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acourtofquestions · 13 days ago

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Kingdom of Ash Chapter 54

Chapter; Highlights

Before battle tomorrow-before they might stand a chance of actually saving Anielle.

He was still working through all that had transpired these months he'd been gone. The battles and losses. Where Dorian had gone with Manon and the Thirteen. Chaol could only pray his friend was successful-and that he didn't take it upon himself to forge the Lock.

Needing to unravel all he'd learned, he'd left Aelin and the others near the Great Hall to find whatever food they could, immediately.

Part of him half wondered if the mare knew that his back ached, that he needed his cane, but that he chose to be here.

He ran a hand down her ebony mane, then patted her strong neck. "Ready to trample some Valg grunts tomorrow, my friend?"

Farasha huffed, angling a dark eye at him as if to say, Are you?

Chaol smiled, and Yrene laughed softly. "I should head back to the hall," his wife said.

"See who needs help." But she lingered. Their eyes met over Farasha's powerful back.

He came around the horse, still mindful of her biting. "I know," he said quietly. Yrene angled her head. "Know what?"

Chaol interlaced their fingers. And then laid their hands atop her still-flat abdomen.

"Oh," was all Yrene said, her mouth popping open. "I- How?"

Chaol's heart thundered. "It's true, then." Her golden eyes scanned his. "Do you want it to be?"

Chaol slid a hand against her cheek. "More than I ever realized."

Yrene's smile was wide and lovely enough to fracture his heart. "It's true," she breathed.

"How far along?"

"Almost two months."

He studied her stomach, the place that would soon swell with the child growing inside her. Their child. "You didn't tell me, I'm assuming, because you didn't want me to worry."

Yrene bit her lip. "Something like that."

He snorted. "And when you were waddling around, belly near bursting?"

Yrene whacked his arm. "I'm not going to waddle."

Chaol laughed, and tugged her into his arms. "You'll waddle beautifully, was what I meant to say." Yrene's laughter reverberated into him, and Chaol kissed the top of her head, her temple. "We're having a child," he murmured onto her hair.

Her arms came around him. "We are," she whispered. "But how did you know?"

"My father," Chaol grumbled, "apparently possesses better observational skills than I do." He felt, more than saw, her cringe. "You're not angry I didn't tell you?"

"No. I would have appreciated hearing it from your lips first, but I understand why you didn't want to say anything yet. Stupid as it might be," he added, nipping at her ear. Yrene jabbed him in the ribs, and he laughed again.

Laughed, even though every day they'd fought in this battle, every opponent he'd faced, he'd dreaded making a fatal mistake. Had been unable to forget that should he fall, he'd be taking them both with him.

Her arms tightened around him, and Yrene nestled her head against his chest. "You'll be a brilliant father," she said softly. "The most brilliant one to ever exist."

"High praise indeed, coming from a woman who wanted to toss me from the highest window of the Torre a few months ago."

"A healer would never be SO unprofessional."

Chaol grinned, and breathed in her scent before he pulled back and brushed his mouth against hers. "I am happier than I can ever express, Yrene, to share this with you. Anything you need, I am yours to command."

Her lips twitched upward. "Dangerous words."

But Chaol ran his thumb over her wedding band. "I'll have to win this war quickly, then, so I can have our house built by the summer."

She rolled her eyes. "A noble reason to defeat Erawan."

Chaol stole another kiss from her. "As much as I would like to show you just how much I am at your command," he said against her mouth,

"I have another matter to deal with before bed." Yrene's brows rose.

He grimaced. "I need to introduce Aelin to my father. Before they run into each other." The man hadn't been near the hall when they'd arrived, and Chaol had been too worried for Farasha's well-being to bother hunting him down.

Yrene cringed, though amusement sparked in her eyes. "Is it bad if I want to join you? And bring snacks?"

Chaol slung an arm around her shoulders, giving Farasha a farewell stroke before they left. Despite the cane, each step was limping, and the pain in his back lanced down his legs, but it was secondary. All of it, even the damned war, was secondary to the woman at his side.

To the future they'd build together.

As well as Yrene's conversation with Chaol had gone, that's how badly things went between Aelin Galathynius and his father.

Yrene didn't bring snacks, but that was only because by the time they reached the Great Hall, they had intercepted his father. Storming toward the room where Aelin and her companions had gone for a reprieve.

"Father," Chaol said, falling into step beside him. Yrene said nothing, monitoring Chaol's movements. The pain in his back had to be great, if he was limping this deeply, even while her magic refilled. She had no idea where he'd left his chair—if it had been crushed under falling debris. She prayed it had not.

His father snapped, "You fail to wake me when the Queen of Terrasen arrives at my castle?"

"It wasn't a priority." Chaol halted before the door that opened into the small chamber that had been vacated for the queen and knocked.

A grunt was the only confirmation before Yrene’s husband shouldered open the door enough to poke his head inside. "My father," Chaol said to whoever was inside, presumably the queen, "would like to see you."

Silence, then the rustling of clothes and steps.

Yrene kept back as Aelin Galathynius appeared, her face and hands clean, but clothes still dirty. At her side stood that towering, silver-haired Fae warrior-Rowan Whitethorn.

Whom the royals had spoken of with such fear and respect months ago. In the room, Lady Elide sat against the far wall, a tray of food beside her, and the giant white wolf lay sprawled on the ground, monitoring with half-lidded eyes.

