#Helion week

[honeybeegarden]

Elucien Week 2024 Days 1 & 2: Fated & Golden

I commissioned @majuandrad for this gorgeous piece representing Elain & Lucien’s fated future in the Day Court with each other and their family. Whenever I picture “fated” surrounding Elain and Lucien I think of a beautiful love story in the making, coming home, and of course, a happy ending. That’s all I want for our favorite golden sunshine couple ☀️

Do not repost

@elucienweekofficial

[acotarmemes]

Did Buttmunch make it to the Night Court?

YES! He did and VERY SAFELY!

icons by @copypastus

Since it's @cassianappreciationweek, I also wrote a little ficlet of:

The Adventures of Cassian and Buttmunch

Read on AO3, or below the cut.

"Cassian? Cassian, are you listening to me?"

It tickles. Oh, gods, it tickles.

Cassian squirms a little, tilting his head and wrinkling his nose. He's sure Nesta is saying something terribly important and while the sound of her voice is a symphony of sun and skies, it takes all of his self-control to contain himself.

"Yes, of course! I, the best husband in the world, devote my complete attention to my beloved wife."

"What was I saying?" Nesta deadpans, folding her arms across her chest. She drums her fingers across her bicep, patiently waiting for Cassian's excuse.

Before he can say anything productive, he bursts into a fit of giggled, and bites his lip. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I swear I was listning. But if you could repeat yourself, I would love you forever."

"You'll love me forever even if I don't," she counters without missing a beat. Her eyes trail him up and down, watching him squirm, nearly cross his arms over his chest and decide against it. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing."

Her gaze narrows, and she steps closer. Nesta draws her hands back, and strikes hard and fast, tickling his sides. All is lost—completely lost!

Cassian bursts into laughter. "Mercy, mercy!"

"Not until you—Ah!" Nesta's yelp is sudden and pitched as she jumps back. "What's that?"

From the inside of his vest, a tiny baby bluejay pops its head out, using Cassian's chest hair as a tiny little toupee. It chirps at Nesta happily, then wiggles back into the comfort of Cassian's clothes.

"Well, you see, I wanted to ask how you felt about birds?"

"Cassian!"

He knows it isn't very fair to ask Nesta to keep the baby bird when he's already got the baby bird, but he is the General of the Night Court and battles aren't always won with fairness.

***

"What do bluejays eat?"

Azriel's voice is quieter than the little singing bird. He squats by the makeshift nest, watching the hatchling bury itself in scraps of Cassian's old clothing and hair they definitely didn't just pull out. They wanted to swaddle him in Cassian's scent, what else were they supposed to do?

"I dunno."

"Tamlin didn't give you a list?"

"Well, he did, but I lost it."

Azriel pauses, and looks up at Cassian unimpressed. Of course, Cassian would adopt a baby bird and of course, he would decide to wing it. Pun intended. The shadowsinger sighs, and conjures little shadow tendrils to entertain the chick.

"His name?"

"Buttmunch."

A small smile creeps on Azriel's features. The two of them high five in some inside joke no one else is privy too.

"Want to make a bet?"

Cassian tilts his head, his bun following the motion and going lopsided. It's still too early to be stylish. It's just Azriel, anyway. He cocks a scarred brow, already invested in this brewing game. He doesn't win often, but this time, he will. If it's about Buttmunch, nobody knows his baby as well as he does.

"Gather food. Label them. Whoever's food Buttmuch picks wins."

"Okay, what do I win?"

"Your name goes first. Buttmuch, son of Cassian and Azriel. If you win."

"HELL YEAH!"

***

The meeting is running long.

Cassian leans his cheek into his fist, half-lulling himself to sleep. There's only so much court things he can take. He is a man of action, a do-er, not a talker. His only saving grace is the grumpy little bluejay sitting on Rhysand's shoulder. Buttmunch didn't want to get up. Buttmunch also didn't want to left alone in Cassian's room.

He's in a mood, Cassian had told his brother, but Rhysand insisted that his winged-nephew join him.

The hatchling looks especially angry, trembling a little as he—oops.

"Buttmunch the first! Son of Azriel and Cassian!" Cassian yowls between fits of laughter. He gets up and swoops his little birdy with a grin. "I guess that's meeting adjourned? I'll buy you a new suit. Oh, and I told you so."

"With what money? You owe me from last time I spotted you."

"Sorry, gotta go! Potty training!"

***

The problem with being the most handsome and innovative male in the Night Court is that everyone wants to be him. Cassian rescued Buttmunch, and now Azriel wants one too.

He rushes to the texted location—to where his brother found an egg all by itself on the ground. Cradled in the mud at the banks of swampy water lies Buttmunch's future brother.

"Should we wait for the egg to hatch?"

"I don't know. Buttmunch game ready made."

"Ready—Ready made?"

"Yeah, hatched and chirping and all. He just kinda fell out of a tree."

The two of them stand there, inspecting the egg. Cassian feels little feet scractching at his head as Buttmunch pops out of his bun, joining in the open display of curiosity.

Beside them, the water sloshes. Both Illyrians turn their attention to the murky depths.

"Is that—"

"RUN!"

A giant crocodile bursts out of seemingly nowhere, snapping its jaws at the two idiots invading its nest. Cassian holds onto Buttmuch while running for dear life.

"Sorry, Butt," Cassian says, breathless, once they reach safety. "We'll find you a sibling."

***

The scare by the swamp weighs on Cassian's mind. What if Buttmunch had fallen off? What if Cassian forgot to hold onto him and he'd been eaten? Oh, he'd be inconsolable if he lost his baby chikie.

"You're not a baby anymore. Look how chonky you are. That's teen-bird chonk. That means you're ready to fly," he lectures. "It's for your safety."

"Are we sure he understands?" Feyre squats down to scratch his fuzzy little head. "He is so cute."

"Did you understand your parents when you were born?"

"No. I was a baby."

"Okay, well, Buttmunch is a genius. Look at this." Cassian twirls his finger. "Do the cyclone!"

Right on cue, Buttmunch turns in a circle on the spot. The hatchling chirps and preens at his papa-bat.

"That's it, I'm kidnapping him and keeping him forever."

"You can try, but he's imprinted on me. It's why Tamlin let him live with me instead of releasing him back into the Spring Court forests."

"We'll see when he learns to fly and becomes independent. So, how do we start?"

As one of the last people who learned to fly, Feyre is the perfect teaching assistant to Cassian. The three of them stand on the roof. They try to show Buttmunch to flap his wings, but the chick only tilts his head to the left and to the right in confusion.

"Like this," Cassian takes big leaping steps, flapping his wings in demonstration.

Buttmunch hops after him excitedly, but his wings are tucked firmly at his sides.

"Okay, what if I just pushed him off the roof? His instincts are bound to kick in, right?"

"What if I pushed you off the roof?"

Feyre regards Cassian like he's lost his damn mind. Flying isn't easy and rushing that process isn't going to make Buttmunch successful. She bends down to scoop the tiny bluejay into her hands. He nestles into the warmth of her touch and that gives her an idea.

"Fly," she tells Cassian.

"What?"

"Just fly. Pretend like you're leaving him behind."

Cassian frowns. Abandonment seems… cruel. He looks between Feyre and his munchkin, then steps back off the edge. As soon as he disappears, Buttmunch cries out desperately. Cassian swoops back up into the sky, flapping his wings and keeping a distance between them.

"Go to papa," Feyre tells Buttmunch, extending her arms.

The chick remains focused on Cassian, spreading its little wings and flapping. He tries and tries, trying to lift himself when Feyre decides to give him a little momentum. A little toss up into the air where she can still catch him and there he goes.

"He's flyin'! My baby boy is flyin'!"

Buttmunch's trajectory is a little unsteady, dropping a little as he tries to meet Cassian in the air. Oh, he doesn't seem sure at all, but he's determined. He chirps, chirps, and Cassian likes to say he's announcing his arrival—I'm coming! I'm coming!

Cassian cheers him on and catches him, howling his victory. His Buttmunch is the best, the very best!

***

Flying is freedom.

Flying is boundless.

He can go as far and as wide as he pleases, with nothing to stop him except his own will. Cassian soars through the clouds above Velaris, a fierce blue dart beside him. He twists his body, torpedoing through the white wisps, and the bluejay mimicks his prowess.

The two of them were meant to fly.

Velaris boasts the most beautiful sights, but there is nothing like the endless sky welcoming him and his Buttmunch with open arms.

[littlest-w01f]

Acotar Omegaverse Week 2024

For @acotar-omegaverse-week

MAIN MASTERLIST

Acotar x OC, since my OCs are my speciality

Day 1 - Cushions

Day 2 - Heated

Day 3 - Shadows

Day 4 - Golden Beast

Day 5 - Butchered

Day 6 - Caves

Day 7 - Middle

Hope you all enjoy :)

[sonics-atelier]

Golden

𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧, 𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞, 𝐀 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐞𝐬.

For @lucienweekofficial 2024 3 : Daylight

Ao3 Link - Moodboards ( no AI generated images were used ) drop a kudos and leave a comment if you can, I'd appreciate that <3

- @sonics-atelier 2024 ( do not repost or reuse in any way, shape or form )

Dividers by @cafekitsune <33

[jmoonjones]

Lucien Vanserra bundle since it's #LucienVanserraWeek

Lucien and Feyre getting rescued on the ice. Caught between murderous brothers and enemy bats? Poor bloke, whatta choice 😟

After learning who his father is, he must reevaluate all the rumours and stories he's heard over the years 😬

Inspired by that Gilmore Girls episode with all the Thanksgivings, here's a peek at the schedule for the most connected emissary in all of Prythian (and beyond) ✨

Ma and Pa ❤️

[honeybeefae]

3.5K Celebration Week!

shout out canva for the template but THIS IS HOW WE ARE CELEBRATING!

Starting TOMORROW, APRIL 28TH, WE WILL GO THROUGH THE WEEK WITH THE INBOX OPEN AND REQUESTS SPECIFIC FOR THE THEME DAY!

I am SO excited. I will try to get to all of you and save whatever is left over. These asks are for any characters, any ideas (as long as they follow the theme), and all for you! <3 I can't wait and hope to hear from you guys soon!

(p.s. if you would like to go ahead and send stuff for tomorrow, i'll open it tonight for you (; )

[xxvalkyriesxx]

This is gonna be cryptic but this will make sense once the one shot is out. I'm writing a Halloween costume contest for the AU prompt for Nessian Week. The fic takes place in our world as a heads up.

Since we're a week away I'm working on a few things including the end of this fic. I thought it would be really cool to see if anyone actually wanted to vote for who got to win.

Below I will have a poll of the costumes competing! However, the catch is that you don't know what couple is doing what. (Some of you might know. All I ask is that you don't spoil it lol).

Couples that will be featured in the fic: Nessian Feysand Gwynriel Helion/LoA Mor/Viviane's Sister Lucien/Jurian/Vassa Elain/Emerie Kallias/Viviane/Eris Some are more obvious than others oh well

Good luck! Once results are in I'll see what yall want and go from there <3

Remember this is supposed to be fun! Nessian are still the main characters of the fic even if they don't win <3

[highlordofkrypton]

I'm 2/2 for writing both prompts during @tamlinweek woo! Let's see if I can keep it up. Please enjoy Day 2, Prompt 2 - Poet.

I have so much muse for the side characters that appeared in Wildflowers, but also baby Tamlin so please enjoy both of those things!

Pardon my basic poetry, idk how to do that so it is what it is

Read Poet on AO3 or below the cut!

Two comets race against the sky, defying the sun and bringing about the Day.

Tamlin had been up for a while now, jumping on his older brother’s bed, trying to get him up for another day of magic. Iolin said no one could know about what he can do, so that means Iolin is the only one he can show his latest tricks too. He can sprout a whole tail, and not just a wiggly little nub to go with his wiry whiskers.

