They'd gotten to work quickly, helping the Asteri refugees here become a fighting force.

A militia.

Hopefully others would come here soon enough.

"How much more ore do you need?"

He could feel the earth pulse under his boots, but it would take for him to pull it out. He turned to the lone window, high above them in this cave.

Feyre and Fenrys had focused on training the others.

They all needed to do something or they'd loose their minds.

Eosopherus hadn't thrown herself into the war like he presumed she would. She held Rigelus and grew frantic whenever someone took him to be bathed and fed.

It was beginning to be a problem.

"Eosopherus needs...I'm going to talk to Eris and Elain to drag her out of her rooms."

She was to be have been their queen, she was their mother's heir.

Polaris was too young, it had to be her who continued their legacy.

She could not break now.

Not yet.

[siderealxmelody]

Her shoulders sagged, a part of her already remorseful and upset when he didn't touch her. She sniffed, reaching for him, burying her head into his chest.

"I know all that. But I - there are things I wish I could change about you. And if you have nothing of me...doesn't that make this unequal? Doesn't that make me a failure to not accept you as you accept me?"

Because barring everything else, he was perfect. He was good even if everyone else didn't see it. He was good, and kind, and loyal. He was everything she had - he was her moral compass and -

"I don't want you to think I love you any less than you love me. That I wouldn't tear this world to peices of it hurt you. That I wouldn't walk with you to wherever you went. I just....I - I don't know - I don't want to feel inferior to what you become. I don't want you to resentment me when I have things I want to change of you. I don't want you to be scared to tell me things about me that I should improve on. I don't want you to sugar coat things for me Aleksander."

She inhaled and looked to him finally, needing to see his eyes. She'd never been afraid of him, never.

She was slightly now, worried what he'd say to her.

"Don't ever sugarcoat anything to me. Everyone did that when I was a child and you saw how my family fell apart because of it. I - I just worry others won't respect me if I'm not as ruthless as you. I - it's all jumbled...."

Her girl tightebed on him, she looked away to the window.

"Will you please hold me now?"

She internally scoffed, like she has a right to anything of him with how she ambushed him. Gods he must be exhausted with how emotional she was.

"I want to give you everything and I'm afraid I can't....if I can't give you a child, an heir how can I be enough for you? What if we need one for the Grisha? Who would lead them then?"

Last she'd checked, none of his brothers had children. She refused to think of Yesenia, of the loss of potential she'd been, she'd been carrying.

She crossed her arms, trying to muster her anger and not spiral.

"Before you add to your ridiculous list. No one told me anything. Emerie was just saying how Azriel pushes her to be better...and I can't remember the last time you did that."

She was by no means someone to snap or cut someone with words. But she could, she had grown up in Autumn after all. And that was literally how everyone was taught to speak anyways.

She begun to pace, hands moving as she continued.

"I love you but there are things I wish you'd changed but if - I don't want this to be an unequal partnership Aleksander. I'm not perfect.*

She spun back pointing at him.

"Done reflexively say I am. I'm not, no one is. There has to be things about me that you wish I could do better, or change....is that I'm too trusting? That I'm not a violent, ambitious person? Is it my lack of ambition? My squeamishness with my Necromancy magic? Or maybe it's I don't hold vendettas like you and -"

[siderealxmelody]

She crossed her arms, trying to muster her anger and not spiral.

"Before you add to your ridiculous list. No one told me anything. Emerie was just saying how Azriel pushes her to be better...and I can't remember the last time you did that."

She was by no means someone to snap or cut someone with words. But she could, she had grown up in Autumn after all. And that was literally how everyone was taught to speak anyways.

She begun to pace, hands moving as she continued.

"I love you but there are things I wish you'd changed but if - I don't want this to be an unequal partnership Aleksander. I'm not perfect.*

She spun back pointing at him.

"Done reflexively say I am. I'm not, no one is. There has to be things about me that you wish I could do better, or change....is that I'm too trusting? That I'm not a violent, ambitious person? Is it my lack of ambition? My squeamishness with my Necromancy magic? Or maybe it's I don't hold vendettas like you and -"

She flushed, her anger turning to something molten when he ran a hand down her arm, and plucked the page from her fingers. Especially as he read off every offense they'd done. She leaned into him, trying and failing to stay mad.

"You can't possible remember all that."

Still she kissed his cheek, nuzzling into him.

"Stop being so charming. Speaking in my mind isn't fair."

------

Anastasiya pulled her jacket tighter as she stepped out of the Azriel's and Emerie's home. She gave her a quick hug promising to set up some time next week for her to come visit.

Still her mind wouldn't stop twisting this conversation they'd had over and over.

"What do you mean Aleksander doesn't push you? I swear one fo Azriel's favorite things is to tell me how to better."

She remembered Emerie's wicked grin about it. She was by no means a prude but she'd never grown up talking about Sex, about the things done in relationships. Her mother hadn't raised her that way, she'd encouraged to find her way, to experiment. But never to speak so openly about it.

Emerie had continued draining her third glass. They'd both been a little tipsy.

"Well I think he enjoys it because he win either way. He gets me annoyed then gets to worship me. Or if I do as he asks, he gets to call me a girl got and wins that way...and I love the nickname."

She walked inside, hanging up her coat and scarf and went to find Aleksander. She bit her lip, happy to see him. She moved toward him, her insecurities making her second guess things though.

"Aleksander do you have things about me you'd want me to improve on or change?"

Because she did about him. Not many, it was a very small list. She'd want him to be present more, not work as less. To maybe be a little less ambitious and content with what they had.

But if she had things for him to improve on shouldn't he? She loved him for those things too but she wanted perfect. What if she couldn't get to his standards? What if she was a bad made to have things she wished to change?