A shock to see the shift, to realize these Fae might be powerful and ancient, but they still had one foot in the forest. The queen, it seemed, preferred the form as well, her delicately pointed ears half-hidden by her unbound hair.

Behind her, there was no sign of the golden-haired, melancholy warrior, Gavriel, or the utterly terrifying Lorcan. Thank Silba for that, at least.

Aelin left the door open, though their two court members remained seated. Bored, almost. "Well, now," was all the queen said as she stepped into the hall.

Chaol's father looked over the warrior-prince at her side. Then he turned his head toward Chaol and said, "I assume they met in Wendlyn. After you sent her there."

Yrene tensed at the taunting in the man's voice. Bastard. Horrible bastard.

Aelin clicked her tongue. "Yes, yes, let's get all that out of the way. Though I don't think your son really regrets it, does he?" Aelin's eyes shifted to Yrene, and Yrene tried not to flinch under that turquoise-and-gold stare. Different from the fire she'd beheld that night in Innish, but still full of that razor-sharp awareness.

Different-they were both different from the girls they'd been. A smile curved the queen's mouth. "I think he made out rather well for himself." She frowned up at her consort. "Yrene, at least, doesn't seem like the sort to hog the blankets and snore in one's ear all night."

Yrene coughed as Prince Rowan only smiled at the queen. "I don't mind your snoring," he said mildly.

Aelin's mouth twitched when she turned to Chaol's father. Yrene's own laughter died at the lack of light on the man's face. Chaol was tense as a drawn bowstring as the queen said to his father, "Don't waste your breath on taunts. I'm tired, and hungry, and it won't end well for you."

"This is my keep."

Aelin made a good show of gaping at the ceiling, the walls, the floors. "Is it really?"

Yrene had to duck her head to hide her grin. So did Chaol.

But Aelin said to the Lord of Anielle, "I trust you're not going to get in our way."

A line in the sand. Yrene's breath caught in her throat.

Chaol's father said simply, "Last I looked you were not Queen of Adarlan."

"No, but your son is Hand to the King, which means he outranks you." Aelin smiled with horrific sweetness at Chaol. "Haven't you told him that?"

Yrene and Aelin were no longer the girls they'd been in Innish, yes, but that wildfire still remained in the queen's spirit. Wildfire touched with insanity.

Chaol shrugged. "I figured I'd tell him when the time arose." His father glowered.

Prince Rowan, however, said to the man, "You've defended and prepared your people admirably. We have no plans to take that from you."

"I don't need the approval of Fae brutes," the lord sneered Aelin clapped Rowan on the shoulder.

"Brute. I like that. Better than 'buzzard,' right?"

Yrene had no idea what the queen was talking about, but she held in her laugh anyway.

Aelin sketched a mocking bow to the Lord of Anielle. "On that lovely parting note, we're going to finish up our dinners. Enjoy your evening, we'll see you on the battlements tomorrow, and please do rot in hell." Then Aelin was turning away, a hand guiding her husband inside. But not before the queen threw a grin over her shoulder to Yrene and Chaol and said, eyes bright—with joy and warmth this time, "Congratulations."

How she knew, Yrene had no idea. But the Fae possessed a preternatural sense of smell. Yrene smiled all the same as she bowed her head-just before Aelin slammed the door in the Lord of Anielle's face.

Chaol turned to his father, any hint of amusement expertly hidden. "Well, you saw her."

Chaol's father shook with what Yrene supposed was a combination of rage and humiliation, and stalked away. It was one of the finest sights Yrene had ever seen.

From Chaol's smile, she knew her husband felt the same.

"What a horrible man." Elide finished off her chicken leg before handing the other to Fenrys, who had shifted back into his Fae form. He tore into it with a growl of appreciation. "Poor Lord Chaol."

Aelin, her aching legs stretched out before her as she leaned against the wall, finished off her own portion of chicken, then dug into a hunk of dark bread. "Poor Chaol, poor his mother, poor his brother. Poor everyone who has to deal with him."

At the lone, narrow window of the room, monitoring the dark army hundreds of feet below, Rowan snorted. "You were in rare form tonight."

Aelin saluted him with her hunk of hearty oaten bread. "Anyone who interrupts my dinner risks paying the price."

Rowan rolled his eyes, but smiled. Just as Aelin had seen him smile when they'd both scented what was on Yrene. The child in her.

She was happy for Yrene-for them both.

Chaol deserved that joy, perhaps more than anyone. As much as her own mate.

Aelin didn't let the thoughts travel further.

Not as she finished her bread and came to the window, leaning against Rowan's side. He slid an arm around her shoulders, casual and easy.

None of them mentioned Maeve.

Elide and Fenrys continued eating in silence, giving them what privacy they could in the small, bare room they'd be sharing, sleeping on bedrolls. The Lord of Anielle, it seemed, did not share her appreciation for luxury. Or basic comforts for his guests. Like hot baths. Or beds.

"The men are terrified," Rowan said, gazing out at the levels of the keep below. "You can smell it."

"They've held this keep for days now. They know what's waiting for them at dawn."

"Their fear," Rowan said, his jaw tightening, "is proof they do not trust our allies.

Proof they don't trust the khagan's army to actually save them. It will make for sloppy fighters. Could create a weakness where there shouldn't be one."

"Perhaps you should have told Chaol," Aelin said.

"He could give them some motivational speech."

"I have a feeling Chaol has given them plenty. This sort of fear rots the soul."

"What's to be done for it, then?" Rowan shook his head. "I don't know." But she sensed he did know. Sensed that he wanted to say something else, and either their current company or some sort of hesitation barred him.