Not today, his brother had said. We have guests.

Guests means that Tamlin has to be quiet and stay out of the way. Guests means important business for his father and his brothers, and his mother will be presenting the Spring Court’s very best food, wine and hospitality. All of this leaves Tamlin alone, sitting at his window and watching eagerly to see who’s coming.

Now, he knows without a doubt that it’s High Lord Apollo and is son, Lord Helion. The latter of the two is, unfortunately, too old to entertain Tamlin. He has reached the age of being both very admirable and very boring, preferring to talk with his shiny, bright words, instead of playing in the Garden.

Tamlin sighs.

His cheek smooshes into his palm as he stares out towards the greens of his home’s vast forests. He could go explore, but he feels like having company. Why should everyone else have company and not him!

Movement in the gardens catches his eyes, and Tamlin perks right up. He knows that face! Immediately, he clambors out the window, clinging to familiar old vines who spare him the risk of getting hurt by slithering around his waist and guiding him to the ground.

“Thank you,” he beams, as part of their ritual, before racing over to his guest.

Oh, wait. Oh, no, I forgot. Tamlin turns right around and starts climbing back into his room. He forgot his intruments. He’s been practicing, and he has to show the one who taught him. It’s important. The most important.

This time, with his hands full, he simply asks very politely for a ride down to the ground. The vines are happy to oblige, stroking the softness of his cheek with their leaves to show their care. He giggles his thanks, tickled by the affection, and now, he can race his way to his friend.

“Hiiiiiiiii,” Tamlin breathes, a little too excited. His bright emerald gaze has gone bug-eyed, as if he’s never seen this man before. He has, he’s just surprised to see him here. Today. Again?

“Little one!” The human’s laughter is a rhythm on the wind, and his grin is a bright reflection of the sun on golden features. It never ceases to amaze Tamlin how handsome a mere human can be; he almost looks like a High Fae.

“Catch me!” The little Faerie screeches, dropping his instruments and leaping into the air.

Hyacinthus sets down the quill and paper he had been working on to hold out his arm, flexing the strong bicep for Tamlin to latch onto and swing much like he would on a tree. The sound that escapes Tamlin is pure, unfiltered joy.

The two of them have only met once before, and Tamlin’s reaction to him had been hostile. Humans exist to serve, his father had always told him to treat them like the cattle they are. Hyacinthus and Doe have taught him differently. Humans are just like Faeries; they can be smart, innovative, creative, handsome and strong! Even if the Commander of the Day Court is human, he seems to be on the same page as Tamlin.

Great minds think alike.

“Have you been practicing, little one?”

Oh! Oh! Tamlin was ready for this question. He releases Hyacinthus’ arm and drops to the ground with graceful ease, and patters to pick up his instruments to show the man. “I did! I’m gonna show you. Also, also,” he says everything in a single, excited breath. “I learned a new instrument. I’m gonna teach you too, okay?”

“Okay,” Hyacinthus hums, entirely too amused. In all honesty, he wasn’t expecting much of a greeting from the Spring Court, being human and all, and yet, here he is on the recieving end of the best reception he can think of.

Tamlin starts with the lyre, performing with his whole heart. He still looks at his fingers, making sure they strum the correct strings, but he keeps glancing at his once-teacher for approval. It comes in the form of closed eyes, and a gentle sway that takes hold of the human as he moves with the rhythm.

The Spring son can’t help but wonder—what is the Day Court like? Do they dance? Hyacinthus looks like he wants to, but that’s silly. Dancing is only for special events, isn’t it?

When he finishes, he picks up the lute and practically shoves the instrument in Hyacinthus’ face. “Look, it’s the same, but different.” Just like humans and Faeries. The lyre had been delicate and soft, but the lute is sharper.

This time, Tamlin plays a song that’s several ticks more upbeat, and he climbs upon the stone slab Hyacinthus sits on, strumming wildly like he’s playing for a whole crowd. His face twists in sheer concentration, bobbing his head like a wildcat, and putting on a proper show.

“Whoa,” the human breathes when Tamlin is done, genuinely impressed. “You better teach me that.”

Slow clapping interrupts their private moment, and Tamlin’s pale brows furrow in mild irritation.

“When do I get a turn,” asks the Lord of the Day Court. Helion’s grin is too charming, and his voice is a song in itself. When his friend Lucien had acted princely, Tamlin had admired it, but he doesn’t trust older Faeries who are not-yet High Lords. They’re dangerous and mean, like Lucien’s brothers.

Tamlin squints at him. “Uh, depends,” he huffs, thinking of a challenge that will deter this uninvited guest. He doesn’t really want to share with a stranger.

“We are celebrating arts, are we not?” Helion’s gold gaze drifts towards Hyacinthus’ parchment, and it gives him the perfect idea. “What if I were to earn my membership to this little club with some poetry?”

It wouldn’t be fair to decide on his own, so Tamlin looks to Hyacinthus who nods his approval. “Fine,” Tamlin agrees.

The Lord paces the garden, marinating in his thoughts and his words.

I am the son of the Sun,

A fleeting creature always on the run, In search of an identity that will always elude me. I am the son of mothers three, A warrior, a princess and a woman born by the sea. My father in the sky will never die, But my father before me, The commander of my heart, Oh, I don’t know where to start.

Helion makes a sweeping motion with his hand, signaling that his poem is complete. He waits expectantly for judgement.

Tamlin is no expert in poerty, so he squiggles closer to his friend, looking up to catch the way Hyacinthus rolls his eyes. Tamlin rolls his eyes, too, but he doesn’t know why.

“Really, Hel? If you think to appeal to me, you are sorely mistaken. Tamlin is the one in charge of this talent show.” Hyacinthus places his hand on Tamlin’s shoulder, supportive.

The little faeling looks between them, the seeds blossoming in his mind. The father before me, the commander of my heart. He tips his head, questioning. That makes no sense? Tamlin looks back at Hyancinthus, furrowing his brow in thoughtful confusion.

“You’re not his father. You’re human.”

“Oh, but he is,” Helion corrects. “In every way that matters. Just like my mothers who did not birth me.”

Tamlin is aware that High Lord Apollo has many wives, and a husband, but the dots are simply not connecting for him.

The two members of the Day Court laugh, and they decide to have mercy on Tamlin by shifting the subject to the real question at hand.

“So, what did you think, tiny blossom? Have I earned a right to join you?”

Hmmm. It takes Tamlin several beats before coming to his conclusion. “Yes, but you have to teach me how to make magic with words, too.”

[sideralwriting]

Welcome to my contribution to the ACoTaR writing circle (n.3).

Thank you @azrielshadowssing for planning this fun event!

"A Sunshine from the Ocean" is a HelionxLoA fanfic.

Summary: "The youngest daughter of a Duke of Autumn is unstoppable as she lauches herself overboard, during a storm in the middle of the ocean between Prythian and the Continent, just to save an unnamed man. Only to finish stranded on a deserted island with him and no way to go back.

Not that she would like to go back the her father's estate."

AO3; 1546 words, no warnings.

I hope you'll enjoy it!

It took one month to go from the Continent to Prythian by sea. One month of peace and freedom, of sun and sky and water. Yes, there were seventy more people on the ship with her, one of them being her governess and a few guards sent by her father. She had to keep herself in check in front of them, as he would surely interrogate them on her behavior. Nonetheless, her soul sang again, her heart secretly dancing in her chest.

She had to follow her father on a business trip to Montesere, as the youngest daughter of his business partner asked for her to meet and keep her company. Her sisters stayed back in Prythian.

She loved her sisters and how joyous and free they made her feel. Their father was a stern and close-minded duke of the Autumn Court, dictating that they followed the highest etiquette rules even between sisters, often followed by her mother tightening their corsets, slapping their hands with the yellow fan if they took a cupcake more, firing servants and etiquette teachers for their laziness in the girls training. But in those rare moments when no one was around, when they escaped to the forest and the sea beyond it, they laughed and ate and ran to their heart's content, splashing each other on the seashore, careful never to go missing for too long. Careful to style their hair as they were when leaving, their dresses dried. This time, though, had been the worst moment of her life.

The daughter of her father's business partner, a nineteen-year-old brown-haired girl, was proper and gossipy with her, but was the most awful person on the Continent with her staff. She was so annoying that when an old servant spilled water on the table, the girl slapped her in front of everyone and had the servant brought to the dungeons. And that slap had been enough for her. Enough of fake smiles and bad-mannered girls.

She got on her feet, poured her cup of water on her host and left the room, glaring at the woman as daring her to do anything. The girl accepted the challenge, because that same night her father slapped her in the private office he was given and sent back home.

The first half of the journey went fast, the sails of the three masts captured the wind, sending them gliding towards the horizon while stretching the ropes, the crackling wood a constant sound together with the rolling waves beneath her feet.

Around the twentieth day of travel, anyway, an intense storm hit the ship and lasted the whole night, faces and water and sky only visible thanks to the lightning falling all around them. She had to stay in her cabin to avoid distracting the sailors and giving them something else to worry about. The roaring of the storm and waves was deafening, joined by the screams of the sailors and by those of her maids. Mother above, some people were terrible under pressure. How could they even work for her father if they didn't have nerves of steel? The guards kept their posts by the doors and so did she, spine straight and a mask of calm on her face, sitting at the center of the bed, until she felt a tug in her chest.

And a second one.

Something tightened inside her, panic rising. Why did she feel like this?

A third tug.

Was it the storm? Was she anxious because of the danger?

The panic got her on her feet and swaying toward the window. She scanned the dark sky, the water. No one and nothing more alarming than the storm in sight. No enemies. Then what was tha—.

A fourth tug, stronger, nearer, calling for her to Run, run, run.

So she did. She put on a long-sleeved cream dress, making fast work of the corset with openings on the front, styling her hair in a plait of red hair while running toward the door.

Her guards stopped her telling her that they did it for her own good.

She felt the tight line in her chest become looser, as if something was going to be lost in her chest, in her life, forever.

She knew they were just doing their job. She knew it as she put on an expression she saw her mother make countless times and threatened the guards to be shoved overboard for insubordination. She knew they were going to have a heart-attack, as she ran down the slippery stairs, landing with a jump on the freezing and chaotic deck.

Faster, here, danger, watch out! seemed to scream the thing in her chest. She looked for the right direction, the tightness guiding her like a compass until — there! A lightning rolled between the clouds, setting everything alight in time for her to see the dark silhouette of a person rolled over a plank in the middle of waves as high as the ship.

No one saw her in time to stop the lady from rolling two barrels bound by a net of rope over the edge of the railings. The guards yelled for her while scrambling towards the railing, but it was already too late.

She jumped in the stormy water, the cold strucking her dumb for a couple of seconds before she emerged from the ocean thanks to the two still intact barrels, the rope now looser. She started swimming for the figure in the middle of the waves, teeth clacking.

Save him, save him, save him, chant her soul. She didn’t even stop to think why the person should be a man, nor why she just endangered her life for someone she didn’t know. She just swam toward the figure, waves too big to see him anymore. Water in her eyes, panic in her chest and cold all over her, she oriented herself only thanks to that internal compass pointing toward the man.

She didn’t know how long she swam, she didn’t know where the ship was anymore, forgotten minutes, hours, ages ago.

At last, when her strength started lagging and her body started to feel heavier, she finally reached the man and a thunder struck far behind her, setting once again the sky alight.

The man was the most beautiful young man she ever saw in all her life, even if he was almost passed out on the plank, dark hands still gripping it tightly. His long, dark eyelashes fluttered open as their eyes locked.

Time stopped.

And resumed. A thunder rolled closer, toward them. She put his left arm around her shoulders and started swimming again. Safe, you’re safe, stay with me, the loose rope, now tighter, sang in her chest. He would have to explain a few things once they reached the shore. If they would ever reach it.

