#Jassa Week

[oristian]

❝ L O N G L I V E T H E K I N G a n d Q U E E N ❞

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@jassaweek DAY ( 3 ) — Future and Possibilities. just two individuals who love their kingdom very, very much.

[jassaweek]

Jassa Week 2025 begins tomorrow! We are beyond excited to see all of the wonderful submissions and to appreciate Jurian and Vassa with everyone!

If posting on Instagram, feel free to invite us to collaborate on your posts! Please be sure to use the hashtags #jassaweek and #jassaweek2025 on all submissions on both Instagram and Tumblr!

A reminder that we will NOT engage with any submissions using AI ‼️

Find prompts and guidelines on our socials! For any additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team!

-

🎨 @poppypola COMMISIONER @cauldronblssd

[shadowqueenjude]

Day 4 of Picrews: Jurian and Vassa

picrew here

for @jassaweek

[yennas-stuff]

That ugly pink couch in Band of Exiles' crib better see some action before we finish the series...

Elucien, Jassa, get on it stat. We didn't hear about this couch for nothing.

[praetorqueenreyna]

Lucien reached out and ran his fingers through the ends of Tamlin’s damp, silky strands. He wanted to say something, to express how he felt. He opened his mouth to say: I love you, but he hesitated. It had only been two days, and they had only made love once—well, twice, if he counted the shower—and he didn’t want to scare Tamlin off yet. Or ever. So, instead, he murmured it in Scythian. I love you. I think I always have. Stay with me.

For Day 4 of Tamlin Week: Happily Ever After. An edit for the AMAZING fic A Second Chance by @goforth-ladymidnight! I love both Tamlin/Lucien AND Jurian/Vassa in that fic, and had to make something to celebrate Tamlin and Lucien finally getting together! The fic isn't done yet BUT I have been assured that they will get their happily ever after!

@tamlinweek

[jassaweek]

ARTIST CREDIT poppypola_ COMMISSION BY @cauldronblssd

Welcome to the Jassa Week Commission Giveaway! We are so incredibly excited to be partnering with some phenomenal artists within our community to host a giveaway for four free commissions! This giveaway will run from today until midnight EST on November 1st, 2024. The winners will be announced on November 3rd, 2024! The giveaway will take place on both Instagram and Tumblr, but we ask that participants choose one of the platforms to engage with to be fair and considerate to those who may only use one of the two platforms—following, there will be two artists per platform for this giveaway.

For the Tumblr portion of the giveaway, we are so very excited to have @majuandrad and @tuluaart as our artists! @majuandrad will be offering the full body Jassa commission and @tuluaart will be offering the half body Jassa commission!

To enter into the giveaway, please be following @jassaweek and the two artists listed above. Like and reblog this post. For additional entries, tag friends who may be interested in participating in Jassa Week—you are able to tag as many friends as you’d like, as one tag is one additional entry. Another additional entry opportunity is to reblog/tag us in a post explaining what intrigues you about Jassa, or any theories/headcanons that you may have for them! Please find the rules and guidelines below the cut line.

C O M M I S I O N R U L E S

You are allowed two minor changes during the sketch process—anything additional (extra characters, complex details, etc.) will be an additional charge at the discretion of the artist.

The commission must be used during Jassa Week with credit given to the artist.

The commission will be allowed a simple background—anything complex will be an additional charge at the discretion of the artist.

Only SFW commissions are allowed for this giveaway—NSFW will be at the discretion of the artist.

The commission must be created for personal use—if intended for commercial usage, that will be an additional charge at the discretion of the artist.

In the case that you no longer wish to participate in Jassa Week, you will forfeit your commission and the runner up will be offered your place with the artist.

If the artist expresses any negativity from the giveaway winner, it will be at the discretion of the artist on whether they would want to continue the giveaway process with you. In the case that they do not, you will forfeit your spot to a runner up.

For those wanting to engage with the Instagram version of the giveaway, please find our page here. For any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us—not the artists—on either social media!

[jassaweek]

”Take me home, my queen.” WE ARE SOBBING!! GORGEOUS!

Beyond the Plains of Scythia

I was so honored and lucky to win this commission for @jassaweek! it was such a privilege to get to work with xo.hkka to create this masterpiece. She is such a kind and wonderful person and an incredible artist.