So Aelin didn't push, and surveyed the battlements with their patrolling soldiers, the sprawling, dark army beyond. Baying cries and howls rent the night, the sounds unearthly enough that they dragged a shudder down her spine.

"Is a land battle easier or worse than one at sea?" Aelin asked her husband, her mate, peering at his tattooed face.

She'd only faced the ships in Skull's Bay, and even that had been over relatively quickly.

And against the ilken who'd swarmed them in the Stone Marshes, it had been more an extermination than anything. Not what awaited them tomorrow. Not what her friends had fought on the Narrow Sea while she and Manon had been in the mirror, then with Maeve on the beach.

Rowan considered. "They're just as messy, but in different ways."

"I'd rather fight on land," Fenrys grumbled.

"Because no one likes the smell of wet dog?" Aelin asked over her shoulder.

Fenrys laughed. "Exactly because of that."

At least he was smiling again.

Rowan's mouth twitched, but his eyes were hard as he surveyed the enemy army.

"Tomorrow's battle will be just as brutal," he said. "But the plan is sound."

They'd be on the battlements with Chaol, readying for any desperate maneuvers Morath might attempt when they found themselves being herded and crushed by the khagan's army.

Elide would be with Yrene and the other healers in the Great Hall, helping the injured.

Where Lorcan and Gavriel would be, Aelin could only assume. Both had peeled off upon arriving, the latter taking watch somewhere, and the former likely brooding. But they'd probably be fighting right alongside them.

As if her thoughts had summoned him, Gavriel slipped into the room. "The army looks quiet enough," he said by way of greeting, then unceremoniously dropped to the floor beside Fenrys and hauled the platter of chicken toward him. "The men are rife with fear, though. Days of defending these walls have worn on them." Rowan nodded, not bothering to tell the Lion they'd just discussed this as Gavriel ripped into the food. "We'll have to make sure they don't balk tomorrow, then."

Indeed.

"I was wondering," Elide said to none of them in particular after a moment. "Since Maeve is an imposter, who would rule Doranelle if she was banished with all the other Valg?"

"Or burned to a crisp," Fenrys muttered.

Aelin might have smiled grimly, but Elide's question settled into her. Gavriel slowly set down the chicken. Rowan's arm dropped from Aelin's shoulders. His pine-green eyes were wide. "You."

Aelin blinked. "There are others from Mab's line. Galan, or Aedion—"

"The throne passes through the maternal line-to a female only. Or it should have, Rowan said. "You're the sole female with a direct, undiluted claim to Mab's bloodline."

"And your household, Rowan," Gavriel said. "Someone in your household would have a claim on Mora's half of the throne."

"Sellene. It would go to her." Even as a prince, Rowan's own heritage connecting him to Mora's bloodline had thinned to the point of being in name only. Aelin was more closely related to Elide, probably to Chaol, too, than she was to Rowan, despite their distant ancestry.

"Well, Sellene can have it," Aelin said, wiping her hands of dust that was not there. "Doranelle's hers." She wouldn't set foot in that city again, Maeve or no. She wasn't sure if that made her a coward. She didn't dare reach for her magic's comforting rumble.

"The Little Folk truly knew," Fenrys mused, rubbing his jaw. "What you were."

They had always known her, the Little Folk. Had saved her life ten years ago, and saved their lives these past few weeks. They had known her, and left gifts for her. Tribute, she'd thought, to Brannon's Heir. Not to... Gavriel murmured, "The Faerie Queen of the West."

Silence.

Aelin blurted, "Is that an actual title?"

"It is now," Fenrys muttered. Aelin shot him a look.

"With Sellene as the Fae Queen of the East," Rowan mused.

No one spoke for a good minute.

Aelin sighed up at the ceiling. "What's another fancy title, I suppose?"

They didn't answer, and Aelin tried not to let the weight of that title settle too heavily. All it implied. That she might not only look after the Little Folk on this continent, but with the cadre, begin a new homeland for any Fae who might wish to join them. For any of the Fae who had survived the slaughter in Terrasen ten years ago and might wish to return.

A fool's dream. One that she would likely not come to see. To create.

"The Faerie Queen of the West," Aelin said, tasting the words on her tongue.

Wondering how long she'd get to call herself such.

From the heavy quiet, she knew her companions were contemplating the same. And from the pain in Rowan's eyes, the rage and determination, she knew he was already calculating if it might somehow spare her from the sacrificial altar.

But that would come later. After tomorrow. If they survived.

There was a gate, and eternity lay beyond its black archway.

But not for her. No, there would be no Afterworld for her.

The gods had built another coffin, this time crafting it of that dark, glimmering stone.

Stone her fire could never melt. Never pierce. The only way to escape was to become it—dissolve into it like sea-foam on a beach.

Every breath was thinner than the previous one. They had not put any holes in this coffin.

Beyond her confines, she knew a second coffin sat beside hers. Knew, because the muffled screams within still reached her here.

Two princesses, one golden and one silver.

One young and one ancient. Both the cost of sealing that gate to eternity.

The air would run out soon. She'd already lost too much of it in her frantic clawing at the stone. Her fingertips pulsed where she'd broken nails and skin.

Those female screams became quieter.

She should accept it, embrace it. Only when she did would the lid open.

The air was so hot, so precious. She could not get out, could not get out—

Aelin hauled herself into waking. The room remained dark, her companions' deep breathing holding steady.

Open, fresh air. The stars just visible through the narrow window.