They swam together, bodies pressed against each other to keep themselves warm. The dress pooled around her waist and she thanked the Mother for the mysterious man's eyes pointed toward the sky, heavy rain and thunder easing into slower rain and mist. As they kept going, she prayed that the direction was the right one. That they didn’t end up more lost than they already were, that she could reach shore in time to help the man.

That her parents didn’t scold her further. How could have she forgotten about them? About how they hated when she thought selfishly and not about the greater good of her family name?

Staying out in the now warmer waters started to look mighty appealing to her when the young man grabbed her shoulder as if to keep her near him and started swimming faster, steadier, toward a point in the mist at their right.

“What did you see?” she asked near his ear, scanning the horizon as far as she could.

“Th-There…” he stumbled hoarsely, pointing with his chin and glossy eyes toward something in front of them and then turning to peer at her under wet eyelashes. She couldn’t make out the shape of anything, so she remained silent and decided to just support him, trust him with her life. So easier, the rope of light, of life, clang in her, changing into pure, glittering gold.

They swam and swam again, further, slowly, each stroke wearier than the previous one.

She was getting ready to give up, to wait for her sister on the other side, as the young man put her against his chest, grabbing her face with two fingers and lifting it towards his.

Burning amber eyes as the richest honey fixated on her, her vision faintly swinging.

“We’re almost there. Don’t give up. Don’t close your eyes. Look at me, sunshine. Like that, good” he encouraged. “We are almost there”.

He kept repeating those four words, over and over again and she kept swimming, even if tired, she kept moving.

And as at last she felt something gritty under her feet, her knees, her hands, she thought that she was knee-deep in problems.

She collapsed on her back on damp sand, pewter sea at her feet, verdant palm forest behind her.

She fainted, as a set of worried amber eyes framed by long, wet onyx hair and rich brown skin stared at her.

————

This chapter fits in Day 5 prompt "Daring Rescue" for the Helion×LoA event at @sunandflameweek (organized by @starfall-spirit)

[foxybananaaaz]

2k Words

If you have not yet read any of the other parts, please click the Title Page to go to the start.

Lucien Week, Day Five :: Family.

From the family he left behind in Autumn, to his friends in the Spring and Night Court, and the human's he's chosen to live with (and the father he may or may not know about in Day), Lucien's blood and chosen family are scattered throughout Prythian. @lucienweekofficial

Lucien left after four hours, fearful he may already be too late, though he couldn't exactly leave earlier, not after Helion had announced him his son, his Heir. But after four hours, the excitement died down enough that Lucien winnowed out and to the Border of Summer Court and Autumn Court.

Finding a squirrel, he sighed in relief. Crouching down, making sure none of his body tipped into the Autumn Court at all, he spoke to the squirrel, knowing them to be far more than just ordinary squirrels found amongst other courts.

"My name is Lucien Vanserra, seventh and youngest son of the High Lord Beron. I need you to go get Eris Vanserra, first and oldest son of the High Lord Beron. Quickly though, as fast as you can. Have him meet me here." Lucien spoke, praying to the Mother and Cauldron both that the news had not reached the Autumn Court yet, as invoking his title he had since birth would not work with the woodland creatures, and they would not take orders from anyone but the High Lords family.

The squirrel, on its hind legs, tilted its head, looking at Lucien, before running off East. He hoped that was a good sign, and the squirrel kept East. All he could do was wait.

One of the benefits from being emissary for Tamlin was that he could be in any court, almost any court, he corrected as he looked towards the colourful trees. The benefit of being emissary for Tamlin was that he could now be in most of the courts without raising alarms, as he had made friendships and business relationships in them all. So he had no concerns standing in the Summer Court as he waited.

After half an hour, Eris arrived, confusion on his face. If his reason for being here were not so dire, he would tease his eldest brother for finally having information Eris did not. But now was not the time. He was here for an important reason, bordering on, if not already, an emergency.

Before Eris could ask his brother why he insisted on meeting, and so dangerously close to the Autumn Court where one wrong, frantic step, and their other brothers would not hesitate to take him to the Forrest House, Lucien spoke.

Lucien spoke, informing Eris that he had to get their mother out, and she had to leave today, within the hour, preferably. Lucien stood there, watching his eyebrows raise, even more confusion on his face, as he explained how he had plans in motion to make it happen, but he needed at the very least three more days to succeed barely, the whole week to succeed perfectly.

Lucien shook his head before explaining. "My f-" Lucien stopped himself. It didn't feel right yet. The timing did not feel right. Starting again, Lucien explained that Helion was growing rather annoyed with all the rumours and had told an entire courtyard of people in the Day Court about who he was.

"I was lucky to make it here in time before the news got here. Before the woodland creatures got the news, otherwise I would not have got the squirrel to get a message to you." Lucien finished explaining.

A glance towards his brother, he could see the restrained anger. Anger that he had to throw a months worth of planning out the window and come up with something on the spot. Pacing, Lucien saw his brother thinking before he stopped.

Eris then explained how he would bring his mother out for a walk to visit his hounds about twice a week. He could bring her out, go behind the shed, and winnow her to Lucien in the Day Court.

Lucien shook his head. "The Day Court is the first place father will look. Followed by the Night Court." Lucien explained. Now his turn to think. It took less than a minute when the idea hit him. He turned to his brother, telling him to bring their mother to Jurian and Vassa, and explain the situation. He knew his friends would not turn his mother away. "He won't look for her in the Human Lands."

And with that, Lucien and Eris bid farewell, and Lucien watched as his eldest brother winnowed away. Waiting no more than five minutes, Lucien winnowed to the Night Court to let Rhysand and Feyre know to expect a visit from his father, or at least one of his father's officials. And to expect his father to place spies around in case his mother were to show up.

It had been a month since Lucien had been announced son of Day, and had seen Eris. When he had finally returned from the Night Court after his meeting with his brother, Helion, annoyed, yet concerned, demanded to know where Lucien had been and why he just left.

After Lucien had finally told Helion that Eris knew who he was, and had for a few weeks, and had been working on a plan to get their mother out of the Autumn Court so she would be safe when the news inevitably came out, Lucien noticed the immediate regret on Helions face.

Lucien quickly reassured the male, though, letting him know that he and Eris had come up with a last-minute plan, and his mother was free and safe. That she was in a place Beron would not look to find her. He did not include, though, that he had no way of knowing if his mother actually did make it to his human friends house safely or not.

He kept telling himself that Eris was great at these sorts of things. If anyone could manage to get their mother out safely, it was him. Their mother was safe. Living with humans, yes. But she was safe.

But it had been a month, a whole month with nothing having happened yet. He was growing concerned. When his fath- When Beron kept quiet after things so large as this, it was usually never good. Why hadn't he done anything yet.

If Lucien were Beron, he would have taken this as an act of war. Would have seen this as Helion stealing his son, holding him captive, against his will. Despite Lucien being Berons' least favourite, he would have used this to finally have the war against Helion he's been wanting for centuries. So why hasn't his father made a move?

"No one's come to see my sister or Rhysand." Lucien heard from behind him. Turning around, Lucien made his way towards his friend and hugged her. To hell with the bond and the glowing charged reaction it gave to the hug. To hell with her hesitation to the bond even. Lucien hadn't seen anyone in a month and had been alone with his thoughts, his worries. He was too afraid to go anywhere, too afraid to step outside even, in case he was followed.

"Lucien," Elain said, his name almost a plea from her lips. Concern in her tone. And shockingly, she hugged him back. The bond was charged, and it glowed bright, and fluttered and swirled, flew around in his chest. It was the most alive it had ever been.

He was ignoring it all, though, and it seemed as though Elain was too. Lucien couldn't care less about their bond right now or what it was wanting. Right now, he was soaking up as much comfort as he could. All the fear from the last month had crashed down in him the second he heard her voice.

Suddenly, his head was lifted up, and he was looking at his mate, his friends face, looking her in her brown fawn eyes as she told him that none of his fathers men had been by to see them.

"But Eris' men have."

That sentence caught Lucien off guard, and he pulled back from the embrace fully to get a good look at Elain, trying to figure out what she meant.

"Don't you remember? I told you the day you came over that everything would be alright, even if it didn't seem like it?" Elain asked, though Lucien truly did not remember.

It was then that Helion walked in with a piece of paper in his hand that bore the sigil of the Autumn Court. He greeted Elain, as though it was perfectly normal to see her with Lucien, alone in his room, before he turned to Lucien, telling him that it seemed their reasons to worry has come to an end.

His confusion must have been written on his face, as Helion then handed the letter over for Lucien to read.

To the High Lords, and Lady, of Prythian.

Allow me to start this letter out by stating that the former High Lord Beron is unfortunately no longer with us. He has indeed died.

Next, the latest rumour you have heard of my youngest brother Lucien is true. He was not my father's son. But this fact does not strip him of the fire of the Autumn Court pulsing through his veins. My mother is still his mother. I am still his brother.

Lucien has both the fire of the Autumn Court, as well as the light of the Day Court running through his veins, and with him, the fued between our courts can come to an end.

My father died, out of defence for my mother. I tried to get her to safety but did not get to in time. I was forced to kill my father to protect my mother. After he died, I felt the High Lords magic pass on to me.

I am the new High Lord of the Autumn Court. I will not run this court as my father did. I aim to rebuild the relationships amongst my court and yours. Please accept the gift given, alongside this letter, as an apology for all the hardships my father has given over his years as High Lord.

I look forward to working alongside each of you.

Eris Vanserra.

Lucien finished reading the letter and looked towards Elain and the Helion. Who would read this, and how much of Prythian would see this news confirmed had they not already heard it by word of mouth?

"These letters only go out to the High Lords of Prythian. So only the seven - the eight of us have seen it, and after the two of you, that makes ten. It will remain that way." Helion answered Luciens questions as though he could see them written on his face.

Lucien then found himself looking towards Elain while whispering to himself, not wanting to believe it, as it didn't feel true yet. "He's really gone."

Elain simply nodded. With a small smile, she repeated her words from before. "Everything will be alright, even if it doesn't seem like it."

Elain then took Lucien by the arm, leading him out of his room, towards the main door. Her insistence and rush to get there was confusing him, but when they got to the door, Elain opened it, just in time to see his brother standing on the other end, hand raised as if he were about to knock.

Lucien couldn't help the smirk at the look of shock on his brothers face, clearly not used to Elain just knowing things. But to be fair, Lucien still wasn't fully used to it either.

The smirk didn't last long, though, because behind Eris was a female. A female Lucien had not seen since his time under the mountain. A female he had not spoken to in even longer. A female he would instantly recognize no matter how long it had been.

Elain, having let go of Luciens' arm for this reason, and Eris having stepped out of the way, Lucien stepped towards the female, almost in a daze.

Lucien hadn't heard Helion enter the room or the reaction the male had upon the scene in front of him. His whole focus was on the female standing in front of him. Even the bond, which was begging for the physical contact again, was not strong enough to tear Luciens' attention away from the female.

It wasn't until the female lifted her hand up to Luciens' cheek that he realized he had started crying. She rubbed tears out of the way before pulling Lucien into a hug.

After many, many, many years of being forced apart, forbidden to speak to each other under the mountain, a mother and her son were finally reunited.

To read the next part, press its title, Coming Together

I could not sleep due to my migraine, so I worked on this. Well, I hope you enjoy this part!

[wiltingxrose]

Daylight Always Comes

It was another court function and she was there to basically be supportive. She hadn’t minded the last one she went to, to watch Nesta slip back into the tigress she was on the dance floor. How to have people eat out of her palm and be how she needed them.

 She knew the main priority of this event was for Feyre and Rhysand to figure out who was on their side and who wasn’t. But she hadn’t understood why they invited people they already knew the sides too, but she soon learned they invited everyone, even Tamlin, as a show of good faith.

