#[But in spirit he's not a bad younger Jude]

[ask-elland-n-will]

[A Ravenclaw student walks past Elland and whistles at the sight of him.]

"Boy, you look as fine as a Sugar Quill. I would wouldn't mind giving a lick."

"I— Excuse me?" Elland questions, unsure if he heard it right. This sounds suspiciously like something from Will's romance books. Elland quickly composes himself and even gives a polite hint of a smile back. There's no good reason to engage in this conversation when he has homework to do.

[staysaneathome]

I keep coming up with different scenarios for different avatars adopted by Reigen coming into the Institute. (For added crazy, imagine this coincides with MAG 78-80, while Jon’s also trying to get rid of Not!Sasha).

Mike Crew nervously sipping on a flask of tea whilst glaring at everyone and everything. He doesn’t like insides of buildings, no matter how high the ceiling.

Michael following Reigen out of one of his doors, grinning down menacingly at Elias and mentally telling him “were it not for Reigen’s presence, I would’ve killed you.”

Jude smoking inside the institute and refusing to stop until Reigen asks her nicely. She flicks her still-lit cigarette butt at a painting of Jonah Magnus.

“Antonio Blake” also has an extra strong flask of tea to try and keep himself awake, saying he came in to help give a follow up to his statement.

Jared handing out fliers for his gym to anyone brave enough to get close to him and the conman.

Annabelle enjoying the way that Elias’ face subtly pales as she pretends to be another frightened statement giver in front of him and the front desk staff, only breaking into peals of laughter once Reigen elbows her gently and tells her to knock it off.

Daisy wondering how the hell this weirdo managed to convince her to come to the Magnus Institute on her day off when she could be listening to the Archers.

Callum is actually there to give a statement about how the shadows won’t stop following him as he walks home from school. The talismans Mr. Reigen gave his parents worked very well, so now the little family is there to see if giving a statement will help in any additional way.

Some of my favorites of these though have to be for imaginary avatars (who also happen to be children because Dad!Reigen is best Reigen).

Reigen carrying in a little boy who has monarch butterflies flying out of his mouth in excitement at seeing the big building and all the possible cocoon places. Reigen has several several capri-sun and fruit shoot juice packs stashed away for the avatar of corruption. He insists on sending his butterflies to wander over the places where Prentis was, so that they stop “smelling waspy and bad”.

A straight-up spirit following the funny man who tried to exorcize him but ended up giving him an mp3, headphones and an aromatherapy candle around to see what crazy things he’ll do next. The music he’s listening to isn’t as heart-pounding or blood-pumping as what he usually hears as an avatar of the slaughter, but these “low-fi beats” whatever that means are kinda nice. First time he can think calmly and clearly in a decade. Plus the candle’s vanilla and lavender.

One of the younger Lukases clinging to Reigen’s sleeve and trying their best to not disappear into fog like they’ve always been taught to. They recognize the man in the nice suit from when Uncle Peter sometimes brings him to family gatherings, but they don’t think they want him telling their family where they are. Not after they’ve learned how good it can feel to step outside of the Lonely and be warm.

A young woman in too many clothes for the weather keeps scowling at the open floor plan and trying to climb under the secretary’s desk to stop feeling so agoraphobic. The avatar of the buried only brightens up once Reigen schmoozes past Elias and tells her they’ll be heading down to the basement, where the archives are.

Reigen comes in wearing a backpack. Elias asks where the proof of his so-called encounter is. Reigen taps one of the straps of the backpack. It moves. It is not a backpack strap, but a person’s arms holding their legs to imitate a strap. A sleepy-looking head pops up over Reigen’s shoulder. The avatar of the stranger finds it easiest to take naps while pretending to be inanimate objects.

[remakethestars]

CABIN 7 — APOLLO

Headcanons.

❝There ought to be more drama, I think. A musical crescendo. Confetti.❞

— Jess Cooper, I Am Still Alive

Headcanon masterlist.

Oh, boy — this is my cabin, y'all; buckle up! 😁

Not all Apollo kids are good at everything their dad's good at, okay? I sure as heck can’t paint or play an instrument. 

TRIGGER WARNING: mentions of violence?

They run an underground tattoo parlor.

That's where Will & Butch got their respective sun & rainbow tats.

Apollo kids with lyrics tattooed into their skin.

Rick says there isn't much by way of décor inside, which is f*in' B.S. Apollo's the god of art; those walls have been graffitied Tangled style.

🎶 i'll paint the walls some more — i'm sure there's room somewhere! 🎶

The east wall is covered in a landscape of a sunrise, & the west has a sunset (because the sun rises in the east & sets in the — yeah, I'll see myself out).

The north & south walls & the ceiling are white, though, because it really brightens/opens up the space (C7 has the 2ⁿᵈ most campers under C11 because Apollo's a slut; things can get a little crowded in the summer).

When there’re celebrations, the artistically inclined kids bust out the face paint. Especially for the younger campers.

The artistically inclined are the ones that paint the camp beads for the end of the summer. Despite the numbers, it doesn’t take them as long as one might think.

Rick said the ceiling had cedar beams, but we're not gonna do Cyparissius dirty like that. Cypress wood is good for building; the beams are cypress. You know what? F*ck you — the whole dang cabin's cypress!

There’s a massive, potted aloe vera plant by the steps that gets moved into the C4 greenhouse in the winter. It’s one of those old ones — because everyone knows the old aloe plants work better for burns & blisters than these sh¡tty new ones. (It’s constantly getting broken off to heal burns & stuff.) 

Rick said there are potted red & purple hyacinths in the window & yellow flowers from Delos. That's true.

I'd say the flowerbeds around the cabin are full of healing plants, but I feel like they'd be better off around the infirmary for obvious reasons.

I do feel like there's a laurel tree planted outside C7, though, because Apollo's a pining b¡tch.

And there's an actual infirmary building, okay? Rick's kinda inconsistent about that. Sometimes he says "infirmary," sometimes he says the Big House is running over with injured, & apparently there's a cot dead center for injured in C7? B.S.

Or maybe I've just read too much fanfic, and the authors don't get it right?

Either way, there's an infirmary building with surgery & delivery rooms. One floor. Locker room for C7 kids to store their scrubs & sh¡t.

They go for yellow scrubs, though, because orange C.H.B. scrubs make them look like escaped convicts.

Fun Band-Aids™

They give out little orange stickers with laurels around the edges that are like I voted! stickers, but they're injury-specific.

I got my leg(s) reattached! & Percy Jackson shot me in the butt! & I ticked off Clarisse! & I made out with an Aphrodite kid in the poison ivy! & I fell off the lava wall! & I got pranked by the Stolls!

After a war or just when there’re a lot of campers in the infirmary, there seems to be a constant flow of Apollo kids singing one hymn to their father in unison to heal someone.

Sometimes, an unconscious camper wakes in a cot & thinks they’ve died & gone to the wrong afterlife for a moment because their singing sounds like angels. 

The medically inclined wash their hands like surgeons. 

Kind of germophobic?

They also go around tying surgeons knots in everything.

In the summer, they’re walking Banana Boat sunscreen & after-sun aloe lotion dispensers.

The medically inclined also have the world’s sh¡ttiest handwriting.

They have to work hard to fix it if it bothers them. 

Can check your vitals & run a blood test just by touching you.

A lot of them casually touch their loved ones (at least, the ones that aren’t in C7) every morning to check their vitals & see how their health’s doing.

They do it subconsciously every time they touch someone & don’t notice it until they pick up something’s wrong.

They can do this for themselves as well. Though it may not be as accurate? And they take daily vitamins depending on what they need.

Organize their lives via pill box (never lose an earring).

Fight surgically. Every blade in their hands becomes a scalpel, & every time they’re going in for a kill against an armed anthropomorphic monster, they slice the tendons in its arm required to grip its weapon to disable it before going in for the kill.

Back to C7, it’s got a little porch with a porch swing. The kids sit on it sometimes & teach people how to play instruments.

They leave the porch light on at night when they’re waiting for one of their siblings to come home from a quest.

Jumping into the depressing sh¡t, they never found Michael’s body, so they only presumed him dead. They leave the porch light on every night now, hoping he’ll come home.

Apollo kids are afraid of the dark. They use the buddy system after the sun goes down. 

The cabin’s central light fixture is a papier-mâché sun that’s been charmed to glow when someone sings 🎶 clap on 🎶 & stop glowing when someone sings 🎶 clap off. 🎶

The curtains are a gold fabric. They’re only closed at night. Because, again, C7 kids are afraid of the dark.

The Wikipedia says Apollo kids are cursed to be afraid of snakes (I assume by the Python Apollo killed). I feel like they’d burn a lot of aster leaves then. I read somewhere it was said by the Greeks to ward off evil spirits & snakes.

They play Go Fish with their tarot cards. They’re really good at tarot games.

Hand-drawn tarot decks featuring figures form Greek myth.

There’s a target on the back wall they practice throwing cards at. They can throw them in combat for a distraction with terrifying accuracy. 

There’s a Magic 8 ball that’s passed around on the Winter Solstice (the longest night of the year), when — as a headcanon I’m sure I’ve read somewhere has indicated — they’re up all night.

Crystal balls are allowed. However, they must be covered with a cloth or placed in a box when not in use because they’re double-convex lenses, & we don’t want another incident like the fire of 1993.

Sometimes, they make little predictions throughout the day other campers may find disturbing. Such as whipping around and catching a stray arrow without warning (spidey sense?). Or cutting you off when you’re talking about someone moments before they walk into the room.

There’s a tea cart in the corner. Because tea is good for healing & they’ve accumulated an addiction.

The cart has a radio on it that’s always on at night because a lot of C7 kids can’t sleep without noise. (Inspired by @sugarandspiceandkindanice.)

Most of the time, it’s on a nearby country station that actually plays good country at night. But sometimes they switch channels — especially when there’s a new kid settling in & they could use the comfort.

There’s a portable record player there too. The shelves under the cart are full of C.D.s & records.

I’m sure I’ve read a headcanon somewhere that they sing every morning while getting ready for the day. That’s true.

The number of times it’s been “When Will My Life Begin” from Tangled is disturbing, though. 

🎶 seven a.m., the usual morning lineup! 🎶

Luke said in The Lightning Thief C11 is up at 07:00 & breakfast is at 08:00, I think, but we all know Apollo’s waking his kids up when the sun rises. 

A lot of the time, someone will just start out with whatever song they have stuck in their head & everyone else will pick it up.

Sometimes, this leads to members having the aforementioned song stuck in their head for the rest of the day.

Even the people who aren’t musically inclined will sing along, as they’re usually drowned out by the music kids that get really into it.

So sometimes those not-music kids will find themselves singing by themselves during the day years later & are surprised to find — they actually sound good?? Or at least not bad??? And it’s because singing is a learned skill & they picked it up.

I’m sure I’ve also read a headcanon somewhere that they sing “Look Down” from Les Mis when they have to do menial chores, but I'm adding “It’s a Hard-Knock Life” from Annie, “Whistle While You Work” from Snow White, “Happy Working Song” from Enchanted, & the Smurf song.

They break into song all the time.

Lee was glaring at Tantalus once & made the mistake of saying, “Sometimes, I wish —” and the entire cabin broke out with “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

🎶 — i'd never been born at all! carry on, carry on… 🎶

As mentioned in at least The Lightning Thief & The Lost Hero, they spend a lot of time playing basketball. You can bet your butt they do a rendition of “Getcha Head in the Game” from High School Musical every time there’s a new camper passing by.

They have a sister named Jubilee, and every time someone greets her — "Hey, Jube!" — the entire cabin breaks into “Hey, Jude” by The Beetles.

🎶 hey, Jube! don't make it bad. take a sad song & make it better… 🎶

Sometimes, if there are two campers that really need to get together, C10′ll commission C7 to sing “Kiss the Girl” from The Little Mermaid (or the same song with different pronouns, obviously). 

It’s usually a capella unless someone happens to have an instrument on them.

Rickrolling. 

The “Macarena.” 

Apollo takes clandestine recordings of their jam sessions & distributes them professionally. Whatever money’s made goes directly into their college funds or they periodically find it under their pillow tooth-fairy-style.

There’s a lot of denim because the artistic members like to paint on the backs of jackets & the pockets of jeans.

A lot of them have excellent aim with most projectiles, so they toss stuff to each other a lot. This results in them being oddly in sync, so they can catch something from another sibling without warning & without looking like Sam & Dean Winchester do in Supernatural. 

Their life looks like a Dude Perfect trick shot video. 

It also results in some funny looks when they hurl things halfway across camp to each other. Namely, the whistling Nerf football. 

C7 is two stories. The second story has paint on every wall. 

The east wall upstairs has arrows mounted that got Robin Hooded along with a little tag with the name of the C7 kid & the date it happened.

They also have arrows mounted from the first bullseye if there’s a member being taught. 

Lots of musical instruments & art supplies up there.

There’s an old T.V. up there. They have all of Bob Ross’s show on V.H.S.

C7′s south wall (ground floor) holds the door to the bathroom on one side & a door leading to the stairs. 

It also hosts framed photos of Charlotte, Lee, & Michael.

Instead of saying “shoot,” they say “loose.” For everything. Instead of saying “Shoot!” when they drop something, they say “Loose!” 

It's kinda one of those things — like your friend starts saying something & you just integrate it into your vocabulary subconsciously.

They like to play a game where you shoot an arrow straight up & try to catch it as it comes back down.

That sounds really stupid on their part, but it actually comes in handy when someone tries to shoot them in combat & they catch the arrow, dumbfounding whoever's attempted to skewer them.

The cresting on their arrows is in Morse code of their nickname (·—— ·· ·—·· ·—··). They can take one look at an arrow & tell what’s whose.

And the paint color of the cresting tells them what kind of arrow it is — bullet tip, broadhead, explosive, etc. 

Every bunk in C7 is made with hospital corners. No exceptions. The kids who aren’t medically inclined learn because all the beds being made the same way makes it look cleaner for inspection.

I can’t decide if Apollo kids have really good eyesight so they fit the Hawkeye bill or if they’ve all just read — Apollo’s the god of knowledge — & painted so much they’ve messed up their eyes.

The number of times one of them has used bowstring wax on an art project in a rush instead of glue is hilariously large.

I use String Snot, and it comes in a container that looks like a glue stick.

A lot of them wear bracers all the time.

When the time it takes to sling one’s quiver onto one’s back, grab one’s bow, knock an arrow, & draw is so long, one really doesn’t have time to also strap on their bracers before rushing out of the cabin to threaten a giant bronze dragon.

Not to mention if they use a recurve, they’ll also have to string their bow.

And a number of them do use recurves due to the abilities to both knock multiple arrows at once & to restring in the field.

Bows with risers coated in golden, reflective paint & limbs painted with artistic strokes.

Trick arrows are their jam. C9 is constantly being asked for new arrows.

Explosive arrows, sonic arrows, grappling hook arrows…

That’s another saying they’ve all taken to: “___ is my jam!”

There’s a bookshelf or reference material on Apollo for new C7 kids (as Rick’s indicated), but the rest of the case is full of medical journals & textbooks & books on art & poetry & divining the future.

A lot — if not all — of them have either gold flecks in their eyes or central heterochromia.

Freckles across their noses & shoulders & on the tips of their ears. Tans. Sun-bleached hair. 

Long, nimble fingers perfect for playing musical instruments.

