#Tairn being the best

[intairnwetrust]

Tairn being the best character in Fourth Wing:

"pronunciation could use some work"

"You bleeding. Stop it."

"You making us look bad. Stop it"

"You only fell about a dozen times that trip"

"The closest translation for humans is probably 'for fuck's sake'"

"And i could call you violence like the wingleader"

"Never. I’ll burn him alive before he takes a single step toward you."

"This grumby ass just caught you a dozen times, Silver one."

"Stubborn silver human"

“Never. I’ll burn him alive before he takes a single step toward you.”

"I hear it’s all the fashion"

"Should i get the wingleader?"

"Golden one" and "Silver one"

"No chance of that happening. I'm not letting her off my back, wingleader"

"Tell him if he harms you, I'll scorch the ground where he stands"

[verysaxyberry]

Fourth Wing is the definition of mid, even within the romantasy genre

[zoya-nazyalenskys]

i'm very close to finishing fourth wing (five chapters to go) and honestly this ended up being such a pleasant surprise of a book like the writing is very childish but it has that it™️ factor that drags you in and won't let go

[skyfallscotland]

The OFFICIAL...no I'm just kidding lmao. My chapter twenty-seven (Xaden's POV) community discussion post. Spoilers below the cut ✨

🌟 Ok let's start with the biggest glaring inconsistency—Xaden implying that he and Liam were taken in and trained by Lewellen.

EXCUSE ME? Rebecca????? You said they were taken in by Duke Lindell, that's what you told me! You mean I slaved away over a map creating a whole backstory and character for this fucking guy and now he doesn't even exist?? I'm????

This changes the whole game as far as I'm concerned, like there's a big difference between them being raised by some random loyalist we've never heard of and the guy who took their duchy or whatever and is now in charge of the whole kingdom? I don't know how to take this seriously either because like...that's very much not away from prying eyes, how is this guy, who's a political figure training them while also maintaining his supposed loyal status to the kingdom?

ALSO, I have a damn map, Lewellen is WAY far from Aretia, so how on earth were they going there? I'd assumed maybe Lindell was living somewhere closer, but if we're saying it's Lewellen now...what the fuck, Rebecca?

🌟 Ok. Next topic. LIAM 😭😭😭 I can't, I can't handle the pair of them on a page together. He's exactly how we fanon'd him in Xaden's presence alone an I need a moment. "Was it us?!" I'm ???? I cry. 😭 I might actually write some angsty Violiaden after that.

🌟 Next order of business. HE LOVES HER. Why is he saying he loves her so many times? I love simp Xaden, but he's so sure of himself, but he refuses to fucking tell her for another year? What the FUCK Xaden???? 🤯😭 I do not like this for him. For her. For me. Nope. Love him though, truly, fr.

🌟 The Imogen dagger delivery is exactly what we all hypothesised but in this instance it does feel very retconned. Like I'm fine with it but also an 'Imogen's unwell' line in the original novel wouldn't have gone astray, so personally I'm not sold this was planned all along but I'll roll with it. I feel like the info about how the wards work and how someone had to have taken them down from within the keep also supports this being a retcon/something forgotten about or not fleshed out yet from the original book. Again though, it's fine.

🌟 Let's talk about DAIN. Why are we saying someone helped the fliers from the inside and took down the wards and then saying Dain is suspiciously out of breath and slower than normal? Why are we doing that? Rebecca???? 👁👄👁

🌟 Xaden: Violet's going to bolt, I don't know how I'll ever stop her even though I'm 6ft tall and I picked her up and carried her five seconds ago. Oh, I know! I'll kiss her!

🌟 Sgaeyl!!!! I love her so much my sassy queen! And did she basically say she loves Tairn? Yes, she did 😭 They're the best, your honour!

Thoughts? Feelings? Discuss!! (please) ⬇

[we-were-beautiful]

Marry me

Xaden x Sorrengail!oc

WC: 816

Warnings: None just Fluff

A/N: Well I decided to take part in a small writing Challenge. I had fun writing this little blurb and while it has the potential to turn into its own series; I am going to show self restraint by not doing that. The prompt was "I can never say 'no to you" From Jana over at @creativepromptsforwriting

Also fair warning; I didn't send this to any of my betas. So we die like men at this point

Thank you to @skyfallscotland and @justallihere for putting together the Fourth Wing Birthday Bash

Last but not least tumbr is being dumb and won’t let me post from my laptop so apologies about the formatting

“We should get married” I comment wrapping my arms around my beloved’s shoulders, fingers gently tracing along the scars at the top of his shoulders. I look up into his gold flecked onyx eyes and smile widely at him. Was the flight field after lessons the best place to have this conversation, probably not, but I couldn’t help myself. It had been an interesting lesson with a storm about to roll in; the thunder off in the distance rolling. But now with the rest of the third years and Professor Kaori heading back to the citadel, I figured given Xaden a small heart attack would be fun.

Where I would expect to see shock and hesitance on his face I only see a fond smile as he wraps his arms around my waist to pull me into his chest.

“When do you want to get married and how do you want to tell your mother and sisters?” I hadn’t thought of that.

It would be pretty easy to tell Violet. If I could get her away from her squad it would be as simple as that. Mira I could just write a letter too. Shed be pissed at first; she had specifically told me to stay away from Xaden. That didn’t work out since we ended up in the same squad with mated dragons; but Mira could get over it. She’d be happy for me eventually.

My mother; however, I completely forgot about. General Sorrengail hadn’t been a fan of the relationship and she had made it known to me once the word had made it to her office. That had been the only time I had formally gotten called to her office to make her displeasure known; but its been three years. Xaden and I work well together and we have been in love with each other for awhile now. Not to mention we are kinda stuck with each other until one of us dies so at one point or another she’s just going to have to learn to live with it.

I feel Tairn’s amusement in the back of my mind. The old curmudgeon had been riding my ass this last week about acting like a love sick puppy around Xaden. Like his grumpy ass isn’t the exact same way around Sgaeyl.

‘I heard that’ the rumbling voice flows through my head.

‘You were supposed to.’ I felt Tairn’s snout push at my back sending me further into Xaden’ s grasp ‘Tairn!!!’ I can hear Sgaeyl chuckle in my head.

‘I think I shall go get some sheep’ I’m not sure if it is the mighty beat of our dragons wings or thunder, but as the two dragons fly off the heavens open up above us and cold rain begins to pour down. Xaden lets out a hearty laugh squeezing me tightly.

“When do you want to get married love.” He leans down to whisper in my ear repeating his earlier question.

“Want to grab Garrick, Bodhi, Liam and Vi and sneak down to Chantara.” I would do it; grab our family and secretly get married today if he agreed.

“How about we wait until graduation. We can get our family together, before we fly to our post, and have a small ceremony.” He pushes a soaked strand of hair away from my face. “Then it gives you time to let Mira know, so she can try and get leave” leave it to this perfect man to remember that I wanted Mira there when I got married. While Brennen had Mom and Violet had Dad it had been Mira and I against the world. I still had all of the letters we had wrote to each other while she was in the quadrant and then when I started second year. She had to be there on our special day; she would kill me if I ran off today and got married.

“Ok Graduation it is then.” He looks even more breathtaking in the rain as water droplets roll down his skin.

“Alright then lets go Mrs.Riorson.” He lets go of me and moves towards the hidden tunnel entrance.

“Wait.” I call grabbing his hand to stop him. “Kiss me?” Is it cheesy and straight out of the romance books that I brought into the quadrant, yes. But I had always wanted to be kissed in the rain.