[siderealxmelody]

Rigelus watched her leave, panic flaring through him. He wasn't sure what had caused it, but his own magic was screaming for her.

He stepped away from the table, stiffening as he heard the cock of a gun. The barrel pointed at his head, his magic flaring again.

"Who exactly are you?"

The male only nodded to the drink.

"Drink. Or she doesn't get the antidote."

Rigelus froze, ice rolling down his blood.

"She's poisoned? You poisoned the mate of -"

"Drink."

Rigelus wondered if he should, if he shouldn't just kill the male. He turned and drank, throwing it back. The whistle from the male has him turning to the street, his heart beginning to beat slower. He gripped the side of the table, gritting his teeth as he felt the poison work it's way through his system.

"Who do you work for?"

The male smiled, stowing his gun, as he grabbed him.

"The Night King, the Valg send their regards Princeling. Don't worry, you'll see her in Hel. The gates are open, did you think we wouldn't finish the war that was started?"

Rigelus struggled, his vision going spotty and dizzying. He knew that war, it hung over his family. It had sent them running, destoryed their home - his mother.

He spat trying to twist against them.

"I demand proof of life! I demand -"

------

Silatharias knelt before the girl, pushing the antidote into her neck. He looked to the soldiers who waited around him.

She smelled like them.

"What are my father's orders?"

"Bring her to gate Your Highness, we will be taking them both to Hel."

Silatharias stood, looking to the sky. It was mix of ash and incoming storms. The war had begun again, a war he had no interest in. But it was all his people whispered about. They Asteri had slaugthered their king, they'd slaugthered their people for this place.

They'd destoryed their resting place, setting them aflame.

This was retribution eons in the making. He ignored the bombs that fell, the screams of the dying. He flicked his fingers to the female.

"Get her up off the floor, we don't want to be caught in the crossfire."

The massacre was a more accurate description of the carnage to come.

She felt cold. Free in a way that made her feel the cold in her soul. Bryce wondered if all manner of creatures felt this way when they left the ones they love. She'd run out on Rigelus, probably over what was for dessert. It didn't matter, she was in the snow now though. Literally and figuratively. She'd run out in her house slippers and didn't want to admit she'd been stupid as hell. It was three days before her cycle and she would be vulnerable to any unmated male in the area. The mate bond was cold too. It had never been cold in all her life. Even as a half-fae, peddling antiques, she had always felt other, felt him deep down. Bryce had a bad habit of making bad decisions at the wrong time, and on a dime too. Fuck, it was freezing. Bryce realized belatedly that she couldn't feel her power either. She would die without her power.

Bryce collapsed in the poison. It was not snow that she had run out in, but a blitz of faebane and bombs falling on the eternal city, and the drug the rebellion had slipped into her tea, causing her to fear her beloved mate. // @siderealxmelody

[siderealxmelody]

Odyesseus barely held onto his wrist. Thurr had always been impulsive, always insisting he could keep up with his older brothers. That he wouldn't be left behind. He'd reject the claim of the throne, grooming Sebastian and Agenor for it when they'd been born. But now? The mark blazed on his wrist, bright and true. He pushed from the railing, eyes wild and bright as he found Sygael.

"She's alive! She's alive! Sygael she's -"

"Thurr we can't just charge into Midgard. If Aidas is truly amassing this army we have to see -"

"So then do it, I'm not waiting a second longer. I will not loose her twice -"

Odesseus slammed the doors closed, blocking Thurr in. It would be different if it was just him, but he'd drag his children into this - he'd drag all Asteri into this.

"Thurr it could be a bloodbath, a trap -"

Thurr shoved past him, lightning crawling up his arms. He reached for Sygael's wrist, tugging her away. Ignoring Samkiel and their father.

"I'm not waisting another second away from her. If she's alive so is he - my son is alive and I will not stop till I see them aagin."

Odysseus froze, spinning to their father. He looked paled, withdrawn.

"What the fuck did he just say?"

He'd been 19, sure none of them had assumed they'd slept together. They'd been together since they were 16, but they'd been kids. Surely, surely -

// six months before the civil war //

"What are you doing?"

Eosopherus pointed to the night sky, looking to Thurr.

"My mother always says the stars have all answers. I'm trying to see if it's true."

He moved to sit on the stone wall, watching as she looked up at the sky. He followed her gaze.

"What's your question?"

She fidgeted with the silver baubles on her wrist. A flush coating her face.

"That's private Thurr."

He grinned, the darkness and isolation making him bold. He reached over, holding her chin, making her look at him.

"Would your question be about me?"

She flushed deeper, but she didn't move as he slid off the wall to step closer.

She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry.

"What if it was?"

He dipped his face closer to her.

"Then I hope the stars give you a good answer."

------

// the civil war //

Thurr lunged from his handlers, he'd already seen so much carnage in these last few months. Surely this wouldn't be any different? Surely they -

He skidded to a stop, the house was gutted, spluttering flames still lit. But it was quiet, silent. His breath coming out faster and faster.

He didn't hear the adults around him, their grim tones. He didn't -

He shoved past soldiers who looked for Nismera's forces, for bombs waiting to go off. They ordered him to stop, to be careful.

He went inside, trying to find a way to her rooms, to the wing where all their rooms were. He stumbled on a loose board, Unir catching and holding him.

"Thurr -"

Thurr slid to his knees, his magic building and building.

There were bodies here, mangled but wearing their clothes.

They -

She -

"She was to be who the Fates blessed me with right?"

Unir's grip tightened, kneeling down with him.

"I'm so sorry my son -"

He screamed, his magic shoving outward, shattered whatever evidence was left.