Either they hate the winter because the sun's out for less time (so you’ll find them walking around with blanched skin & faded freckles & with both a hoody & a parka on), or they’re perfectly fine with winter & are used by everyone around them as walking space heaters. 

They spend a lot of time with Castor & Pollux. 

Rachel sits at T7. She’s practically an Apollo kid at this point. 

While her cave was being renovated, she stayed in C7.

Their dad’s the god of truth; none of these M.F.s can lie worth a sh¡t. 

But, by the gods, they can tell when you’re lying.

And they take it as a personal insult. That you (A) would dare do something as immoral as lying in the first place & that you (B) would dare to insult their intelligence in such a way because you thought they couldn’t tell.

C6 & C7 are both known for reacting outrageously when their intelligence is insulted (see: chapter 10 of The Battle of the Labyrinth). 

The more civil of the reactions of a C7 kid being lied to is cursing the liar to tell the truth, which I believe they can. 

They can curse you to speak in rhyming couplets; they should be able to curse you to tell the truth.

You mean to tell me none of these kids have created a functioning Lasso of Truth yet?

This one's really long. 😅

A lot of people fancast Sam Claflin as Apollo, but I'm going with Ross Lynch. 'Cause I do what I want. 😎

Visit my Apollo cabin Pinterest board or my headcanon masterlist.

DISCLAIMER ━━━ These headcanons are what I consider to be canon in my fanfictions. They may be others’s headcanons I’ve subconsciously filed away in my noggin. If one’s yours and you want it removed or credited, please send me your post and let me know.

[anonniemousefics]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I’m here now,” he says.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And then turns.

Jude.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Then what did I do?” she murmurs.

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

But she also might not…

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

Jude splutters out a laugh. Cardan smiles, nervously.

“Really?” She sounds incredulous.

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

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

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

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

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

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

That is…utterly glorious.

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

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

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

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

That stops him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is what she wants.

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

This is what she wants.

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

This is what she wants.

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

This is what she wants.

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

You are what she wants.

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

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

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

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

[she-who-fights-and-writes]

She-who-fights-and-writes Coronacation Book Rec List

I know that a lot of people are stuck at home right now in dire need of entertainment, so I decided I’d put out a book recommendations list of all the books I’m currently reading and all of my must-reads!

(Just a note that a lot of these are Fantasy because I’m a fantasy nerd haha)

Books/Series I am currently reading

1. The Folk of the Air Trilogy by Holly Black (Currently on #2, The Wicked King)

Genre: High Fantasy

Setting: The land of Faerie which is kind of historical, but in the human world it is modern day

Main cast :

Jude Duarte (white, human, cutthroat, if I saw her in a Denny’s Parking Lot at 3am I would RUN)

Cardan Greenbriar (white, faerie, the true embodiment of Bastard)

Vivienne (Jude’s half-sister, lesbian with canon gf, half-human half-faerie, I would totally try to be her friend)

Taryn Duarte (Jude’s twin sister, queen doormat, still, I would take a bullet for her she’s jUST TRYING TO FIT IN)

Rating: 5/5 Stars

These books have been on my “To Read” list for so long now and for some reason I just never got around to reading them! Hands-down, these are some of the best high fantasy books that I’ve read in a long, long while.

I finished the first book, The Cruel Prince, in just two days and rated it 5/5 stars! Even though these books are high fantasy and focus on the traditions and ways of life of faeries, somehow all of the characters seem like I could meet them in real life!

The main character actually has genuine flaws and not just “””“flaws”””” and is a Bad Bitch down with murder, and the plot had me on the edge of my seat from page one!

The summary makes it sound like it’s going to be about their romance, but it’s really mostly about a power struggle and Jude being a badass.

Goodreads summary for The Cruel Prince:

Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences. As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

2. The Raven Cycle Series by Maggie Stiefvater (Currently on #1, The Raven Boys)

Genre: Present-Day/Realistic Fantasy (?)

Setting: The fictional town of Henrietta, Virginia

I haven’t gotten around to much of the book, so there’s not much I can tell you about the characters and I can’t properly give it a rating yet.

These books were also on my “To Read” list for a while; I was a huge fan of her book The Scorpio Races and have also been looking for something to quench my thirst for “private school/ghosts/magic” that I’ve been dealing with ever since I read The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo.

I’ve only JUST started The Raven Cycle yesterday, but so far I am hooked! I’m super worried because I’m TERRIBLE at juggling two series at a time but both of these are just so interesting! 

Goodreads Summary for The Raven Boys:

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.” It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive. Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her. His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble. But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little. For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

MY MUST-READ BOOK LIST

1. The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Genre: Historical Fiction

Setting: 1700s Europe (England, Paris, Barcelona, Marseilles, Venice)

Main cast (I’ll try my best not to spoil anything because you find out a LOT of different stuff about these characters throughout the book):

Henry “Monty” Montague (white, bi/pansexual, attitude problem)

Percy Newton (mixed race, gay, very sweet boy, definitely got “most likely to bring home to mom” in the yearbook)

Felicity Montague (white, Monty’s little sister, headcanoned as asexual, I love her to death)

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Daring adventure, gay representation, historical setting, hilarious characters!

This book literally has it all! I would consider it one of my favorite books of all time, yet for some reason I’ve never gotten around to reading any of the sequel books! The ending is very satisfying and ties everything together, which I feel is part of the reason why I haven’t gotten around to them yet. 

Therefore, it can serve as a one-shot read or a full series if you want to dive into something good!

The humor made me laugh out loud at points and all of the characters are very real and very, very relatable, not to mention the vivid settings of 1700s Europe!

Goodreads summary:

Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men. But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy. Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

2. The Ninth House By Leigh Bardugo

Genre: Horror, Fantasy 

Setting: Yale University and the town of New Haven, Present Day

Main cast:

Galaxy “Alex” Stern (Hispanic, sees dead people, very scary)

Daniel Arlington “Darlington” (white, rich, an angel who can sometimes be a dick)

Pamela Dawes (tbh I honestly don’t remember what she looks like, only that she’s a tired grad student with big nerd energy)

Detective Alan Turner (Black, takes shit from nobody, husband material)

Rating: 4/5 Stars

(NOTE: THIS IS VERY DARK ADULT FICTION AND CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT MAY BE TRIGGERING FOR SOME PEOPLE, WOULD NOT RECOMMEND FOR PEOPLE UNDER 16)

This book is a great read for someone who’s looking for a disturbing, gritty book with layers upon layers of secrets that you have to peel away as the mystery unfolds. I love the secret societies and the intricate magic systems that the book introduces, and it actually made me hungry for more books like it!

 Alex is a three-dimensional, very real character who also serves as an unreliable narrator who witholds or warps the information that she’s telling you, making the narrative all the more riveting.

The only issues that I have with it are the fact that Leigh Bardugo kind of just dumps you in the middle of it without explaining stuff first, to the point where it kind of feels like you’re reading the second installment of a series rather than the first one, so things can get a bit confusing at first.

The book also can drag and draw things out for a bit too long, but once the plot fully kicks into gear, you will not be able to put it down!

Goodreads summary:

Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. By age twenty, in fact, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her? Still searching for answers to this herself, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. These eight windowless “tombs” are well-known to be haunts of the future rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street and Hollywood’s biggest players. But their occult activities are revealed to be more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive.

3. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Setting: Earth, Space, The Moon

Main cast :

Linh Cinder (Chinese, based on Cinderella, cyborg, certified badass)

Scarlet Benoit (French, based on Little Red Riding Hood, farmer who is not afraid to shoot you)

Cress Darnel (White, based on Rapunzel, nerd, I will protect her with my life if I have to)

Kaito “Kai” (Chinese, based on Prince Charming, kind of has to run a whole country, a very kind soul, deserves a nap)

Carswell Thorne (White, based off of Rapunzel’s Prince, bastard)

Winter Hayle (Black, based off of Snow White, royalty, has super special powers)

Wolf (Race unspecified, based off of the Big Bad Wolf, charming killing machine, furry????) 

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Do you like fairy tales?

Have you ever wanted to know what fairy tales would be like if they took place in the FUTURE instead of the PAST? 

Do you like an amazing, hilarious cast paired with a super interesting plot? 

These are the books for you!

I haven’t read them in so long, but I remember how much joy I felt while devouring these pages. Definitely something you will not able to put down!

Goodreads Summary for Book #1: Cinder: 

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl. . . . Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.

4. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Genre: Fantasy

Setting: Ancient Greece

Main cast:

Patroclus (Greek, Gay, quiet pining) 

Achilles (Greek, gay, very strong, student athlete energy)

Brisies (Anatolian, clever, literally the only one in this story who has a brain cell)

Rating: 100000/5 stars

This is basically the Iliad but if historians hadn’t completely erased Patroclus and Achilles’ relationship. “Haha yeah these guys were totally bros” they say, even though I have read the Iliad and their relationship isn’t even subtle.

This book made me cry at least ten times. It’s just so beautifully written and has such a distinct vibe to it that whenever I crack it open for another time, it takes me straight back to the vacation that I read it on. (Needless to say, sobbing your eyes out can be less than helpful when you’re on the beach)

If you can only read one book on this list, it should be this one. I could talk all day about it and write novels on just how much of an incredible writer Madeline Miller is, but I feel like you’d get my drift a bit better if you actually read the book.

Goodreads Summary:

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. By all rights their paths should never cross, but Achilles takes the shamed prince as his friend, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles' mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But then word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus journeys with Achilles to Troy, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear. Profoundly moving and breathtakingly original, this rendering of the epic Trojan War is a dazzling feat of the imagination, a devastating love story, and an almighty battle between gods and kings, peace and glory, immortal fame and the human heart.

Hope this list helps you through your coronacation, and please don’t be afraid to reblog or message me to tell me if you’ve read/will read any of these!

[c-atm]

Convember:Crossover SU X Multi series

Steven Universe life has never been normal. Being a gem hybrid, a diamond…..A child of a rebel leader who played both sides in an attempt to bring peace, and having to clean up said parent mistakes...Had ran it course..He took it with as much stride as he could and in the end succeed in bringing relative peace throughout his galaxy.

Of course he couldn't have done it alone. He had help from his family, the Crystal Gems. Pearl, the closest thing he had to a mother. She cooked,cleaned,schooled him and was a bit smothering. Always worried about him and hardly enough about herself.  He hoped she was taking care of herself back home.

        Amethyst; his smaller-older sister, shorty squad member, fellow 'worst gem’ and ‘most mature Crystal gem', and the most human. Always there for a prank or a talk, always ready to lounge around.  

Garnet; the leader and heart of the crystal gems. Respected and respectful, wise, forthright, and loving. Always around for advice, to guide, and to guard her fellow man and gem. To stand up against any who would dare hurt her family or friends. She was his hero. one of them.

    Bismuth; Friend to all who needed it. Always ready with a pun or a new project in her forge. Strong in body and heart. He wondered what new armament she’ll have when they stop for a visit.

   Peridot; Lovable, excitable,  and quirky. Always ready to share her new meep morphs, technological  project or her thoughts on pop culture..Mostly Camp Pining Hearts. He wonders if she's enjoying the reboot.

Lapis Lazuli: His beach summer fun buddy, arguably the most powerful of them,  in the right circumstance. Once a sad gem filled with self-loathing for her past actions and a sarcastic  cold demeanor due to her past captivity, now a calmer, happier person. Someone who you can see flying freely over Little Homeworld with a nymph  like giggle.

He missed them so much. Being away from the gems did make him worry. As he walked out of the bedroom he shared and began to transverse the ship, he being to wonder if they were  getting to any fights or arguments..Wonder if his father,Greg was keeping the peace all right. He missed him even more than the gems.He missed Beach City and Little Homeworld. He missed Homeworld and earth...He missed their Dimension.

The nineteen year old missed them dearly..was he nineteen or twenty? The calendar in this world was hard to understand and all the 'verse' hopping didn't help either. Regardless, he wasn't lonely at all. It was hard to be with the group they had gathered.

As he walked by an open room he eye caught sight of a man and woman sharing a bed. Sleeping with a cloak over them was the bounty hunter named Sol Badguy and his lover Aria, formally known as Jack-o . While Sol wasn't the nicest guy around he more than proved to be loyal and a good guy at least. He was blunt with his advice and a bit lazy at times..but when you have the power and strength that he has, he could afford to be.

Resting cozy in Sol's arm and lap was Aria,and despite her looks she was just as powerful as the man she leaned against. She was the nicer of the two and very intuitive. She had the aura of a mature older sister, always willing to lend an ear or a shoulder when needed.

Leaving them be and closing the door to their room,  Steven continued his walk. he came into one of the living areas; a spacious room very fantastically  and futuristically furnished. Across from entranced the laid Yuri lowell on crimson recliner a book between his chest and hand, slightly snoring.  Steven spared him a glance before looking around the room. He sighed as his search turned up empty.

    As he was about to continue on his search, he was accidentally bumped into by the pink hair and blue eyes of a nobility; Estellise Sidos Heurassein, Estelle for short. After apologize with a giggle, Steven  indicated where a certain vagabond sleeping with left nod of the head. She peered in and sighed slightly annoyed, slightly adoringly as she walked to the sleeping man and playfully poked his face. Only for him poke her back and pull her down with him.

  He allowed himself to smile at the antics, before  moving on...No need to watch a couple at play. He made his way along the corridor walking pass  empty and unused bedrooms and soon found himself going down the elevator to the first level of the ship.

As soon as he walked out he caught a whiff of something sweet in the air, like fried cookie cat sweet. He followed in a trance like state, his sweet tooth and stomach urging him to find the source of this aroma.. . It led him to the kitchen and as soon as he entered, He walked right back out and ran away.

    He was not going to taste any of Noel Vermillion cooking. He did feel bad but.. he ate her food once and saw his life flash before his eyes, not in the pleasant way either.He felt bad cause Noel along with Estelle was one of the sweetest people you could ever meet.  Helpful and kind to a fault, even able to get the sarcastic and cool Yuri and Mr.Badguy himself to smile or smirk genuinely.

He turned the corner to see one Ragna the bloodedge..Looking quite sick, green as his right eye. It didn't  take long for Steven to put two and two together. He looked at the older man quizzically, he knew better not to eat Noel food, hell he warned  them not to eat his sisters cooking.

Ragna looked up at the hybrid and held a cup of water shaking it. Steven smirked   before sticking his finger in his mouth getting a good amount of healing essence and sticking it into Ragna's cup, swirling  it around. Ragna looked slightly disgusted but he drowned the water with gusto. he shivered over how disgusting it was to drink someone saliva, but  couldn't deny the quick and powerful results.

With a stretch the rebel patted the younger man on the shoulder giving him an appreciative  nod before heading back to the kitchen in hope of getting the blonde girl out of there before she kill anyone else.

Steven shrugged wishing him luck, before continuing  his way. Past the control room..He doubt who he was looking for would be there at this time..Especially since the ship A.I was in control. As his travel continued something caught his ear, the sounds of battle.

With a smile, Steven upped his pace towards the sounds of clashing weapons and grunts. It took him all but 30 seconds for him to reach the giant sliding doors.with a press of a glowing red button to the left of the doors, he was allowed entry.

Inside was a modest balcony with a protective  window pane, a control module and a door on the left. Sitting by said module was a young man of similar age, one of the first people that they recruited on this journey, Jude mathis. The man took a quick glance at the hybrid before turning his head back forward, back to what was going on beyond the balcony. Steven was quick to join him the sparkle in his eyes and grin on his face said it all.