No Wyrdstone coffin. No gate poised to devour her whole. But she knew they were watching, somehow. Those wretched gods. Even here, they were watching. Waiting.

A sacrifice. That's all she was to them.

Nausea churned in her gut, but Aelin ignored it, ignored the tremors rippling through her. The heat under her skin.

Aelin turned onto her side, nestling closer into Rowan's solid warmth, Elena's muffled screams still ringing in her ears.

No, she would not be helpless again.

#Chapter 54 #Kingdom of Ash #Sarah J. Maas #Chaol Westfall #Yrene Westfall #Lord Westfall #Fenrys Moonbeam #Aelin Galathynius #Elena Galathynius #Aelin Ashryver Galathynius #Rowan Whitethorn #no spoilers please #first read #read with me #read along #First Read along with me NO SPOILERS PLEASE though warning for post & tags up to KoA 54 & more reacts/notes/quotes in tags below #Hellas Horse aka Butterfly-Never again-A chance-let’s go babies!-waddlebeautifully lol-he wants to build her a house😭-maybe a nursery #when it’s all gone-together-prettier with you-they scared her from the flame-worse marks were left-she’s tired but she will #she fought she’s fighting-what’s real what is what was-whatever was left-the weeping always eases in the end-it’s lovely fracturing joy #dam Sarah not future you quote again ITS ALREADY BURNED ME ONCE-one foot in the forest-they share meals-don’t ask-line in the sand #wildfire touched with insanity-I mean how would she not be a little insane-admirable-and please do rot in hell lol-the meeting we needed #congrats they meant-they loved it about her-and Rowan-the casual easy lean on him QoS how far we’ve come *good for once*#it’s either laughing or crying so-the sort of fear that rots the soul-what then they didn’t know-he knew-lol the wet dog-watch and brooding #It’ll save her-not a coward-Mab again-the dearie queen of the west-HER-a fools dream but a dream nonetheless-he will do whatever he has to #the world didn’t know-never helpless again-he let her steal the warmth-finally their all having those talks-hi cousins again-2places at onc #Him taking care of the horse was kind-shes always helping-Farasha congrats ur the other1st2be told-happy moment cuz their having a bb #At least he was smiling again-all the names-faerie queen-couldve been worse noone got stabbed shes shad worse dinners-@her side #stood that towering Fae warrior-spokeWsuch fear&respect-Aelin shifted fae again-AGREED YRENE-i knew she’s a blanket hog lol41wfire powers #A line in the sand the titleOnly sweetness when its horrific Fae BastardLaughed anywaysBuzzard she said w love-tru joy&warmth #its bad if Elide hates you-l luv her feist-as her own implying Yrene is-wanting joy4them-No Maeve-no bed-the truth-just a name-stars

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bria-doublen-a · 2 years ago

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Book Review: Crown of Midnight

Non Spoiler Section

Wow. What a fantastic read! In this sequel to Throne of Glass, we pick up right where we left off. It's been two months since Celaena was announced as the King's Champion and Maas drops us right in the thick of it! Honestly, this book grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go until the very last page.

It's actually pretty difficult to review this book without giving too much away. All I can say is that this story posed so many questions and I was suspicious of literally everyone. But what Maas excels at is her ability to write admirable characters. We get to see sides of these people we had no idea existed. And yet…we still love them.

Even when they're isolated and feeling alone and untrustworthy of anyone. When they make their biggest mistakes. When they're at their lowest. Still. We love them. Now that is proper storytelling.

This book is going to make you laugh, cry and scream at the top of your lungs. Oh, yeah. You're in for a doozy. Highly recommend.

Spoiler Section

So, anybody who read my review for Throne of Glass knows this is my first time reading fantasy. Let me just tell you this: I AM SO IN.

When I read Celaena and Aelin Galanthynius in the same sentence???? I damn near lost my mind. I hooted. I hollered. I jumped around and talked in gibberish to my husband. Are you freaking kidding me? That was so unexpected! You know, the more I read the more I'm convinced that Celaena's not a very reliable narrator. I can't believe we went almost two books without even the slightest hint of her heritage!

AND SHE'S FAE. WHAT?!?! I mean, don't get me wrong, when that Wyrdmark showed up on her forehead during the competition, I knew something was up and I kind of knew that she would somehow be blessed with some kind of Fae magic. But I wasn't expecting Celaena to know. What a secretive little bitch! But that scene was so badass when she jumped through the portal and instantly changed. Dope dope dope!

Okay, enough fangirling. Can we talk about how heartbreaking it was to see Dorian be pushed out of his friend group by Celaena and Chaol? Not only is he going through a change that he knows nothing about, but Celaena's also been needlessly rude to him?

I mean, I get it. She's gotta put up this front and make everybody believe that she's the perfect Champion and loyal to the King. Sure. But she's gotta know that any sideward glance or shadow of doubt cast by Dorian is in response to how eerily accurate and easy it is to play the King's assassin. And to turn around and start dating Chaol when the reason she and Dorian broke up was so she could experience what it's like to be free? That was harsh.

Which brings me to my next point. I HATE Celaena and Chaol. I tried. I really did. But I hate it. Some of those scenes in the beginning were kind of cute like their dinner date and the constant sexing and the broom closet. But then everything turns to shit because Chaol has the Midas touch and it's like Chaol loses every ounce of trust for Celaena. Even though he can admit that he was in the wrong and admit that he loves her and admit all these great characteristics about her, he still thinks the best course of action is to lock her in the dungeon for four days. WTF???