Jurian and Vassa have defeated Koschei, broken the curse, and now have the whole world ahead of them.

For my own fics, I took a lot of inspiration from the golden age of Mongolia, which you can see here in Vassa's outfit and the vast plains of Scythia. Thank you to Hikka and @jassaweek!

Please make sure to check out xo.hikka on instagram! And enjoy the little piece I wrote to go with this masterpiece!

Vassa felt the last vestiges of sunlight hit her face, relishing in the warmth and the stillness of her body. Never again would she take for granted the golden hour of sunset. With the horses far behind her, she looked out into the sea of grass. Hills rolled softly as sea waves and the fire in the sky stretched on forever. That fire reflected upon her hair, but it no longer burned her alive, no longer shredded her body. The trek from the lake and the surrounding forests took too long. Vassa felt suffocated by the trees as they crossed through mountains and gorges, past the fallen wall. But she held her head high as she led her army back across the border and into Scythia. 

Her mother had told her of the ancestors defeating the Fae armies as a child. How they raised the capital from a slave pit. Vassa’s ancestors rode wild horses to freedom on these hills, and Vassa swore she could hear the horde of nomads in the wind as she rode. She was free again, free from her curse, and the chains of the death god. She spoke her own language again, her Scythian tunic felt like armor against her chest, and Vassa felt like she could breathe again. 

Calloused fingers threaded through hers, tugging her close with the wind. 

“When you told me you called it seagrass, you really meant it,” Jurian said, “What was the word again? In Scythian.”

“Tanaap,” Vassa replied, “It’s the word for steppe, not sea.” She smiled as she watched the light dance along the angles of his face. He stood as tall as a king, but he refused that title. They had been arguing about it for days, and Jurian had convinced her army that he would only be her consort. No doubt he’d convince the entire capital and court within days of their arrival. 

He had not left her side the entire journey. He held her through her night terrors, helped her breathe when she felt like the forest would suffocate her, and he cried with her as they crossed the border. Jurian gasped the first time he saw the steppe, and Vassa could not bring herself to think of the walls he had suffered behind for so long.

“I can see why the humans settled here.” he murmured, his face softening, “Possibility without the fear of eternity. No wall could ever stand here.” 

“And no wall ever will,” Vassa promised, pulling him close. 

Jurian was quiet for a moment as the sun slunk behind the hills, and the sky began to bleed purple. Behind them, the stirrings of camp and the whinny of horses broke the silence. 

“If-” Jurian began, taking a deep breath, “Will your people accept me? After everything I’ve done?” He turned toward her then, his brown eyes filled with worry. 

“You mean, after saving me and leading my army to free me? After killing a death god and stopping Beron Vanserra and the queens?” Vassa cupped his face gently, “They will, they have. After everything you’ve done, you can come home and rest. With me.” She pulled him down, capturing his lips with a sigh. Vassa kissed her General as the sun set, feeling only his lips and his arms wrapped around her. She felt her heart flutter against her chest, but she could not feel her bones breaking with transformation, could not feel the lashing of flames on her back. Vassa only felt the future, now stretched before them like the sea of grass they stood on. 

“Take me home, my queen.”

[maased-out]

Hi everyone and get ready for another year of SJM fun! Below, you'll find a list of events for 2025.

NOTE: These events are meant to foster positivity within their respective fandoms. Negativity towards any specific event is not welcome.

NOTE: If you would like your event to be included on the maased-out calendar, please click here.

January:

Bat Boys Appreciation Week (January 12- January 18)

Rhysta Weekend (January 17- January 19)

February:

Jassa Week (February 2 - February 8)

SJM Romance Week (February 8 - February 14)

SJM Pride Week (February 23- March 1)

March:

Koschlain Weekend (March 07-March 09)

Elain Week (March 30- April 5)

April

Poly + SJM Week (April 6- April 12)

Tamlin Week (April 12-April 19)

Nesta Archeron Week (April 21- April 27)

May:

Elriel Month (May 1 - May 30)

SJM x Reader Week (May 4- May 10)

Emerie Week (May 11- May 15)

Nameless ACOTAR Weekend (May 16th- May 18th)

June:

Azris Week (June 8- June 14)