“Have I ever been able to say ‘no’ to you.” He gently cradles my face in his hands tilting my face upwards; his lips crash into mine is a passionate kiss. It starts out innocent enough but my hands quickly find their way to his hair and one of his finds its way to my ass. When we break apart we are gasping for breath; Xaden rest his forehead against mine and hazel eyes meet onyx “Marry me?”

“Yes.” I laugh and pull him into another kiss.

[sapchat]

still on a "wanting to fuck Bodhi train"

Could contain spoilers idk, but i mainly talk dragon names.

Let's deep dive "and by deep dive i mean it's only like 5 feet cuz i have a tummy ache so this is the only info I have.

Bodhi has a Green dragon, we know this from when Violet borderline burns out, he says Cuir (his dragon) says she needs food and Eya/eva/someone(?) says "A green would know"

Now we only know two dragons true names, and that's Tairn and Andarna, we also know Rebecca Yarros is a fan of Gaelic words/names (even if she ain't the best at pronouncing them). Tairn's true name meaning thunder (cuz just tairn's is nail), and Andarna's is Second honour.

Now you can deep dive into all the dragons names like Sgaeyl means shadow (which is should actually be Sgàile if i do google translate right (Yes Mr. Silva I still use google translate I passed Spanish didn't I?))

But we also know their names don't necessarily go with their powers (As these dragons have had their names for years it's just wild that coincidently Xaden wields shadows and Violet has lightning and that's what their names mean) As Ridoc's signet is ice but his dragons name (not the full name) means Light (Also Aotrom you do you, you little brown babe love you).

But we also know this: Liam wields ice before he dies. Deigh means Ice. Little sus Becky, little sus.... >>

Now I don't speak Gaelic, never have and honestly I probably will never be able to as I got a speech impediment and can't say any type of accent like word. Like to the point my Spanish teacher told me not to take Spanish 2 as I couldn't actually speak it. So I found a fun little website where I just googled "Gaelic word's starting with Cuir" and after looking at the long ass list

I think I can confidently say Bodhi's dragons full name is Cuirairfalbh meaning "put away" and I feel that's reaaalllllyyyy fitting for someone who's rider's signet is countering signets. He literally 'puts them away'.

I also find it would be fitting for this to be his name as Greens are the smartest dragons, and are stated perfect for sieges, so wouldn't being named "put away" be super fitting for a green dragon who was basically made to storm castles and shit?

Any way thanks for coming to my BodhiTalk

[callsign-rogueone]

letters from samara - g.t.

Garrick Tavis x reader (Angel!) part of my Valentine’s Day celly! 💕 words: 1.0k 🏷: FOURTH WING AND IRON FLAME SPOILERS, part of my Garrick and Angel series, so read that first for context! no other warnings, just kinda soft and sad.

Someone drops a thick envelope onto the table in front of you. “From Samara. They said it was important.”

Samara. Brennan had told you that’s where Garrick and Xaden are. Your hands shake as you open the seal, but you relax at the familiar slant of Garrick’s handwriting. 

My angel,

I will start with what I know you’re most worried about: I am alive, I am safe, and so is X. He’s brooding in the corner of the room right now -- he’s not taking it well being apart from Vi, but command has allowed them visits every two weeks for Tairn and Sgaeyl’s sakes. 

We both miss you more than words can describe. I wish I could have said goodbye before we left, or that we could have taken you with us, but X wouldn’t hear arguments from anyone. I have never seen him that serious about anything before. 

I’m so sorry, angel. For all of it, everything. You didn’t deserve to be put through any of that, and I know how deeply it hurt you. It was terrifying to see you that way, so drained and cold. I can’t imagine what it felt like. 

Promise me you’ll take care of yourself, my love. You are the most kindhearted person I’ve ever known, and I love that about you, but you have to think of your own needs as well. You deserve peace and rest, especially now. Sleep in as long as you want, make time for your meditation. I’m sure the gardens would appreciate your attention as well; I swear you could make roses grow in dry sand as long as you smiled at them every day. 

I couldn’t bear to burn anything of yours, knowing that your heart still beats. I kept the things I thought to be most important to you and took them here with me. I will return them to you as soon as I can, but they are a comfort to me now — my room here feels like it did at Basgiath, with little touches of you scattered around. I keep watching the door, thinking that any moment you’ll come knocking to walk to class with me, or if I reach across the bed in the morning, you’ll be beside me again. I don’t know when I’ll see you next, but I know in my heart that I will. There is nothing and no-one that could keep me from you. 

Yours always,

G

On the sheet below, another.

Until I can lay by your side and tell you about my days, I’ll keep writing to you about them instead.

Being here feels like being a fresh cadet all over again, but different -- bottom of the food chain, getting the shifts nobody wants, but at least we don’t have to constantly prove our strength like we did in our first year at Basgiath, and we already have our dragons. 

One of Chradh’s relatives is here, which is cool. I think they’re cousins? They look damn near identical. I walked up to the wrong one on the flight line the other day -- thankfully the guy has a better sense of humor than Chradh, but I’m never making that mistake again.

Every rider here seemed to know exactly who we were when we arrived. Some of them have been more subtle with their distaste for us than others, but nobody’s been dumb enough to try anything -- probably because we look like we can fight, and because Sgaeyl is fucking terrifying, even more so now that she’s separated from Tairn. 

I just got off a 12-hour patrol shift, and I’m exhausted, but it’s hard to sleep without you here. I don’t think we’ve ever been apart this long in our lives. Being without either of you has never even felt like a possibility before; it’s always been us three together through the good and the bad. Someday it’ll be like that again, I know it will.

Brennan is the best mender I have ever known. If you choose, he can help you strengthen your ability, but please don’t push yourself too far. I need you to be in one piece when I get back. 

There are three more sheets underneath, one in Xaden’s rough script and two more from Garrick, the last dated four days ago -- likely the day he’d sent it. 

You realize what an incredible risk it was to write to you at all. It wouldn’t take a genius to put together that X is Xaden, that you’re hiding in Aretia, that you’d faked your death, or rather that your friends had faked it for you. How many hands did these pages pass through to reach you? How many others out there are on your side? 

You bring a hand up to cover your yawn, realizing how tired you are. The sun has gone down, a small mage light the only thing illuminating the corner of the study that you occupy. It’s likely nearing midnight.

“The letters and the books will still be there in the morning,” Tab says gently. “Sleep. You’ve had a long day.”

You look down at the torn piece of fabric you’ve been staring at for the last four hours. It has not yet sewn itself back together, no matter how hard you concentrated or “cleared your mind”, how gently you touched it. You’d even asked it nicely, but it did not dignify you with a response.

You set the letters aside for a moment, stacking up the books that you’d found in the house’s library about mending and placing them in a neat pile in the corner of the table you’ve been sitting at every evening for the last week. You fold the black cotton into quarters, setting it atop the pile -- you’ll try again tomorrow.

You can’t help but smile as you tuck the letters back into the envelope, brushing your fingers over the wax seal.

Garrick is right, this is the longest you’ve ever been apart, but as you gaze out the window into the starry sky, holding the letters he’d written you, the distance between you doesn’t seem that far.