------

// Seb and Nat time? Kids time? //

He woke with tears down his face. He touched his face confused. He didn't cry anymore, he didn't feel anymore.

He was -

Love was a weakness.

A sickness that crept in and destroyed you.

He stood, shrugging his clothes on. He walked outside, already annoyed with the frenzy around him.

He left, the main hall, finding Sebastian screaming as usual. He gritted his teeth, turning to Odysseus and the others.

"What's happening?"

Odysseus slid his eyes to him, unreadable before he slowly moved to the mirror screen.

"Samkiel finally was able to undo father's work, the realms opened last night. This came through early this morning, probably sent through to all tuned mirrors."

Sebastian grinned and turned to Natalia.

"Can you believe it? I wonder what this Eternal Palace is like. Do you think they -"

"Why the face then Odysseus? Is this not good news?"

If he heard Sebastian make one more asinine comment he was going to -

Odysseus stopped touching the screen stepping back.

"That's why."

Thurr nearly missed the railing, his vision blurring as he took in the sign off.

~ This is Eosopherus, Heir to house Greenbriar, Queen of Midgard.

@siderealxmelody

She'd watched as the years had gone by. One after another, and he'd hardened himself with each passing one. Thurr changed from the male Sgaeyl had known a long time ago, before the war had taken its toll on all of them. In its own way, making every one of them pay some sort of price, tear into their soul and lose parts of themselves they'd never get back again--

Sometimes, though, Sgaeyl wondered if Thurr ended up paying more, losing more, of his soul than any of them. If he hadn't lost every fragment of who he was, and if it hadn't all stemmed from that day.

Walking down the long halls, she barely paid attention to the chaos around her. She didn't care; it didn't concern her. There wasn't a threat, and even if Sgaeyl almost longed for a fight, for something to take that edge off, to unleash the itch under her skin that made her want to let the power free, to watch as destruction tore down her enemies--

Now wasn't the time.

But the tug she got as Sgaeyl turned the corner had her nearly stumbling. And Sgaeyl never stumbled.

But she also hadn't felt the wave of shock, of a feeling that nearly sent her reeling and collapsing, a feeling that wasn't hers (not really), in ages.

It brought her down the opposite hall even faster, bright eyes nearly glowing with power as she slammed the door open to find Thurr barely standing, his face pale.

❝ What the hell-- ❞

The words had barely left her before Sgaeyl took in her surroundings, clocking every detail in the span of seconds. Mere moments.

❝ Thurr! ❞

[siderealxmelody]

She flushed, her anger turning to something molten when he ran a hand down her arm, and plucked the page from her fingers. Especially as he read off every offense they'd done. She leaned into him, trying and failing to stay mad.

"You can't possible remember all that."

Still she kissed his cheek, nuzzling into him.

"Stop being so charming. Speaking in my mind isn't fair."

------

Anastasiya pulled her jacket tighter as she stepped out of the Azriel's and Emerie's home. She gave her a quick hug promising to set up some time next week for her to come visit.

Still her mind wouldn't stop twisting this conversation they'd had over and over.

"What do you mean Aleksander doesn't push you? I swear one fo Azriel's favorite things is to tell me how to better."

She remembered Emerie's wicked grin about it. She was by no means a prude but she'd never grown up talking about Sex, about the things done in relationships. Her mother hadn't raised her that way, she'd encouraged to find her way, to experiment. But never to speak so openly about it.

Emerie had continued draining her third glass. They'd both been a little tipsy.

"Well I think he enjoys it because he win either way. He gets me annoyed then gets to worship me. Or if I do as he asks, he gets to call me a girl got and wins that way...and I love the nickname."

She walked inside, hanging up her coat and scarf and went to find Aleksander. She bit her lip, happy to see him. She moved toward him, her insecurities making her second guess things though.

"Aleksander do you have things about me you'd want me to improve on or change?"

Because she did about him. Not many, it was a very small list. She'd want him to be present more, not work as less. To maybe be a little less ambitious and content with what they had.

But if she had things for him to improve on shouldn't he? She loved him for those things too but she wanted perfect. What if she couldn't get to his standards? What if she was a bad made to have things she wished to change?

@siderealxmelody (Anastasiya) sent an ask //

Anastasiya had come here looking for a pen and now she stared a bunch of names. Her eyes narrowing as many appeared female, the notes next to them made little sense.

'Adina - tea Clara - tailoring Florence -

"Ana? Love did you find it?"

She turned to the doorway, holding up the list. She glared at him, she may be softer than her siblings. But she was still a child of Autumn, of the Everflame.

"Why do you have female names squirreled away in some corner of your office? And what do the notes mean? Are you paying for these things for -"

She hadn't answered the first time Aleksander had called her name, so he'd followed after her, down the hall, into the study, only to pause at the doorway, dark gaze on Anastasiya.

Aleksander met her glare, and he couldn't help but smile as he crossed his arms, leaning against the door's frame.

❝ Ana. ❞ He shook his head, a low laugh escaping, even if Aleksander did try his best to keep from doing so. But that fire inside of her always made him love her even more-- if such a thing was even possible. He always thought he'd reach a point where he couldn't possibly love Anastasiya more.

And yet...

Moving towards her, Aleksander glanced at the paper in her hand, catching sight of one of the names he'd scrawled upon it. ❝ Adina brought your tea without enough sugar last week. You acted like it was fine, but it wasn't; your lips did that tightening thing that clearly said it bothered you, Ana. ❞

One of his hands settled on Anastasiya's waist, the other sliding up her arm, around her wrist, slipping to take the list of names from her hand so he could read it better. All the while, though, Aleksander never let his gaze waver much from his mate's.