Gwyn Week (June 15 - June 21)

July:

Inner Circle Week (July 1- July 7)

Elucien Week (July 14- July 20)

Cassian Week (July 20- July 26)

Omegaverse Week (July 27-August 2)

August:

Gwynriel Weeks (August 10- August 23)

Feylin Week (August 24- August 31)

Elain Archeron Week (August 31- September 7)

September

Eris Vanserra Week (September 14- September 20)

Nessian Week (September 21- September 27)

October

SJM Villain Week (October 1 - October 7)

Band Of Exiles Week (October 4- October 10)

Feysand Week (October 12- October 18)

Valkyrie Appreciation Week (October 19-25th)

November

Azriel Appreciation Week (November 10- November 16)

December

Archeron Sisters Appreciation Week (Dec 21-December 27)

[zenkindoflove]

This will be my first Elucien Week @elucienweekofficial and I wanted to make a little preview post to share the one-shots I have planned for next week. If anyone wants to be added to a tag list for these fics, just let me know either by replying to the post or messaging me!

Day 1: Fated

Perennial (T, 6.7k words)

Fate has always been intertwined with Elain and Lucien's bond. An exploration of how soulmates find each other through every iteration of their existences.

∞

Day 6: Fearless

... And Again Into the Light (M, 10k words)

Co-written with @crazy-ache. Elain has a vision that takes her and Lucien to the Continent. In desperate need of rest, they rent a room for a night in an eerie inn that has an unnatural presence. Horror/Romance.

∞

Day 7: AU

Dancing Barefoot (E/NSFW, 10k words)

“She is re-creation. She, intoxicated by thee.”– Patti Smith Historical AU 1970s – Elain is frustrated and aimless in her senior year of college. She doesn’t know what path to take with the way the world is changing. Then she meets Lucien, a punk rocker who also is becoming more disenfranchised with the scene. She’s drawn to his beauty and the danger in his eyes, and maybe just one night might be all she needs. Minor Jassa.

[burningburner55]

This is a burner account that I created so I am not affiliated with any ship. As such, it is possible that the results may not be representative if not a lot of people see this poll. In anticipation of that, I am opening this poll for one week so that hopefully more people can see it.

I wanted to include all the prominent ships and I apologize that for the second option (Elriel/Vassien), I really could not think of any other ships that characters Gwyn and Jurian are involved in, besides their predominant ships of Gwynriel and Jassa respectively, to make both sides equal in number. I am aware that Jassa has another ship name (Vassian), but I thought it was too similar to Vassien and might confuse people reading this, which was why I picked Jassa over Vassian. The order of which side of the ship war would be placed as the first and second option was decided by a coin toss, which is also the order of the ship tags' appearance in this post. Within each option, the order of ships was determined alphabetically.

This poll is conducted out of curiosity. I am aware that it cannot possibly encapsulate everybody's opinions in the fandom as not everyone uses Tumblr.

[christeareads]

THEIR AESTHETIC

Happy Jassa Week!! I love the idea of Jurian and Vassa together. They are both loyal to the humans and genuinely wish to see the human lands thrive. The Queen and her General is an ageless trope and suits these two perfectly. They are at each other’s throats (as they like to be 😏) and are two sides of the same coin. Can’t wait to read their story.

@jassaweek

[starsreminisce]

There is something about Vassa that Elain does not like. We see it at times in ACOWAR and ACOSAF.

In ACOWAR: She studied her lap when Lucien talked about going to find her, eyed him warily when he insisted on going, and finally, her face became a calm void as she absentmindedly traced the embroidery. She tried to stop him the next day.

I think this was the most action Elain has taken before he left, and I think it's significant in understanding what she saw that makes her apprehensive, a feeling that continues even in ACOSAF.

In ACOSAF: When Lucien visited to drop off the presents, Elain stayed for the conversation until Lucien started talking about Jurian and Vassa. Lucien frowned at her, then winced at Feyre and commented it wasn't solstice talk. That's when Elain stood up to leave the room.

This also makes me hesitant about a Vassien end-game because none of her reactions are ones of relief that Lucien has interest in someone else. She was relieved when Lucien said he was not staying, then left when he brought Jassa up and stayed out when Lucien talked about moving in with Jassa.