[garricks4thwingqueen]

Im Going to be a Father? Part 2

Trigger Warnings/Spoilers: Some spoilers for Iron Flame (Read at own risk), Swearing

Synopsis: Part 2 to Garrick Tavis X reader I'm going to be a father. You can find part one here

Word count: 1333

 Part 2 

My love: Mo ghràdh

Mine: Mianach 

   You sighed waking up in the middle of the night. You were two months along and it was your first night in Samara. The bathrooms were almost too far away as you just barely made it to the porcelain throne before your dinner came back up. You sighed as you felt soft familiar hands now on you. One on your back and the other making a makeshift ponytail out of your hair. “Seven more months of this.” You groaned leaning back into Garrick's muscular chest once you finally stopped chucking up your dinner and dessert. “And I’ll be right by your side. Through everything.”       “Even telling Xaden? ““Fuck even telling Xaden.” He groaned and kissed the top of your forehead. “Maybe we should tell him tomorrow before he notices.” You placed your hands on your small bump forming. “You're probably right. I still can’t believe you have a small bump already.” Gare said softly. “Maybe there’s two little minis in there.” I said playfully. “You know that wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe we’d get a mini me and a mini you.” “I love you, so much even with everything that's going on-” Garrick placed a gentle finger on your lips and a soft kiss to your forehead, his hands still resting on yours on your small barely visible bump; “I love you to my sweetheart. We will figure everything out we always have. If we have one or two little ones in there; they will both be loved so much by us; their uncle and all their unbiological aunts and uncles.” You could help but sniffle as you leaned back into Garrick. He was right no matter what was going on in your crazy lives your little ones would be loved so loved. Mo ghràdh.  Garrick said softly through your bond. You couldn’t help but let out a tiny sob into his chest. He chuckled softly knowing that you had easily been set off by even the tiniest of gestures he could display romantically or just about anything. You had even teared up on patrol yesterday when he squeezed your hand three times which was your silent words for, I love you. You cried when he asked you to marry him when you were all spending time in Aretia when he asked you on your birthday in your favorite spot to picnic by your favorite waterfall, your dragons flying overhead. Mianach,  I Gconai. You said back through your bond, finally pulling yourself out of your thoughts. 

                                                    Xaden’s POV

    “I’m sorry you got my sister, what Tavis?” “Xad calm down.” You said softly trying to reach for your brother's wrist as he was frantically pacing back and forth. You thought his veins looked rather red, you thought you had maybe even glimpsed some in his eyes but you just shook it off and knew how stressed your brother had been lately especially with Sgaeyl and Tairn being separated. “Calm the fuck down? You're two months pregnant by my best friend and neither of you thought to tell me before now? You know what kind of a blow that is? Especially with me being intinnisic?I probably god damned sensed it before you two even knew yourself!” “Xaden please. I’m sorry.” “Sorry?” “Xaden” Garrick cut me off with a sharp tone. “Right, I’m sorry I lost my cool. I feel like I haven’t been exactly myself lately and to find out my little sister was knocked up by my best friend during a time we are preparing for war. “ “Xa-” My younger sister said softly and reached for my wrist, this time I let her and pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m sorry, It’s just-” “I know it’s everything. Timing is shit but Gare and I have already come to terms with it.” “I wondered how long it would take you two; to get the guts to tell me.” I snickered. 

   “Har, Har.” Garrick chuckled, wrapping his arms around the both of us. I could feel my little sister tension ease as she sighed against my chest as Garrick wrapped his arms around the both of us. “We’ll all get through this. We have each other.” Garrick said softly. “Also, Xad?” My sister asked quietly. “Hmmm?” “If we have a boy, we have a name picked out, but I wanted to run it by you first in case we were stealing it.” I chuckled “Oh yeah what is it?” “Fen Liam Tavis.” I almost wanted to tear up. “No, no you aren’t taking it and plus if you do have a boy the first of ours deserves to be named after their amazing Grandfather and I guess I love you both.” I chuckled softly. “I love you both so much.” My sister whispered against my chest.” “Yeah, I love you, and I guess I love your brother too.” Garrick snickered. 

                                            Nine Months Later 

                   ��                               Y/N POV 

 Somehow having twins got you and Garrick both leave from duty for several months. You both had chosen to fly back to Aretia for the time being the only place you could both have peace and enjoy your twins before having to go back to reality. And if anything were to happen Brennan would be there you thought, and he would be able to help your sick little ones or you or Garrick. You and Garrick had flown back a week after giving birth only telling your brother where you were going. You had flown on Kira as she flew ever so carefully as you held your little girl Caroline Ann Tavis, who was named after your grandmother, your father's mothers. And Chardh who had flown just as carefully if not even slower as he carried both Garrick and your little boy with Hazel eyes; Fen Liam Tavis.  

         “Good morning boys.” You said stretching walking onto the porch of Riorson house. Garrick held Carloine and to your surprise Xaden had been able to come up for a visit and was finally holding one of your little ones, your sweet little Fen. “Would you like him?” Xaden asked, looking up at you. Seeing your brothers rimmed red eyes pained you. It pained you that there was nothing you could do about it. It pained you that it took him this long to even get comfortable to hold his niece or nephew in his new state. You shook your head sitting down on the lounge next to Garrick as you kissed your daughter on the forehead. “I’m just pleased to see you finally holding your nephew and not worried that you’ll turn him venin just by looking at him or that you're going to break them by just touching them.” “Yeah yeah.” He chided. “Hey, don’t give me that attitude. We will figure this out, there has to be something.” You said softly. Xaden sneered. “And if I turn fully.” “Then you're shit out of luck.” Garrick chuckled. “Garrick.” You chided and elbowed carefully taking your little girl into your arms. “Yeah, Yeah I know, be nice.” He snickered. “You're not going to fully turn; we won't let it happen. I asked a scribe in the library to gather up anything they could on the topic; Gare and I may as well do some light reading while we are here.” “Light my ass.” Garrick snickered. “My point is Xa we will get through this. We always have and always will. We are a team of the three of us.”  And you meant it both boys knew you did too. All three of you would go to the ends of the earth to save each from anything and in this moment sitting with your brother half venin or not, your fiancé and your two little ones in your childhood home you could not be more then content even with whatever threats would rise between the three of you in the coming feature. One day you all would have peace as you absent mindedly started to trace your little girl's rebellion relic.

[lightningweilded]

So many damned things had changed in the last several months, weeks, gods, days even. Every single thing that Violet Sorrengail knew to be true about her world and the people in it and even herself was thrown out a window and she still hadn’t recovered. It was a hard reality to accept.

Worst of it though was the lies. Even if a part of her understood why not everything had been put in the table while she was still close with Dain, the fact that the one person she trusted with her life, her well-being, and her heart had lied to her up until the last possible second stung her ego. Added to the betrayal of her best friend and the lie of her brother’s death and it was too damned much. She couldn’t even walk away, since Tairn and Sgaeyl were so closely bonded. Even if she tried to run from the knot of emotions that twisted in her gut whenever she so much as glanced at Xaden she’d just have to come right back. It was torture.

“Something new for them to teach riders, then?”

She chose not to engaged with Tairn’s teasing at the moment, flopping into the grass where her dragon would normally lounge. Must be out hunting, lucky bastard. Oh to be a dragon with no one to tell you what to do or where to be…

@ridessgaeyl

[widebrimmedhatsblog]

nights snippet!

The second man watches Xaden warily. “I’m Brennan,” he says, at the same moment Naolin says, “My interpreter.”

Brennan’s gaze snaps to Naolin. “Your interpreter.”

“What?” Naolin retorts. “You wouldn’t let me bring Tairn, and I’m not letting them separate us.”

A little laugh leaves Brennan’s chest. “What am I supposed to interpret?”