 Her brown eyes gazed around the room and felt a little bit of disappointment and relief. Lucien wasn’t here, like he wasn’t at the last one. Or so she thought, she caught a sight of flaming red hair and his scent.

She was confused as to why he was going into that part of the neutral palace they had found and decided to use skills that her friends, Nuala and Cerridwen, were teaching her how to move with the shadows. Feyre at one point mentioned something about putting a bell on her after startling her a few times with how quiet she was walking.

 Entering into the room she looked around, hugging the walls, but bumped into someone, turning her head she was expecting Lucien, but instead it was one of his brothers, not Eris, but another one. One she knew she shouldn’t really be around. Pulling back she headed for the door, but a blast of heat and flame surrounded it.

 Keeping herself calm she turned and looked at him as he spoke, " Hm so you are my brother’s mate. You are technically of higher class than the other one, but you know you were human once “

 Elain saw his sneer as he said human and she took account of things. She had promised to never be preyed on again, but he had those powers and she hadn’t brought a weapon with her. Without saying anything she went for the door, but his hand grabbed her. She felt as it started to warm, but a bright light shone behind her and her captor’s eyes widened some.

Turning she said, “Lucien…,”  but then shook her head, it was Lucien it was Helion. “Lord Helion.”

Helion smiled and stepped into the room putting a hand on her elbow, “I’m glad one of Feyre’s sister’s remembers me. Speaking of the High Lady, she was just asking about you. Perhaps I should guide you back to the party?” 

“That..that would be lovely.” 

Helion turned a gaze to the Autumn prince that was there, "You best remember the rules of this event and remember whom you hunt.”

Helion turned and escorted Elain out, “And how did a fawn like yourself get ensnared there?”

Elian flushed a little, “I…I thought I saw Lucien and I don’t know. I guess It as a trap because I smelt his scent as well.” 

She saw Helion smirk and she shook her head, “No it’s nothing like that.” 

The High Lord chuckled, “Of course it isn’t.” His voice held a hint of amusement. “I do know you have a mating bond attached and out of all the autumn children he is the catch of them all and he has his mother’s passion for love itself.” 

Elian tilted her head to the side, “Oh?”

Helion nodded, “Yes, his love was murdered in front of his own eyes by his brothers and father due to her low stature and I don’t know all of the details but somehow he got exiled to the spring Court and healed some what.”

She was quiet for a moment, “At least they loved each other no matter what. What was supposed to be a true match for me ended up not being a love match. He didn’t want me after being turned and Lucien’s..well you just talked about that tragedy.” 

Helion paused for a moment and she noticed he looked toward the Lady of the Autumn Court and frowned for a bit. He hadn’t asked her why she had called him Luicen, but she had been convinced that she had seen Lucien’s face coming through the door, but it was Helion. She hadn’t noticed that they shared a few features.

She slowly was putting a few things together as he started talking again. Leading her through the crowd. “Love, true love, should be explored at least once in life. The other things are fun, but love that is your true match, not the one you had, that bastard is luckily no one from your court has killed him yet, but a love that makes you pure happy and shines a light on is worth taking a jump for. Taking that step you think about taking. That word you want to say but don’t.” 

Elain blinked up at him, did he know she had done those things? Wanted to tell Lucien to be careful to not go and stay safe but didn’t?

She was about to ask but he continued to talk,  “And I know mating bonds are new to you and there are some good ones and bad ones in our history, but the good ones can make you enhance the good in yourself like the High Lord and Lady of the Night. Or i can destroy you, but yours, I have a feeling isn’t a bad one to at least explore. No one says you can’t get to know your mate first and then lock it in.” </font> He chuckled, “Grant it I'm more of the lock it in and then accept type of man myself.” 

Elain pondered what he said and bit her lower lip, “I get what you are saying and I believe he is trying. He helped get my father here. He, oh god he talked to my father to get him to come here. I don’t even know what my father thought of him.” 

She sighed as she thought of the gifts that Lucien got her, the perfect gifts that she didn’t want because it wasn’t her choice. “I just don’t like how it’s already picked for me. And I’m still healing from everything and my power…”

He squeezed her arms some, “Let’s not talk freely about that. Not sure how many here are aware.” 

Elain nodded, “What if you see an ending, a life ending event if you do accept it and don’t know if you can change that outcome?” her voice barely a whisper.

Helion paused their walk about the room and turned and looked at her, seeing the tears along her face before he wiped one away, “Then I think it’s more so to open up. Shadows can’t be whisked away in more shadow, only light. And it’ll help the heart.” 

“Helion! Elain.” Feyre said in a little confused tone as she walked over to them.

“Lady Feyre, I found her like you asked and wanted to make sure she made it to you safe,” was all Helion said. “Let’s just say you might want to talk to a little wanna be High Lord about his family’s choice of amusement.”

Elain watched as her sister had a moment of confusion cover her eyes before some realization before linking her arm with Elain’s. “I appreciate you finding her and getting her back to me. I hope you are enjoying the party.”

“Oh much so. I am going to find your other sister and her mate. See if I can convince them to have some fun tonight.”  He gave them both a wink before he turned and walked around. The demeanor changing so swiftly that she wondered if it was all High Lord’s powers to do so since she had seen Rhysand shift his own temperament with people.

“Elain are you okay?”  Feyre asked her as she examined her.

Elain just nodded, her mind and heart a little lighter with some possibilities that she thought weren’t there. “I am. Do you know when Lucien will be returning?” 

Feyre noted the light that was back in Elain’s face versus the lingering shadows that had been there and she walked her over to the rest of the court, asking her own questions.

[pellucid-constellations]

Of Oblivious Minds (3)

Pairing: Azriel x Reader

Summary: You're positive Azriel is in love with Elain. It seems so obvious. But Cassian is laughing at you and suddenly nothing makes quite so much sense anymore.

Word count: 2.3k

Warnings: Azriel's POV (it's a warning here), angst

a/n: I am blown away by all of you and your support!! I really love writing for this fandom omg. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy ♡ Let me know what you think!! I'll get the next update up soon!

Part 1, Part 2, Part 4

~~

Azriel was losing his ever-loving mind. 

A few weeks ago, everything was fine. Not optimal, but fine. 

He knew his mate, and that was more than could be said for most of Prythian. But even more than that, he could love her from afar. He could make small remarks and catch the smiles they would elicit. He could send his shadows after her on her walks home, protecting her even though she had the entire Inner Circle looking out for her wellbeing. He could buy the ridiculously expensive pastries she loved and stock the kitchens with them, listening for the small gasps she let out each time she found them.

He could talk to you, listen to you, love you in his small ways, even if it wasn’t the ways in which he longed for. 

Because it wasn’t the right time yet. You hadn’t felt the bond for yourself. 

So, yes—admittedly, Azriel had not been in the most optimal position with you. But it was leaps and bounds better than the purgatory you were subjecting him to now. 

He mulled over his current reality as he sat opposite to you at the dining table. He had had to snag the seat from Mor, ripping the chair from her hand in an uncharacteristic show of aggression, and you hadn’t so much as looked up from your plate. He would’ve rather fought for the seats beside you, but Rhys and Cassian had been sitting before he even entered the room. So now he fought for your eyes and was too far away to offer any lingering, accidental touches. 

Not that you would reciprocate either. 

You were avoiding him, and Azriel was at his wit's end trying to decipher why. 

His shadows had relayed dismal reports, only whispering the words sad and alone and contemplative into his ears each morning. He could have guessed as much, if the display of emotions he had tried to comfort you through all those days ago told him anything. 

But Gods, did they really tell him nothing, because you hadn’t spoken to him since. 

“—that is certainly something to consider. Y/n, would you be open to the job?” 

“Hm?” you hummed, and Azriel watched as your eyes flickered over to Rhys in one abrupt movement. “Sorry, what?” 

Rhys raised a brow lined with humor, and Azriel realized he hadn’t been listening to the conversation either. “Helion has extended an invitation to the Night Court—for diplomatic relations and all. It’s mostly a weekend stay for show, but he has quite an extensive library. Feyre and I went last time so it would only be fair if—” 

“Yes,” you nodded, the most emotion Azriel had seen on your face in days blooming into a joyous array. “Of course, I would love to go. Are you kidding?” 

Rhys chuckled. “I figured. Helion has been quite eager to get you to come as well. Seemed like the perfect time.” 

Azriel didn’t miss the way the High Lord’s eyes shone with something other than mirth as he looked closer at the scholar… as he inspected your facade the same way Azriel had been for the past week. 

“When can I leave?” 

Something in Azriel scratched to a halt. “She’s to go alone?” 

Feyre offered the spymaster a soft smile from the other side of the table. “If she wishes. Helion’s invitation was open-ended.” 

“Take the vacation, I say,” Mor piped in, wine glass raised in a solitary toast. 

“Or… you could take me,” Cassian grinned beside you, jostling you in a playful grip. 

You sent a scoff his way. “Aren’t you banned?” 

“No, actually. I’m banned from Summer Court, which is completely unrelated.” 

A short laugh trickled from your lips. It wasn’t a full one, not like the ones Azriel was so used to—the ones he basked in—but it was a laugh, nonetheless.

He felt the way his eyes seemed to follow the crescendo of it, his blinks in time with the sweet sound. 

He committed it to memory. 

“Right, well let’s keep you away from neighboring courts as much as possible so we can avoid a repeat of that, okay?” 

Something like a grin fought at the side of Azriel’s mouth at your quip. 

Cassian prattled on. Something about unjust rules or ridiculous high lords—Azriel wasn’t paying attention. He was too caught up in you and the way you were so close to meeting his gaze. 

“Perhaps she shouldn’t go alone,” Azriel spoke up, interrupting his brother’s spiel. You still didn’t look at him, instead turning to catch Rhys’s response. 

“Azriel, I can assure you this is a safe visit,” Rhys offered. He knew. Everyone seemed to know but you. “It’s hardly even business. It’s more of a vacation. I’ve been shoving century-old relics in her face for the past few months. She deserves time to herself, don’t you think?” 

His High Lord was speaking in code. A terrible, frustrating code that really meant, “give her some distance.” 

Azriel had had enough of distance. 

He nodded his head all the same. 

And then, despite all odds, you looked at him. 

You looked at him and it was as if the air had been knocked from his lungs. As if he had been wrung out and stretched thin and every bone in his body forced him to sit up straighter. You were looking at him and Azriel couldn’t conceptualize the way the spectrum in his chest moved so quickly from utter relief to the brink of desolation. 

Because you looked at him as if you were broken. A sad—such a sad—smile graced your face, one he had never had the displeasure of seeing before, and he wanted to wipe it away. He wanted to kiss it from your face with soft touches and reassuring whispers and that was startling for Azriel because he usually kept his overwhelming urge to kiss you at bay. 

“I’ll bring you back a souvenir,” is all you said. Such simple words to accompany an expression that sent him reeling. 

“Thank you,” he replied, with the most sincerity he could muster. 

And then he held your gaze as it became downcast. He craned his neck to catch every last second of your eyes as they turned back down to the table.

It was hours later that Azriel found himself in the townhouse, boots creating an indent in the office carpet. Rhys sat just feet away from him, leaning back against the desk, waiting for the Shadowsinger to erupt. 

“I would like for you to position your spies further into Autumn. I know you have a few that have integrated into the court, but I need more intel on Eris and his plans.” 

“Of course.” 

“You can take out any currently residing in Day. Just for the next week or so. With y/n going, she can report any happenings.” 

A muscle in Azriel’s jaw jumped. “Would that be wise?” 

Rhys stared back at his brother, expression giving nothing away. “Why wouldn’t it be? Do you not trust y/n’s word?” 

Azriel’s wings were taut against his back. In truth, he hadn’t felt relaxed in days. With you leaving, that tension would surely pull him into thin compliance. 

“Obviously I trust her word, Rhysand.” 