In ACOSF, Lucien seems to have a change of perception about being with Jassa from ACOSAF. The annoyance and honesty from when Nesta asked him how they were, as opposed to the excitement from the year before. I'm not sure if they followed him to the Spring Court or if he drops by during the week. SJM wasn't exactly clear with his living situation.

Lucien has always shown to help out as much as he can, but it doesn't always pan out. He couldn't find a way to break Rhys's bargain with Feyre. He couldn't find a way to repair or strengthen the wall. He may have the best motivation to free Vassa, but it doesn't make sense to wait for how many years to see if his spell-cleaving can break her curse. He specifically brought her to Feyre, and it was Vassa who made the request (demand lol) to Feyre.

Lucien also has the habit of following Elain's lead. It would be a sweet moment that when it comes down to it, Lucien will always pick Elain, will always put her above anything, so if Elain speaks up against his being involved, he will follow.

Of course, this could be another situation like Feyre misunderstanding Mor's role in the beginning of ACOMAF or being jealous over Cresseida, so we might end up seeing a jealous Elain. The bond does make them territorial, and we've seen Lucien display those traits towards Azriel, so maybe Elain is experiencing the same towards Vassa.

I’d never seen such spell work. I’d sent my power over her, Helion too, hunting for any possible threads to unbind it. I found none. It was as if the curse was woven into her very blood.

I believe this may be some sort of oath Vassa was forced to undertake because we have seen two blood oaths in other series: the cadre in ToG and the blood oath Tharion took when he swore himself to the Viper Queen. We've seen SJM take similar ideas and change their purpose in different worlds. In ToG, shadows are seen as powers of the "bad guys" but are different in CC and ACOTAR.

And maybe the answer to break her curse is through Koshei's death or from one of the maidens he has captured.

Or perhaps it may be found in another world.

[nikethestatue]

There is apparently 'Jassa Week' but Elriels are the crazy ones shipping Elriel (who are platonic brother and sister/friends).

[jassaweek]

We’re obsessed with the caption!!

VASSA AND JURIAN

BOUND TOGETHER. HER DUTY, HIS HONOR

for day two @jassaweek

[aldbooks]

ACOTAR Masterlist

AO3 ALDBooks

ACOTAR 🥀

Like After Images - Valkyrie Week prompt 'Blood Rite' *TW*

Several weeks after the Blood Rite, once the excitement of Nesta's mating ceremony and the birth of Nyx subside, the Valkyrie wade through the aftermath of what they faced in the Blood Rite

The Temporary Roommate - T - 3/3 - 13,951words

ACOTAR Secret Santa 2022 gift Mor's meddling family sends her and Emerie away to her estate for two weeks. It's either the best, or the worst thing that ever happened. She hadn't yet decided.

A Strange Melody - M - 12/12 - 19,752

ACOTAR Secret Santa 2023 gift for @sunshinebingo - a Gwynriel Little Mermaid AU

ACOTAR Writing Circle 3

A Friendly Wager - M - 1/1 - 2,205 words

Gwynriel oneshot fluffy fun - Alternate storyline A Fresh Spark

“Because of you I didn’t sleep at all last night” prompt Gwynriel

“I’m guessing you stole them?” Prompt Gwynriel

Azriel and his mother headcanons

Gwynriel/Kanthony headcanon

The necklace - Angsty Gwynriel

Snap me baby one more time - Nessian 2,175 words

Inspired by all the gym bro thirst traps that keep crossing my FYP that remind me of Cassian. Here's a silly little Nessian one shot with a side Gwynriel and Emorie plot (naturally)

Bodyshop - E - 4/4 - 19,441 words

Inspired by the song Unholy by Sam Smith & Kim Petra Mor and Cassian drag Azriel to Rita's the strip club the partially own with their friend Rhysand to see a new troop of dancers. A trio of women who go by the name Valkyrie.