Naolin spins around to face Brennan head on. Xaden sees his smile now, and he understands. There are few people in the movement who have the privilege of being in love with other people. Xaden’s mother had always said Xaden’s father was in love with the idea of winning, of being morally right, of being good, better, best. But Garrick’s parents were in love with each other, and once upon a time, Bodhi’s parents had been, too. The denial of love to one’s self was a uniquely Riorson endeavor.

“You speak Macchiavellian,” Naolin says. “Your mother taught you.”

[whenwewereyoung97]

Mild Iron Flame spoilers (up to Ch. 43)

“Is…um…that normal?” Maren asks as we resume the trudge, my heart pounding through the surge of adrenaline. “Which part? Tairn saving my ass? Or being grumpy about it? Because yes, both are normal.”

Tairn and Violet have the best dragon/rider relationship. I will hear no further opinions on this matter.

[purple-haired-faerie]

Some soft/fluffy (etc) Xaden/Violet HCs

So in one of Xadens Iron Flame bonus Chapters, Garrick says about knowing Xaden 20 years. Which is a decent amount of time. Especially when you consider they must have made friends around the age of 3. Meaning Garrick must have his fair share of embarrassing stories of Xaden. Imagine Garrick and Violet having a drink (or a few) and get tipsy and Garrick is all "did I tell you about the time...?" And Xadens like "thank the Gods one of you is my best friend and I love the other one of you or you'd both be dead" (in a really affectionate way)

Talking of Garrick, remember that comment he made to Xaden about 'helping him communicate in his relationship' or something. Okay so I have an image that Xaden legit rants to Garrick about how Violent 'wants to get to know me' and keeps 'asking questions' and Garrick is just "oh you love sick puppy don't you have it bad. You need help!'

After the war and everything they realize they haven't actually been on a proper date as such. Apparently fighting on a training mat or having intense sexual experiences don't count. Their dates aren't sickly romantic but they make at least some effort. Xaden will bring Violet a bunch of purple flowers, and take her places all over Aretia. The first place he takes her is his hilltop.

When it comes to Xaden officially taking his throne; Xaden makes it clear that unless Violet gets formally recognized and sworn in as his equal, he's not taking it. It's non negotiable to him

When they get married, the initial plan is to have a small ceremony with only those close to them invited. Rhi as Violets maid of honor, and Mira and Brennan walking Violet down the aisle, and Garrick and Bodhi as best men. Somehow one thing turns into another and they end up with this big ass wedding. As for their wedding night? Lets just say Sgaeyl and Tairn get a taste of their own medicine in the 'projecting the fact they are very much getting it on'

Eventually they have five kids overall. three of them are biological (two boys, the younger being premature and having some health issues as a result. They simply make the adjustments to let him live a full life and a girl who is a total Daddy's girl) And an adopted set of siblings, a boy and girl (Xaden was reminded of Liam and Sloane and didn't want these siblings separated) who lost there parents in the war, and had a few failed foster placements. They don't treat them any different to the other children as far as making sure they know they are loved

Xaden goes onto rule Tyrenndor and Violet is a professor and researcher. Her specialism are History and Venin (given how much she had to research and discover to cure Xaden).

[sipsandfables]

Unfiltered Thoughts While Reading: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

⚠️⚠️⚠️ BEWARE! SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠️⚠️⚠️

Chapter 1

If I were Violet, I’d be like “Forget these biscuits and EXPLAIN YOURSELF SIR” 😂

If Brennan survived, then why did Tairn’s old rider die? 

“Stop bringing logic into an emotional argument.” Hahaha love Violet

I will say though that if she’s going to be mad at Xaden, she can be mad at Brennan for the same thing

Chapter 2

is this foreshadowing? Will Violet or someone else learn the art of ward building to save them all?

“Weapons are the only things that can win this war” for someone so intelligent, I’ve never heard Brennan say anything more foolish than that 

Andarna is a teen 😂

will she go through an emo phase? Hahaha

At least it sounds like her mom wasn’t in on this murder plot 

“Fucking Dain.”

Lol agreed

Chapter 4

I love how Dain acts like nothing happened. Like, wtf? Why are you surprised Violet hates you?!

Unless he didn’t know about the plan somehow and we all just assumed he did.

Also, maybe another mind reader read his mind and he didn’t actually tattle? But even if that’s the case, he still read Violet’s memories without her permission this whole school year

Chapter 5

“I’m pleasantly fuddled but not entirely sloshed.”

Lol I’m using that the next time I get drunk

Chapter 6

Violet has more self-control than me. She should have let Xaden stay the night lol

Chapter 7

I knew it! So, less dragons are bonding because of the war and the venin. I wonder if they are bonding with the rebels or just staying out of it completely 

Chapter 8

so Aaric is the kings son?! Bold move 

And now Liam’s little sister?! This series is going to kill me 😭😭😭

oh shes angry lol 

“What in the angry-Mairi was that about?”

Lol I love Rhiannon

“I've danced with Malek more than my fair share over this last year and told him to fuck right off every single time. ”

LOL

Fuck this dragon and fuck Varrish. What. The. Hell.

I’d be so pissed if someone ran after that because that stupid dragon is killing people in the way anyways. Hide ya kids, hide ya wife, they’re flaming everyone up in here.

“If Solas comes near you again, he knows I will devour his human whole and let him rot within me while his heart still beats, and then I'll take the eye I so graciously left him." "That's...graphic."

Tairn has the best threats lol he and Violet were made for each other

Chapter 9

I knew Imogen would grow on me!

Omg I bet the person they’re interrogating is Xaden. He never made it out to his post and it’s why he hasn’t come to see Violet. I just don’t know how they can keep the dragons from each other 

“"I can take her," Sloane fires back, white-knuckling her knife, "From what your letter said last year, her joints pop right out. How hard can it be?" "Seriously?" I shoot a reproachful look at Imogen. "I can explain." Imogen puts her hand over her heart, "You see, I didn't like you last year, remember? You're kind of an acquired taste."”

hahahaha I love the banter in this series

OMG!!! Nadine!!! I am NOT okay with how fast characters be dying in this damn series!! 😭😭😭

Chapter 10

I knew this dude was sent by Aetos. So freaking sloppy! And the more this book goes on, the more I think Dain didn’t know about the War Games thing. He’s an annoying prick but I don’t see him being malicious enough to let Violet walk to her death. Plus, I actually don’t recall him shitting on people with a relic. He just seems to hate Xaden lol 

Welp, there goes my theory about Xaden being tortured lol

I find it hilarious that Xaden is so obsessed with Violet’s hair lol

Chapter 11

“Coconspirators with a vested interest in keeping each other alive.”

Lol love Imogen. She’s giving me Ron Swanson vibes here with his “work proximity associates” speech 😂😂😂

Banning people from knowledge in order to keep their corrupt secrets from the public is not sustainable. Sure, it drastically slows the distribution of information but the truth always comes out - it’s just a matter of when!

I wonder if the Scribes are translating everything from the old language in order to hide more lies

 Varrish grinning at Violet saying “dragons don’t take orders from humans” does not bode well. Has he found a way to control dragons? Or at least influence them with blackmail or something else?

Varrish is such a dick. Like, get a life dude. 

Chapter 12

That comment about a blade of grass sticking to Violet was so random. 

Chapter 13

This Varrish guy is the worst. He’s like Miss Umbridge from the Harry Potter series

“You wish you were my type. I’m phenomenal in bed.”

Hahahaha I love Imogen. SHE BETTER NOT DIE

Oh no, I bet it’s that freaking survival class test! They’re getting kidnapped!