❝ Clara's comment at the shop last month upset you. The dress was stunning, you loved it, and she thought she was better than you-- No one is better than you. ❞

Shall I continue?

[siderealxmelody]

Family Trees Asteri Civil War Era

Vesperus & Lanthys

Theia

Randall → Cameron

Auralie → Deim & Teller

Adidas - Theia

Helena → Morven & Lorin

Silene

Helena & Pelias

Morven

Lorin

Sotoria & Hestraon (maybe? Why he's hidden in Midgard idk 😐)

Einar

Cameron & Xavier

Darius - 7

Gabriel - 5

Bryce - 3

Tory & Darcy - 1

Skade & Tora

Althea (Valkyrie)

Elwren (Poisoner)

Hyrieus (Scholar)

~ post war, Sasha age:~

Orion

Violet

Deia & Augustine

Mala & Deanna

Mala - Fire-Bringer - Brannon

Freya - Fireborn

Nehemiah - Lightbringer

Calaena - Wildfire

Actaeon - title??

Calaena - Samkiel

Agenor

Emeia

Freya - Bjorn

Freah

Actaeon - ??

Lidia

Freah & Garath

Aemon

Taran

Alusina

Nesta

Elain

Feyre

Alina

Deanna - Apollion (maybe?)

Carnyth

Arktos

Oristes

Arktos

Austrus

Hesperus

Eosopherus

Sirius

Octaris

Polaris

Eosopherus & Thurr

Rigelus

@luxmaeastra

@starlsssankt

@sankta-alina-s - Freah existsss

[siderealxmelody]

------

Daneius struggled to stand, his body purged, he could feel his magic again. The touch of the Mark, of the pull of the Silver Fire.

They'd done the ritual, that much was obvious. He gripped Nephry's shoulder beginning to move.

"You were an idiot."

Nephry glared at him.

"I have no qualms of punching you in the face Daneius."

Daneius was the eldest, he should have been the one to do this. He should have taken this mantle to save his brothers. He'd only decided to fight back after hearing of Thurr.

Three years without them, three years of Thurr...had anyone actually steadied him? Had anyone -

"How bad is it?"

Nephry looked away, staring ahead.

"He avoids me now, I don't know if he's angry or feels much of anything. Odysseus says he's starting to eat and sleeps with the sleeping drought...."

Neither spoke, both slowly realizing that Thurr would always need those now. That he'd probably be this floating wraith till Death finally took him.

------

Odysseus snapped his head to the doors, reaching for a blade. He'd cut the priests down, no one else needed to know about this.

"Dean?"

Daneius stepped through, looking to Thurr, they could feel it. He'd shut down, curling in a ball staring at nothing.

Daneius jaw clenched and he moved slowly to the fire.

"Will it work again? It worked without either of you."

"Nephry died briefly to bring me back, and I was a Valg - no doubt that's why -"

"You did what?! Neph -"

"Now isn't the time Samkiel. Shut up, Neph come on."

Nephry slowly rose, reluctantly leaving Thurr's side. They cut their palms one at time, letting the fire taste them. Nephry didn't get chosen, but Daneius swayed, seeing the faint outline - a Potential Heir. But this would always be Thurr's, Thurr was always who the Fires would have chosen.

But they'd all known that, he was the only one who could make Eminations. He turned, kneeling before Thurr, gripping his hand. His pulse was there, slow and sluggish.

"Thurr? Please? Please don't - give it to me. Let me take this burden from you."

//civil war//

He was 19, everyone kept congratulating him, that it was a big deal. That he'd come of age, that he had survived this long.

He followed Samkiel and Odysseus into the temple, half listening as they discussed Odysseus children. How Samkiel kept teasing that he'd steal Ctimene from him.

Odysseus laughed, and his reply was lost as the doors opened to him.

He stared up at the darkness within, the silver fire that burned bright even at a distance.

His brothers look of concern he ignored.

He hated that, hated that he couldn't engage.

That all he thought when he saw his niece and nephew was all the horrible monsters past their doors.

How could Odysseus think to have them now?

How could he think they'd be safe during a war?

Why would he ever want to bring such innocent lives into this world?

"You coming Thurr?"

Odysseus question snapped him to the present. He exhaled, and walked up the steps to follow them inside.

The doors locked behind him, sealing them inside. He shifted antsy.

"What's exactly meant to happen?"

Samkiel shot him a look.

"Didn't father tell you?"

"Do you think I was actually listening?"

Samkiel snorted and nodded to the silver flame.

"We are meant to give our blood to it, and it will choose us."

"Apparently the fire can read our souls."

Odysseus shuddered, taking a step closer.

But neither he nor Thurr pulled for thief daggers. Samkiel rolled his eyes at him, reaching for his blade.

"The order doesn't matter, it'll choose once everyone has given blood."

"Still, let's not insult you now. Maybe that'll look bad on us."

Samkiel glared as Odysseus grinned at his own joke. They both knew Samkiel would rather cut his own hand off than be named King.

"You think you're funny don't you Odysseus?"

"Oh I know I am, Poppy tells me so all the time. Doesn't Ayla tell you how funny I am Sami?"

Thurr twitched, his own smile forming. He could guess they were stalling for him, to get him to smile at least. There was a day he'd desperately wanted this.

How excited he'd been.

"Sami?"

Odysseus snickered and Samkiel ignored the both of them. He walked to the fire, slicing his palm deep and letting the fire drink it all.

He stepped back, Odysseus was next, twirling his blade in his fingers. Everything was a show with him, and he only cut it when Samkiel growled at him.

The cut was fast, flashy, a twist of metal. The blade a gilded bone dagger Poppy must have made for this occasion.