Don’t you wanna be more than friends? - M - 3,839 words

Azriel and Gwyn have been growing steadily closer thanks to their midnight meetings in the training ring but, tonight, something is different... TW: mentions of SA

“Who says I want to reject it?” - Elucien

Drunk confessions - Elucien

Elucien angsty Drabble & Part 2

More angsty Elucien 

The haircut - Lucien cuts his hair and Elain has feelings about it

Gwynriel/Elucien drabble

Should've Stayed Dead - M - 4,437 words

Nessian (sort of) Lucien receives a message requesting a meeting with the Night Court. Specifically, the Archeron sisters. Cassian's POV

Angsty prompts requests:

Elucien [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Gwynriel [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Lucien/Feyre [1]

Her tears like diamonds on the floor - 1,610words

Angsty Gwynriel Starfall drabble

Embrace - E - 14/? :

Collection of Smut prompt requests including the following ships:

Amren x Varian

Gwynriel

Helion x LoA

Feysand

Elucien

Viviane x Kallias

Jassa

Nessian

Gwynriel week prompts:

Solstice Night

“You’re the new ribbon Az”

To Win a Prince - Cinderella AU

Elucien story inspired by Persuasion - The Remembrance of Regret

Unchained Melody - angsty/smutty Gwynriel

Rosaline inspired Gwynriel scene

Gwynriel sparring

My Jolly Sailor Bold - Gwynriel mermay

The Final Frontier series - part of Gwynriel Dirty Deeds December 2024

I thought my demons were almost defeated but you took their side and you pulled them to freedom - Gwynriel based on @acourtdelaluna head canon

Moth to Flame - Gwynriel Summer Solstice

Frost and Flame - Pure angst from Lucien's POV, no happy ending

The Flame of Night - Ghost Rider inspired Elucien

A Court of Light and Shadows series - Elucien/Gwynriel

This series consists of an Elucien prequel then a Gwynriel and Elucien story that run tandem to each other - the directions for the tandem read are in the notes of each respective chapter for those interested

A Breaking - M - 1/1 - 2,899 words

After witnessing the almost kiss on Winter Solstice, Lucien makes a decision.

A Court of Shadows - E - 37/37 - 94,718 words

Azriel has begun to notice that his thoughts regarding a certain priestess have begun to shift. Before he can fully set aside his more inappropriate musings, Gwyn makes a proposal he can't resist

A Court of Light - M - 31/31 - 88,258 words

A year after the events of A Breaking, Elain feels a tug on the bond and realizes her estranged mate is in danger. Lucien, now returned to the Night Court, wonders if he might have been too hasty in his decision to leave, and if there might still be a chance for him with his mate

[vulpes-fennec]

Throne Room Shenanigans

Tumblr prompt request: Hey Viffy, can you write a Jassa (Jurian and Vassa) NSFW fic where Jurian and Vassa hook up on her throne?  

Read: AO3 | Warnings: SMUT

“General Jurian has arrived.” Queen Vassa of Scythia straightened up on her throne and smoothed her red hair just as the heavy wooden doors swung open. 

General Jurian swaggered into her throne room with the carelessness of a man who had seen it all. A thin coat of chain-mail hung over his wrinkled white shirt, his brown trousers tucked into riding boots caked with mud. The stubble that faintly shadowed his chiseled face paled in comparison to the darkness in his eyes.

He bowed at the base of the dias, the chestnut brown hair hanging limply and just barely skating the tops of his shoulders. It seemed the only thing General Jurian took care of was the heavy sword strapped to his side, with its sapphire-encrusted pommel shining, the leather sheath clean and pristine. 

Vassa’s mind parsed through the possibilities of why General Jurian would seek her out, especially when he’d discussed the matters of the mystical Cauldron, the Made female Feyre Archeron, and the looming prospect of war with the council of queens two weeks ago. 

Perhaps this was another one of those political games, where the King of Hybern tried to sow distrust amongst the queens by implying favor and doling “confidential” information to one over another. Well, Vassa wasn’t the type to fall for silly tricks. And she didn’t trust Jurian one bit. 

The young queen schooled her expression into one of neutrality, folding her hands primly in her lap, as she asked, “what brings you here today, General Jurian?” 

“I came to report on the status of the Wall.” Jurian straightened with a gleam in his green-brown eyes, reminiscent of rabid animals. “Your Majesty,” he added with emphasis. 

“Is the news so pressing that you could not be bothered to freshen up?” Vassa reminded herself to exhale the breath she’d been holding.

Jurian shrugged irreverently. “I did not realize you cared so much about appearances. With your lands bordering the Wall, I figured my news is of more importance to you than my appearance.” A brief pause. “Your Majesty.”