Chapter 14

Tairn is so sassy and I love it

Obviously, the water is drugged! Have they never read a fantasy novel?! 

I adore Ridoc 😍

HE BETTER NOT DIE

You would think there would be more crossover activities and exercises between riders and infantry if they have to work together so much and infantry are expected to work alongside dragons

Chapter 15

Rhiannon is responding to Violet keeping secrets way better than Violet is to Xaden lol She’s like “hey, you’re hiding something and that’s fine but don’t lie about lying” with Violet. And Xaden is like “Honestly, I have secrets I can’t tell but here are all of the intimate details of my life.” Come on Violet! Quit trippin' and get back with Xaden lol

I don’t like the rift going on between Rhiannon and Violet this book. They need each other and it’s annoying lol

Alright 2 things that annoy me about this book so far:

1. The lack of Xaden and Violet scenes  2. Violet being mad at Xaden for keeping secrets from her in order to protect others

 Chapter 16

Yesssss, Imogen is spitting facts!!! Hopefully this will convince Violet to let him back in

“I’m still speaking.”

Okay Imogen 👀 She could get it 😏

Oh man, I really hope nothing happens to Rhi’s family and she blames Violet for keeping her in the dark

Of course she misses the interrogation technique class!!! Bad move man

Chapter 18

Theory time: Omg is death what’s powering the wards??? Is that why so many more people are dying at an alarming rate? They need more students to die to power up the wards? And maybe daggers work because they are an instrument for causing death?

“I want you.” All day. Every day.

LOLLL

Omg I love how ride or die Rhiannon is about Violet lol 

Who’s soul is Nolon mending?!

Chapter 19

Theory time: Solas’ orange is off and Dain’s dragon's breath stinks because they’re giving the dragons some concoction. Maybe it’s to control them? 

“Humans have the memories of gnats. Dragons hold grudges.”

Pearls of wisdom from Tairn lol

Damn it Tairn lol while I love that he put Varrish and Solas in their place, things just got a whole lot worse for Violet 😬

Chapter 20

“Ugh. Let’s go throw knives at shit.”

😂

Has Mira met Imogen? They’d be two peas in a pod lol

I’m also shook that they kill civilians. Wowwwww

Chapter 21

Man, this is starting to feel like Final Destination since all the Resson survivors are dying one by one

“History and current events are tied because one influences the other.”

Interesting foreshadowing 

I like Devera and I feel like she’s trying to do the right thing while the rest of leadership goes to shit. Like Professor McGonagall does when Dumbledore is no longer headmaster 

“That’s what we’re not going to do.”

You tell em, Devera!

I bet Varrish will be in charge of the torture lessons given his background and he’s going to try to kill Violet 

I was JUST wondering where Dain has been. Haven’t heard his holier than thou whining in a while lol

omg I called it in the last book! Her mom gave Xaden those scars! I also still think I’m right about Dain being guilty of being a prick but not of sending his best friend to get murdered 

Rhiannon is so smart! She reminds me of Bree from Legendborn 😍

I knew I liked Aaroc/Cam for a reason! Hope he doesn’t die….

Chapter 22

It’s strange that Violet is so bad at remembering names when she studied to be a Scribe her whole life lol

Chapter 23

For some reason, book 2 reads a little more like a YA novel than the first book

HAVE THEY LEARNED NOTHING?! Don’t  eat or drink anything!!!

Okay, you didn’t drink but did you eat the jam?!

Ridoc and his snake confession had me cackling

lol I totally thought Ridoc broke first but he was lying haha

I knew fucking Varrish would somehow weasel himself into this training

They’re using Dain? Well hell.

Also, isn’t his signet supposed to be a secret???

Chapter 24

Wait, they’re practicing on civilians?!?! At what point do people wake up and think “hmmm, we’re the bad guys”?

"We should consider quitting the quadrant." Ridoc jokes as we walk over the door and out of the chamber, "We'd be kickass thieves." "With dragons," Sawyer agrees. "Unstoppable," Ridoc says with a grin.

This is giving Six of Crows and I. Am. Here. For. It.

Unlocking doors? hmmmm interesting 

Chapter 25

I know exactly who did this! A scribe! It was the person walking in the hood earlier that Violet noticed. I wonder if it’s her friend or someone else

Those statements have to be true - Markham is acting too squirrelly about them

FUCKING JACK IS BACK?!

Idk how I feel about this book now lol like really? 

Hundreds of cadets die every year and they spent valuable resources and time to mend him?! What happened to “we let the weak die”?! This is utter bull

Also, Nolon mentioned how hard mending a soul is….it doesn’t sound like Jack has a soul 

Chapter 26

I love the nonchalant way Sawyer and Ridoc are ready to murder Jack lol

Chapter 27

Territorial Xaden is the best lollll he’s like who the hell's jacket is that and why isn’t it mine?! 😂

Well, that escalated quickly 👀🔥

Chapter 28

Oh that has to be his ex. The one that Bodhi mentioned

I knew it!

Chapter 29

“Pull yourself together”

Tairn with the tough love 😂😂😂

“I will already know, as I am continuously with you,” he grumbles. “Forced to bear witness to the awkwardness that is twenty one year old humans.”

💀💀💀

I forgot who Professor Kaori is but I love them!!

Chapter 30

FINALLY Violet realizes how hypocritical she was being about Xaden when she tells her friends part of the truth

I bet Andarna is sleeping longer than expected because she’s going to be powerful as hell lol

Holy shit. Too many people die too often in this series. I don’t even remember who Eya is!

Ridoc better not die

Chapter 31

Freaking JACK saved her?!?! What is this rouse?!

I 👏🏾 don’t 👏🏾 trust 👏🏾 him 👏🏾 

Let’s go Aaric! Sidebar, I need a novella about him. He sounds hot

Chapter 32

I thought Aaric ‘s brother died in Threshing! Well I guess Xaden could have killed him then lol

There’s no way Nasya sleeps through his post every time. I bet he’s spying on them

Oh Imogen has it taken care of lol good. Also, that’s a badass signet!

Chapter 34

“The birth of iron rain” !?

That sounds ominous

OMG LADY STOP DRINKING THINGS FROM OTHER PEOPLE

Fucking hell. I honestly can’t even feel anger for Nolon’s betrayal because I’m too annoyed with Violet rn lol

Chapter 36

So Dain is finally choosing the right side!

I’m so glad Varrish is dead! He’s the worst lol. Violet will definitely have to watch her back from Solas

Yay! Devera came through!

The secret is out! Finally!

Chapter 37

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Chapter 38

Andarna is back!!! Yayyy!

I bet this “blood magic” means sacrifice! they have to kill people to build a new ward

I knew Mira would punch Brennan after seeing him for the first time haha

Chapter 39

The 6 strongest riders: Caden, Felix, suri, bodhi, violet, Brennan - I’m surprised Mira isn’t one

Chapter 40

I do think Violet is a little slow on the uptake when it comes to understanding her power which is surprising since she’s so smart

I’m excited about this sibling trip lol

Chapter 41

“Fuck it. We don’t need a luminary.”

Mira is a whole vibe lol

Cat is the worst and Violet is annoying me by listening to her lol Xaden is obsessed with you girl - ignore this jelly belly lady

Well that explains why Violet was trippin' hahaha wasn’t her fault

Chapter 43

yeah I agree - allowing people to die on the parapet is unnecessary lol

Holy shit ! This entire hike is stressful as fuck!

RIDOC!!!

Chapter 45

“The problem with mankind is we too often find our souls to be a fair price for power.”