“Rhysand? What have I done to earn your grievance?” the High Lord asked, crossing his arms over his chest, still the perfect picture of calm. 

Azriel was a juxtaposition before him as he clenched his hands and replied, “You already know.” 

“Do I know? I’m not sure you’ve been clear or honest with anyone. Y/n especially.” 

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” 

Rhys bent at the elbow and rubbed a restless hand across his jaw. Azriel ignored the movement in favor of holding eye contact with the High Lord. Azriel was being stubborn, he knew that, but there was no other way to be. 

He needed to be consistent and reliable. He needed to be a pillar for his family to lean on, and you were part of that. He wasn’t going to take that away from you—to be selfish and call upon a mating bond you hadn't even been made aware of yet. 

He wasn’t going to squander your friendship in the hopes of something more. 

There was a chance, no matter how much the prospect pained him to consider, that you wouldn’t want the bond. You had never hinted at wanting more with the spymaster, so there was no telling how you might react to the cauldron blessing you with a union. You could reject it, and with it would go your friendship. 

Just the thought sent ice through Azriel’s veins. 

Truth be told, he had never shown you many signs either. When the bond snapped months ago, it had taken time for Azriel to come to terms with the truth. He had ruminated on it amidst many sleepless nights, watched you from a new perspective over many dinners, and contemplated the path that had led him to you. 

And then he had regretted. Cauldron had he regretted. 

The feeling still lingered, a reminder of each woman he had taken to his bed before you. All of the fae that had meant nothing, and even the ones that had boarded on something, he wished he could do away with.

Because you had been privy to them all. He knew you had witnessed a few late-night trysts, and even worse, that you had watched him pine after Mor for a century. It all seemed so frivolous now; it all paled in comparison to you. 

And the absolute worst part of it all is that he knew. 

He knew how easy it would be to fall in love with you from the start, so he pretended not to notice. 

He threw himself into impractical longing and meaningless lovers and he pretended that it didn’t hurt to look at you. 

The bond had only cemented his foolishness. 

He hardly had a chance with you by the time it snapped. 

“Late night then, Az?” 

You had teased him over breakfast just days before the bond had snapped for him, a small smile on your face as you lounged at the table early in the morning. At the time, Azriel had bit the inside of his cheek and reeled in his snarkiness. He had avoided your gaze, avoided the robe that barely covered your nightgown, and made himself toast in silence. He had already coaxed the blonde fae out of his bed, and he hadn’t needed a reminder of the woman he had been imagining all throughout the night. 

Because that had been something else he opted to ignore—that he pictured you, imagined you, at all times. 

It snapped three days later. He had been accompanying you through Velaris. “Shopping for fun,” you had said, “and I hate to go alone.”

The only thing Azriel had taken home that day was a gaping hole in his chest and the knowledge that lying to himself had brought him nothing but pain. 

The months following were different. 

Everything was different. 

But for you, he had come to the grim realization, nothing was different at all. He was still Azriel, your friend Azriel, who was secretive and private and cared from afar. You still pictured him as a man who chose his lovers based on convenience and quick practicality even though he hadn’t so much as looked at another woman since your emotions began flowing through his chest. 

Gods, your emotions. They were so positive, so addicting, he could sit back and live his days through you until the end of time. You had so much unrestricted joy coursing through you—so much curiosity and delight. Part of Azriel dreaded the day you did recognize the bond; it would dim the connection to you.

That day in the library had been the first time the bond had chafed against his lungs. He had felt the earthquake beneath his feet and thought nothing of it, but then your fear punctured his being and he had run so fast his wings ached. 

And then you started having nightmares, ones he couldn’t fix, and Azriel began to feel like he was losing you. Like the bond was withering and eroding within him and you along with it. 

“How long, Azriel?” Rhys’s voice cut through the air with a harshness. 

The shadowsinger breathed through his nose, jaw tight. 

“Tell me. Tell me how long you’re going to keep this up for.” 

“You don’t understand, Rhys,” came Azriel’s low reply. “None of you do.” 

The High Lord scoffed. “Right, because I had it so easy with Feyre. Az, mates are complicated—” 

“Don’t,” Azriel breathed. A dangerous shakiness accompanied the word.

“Explain it to me. Help me to understand how—” 

“There was nothing for you to lose!” The rise of the shadowsinger’s voice sent Rhys into silence. “There was nothing! You hadn’t known Feyre for three centuries—hadn’t known what it was like to see her cry over worthless males or laugh until she was doubled over. You didn’t have time to memorize the sound of her voice or understand how it felt to lose that small piece of her. Because she won’t even talk to me anymore and—” 

Azriel cut himself off, moving for the first time since he entered office. He paced, the motion of his feet doing little to dispel the tension from the air or from his body. Azriel tugged a hand through his hair, his shadows following the aggressive pull and weaving through the strands. 

“How long?” Rhys asked again, but this time, Azriel knew that he was asking a different question. One that even he himself had avoided answering. 

The shadowsinger paused. His next words were tainted and his voice cracked. 

“I think forever.”

Part 4

[littlest-w01f]

Nynsar

Helion x Rheana (my oc, Rhysand's sister) (See Rhea here)

For @starfallweek [hosted by: @azsazz and @writingsbychlo]

Starfall Week 2024 Masterlist

Day 7: Characters A & B spend Starfall in a different Court, Learning all of the traditions

Summary: Rheana was living with Helion in Day Court, sent by her brother to form a friendship with the new High Lord. She didn't think Court of Day celebrated with just as much enthusiasm as Night.

Cw: Day Court celebrates Holi, Rhea being thirsty for Helion (real af), reference to sex (will do a part two of the smut cause I wrote it so well but it didn't fit better with the rest of it)

part two: Aphrodisiacs the smut

A/N: It's such a perfect date for this, HAPPY HOLI TO ALL THOSE WHO CELEBRATE MY LOVESSS

Rheana lay awake in her room in the Day Court, a place she had been staying for the past few weeks, building familiarity and relations with the old friend and new High Lord, Helion. Since morning the same songs had been playing loudly throughout the entire Court. The sounds made her smile softly.

It was Starfall tonight, something that wouldn't be seen in Day Court, at least not like in Night. She looked at the white gown with golden accents that Helion had asked her to wear, the gown was nothing short of absolutely exquisite, perfectly tailored to her. The dress had a soft square high neckline, a tight bodice and a flowing skirt. The maids entered, getting her up to have her dressed up, and doing her hair, oiling them slightly and then braiding them tight.

Rheana smiled looking at herself in the mirror, admiring the intricate hand-sewn suns on the bodice, made of golden thread.

There was a knock on the door, she replied with a short and firm, "Come in." Helion walked in, his eyes going up and down on her form, almost darkening at the sight of her in his colours, seeing him the females that were with her excused themselves.

"Afternoon, Helion." Rheana smiled, giving him a small bow in respect.

Helion gave you a smile whose brightness rivalled the sun itself as he waved a nonchalant hand, "Please, don't do that bowing thing when it's just the two of us."

"You can kneel if you want..." Helion smirked, walking to her, and wrapping his arms around her waist, Rheana rolled her eyes, he'd been endlessly flirting with her since she had gotten here, being quite touchy. And on Mother, if he wasn't a male she would kneel for, a male she would worship, kiss every inch of him, bury her face in his legs, stay pressed between those thighs of his forever.

Rheana and Helion went quite back, their fathers were friends, as formal of a friend her father could be to someone. And he had taken Rheana to Day with him, before she went to the Illyrian war camps, and whatever their friendship was had paused.

Rheana turned around to face him, her brows raised, her face neutral despite the thoughts going on in her head "I don't kneel, High Lord."

"We'll see." Helion hummed, "Now come, we're late."

Festival of colours, Helion had told her it was, when his court would come together to celebrate the biggest harvest and festival of the year, rivalling Night Court's Starfall, only a few warnings, cover your eyes and mouth when someone approaches you, and if the gulal gets in your mouth, spit it out fast.

The gulal, made by drying the flowers that didn't bear fruit during the harvest of Nynsar, then grinding them by Day magic.

Helion pulled her out of her room, leading her to the main balcony outside, his people had surrounded the palace grounds, to celebrate another healthy harvest. While she was distracted Helion rubbed his fingers covered in pink powder into her cheeks, she gasped and pulled away to see a laughing Helion, feeling her cheeks to see the pink colour stain her finger.

"Heli... What?" Rheana gasped softly, a smile forming on her face, she grabbed a plate filled with the same refined power but in purple colour and flung it at him, most of it falling on the floor rather than on him.

"Such a bad throw princess, don't waste the gulal." Helion smirked, walking their gap to grip her by the back of her throat, "This is how it's done..." He whispered, using her other hand to rub the pink gulal from the nearby plates and smearing it all over her face as she tried to get out of his grip.

Rheana managed to get out of his grip, rubbing her hands over her eyes to clear her face, "You cheat!" She exclaimed, "You shouldn't be allowed to hold me still."

"Oh, you sound so unserious when your face is all pink, Night Princess." Helion teased, laughing at her glare.

"Fucker!" She cursed, grabbing another colour this time, yellow, and winnowed right in front of him to rub it in his face, covering his face in yellow, "Was I meant to do this...?" She asked, pretending to be unsure while smirking.

Rheana paused when colour flew right behind her, she turned on the balcony and a smile formed on her face, watching the people colour each other, throwing gulal in the air as the music started from the instruments playing by on enchantment on the side.

She smiled wide, the rich music filling her ears and making her feel like she was floating, the people dancing were not synchronized at all, they danced whatever way they wished, but at the same matching the tunes and beats perfectly, colouring each other, laughter in the air, the sight was beautiful.

She was attacked from behind when she wasn't looking, when her guard was down, blue colour, the gulal mixing in her tight braid that the servants had oiled for her, She gasped, moving away instantly, and a giddy Helion stood behind her, his hands blue.

"You should look at yourself." Helion laughed as Rheana patted at her hair to get the powder that didn't get stuck out, shaking her head at the High Lord of Day.

Rheana soon joined in the festivities, winnowing right in the middle, the sun shining brightly over the people parting in the open space, partying with the strangers like she was with her closest friends while being between them, she tried to copy the others in their steps and they gave the Princess Night encouraging nods, they had brought their own colours, putting it on people in greeting, whenever a new family entered, they instantly got covered in colours, some entered already coloured, people in their white silks, kurta, sarees, lehengas, her own frock suit, that Helion had told her she was wearing, covered in every colour of the pallet, dried flowers on the ground.

Rheana chuckled loudly seeing a couple faelings drag their friends on the floor caked with gulal, making them and their clothes get covered too, the place smelled of flowers, the Day sun shining proudly, as the tone of the instruments changed and a song started playing, everything's step changed to match the tune.

Helion watched her for a while enjoying herself before joining in to dance with his people as well, walking straight to her to dance with her, making her match his steps, singing along loudly to the lyrics of the songs playing, people were jumping around and laughing, from the corner of her eye, she saw a few people setting up stalls of foods and beverages.

Her side hurt from dancing too much as she kept going, taking part in colour back the strangers that approached her, she stumbled slightly when she felt a pain on her lower back, then the feel of water, she turned back to see Helion kneeling next to a Faeling who had a water balloon in his hand, whispering in his ear, her mouth dropped when the child threw the water balloon in her direction, but she caught it before it could touch her skin and explode and threw it back hard aiming for Helion's face, who fell instantly, water all over his face like it was on her back.

"You didn't tell me you use water too," Rheana raised her brow looking at Helion who got up instantly.

Helion smiled as the faeling ran away to play with his friends, "Well surprise."

"Surprise...?" She repeated, her eyes turning furious as she started chasing him, "Surpise my ass!"