Beyond the balcony was unprecedented and always awestucking.  Below was land, air, water or whatever someone wished it to be as long as they've been there.. At the moment it was a place Steven knew very well..It been months since he saw it.. The ruins.

In the ruins two warriors were sparring, clashing sword to sword, fist to fist, foot to foot; each with shallow cuts and slight bruising on various parts of their bodies.  One was a tall, beautiful young woman with pink eyes and long, blonde hair that reaches down to her waist. Dressed in a high thigh, form fitting blue and white dress, with long thigh high boots and matching gauntlets., Mila Maxwell; The lord of Spirits from Reize Maxia

The other was slightly younger.. but was just as beautiful (If you asked Steven, moreso). With skin of brown and eyes of black pearls, full lips and curly  deep brown hair that stopped at her mid back was held in a top bun-braid combo, thanks to the star bralette in her hair. Her body: full figured shapley, and built for battle; was adorned in a cobalt Kalaripayattu outfit with a crimson sash, cobalt shoes and mid-finger gauntlets that matched her sash. Connie Maheswaran..Crystal gem..and partially awaken Lord of the Universe.

Something they have been working to ratify since the start of their journey, and bring to full fruition.Something they need to succeed in unless existence itself ceases to well.. Exist. One of the ways through exercise and battle like this, attempting to force it out.

The two clashed and pushed their blades against each, eyes locked in determination and excitement on their face. The sound of the blondes rapier scraping against the brunettes shortsword as they struggled for supremacy, only added to their fun. A share of taunting chuckles came from each other as they try to figure out how to take advantage of this deadlock.

Connie was the first to make a move as she slightly loosened her grip on her blade, allowing Mila full momentum to throw the lord of spirits of balanced as, as Connie shifted her body and step to the left side of her friend momentarily out of her sight. Using the momentum and the opening, Connie swung her right foot to the back of blonds knee, sweeping her feet from under her.

Mila landed hard on her back with a groan, but recovered quickly; rolling back to her feet in a crouch, holding her hand out, a green circle of mana around her.

“Pierce through! Wind Lance!” .

A green arc of wind  based mana flew from her hand, straight towards Connie. The indian woman grimace as she blocked with her sword being pushed back a little, feeling the wind still knick her stomach slightly.

Earth, cry out! Rock Trine! "

Connie eyes widen when she saw a yellowish triangular glyph appear below her. Letting her instinct take over The woman leapt up just out of the way of the rock pillars rising up to stab her. Quite higher than a normal human would.

Flames come forth! Fireball!

Connie swore as she saw and felt the flame sphere head toward her. She took a chance tossing her blade at milia, causing to  the sphere to explode as it flew through; unfortunately Connie was still close enough to feel a bit of the shockwave, being blown back a bit more.

She did hear the clang of Swords and the grimace of her opponent..

‘Guess where both disarmed now...Though she still have access to her worlds workings and mana' Connie thoughts were interrupted when she saw a blue sphere of water above her.

“Oh Fu--”

She didn’t get the chance to finish as a torrent of water collided with her, throwing her down to the earth below, pounding and beating her body harsly.  She breath haggardly as she climbed to her feet drenched, coughing up some water left from that attack. She growled in irritation and determination. Not at Mila, but at herself.  She took a deep breath before calming herself, placing her hands in the meditative symbol garnet taught her and Steven as Stevonnie.

Her eyes changed slightly but gaining what look like a four point star and each of her pupils the size of a pin.

“ Shadowing”

Her voice seemed to have a bit of an echo as she spoke. While it seemed as if nothing happened that was far from the truth. Seeing that Mila was not running but gliding towards her, sword in hand caused her to smirk.

“ Splash!”

Seeing the water bubble over her head again,  kickstart her mind and in a low almost whisper, Connie spoke.

  “Lapis lazuli.”

Wings similar to her fellow crystal temp appeared on her back, the only difference they were black as shadows. As the water, Connie raised her hands, shakingly stopping the waters fall before tossing it towards Milia who dodge the stream .Connie leapt back before flying towards Milia, no where near the speed of Lapis, but still faster than Mila expected.

“Bismuth.”

With a twist the Lord-to-be, substituted the wings, for warhammers hands, slamming them towards the left side of the spirit lord, who despite blocking the blow still tossed towards a nearby pillar. Mila through stinging pain righted herself and landed on the pilar before bounding of it, towards her opponent.

Mila slammed her blade against Connie hammers with her whole weight behind it. The force pushed the young woman back and slightly off balance. Mila landed on bended knees before she followed through with a horizontal slash towards  Connie face. She successfully laid a shallow cut upon the bridge of the Maheswarans nose as Connie fell back.

Using the momentum of the fall and the hammers as a balance, Connie backed flipped away from Mil, kicking her chin in the process. The Maheswaran leapt  back as the hammers vanished in a wisp of smoke. She clenched her hands thrice, getting a feeling for them.

'Ten seconds still for 'Bismuth'...Not ideal but better than five.'

" Peridot."

Connie leapt over Mila attempt  to stab her abdominal, countering three kicks towards the spirit  lords head, which were blocked by their blade. On the third kick she used mila as spring board jumped back and high into the air.

Hmm!"  Mila stood before kneeling down.

"CLOUD PIERCE!"

She leapt diagonally upward towards Connie with her sword pointing forward, spinning clockwise, the thrust emitting blue energy.

As she watched her come Connie held her left hand in a gripping fashion she pulled it back towards her.

"KKSH! KSHKSHKSH!"

The sounds of weapons clashing resounded as Connie sword back in to her hands, clashed against Mila attack. Try as she might though she couldn't keep the defense up as Mila was able to breakthrough. The blue energy hit her on the side, shaving and burning her outfit and skin, while tossing her back towards the ground, with a dust gathering crash.

"Amethyst ."

Just as mila was finishing her attack a shadow colored imitation of the gems whip, snapped around her waist and swung her into the ground hard, releasing  before impact. Mila coughed as she felt her back slammed into the ring. Mila groaned for a moment getting her bearings before seeing Connie bruised, battered, but smirking; run out of the cloud. Sword in her left, whip in her right.

Connie snapped the whip towards the spirit lord, putting her on the defensive. She wasn't  as efficient as the namesake, but she at least has mila on her toes and kept the lord from moving closer. With one lucky snap, she was able to knock  the weapon out of her hands roughly and closer to a smug Connie . With a running leap and a elegant twist, Connie swung the whip down ward. A trail of grayish flanes ran across the stone covered whip as it nearly collided with the lord of spirits blocking hand...only for it to dissipate before contact, leaving Connie a bit drained..and very open as she landed in front of Mila in a crouch.

Mila stretched out her hand towards connie as a sphere of fire appeared in her palm..only to be accompanied by two more each  to a side of the Maheswaran. She smirked at the look of defiance on her protege. She leapt back to escape blast range.

"Flare Bomb!"

"Gar-"

Connie voice was smothered by the blinding explosion of spheres. Smoke stood where Connie was but Mila stood ready. Connie, if anything proved to be resilient, vigilant, and at times relentless in her pursuits. Time has taught her that. Mila eyes widen and her instinct screamed to dodge as Connie shot of the smoke, worse than wear,  shadow version of Garnet's gauntlets on her hands.

Connie swung with a mighty right hook, that would have  took of the lord of Spirits head, if she didn't duck, did take of some strands of  hair though and caused a bit of a shockwave. Connie raised her left and try to bring it down on her opponent only to have her miss again cratering the place once stood.

She coughed as she felt a fist to the left side and swung towards the source, meeting air and receiving  another fist to her midsection. Connie growled as she a round house towards the source this time hitting the forearm of mila, a block. Connie  was thrown off by the Spirit lord for a moment before using the momentum to land into a handstand. Splitting her legs, she spun her body around attempting to break Mila guard, with a flurry  of helicopter kicks.

Mila grunted against assault. Each kick feeling like a steel rod beating against her arms  continuously. After the sixth hit Mila dropped her guard for a moment.

at the same time,  Connie dropped to her feet and drove her gauntlet to milia guarded stomach. It was enough to send the blonde flying back  many yards.

Mila righted herself in skid it back near a  broken pillar seeing her sword nearby. The spirit lord watched as the brunette charge, slower because of the gauntlets. She  lifted her beaten arms up and began to speak

"O spurring wind, scatter like flowers! Arriverderci!"

Connie stopped her charge as she saw the light green glyph appear below her. From it she felt the gust of wind and petals, knocking her upward and giving her a bevy of shallow cuts all over , grunting  all the while. She twisted herself right before disengaging the gauntlets.

"Pearl"

From Garnet gauntlets to Pearl's  spear, a weapon Connie knew very well. She pointed shadow imitation at milia and launched a volley of energy bullets at the blond, putting Mila on the evasive as she fell.

Mila charged dodging shot after shot picking up her blade, she met Connie  with a horizontal slash from above as she landed, clashing weapon to weapon before leaping back just bit.

The two women swung, clashed  and evaded each others blows neither giving the other an inch of space. For every step back met with a step forward. Every party an attack..It was a beautiful  dance of blades.Connie did get the first clean hit by partying a stab to the left and kicking her straight to the gut knocking her back in a tumble.

Connie breathed tiredly as the spear disappeared..She could feel her time running short as she blinked her eyes. she could feel the power waning. she smirked, she lasted longer than usual. That's a plus especially when utilizing ' shadowing' .. It does eat up a lot of her time and energy, more so when it dissipates by itself..She figured she had at least three to four minutes left...Better make it count.

Mila shook her head and got up with a grunt. She rotated shoulders and with pride she saw Connie charging toward her..Sword in hand. Conjuring the mana needed in a purple glyph circle surrounding her. With a reach towards her connie, spirit lord  commanded

“Bolt Strike!”

A giant shadow and the sound of crackling caused connie looked up...and her eyes widened in shock. A sphere of dark purple energy above the ground, and after several seconds of waiting, several lightning bolts struck down from it  at random directions, in her general area.

Connie jumped, duck, and dodged the deadly making attack the best she could.. Only to find herself in the middle of four lighting bolts aiming straight at her..

" BISCUIT!"

Instantly familiar 'shing' of the pink diamond  shield was heard..except it was a darker pink.. A shadow but much more solid than the others, make sense, this is the weapon,the power she knows just as well as her own.

Using the shield, she reflected the lighting at the caster, who dodged  by cartwheeling to the left. Sh charged tossing not one but three shields at Mila, who dodged two and  knocked the third into the air only to catch back in her hand and slamming it back down onto her blade, pushing her back.

Mila couldn't escape Connie ferocity. Any where she went Connie  was on her Shield and sword in hand, elegant and deadly. She ducked under a swing losing some  hair from Connie's sword, responding with an uppercut that met her shield Mila pressed her palm on it .

"Flare bomb!"

The explosion gave Mila the seconds she need to jump away and prepare her attack.

"Shining Prism!"

Milla conjured a white hexagon under the smoke where Connie stood, with four shining hexagons around the edges of the ground hexagon. The hexagons then rotate counterclockwise as a series of white rays bounces several times from the walls. They tore through the smoke revealing  a dark pink bubble; with Connie in the middle. The light couldn't penetrate it.

Connie started to charge after mila bubble still activated Muscling through spell after spell  to drag her into close combat. Once close enough Connie deactivated the bubble Swinging her blade diagonally  towards Milan's throwing her off balance.She followed though with a smack of her Shield throwing mila back.

Mila watched as she came yet again and smiled.. The pride in her protege and friend was immense. She felt a bit sad for what  she was about to do. Milla crouched low drawing her left hand behind her, summoning a ball of red energy in it. She charged at her opponent with an open palm.

"Overdrive!"

The met in a destructive clash, the reflexive  force of the shield versus the overwhelming power of the orb, godly beings struggling against each other ,neither willing to give the other an inch.

Connie could only look in  a mixture of defeat and satisfaction as the shield. and orb  canceled our each other causing an implosion between the two.. The last thing Connie remembered  is her shield getting shattered, And both her and Mila flying back.

When Connie opened her eyes she nearly cried..She was at beach house..In Steven's room. She walked over to the balcony  and her heart exploded in joy..Steven, the gems, Her parents, Greg and lion..They were at the beach..She was home. She looked further down the beach and saw the group they gathered on their multiverse adventure.. She laughed as she raced to join them  only to turn around and see a white nearly demonic version of herself.. She didn't get to scream as the wraith god jumped on her.

Connie scream woke up the person next to her, Steven as he grabbed her by the shoulders, rubbing them gently. She looked around and realize they were on the ship in the room sh..She sighed as she turned to Steven  who looked worried. She grabbed his hand seething a bit at her own movements.

She felt lingers of the battle  Steven, of course seeing this, did what he always did. He gripped her chin and kissed her tenderly..Healing and exciting her as she moaned both thank you and a hunger for more.

Connie grabbed him and pulled him down with her, cuddling close with his legs between her thighs  instinctively rubbing against him. arms around his big torso head by his heart taking in his still beach city scent. She felt at home here In his arms.The fact that he held her similarly made it even better.

It was late though..too late to talk about their moment of homesickness..or the nightmares or training..or theirs ragtag team.or the fate of the goddamn multiverse..All they wanted right now was to hold and he held by the piece of their home within their grasp...Each other.

[demigodofhoolemere]

Saw Captain Marvel!

Spoiler free version: Amazing. It’s so so good to see Carol in live action, and I’m so happy they did her personality and her power set justice. Brie did an awesome job at bringing her to life, and I loved her journey (and I appreciated the nonlinear storytelling). The story was fantastic, and after a few years in a row of coming out of quite a few movies with various disappointments (largely regarding characterization issues or humor going overboard), it’s such a good feeling to not have my expectations dashed. All of the characters made me so happy, I love how real and human each one of them was. No unnecessary drama between the protagonists (unlike some people *cough*Avengers*cough*), just people who are genuinely friends, including unlikely ones. It’s certainly different from the origin story I’m used to, but I really enjoyed what they did. I’m also glad that adding something so big like this to the backstory of the MCU doesn’t shake things up too much; there are a few changes, but it didn’t come off as a retcon, at least not in the annoying way of most retcons. All in all, wonderful movie that left me crying happily, and also now leaves me looking suspiciously at my cat.