Thurr didn't move, staring at the flame. He reached for his dagger, the enormity of this moment finally slicing through him.

"I shouldn't have come with you two."

Odysseus shifted uncomfortable, Samkiel huffed, gruff if only to keep him grounded.

"The ritual wouldn't have worked without you. You'd have to be -"

"Samkiel."

Samkiel stiffened and looked away. But Thurr knew what he would have said. It would have only worked if he'd been dead.

How he desperately wished for that.

But every scrimmage and battle he'd been a part of hadn't been enough. Even when he'd tried with his own hand his brothers had somehow found out.

Thurr exhaled, stepping closer. He was quietly surprised that the fire didn't burn hot, it burned cold.

A freezing cold that reminded him of the Void, of the apathetic touch of Death. What would happen if someone jumped in.

"Thurr?"

Odysseus had stepped closer. Samkiel had reached for his blade, maybe to stop him from doing something stupid.

Thurr exhaled, raising his hand as he slowly cut his palm.

He wanted to feel the pain, the sting of it.

He watched the blood roll, and hiss as it touched the fire. He stood there, only stepping back when no more of his blood would be taken.

He stepped back, dizzy - how much had he given? How much had it taken from him?

Odysseus steadied him, worried. But he didn't speak, all three turning to the fire as it turned red with their blood.

It began to burn hot and hotter, till he couldn't breath, till he felt like he was melting.

He screamed feeling the icy brand wrap around his wrist. The heat vanished, his brothers kneeling with him.

But they didnt speak as he slowly came to. He stared at the mark of their house. He -

He wrenched his wrist from them, stumbling back and back.

"No. No I refuse it. I -"

It was a weight that they were always worried their brother wouldn’t be able to carry if the choice came, Thurr had pulled himself in after that eventful day. When the loss of the one he cared for had shattered his word.

Odysseus could only imagine how he felt, he could only imagine how he would have felt if he had lost Penelope. His children. There was always the concern of the madness that some whispered happened when you lost someone, especially a potential mate.

His hand reached to grip his brother’s shoulder, a frown crossed his features as he searched his face. “It choose you Thurr, I don’t know if you can refuse…” He looked to Samkiel, hoping he would say something that could maybe help.

They didn’t need their baby brother losing himself further.

[siderealxmelody]

Athril tilted his head, eyes narrowing. He'd had his fair share of admirers, but he only ever played with them. Again, some balance he didn't really understand. But he supposed as long as Natalia was happy did it matter?

"Well they've known each other since we were all children, and he claims he's been in love with her since they were five..."

Their partners always joked he'd crowed he'd marry her one day and make her queen. He sat up, running a hand through his hair. Fuck what had happened?

"They've been courting since they were 16."

Sebastian wasn't one to care about tradition, but he'd made sure to do that part right.

"Maeve, what exactly happened between you two?"

Because he didn't know if he should be running to his sister or bracing for an attack on the palace.

-----

Sebastian was shaking as she came closer, a whine building in his throat. His magic wouldn't respond, it all felt like a roaring tempest in his body.

"I am yours, I want to be yours!"

It's the only thing he wanted in this miserable life. He tugged at the hem of her dress, he'd lost all dignity now so why not grovel? At leas this close he could smell her again.

"I'm sorry, I don't want this, I don't want her. She's nothing - she -"

He laughed, staring at the hem of his dress. The words sounded false in his own ears. Would he have believed them? His chest heaved, the very idea of her with another, of their roles reversed sent him spinning. Sent him wishing for a blade to end this imaginary torment. It was a wonder she was still standing, he was still breathing.

But Natalia was stronger than him, had always been. It had been a privileged she'd even entertained him this long. He ground his teeth, staring at her finally. He could barely see her through his tears.

"I only want you, I'm not going back in any case anyway. She's weak, emotional, and undisciplined."

Was it cruel to throw her under the carriage wheels? Yes. Did he care? No. He didn't know how to fight for her, to say words that he himself believed. He still didn't know how his control, how it had all snapped like that.

He didn't want her, he didn't -

And if the words he kept ignoring were true, if Maeve was somehow his mate - he'd throw himself into the nearest fire. The agony of the heat would wash away such a horrible error by the fates then at least.

Athril's eyes narrowed.

"Why would I tell you that? He wanted to get away from you."

Athril paused, mentally shrugging. At the very least it would give him an excuse to see his family.

"To see my sister...they're courting."

They were more or less engaged but he didn't say that. Sebastian hadn't asked her formally and had wanted to wait till Solstice. Something about it being significant for the both of them.

-----

Sebastian stepped back, moving to curl in a corner. His body on autopilot. Thurr would find this display pathetic, unworthy of his station - of everything he'd been molded into and would inherit.

Perhaps he and Maeve were right - love was a weakness.

He'd fought for so long to make her see him, to understand they would be good together. He didn't want this, he didn't know what to say that wouldn't be twisted against him.

He couldn't believe he was loosing her like this. He whined, trying to hold Onyx tighter, who finally bit his arm and ran away. He stared at his arm, barely feeling the pain.

He wondered if this was how in the days old Asteri felt before they Faded.

"I don't know what to say that will make you believe me. I don't have an answer to why I did it, I didn't want to, I - my skin crawls thinking of her touching me. I - I had hoped you'd make that feeling stop."

[siderealxmelody]

Athril's eyes narrowed.

"Why would I tell you that? He wanted to get away from you."

Athril paused, mentally shrugging. At the very least it would give him an excuse to see his family.

"To see my sister...they're courting."

They were more or less engaged but he didn't say that. Sebastian hadn't asked her formally and had wanted to wait till Solstice. Something about it being significant for the both of them.