Vassa bristled at his subtle display of disrespect. They squared off, blazing sapphire eyes meeting darkened brown ones. There was no humanity, no emotion in Jurian’s gaze. The Cauldron may have resurrected him, but perhaps it swallowed his soul in the process. Or maybe a man like Jurian didn’t have a soul to begin with, having lost it on the battlefields centuries ago.  

Vassa was usually calm and collected when dealing with troublesome men, but something about Jurian’s smirking face put her on edge.

“Everybody out,” she barked without breaking Jurian’s stare. 

“But Your Majesty—” the court steward began, casting a dubious glance at the Mad General. 

“My conversation with the general is confidential.” Vassa’s voice was firm. Jurian’s smirk only deepened as he lazily blinked, looking very much like a smug fat cat. Courtiers, emissaries, and scholars scuttled out of the room. She waited for the door to swing shut before ordering, “tell me the real reason why you’re here.” 

Jurian shrugged again. Ragged and strange the general may be, but he was also handsome in a devilish, unhinged sort of way. “Reconnaissance reveals an increasing number of holes and cracks in the Wall. Think of all the Fae creatures sneaking into your lands, killing young children and ransacking villages—” 

“I am perfectly aware of that, thank you.” Vassa interrupted him. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

The general took two steps closer, taunting her with his silence. He was clearly fickle and unstable, unlike her advisors who danced around her feelings and shuffling their lives around her whims. 

“And I suppose the proposed solution is for your King to obtain our half of the Book of Breathings to ‘restore’ the very Wall he sought to tear down centuries ago?” Vassa demanded, making no attempt to hide her feelings about the King of Hybern.

“Would you rather the Night Court steal it from you by force?” Jurian raised an eyebrow. 

“I remain unconvinced that your new master wouldn’t resort to far worse tactics to get what he wants.” Vassa’s lips twisted in a scowl. “Remind me why you decided to switch sides again?”

Jurian’s expression was maddeningly blase, even with Vassa implying he was Hybern’s pet. “There are greater threats than the fae, Your Majesty. Perhaps you may have heard of the death gods. The Bone Carver? Stryga? Koschei?” 

“They are but legends.”

The general tutted, shaking his head as if Vassa was an ignorant child. “Stryga and Koschei are rallying their power, ready to tear this world into pieces to slake their hunger for the living. With the full Book of Breathings, the King of Hybern can banish them back to their realm.”

“Mmmm I’d rather deal with a few death gods than let the King of Hybern have full control over the Book of Breathings.” Vassa’s chest tightened in her corset when Jurian ambled up the steps, close enough for her to make out the small scars on his jaw, his eyebrow, and cheekbone. She could have sworn Jurian’s gaze lingered on the swell of her lush breasts, an act that made her clench her thighs together.  

“And the Bone Carver?” she asked, a little more breathlessly than usual. 

Jurian’s dark eyes snapped back up to her face. “The Bone Carver resides on the island prison, which is controlled by none other than the Night Court,” he answered. “The most powerful High Lord in Prythian, with the Made female as his mate…who knows what they’ll use him for? Their ambition has no bounds…and I know this from personal experience.”

“If my history lessons serve me well, weren’t you and High Lord Rhysand fighting on the same side during the Great War? His ambition that you deride…I’m sure it came in handy when you were fighting for the humans,” Vassa replied smoothly.

Jurian still did not rise to the bait. Did not even blink at her reference to the hero he once was. 

“Rhysand is not the High Lord his father was,” Jurian sniffed, his face bland. Only his hand gripping the pommel of his sword tightly was any indication of the turbulent emotions simmering underneath. “He was Amarantha’s whore Under the Mountain. Did her bidding, helped her exact terror over his fellow Fae. For fifty damn years.” 

Well, little did Jurian know that a correspondence had come for the Mortal Queens last week. The very letter, written in elegant script, was a message beseeching the Mortal Queens to meet at the Archeron manor. From High Lord Rhysand and Feyre Archeron. 

While her fellow queens scoffed at the letter’s contents, Vassa kept the folded letter, dissecting the phrases and message. Her gut instinct had served her well as a young ruler. And her gut instinct told her that Rhysand and Feyre were genuine. Vassa had yet to meet Rhysand but…

“Perhaps he had his reasons,” she murmured evenly, thinking back to his letter. 