Spoiler filled commentary below

~~~

- CAROL. Just Carol. I can’t overstate how much I loved seeing her. I love watching her fly around and use her powers and beat people up. That’s been my jam since 2012 and I’m still living for it. This has been a long time coming and it feels like newly meeting an old friend. She deserves every ounce of praise she’s been getting. I’m also always grateful when tough female characters have a well-developed personality, because if her entire character is only about being tough, then I have difficulty investing because there’s nothing to connect with - unfortunately that kind of character is a dime a dozen these days because in the effort to prove that women can stand up on the same playing field as men, they often just get injected with masculinity and it ends there, which can be frustrating. For all of Marvel’s other flaws with how it treats some of the female characters, they always manage to churn out a genuine human being who does not come from a cookie cutter. Carol gets to have wonderful human emotions, a balance between positives and flaws, and strength that does not come only from her powers. She is determined, full of spirit and life, she knows anger and empathy in equal measure. Getting to know her and love her as a person is why it’s so much fun watching her kick butt. It wouldn’t be the same if kicking butt was her only defining trait. Because I care so much about her I actually ended up crying just watching her do her thing, since it meant so much to see on the big screen. She is a protector of people, and she has fun doing it.

- I appreciate that they got the mohawk look in there without actually giving her a mohawk. Best of both worlds. Also loved seeing a couple of her other comic costumes when they were playing with the color schemes.

- Between the opening logo and the cameo, many tears were shed over Stan Lee. Thanks for everything, man.

- Thoroughly enjoyed the 90s music, aesthetic, and technology. The soundtrack was great, the outfits were great, and I especially loved that people had to just sit around and wait for something to load. Some 90s realism for you right there.

- Carol’s relationships with Maria and Monica are so so sweet, and so human. I’ll never get enough female friendships. Of course, I really adored them individually as well - Maria is wonderful and Monica is adorable. And the way Monica looks up to Carol is very nice foreshadowing for her future, if that’s the road they go down (I know there are plans for Kamala, so I guess we’ll see where Monica fits in).

- Goose! I’m still getting used to not calling him Chewie, but whatever. Precious alien cat by any other name is just as precious. I loved the special effects for the mouth.

- I liked seeing a younger, less hardened Nick Fury. He was very different, but not so different that you can’t believe it’s what he could have been like a couple of decades ago, and you do see familiar aspects in regard to him being a good spy and being useful in the action. Also, VERY RELATABLE cat enthusiast, which gains him a lot of points. Having Goose be the reason for his eye does detract a bit from the mystery and drama of it, but it’s not something I’m gonna get worked up about (I’ve spent far too much energy getting worked up over other movies, this is minor in comparison). What I AM gonna get worked up about is knowing that he’s going to get progressively more and more hardened by the world and I want to protect him.

- PHIL 💗💗💗 Ugh, it’s been too long since we’ve seen Coulson (in the MCU but also in general since AoS is taking five thousand years to come back). I loved seeing him pre-Iron Man, just the young rookie agent who hasn’t been through the wringer yet (I want to protect him, too). Just as sweet as ever and I love him ignoring orders to do what his gut knew was right - it shows why Fury has always trusted him so much, and it certainly foreshadows many instances in AoS. I’ve missed him.

- Very good call to have the Supreme Intelligence take on someone’s form rather than showcase the ugly giant green head. I also appreciated that they still managed to shoutout to the ugly giant green head with the tendrils wrapping around the person interfacing.

- Jude Law played a very interesting Yon-Rogg. Enjoyable without being particularly likable. All of the Kree were done well, I thought. Definitely nailed it as a warrior race who seem to have little care about the consequences of what they do, and yet simultaneously do look out for their own. Also interesting to see Korath and Ronan pre-GOTG. And it’s an unimportant detail, but I loved when you see soldiers with the sort of fin-like shape on the top of the helmet, since I’m very used to seeing that.

- Did NOT expect to ever in my life care about Skrulls. After EMH I’ve always been anxious about seeing them in live action, because who the heck can you trust? Well, uh, them, apparently. And while it’s a change, I’m definitely not going to complain, since this lowers the chances of having to go through a Secret Invasion arc at some future point (I mean, it could still happen, I’m sure there are still Skrulls who are genuinely awful, but it’s nice not to feel like I have to worry about having trust issues in the future). I’m so happy they didn’t kill Talos or his family. It’s very interesting to see an angle where the ones you view as the bad guys are just victims of a war that they don’t want to be part of, which happens all the time in real life, so why not have good eggs among the Skrulls?

- Okay, my ONE gripe is Mar-Vell. Turning him into a woman really wasn’t necessary. I’d seen a rumor about it, so I went into the movie lowering my expectations on that front, so I’m definitely not as disappointed as I would have been if it had come as a surprise to me, but still. I know why they did it, and it’s the same reason the comics recently retconned Carol’s history to make her mom a Kree so that her powers would be a natural part of her instead of something she gained from Mar-Vell’s DNA - a man isn’t allowed to be significant to a woman’s backstory now. There’s feminism and then there’s doing everything possible to erase men from an equation, and I find that to be over the top. But to Marvel’s credit, they pulled it off well enough that I’m not anywhere close to being as upset as I could be about it (they also pulled it off with the Ancient One and Ghost, but that’s different for me since I really didn’t have any strong knowledge of or connection to those characters beforehand which makes it easier to accept - I’ve known and cared about Mar-Vell for years, so it does sting a bit that now we’ll never get to see him as he was). Overall, kind of annoying and if I could change it I would, but I’m getting used to changes like this (and it’s still not as bad as other things I’ve gotten annoyed with them over), so I’ll accept it and deal.

- Not a gripe but a question - what’s the timeline with the Tesseract now? Howard Stark found it, and then it was in SHIELD custody ever since and right up to The Avengers, so... did Lawson steal it at some point? What’s our in-universe explanation for this one? If they gave one I didn’t catch it.

- THE AVENGERS INITIATIVE. Way to get my waterworks going. It made me so emotional that I’m not really even upset that Jan still doesn’t get to be the one to give the name (at this point, after everything that’s been done to remove her from the narrative of the origins of the team, I really can’t expect anything else and I’ve made my peace). I don’t know if it’s just the nostalgia factor, or the fact that Endgame is coming up, but that part just made me lose it.

- The credits scene, ohhhhh boy. I immediately registered that it was Steve by his posture and I lost my mind even further. I’m gonna miss the crap out of that guy. And then Nat showed up, and Rhodey and Bruce, and I just... agdjshsjsh. I’m NOT prepared for that to be the next movie and I’m definitely not prepared to see it in only a month. Don’t get me started on the pager. CHILLS. And seeing Carol show up in the compound asking about Fury... I’m fragile. Someone please hold me.

[adrienzviaguine]

This war of ours. Ch.1

The wind blew over the great plains of Whiterun. Gripping her spear and watching from atop her mare Lyra, Lucy Heartfilia looked with contentment.

She was the fairest Dane of the north. Unequaled by any other human on the continent in cheer beauty.

She was vain enough to know that. After all, the Heartfilia women had conserved the same physical appearance since the time of Ysgramor.

Her ancestor had been the famed squire girl who killed the snow prince on Solstheim. And this was how they had retained his magical spear to this day.

She licked her lips.

She had always felt the trill of a ride across the old kingdom. But she could feel that dark event were starting to emerge.

She downed her gaze to see her beautiful horse left eye watching her. Smiling she petted her while speaking.

"Yeah we will go back to the city. I know that you don't like to be outside of your pen by nighttime."

She swept the great steppes of the central valley a last look, before muttering a quick 'let's go' and directing herself toward the east and her home.

As she rode, she looked at the light of the setting sun. Solstheim was again in elvish hands. The thought rubbed her wrong.

She wasn't what one would call a racist person. But she was deeply entrenched in the lore of the nords and their great history. The difference between her and a majority of the dark elves and even most high elf was humility.

She didn't belive one race to be above another. But she believed that her homeland was worth fighting for and even dying for if called upon.

A frown subtly took place on her face. She sounded so old fashioned. The Heartfilia's had always been a Matriarchal a and progressive family. It's what allowed them to keep ruling for four straight eras.

During the Dragon civil war, one of her ancestor had personally fought against Alduin and survived. Another one ensnared the great dragon Numinex into a trap with her cunning wit.

No, her family was anything but 'old fashioned'.

But her father was. When she was younger, she had been a big daddy's girl. She always had his attention. He had taught her himself the art of rhetoric and speechcraft.

He had taught her how to count, how to write, how to philosoph, and most civilian things. The things that a merchant would need to learn to make a fortune, and how not to lose it in a bad deal.

He had also taught her to discern the underlying tone or will behind carefully crafted illusion. Her father was very good at this.

So when she was young, she always was with her father, much more than her mother.

Then, she had reached the age of nine, and her day to day, easy and cheerful learning ended. In its stead, she had learned with her mother how to ride, how to fight, how to lead troops, the art of tactics, strategy and grand strategy. She had learned how to ensnare her mens to kill her opponent.

Basically, she had learned how to lead and end a war.

This period of her life, though not as easy, was just as interesting and fascinating.

She had enjoyed the meal of bread and elk jerkins, as well as late night storytelling. Camping under a blanket of stars and the boisterous laughter in the campement.

It has a spirit of companionship and warmth that had seduced her.

She spent six years living with the soldiers and the guards in the barracks or campement. Fighting and raiding bandits. Protecting the civilian. Competing over who would get the head of the next bear coming to steal their honey.

It had been fun. And sad also. When one of the men left to retirement or, sometimes, died.

But still, she had learned many things of value.

When she stepped into Dragonkeep, she was met by a young huscarl named Yukino Aguria. She was from the Aguria family. The oldest Whiterun family with the greymane and battleborn.

"Lady Lucy, you have recieved a letter from the heir to the jarldom of Winterhold and the Rift. Your mother had it deposed in your room." She was informed.

After thanking her friend and making a quick turn to greet the Leader of the Hirsht, the professional cavalry of the jarl, she went to her room and quickly looked at the letter.

Gray's nice and flowing calligraphy was basically an invitation to go on pilgrimage to high Hrothgard with him and Sting. He didn't want an answer and told her to just meet him at Ivarstead if she was interested by it.

She scoffed at the idea that she would refuse a chance at adventure and then smirked. She rushed to her parents room to tell them of her incoming traveling.

"Mother! Father!" She cried happily when knocking on their door.

They answered rapidly, though they looked slightly disheveled and frustrated, but gave her their attention.

"Yes Lucy? Asked her father.

-I'm going on pilgrimage to High Hrothgard! I will be joining with Gray and Sting at Ivarstead, though I don't know when I'll be there." She chirped happily.

Jude immediately looked worried but Layla exploded in pride and gave her blessing to Lucy as long as she took two of their huscarls with her and all the way to the top of the mountain.

Lucy nodded and went to happily pack, though she also went and asked if Orga and Yukino were willing to go with her. Of course, both accepted.

And so, with this first trip outside of the hold of Whiterun, Lucy Heartfilia made her first step in the world of adult, barely at sixteen years of age.

During the next years, she would experience hardship, violence, war, grief, joy, anger, hate and love as well as deep friendship.

This is the story of how people from all over the empire of Tamriel, will be involved in the famous Great War between mankind and the Aldmeri Dominion.

This war would lead later to another, Greater war.

But for now, the young heiress was traveling on horseback toward her destiny, that would not yet come.

[randomnessunicorn-imagine]

✒️ DDLC- Fanfiction ✒️

{ Hello, friends!

This is the second serious Fanfiction I write for DDLC. It’s a long fiction and so I decided to post a new chapter every Sunday, hoping you’ll be interested to follow it. The inspiration for this story came out of nowhere and I don't have a lot to say, but I wanted to write something about Monika, she's my favourit girl.

JUST MONIKA, DON'T FORGET! 

Don’t even forget to like and reblog! }

FIRST CHAPTER: In the wood

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

( Mark Twain )

Once upon a time there was a princess of immense beauty who owned an extraordinary power, the power of realizing dreams, to make every human fantasy come true.

The Princess was a girl with a generous heart and a great intelligence. The preciousness of her soul could be compared to a diamond, her beauty shone more limpid than the sun, and her eyes were like two precious stones embedded on her delicate face.

Knights from all over the kingdom came to the castle to play a tribute to the great Princess, not only to admire her wonders, they came here also for proposing to her, because they all desired to possess the absolute power her natural gift would have donated to them.

There were many stories about her magnificent prodigies, in fact, one of her touch gave sight to a blind man from birth, her soft laughter was able to alleviate the suffering of a broken heart and her caress was capable to heal a young moribund man, giving to him the breath of life.

Despite her grand fortune, a great pain tormented the spirit of the charming princess, because she had not yet found her true soul mate among them, her special person, the one who would have loved her sincerely, seemed inexistent.

"Oh, it's a wonderful story, Y/N!" the little Sarah said as her eyes shone with joy.

"Yes, it's a beautiful tale!" Said the other girl named Cassandra, enthusiastic.

"I'm glad you like it, but now it's time to sleep, girls!" you replied to your two younger sisters but they looked at you with a displeased expression.

"No! We want to know the end! Does the princess find her true love?” They shouted in unison.

"I don’t know, the only thing I know is that the two of you have to go to sleep," you said, giving them a kiss on their foreheads and they sighed.

The two girls did not seem to agree with your decision and you had interrupted the story at the most interesting moment but it was late and for them it was time to close their eyes and fall to sleep.

"Ugh! It's not fair!” Sarah complained.

"Yes, you always interrupt when things get interesting!" Cassandra also protested.

"No, I promise tomorrow we will continue, ok?" You said, taking the book and closing the door behind you and then the two little girls stopped complaining because they were actually tired and so it did not spent a lot of time before they were welcome in the realm of dreams.

You were not a great lover of literature, but the children’s fables, especially the bedtime’s stories, had always fascinated you. You found those tales wonderful, full of magic, surreal characters, fairy and enchanted worlds, all this was so marvellous and sometimes you dreamed of being a child but you knew in the real world, there was no princess who would realize your desires. You were smart enough to be able to realize your own dreams by yourself without magic or tricks.

.

.

.

You have always been different compared to other girls, you have never desired to appear feminine, gallant or beautiful, you did not want to impress anyone but, on the other hand, nobody would define you as a rude or arrogant person. You were a friendly girl, who loved adventure but she got into troubles so many times.

Many people defined you as a tomboy because your passions disagreed with the classic passions of a girl. Despite the fact that a hobby was still a hobby and certainly they could not be classified according to people’s sexuality, but you have never considered stereotypes so credible and reasonable and so you defined them as a sort of mental dictatorship, something sneaky, which did not allow to people to realize their own ambitions or accept completely themselves.

You were a girl but it did not mean you could be defined as delicate, scared or weak, maybe you were a bit naive and impulsive, you were a grand dreamer, but all people were made in their own way.

You loved climbing trees, many of your friends called you chimpanzees and you jumped, moving like a primate to make fun of them and you all had a lot of fun doing this game. Other times, you walked through the forest, in fact you took long walks, without a specific destination. You listened to the singing birds, to the rustle of the leaves, to the little animals that were jumping everywhere, and every nature’s sound caressed your spirit. This was your definition of freedom.

Your young soul lived for the adventure, exploration and discovery, and once again, you donated to yourself a pleasant walk by the riverbank.

Your destination was unknown, like all the other times, but you decided to follow the riverbed and see where it would bring you. You knew this forest like the palm of your hand and therefore you would not have lost.