-----

Sebastian stepped back, moving to curl in a corner. His body on autopilot. Thurr would find this display pathetic, unworthy of his station - of everything he'd been molded into and would inherit.

Perhaps he and Maeve were right - love was a weakness.

He'd fought for so long to make her see him, to understand they would be good together. He didn't want this, he didn't know what to say that wouldn't be twisted against him.

He couldn't believe he was loosing her like this. He whined, trying to hold Onyx tighter, who finally bit his arm and ran away. He stared at his arm, barely feeling the pain.

He wondered if this was how in the days old Asteri felt before they Faded.

"I don't know what to say that will make you believe me. I don't have an answer to why I did it, I didn't want to, I - my skin crawls thinking of her touching me. I - I had hoped you'd make that feeling stop."

Sebastian didn't blink, taking her anger - taking her rage. He was more surprised he was still breathing. Onyx, he noted distractedly curled tighter, digging his claws into his arm.

He wished he could come off as strong, as angry. But he only felt himself wilt further - hide away from her anger like he did when Thurr lashed out, when his sisters did.

"No. No I never wanted her."

He wanted to add I only ever wanted her but he doubted that would make sense. He should fight more, push back - say something...be he was already retreating, already trying to understand his life without her in it.

The bond with Maeve rose of its own accord and he gripped it, thrashing at it, trying to dislodge and break it.

----

Athril sneered and turned to the bookcase, taking a seat at one of the armchairs.

"With the way Sebastian ran from the palace like demons were chasing him - no."

He hoped he'd pegged Sebastain right, that he wasn't some stupid male to play with his sister's emotions. Yes, Natalia could take care of herself - but she was still his little sister, even if it was by five minutes.

It would be a shame if he had to kill Sebastian for this.

[siderealxmelody]

Sebastian didn't blink, taking her anger - taking her rage. He was more surprised he was still breathing. Onyx, he noted distractedly curled tighter, digging his claws into his arm.

He wished he could come off as strong, as angry. But he only felt himself wilt further - hide away from her anger like he did when Thurr lashed out, when his sisters did.

"No. No I never wanted her."

He wanted to add I only ever wanted her but he doubted that would make sense. He should fight more, push back - say something...be he was already retreating, already trying to understand his life without her in it.

The bond with Maeve rose of its own accord and he gripped it, thrashing at it, trying to dislodge and break it.

----

Athril sneered and turned to the bookcase, taking a seat at one of the armchairs.

"With the way Sebastian ran from the palace like demons were chasing him - no."

He hoped he'd pegged Sebastain right, that he wasn't some stupid male to play with his sister's emotions. Yes, Natalia could take care of herself - but she was still his little sister, even if it was by five minutes.

It would be a shame if he had to kill Sebastian for this.

Sebastian wanted to hide, to shift and never have this conversation. He didn't - it wasn't - he hadn't -

He inhaled and exhaled, forcing himself to keep eye contact with her. If she ripped him to shreds, if she never talked to him again - well she was owed this to her face wasn't she?

"I took the bond with Maeve last night."

His own hand dug into Onyx, maybe it was comfort that the fox didn't abandon him. Hadn't Enva say he only liked those who were worthy? Maybe he was still worthy?

Or maybe Onyx was getting close to rip his throat out.

That made more sense.

"We had to - "

No, no had they needed to? Had he wanted to?

He let himself think, just one second to delve into those emotions. No, Maeve reminded him of Natalia. But that had been it, she was pretty but she didn't steal his breath away.

And why would he have done that when he could have just come to her and stayed the night? So why had he done it?

Was he truly as -

He exhaled, pressing his face into Onyx's fur, gathering himself. He didn't have answer that satisfied him. It wasn't lust, he'd been excited to tell Natalia about it, he'd told her he'd tell her after the ritual that night.

"We slept together to complete it....I don't - I never wanted her, and I know that sounds like an excuse. But so does saying the magic -"

------

Athril leaned back against the wall, an enchantress, a dark thing. To get Sebastian of all people to run - to break the vows he made. And he knew his friend well, his brother well. He took the vows he made to his sister as sacrosanct more than he ever did the vows he made to Maeve and the crown.

"So how was last night Maeve?"

[siderealxmelody]

Sebastian wanted to hide, to shift and never have this conversation. He didn't - it wasn't - he hadn't -

He inhaled and exhaled, forcing himself to keep eye contact with her. If she ripped him to shreds, if she never talked to him again - well she was owed this to her face wasn't she?

"I took the bond with Maeve last night."

His own hand dug into Onyx, maybe it was comfort that the fox didn't abandon him. Hadn't Enva say he only liked those who were worthy? Maybe he was still worthy?

Or maybe Onyx was getting close to rip his throat out.

That made more sense.

"We had to - "

No, no had they needed to? Had he wanted to?

He let himself think, just one second to delve into those emotions. No, Maeve reminded him of Natalia. But that had been it, she was pretty but she didn't steal his breath away.

And why would he have done that when he could have just come to her and stayed the night? So why had he done it?

Was he truly as -

He exhaled, pressing his face into Onyx's fur, gathering himself. He didn't have answer that satisfied him. It wasn't lust, he'd been excited to tell Natalia about it, he'd told her he'd tell her after the ritual that night.

"We slept together to complete it....I don't - I never wanted her, and I know that sounds like an excuse. But so does saying the magic -"

------

Athril leaned back against the wall, an enchantress, a dark thing. To get Sebastian of all people to run - to break the vows he made. And he knew his friend well, his brother well. He took the vows he made to his sister as sacrosanct more than he ever did the vows he made to Maeve and the crown.

"So how was last night Maeve?"