While Chaol was in the doghouse, I loved watching Dorian and Celaena grow close again. Not because I'm officially a diehard Celaena/Dorian shipper now, but because it was what they both needed. Celaena and Dorian spent so much time hurting and feeling like they could confide in no one. I was so relieved to watch them find solace in one another.

And you know what? Despite all those things I said about Chaol, I still like him. I have lots of questions, like why he was so blindly loyal to the crown until now, but I still like him. So, can I forgive him for being a crucial part in Nehemia's death? I think so. But I seriously can't stand the idea of him being with Celaena. The thing that drove me crazy at the end when Celaena's sent off to Wendlyn is that she admits that she loves him and hates him at the same time? He's her greatest love and also her enemy?

Ugh. I wanted to throw up. Like if you don't take your little Fae ass and kiss Dorian already, I stg.

But AELIN GALANTHYNIUS?? FAE???? God, I can't get over it. I'm so ready to dive into the next one!!

#crown of midnight #Throne of Glass #Sarah J. Maas #Celaena Sardothien #Dorian Havilliard #Chaol Westfall #The King's Champion #fantasy #adventure #young adult #books #book review #book rec #dorian x celaena #fae

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yabai-korra · 3 years ago

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The reasons why we're getting Manorian book

There has been a lot of speculation whether SJM is going to favor us with book/novella about Manon Blackbeak and Dorian Havilliard, recently I saw some fans doubting it, so here's a list of logical reasons why it's happening.

1. It's SJM

This woman writes two 500+ pages books per year, for her it would be a piece of cake.

2. There have already been books focused on side characters

a) Chaol and Yrene - Chaol was one of the most unpopular characters before Tower of Dawn (which made me love him hehe) and she still wrote a 600+ pages long book about him, just imagine what she'd do with the most popular character (Manon) and one of the most popular ones (Dorian).

b) Nesta and Cassian - this is ship is the closest to Manorian equivalent in ACOTAR series, aka starting from a physical relationship that develops into a sentimental one. Also 6th ACOTAR book will be focused on a new characters (most probably Elain)

3. Favoritism

SJM has talked multiple times about her love for these two. When asked about her favorite TOG character, she said Aelin, but Manon was a close second place and she said that she absolutely loves writing her.

In another interview, when asked who she would go on a book tour with and a few similar questions, she answered Dorian.

Now, I haven't seen all of her interviews ever and I'm not sure how much she loves Nessian and Cahorene (seems to love Nessian a hella lot tho), but it's definite that Manorian are some of her favorite characters and it's just logical that she would write about them.

4. Unfinished story/Unresolved feelings

Ships at the end of TOG:

Rowaelin - married

Elorcan - engaged

Lysaedion - engaged

Chaorene - married with a baby on the way

Nestaq - engaged

Manorian - hug and "we'll see"

All the ships basically got engaged in the last chapter (it's not like I didn't like it hehe) and their stories, romantic-wise, were pretty much finished and they have no unresolved tension between them. Manorian on the other hand, have enough of it for all the ships lol.

KOA spoilers ahead!

Keep in mind, Manorian relationship was mostly a sexual one, and they don't quite yet have a way of communicating their feelings properly. So there is a lot of unaddressed between them, even though they obviously care a lot about each other.

The unresolved things between Manon and Dorian:

"“And if I asked you to stay?” / “I’d need a very convincing reason, I suppose.” / “Because I don’t want you to go.” - they just fucked and Dorian left for Morath later, which impacted Manon a lot but they haven't discussed it

"I even care about you." - Manon got up and left

"There is only one witch who will be my queen." - Manon doesn't know about this

Manon saved Dorian from Valg demon even when Aelin couldn't. It was the worst thing to happen to Dorian and he still bears scars from it, yet he didn't have an appropriate situation to thank Manon for it

Dorian knows that Erawan lusted after Manon, which got him pissed of course, and he didn't have a chance nor time to ask Manon about it. It might be nothing, but if I were Dorain and my girlfriend who doesn't show feelings was locked up with a crazy guy who has a thing for her, and have seen the way he treats women, I'd be concerned. Erawan was a Valg king, a tough opponent even for Manon. If he had done something to her, and he had plenty of means and opportunities and wish to do so, Manon would never openly tell anyone (maybe Asterin) about it, because it would imply opening up and being weak, which is Manon's worst fear. Again, SJM, as the Queen of Foreshadowing, wouldn't just randomly throw in the main villain having a thing for an important character, everything in her books always has a meaning and purpose.

"Would you miss me if I didn't [come back]?" - Manon didn't reply

This is how SJM described Manorian marriage: "She would be his wife, his queen. She was already his equal, his match, mirror in so many ways. And with their union, the world would know it." - and you're telling me it's not deserving of its own book? Not just that, Manon asked Dorian for marriage and they, again, just had sex, with Dorian loving the idea but deep down knowing that Manon would feel caged in a marriage. And that attitude won't just change out of the blue. It takes time and development which is something SJM writes amazingly.

With the Thirteen gone, beside Abraxos Dorian is the only creature Manon cares about.

Dorian's mortality (although as you'll see in point #6 I'm sure he's not human)

The dreaded "You could just marry each other." / "We'll see." (Thanks Yrene :)

5. Foreshadowing

Listen here, SJM IS THE QUEEN OF FORESHADOWING. She thought of a detail (Dorian's dad's name) in the first book that would matter in the last book. Of course, there are many many many more examples of that, but if we got "We'll see." then we'll fucking see it happen.