The peace that surrounded you inspired you a melody, you started to whistle while you looked around and you realized that something in the landscape around you had changed. The atmosphere became darker, the birds had shut up themselves, and a cold wind began to howl, freezing your skin. All this was so strange, gloomy and ghostly, that your heart began to beat relentlessly.

The bush was so thick that it was impossible even to glimpse the sky, you could not explain this sudden change of climate, it was completely bizarre.

You have continued to walk, following the steps that had brought you here and trying to find your way back, but everything seemed different, you did not recognise this area of the forest. The forest you were supposed to know so well became a labyrinth, maybe the same grave of your torn life but this thought was too miserable to be thought so you kept walking.

Suddenly, a mysterious noise echoed in the air, it was the verse of a ferocious animal. You turned around, finding yourself in front of an aggressive wild boar that was about to target you. Evidently, this mad weather made it very nervous and you were so unlucky to be in the wrong place and time.

Being attacked by a crazy beast was not in your scheme and, with a rapid step, you moved away, running away even if that animal was chasing after you and it did not intend to leave you alone.

As the forest became duskier and more insidious, that boar was about to take you, it was so close but you did not have the courage to look your back and so, with a big jump, you tried climbing a tree even if it was steep and slippery but you could not give up now. You climbed, reaching a higher branch, you did not know if it was the right solution but that beast could not climb a tree, but it could still torment you and, indeed, the ferocious boar started hitting its head against the tree. You doubted it could destroy a tree but this situation was not pleasant at all and the only thing you could do was waiting.

Suddenly, another sound made your guard up and you hoped, it was not the boar’s boyfriend who wanted to take its revenge on you.

Nothing bad happened because from behind a tree a girl appeared, she was a beautiful and mysterious young woman with light brown hair, which she carried in a ponytail, she was well dressed, she wore a long dress with floral patterns and, after her appearance, the boar calmed down as if that girl donated to it serenity.

“Hey, Jude, that’s not the proper way to behave, be kind with our guest.” Said the girl with a soft tone of voice and then the boar called Jude approached the girl, cuddling her. It seemed another animal and all the ferocity showed before disappeared, it was incredible but you were still too scared to get down from your safe tree.

“Uhm…” you did not know how to comment, you were very confused.

“Oh, sorry for her behaviour, she’s a good pet but sometimes she’s overprotective, she’s just like a guard dog.” The girl said, laughing softly, “I assure you she won’t hurt you, you can come down unless you are a sort of Cosimo* and you actually love living on trees.” She said, and then you found your lost courage and you jumped down.

“Who’s Cosimo?” you asked, scratching your head.

“A guy who decided to spend the rest of his life on trees, he did everything up there and he has never came down, quite funny, don’t you think?” she explained even if you have never heard about it.

“Everything? Cool!” you said and you wondered about how it would be to live on trees.

“He’s the protagonist of an old and very fascinating novel and I’m Monika, nice to meet you!” she introduced herself, smiling, and then the two of you shook your hands.

You also introduced yourself and she remained a little surprised since your name was of a girl but your appearance said otherwise since you looked a lot like a boy, since your hair was very short, even your facial features were very masculine, your androgynous beauty stunned her in a positive way.

“Thank you a lot for saving me.” You thanked her, smiling with gratitude.

“I’m truly sorry and, to make amends, be my guest.” She proposed and you were actually very curious about this girl, she seemed very nice and friendly, so it would be rude to deny such a polite offer.

“Oh, I’d be glad, thank you.” you answered and then you and her walked through her house, followed by that boar which was very tranquil and docile now, and every sentiment of anxiety and fear abandoned your heart.

NOTES: * Here Monika refers to the book “The Baron in the Trees” of the famous Italian writer Italo Calvino. It’s the story of a young boy who decides to spend the rest of his life on the trees and he never comes down from there. It’s a very interesting story, and one of my favourite books.

[ To be continued ]

See you next sunday for the new chapter!

[inkyardpress]

Your 2018 YA Fantasy Guide, part 1

There’s no denying it: we’ve seen some excellent YA fantasies already this year, and the genre continues to top our TBR piles month after month. With a handful of fantasy blockbusters still to come before the year is even halfway over, we wanted to give you a quick guide to the books we’ve loved so far in 2018 and what we just can’t wait to read next! Here’s the best of 2018, part one:

January

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him—and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

The Cruel Prince is out now from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

Zenith by Sasha Alsberg & Lindsay Cummings

Most know Androma Racella as the Bloody Baroness, a powerful mercenary whose reign of terror stretches across the Mirabel Galaxy. To those aboard her glass starship, Marauder, however, she's just Andi, their friend and fearless leader.

But when a routine mission goes awry, the Marauder's all-girl crew is tested as they find themselves in a treacherous situation and at the mercy of a sadistic bounty hunter from Andi's past.

Meanwhile, across the galaxy, a ruthless ruler waits in the shadows of the planet Xen Ptera, biding her time to exact revenge for the destruction of her people. The pieces of her deadly plan are about to fall into place, unleashing a plot that will tear Mirabel in two.

Andi and her crew embark on a dangerous, soul-testing journey that could restore order to their ship or just as easily start a war that will devour worlds. As the Marauder hurtles toward the unknown, and Mirabel hangs in the balance, the only certainty is that in a galaxy run on lies and illusion, no one can be trusted.

Zenith is out now. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: her mother is stolen away―by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.”

Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother’s cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began―and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong.

The Hazel Wood is out now from Flatiron Books. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

February

Everlife by Gena Showalter

At seventeen years old, Tenley “Ten” Lockwood had to make the ultimate choice—where to live after she died. Loyalty to her selected realm has not wavered…until now. She is out of time. Sacrifices must be made, and a terrible price must be paid. But is she too late?

As the Everlife descends into darkness, a single truth becomes clear: Troika and Myriad must unite—or perish. In order to bring sworn enemies together, Ten must enter forbidden territory…and destroy the powerful Prince of Ravens. But there’s only one way inside—bonding with Killian Flynn, a deadly rival who sets her blood aflame.

When nothing goes as planned and betrayal leads to the edge of utter defeat, Ten and Killian will have to rebuild trust from the ashes of their hearts. Victory seems impossible, the odds stacked against them. In the end, how far will they be willing to go for the sake of their realms and the Everlife?

The entire Everlife series is out now! Add Everlife to your Goodreads shelf!

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orléans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. In Orléans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful.

But it’s not enough for Camellia to be just a Belle. She wants to be the favorite—the Belle chosen by the Queen of Orléans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and their court, to be recognized as the most talented Belle in the land. But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favorite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that the very essence of her existence is a lie—that her powers are far greater, and could be more dangerous, than she ever imagined. And when the queen asks Camellia to risk her own life and help the ailing princess by using Belle powers in unintended ways, Camellia now faces an impossible decision.

With the future of Orléans and its people at stake, Camellia must decide—save herself and her sisters and the way of the Belles—or resuscitate the princess, risk her own life, and change the ways of her world forever.

The Belles is out now from Disney-Hyperion. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

Cadaver & Queen by Alisa Kwitney

When Lizzie Lavenza enrolled at Ingold as its first female medical student, she knew she wouldn't have an easy time. From class demands to being an outsider among her male cohorts, she'll have to go above and beyond to prove herself. So when she stumbles across what appears to be a faulty Bio-mechanical—one of the mechanized cadavers created to service the school—she jumps at the chance to fix it and get ahead in the program.

Only this Bio-mechanical isn't like the others. Where they are usually empty-minded and perfectly obedient, this one seems to have thoughts, feelings…and self-awareness.

Soon Lizzie realizes that it is Victor Frankenstein—a former student who died under mysterious circumstances. Victor, it seems, still has a spark of human intelligence inside him, along with memories of things he discovered before his untimely death…and a suspicion that he was murdered to keep that information from getting out. Suddenly Lizzie finds herself intertwined in dark secrets and sabotage that put her life, and the lives of Victor and their friends, in danger. But Lizzie's determined to succeed—even if that means fighting an enemy who threatens the entire British Empire.

Cadaver & Queen is out now. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones

Six months after the end of Wintersong, Liesl is working toward furthering both her brother’s and her own musical careers. Although she is determined to look forward and not behind, life in the world above is not as easy as Liesl had hoped. Her younger brother Josef is cold, distant, and withdrawn, while Liesl can’t forget the austere young man she left beneath the earth, and the music he inspired in her.

When troubling signs arise that the barrier between worlds is crumbling, Liesl must return to the Underground to unravel the mystery of life, death, and the Goblin King—who he was, who he is, and who he will be. What will it take to break the old laws once and for all? What is the true meaning of sacrifice when the fate of the world—or the ones Liesl loves—is in her hands?

Shadowsong is out now from Disney-Hyperion. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

March

Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette Ferrars thought she'd won. She took over Sector 45, was named the new Supreme Commander, and now has Warner by her side. But she's still the girl with the ability to kill with a single touch—and now she's got the whole world in the palm of her hand. When tragedy hits, who will she become? Will she be able to control the power she wields and use it for good?

Restore Me is out now from HarperCollins. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now, Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers—and her growing feelings for the enemy. 

Children of Blood and Bone is out now from Henry Holt Books for Young Readers. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

Welcome to the cursed town of Sparrow, where, two centuries ago, three sisters were sentenced to death for witchery. Stones were tied to their ankles and they were drowned in the deep waters surrounding the town.

Now, for a brief time each summer, the sisters return, stealing the bodies of three weak-hearted girls so that they may seek their revenge, luring boys into the harbor and pulling them under.

Like many locals, seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot has accepted the fate of the town. But this year, on the eve of the sisters’ return, a boy named Bo Carter arrives; unaware of the danger he has just stumbled into.

Mistrust and lies spread quickly through the salty, rain-soaked streets. The townspeople turn against one another. Penny and Bo suspect each other of hiding secrets. And death comes swiftly to those who cannot resist the call of the sisters.

But only Penny sees what others cannot. And she will be forced to choose: save Bo, or save herself.

The Wicked Deep is out now from Simon Pulse. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

April

Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody

Welcome to the City of Sin, where casino families reign, gangs infest the streets…and secrets hide in every shadow.

Enne Salta was raised as a proper young lady, and no lady would willingly visit New Reynes, the so-called City of Sin. But when her mother goes missing, Enne must leave her finishing school—and her reputation—behind to follow her mother’s trail to the city where no one survives uncorrupted.

Frightened and alone, her only lead is a name: Levi Glaisyer. Unfortunately, Levi is not the gentleman she expected—he’s a street lord and a con man. Levi is also only one payment away from cleaning up a rapidly unraveling investment scam, so he doesn't have time to investigate a woman leading a dangerous double life. Enne's offer of compensation, however, could be the solution to all his problems.

Their search for clues leads them through glamorous casinos, illicit cabarets and into the clutches of a ruthless mafia donna. As Enne unearths an impossible secret about her past, Levi's enemies catch up to them, ensnaring him in a vicious execution game where the players always lose. To save him, Enne will need to surrender herself to the city… And she’ll need to play.

Ace of Shades is out now. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. In this new nation, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It’s a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations.

But that’s not a life Jane wants. Almost finished with her education at Miss Preston’s School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home and doesn’t pay much mind to the politics of the eastern cities, with their talk of returning America to the glory of its days before the dead rose. But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies. And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems. 

Dread Nation is out now from Balzer + Bray. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

The Diminished by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson

In the Alskad Empire, nearly all are born with a twin, two halves to form one whole…yet some face the world alone.

The singleborn

A rare few are singleborn in each generation, and therefore given the right to rule by the gods and goddesses. Bo Trousillion is one of these few, born into the royal line and destined to rule. Though he has been chosen to succeed his great-aunt, Queen Runa, as the leader of the Alskad Empire, Bo has never felt equal to the grand future before him.

The diminished

When one twin dies, the other usually follows, unable to face the world without their other half. Those who survive are considered diminished, doomed to succumb to the violent grief that inevitably destroys everyone whose twin has died. Such is the fate of Vi Abernathy, whose twin sister died in infancy. Raised by the anchorites of the temple after her family cast her off, Vi has spent her whole life scheming for a way to escape and live out what's left of her life in peace.

As their sixteenth birthdays approach, Bo and Vi face very different futures—one a life of luxury as the heir to the throne, the other years of backbreaking work as a temple servant. But a long-held secret and the fate of the empire are destined to bring them together in a way they never could have imagined.

The Diminished is out now. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

Inferno by Julie Kagawa

Ember Hill has learned a shocking truth about herself: she is the blood of the Elder Wyrm, the ancient dragon who leads Talon and who is on the verge of world domination. With the Order of St. George destroyed, Ember, Riley and Garret journey to the Amazon jungle in search of one who might hold the key to take down the Elder Wyrm and Talon. If they can survive the encounter. Meanwhile, Ember's brother, Dante, will travel to China with a message for the last Eastern dragons: join Talon or die. With the stakes rising and the Elder Wyrm declaring war, time is running out for the rogues and any dragon not allied with Talon. 

The final battle approaches. And if Talon is victorious, the world will burn.

Inferno, the fiery conclusion to the Talon Saga, is out April 24. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

May

War Storm by Victoria Aveyard

Victory comes at a price.

Mare Barrow learned this all too well when Cal’s betrayal nearly destroyed her. Now determined to protect her heart—and secure freedom for Reds and newbloods like her—Mare resolves to overthrow the kingdom of Norta once and for all…starting with the crown on Maven’s head.

But no battle is won alone, and before the Reds may rise as one, Mare must side with the boy who broke her heart in order to defeat the boy who almost broke her. Cal’s powerful Silver allies, alongside Mare and the Scarlet Guard, prove a formidable force. But Maven is driven by an obsession so deep, he will stop at nothing to have Mare as his own again, even if it means demolishing everything—and everyone—in his path.

War is coming, and all Mare has fought for hangs in the balance. Will victory be enough to topple the Silver kingdoms? Or will the little lightning girl be forever silenced?

In the epic conclusion to Victoria Aveyard’s stunning series, Mare must embrace her fate and summon all her power…for all will be tested, but not all will survive.

War Storm is out May 15 from HarperTeen. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

Furyborn by Claire Legrand

When assassins ambush her best friend, the crown prince, Rielle Dardenne risks everything to save him, exposing her ability to perform all seven kinds of elemental magic. The only people who should possess this extraordinary power are a pair of prophesied queens: a queen of light and salvation and a queen of blood and destruction. To prove she is the Sun Queen, Rielle must endure seven trials to test her magic. If she fails, she will be executed...unless the trials kill her first.

A thousand years later, the legend of Queen Rielle is a mere fairy tale to bounty hunter Eliana Ferracora. When the Undying Empire conquered her kingdom, she embraced violence to keep her family alive. Now, she believes herself untouchable—until her mother vanishes without a trace, along with countless other women in their city. To find her, Eliana joins a rebel captain on a dangerous mission and discovers that the evil at the heart of the empire is more terrible than she ever imagined.