Chapter 47

I hope Violet kicks Cat’s ass and makes it embarrassing for her lol

Chapter 48

Well that was hawt lol

Xaden talking shit about Dain will never get old lol

The way Xaden feels about Violet reminds me of Rowan to Aelin because his love isn’t conditional and based on if she’s “good” - “If you’re a monster, I’m a monster” (Queen of Shadows)

Xaden is very swoon-worthy lol

Chapter 49

I feel like it’s always Sawyer pitching the idea to just kill an annoying enemy (Cat, Jack, Varrish) and I’m here for it 😂

HE BETTER NOT DIE

oh no….am I starting to find Dain not so bad? Lollll

Chapter 52

Theory time: I really think these nightmares are real - somehow the Sage is communicating with Violet through her dreams Theory Time: I bet she gets captured or agrees to go to the head Sage by the end of this book to set up the next book

Oh god, I really hope an attack doesn’t occur while they’re on this training mission and then Violet feels responsible for not putting up the wards sooner 😬

Chapter 53

Violet must be thinking of Xaden and how he might go mad since his dragon was previously bonded with someone in his direct line

Fucking Solas. I almost forgot about this enemy!

Chapter 54

Honestly I’m surprised she doesn’t have more enemies since if you kill her, you essentially kill 4 beings in one swoop

Andarna is a badass

Chapter 55

No lie, this fight between Xaden and Violet is a little silly and getting exhausting

Ah, I came to the wrong conclusion about Xaden and his bond with Sgaeyl 

Chapter 56

Omg is Xadens second signet mind reading? That would explain a lot. It would also explain why he’s scared to share since they execute people with that signet

Called it!!! I’m glad her response was not immediately “I don’t love you anymore”

Now I need to reread these books to see when he reads her mind. Oh man, I hate to say it but it kind of sounds like what Dain did to her last year

hmmmm, that was too easy lol

Ugh, we’ve been here before - Violet discovers a big secret about Xaden right before some war conflict and they’re fighting in the midst of chaos. Not sure I’m a fan that it’s a repeat of the last book lol

Chapter 57

well I’m glad Cat has stopped being a twat and decided that focusing on saving the continent is the way to go over petty squabbles over an ex lol She reminds me of Lysandra but in a good way lol 

I think the trouble with the writing of their relationship is that Xaden is so amazing and their relationship is so magnetic that their conflicts feel forced. The obstacles they face within their relationship are hard to develop when Xaden is always saying the right things after they fight lol Not that I’d want it any other way - but I think that’s why I’m struggling with not rolling my eyes when they get into arguments. Violet deserves to be angry about the betrayal but then it just feels like her decision on what she’ll do next about them takes FOREVER and it feels like it’s dragged out across a whole ass book.

Omg did Brennan come?! Is he announcing his “undeadness”?!

Violet immediately wants Xaden to use his secret signet on the others? I don’t disapprove at all but that better mean she will forgive him swiftly lol

It isn’t in Violet to NOT help innocent civilians if she can.

“I love you enough to bear the weight of your disappointment.”

Total mom sacrifice right there!

I need a novella of their mom and dad and how they got together lol

Chapter 58

If I were with the Rebellion, I’d agree to help Navarre on the condition that they make it public knowledge that Venin are real and they’ve been lying to citizens for centuries in order to keep a specific amount of citizens safe - that way, they’re not leaving innocents to die AND if they all survive the battle at Solstice, the rebels will walk away with an additional win (the entire continent knowing the truth)

am I the only one who visualize white walkers from GOT when I read about the venin in this book? Lol

Alright let’s go!!! Way to not turn into the enemies! 

Chapter 59

What is with Andarna’s scale colors?! Their changing colors have been mentioned all book - I wonder what’s the significance? Is she a rainbow dragon?! That would be dope lol

Jack's dragon's eyes are weird? Another reference to dragons seeming off! I bet they’re controlling it! But who would want the wards to fail? Who is Jack in league with if Varish is dead? IS Varish even dead?! Did freaking Nolon bring him back to life like he did with Jack?!

What the heck?! Did Jack become venin?! Why did he slaughter his own dragon?!?

Chapter 60

I knew he became venin! But didn’t realize it was for SO LONG!

Well, everything is going to hell in a hand basket 

“Fucking Jack.”

Ain’t that the truth lol

There’s no way this battle is in this book, there’s not enough pages left!!!!

Chapter 61

Can Andarna turn invisible??!

I’m so stressed lol

Chapter 62

Omg is Andarna a chameleon?!

Chapter 63

Theory time: Andarna is head of the seventh den of dragons! This is why she’s so unique. She’s not actually black like Tairn . I bet she’s one of one making her the head of her den. It would make sense since she’s an orphan 

Add-on to the theory: I think both journals are right but describe it differently. Warrick says six AND the one that combines all which must be what Andarna is since she’s always changing colors. Lyra’s journal says seven because it combines the six and the one

Good thing Andarna can make fire now!

Chapter 64

Not a Liam letter 😭😭😭

This heartfelt moment between Andarna and Violet is everything. 

The way that Andarna looks up to Tairn gives me all the feels

What about Sloane?! Can she somehow reverse her power and GIVE instead of siphon?

Ah yep, apparently she can.

Her mom is going to sacrifice herself! 😭😭😭😭😭😭

Chapter 65

I’m honestly surprised Xaden killed the main sage. I figured he’d be a bigger part of the storyline 

Don’t tell me Xaden is also now Venin?! 😭

NOOOOO 😭😭😭

Sgaeyl is pissedddd

Chapter 66

OMG WERE THOSE XADENS DREAMS THE WHOLE TIME?! 

I can’t recall if Violet only had the nightmares when she slept near Xaden 😭😭😭😭😭😭

I am unwell.

[skyfallscotland]

Ok so Rebecca did a one hour panel today in Sydney with Lynette Noni hosting, where she asked questions and then they opened it to fans. I've kind of summarised the things I haven't seen mentioned over and over, but I don't frequent the subreddit anymore or use TikTok, so there might be overlap. In any case, it's long. Settle in. I've sectioned it into plot/character relevant first, then themes and interesting facts about her and her writing. Basically, you all came with me. 💗

• In book three (and every book thereafter) we'll be going to more and more new places. She specifically worded it as "watching the map expand" whether that's significant or not, I don't know. (I was thinking Isle Kingdoms for OS, but maybe that's just my wishful thinking).

• She implied Jack will have a reason (explained) for uh...being a power-hungry prick? lol

• She's hella defensive of Dain, which I love. #DainApologistsClub 😌 Some highlights include:

"You guys give Dain so much shit for the same thing Xaden does. You really do and you're so fast to forgive Xaden and not Dain. Why? Is it because he's hot?"

And, "when push comes to shove, all Dain did—yes he violated her boundaries, as does Xaden—but all he did was trust his dad when his best friend no longer spoke to him. That's it."

"When Dain looks at her (in the interrogation chamber) and says 'if you had just told me, none of this would have happened', he's not just talking about the interrogation, he's talking about Liam, he's talking about if she had just trusted him (in Fourth Wing) it never would have happened." 😢

• She was asked about Liam's appearance in the interrogation chamber and definitively put to rest any signet theories involving that. "She's so alone in that moment and...I don't read fan theories but sometimes they reach my ears; she's completely disconnected from her magic in that moment, she can't even reach out for Tairn or Andarna, which are the bonds that are actually most important to her. She can't reach out for Xaden. And that's the one person who would have prevented that from happening the last year, so it's natural that's who her mind would summon."