6. Unresolved things about Manon and Dorian as individual characters.

Manon and Dorian and both pretty broken at the end of KOA.

Manon lost the Thirteen, the only people she cared about. That is a huge trauma that needs to be addressed, especially with someone so reluctant to show feelings and heal like Manon.

Dorian can't be human?? He has fae abilities due to his relation to Gavin and Elena even though he's not even called a demi-fae. He possesses powers no one else does, phantom hands for example, which he didn't steal like shape-shifting. And Maeve pointed out that due to his father being possessed by Valg when Dorian was sired, it's possible he got some of the Valg abilities. (Also she said that he's stronger than Aelin) The main villain, especially written by Queen of Foreshadowing, wouldn't just let drop it there and that's it. Also not to mention Dorian's own struggle with depression and self-worth.

They have both just become rulers of their kingdoms, completely new to it. Dorian has spent a big part of KOA imagining what kind of a king he wants to be (one that will have a witch queen hehe) and it was a major point of his character. And addition to that affecting them as characters, the future of Adarlan and Witch Kingdom could make a good plotline.

7. Other TOG characters

Although pretty much all the readers would die to see Chaorene baby, Lorcan in Perranth, Aelin and Rowan ruling Terrasen, Lysandra and Adeion officially adopting Evangeline, Nesryn and Sartaq becoming Khagan and Empress of Antica, all of these don't make enough of a plot on its own. They are great side-plots.

We know all of these characters love each other and are happy together, there isn't that much to be added to their personal stories other than kids. (same way Feyre and Rhys got a baby in Nessian book) Manorian however, they haven't even kissed without it leading to sex, they hugged at the end of KOA and it was the pique of their relationship. Their relationship is merely at the beginning, whereas others have pretty much reached their ultimatum (ofc SJM can decide to add some drama with betrayal, kidnapping, pregnancy etc. but for now everyone is good and settled beside Manorian)

Not to mention the way other relationships would affect them. Chaol, Dorian's brother, and Yrene, Manon's wannabe bestie and Manorian shipper, would bring their baby to meet his/her uncle Dorian and aunt Manon, and imagine Manon with a baby lol.

SJM loves Aelin and other characters way too much not to give us an insight on them as married couples, but since her books are huge and it's her, it needs a plot with drama, addressing traumas, repressed feelings, worldbuilding, and sex, and Manorian's got all of that.

8. Abraxos

We need more Abraxos, that's just a fact.

Wow that was a long one. Anyways, in conclusion, we're getting that Manorian book. Pretty sure it's gonna a book rather than a novella (TOD was also planned as a novella but then guess what) because there is just SO MUCH possible content.

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rowanaelinn · 3 years ago

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Strange Love

A one shot I’ve been working on for a few days to thank you for 100 followers!! I’m so happy to see people enjoying my fics, i truly love it.

warning: nsfw

“What can I get you?” The barkeep asked Aelin with his most charming smile. He was young and a brunette, exactly Aelin’s type, and according to his name tag he was named Chaol. If only she was less tired or if she was in Doranelle for her own fun she might have tried to flirt with him. “We’ll take two Sex On The Beach, please,” Fenrys, Aelin’s best friend, and coworker, ordered for them both. As funny as it was, whenever they saw each other they drank the same thing. They had met at a work conference five years ago, both of them were sitting at the bar, not in the mood to keep up with their boss, and both of them were drinking the same thing. it had become their ritual, that little thing that made their friendship special.

The waiter nodded and started preparing the drinks. When Aelin looked at her friend he had an eyebrow raised and a small smirk on his face. “What is it?” She asked.

“That guy is basically Sam with straight hair, you can’t keep seeing men that look exactly the same.”

“That’s not true!” It was true. “Besides, I wasn’t going to try anything.”

The look he gave her proved he didn’t believe her. When Chaol brought their drinks and winked at Aelin, she couldn’t help but laugh with Fenrys. “Okay, I may have a type,” Aelin admitted and Fenrys shook his head as he drank. “But there is nothing wrong with that!”

“Of course there’s nothing wrong with it, Ace. But having a type and dating the same guys in different fonts every time are two very different things. You need to spice things up!” He shook her shoulders and they both laughed. “You work your ass off all the time. For Mala’s sake, you haven’t got laid in two years.”

She took the little piece of pineapple hanging on the rim of her glass and threw it into Fenrys' head, right between the eyes. “I should never have told you this.”

Of course, the bastard just laughed, he never took things seriously, exactly like Aelin, as long as it wasn’t about her. “We are on another continent for four days, why don’t you go for it and have some fun.”

“I am at a club with you, I’m having lots of fun.”

“Unless you want to sleep with me again, I can’t give you the fun I’m talking about right now.” This time she took Fenrys’s piece of pineapple and this time he received it on the nose.

“Sleeping with you was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made.” Fenrys put both hands on his heart, pretending to be hurt by Aelin’s words. She shook her head as she laughed and looked around her. The club was quite crowded for a Thursday night, Fenrys and Aelin both had been lucky to find seats at the bar. “So you want me to take advantage of Elide and Lorcan’s wedding to have sex, that’s what you mean?”

“You'll meet a lot of people at their rehearsal dinner tomorrow or at the ceremony on Saturday. Many of them will be Lorcan’s friends that you will see only for two days.”

“I’m Elide’s bridesmaid, Fen. I won’t have time to flirt.”