As Rielle and Eliana fight in a cosmic war that spans millennia, their stories intersect, and the shocking connections between them ultimately determine the fate of their world—and of each other. 

Furyborn is out May 22 from Sourcebooks. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

Legendary by Stephanie Garber

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.

Welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.

Legendary is out May 29 from Flatiron Books. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

June

A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger.

The Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, is assailed on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable, while the Commandant capitalizes on his madness to bolster her own power. As Helene searches for a way to hold back the approaching darkness, her sister’s life and the lives of all those in the Empire hang in the balance.

Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. But while hunting for a way to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would aid her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she’d have to fight.

And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. But in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that will stop at nothing to ensure Elias’s devotion—even at the cost of his humanity.

A Reaper at the Gates is out June 12 from Razorbill. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

Dawn of Legends by Eleanor Herman

Prince Alexander of Macedon has battled both men and monsters, but his final war will determine his fate…and the future of mankind. While Macedon’s enemies close in from all corners of the earth, Alexander must fulfill one last prophecy that dictates only he—and he alone—can ensure humanity’s survival against the age of the deadly Spirit Eaters.

As the threads of fate draw Alexander closer to his destiny, an exiled queen will meet a runaway princess, a young sorceress will set the final path of her heart and generals will choose their final battles. Before the light of victory can shine, enemies must become allies, Death must be tamed and hearts must break.

Who will rise and who will die? All is revealed in the epic finale to New York Times bestselling author Eleanor Herman’s rich and fantastical Blood of Gods and Royals series. 

Dawn of Legends, the final installment in the Blood of Gods and Royals series, is out June 26. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

A Thousand Beginnings and Endings edited by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman

Star-crossed lovers, meddling immortals, feigned identities, battles of wits, and dire warnings. These are the stuff of fairy tale, myth, and folklore that have drawn us in for centuries.

Fifteen bestselling and acclaimed authors reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia in short stories that are by turns enchanting, heartbreaking, romantic, and passionate.

Compiled by We Need Diverse Books’s Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman, the authors included in this exquisite collection are: Renee Ahdieh, Sona Charaipotra, Preeti Chhibber, Roshani Chokshi, Aliette de Bodard, Melissa de la Cruz, Julie Kagawa, Rahul Kanakia, Lori M. Lee, E. C. Myers, Cindy Pon, Aisha Saeed, Shveta Thakrar, and Alyssa Wong.

A mountain loses her heart. Two sisters transform into birds to escape captivity. A young man learns the true meaning of sacrifice. A young woman takes up her mother’s mantle and leads the dead to their final resting place. From fantasy to science fiction to contemporary, from romance to tales of revenge, these stories will beguile readers from start to finish. For fans of Neil Gaiman’s Unnatural Creatures and Ameriie’s New York Times–bestselling Because You Love to Hate Me. 

A Thousand Beginnings and Endings is out June 26 from Greenwillow Books. Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

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[ac-liveblogs]

Celestial Wizard Natsu AU (updated)

Natsu Heartfilia

Celestial Wizard, raised by Layla and Jude. 100% human. Ran away from home and ended up joining Fairy Tail. Hot tempered, but more likely to take a moment to think things through before charging into battle. Can be extremely insulting without meaning to, but genuinely loves his guild and his spirits like family (or, more than his family).  (1, 2, 3, 4)

An extremely skilled wizard that can summon up to three spirits at once. Not the greatest in a brawl. Currently holds contracts with Loke, Virgo, Taurus, Aquarius, Aries and Ophiuchus (Caelum, Crux, Lyra and Plue for Silver). Natsu refuses to let his spirits fight for him and fights with them, armed with a Celestial Sword. He later gains Starmour to help him protect his spirits, instead of just them protecting him.  (1, 2, 3,)

May, or may not, have a minor crush on Loke. 

Fanart: Natsu, Ophiuchus Starmour, Leo Starmour 

Lucy Ashley

[Note: Not from Edolas] A time traveller from 400 years ago. She’s Anna’s niece, and was raised by Weisslogia alongside Sting Eucliffe. She believes she killed her adoptive mother, and hates herself for it, but continues to look for her missing younger brother. (1, 2)

Works with Gray and Natsu most of the time - she and Gray work on demon slaying jobs for the most part. 

Had a major crush on Erza.

Heartfilia Family Lore

Dragon Slayer Lore

Gray Fullbuster

An Ice Devil Slayer from the get-go! Still combines Ice Make with Devil Slayer magic, but was motivated to hunt Zeref’s demons after Ur sacrificed herself to kill Deliora. Ur was a Devil Slayer herself, but taught Gray and Lyon Ice Make magic. She split her own Slayer magic between the two of them before she died, which becomes a major driving force in their rivalry.

Slowly coming to terms with his past, but he’s caught in a self-destructive loop.

Erza  Scarlet (formerly Belserion)

A Heavenly Body mage that uses Meteor to bolster her sword skills. Still wears armour, but is can’t requip and is only limited to the one. Still one of Fairy Tail’s S-Class mages. (1, 2)

Raised by Irene Belserion with the intention of one day being a spare body. Erza rejected her mother’s attempts to teach her Enchantment magic, learnt Heavenly Body in secret, ran away from home, ended up in Rosemary and crashed straight into the Tower of Heaven... one successful slave rebellion later, and she and Jellal join Fairy Tail together.

Heavenly Body Erza and Requip Jellal 

Jellal Knightwalker (formerly Fernandes)

[Note: also not from Edolas] An S-Class member of Fairy Tail, and the most approachable of the lot. Has Probably Never Been Evil, and is probably the nicest guy that could singlehandedly obliterate an army you’re ever going to meet. Also, he’s a model.  

Requip mage that uses armour to nullify magic attacks and magic sword/stave spam to subdue opponents en masse. He and Erza led the slave rebellion in the Tower of Heaven, and it actually worked this time...

(he gave erza the last name “scarlet” when she wanted to ditch the belserion name. erza figured this was pretty one-sided, and gave him knightwalker as a new last name in exchange.)

Sting Eucliffe (formerly Ashley)

Jade Dragon Slayer - his magic was enchanted onto him from an unwilling Zirconis. A second gen dragon slayer. Unlike most slayers of this type, Sting was created young enough that a full transformation may actually be possible. ....hope nothing bad happens!

Jade Dragon Slayer magic manifests as maxed out luck stats and the ability to curse his opponents. Sting can eat any gem, but only gets bonuses from Jade or stone infused with magic. Can eat lacrima for stat boosts, but it’s really not recommended. (1, 2)

Has a crush on Natsu, and his luck stat keeps getting him in “fortunate” situations with him… 

Rogue Cheney/Ryos Dragneel/ERD

Zeref’s younger brother, and an Etherious! His shadow possessing him is a side-effect of his demon seed almost having reached maturity. It sure would be unfortunate if he ever gained an Etherious form and submitted to his overwhelming instinct to kill Zeref at the cost of his humanity or something…

Etherious Rogue Dragneel does use his Dragon Manipulation magic to control a dragonised Sting Eucliffe. In the end, the pair will most likely have to be killed. (1)

Others

Mira has retained quite a lot of her original personality, even if she’s more chill about it.She never retired after Lisanna’s death - if anything, she became more driven and less sociable. Mira has an intense rivalry with Erza that persists to this day. (1, 2)

Cana is a driven mage trying to not just become S-Class, but outdo her father. Her relationship with fellow guildmates is strained, because it feels like no matter what, she just can’t keep up. (1) Card magic also gets a revamp. (1, 2, 3)

Loke is one of Natsu’s best friends, and most loyal spirits. Because hearts are meant to be broken, his key is sacrificed to summon the Celestial Spirit King. 

Juvia never got a crush on Gray. She spends a lot more time bonding with the guild because of it. Her magic also gets a revamp. (1)

Ophiuchus has two forms, and updated relevance. (1, 2, 3)

Yukino is still a Celestial Mage, but her spirits are Pisces, Capricorn, Gemini and Scorpio. She tends to use Metrias instead of Starmour.

Laxus is almost the same as canon, with one caveat: he’s trying really, really hard to be Jellal’s anime rival. Jellal is not biting.

[bookaddict24-7]

Bookaddict24-7′s July 2017 Book Wrap Up! 

I read 18 (!) books this month (6 were ebooks). Wow. This month started really badly for me because of a death in the family, so I thought I was going to be swallowed by a reading slump for the whole month (that’s mainly why I made that post about reading slumps and summer vacations). I was also on vacation for eight days and I read A LOT of fluffy contemporary novels, too. 

I’m going to try something new and just link up the titles of the books to Goodreads so you can add them to your tbr!

What did you read this month? I’d love to know!

Long post up ahead!

Changes in Latitude by Jen Malone

I read a lot of summer themed books this month and while this wasn’t a perfect read, it was a lot of fun! This was about a girl who has to go with her mom and brother on a sea trip to deliver a boat to Mexico after her parents divorced. I understand the rating on Goodreads because of how the protagonist acted in regards to some of the issues in her life, but this was light, fluffy, and quick. 

My rating: 3/5 Stars

16 Ways to Break a Heart by Lauren Strasnick 

UGH. This book is my least favourite book (so far) this year, simply because of the normalization of its problematic issues within the novel. 

I wrote a rant about this book on Goodreads here.

My rating: 1/5 Stars

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch 

Welch’s novel follows a teenaged girl who moves to Italy to live with her dad after her mom’s death. There she has Italian adventures inspired by her mom’s journal and meets a cute American Italian boy.

I loved this book. It was summer in the form of pages and letters. This GIF basically explains the summer vibe of this book (also, I just really like this GIF): 

My rating: 5/5 Stars

The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland

Greenland’s novel was about a girl who comes from a wealthy and very pre-set life and is invited to spend the first half of the summer with her aunt at her bed & breakfast.  

I wrote a mini review on Goodreads here. It was a very summery read!

My rating: 3/5 Stars

The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles

Here’s another book that I was extremely disappointed with. I don’t know what disturbs me more, that this book is being made into a movie or that this book was written by a 17 year-old girl (and that was at the time of publishing, she could have been younger when it was first written). 

You can check out my rant review here.

My rating: 1/5

How My Summer Went Up In Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

HMSWUIF was a funny and cute read! The book follows a girl who decides to go on a road trip with her childhood friend and his friends after she’s been issued a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend. 

I enjoyed the romance, self-growth, and the adventure (I’m putty for road trip books). 

My rating: 5/5 Stars

The Trouble with Flirting by Claire LaZebnik

LaZebnik’s novel is about a girl who goes to a summer camp for acting but to help her Aunt with the cast costumes. There she makes new friends and finds herself in a cheesy (but so much fun) romance. There is a love triangle in this and I normally hate them, but this was just so good. 

From my Goodreads mini mini-review: 

I can't even explain what happened to me while reading this book. I just...I picked it up and I VERY RARELY (Damn you, laundry) put it down. This was dramatic (no pun intended), quirky, fun, and just pure addicting fluff of a summer read and I absolutely loved it all. 

My rating: 5/5 Stars

I Was a Non-Blonde Cheerleader by Kieran Scott

Annisa is new to her Florida High School, where every girl is blonde. Back in New Jersey, she was a cheerleader and she decides to try out for the team at her new school, despite being the only brunette girl in her new school. 

I read this book when I was in my early twenties and I remember enjoying it a lot. I enjoyed my re-read and would recommend it for anyone looking for a very fluffy contemporary read. 

My rating: 4/5 Stars

Brunettes Strike Back by Kieran Scott

This is the sequel to the above book. I’m not going to say much because of spoilers, but Annisa was really annoying. I’m not going to lie, it was a bit of a struggle to read this one. 

My rating: 2.5/5 Stars

A Non-Blonde Cheerleader in Love by Kieran Scott

This is the final book in the Cheerleader series. I liked it much more than the sequel, but again, I can’t say much for fear of spoilers, but this brought back some serious nostalgia about Kieran Scott’s writing. 

My rating: 4/5 Stars

What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum

Buxbaum’s novel follows two very different characters as they try to understand high school through their vastly different POVs. I really, really enjoyed this book. 

I wrote a review on Goodreads here. 

My rating: 5/5 Stars

Don’t Kiss the Messenger by Katie Ray & Katie Kacvinsky 

CeCe has a scar on her face and is used to people always staring and making assumptions. That is, until she meets the new transfer student. 

I wrote a mini mini-review on Goodreads here. 

My rating: 4/5 Stars

Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh

Harper and her family have just moved to a new house that has weird cold spots, strange shadows, and an ominous atmosphere. When her brother introduces his new “friend”, who no one else but him can see, things start to get even weirder and creepier. 

This was a middle grade novel and I honestly was not expecting such a creepy story. I absolutely LOVED it. I had a few minor issues with the writing, like the protagonist not getting her big “told you so” moment. 

My rating: 4/5 Stars

Nyxia by Scott Reintgen

Emmett is one of only a few kids chosen for a special program that will have him going to another planet for one of the world’s largest corporations. During his trip to the planet, he and the others will be faced with challenges that will force them to face their new and darker-than-they-thought reality. 

I posted a review on Goodreads here. 

My rating: 3.5 Stars

The Countdown Conspiracy by Katie Slivensky

This was the second middle grade book I read this month and I’m so happy that I enjoyed both. The protagonist, Miranda, is chosen to represent the US in a program that will prep her and the other chosen children for their future trip to Mars. 

I posted a review on Goodreads here. 

My rating: 5/5 Stars

Thrill Ride by Rachel Hawthorne

I’m trying to read a bunch of my contemporary mass markets and this was one of them! 

Megan scores a job at an amusement park, which is both awesome because it’s freedom from her sister’s wedding, and bad because it means that she and her boyfriend will be apart for a while.

I loved the cheesiness of this book, even though Megan is judgmental and a little bit of a buzzkill. 

My rating: 3/5 Stars

Scary Beautiful by Niki Burnham

Chloe is a very beautiful girl who is dumped by her boyfriend of more than two years before he moves across the country. Now she has to learn how to be single and try new things in her Junior year of high school. 

I really enjoyed this book and felt really sad for the protagonist since her friends were jealous assholes. 

My rating: 3/5 Stars

Suite Dreams by Rachel Hawthorne

Alyssa is staying at her college campus during the winter break and since her boyfriend has decided to go on a break from both the relationship and the States, she’s going to have a very underwhelming vacation...until Jude the Australian arrives. 

This was just pure cheesy fun. There were some unanswered questions and the story ran a little short, but it was an OK read for what it was. 

My rating: 2.5 Stars

Happy reading!

[theprodigaldaughtersworld]

Black Widow/Castaway What would you call her?

Tam Beddingford looked out over the beautiful back forty that made up the boundary of her ranch. Never in a million years would she have envisioned thdis for herself. Lord knows her beginning was full of betrayal to go with the doom and gloom. A tear slid down her face at the sound of her twin sons Peter and Zora splashing in the Olympic sized pool that was a gift from Jude. He thought spoiling them would absolve him of his guilt. She took a sip of her sweet tea as a tear slid down her cheek, then turned to Stephanie Heartache, a reporter from Broken Hearts and Troubled Wives. Stephanie had come all of the way from New York City to interview the Double Deadly Black Widow. It was kind of funny when she thought about it. 

Stephanie took a deep breath as Tam asked her, “What would you like to know?” Well Tam, I would like to know how it feels to be so beautiful, talented and feared by every man on the planet? Tam responded with a bitter laugh. So you go straight for the juggler? Did you come for the juicy gossip or the truth? I have never told my story before. I am only doing so now because my boys need to know the truth about their mother. They are at that age where the internet will educate them about who I am if I don’t speak soon. Social media has destroyed my character and made me a pariah in the church as well as polite society. If my parents and father-in-law weren’t on the HOA board Heavenly Hills would have banned me from purchasing all that you see."

My family is originally from Senegal. I had no clue that they were still entering into traditional marriage contracts. I was raised believing we had moved to America to escape the rituals and traditions that held the women in my family in bondage. My father never indicated that he had promised me to Jude Blankenship’s first born son at my birth. The only time I even thought of the Blankenship boys and their nasty attitudes was when my sisters and I were forced to spend a week at their famly home on our annual trips to Senegal. I always assumed it was because our fathers were business partners. 