Rheana tried not to slip as the sprinklers set off, most kids having their own water guns and balloons, trying to land them on the adults. She caught him, trapping him between a wall she was sure was white once, now pretty pink and purple with slight green, "Well Surprise!" She repeated, winnowing in a plate with every colour on it and pressing it directly against his shoulders and chest, the tang of flowers increasing.

Suddenly a sprinkler directly behind them set off, drowning them in water. Helion shook his head, letting the water wash his face and clearing some of the colour on him, "Clean your hands and mouth in this, it's time to eat."

"Eat before a shower?" Rheana asked confused, but complied, "And so soon?"

"We can clean ourselfs with magic, Princess." Helion chuckled, with a wave of his hand, cleaning her away lightly, a bit of colour still on her, "Also, you've been dancing for five hours straight."

Her eyes went wide, well that explained the pain in my side, she thought, "Alright," She smiled, offering Helion her slightly cleaned hand, "Show me what you have"

Rheana smiled softly joining people to eat their cuisines, to say she didn't know the name of a single thing would be an understatement, the songs were still playing but now just the children were chasing each other, despite the calls of their parents to eat something, she tried everything to eat next to Helion, food that Helion told her were special to Day. Some even made only on Nynsar.

She drink wine, and many other drinks that Helion offered her. The flavour mixed on her tongue like every colour had on her face and clothes, the white floor and walls coloured in a kaleidoscope, laughing and talking with the folks whom she had danced with.

She ended up with her arms around Helion's broad shoulders, "This is beautiful, your court is beautiful," She breathed, leaning in when he did too, "You're beautiful." Their lips sealed together, scenting the flowers from each other's faces and bodies.

"We're going to play a game later, a game lovers play after," He whispered in her lips.

"Lovers, huh?" Rheana asked with her brows raised.

Helion smiled softly, "If you want..."

Rheana smirked, "Alright then. Game on." Ready for whatever it was.

{General taglist: @nox-ceur @lilah-asteria}

[utterlyotterlyx]

Constellations

Azriel x Fem!Reader

Summary - Azriel can't allow himself to stand on the side lines anymore and watch as yet another male tries to take you away from him.

Warnings - oblivious reader and Az, angst, pining, Az and Nes being cuties, smut, p in v, oral (f receiving), lots of fluff, flirting

There were constellations in your eyes.

That was what everyone had said when they'd first met you, alluding to the clear fact that you were a deep daydreamer whenever you sprang to topic, which was more often than you'd think.

Prythian bowed to you, everyone in every nook and cranny in any court knew who you were. A shining star in a court of nightmares.

Every one of the High Lords held a special affection toward you, often asking you to leave Rhysand and the inner circle and join them instead. Helion had made a point of his fondness by making a comment about how other-worldly you looked in Day Court gold, and then later on teasing Rhys about how he would one day succeed in his desire.

Everyone could beg and plead for you as much as they wished, but none of their affection could rival how Azriel felt about you.

Azriel was your shadow. Wherever you went meant that the Shadowsinger stalked not too far behind. He would sit with you and hum whilst you ran your fingers through his hair, each touch sending lightening soaring through his soul. He would walk around Velaris with you endlessly if it meant that he could see that almost childlike wonder in your eyes when you looked at the same restaurant or bookshop that had surely seen a thousand times before. He would soothe away your nightmares, allowing his shadows to pepper your skin in sweet pecks as he held you, and he would let you get close enough to soothe him when his own demons plagued him.

That's why, when he stood to the side of the room with a whisky in hand, did he want to tear apart the male who dared to speak to you. Helion was no regular male. But, as you giggled at one of his flirtatious jokes and rested your hand on his chest, Azriel became sure that he could make him scream like one.

Helion was visiting from the Day Court and it was the last night of his stint, so Rhys had suggested that you all go to Rita's, to relax from the toll of the week. The High Lord in question needed access to a couple of special tomes in one of Velaris' archives, you and Rhys had agreed that the tomes were too valuable to allow outside of the city, so Helion had to come to you. Like all he wanted was another excuse to be around you.

Azriel couldn't blame Helion for it.

Azriel believed that you were the most precious thing on the planet. 500 years of friendship and you stunned him more and more each day with your anecdotes and the innocent chatter that always filled the room.

"He's really trying this again?" Nesta asked, appearing beside him at the railing, wanting to take a moment away from the family madness before Cassian dragged her to dance for the fifth time that night.

"Can you blame him?"

The top three buttons of his shirt were left untethered, exposing that rock hard muscle beneath that was ink kissed and shimmering. Azriel couldn't stop looking at you, you were wearing that dress that you loved so much, sheer white and glittered in fine crystals, a low scooped back that fell perfectly on your figure. It was the only thing that could truly take his breath away.

"When are you going to tell her that you love her?" Nesta gazed at you, she'd never admit it but you were definitely her favourite, she held a special spot for you in her heart, just how everyone did really. "You need to tell her," she turned to him and he peered down on her with a sincerity she'd never seen, "She's incredible, Az. She's not the kind of girl you let get away. Go and love her before someone else does."

"She deserves better than me, Nes," his sad gaze lifted to you, you were starlight and he was shadow, you were pure and he was horribly tainted, and he couldn't have his darkness snuffing out your light.

Nesta gently pulled his sight from the dancefloor, making him focus on her by keeping her palm grazing against his cheek, "You're not a very good spymaster if you can't see how she looks at you."

Azriel didn't know what to say, he just knew that he had to get to you. He rounded Nesta and descended onto the dancefloor, barging past the grinding bodies with you in his sight, sipping your drink and smiling brightly at Helion who was stood far too close to you. You always felt Azriel looming, his shadows curling around your ankles always being a tell-tale sign that he was close.

Your eyes followed the trails of his shadows until you found their owner, your brows furrowed at the urgency he wore whilst he kept glancing at Helion with a tight jaw. It was unsettling.

"I need to speak to you," he pleaded, taking a step closer to you and you had no choice but to look up at him, to let those rippling pools of hazel drown you.

"Az, is every-"

"Please," he cut you off, reaching for you but not quite touching, like he was waiting for your agreement so that he could whisk you away.

You had never seen Azriel look so pained, so pleading and desperate. Without a word to Helion, you nodded and Azriel's fingers slid around your wrists, pulling you into a whirl of colour until you stood on a floor that you recognised and Rita's faded away.

The cabin was warm, everything was in place and tidy, that scent burning wood and orange that clung to the cabin flooded your lungs and made you shiver with delight. You had always loved the place, how perfectly small it was for a lone escape, where you could watch the snow fall from the bay window with a hot chocolate in hand and blanket wrapped tightly around your legs.

It took you a moment to centre yourself, and when you turned, you saw Azriel stood there, head hung low and wings drooped but relishing in the comfortable warmth of where you both were, "What's wrong, Az?"

The only light illuminating the cabin was from the fire, that crackling beast that sent gold and orange light roaring across the space, it welcomed in the faint glow of the moon that spilled onto the floor like an old friend.

"You can't go with Helion," he told you, well, more blurted at you.

"Go with Helion?" You asked and he nodded, anger bubbled in your chest, "Why would I ever do that?"

"He's wanted to take you from us for so long," 200 years to be exact, "Who could blame him, you're the most incredible thing that Prythian has ever made. I thank the Mother every day for you."

"What?"

"Please let me finish," he hated cutting you off, he hated being the reason that you were silenced, "If you speak now, I'll never be able to say what I have to say, what I need to say."

Azriel watched your face soften, the anger that threatened to boil over now evaporated, he watched you move to the sofa and sit down, patting the empty space beside you. He didn't know how you did it, how you could make someone feel so comfortable and heard, he thought about it as he took the seat beside you and heaved in a deep breath, curling one of his wings around you as if he was scared that you'd bolt.

"I love you, Y/N. I love your kindness, how you've never been scared of me. I love the way your eyes sparkle when you're talking about something you're passionate about. I love how you scrunch your nose when you're deep in thought. I love the way you bolt through the streets of Velaris before solstice to make sure everyone is as spoilt as possible. I love you, Y/N. I love everything that you are and everything that we can be, I can't lose you, I don't know who or what I'd be without you."

"There is no one who knows you like I do. I know that you sneak an extra spoonful of sugar into your hot chocolate before Nesta can catch you and tell you off," you smiled softly, "I know that you secretly hate shopping with Mor but would much rather suffer than tell her and take some of her spark away. I know that you can never tell Cassian that Nesta is your favourite unless you wanted to see him sulk for weeks," a soft laugh flew from your lips, "I know you're the reason that Rhys, Cass and I turned out so well, you're the only person we couldn't bear to disappoint."

Not once did you stop looking at him as he spoke. He loved you. Azriel really loved you.

"You love me?" Azriel nodded gently, "But, what about Elain? I thought..."

"Me and Elain?" Azriel's eyes were frantic, "No, Y/N. Gods no. You're the only one I've ever wanted, I tried to love someone else, I tried to love Mor, and maybe on some level I tried to find that with Elain. But no one could ever compare to you, anyone who isn't you aren't worth it."

Silence filled the air, that warm, golden hued air. Azriel was trying to read your mind, to figure out what you were thinking when you started laughing, tears pooled at your bottom lids and one blink sent them flowing down your cheeks. Azriel shuffled closer to you, taking his thumb and wiping away your tears before they dripped from your chin.

"We're so stupid, Az," you sniffled, letting him cradle your face in his hands and continue to wipe away any tears that fell from your eyes, "How could we be so blind?"

"What do you mean?"

Tilting your head to the side, your eyes sparkled, just how they did when you looked at or spoke about something you loved, then you felt it, that tension that had always tugged at your soul snapping into place, clouds of grey became clear sunny skies, and a golden thread soared across it and thrummed with yearning delight.

"I mean," you tugged on that thread, you watched his eyes widen and fill with disbelief, "That I love you too. So much."

"You're my mate," he confessed in a whisper, the bond sprouting into full bloom around you, like you could both see the tendrils of thread sewing your souls together.

Azriel's breath fanned across your face, hot and laced with the scent of whisky, the tip of his nose ran down the slope of your own, and you felt his lips lie millimetres away from yours, you watched his eyes search your soul before flickering downward to the place he craved to touch. Anticipation pulled at your chest and swelled in your stomach, and every bit of doubt vanished when he closed the gap and pressed his lips to yours.

It was like everything fell into place, like the world only began to make sense in that moment. Azriel's lips moved against yours hungrily, the sweep of his tongue into your mouth once you had granted him permission to taste you was enough to make your knees go weak. Heat pooled between your legs and you scrambled to be on top of him, the hem of your dress hitched around your thighs as you rested into his lap.

"Please, Az," you breathed between starving kisses, "I need you."

Azriel's hands moved from the back of your neck and the small of your back, reaching around to grip underneath your thighs, so dangerously close to where you needed him to be. He lifted you, not once breaking the connection of your lips, locking your legs around his waist as he carried you to the bedroom.

"I'm not making you mine on a couch," he lay you on the bed and climbed on top of you, running his fingers down the sides of your thighs, making your back arch as he peppered kisses down your neck, sucking and nibbling on the skin he found there.

You squirmed beneath him, itching to rip his clothes off and allow him to take every part of you, "Please," you whined into his hair, his hand palming your breasts and lips attached to your earlobe, making soft moans fall through your stumbling mouth.

"Tell me what you want," his voice was so deep that it made goosebumps rise across your skin, it was sultry and dark, it matched the shade of his eyes when he pulled away to look down on you with swollen lips and tousled hair. "I'll give you everything."

"I want you."

It was all he needed to hear in order to tear your dress in two and take your hardened nipples in his mouth, sucking and biting on them gently, swirling his tongue around the sensitive nubs of nerves that had you gasping and eyes rolling to the back of your head. You felt like your body was on fire as he kept moving downward, littering kisses down your stomach before resting between your thighs.