Nearly trampling Athril hadn't been the plan, but it had made him move. Whether that meant he was going to follow he didn't know, nor care.

He pulled hard on the reigns, making the animal stop. He stared at Natalia, words failing him. He slid down from the horse, barely noticing the others.

Neculai rolled his eyes straightening.

"You're all exaggerating, Onyx doesn't like -

Onyx ran to him, pawing at him till Sebastian bent down to pick him up. He hugged the fox closer, moving to stand before Natalia.

The warmth was grounding.

It made it feel like he wasn't on the brink of loosing everything.

"We - can we talk?"

Nessyayn eyes narrowed and she stood.

"Anything you can say to my sister can be said here....she'll tell me anyway."

[siderealxmelody]

Nearly trampling Athril hadn't been the plan, but it had made him move. Whether that meant he was going to follow he didn't know, nor care.

He pulled hard on the reigns, making the animal stop. He stared at Natalia, words failing him. He slid down from the horse, barely noticing the others.

Neculai rolled his eyes straightening.

"You're all exaggerating, Onyx doesn't like -

Onyx ran to him, pawing at him till Sebastian bent down to pick him up. He hugged the fox closer, moving to stand before Natalia.

The warmth was grounding.

It made it feel like he wasn't on the brink of loosing everything.

"We - can we talk?"

Nessyayn eyes narrowed and she stood.

"Anything you can say to my sister can be said here....she'll tell me anyway."

The haze of the ceremony had worn off, the shock of it. He shouldn't be so panicked, he'd been composed this morning but -

He needed to see her, actually see her and not just - his skin crawled, it shouldn't he'd agreed to this. He'd known what was coming, they both had.

But it - it still -

"Where are you going?"

Sebastian barely acknowledged Athril as he climbed onto his horse. Grounding his teeth when the other didn't move.

"To see your sister, get the fuck out of my way."

-------

Nessayn sipped at her drink watching Neculai try and fail to get Onyx to take some food from him. She bit her lip to keep from smiling as the fox chattered at him.

"Do you think Bash could give tips to him?"

Sebastian always had a way of getting animals to like him.

@siderealxmelody

Natalia came down the stairs later that morning, slipping out to the gardens to find her sister and Neculai. And even if she tried to keep the little grin from her face at Neculai's (utter failure) to entice Onyx, the way the fox just looked so distrustfully at him just simply couldn't fail to make her shake her head, that slip of her lips escaping anyway as Natalia sat across from her sister.

❝ Other than the fact the Sebastian is in the city right now, maybe it's just that Onyx doesn't like you, Neculai, ❞ Natalia commented, reaching for a piece of bread and her own drink. ❝ You can't win everyone over like you did my sister-- ❞

She turned just as the sound of horse's hooves grew closer, Natalia's eyes narrowing at the animal rushing so hard up the path.

[siderealxmelody]

Maeve stiffened, more for the implied insult than what she said. Because she agreed in theory, she'd seen harship in her village. People who didn't survive the cold of Winter, people who groveled to that sniveling lord.

There was a simmering rage in that Natalia woke, that she stoked. She didn't want to loose control again, to blind those who didn't deserve it.

Even as the rage grew, who was she to speak to her like that? Freah looked between them, her eyes narrowing.

"Are you two trying to be friends or kill each other?"

Maeve ignored her, downing her glass. She knew it made her look weak to let Freah cut the tension, to let her take control of this.

But she would be feared one day, after everything that happened. After everything she'd endured, the assassination attempts...did she think she could continue to be soft?

She set her glass down, leveling her gaze at Natalia.

"The aristocracy is weak, they fear me. As they should. I've held my tongue, held back for the Queen's sake. But she has lost so much - and being complaint has only lead to more attacks. I can promise you notoriety Natalia...."

Perhaps she could even promise Sebastian to her. If she truly had earned him, because Maeve would burn the world to protect that kindness in him. He'd been someone who she relied on, a rock agaisnt she could hold. Athril was never so steady fast, not like him.

"But it will be under my banner. Is that something you can stand?"

------

Sebastian hadn't stopped pacing, wearing a hole in the carpet of the common area.

"What if they hate each other Athril?"

He'd choose Natalia, but he knew a part of him tugged for Maeve. Wanting to protect her, to be there for her. He saw her, saw her in ways he saw Natalia. They both could do well as friends, if they'd let each other in.

Garath snorted, his long legs propped up on an ottoman.

"I feel if they hate each other we'd know yes? That half the palace would be destoryed."

Sebastian ignored him, spinning to Athril.

"Well?"

He'd taken the bond with Maeve weeks ago. He hadn't wanted to, not like they had. But the bond with Natalia hadn't snapped yet - and he - he wasn't entirely sure how she took it. Even if she seemed fine, he knew her too well for that.

Maeve matched her, leaning back in her chair.

"I wouldn't have asked the question if I didn't want a truthful answer Natalia."

She kept her thoughts to herself but.... Natalia and Sebastian? Sebastian desvered someone good, kind, who understood how beautiful he was.

He'd be so easy to love, so easy to fall for. She wondered if this was why so many females did. That he'd devouted himself to someone already, so early on.

Was that like? Was it - no love was a weakness, one she could not afford.

[siderealxmelody]

Maeve matched her, leaning back in her chair.

"I wouldn't have asked the question if I didn't want a truthful answer Natalia."

She kept her thoughts to herself but.... Natalia and Sebastian? Sebastian desvered someone good, kind, who understood how beautiful he was.

He'd be so easy to love, so easy to fall for. She wondered if this was why so many females did. That he'd devouted himself to someone already, so early on.

Was that like? Was it - no love was a weakness, one she could not afford.