My father summoned me home to Dallas the night before my 22nd birthday and two days before the launch of my first clothing line at New York Fashion Week. When I arrived the party was already in full swing at my family’s estate I naively assumed it was in honor of my birthday and my launch. No way would I have guessed it was my wedding. But it was, my father pulled me into my old bedroom and announced that Aaron had waited long enough for me to make something of myself. My fashion line was already sold out so it was time to take my place as his wife. My jaw dropped to the ground. I could not believe what I was hearing. Tam chuckled, I could not even tell you the exact color of the Vera Wang gown the stylist draped around me. I had no choice. A broken contract would cost my father his fortune. As the oldest daughter I felt obligated to protect what he had worked so hard for. I detested Aaron. He was a horrible unpleasant child. He was a saint then compared to what he had become. Yes he was fine, but he was selfish. He lorded his status and privilege over everyone. 

Stephanie swallowed hard. She had been in this business too long to not know you never walked into an interview thinking you knew your subject. How many times had she prejudged someone only to discover they were the exact opposite of the blogs and social media posts. The most innocent people became monsters in person while those most maligned were usually victims of bad gossip and petty rivalries. Shame caused her face to turn crimson as she tried to to comfort Tam. It was not your responsibility to keep your family fortune intact. You had broken away from the fold and created your own launch pad. 

I am Senegalese before I am an American. My family honor trumps the comfort and happiness of being a daughter. Being the first born anything carries much weight and responsibility. My father had no sons to carry on our name and Jude had no daughters to give in exchange for a secure financial future.

Tam frowned as she remembered how rough Aaron had been taking her virginity. The shame and humiliation she felt as he spilled his seed onto her belly while he laughed at her disdainfully. I’ll never put a child in a woman who is so weak. You didn’t even attempt to defy our fathers and their antiquated agreement. It is 2000 what woman allows herself to be sold into slavery to a man who will never love or be faithful to her? With these words he climbed off her returning shortly to throw a cold wet wash cloth at her. Clean yourself I am going to sleep. All she could do was crawl out of bed and run a warm bath. Maybe the heat of the water would ease the burn between her legs. That bath was her only comfort that night. She climbed back into bed with a husband that detested her only to find he had turned his back and was eerily cold.

She was eating breakfast the next morning when Rhoda ran into the dining room screaming that Aaron wasn’t breathing. Tam called 911. Aaron had died while Team was in the tub. The coroner's report said it was a heart attack.

Stephanie's next question was full of empathy. "How did it feel to have so many drastic life changing events in such a short period of time? Tam smiled, Girl, those were only the beginning of my life changing events. I should have bed relieved but I did not get the opportunity to process anything. Our parents swooped in and took Omar, Aaron's brother and myself to city hall where we were forced into a levirate marriage. Aaron had to have an heir to carry on his legacy.

Omar was a little kinder but could be just as mean spirited. Night after night for a week he pulled out right before planting his seed swearing he would not father a child that would not be considered his own. On the eighth night his heart gave out as he was pulling out of me. I know they heard my screams from Dallas to Fort Worth.

We had a double funeral because all of the family members had arrived the day before. Afterwards Jude and Theodore, my father, agreed that I would return to my parents home until the youngest and last Blankenship, Sean turned 18. We would marry fulfilling my family's contractual obligations and live happily every after. Jude decided I was cursed and never intended for us to marry. Sean was only a 14 year old boy. The whole idea was ludicrous. The local society page The Teetotaler game me tee name Double Deadly Black Widow.

I felt betrayed abandoned and rejected. I knew I wasn't cursed. Those men were no good. I was all alone in my parents home designing under a pseudonym. No one wanted to purchase a cursed woman's clothing. Even the women at my church shunned me.

Five years later my younger sister, Fabiola sent me a screenshot of a Facebook post. Sean had married a young lady closer to his age on the family yacht in a lavish ceremony. I was devastated, again. How could anyone be so cruel? My entire life had been planned for me from birth. I submitted to the culture and customs only to be thrown away without a second thought. Every year on the anniversary of the deaths it all starts up again. I became a recluse. I couldn't leave my father's home without paparazzi trailing me. I was 27 years old with no social life and no hope of ever marrying. I would never enjoy the beauty and ministry that is marriage.

An excerpt from Only in the Bible an original work of fiction written by yours truly.

Remain Blessed.

[toonazcoolforyou]

Hell Followed

Okay, so, as i rambled on in the Discord this is gunna be an ad for my character’s family. They’re kind of a cooky bunch of folks ngl and there’s probably rumors about them but the sort of head of the family makes sure it doesn’t affect her kids or her reputation all that much. Still, they’re an odd bunch.

I’d say for now they’re mostly humans and possibly a few psychics or hunters -the family is So(™) not in the know about the supernatural but individual-wise that may vary a bit. What will happen, however, is that misfortune’s (and even more weirdness) gunna come knocking on their doors and things are gunna start to get even crazier. Whether it’s someone getting turned into a werewolf, someone dating a wendigo, someone dying and turning into a spirit, someone getting possessed by a demon, etc. etc. etc. the family’s gunna have to put aside their differences, since there probably are many, and band together if they wanna weather this storm.

And it’s definitely gunna be one hell of a storm.

Overall the structure of the family/how many there are/etc. hasn’t been decided yet so i am definitely ready to hear any and all suggestions! Preeetty much only the mom, the stepfather, my character, and Kovu’s character has been sort of fitted in so there is that for reference lmao

First Hendrickson - ## - Mother - Open - She considers herself the head of the household and makes sure all the family members under her wing are kept well enough in control -she sometimes succeeds. She can be pretty ruthless when she wants something so she is definitely a force to be reckoned with. Whatever secrets she could be hiding she guards them well and one has to wonder whether she’s willing to maim or kill to keep them from the rest of the world, perhaps even from her own family.

First Hendrickson - ## - Stepfather - Open - This is the stepdad. Yup, Mrs. Hendrickson married twice (Hendrickson can be implied to be her maiden name and she never gave it up). Despite the short fuse and his problematic past, he’s proved to be an exemplary father and husband, always trying to mediate family confusions unless he’s involved. A bad boy in his younger years, this is hardly noticed nowadays aside from his rough edges. He’s pretty open, feel free to contact me and/or Kovu for further info! The face is open but in case you need suggestions: Kevin McKidd, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Josh Duhamel, Sam Worthington, Gerard Butler, Patrick Dempsey and Jude Law are a few!

Frank Hendrickson - 38 - Son - Taken by Nazcool - Frank is definitely one of the more normal family members of the Hendrickson family -and he sort of hates his association with them. He’s a man of absolute perfection and has to make sure everything is in proper order, to the detriment of having a lot of people who like him. It’s not that he’s a bad guy but… he’s not all that likable. Sure, some people get used to his more stern nature and semi-controlling ways though not everyone. Relationship wise, well… he tends to be the one in charge, to put it lightly, and so many aren’t surprised that it’s been a year since he’s been divorced from his wife (most assume she divorced him but actually he divorced her). There’s hints of other relationship troubles and perhaps something even darker but nothing has come to light just yet. His mother was overly fond of his ex-wife, which could be one of the many reasons why Frank is now hiding the fact that he’s seeing a lounge singer -he’s too terrified of what his mother will say or do if she does find out. The subject of being terrified of said mother is another matter entirely, and one he does not want to talk about whatsoever.

Alana Hendrickson - 25 - Step Sister - Taken by Kovu - Alana is the stepdad’s daughter and a psychic. Unlike many in the family, she’s more familiar with the supernatural than she probably should be, even going as far as running the local haunted house attraction with real creatures. She’s friendly and outgoing in personality, always looking for the next adventure and there is nothing she won’t try at least once. Also fiercely protective, she’ll stand and fight for all of those she cares about, which of course includes her family. She lives alone nowadays or, well, as alone as you can be with six pets.

 I haven’t thought of the number of siblings/aunts/uncles/cousins/In-laws/etc. so it’s gunna be more me adding people to the list as they come up/are discussed rather than me putting a billion suggestions which are gunna be lame xD;; don’t hesitate to poke me on Discord tho with any ideas you have and what you may wanna add to the Hendrickson family!

Also! Once you have a character thought out and wanna add it to the list just lemme know and I can do just that! (this also applies to characters that aren’t yours that haven’t been discussed yet) I did a little blurb for mine (okay a small chunk i cannot do anything little lmao) but if you don’t wanna have much in there you can just say a sentence or two about who/what they are haha

(also the picture is courtesy of kovu it’s amazing <3 that is all)

[dukevividwriting]

Convember:Crossover SU X Multi series

Steven Universe life has never been normal. Being a gem hybrid, a diamond…..A child of a rebel leader who played both sides in an attempt to bring peace, and having to clean up said parent mistakes...Had ran it course..He took it with as much stride as he could and in the end succeed in bringing relative peace throughout his galaxy.

Of course he couldn't have done it alone. He had help from his family, the Crystal Gems. Pearl, the closest thing he had to a mother. She cooked,cleaned,schooled him and was a bit smothering. Always worried about him and hardly enough about herself.  He hoped she was taking care of herself back home.

        Amethyst; his smaller-older sister, shorty squad member, fellow 'worst gem’ and ‘most mature Crystal gem', and the most human. Always there for a prank or a talk, always ready to lounge around.  

Garnet; the leader and heart of the crystal gems. Respected and respectful, wise, forthright, and loving. Always around for advice, to guide, and to guard her fellow man and gem. To stand up against any who would dare hurt her family or friends. She was his hero. one of them.

    Bismuth; Friend to all who needed it. Always ready with a pun or a new project in her forge. Strong in body and heart. He wondered what new armament she’ll have when they stop for a visit.

   Peridot; Lovable, excitable,  and quirky. Always ready to share her new meep morphs, technological  project or her thoughts on pop culture..Mostly Camp Pining Hearts. He wonders if she's enjoying the reboot.

Lapis Lazuli: His beach summer fun buddy, arguably the most powerful of them,  in the right circumstance. Once a sad gem filled with self-loathing for her past actions and a sarcastic  cold demeanor due to her past captivity, now a calmer, happier person. Someone who you can see flying freely over Little Homeworld with a nymph  like giggle.

He missed them so much. Being away from the gems did make him worry. As he walked out of the bedroom he shared and began to transverse the ship, he being to wonder if they were  getting to any fights or arguments..Wonder if his father,Greg was keeping the peace all right. He missed him even more than the gems.He missed Beach City and Little Homeworld. He missed Homeworld and earth...He missed their Dimension.

The nineteen year old missed them dearly..was he nineteen or twenty? The calendar in this world was hard to understand and all the 'verse' hopping didn't help either. Regardless, he wasn't lonely at all. It was hard to be with the group they had gathered.

As he walked by an open room he eye caught sight of a man and woman sharing a bed. Sleeping with a cloak over them was the bounty hunter named Sol Badguy and his lover Aria, formally known as Jack-o . While Sol wasn't the nicest guy around he more than proved to be loyal and a good guy at least. He was blunt with his advice and a bit lazy at times..but when you have the power and strength that he has, he could afford to be.

Resting cozy in Sol's arm and lap was Aria,and despite her looks she was just as powerful as the man she leaned against. She was the nicer of the two and very intuitive. She had the aura of a mature older sister, always willing to lend an ear or a shoulder when needed.

Leaving them be and closing the door to their room,  Steven continued his walk. he came into one of the living areas; a spacious room very fantastically  and futuristically furnished. Across from entranced the laid Yuri lowell on crimson recliner a book between his chest and hand, slightly snoring.  Steven spared him a glance before looking around the room. He sighed as his search turned up empty.

    As he was about to continue on his search, he was accidentally bumped into by the pink hair and blue eyes of a nobility; Estellise Sidos Heurassein, Estelle for short. After apologize with a giggle, Steven  indicated where a certain vagabond sleeping with left nod of the head. She peered in and sighed slightly annoyed, slightly adoringly as she walked to the sleeping man and playfully poked his face. Only for him poke her back and pull her down with him.

  He allowed himself to smile at the antics, before  moving on...No need to watch a couple at play. He made his way along the corridor walking pass  empty and unused bedrooms and soon found himself going down the elevator to the first level of the ship.

As soon as he walked out he caught a whiff of something sweet in the air, like fried cookie cat sweet. He followed in a trance like state, his sweet tooth and stomach urging him to find the source of this aroma.. . It led him to the kitchen and as soon as he entered, He walked right back out and ran away.

    He was not going to taste any of Noel Vermillion cooking. He did feel bad but.. he ate her food once and saw his life flash before his eyes, not in the pleasant way either.He felt bad cause Noel along with Estelle was one of the sweetest people you could ever meet.  Helpful and kind to a fault, even able to get the sarcastic and cool Yuri and Mr.Badguy himself to smile or smirk genuinely.

He turned the corner to see one Ragna the bloodedge..Looking quite sick, green as his right eye. It didn't  take long for Steven to put two and two together. He looked at the older man quizzically, he knew better not to eat Noel food, hell he warned  them not to eat his sisters cooking.

Ragna looked up at the hybrid and held a cup of water shaking it. Steven smirked   before sticking his finger in his mouth getting a good amount of healing essence and sticking it into Ragna's cup, swirling  it around. Ragna looked slightly disgusted but he drowned the water with gusto. he shivered over how disgusting it was to drink someone saliva, but  couldn't deny the quick and powerful results.

With a stretch the rebel patted the younger man on the shoulder giving him an appreciative  nod before heading back to the kitchen in hope of getting the blonde girl out of there before she kill anyone else.

Steven shrugged wishing him luck, before continuing  his way. Past the control room..He doubt who he was looking for would be there at this time..Especially since the ship A.I was in control. As his travel continued something caught his ear, the sounds of battle.

With a smile, Steven upped his pace towards the sounds of clashing weapons and grunts. It took him all but 30 seconds for him to reach the giant sliding doors.with a press of a glowing red button to the left of the doors, he was allowed entry.

Inside was a modest balcony with a protective  window pane, a control module and a door on the left. Sitting by said module was a young man of similar age, one of the first people that they recruited on this journey, Jude mathis. The man took a quick glance at the hybrid before turning his head back forward, back to what was going on beyond the balcony. Steven was quick to join him the sparkle in his eyes and grin on his face said it all.

Beyond the balcony was unprecedented and always awestucking.  Below was land, air, water or whatever someone wished it to be as long as they've been there.. At the moment it was a place Steven knew very well..It been months since he saw it.. The ruins.

In the ruins two warriors were sparring, clashing sword to sword, fist to fist, foot to foot; each with shallow cuts and slight bruising on various parts of their bodies.  One was a tall, beautiful young woman with pink eyes and long, blonde hair that reaches down to her waist. Dressed in a high thigh, form fitting blue and white dress, with long thigh high boots and matching gauntlets., Mila Maxwell; The lord of Spirits from Reize Maxia

The other was slightly younger.. but was just as beautiful (If you asked Steven, moreso). With skin of brown and eyes of black pearls, full lips and curly  deep brown hair that stopped at her mid back was held in a top bun-braid combo, thanks to the star bralette in her hair. Her body: full figured shapley, and built for battle; was adorned in a cobalt Kalaripayattu outfit with a crimson sash, cobalt shoes and mid-finger gauntlets that matched her sash. Connie Maheswaran..Crystal gem..and partially awaken Lord of the Universe.

Something they have been working to ratify since the start of their journey, and bring to full fruition.Something they need to succeed in unless existence itself ceases to well.. Exist. One of the ways through exercise and battle like this, attempting to force it out.

The two clashed and pushed their blades against each, eyes locked in determination and excitement on their face. The sound of the blondes rapier scraping against the brunettes shortsword as they struggled for supremacy, only added to their fun. A share of taunting chuckles came from each other as they try to figure out how to take advantage of this deadlock.