The cold air against your core made you gasp again, he ran a finger down your soaked folds and moaned, "You're so wet for me," his voice vibrated against the inside of your thighs, "So perfect," he mumbled before his tongue dragged a line up you, and then again, and again until you were a blubbering mess fisting your fingers through his hair.

Azriel flicked his tongue against that familiar bundle of nerves, curling his tongue around it and sucking on it gently so that he didn't overstimulate you. Stars crept in to the sides of your vision, that hot white heat building in the pit of your stomach, "Don't stop," they were barely coherent words but he heard you and kept his pace, teasing a finger around your entrance before slowly pushing it in an curling it upward.

It sent you toppling off the edge. That white heat burst from you, loud cries of his name flew from your lips and your hands gripped his wrists, stars poured into your eyes and Azriel pushed you through your high.

Too lost in the mind shattering orgasm he had just given you, you didn't feel his hands ran up your back and lock around the back of your neck, you didn't realise that your torso and head were propped up in his arms or see his wings flex above you, "Angel," he cooed, he clenched his hands into your hair and pressed his lips along your jaw, "Let me take care of you."

Azriel was bare before you, his length solid and resting against your thigh, "Make me yours, Az."

Azriel growled, his eyes darkened with possession, "Tell me if it's too much and we can stop," you nodded breathlessly and he kissed you again, harder this time as he pushed himself inside of you, your walls still quivering and pulsating around him.

Once he was pushed to the hilt inside of you, he groaned, it was deep and guttural, the most incredible sound you'd ever heard. Azriel gave you a moment, and you tapped his shoulder lightly to get him to move, you were needing him to move, it was getting too much. Your soul was burning with desire and you needed him to satisfy it before it completely ignited you.

Your mate thrusted into you, the roll of his hips reaching angles you didn't know existed, he took your nipple in his mouth again, growling as his pace quickened and the sound of slapping flesh and declarations of love filled the air.

"You're so beautiful, Angel," his lips found yours again and his movements became sloppy, "I'm so close," he felt your warmth tighten around him, ready to milk his cock as high pitched mewls exploded from your lips, "There she is, my perfect mate."

Azriel's fingers wound in your hair, pressing your forehead to his as he slammed into you, riding you both through those searing hot highs and continuing the long strokes as you both fell down, "I'm yours, Az. I'm all yours."

Authors Note

😌

[daycourtofficial]

All’s well that ends well to end up with you

Pairing: Eris x Rhysand’s sister!reader | WC: 1.5k | warnings: none

Summary: fears and doubts cause you and Eris to do your first irrational act together: a secret mating bond ceremony

Author’s note: happy Eris Week to all who celebrate and to @erisweekofficial for all their work!! I gotta start with my roots and my first post has to be gingerfucker!! I have to give the people what they know me for!! This can be read as a stand alone tho 🫶🏻

You breathed deeply, the chimes of the clock tower drowning out any other noise. Eris stood before you, an immaculate jacket of deep red adorning his chest. He wore a black dress shirt beneath, embroidered with the phases of the moon around the collar. His jacket was a rich velvet, gold thread woven throughout.

It was the perfect way to symbolize your unity. You were not sure who made such a garment, unsure if black fabric was even allowed in the Autumn Court.

You couldn’t find it in yourself to care when his soft amber eyes look down at you as he held out his arm for you.

The two of you were in the Day Court under the cover of darkness, a secret mating ceremony. It was truly quite romantic, a tale you hoped to share whenever it’s safe for you to do so.

You had come to visit Helion a month prior for negotiations on behalf of Rhysand. You had asked to come in Rhys’s stead because 1) you also had wanted to peruse the libraries and 2) you were hoping to negotiate a pegasus from Helion.

At least, those were the reasons you gave your brother.

The end of Amarantha’s reign had allowed you to finally see your mate for the first time in five decades, having slipped away to a spot in the woods after Rhys’s return to wait in hopes of just a glimpse of him.

You had waited impatiently, certain that the nerves and anxiety were rolling off you in waves for any nearby wildlife to intercept. It felt incredible to see him again, your face tucked beneath his chin as he held you close to him, his scent burning itself into your memory once more.

His first words to you following your separation were a desperate plea for a ceremony, his pleas soft as he clutched you tightly to his chest.

You knew it was too risky to do it in either of your home courts. Spring was an obvious no, Winter and Dawn were quite risky, leaving Summer and Day as your only real options.

You were quite fond of Helion, and you were sure you could convince him to allow the two of you passage into his court for a few hours.

After he listened to your pleas, he agreed to allow the two of you access to one of his temples for a few hours.

“Not all of us can see so well in the moonlight,” he had told you, letting you know the location of the most beautiful temple in his court. “Only one priestess roams the halls on Tuesday nights. She is quite fond of performing such ceremonies.”

His words were no embellishment. The temple before you was massive and stunningly beautiful. The high arched ceilings with suns painted everywhere almost glowed against the blue backdrop behind them.

You wondered how it looked during the day.

Eris looked down as you hooked your arm into his. You had accepted the bond decades ago, but the two of you wanted to go through with the ceremony. To ensure that no matter what happened to two of you moving forward, whatever happened to your courts, your people, your homes, there was some record with this date and your names on it. Some written record for future generations to find eons later, when the lands look nothing like they do now and the people live lives that resemble nothing like your own.

When the common tongue is gone, replaced with some newer language you couldn’t begin to understand. Your names would live forever within the pages of this temple, tucked away in their recorded archives: the prince of the Autumn Court and the princess of the Night Court, bound together by fate and by their own wishes.

The flickering light from the candles made Eris’s freckles dance across his face.

The lord led you down the long aisle, your arm nestled into his elbow. The two of you moved in tandem, your long skirts kissing the ground as you went, the black fabric turning red as it moved down your body until it looked as if you walked in the flames.

The priestess nodded at the two of you as you approached the altar, your dress’s slight train cascading down the steps behind you. You turned to Eris, his hands outstretched in invitation, pleading for yours to rest atop them. His hands were warm against yours, the familiar heat calming your nerves.

The priestess before you wore all white, a long flowing gown cinched at the waist. It looked nothing like what Helion wore - instead of long, flowing fabrics, the priestess wore a long, tight-fitted dress, long bell shaped sleeves adorning her arms. A white hood covered her dark black hair, and dark hands adorned with gold rings peaked out from her sleeves.

The priestess lit the candles around the altar as you two looked into each other’s eyes, every emotion strumming through the bond between you two, a song you swore you could hear humming through the air and your chest.

She approached the two of you, a golden silk ribbon in her hands. You moved your right hand into his right hand, and he gently scraped his index finger against his palm. She began chanting, wrapping the soft silk around your forearms. She connected the two joined hands, and you squeezed Eris’s palm, offering a soft smile that he returned.

He was captivating in the night, a fire that kept you warm long through a treacherous night.

Her chanting paused as she looked at you, her low voice telling you, “if you wish to exchange any personal vows, now is the time.”

You took a deep breath, turning back to Eris.

Your mate looked back at you, and any nerves you had dissipated as you started speaking, the words coming from your lips as you gazed into his amber eyes.

“I’m not sure if we were ever two separate things, but if we were, if we are, the edges of you and I have been blurring since I met you, our definitions becoming hazier. I am officially laying claim that there is no longer any part of me that hasn’t been invaded by you.

“I have prayed for you in bonfires, in the dying hearths of my childhood. I always viewed fire as a sacred thing, always offering it something so it can continue to burn before me. Perhaps I was just learning how to stoke the flames, or maybe I knew that worshiping the flame would lead me to you.”

His hand squeezed your own, the ribbon not feeling tight enough to truly blend the two of you together.

His eyes shone in the candlelight, his beauty intensified in the flame as if it knew he was kin.

“I have gone by many names. Eris Vanserra, heir to the Autumn throne, prick, eldest, …. All of those names pale in comparison to the first time you called me ‘mate’.

“That awful playwright who you adore so much put into one of his plays, “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.” And yet, he never knew what it felt like to be called ‘yours’, what it feels like when you gaze at me so softly, to see the words ‘mine, mine, mine’ swimming in your irises.

“I do not know where my promises can lie, what I am truly capable of. I do not wish to commit to false promises. Our foundation has always been on feeble ground, and I do not wish to build a mateship on such poor foundations.

“I promise to do my very best for you, every day, every minute, for the rest of my life. I promise that every decision I will make will include you as a factor. As the factor. My life is complicated, as you are aware, but you are not complicated. You never have been. My chest yearns for you, at all times. You have always offered me the peace of familiarity.“

You surged forward, capturing his lips in a kiss before pulling back quickly.

“Er, I don’t care about my name, or my title. None of it compares to being called your mate.”

The priestess looked at you two, probably waiting to see if you would pounce on him right here. Maybe that was how they held these ceremonies in Day. You were sure Helion wouldn’t mind.

“You are bound together, from here for eternity, in perfect union. May the Mother bless you both with endless love and patience for each other.”

The air had a certain crispness to it at her words, the bond humming in your chest with satisfaction, satisfying a yearning that hadn’t let up for centuries.

Nobody could deny either of you the sanctity of your bond anymore.

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[sarawritestories]

You Are Not a Burden

Cassian X Fem Reader

Summary: You have been tasked with going to the Spring Court to check in on Tamlin for Rhys. Though You and the High Lord do not get along and this visit leaves you injured and doubting your abilities in Rhys and Feryre's court and in the Inner Circle.

Content Warning: Angst, Aggression, injury, Stubbornness, Self doubt, barely proof read.

ACOTAR MASTERLIST

Word Count: 3.1k

A/N: I hope you enjoy this angsty fic that has some really good fluff at the end.

Exhaustion had been your constant companion in the past weeks. Doing emissary work between Summer and the Day Court had been successful and have been in good company with Tarquin and Helion, who have always loved when you come to visit. Though standing on the dilapidated building of the Spring Court, you wished you could be anywhere else. The territory has been neglected as shown by the dead plants and the Mansion looking like no one has stayed there in centuries in a matter of months. The once rich color of the land had dulled, and the people of this court have suffered just as much as the land.

Rhys had asked you personally to touch base with him as you were already traveling to nearby territories and seeing the exhaustion on his face mostly from taking care of Nyx and not wanting to have Feyre endure going back there you agree. The relief in his eyes made it worth being here though it meant that you would be apart from your mate for weeks as Cassian was at the Illyrian camps handling Devlon and making sure the camps were staying in line. The time apart has left an ache in your heart, but the work has been a great distraction.

Shaking your mind from your thoughts and sending love down the bond that links you to your General. There was a warmth that took over your body as he sent warmth and comfort through the bond. Taking a breath you raise your hand and ready to knock on the door when the door opens, and your eyes meet Emerald ones. “I could hear your heart rate spike. What do you want?”

You straighten your posture, “I was in the area, I wanted to check in.”

Tamlin scowls, “Consider me checked in. You can go run to your High Lord and your Bastard, like the good little Bitch you are.”

He is about to shut the door when you breach your boot against the frame preventing it from shutting, ignoring how his blow hit his mark and gave a knowing smirk placing the mask Rhys has taught you “Look who got his bark back.” You rolled your eyes, “Can I please come in? The sooner we have an adult conversation the sooner I can leave, and you can wallow in whatever pity party you’re hosting for yourself.”

His claws peeked over his knuckles, “Why do you care, you sure as hell didn’t care when you took Feyre from me? You sure as hell did not care when your High Lord let her come in and destroy my territory.”

You cross your arms, “Tamlin, Feyre, wanted to do that on her own, there was no coercing on our end. As for your territory...you were a ticking time bomb. Your people were getting frustrated with your rule. Feyre just sped up the process. Maybe it’s time you stop blaming others for what happened in your court and take some responsibility.”