Jurian snorted. “You sure love defending a male who would mist you without a second thought.” 

“I could say the same about you and the King of Hybern,” Vassa snapped. 

Jurian shot forward faster than she could blink, one arm bracing against the edges of her throne. Vassa’s back pressed against the velvet cushion, her soft manicured hands gripping the armrest as Jurian leaned over her.

“The King of Hybern,” he hissed, “is simply a means to an end. And I would not expect you to understand my reasons.” 

The queen shivered. The general was utterly feral, with his lips pulled back in a half-snarl. If the Cauldron had recreated his likeness with accuracy, then this was exactly the sort of cruel beauty that would seduce a Fae tyrant. Was she no better than Clythia, lusting over General Jurian like this? Would she meet the same doomed fate?

“If that is all you have to offer, then I regret to inform you, General, that the news you have traveled so far to bring has not changed my mind,” Vassa said dismissively. Everything was too intimate, from the strands of chestnut hair hanging in front of the rugged face that loomed over hers, to the pounding of her heart in her ears. 

She needed to get things under control. This was her throne room, her court. 

Jurian’s eyes narrowed as she licked her plump lips. Vassa preened with some satisfaction knowing that he wanted her just as well.  

“Then what do you want, Your Majesty?” Jurian’s rough fingers tilted Vassa’s chin up. Only the Mad General would be so bold as to initiate touching the queen. It lacked complete propriety, the trembling of Jurian’s bracing arm and restraint in his green-brown eyes the only indication of Jurian holding himself back. 

“Your loyalty.” A conflict flashed across Jurian’s face, too quick for Vassa to consider its implications. It was impossible to think straight when his strangely pretty mouth was so close to hers. 

“I cannot give you that,” he whispered roughly. Vassa thought about her fellow queens, the fate of her realm, her future as a leader…it was too much for a 26-year old to handle sometimes. 

“Then give me a distraction.” Vassa hooked her fingers over the edge of his belt, dragging him closer. He smelled like smoky ashes, like soft leather. Hell be damned, the mythical general was almost close enough to taste. 

Jurian stiffened, as if realizing just how improper things had become. “You are a queen,” he said, more to himself than to her, “not some common whore.” 

Vassa reeled slightly from shock. Men were usually falling over themselves to sleep with her. She had offered herself up to the general, and he had the gall to spurn her? 

“Scared, general? Or perhaps you’re rusty after five hundred years as an eyeball,” Vassa scoffed. “I’m sure it takes time to retrain your bodily functions after so long.”  

Jurian’s eyes blazed at her challenge. Seconds later, his mouth closed over hers in a fervent kiss. He was bold and unapologetic, applying just the right amount of pressure against her lips that left Vassa wanting more, more, more. A blazing sensation rippled down Vassa’s body, turning on every nerve, every inch of skin. 

“Not—mmh—bad…for your first—ahh—kiss,” Vassa taunted, barely able to get a word in between Jurian’s repeated kisses. “After—nghh—five hundred years.” She swallowed a moan when his tongue brushed against hers. He was a little clumsy, but his enthusiasm certainly made up for it. 

Jurian’s warm hands wasted no time pushing up her skirts, searching for a way to undo the stockings that clung to her legs. His mouth barely left hers, leaving hot, trembling breaths panting between kisses.

There was a loud ripping sound as Jurian pulled her stockings down in haste and tore them clean down the middle. “Be quiet,” Vassa hissed, tensing up before guards came bursting through the door. But nothing else stirred. 

“Lift your legs up,” Jurian gritted out. “Let me admire your pretty pussy.” 

Vassa huffed loudly at his insolent demand but obliged, hooking her calves over the armrests of her throne, the tattered bits of stocking bunched at her ankles, the gown draped between her knees barely covering her nether regions. Jurian promptly remedied that by pushing her dress up, up, and up. Cool air brushed against her bare skin, channeling attention to the pulse fluttering between her thighs.

The look of reverence on Jurian’s face as he knelt on the floor before her was that of a supplicant priest in a temple. But he was no priest. He was mad and conniving. He was currently running his hands along the brown skin of her legs. He was an arrogant man. He was now slipping her underwear off her hips. He belonged to the gray area between immortal and mortal— 

And Vassa wanted him. 