Connie was the first to make a move as she slightly loosened her grip on her blade, allowing Mila full momentum to throw the lord of spirits of balanced as, as Connie shifted her body and step to the left side of her friend momentarily out of her sight. Using the momentum and the opening, Connie swung her right foot to the back of blonds knee, sweeping her feet from under her.

Mila landed hard on her back with a groan, but recovered quickly; rolling back to her feet in a crouch, holding her hand out, a green circle of mana around her.

“Pierce through! Wind Lance!” .

A green arc of wind  based mana flew from her hand, straight towards Connie. The indian woman grimace as she blocked with her sword being pushed back a little, feeling the wind still knick her stomach slightly.

Earth, cry out! Rock Trine! "

Connie eyes widen when she saw a yellowish triangular glyph appear below her. Letting her instinct take over The woman leapt up just out of the way of the rock pillars rising up to stab her. Quite higher than a normal human would.

Flames come forth! Fireball!

Connie swore as she saw and felt the flame sphere head toward her. She took a chance tossing her blade at milia, causing to  the sphere to explode as it flew through; unfortunately Connie was still close enough to feel a bit of the shockwave, being blown back a bit more.

She did hear the clang of Swords and the grimace of her opponent..

‘Guess where both disarmed now...Though she still have access to her worlds workings and mana' Connie thoughts were interrupted when she saw a blue sphere of water above her.

“Oh Fu--”

She didn’t get the chance to finish as a torrent of water collided with her, throwing her down to the earth below, pounding and beating her body harsly.  She breath haggardly as she climbed to her feet drenched, coughing up some water left from that attack. She growled in irritation and determination. Not at Mila, but at herself.  She took a deep breath before calming herself, placing her hands in the meditative symbol garnet taught her and Steven as Stevonnie.

Her eyes changed slightly but gaining what look like a four point star and each of her pupils the size of a pin.

“ Shadowing”

Her voice seemed to have a bit of an echo as she spoke. While it seemed as if nothing happened that was far from the truth. Seeing that Mila was not running but gliding towards her, sword in hand caused her to smirk.

“ Splash!”

Seeing the water bubble over her head again,  kickstart her mind and in a low almost whisper, Connie spoke.

  “Lapis lazuli.”

Wings similar to her fellow crystal temp appeared on her back, the only difference they were black as shadows. As the water, Connie raised her hands, shakingly stopping the waters fall before tossing it towards Milia who dodge the stream .Connie leapt back before flying towards Milia, no where near the speed of Lapis, but still faster than Mila expected.

“Bismuth.”

With a twist the Lord-to-be, substituted the wings, for warhammers hands, slamming them towards the left side of the spirit lord, who despite blocking the blow still tossed towards a nearby pillar. Mila through stinging pain righted herself and landed on the pilar before bounding of it, towards her opponent.

Mila slammed her blade against Connie hammers with her whole weight behind it. The force pushed the young woman back and slightly off balance. Mila landed on bended knees before she followed through with a horizontal slash towards  Connie face. She successfully laid a shallow cut upon the bridge of the Maheswarans nose as Connie fell back.

Using the momentum of the fall and the hammers as a balance, Connie backed flipped away from Mil, kicking her chin in the process. The Maheswaran leapt  back as the hammers vanished in a wisp of smoke. She clenched her hands thrice, getting a feeling for them.

'Ten seconds still for 'Bismuth'...Not ideal but better than five.'

" Peridot."

Connie leapt over Mila attempt  to stab her abdominal, countering three kicks towards the spirit  lords head, which were blocked by their blade. On the third kick she used mila as spring board jumped back and high into the air.

Hmm!"  Mila stood before kneeling down.

"CLOUD PIERCE!"

She leapt diagonally upward towards Connie with her sword pointing forward, spinning clockwise, the thrust emitting blue energy.

As she watched her come Connie held her left hand in a gripping fashion she pulled it back towards her.

"KKSH! KSHKSHKSH!"

The sounds of weapons clashing resounded as Connie sword back in to her hands, clashed against Mila attack. Try as she might though she couldn't keep the defense up as Mila was able to breakthrough. The blue energy hit her on the side, shaving and burning her outfit and skin, while tossing her back towards the ground, with a dust gathering crash.

"Amethyst ."

Just as mila was finishing her attack a shadow colored imitation of the gems whip, snapped around her waist and swung her into the ground hard, releasing  before impact. Mila coughed as she felt her back slammed into the ring. Mila groaned for a moment getting her bearings before seeing Connie bruised, battered, but smirking; run out of the cloud. Sword in her left, whip in her right.

Connie snapped the whip towards the spirit lord, putting her on the defensive. She wasn't  as efficient as the namesake, but she at least has mila on her toes and kept the lord from moving closer. With one lucky snap, she was able to knock  the weapon out of her hands roughly and closer to a smug Connie . With a running leap and a elegant twist, Connie swung the whip down ward. A trail of grayish flanes ran across the stone covered whip as it nearly collided with the lord of spirits blocking hand...only for it to dissipate before contact, leaving Connie a bit drained..and very open as she landed in front of Mila in a crouch.

Mila stretched out her hand towards connie as a sphere of fire appeared in her palm..only to be accompanied by two more each  to a side of the Maheswaran. She smirked at the look of defiance on her protege. She leapt back to escape blast range.

"Flare Bomb!"

"Gar-"

Connie voice was smothered by the blinding explosion of spheres. Smoke stood where Connie was but Mila stood ready. Connie, if anything proved to be resilient, vigilant, and at times relentless in her pursuits. Time has taught her that. Mila eyes widen and her instinct screamed to dodge as Connie shot of the smoke, worse than wear,  shadow version of Garnet's gauntlets on her hands.

Connie swung with a mighty right hook, that would have  took of the lord of Spirits head, if she didn't duck, did take of some strands of  hair though and caused a bit of a shockwave. Connie raised her left and try to bring it down on her opponent only to have her miss again cratering the place once stood.

She coughed as she felt a fist to the left side and swung towards the source, meeting air and receiving  another fist to her midsection. Connie growled as she a round house towards the source this time hitting the forearm of mila, a block. Connie  was thrown off by the Spirit lord for a moment before using the momentum to land into a handstand. Splitting her legs, she spun her body around attempting to break Mila guard, with a flurry  of helicopter kicks.

Mila grunted against assault. Each kick feeling like a steel rod beating against her arms  continuously. After the sixth hit Mila dropped her guard for a moment.

at the same time,  Connie dropped to her feet and drove her gauntlet to milia guarded stomach. It was enough to send the blonde flying back  many yards.

Mila righted herself in skid it back near a  broken pillar seeing her sword nearby. The spirit lord watched as the brunette charge, slower because of the gauntlets. She  lifted her beaten arms up and began to speak

"O spurring wind, scatter like flowers! Arriverderci!"

Connie stopped her charge as she saw the light green glyph appear below her. From it she felt the gust of wind and petals, knocking her upward and giving her a bevy of shallow cuts all over , grunting  all the while. She twisted herself right before disengaging the gauntlets.

"Pearl"

From Garnet gauntlets to Pearl's  spear, a weapon Connie knew very well. She pointed shadow imitation at milia and launched a volley of energy bullets at the blond, putting Mila on the evasive as she fell.

Mila charged dodging shot after shot picking up her blade, she met Connie  with a horizontal slash from above as she landed, clashing weapon to weapon before leaping back just bit.

The two women swung, clashed  and evaded each others blows neither giving the other an inch of space. For every step back met with a step forward. Every party an attack..It was a beautiful  dance of blades.Connie did get the first clean hit by partying a stab to the left and kicking her straight to the gut knocking her back in a tumble.

Connie breathed tiredly as the spear disappeared..She could feel her time running short as she blinked her eyes. she could feel the power waning. she smirked, she lasted longer than usual. That's a plus especially when utilizing ' shadowing' .. It does eat up a lot of her time and energy, more so when it dissipates by itself..She figured she had at least three to four minutes left...Better make it count.

Mila shook her head and got up with a grunt. She rotated shoulders and with pride she saw Connie charging toward her..Sword in hand. Conjuring the mana needed in a purple glyph circle surrounding her. With a reach towards her connie, spirit lord  commanded

“Bolt Strike!”

A giant shadow and the sound of crackling caused connie looked up...and her eyes widened in shock. A sphere of dark purple energy above the ground, and after several seconds of waiting, several lightning bolts struck down from it  at random directions, in her general area.

Connie jumped, duck, and dodged the deadly making attack the best she could.. Only to find herself in the middle of four lighting bolts aiming straight at her..

" BISCUIT!"

Instantly familiar 'shing' of the pink diamond  shield was heard..except it was a darker pink.. A shadow but much more solid than the others, make sense, this is the weapon,the power she knows just as well as her own.

Using the shield, she reflected the lighting at the caster, who dodged  by cartwheeling to the left. Sh charged tossing not one but three shields at Mila, who dodged two and  knocked the third into the air only to catch back in her hand and slamming it back down onto her blade, pushing her back.

Mila couldn't escape Connie ferocity. Any where she went Connie  was on her Shield and sword in hand, elegant and deadly. She ducked under a swing losing some  hair from Connie's sword, responding with an uppercut that met her shield Mila pressed her palm on it .

"Flare bomb!"

The explosion gave Mila the seconds she need to jump away and prepare her attack.

"Shining Prism!"

Milla conjured a white hexagon under the smoke where Connie stood, with four shining hexagons around the edges of the ground hexagon. The hexagons then rotate counterclockwise as a series of white rays bounces several times from the walls. They tore through the smoke revealing  a dark pink bubble; with Connie in the middle. The light couldn't penetrate it.

Connie started to charge after mila bubble still activated Muscling through spell after spell  to drag her into close combat. Once close enough Connie deactivated the bubble Swinging her blade diagonally  towards Milan's throwing her off balance.She followed though with a smack of her Shield throwing mila back.

Mila watched as she came yet again and smiled.. The pride in her protege and friend was immense. She felt a bit sad for what  she was about to do. Milla crouched low drawing her left hand behind her, summoning a ball of red energy in it. She charged at her opponent with an open palm.

"Overdrive!"

The met in a destructive clash, the reflexive  force of the shield versus the overwhelming power of the orb, godly beings struggling against each other ,neither willing to give the other an inch.

Connie could only look in  a mixture of defeat and satisfaction as the shield. and orb  canceled our each other causing an implosion between the two.. The last thing Connie remembered  is her shield getting shattered, And both her and Mila flying back.

When Connie opened her eyes she nearly cried..She was at beach house..In Steven's room. She walked over to the balcony  and her heart exploded in joy..Steven, the gems, Her parents, Greg and lion..They were at the beach..She was home. She looked further down the beach and saw the group they gathered on their multiverse adventure.. She laughed as she raced to join them  only to turn around and see a white nearly demonic version of herself.. She didn't get to scream as the wraith god jumped on her.

Connie scream woke up the person next to her, Steven as he grabbed her by the shoulders, rubbing them gently. She looked around and realize they were on the ship in the room sh..She sighed as she turned to Steven  who looked worried. She grabbed his hand seething a bit at her own movements.

She felt lingers of the battle  Steven, of course seeing this, did what he always did. He gripped her chin and kissed her tenderly..Healing and exciting her as she moaned both thank you and a hunger for more.

Connie grabbed him and pulled him down with her, cuddling close with his legs between her thighs  instinctively rubbing against him. arms around his big torso head by his heart taking in his still beach city scent. She felt at home here In his arms.The fact that he held her similarly made it even better.

It was late though..too late to talk about their moment of homesickness..or the nightmares or training..or theirs ragtag team.or the fate of the goddamn multiverse..All they wanted right now was to hold and he held by the piece of their home within their grasp...Each other.

[dazzledbybooks]

The Age of Darkness approaches.Five lives stand in its way.Who will stop it... or unleash it?For generations, the Seven Prophets guided humanity. Using their visions of the future, they ended wars and united nations―until the day, one hundred years ago, when the Prophets disappeared.All they left behind was one final, secret prophecy, foretelling an Age of Darkness and the birth of a new Prophet who could be the world’s salvation . . . or the cause of its destruction. As chaos takes hold, five souls are set on a collision course:A prince exiled from his kingdom.A ruthless killer known as the Pale Hand.A once-faithful leader torn between his duty and his heart.A reckless gambler with the power to find anything or anyone.And a dying girl on the verge of giving up.One of them―or all of them―could break the world. Will they be savior or destroyer? Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, Children of Blood and Bone, and An Ember in the Ashes.  Review: There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool is so well written. The magic system is unique. I really enjoyed how Pool put everything together. I would like to start with the magic because I think it helps put everything together. First off there are people in this world that have special abilities. People that have these abilities are considered to be graced. The Four Bodily Graces: - The Grace of Heart - Enhances strength, agility, speed, and senses (Elite Fighters) - The Grace of Blood - Gives and takes energy to heal or harm (Healers) - The Grace of Mind - Creates objects imbued with unique properties (Alchemists and Artificers) - The Grace of Sight - Senses and located living beings (Scryers) This world that we dive into seems to be a very religious one. The world believes in prophets that guide people. There is a Hierophant that is convinced that Graces are unnatural and that anyone that has a grace should be removed from positions of power. The problem with this is most of the world’s rulers are people that come from families who have been graced. The people that follow the Hierophant that are trying to remove the graces from power are called the Witnesses. These Witness groups attack kingdoms to overthrow the rulers. The goal is to kill the graced. Basically the Witnesses are groups of zeolites. This is the background of what is going on in this world. The Characters with a point of view: - Ephyra (The Pale Hand): The Grace of Blood Ephyra is devoted to her younger sister Beru. All Ephyra is trying to accomplish is to heal her sister. Even if that means causing harm to others. Ephyra is able to steal a person’s Esha (spirit) and put it into her sister to make her live longer. When she does this, it leaves a pale hand on their skin, which is how Ephyra got the nickname The Pale Hand. - Jude (Captain of The Order of the Last Light) Jude is definitely an interesting characters to me. He struggles between his duty as captain and trying to be a good friend to his childhood best friend. Once of the biggest things I see in Jude’s character is he doesn’t think he is enough. His first priority is to protect the last prophet. - Hassan (The Prince) Hassan is the Prince of Herat. When there was an attack on his kingdom he escaped to go live with his aunt. All he really wants is to return home and save his kingdom from the Witnesses. - Anton: The Grace of Sight Anton was bullied by his older brother who was born without grace. Anton believes that is his brother is chasing him down to kill him so Anton stays on the move. He is constantly moving cities and not staying anywhere for long. Since Anton was bullied so bad by his brother, that he refuses to use his grace even if it allows him to sense the esha’s around him. - Beru Beru is Ephyra’s little sister. She was brought back to life after falling extremely ill by Ephyra’s grace. In order for Beru to stay alive, Ephyra has to continue to give Beru other people’s Esha. Basically this resurrects Beru every time. Beru’s only concern is her sister. She is afraid that Ephyra is going to lose herself to the darkness. The Story: Having five different characters tell this story was a lot. There were a few times that I felt completely lost. We get to know each of the major five characters quite well. We learn that there is a last prophet and a prophecy. This prophecy states there will come a darkness and the last prophet will lead the people to peace. There are five key players (our characters anyone?) that will bring about this darkness. I really felt that book one was like the prologue for this whole series. Not a whole lot happened in the book but we were given so much information. I am actually slightly hoping that this will be more than a three book series because I feel like there is too many things that need to happen for there to only be two more books. Now don’t get me wrong, I thought this book was great. I just think that it set us up for the series vs actually being the first book in the series. This cast of characters is great. I am looking forward to getting to know them better with the next book. I would really like to see a plot driven by action and not just telling us who the key players are. I definitely think this will be a series to watch.

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