In a flash Tamlin tackles you to the ground, your head hitting the concrete at the bottom of the stairs, your vision blurred slightly as Tamlin’s claw clamps around your neck and squeezes, “I want you to listen very carefully,” He snarls and you wince, “You don’t get to judge me when its apparent there is no use for you in that vile court you call home. Rhys and Feyre have no use for you other than sending out and parade around in other territories.” He smirked as a tear escape cascading down your cheek, “I’m sure you are only good for warming your general’s cock and sitting prettily on his lap.” You wince as his blow landed some of your deepest insecurities being confirmed by the person you hate the most. “You are not welcome in my territory and if I catch your scent even in my territory, I will kill you. Leaving your Corpse on your bastard mate’s doorstep.”

He presses his face close to hers causing a whimper, “Get. Out,” he whispered and ripped away from your body the sound of a door slamming solidifying that the High Lord of the spring had slithered back into his tomb. You laid facing the sky the beautiful sight of the sky a stark contrast of what transpired.  For a moment not fully aware of how that escalated quickly, and your hand gravitated to your neck and tears began to pool. You make sure that your bond was locked so your emotions were not flooding to Cassian as he was out checking on his armies.

You stood and the ground began to spin briefly before steadying yourself a sharp pain stung behind your eyes and you touched the back of your head and something wet and warm met your fingertips. You look at your hand and find blood dripping down to your wrist, without a second glance to the manor, you winnowed back to Velaris. You ended up on Madja’s doorstep and you stunned the older Fae healer, “Oh dear, let’s get you checked out” Madja brought you inside and tried to tend to your injuries.

The familiar mental claws scraped your mental shield as Madja had you lay in her cot checking your neck to make sure Tamlin didn’t do any permanent damage as a bruise in the shape of a hand was blooming across your skin. You open your shield enough to let your High Lord come in.

“Home so soon?” Rhy’s voice was a mixture of surprise and concern, “Was your trip constructive?”

You take a steadying breath Tamlin’s words began to bubble up. You tamper it down just enough to keep it from Rhys and replied, “Yes my report, will be on your desk in a few days.”

“I’m glad you’re home, Cassian and Azriel are on their way as we speak so we’re having family dinner tonight at the River House.”

“I’ll be there. I am going to rest it’s been a long journey, and I haven’t been sleeping well.”

Rhys chuckled, “I’m sure Cassian will be more than happy to help tire you out when he sees you. He has already promised to kick my ass for keeping him away from you for this long.”

You smile briefly, and once again Tamlin’s words tried to bubble on the surface causing you stress. Rhys must have picked up on the shift of your feelings, “You sure you’re okay. Tamlin give you a hard time?”

“Rhysand, I’m fine, I’m just tired. I’ll see you at dinner.” You put your shield up before he had a chance to press further on the subject, and let unconsciousness claim you.

~Later That Evening~

You make your way down to the dining room of the River House, your plumb colored gown swishing against your bare feet. The high neckline that has a cut out that compliments your breast is why you chose this. Madja was able to close the wound on your head but the dark purple bruise dawning on your neck was going to have to heal on its own. The sound of laughter flooded your ears and the sound usually brings a smile to your face but this time insecurities run rampant.

They don’t need you.

You don’t belong.

You don’t bring anything to this group. They are better off without you.

You wince at the last one, but you school your features and put on a smile and walk into the dining room. The laughter died out and nerves racked down your body by the silence your lips turning down slightly, “Don’t mind me,” You whisper as you make your way down to the empty chair next to your mate. Your heart stopped at the sight of him as he rose from his seat to approach you. Being out in the mountains in the Fall sunshine his skin had darkened a shade and there was stubble along his face that made your toes curl. He was devastatingly handsome, his hair in a clean bun and his leathers been replaced by a dark button up shirt and dress pants.

“Hey, Sweetheart,” Cassian scooped you in his arms and spun you around. Placing you down he steals a kiss from you, “I missed you. I was so happy to hear you were home early.”

His hand grazed down your face and as he neared your neck wiggled out of his grasp and got on your tiptoes and kissed his cheek and gave him a small smile, “Me too, General.” You take your seat, and You see Cassian take his, his brows furrowed.  The food appeared and everyone gave approval

Feyre looked at you and gave her smile, “How is Tarquin and Helion, I hope they are doing well and treated you well.”

You are only good at parading to other courts.

You cleared your throat as fiddle with the food on your plate not having a solid “They are fine, warm and loving as always.”

“Rhys and Feyre have no use for you… you are only good for warming your general’s cock and sitting prettily on his lap.” The image of Tamlin snarling in your face and his hand squeezing your neck.

Rhys stilled his head shot up and his eyes met yours, your eyes widened and slam your mental shields up. Cassian’s head swiveled between his brother and you and guilt washes over you as he realizes that you have him locked out of the bond. “How was the Spring Court?” Rhys asked tension seeping into the room. Cassian’s head whipped to Rhys.

Feyre also stilled, “You sent her to the Spring Court?” she whispered her food forgotten. Mor poured more wine and filled Amren and Azriel’s goblets. Azriel’s shadows almost obscured him from view and Amren leaned against her chair and sipped her goblet.

Cassian’s grip on his fork tightened his knuckles turning white, “I chose to go,” I whispered. I reach my hand to grip Ferye’s across from me, “It was fine. I was banned but that was the only thing that happened,” Feyre didn’t return her smile.

Rhys jaw locked, “Don’t lie.”

Cassian through gritted teeth, “Someone tell me what’s going on right now!”  Rhys made eye contact with the General and his eyes went vacant along with Feyre’s. He was showing both yours and his mates the image that slipped. When the connection was severed you saw that the General had tears in his eyes as rage contorted his features. Feyre had tears streaming down her face.

You rise from your seat tears threatening, “I’m fine. I can handle myself. I’m so sorry that I ruined Family Dinner with this.” You fled and could hear Cassian call out your name as you winnowed to the door of the House of Wind and took the 10,000 steps to the top. You are aloud yourself to fall apart and sobs racked your whole body. Emotions swirling, of the pain on Feyre’s face and the pure rage on Cassian’s, the venomous truth that Tamlin spewed to you and when you reached the top. You moved as quickly as you could despite your thighs burning from the trek up the steps.

You reached the bedroom and were greeted by Hazel eyes, and you sniffled, “Cassian,” You whispered.

The General was leaning against the bed post with his arms and ankles crossed his eyes red rimmed, “Why did you block me out?” His voice was quiet and pained, his knuckles were bloody.

You open the bond and worry is sent down to him, “You’re hurt,” you whisper not looking away from his knuckles.

 He looks down at his hands and his eyes meet yours and they soften at your worry and relief shimmers down that bridge between him and you. “The blood isn’t mine. It’s Rhys’,” He shrugged, and you bit your lip, Cassian sighs and pushes of the post and approaches you and you avert your eyes. “He’s fine, he could have fought me off, he let me get the hits in. He felt guilty.”

“Why?” You ask, taking a step away from the door and approaching him.

Cassian stared at you in disbelief as he brought his arms down, pushing off the post to close the distance between the two of you. “Because he purposely put you in danger sending you to Tamlin’s territory. That the bruise your hiding behind that neckline is his fault.” Your eyes widened, “Rhys had stopped by Madja, and she told him she was worried about you.” You nod briefly, “We’re all worried about you. Especially Rhys and myself.”

You shake your head, “It wasn’t. I went willingly. I may have pushed Tamlin’s buttons, and he got the up on me.” You whisper, “It’s not Rhys’ fault it was mine.”

Cassian cupped your face in his hands, “Rhys was aware that you and Tamlin do not get along. He also knew that you wouldn’t say no whereas anyone else would have. As your High Lord and more importantly your friend, he should not have put you in that situation.”

You wrap your fingers around his hands that are still cupping your face, “Tamlin wasn’t wrong though.” Cassian’s face fell at your admission. Tears trailed down your cheek, “I feel like I don’t have a job that is really helping this court, but I can’t fight like everyone else and sometimes I feel like Rhys and Feyre really don’t know what to do with me.” Cassian wipes her tears with the pads of his thumbs. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m even a good enough friend to be part of the Inner Circle. Then what he said about you.” You closed your eyes, “I know you love me. I know you value me as a friend, partner, mate and wife, but I think back to the number of times you have had to reassure me and take care of me. I can’t help but feel like a burden to you and this court.”

“Oh Sweetheart,” His voice cracked as he picked you up and led you to the bathroom where he took a moment to change you out of your gown. His eyes were flaring with anger at the sight of the bruise. He puts on one of your favorite night gowns that is red and black. He guides you to the vanity back in the bedroom and has you sit as he begins to brush your hair. “There has never been a moment since you came into my life where I ever found you as a burden. You have been such a bright light in my life, your smile brightens the room and even on my worst day that same smile always melts my problems away. You have the affect on the team too, your easy and calm demeanor grounds everyone even Amren.” He meets your gaze through the mirror with his smile that always settles your nerves. “Your charm is perfect for dealing with temperamental High Lords which is why Feyre and Rhys have you go out and touch base with them every now and then. They like you and find comfort in your presence.”

He kisses your cheek and turns you so that you’re facing him, “I love you, You have never under any circumstances simply been someone who warms my cock.” You give him a small smile and his eyes light up at the upward tick of your lips. “I love your kindness, and your bravery. Most importantly it’s your willingness to drop anything for anyone, no questions asked. People know they can come to you for a listening ear, a shopping spree. You even know when I just need to hold you after a difficult mission, and you don’t pry but you somehow know what any one of us needs at any given moment. That’s special, Sweetheart, you’re special.” He presses a kiss to your forehead. “I will happily remind you of that, everyday from now until my heart stops beating that you are NOT a burden.” Another kiss to your lips briefly before he pulls away.

You feel tears flooding out one more time as you wrap your arms around him and bury your face in his neck taking in his scent. “I was nervous, that if you sensed my dread and fear down the bond, you would have shown up in the Spring Court. That’s why I blocked you out and I really wish I hadn’t. I thought he was going to kill me he even told me as much.” Cassian stilled at the admission but did not say anything as you continued, “Then when I got here all I could think about was how I couldn’t inconvenience anyone to help. I was cowardly and didn’t want Rhys to think I failed him. Failed you and began and self-doubt is a parasite that is easy to come in and harder to extract. I just didn’t want to bring the mood down of everyone being home for the first time in weeks. ”

Cassian snorted and you could hear him roll his eyes, “He failed you, Sweetheart. But Tamlin will be dealt with. I promise.” You nod and continue to sob into his neck ruining his dress shirt with your tears.  “Also, you are more important to me than any dinner or game night we could have. How you’re feeling takes priority for me that will never change. Just because you're not feeling joy all the time doesn't make you a burden, it's normal to have those bad feelings as it is the good ones.”

Cassian tucks an arm under your knees and behind your back and carries you to the armchair looking out at the balcony. Holding you close as your sobs ebb and flow he strokes your back and presses his head against yours whispering sweet nothings.

A few moments go by when the sobbing turns to soft hiccups, you raise your head from his neck to meet his beautiful honey-colored eyes. “Thank you, for being you, Cassian, you always know what to say.”

He presses a kiss to your hand, “Promise me something, Sweet Girl.” You wait to let him continue, “Promise me that you will not block me out like that again, if you think you will be in a dangerous situation or territory, you keep the bond open so I can help. While we’re at it, tell me things. Don’t try to protect me from your dark feelings, or worries, it’s my job as your mate and your husband to help you through them and work on quieting those loud voices. No different than what you do for me.”

You nod, “I promise.” You kiss him, “I love you.”

He smiles and holds you tighter to him, “I love you too, Sweetheart. Let’s get some rest, we have an early meeting with the High Lord and Lady tomorrow.”

You nod and let him carry you to bed. He quickly removes his clothes, apart from his underwear and crawls into bed next to you, bringing your head to his chest and his wing wrapped around the two of you for extra warmth as your eyes droop close you feel lips on your forehead, “My beautiful, mate.” He whispers as you drift into slumber.

~FIN