“Elide told me Lorcan’s best man was hot!” he tried as he finished his first drink and ordered another one for both of them.

“He is Lorcan’s friend, I don’t trust anyone who pulls out with Lorcan’s bullshit,” She said and finished the end of her glass so that Chaol could take it back and put another one in front of her. “Besides Elide.”

“Amen,” Fenrys said as they clinked their drinks. Lorcan wasn’t Aelin and Fenrys’s biggest fan, and the feeling was mutual. Elide might see another side of this man when it’s just the both of them because Aelin didn’t know why else she would marry him. But Aelin never saw her sister happier than when she was with Lorcan, so Aelin was happy for her.

“Well since you don’t want to get laid tomorrow and Saturday, why not tonight? If you discreetly turn around you’ll see one of the hottest men I’ve ever seen staring at your back.”

Aelin was skeptical. Fenrys and her had similar tastes in women but not in men. She took her drink in hand and turned around slowly as if she was just looking around the club.

Her breath caught when she found a man with silver hair looking at her. He was sitting a few seats away from Aelin, and his eyes were fixed on her. She had dressed up well, she might not have gotten a lot of action lately because of her job but she still loved to be looked at. She was beautiful and she knew it, so she had no reasons to hide.

She had borrowed one of Lysandra’s dresses today, this one was gold. The dress was tight and exposed enough of her chest and back that she caught several glances at her tonight. The stranger was one of them. He had no shame in lowering his gaze to her breast and biting his lip. When his gaze descended again on Aelin's body, she arched her back slightly, crossing her legs to make her dress rise a little more.

As he drank in the sight of her, she marveled at the way his white shirt exposed his muscles. She even caught a tattoo on one of his arms, and with the way his head is turned toward her she could swear the tattoo went up to his neck. It was Aelin’s turn to bite her lip, she always found men with tattoos hot.

When Aelin looked back at his face he had a satisfied smirk, happy to catch her staring. She wouldn’t feel ashamed, not when it seemed he had to readjust his position in his seat after looking at her. She drank her cocktail down in one and delicately wiped her lips with her thumb, drawing the stranger's attention to them. Gods, it was almost too simple. Aelin loved the hunt, she loved to make things last. If she didn't have to fight for something it meant it wasn't worth it.

But the man wasn’t at her side yet, he was just sitting and seemed content to look at her. Most men would already be talking with her now or would be using their tongue in another way. But if Aelin learned something in twenty-seven years of life, it was that men didn’t like to wait. But maybe this silver-haired stranger did, maybe he was like her.

“You’re going to help me,” Aelin said as she took Fenrys' hand, he hurriedly finished his drink before getting down from his chair, following Aelin onto the dance floor. She slightly accentuated the sway of her hips, sure to have the stranger's attention on her.

“You’re the devil,” Fenrys chuckled as his hands slid on her hips and turned her around, pressing her back into his front. They started dancing slowly, both of their hips moving together. As her head fell back on Fenrys’s shoulder and one of his hands trailed up to her stomach, she opened her eyes to find the stranger staring at them.

If Aelin knew anything else about men is that they felt entitled to what doesn’t belong to them. So if she wanted to make him jealous to get what she wanted in the end, she would rather use Fenrys than a random man who could get violent for rejecting him in the end.

“With all the work I put into this I sure hope you'll ask me to join,” Fenrys said loud enough for her to hear as his lips grazed where the shoulder met her neck.

“Go find your own fun,” Aelin wasn’t shy in the bedroom but never had she done a threesome and she certainly wouldn’t have her first with a stranger.

The stranger’s eyes narrowed as she slid a hand on Fenrys’s blonde curls, arching against him. He tightened his grip around his glass of whiskey. Aelin's eyes were fixed on his fingers. She could imagine what they would feel like on her cheeks, breasts, stomach, tights or even inside her. Her inside twitched at that thought.

From the look on his face, he knew what had just been on her mind. Was this supposed to impress me? He seemed to ask as he arched his brow. He leaned in his seat and made a sign to Aelin to keep going. She couldn’t help but smirk and decide she liked this man.

Not one to back down from a challenge, Aelin winked at the man and turned around. She slid her hand around Fenrys neck and he automatically knew what she was doing. He laughed as he lowered his head to kiss her.

The kiss was heated, exactly the way it needed to be. One of his hands gripped her ass, bringing her closer to him while the other found her breast. She moaned, imagining the stranger's hands instead of Fenrys’s. Aelin opened her eyes to find him right in front of her, still sitting, staring at them. He was breathing heavily, eyes fixed on her. It felt so scandalous to kiss someone just for the show, just to provoke someone else.

She closed her eyes as Fenrys broke the kiss to start nipping at her neck. She threw her head back, still thinking about someone else's lips. Fenrys was good at it, but he wasn’t the one she needed now.

“Can I cut in?” A deep voice interrupted them as a warm hand slid on Aelin’s waist. She turned around to see deep green eyes staring at her. Her heart started beating faster at the mischief in these eyes, Aelin had no idea what she had just got into. Fenrys took his hands off her and kissed her cheek, murmuring to her to stay safe, to call him if she needed and he left them alone. Or as alone as they could be in a crowded club.

Having him so close to her made her feel many things but she did her best to keep a normal face. She gasped when he used his hand around her waist to turn her around, pressing her back to his front. Well, that wasn't exactly what she imagined herself doing once she spoke to him. “Don’t be shy, baby. You seemed to like dancing like a whore five minutes ago, didn’t you?”