• She's thought about a spin-off series, but she's just trying to survive this series.

• Someone asked her if there'd be any redemption and romance for Jack Barlowe and honestly, thanks guys, I don't think she's ever coming back to this country 💀 ("Are you getting enough sleep? Uh...I mean, from his prison cell maybe? No.")

• Someone asked "what is Garrick's signet and why hasn't it been shown yet?" (shoutout to this girl, she's the real MVP) to which Rebecca said "it's very much in book three, I love it."

• Someone asked about the orange dragons and unpredictability re: Amber, Jack, Varrish and then Imogen and Brennan. Rebecca said some dragons might look for traits like their own and some look for balance because it's a partnership; and that Brennan as a strategist needed that little bit of unpredictability in his life (lol, I think he got it).

• She didn't always plan for Violet to have two dragons. Originally it was going to be one (Tairn) and the editor had hoped that she would sway towards a weaker, smaller dragon and she thought that was a little too close to Abraxos in ToG, and so they compromised and gave her both. She also went on to say she doesn't like overpowered heroines and since Tairn is extremely powerful, Andarna balanced that out. (I'm not...I'm not sure how that works out? But that's what was said.)

• We are definitely going to find out more about the original six (and Lynette asked if that was a spin-off possibility and was shushed, so she's thought about it at least, but I get the idea she's thought about a lot of possibilities 😂)

• There's no timeframe for the release of the final two books.

• Someone asked if Violet's dad was Malek to which she was kind of shocked. He's not a god, guys. And low-key I JUST WANT TO KNOW HIS NAME. 😤

• On Sgaeyl: "You do (get more of her) but holy crap is she pissed. So—I'll tell you that about Onyx Storm—she is really, really mad at Xaden and she's not exactly speaking to him at the moment. So it's hard for her to speak into that bond when she's not speaking to him." 💔

• She was asked about the Violet dated Halden theory (which was fucking hilarious because the poor girl misspoke and asked if Xaden dated the prince and we were all really confused about which TikToks the poor thing had seen (note to self: consider cam/xaden), anyway after we got to the bottom of that, Rebecca replied, "I think you should read the third book." Which I'm taking to mean, the man is making a damn appearance and we're gonna find out for ourselves 👀 Hey, if I'm lucky maybe we'll even find out his surname

• Finally she said she has EP on the Amazon series, they've all been exceptionally protective of it and that she's happy with how it's going (they're not near casting yet and she doesn't want to really comment on that ever, to leave each role open to as diverse a cast as possible). She said the production team has come to the signings in LA to meet readers and see what they love and are passionate about when it comes to the series to make sure that's honoured.

"Like I mean, I've seen certain...like what can I say without getting tackled to the ground? Let's just say they've already taken steps to make sure that what you guys love about the story is envisioned and that it's not run amok. And I'm very happy with it, they're super protective of it." Which could just be me reading into it, but the first place my brain went was the dragons 👀🐉 and the CGI or whatever.

• She was asked about where the inspiration for the universe came from and she said that when her Entangled decided they were going to do romantasy they asked her for five pitches and Fourth Wing was one of them (she won't say what the others were because she might still write them someday). She said she likes the fated mates trope but she wondered what that would look like if the dragons were the ones mated, not the humans and the humans who couldn't stand each other were forced to be around each other because of this. 

• Her first ever book was romantasy but it didn't sell

• She's never really written enemies to lovers before.

• She likes found family themes because she was raised in a military family and moved around a lot, so that makes it hard to keep in touch with your extended family, and after she married her husband and became a military wife, it was their found family that was there for her—it was her found family who helped her move her house, who sat with her when her husband was injured in Iraq, etc, so she thinks it's very important to show that your family is also the people you choose and that can be just as strong as any blood tie.

• She was asked (by Lynette) why she wanted to show death and the reality of war and she said, "I've been surrounded by it. My husband's been at war since 2003, he spent 22 years in the army, first as a 19 Delta cavalry scout and then ten years as an apache pilot and we buried our friends. And I saw what it did to him, and I saw what it did to our friends, I saw what it did to our children, to us, and I love being able to examine it from a fantasy perspective just because I think fantasy gives us a unique environment from which to critique our own world by viewing it through the lens of another. And I've always delved into those themes as to why we do this to each other and where is there hope to stop it?"

• As an author her favourite scenes in Fourth Wing were the dagger stealing scene (very important to their chemistry and romantic development—"she's the only person he's taught ever, how to actually kill him") and the first kiss scene.

In Iron Flame it was the interrogation scene and how that ends with Dain and Xaden and everything coming together.

When asked about a similar scene from Onyx Storm that elicited the same strong emotion from her she said "you're not gonna like it" and that's it 💀

• She would consider writing fantasy again after she's done with the Empyrean world, maybe one of her other pitches, but she won't truly think about it until she's survived this one.

• She spoke about the "kill your darlings" writing advice and how if you love a scene but it doesn't move the plot, you've gotta cut it, and how she did that with the final scene in Fourth Wing, which was originally 7k words of Violet POV pulling information out of Xaden.

• When asked about fan theories she actually said something I found a little sad. "I don't listen to fan theories. One, I'm not on TikTok—it's a little bit more important for me to be alive than to listen to what other people think they know about me, and two, I don't ever want fan theories to bleed into my writing."

〰️ And that's it! If anyone's going tomorrow, please voice record the whole thing and report back lmao 🙏 🫶🏼

ETA: part two is here, x

[justallihere]

A bit late to this chapter since i've been traveling but it was a TREAT when you dropped it.

Not sure why I found Dain and Cam pummeling each other was attractive to me but I'm rolling with it.

Is there a potential Tessa and Cam pairing I see 👀. I am DYING to know what plans you have for Cam, does he want to be a rider now that he has the freedom??? or is he going to continue assisting in different ways.

After IF, I understood what RY meant that Dain was going to have a redemption arc and I am HERE for your version too (though I was initially hesitant with RY lmao)

As the eldest daughter in an immigrant family, I relate to Mira on a spiritual level, this line 😭. Someone hug Mira PLEASE

I believed in everything they told us. I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was making a difference. I thought that I could make my brother’s death mean something by protecting our sister, the only person we both ever loved more than each other, but I couldn’t even fucking do that, Brennan. He told us that having a little sister was the most important thing in the world. There wasn’t a better or bigger job than being a big sister and a big brother.

Xaden really told Brennan, fuck around and find out in regards to his wife and how they make her feel.

I love all the hugs and physical touch that is happening between these two. The slow burn was WORTH IT

Tairn being such a girl dad to Violet, I AM SOBBING. He probably felt so much anger when he couldn't do anything for Vi when she was being tortured.

Brennan telling Vi that she has to finish her education is so older sibling coded. He's trying to pull the older brother giving his younger sibling advice card but Vi is like Im the goddamn queen and your superior officer LMAO.

Vi wanting everyone to love Aretia as much as she does was so gut-wrenching and idk why 😭 (and Mira being extremely uncomfortable in Aretia and Vi being sad about that made ME sad)

My only thought for this line was "whipped"

Xaden only shrugged. “Anything for you.”

Hope you got to enjoy your weekend and relax a bit <3 Thank you for gifting us this chapter, it made my week

The Dain & Cam fight almost involved Sloane and Tessa “watching for technique” 💀

“Staring is rude,” Violet noted mildly as she approached.

Sloane’s face lit up, but she said evenly, “We’re not staring.”

“We’re. . . watching for technique,” Tessa added with a smile.