A gentle finger slid along Vassa’s drenched slit, so unlike the hasty, rough movements from earlier. She drew a quick intake of breath when Jurian slipped the finger in one knuckle deep. Moaned when it continued to sink into her until he could go no further.

“Do you like this, Your Majesty?” Jurian smirked as he withdrew his finger and pushed in again. Vassa refused to answer, biting her bottom lip and trying to breathe evenly through her nose. Her sapphire glare only seemed to deepen the burning desire in his eyes. 

Jurian added a second finger, and she nearly cried out. “I can tell you do, with your walls tightening up whenever I withdraw. It’s almost like they’re trying to keep my fingers in.” 

“Shut the hell up and do your job,” Vassa whispered, a tense edge in her voice. Her legs trembled in the compromising position, from the strain of their spread and the risky situation.

“Feisty, feisty,” Jurian clicked his tongue. “What would your court say if it saw you like this?” His fingers curled up, tapping a sensitive spot deep within her and eliciting a shaky moan from Vassa’s lips. “Do you spread your legs for any emissary that comes your way? Or am I special?” 

No way in hell would she let this cocky bastard know he was special.  

“Are you always this talkative in bed?” Vassa panted out, trying to adopt a lazy drawl to her voice. “Or are you simply biding time because you don’t know what to do with a naked woman in front of you?”

Jurian’s smile turned lupine. “Relax, sweetheart. I’m only getting started,” he replied sarcastically. It only took one flick of his tongue for Vassa to arch her back. Two swipes, for her to buck her hips into Jurian’s face, her own cheeks blushing furiously at the wanton gesture.

Jurian’s groan, one of a man starved, vibrated against her inner thighs. Each stroke with the hot, flat muscle of his tongue buoyed her onto greater heights of pleasure. The stubble along his jaw chafed her skin, adding just the right amount of roughness. 

Vassa ran her hands through his hair, savoring its softness. The only sounds in the great hall were Jurian devouring her and her heavy breathing. Vassa had never stooped to this level of baseness before. But all rational thoughts eddied away when Jurian made another loud appreciative sound.  

“Fuck.” Jurian’s hands curled under her thighs, pulling Vassa closer. She slumped low, this new angle bringing the tip of Jurian’s nose into contact with her clit. The general’s nose brushed against her sensitive bud with each sweep of his expert tongue, compounding the tension in Vassa’s core. 

She clapped a hand over her mouth as she came, muffling her soft cries. Vassa threw her head back, undulating her hips, chasing the final trickles of pleasure. Meanwhile, Jurian was unashamedly lapping up her wetness, sucking gently on her clit (and causing Vassa to whimper at the overstimulation) before giving her pussy one last kiss.

Jurian’s strong hands readjusted Vassa’s legs and skirt, propping her relaxed body up into a straighter position. He wore a pensive expression on his face as he rose, one that was significantly less haggard than before. 

When he caught Vassa staring, the deranged expression snapped back into place. Jurian licked her residual slick off his lips. “A meal fit for a general,” he tossed her way. 

“Cad,” Vassa growled, feeling her walls slide up. Her cheeks were burning, nonetheless, as Jurian leaned in. 

She thought he meant to kiss her, or tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, but instead, he whispered, “be careful of the other queens.” 

His voice was imperceptibly low. “They desire the Cauldron, seeking its life-giving waters for themselves only.” 

“You are a damn traitor,” she replied coldly, remembering all at once that she was supposed to be wary of him. “Why should I trust you?”

The general drew away, those green-brown eyes regarding her with the most human expression she’d seen in months. As if you know anything about me, they seemed to say. Vassa’s gut twisted, conflicted between the intimate moment they’d shared and her rational half. 

“Your crown is lopsided, Your Majesty.” He grinned crookedly before adjusting the skewed gold circlet on her head. 

Jurian turned around and sauntered off without another glance back. As she stared at his retreating form, Vassa clasped her hands together in her lap. Hoping—no, praying—to some higher being that Jurian had some good, some humanity, left in him after 500 years. 

Perhaps the pleasure was addling her brain. This was the wishful thinking of a hapless fool.