------

Maeve paused at her door, slipping her hand from Sebastian's arm. She rose an eyebrow at him, her blush from earlier long gone.

"What is it? You look like you have something to say?"

Athril sighed leaning against the wall, Garath snickered. It was Airmed who broke the tension.

"How long has it been since he mentioned her?"

Sebastian stuck his tongue at the other members of the Cadre.

"You're all just jealous I'm in love."

The light flickered in Maeve's eyes. Love was a weakness. But these people had been picked by Wyrd itself for her. She would make the best of all of this. Arthril's eyes narrowed at her, she pretend to not notice him.

Let him wallow in his frustration, he'd agreed to bind to her. If he didn't want this the magic wouldn't have agreed.

"Do you have ladies for your coven beyond Freah?"

"Why do you have someone in mind I should meet Sebastian?"

"My...well she isn't my mate yet. But Natalia, she's Arthril's sister as well. She'd be a good asset to you Maeve."

------

Maeve set her glass down, forcing herself not to fidget. Freah buttered her toast happy to let them talk without her input.

Maeve leaned toward Natalia, the wind from the windows ruffling her hair.

"If you could do anything with your life Natalia what would it be?"

[siderealxmelody]

Thurr sighed, standing. He slid his eyes over the group, turning to the window, to the growing dark.

"Am I about to mysteriously vanish Sebastian?"

Sebastian shrugged, his movements too stiff to be natural. Thurr let a slow smile curve up his lips as his nephew stepped forward.

"Natalia is right. Don't make this difficult Thurr."

Thurr turned to Sebastian, the blade gripped properly in his hand now. The lightning on them both, making the small room glow, even as the shadows of the night dragged over it.

"You want me dead nephew?"

He barred his teeth, his lighting forming into his Soldiers, solid and dead eyed, things of storm and lighting.

"Come and kil me."

The soldiers lunged for the others, not his blood. No he wouldn't insult his nephew and neices like that. But they'd grown powerful, wild. Agenor should be on the throne but that boy hadbeen broken to nothing.

If Sebastian wanted that throne he should hold it like the sacred office it was. Not go off galavanting like some petty Warlord.

------

Silba tried to focus on Sarai's words, on helping Sebastian even as the others jumped in. She gripped her sister's hand. She stared at her palm, still bleeding.

She wondered if Thurr had dragged the sincerity from her soul. But she knew her words had been true, that she believed it.

She turned to Sarai, gripping her hand right enough to dig he nails it.

"You both know I love you right? That I - I'm angry but I don't mean almost any of my insults right? Sarai what if it's true...what if I'm as horrible as the voices whisper I am?"

Silba stared at the knife in her hand, her head already throbbing from the poison. Maybe the pain would stop, maybe this toxic anger would leave her. She was hurting everyone around her. She didn’t know how to stop, soon they’d stop caring.

She could already feel Vanth pull away, Sebastian hasn’t talked to her in months. She gritted her teeth, slipping her hand down the blade. She barely felt the bit of steel as it cut into her skin. 

“Do it, what are you waiting for, you fool. Do it.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

Silba turned, to see Thurr staring down at her. She didn’t think to ask why he’d come to these baths, far from the central celebration. No one would find her till the next morning. She gripped the blade tighter, turning to look at him. 

“How did you stand it? How do - they all outshine you, how do you stand it?”

They were celebrating a new era, a new future. A future her darling girls would even benefit from. But also she felt was sick with jealousy and hate. Thurr slid his hands into his pockets, stepping toward her. 

He knelt before her, plucking the blade from her fingers. 

“I made myself indispensable niece. I didn’t need a throne or crown to do that. My spy network is massive. If I hadn’t helped Deim would have slaughtered all of them.”

She inhaled, the sick realization slamming into her - Sebastian did that with their armies, the soldiers hailed him as a war hero. Sarai did that with the civilians, they saw her as a savior. What was she then? Why was she neglected?

“Why didn’t you give me lessons Thurr? Why was I left alone to walk in their shadow?”

Thurr sighed and stared at the wet tiles, his shoulders falling as he silently made up his mind. 

“You were a sickly child Silba, your parents didn’t want to overstrain you. They wanted to coddle you - I warned them against it. And I didn’t bother training you because you didn’t need it. You were always clear eyed. So what do you want?”

She nearly said a throne, power, to be feared. 

She met his eyes, her head rising. Her spine straightening.

“I want to be indispensable.”

His lips quirked and he nodded. 

“So get up off the damn floor and make it so."

"And she has always been indispensable, a vital part of who we are." Sarai's voice cut through the baths, her eyes shone in the darkness as she looked upon her uncle. The shadows curled and shimmered, the spy network he so proudly spoke about was minor compared to what they had built.

He always liked to prey on them while they were done, he always did like to fine his way in to have control. Sebastian moved from the shadows, Natalia quickly following. Vanth and Zimri had remained with the children.

"If your spy network was any good then you would know that our sister was not meek and easily misled," Sarai moved down, moving towards her sister's side. "She is a brilliant solider and general, she has a mind of a goddess of battle. I am honored to say this plan was her own, because you have gone unchecked for too long Uncle."

It had taken months to weave the tale they did. For Sebastian to wear the false mask of a war hero, for Silba to play the role of the sister who did not fit in. Yes, they had their fights. They had their ups and downs, but in the end they were always there for each other. This kingdom was all of theirs, they had agreed that they worked together as joint regents - each working on their own strengths along with their mates.

"I'm going to enjoy this." Natalia grinned. "You mess with this family for too long."

Sarai turned her attention away, looking to Silba before she smiled. "You were amazing, now it is time for you to be honored as the war hero you are."