Liam coughed pointedly.

“Technique,” Sloane agreed unconvincingly.

I’m keeping my Cam plans to myself!! My man isn’t done causing problems yet though

Mira deserves THE WORLD. She is just doing her best to be the best big sister. She needs so many hugs

Xaden was like “I don’t care if we’re friends, I don’t care if she’s your sister, she’s my wife, upset her again and you die” and Brennan took that shit seriously

Tairn!! I felt a lil bad leaving Andarna out of that moment but there’s just something about the Violet & Tairn bond that demanded that needed to be only for them

Brennan: “you should—“

Violet: “no”

Violet finally has a home she’s happy and safe and comfortable in when she’s never had that her whole life and she just wants everyone else to feel the same and get to experience it with her 🥺

Xaden is, in fact, whipped

Thank you!! 🩷🩷

[thoughtswordsandnonsense]

Not so Festive Xaden x Violet

Prompt: Winter Solstice at Basgiath means a week-long break for students and teachers, most are out celebrating but Violet has a hard time getting out of bed or caring about anything. Once Xaden catches on with the help of Violet's friends, they come together to comfort her.  

Trigger warning for seasonal depression and loss of family members. Sorry if this sucks, I'm in a bit of a funk right now.

Violet’s Pov: 

School had let out this week and while we aren’t allowed contact with family, most found a way to celebrate. Some we’re getting drunk, others we’re exchanging small gifts of baked goods and little trinkets they managed to sneak into Basgiath. 

Me, I was curled in bed feeling colder than ever, my body and mind feeling disconnected as I stared blankly at my wall. Liam had tried to come see me the first day off but I told him I wasn’t feeling well and didn’t want to get him sick. That was a few days ago and only Rhiannon had bothered to try, though I quickly fed her the same story. Adding in a few coughs while she was here, she quickly bid me goodbye so she wouldn’t catch what I had. Lying felt bad, but at this moment I didn't care. 

Tairn has been grumbling at me for a few days and Andarna has made it her mission to try and get me to eat, but the energy it takes to leave this room is too much. Everything felt like it was too much. Brennan used to say the weather change made me like this though it wasn’t always this bad, he’d do his best to spend this week with me and Mira curled up in blankets with hot chocolate listening to Dad tell stories or all of us reading together. 

Mom hated that he let us take it easy once Solstice hit, she said it made us all soft and we were being useless. That we should be training or learning and not being so lazy. None of us cared though, the time together felt warm, cozy and loving, but now it only added to the hurt, not having Brennan or Dad made my heart ache. Warm tears lined my vision as it blurred, thinking of them only made the hurt intensify. 

“This isn’t healthy” Tairn butts in and I groan. “I’m well aware.” “Then come see us,” Andarna adds and I shove my face into my pillow, drawing my blanket above my head. “I love you both but please, just let me be.” Tairn huffs as Andarna makes a high-pitched whine that sounds similar to a dog’s. “Fine, we’ll do this the hard way.” Tairn huffs “The fuck does that mean?”

 I grumble back but receive no response from either of them and I curl in on myself. 

To anyone else, this may seem pathetic, but it’s easier than having to fake being happy in front of everyone. 

Closing my eyes I let the coldness embrace me again, my window slightly propped open so I’d at least get some semblance of fresh air without having to go outside. There’s no noise besides the wind howling outside and it lets me slip further into numbness, tears that were going to fall earlier drying. 

Some time passes as I focus on only my breathing, the slight light that is making its way past my curtain has long gone as the cold night breeze makes its way into my room and seeps into my bones.

My door creaks and I bury myself further into my blanket. “I’m still not feeling good, you shouldn’t be in here.” I croak as my door shuts, loud footsteps make their way over to my bed and something is set heavily on my nightstand I peek my head out to see Xaden looking down at me with sympathy, my neck cranes just to see his face. A mage light shines on my desk illuminating the room. “You can fool others all you want Violet, but Tairn and Andarna tattled on you.” I groan “I hate you both right now.” Andarna whimpers and Tairn snarls “Watch it SIlver One, we’re just looking out for you.” Xaden sighs and it brings my attention back to him. “I’m not going to make you explain, I’m sure Tairn shared more than you’d like, but I won’t be leaving you like this.” “Since when do you care about more than keeping me alive?” His shoulders sag as he takes a deep breath his large warm hand coming to cup my cheek tenderly as he speaks. “Contrary to what you may think, I do care for you.” The warmth from his skin and tone shocks me as I glance up at his concerned gaze, his tall frame leaning over me as he takes in my ghostly complexion. Mira always said that a lack of sun made me look like a ghost. His hair looks devilish like he had just come from flying on Sgaeyl, the dark circles under his eyes tell me he also hasn’t slept much this break.

Another creek of the door I find Rhiannon and Liam standing in my doorway, Xaden turns and nods to Liam as they enter and make their way over. Both of them have grey fuzzy blankets draped around their shoulders and pillows under each arm. “Why didn’t you ask for help?” Xaden asks as they set up their stuff near my bed. “I just didn’t want to,” I whisper, feeling my cheeks heat up in embarrassment that they’re seeing me like this. Rhiannon meets my eyes and levels a glare that would make Mira proud, it’s similar to the look of a disapproving mother. “We’re friends, so like it or not we’re all staying here with you, including Riorson. You don’t have to suffer alone.” Liam tosses a pillow at Xaden's head that he manages to grab at the last second. 

He tosses it to the other side of my bed and then leans down and picks me up, I thrash as he whispers in my ear. “I’m here whether you like it or not. So how about you don’t fight me for just this once Violence?” He arranges us so I’m sitting in his lap and I cease thrashing, he leans his back up against my headboard and settles me in between his legs. I lean back against him as he reaches one arm out to the window and promptly shuts and latches it while the other keeps a firm grip on me. 

“How were you managing to be in here without getting hypothermia? Fuck, it feels like a morgue in here.” Liam comments as he pulls his blanket closer to him. “Sorry,” I shoot back quietly as Xaden pulls me even closer to him. His body feels painfully hot against mine as I try to squirm out of his hold. Xaden jumps as our bare skin connects. “Fuck, stay still.” He hisses as he pulls off his jacket and lays that on top of the blanket already on top of us.

 “Do you want help with your hair?” Xaden asks and I shrug “That bad?” The loose braid I put it in when the break started was likely a mess and I hadn’t cared to try and fix it. “Not to be a bitch  but, yeah dude it looks rough,” Rhiannon answers and I sigh knowing it’ll suck to fix later. “You don’t have to. I’ll get to it later.” Rhiannon tosses my hair brush that was sitting on my desk next to Xaden. “If you need help just ask.” She says as she settles into a conversation with Liam. Talking about the gossip of drunken first years at Solstice. Xaden’s hands slide into my hair, working the tie loose and starting from the bottom of my messy French braid. Lowly laughing as Rhiannon tells of Barlow throwing up on Dain, Liam's laugh is contagious to the point even I find myself cracking a smile. For the first time in days, I relax as Xaden’s fingers work through my hair, gently pulling apart tangles and rubbing my neck as he gets closer to my scalp. “Thank you.” I send down the bond to Tairn and Andarna. “Next time it gets this bad come find me, please,” Xaden says lowly into my ear as he finishes untangling my hair. “Okay.” 

Xaden passes me a mug as the smell of hot chocolate hits my nose and my eyes water all over again as my heart constrictions, I swallow past the lump in my throat and look up into his onyx gold-flecked eyes. ”Thank you.”