She could feel herself getting wet at his crude words, this man was going to kill her before the end of the night and she wasn’t complaining. “Maybe I just don’t want to dance with you,” she taunted as her hips started moving with his. As she arched her back to feel more of him, she felt the evidence of his desire. Gods, he had gotten hard watching her. That might be the hottest thing Aelin ever lived.

“Is that why your eyes were on me when your tongue was down his throat?” One of his hands slid up, close enough to her breast for him to stroke the underside with his thumb. Her head fell back on his shoulder and she turned her head to find his eyes on her. She could see all his features now, and she’d been stupid to think every man she had been attracted to had been her type. Her type was him, nothing else.

She couldn’t answer, too overwhelmed. Looking at him as he touched her was too intense, she ground her ass harder on his erection, wanting to make him as desperate as she was. His hand slipped around her waist, holding her as close as he could, as the other one cupped her cheek, keeping her eyes on him. His thumb traced the curve of her lips, she opened her mouth and she stuck out her tongue to lick the tip of his finger in the most provocative way possible while keeping her eyes innocent.

He growled and inserted his thumb in her mouth, she closed her full, luscious, lips around it and turned her tongue around the tip. He leaned to her ear and whispered, tickling her with his hot breath, "You want me to fuck you, baby?"

She nodded eagerly, no longer caring that she looked desperate when his hand slid down to her thigh, just below her dress. He stroked her skin, if he moved his hand up a little he could touch her panties. “Are you wet?” He asked, making her clench around nothing. She didn’t have time to nod before his finger stroked her lace-covered slit. She moaned loudly around his thumb, suddenly grateful for the music. He slipped one finger under her panties and groaned at what he found. She closed her eyes as he caressed her folds, not touching either her entrance or clit. This man was a tease and Aelin loved it. “You’re so fucking wet, is it all for me?” he asked and let out a low laugh when she didn’t answer. “Does it turn you on to be touched in front of everyone?”

As if only remembering where they were, Aelin’s eyes shot open and she turned her head, trying to see if anyone was looking at them. Aelin’s mouth was left empty without the man’s thumb. He used his free hand to push her head back on his shoulder, forcing her to look at him. He had a satisfied smirk on his lips and didn't look worried about the hundreds of people around them.

“Nobody’s noticing you, baby. But you’re gonna have to stay quiet for me because I’m going to make you come right now and I don’t want anyone else to look at you.”

She wanted to protest, she really wanted to. But all she did was bite her lip when the stranger's thumb flicked her clit and another of his fingers plunged into her entrance. He didn’t wait before thrusting into her at the right rhythm to get her off. He added another finger and Aelin couldn’t help but let out another moan.

She closed her eyes, focusing on the pleasure but it apparently wasn’t in the man’s plan. “Look at me when I make you come, baby.” Too gone to care, Aelin opened her eyes and clenched around his finger when she met his eyes. He had the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen and having them on her as she started rolling her hips against his hand was almost too much. “You’re so tight, I can’t wait to feel your cunt around my cock,” He whispered in her ear as he added a third finger. He circled her clit one last time and she fell over the edge, hiding her head in his neck as she bit her lip to the blood not to scream of pleasure. He didn’t stop thrusting into her, prolonging her climax. When her walls stopped spasming around his finger he stopped, pulling out his fingers.

Her legs were shaking and if he didn’t use his arm to hold her she would have fallen on the floor. “You did so well,” he praised her, kissing the top of her head. She just let a man whose name she didn’t know finger her in public and made her come faster than anyone ever did. She could almost laugh at the situation if she wasn’t still so needy.

“Join me in the bathroom?” He asked and she didn’t answer, only took his hand and started walking. The moment he closed and locked the door, she was thrown on the wall and his lips crashed onto hers. She jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist, sliding her hands through his soft silver hair.

"What's your name?" She asked as he kissed her jaw and then her neck.

He looked back at her face, she was grateful he was holding her legs because she felt them weaken, pinned under his stare. “What’s yours, baby?” She wanted to say she asked first, but she knew enough about him to know he was in control.

“Celeana,” the lie rolled off her tongue easily. No matter how good this man was, he was still a stranger and Aelin was a woman. The less he knew about her, the better. “Yours?”

“You won’t need to call me anything else than ‘sir’.” He said with a proud smirk as he got her back on her feet and turned her around to face the mirror. He pushed her so her hands rested on the sink, the only thing holding her when he started kissing her neck.

“If I’m too rough you say red, understand?” He asked, looking at her in the mirror. She just nodded, leaning her back into his front. He pulled her dress up around her waist and spanked her. She bent over the sink, only held on her legs by the man's hold on her hip. The pain spread throughout her body, setting all her nerves on fire. “Use your damn words, Celeana.”

“Yes.” Not the answer he wanted because he spanked her twice, once on each ass cheek, harder than the first time. She couldn’t hold back her moans.

“Want to say something?” He asked, his tone mocking. She shouldn’t like this, shouldn’t like being treated that way. She had had public sex and been degraded for the first time in her life tonight, and the gods knew how much she loved all of it.

“I understand, sir.” She breathed.

“So you can be a good girl, that’s surprising.” He said as he stroked her ass. “You’d deserve to be spanked to the blood for kissing another man in front of me.” She moaned at his words. she arched her back, silently begging for more. He let out a soft chuckle and instead of giving her what she wanted, he took his hand off her ass. She cried out, mourning the loss of his hand.

He wrapped her long golden hair around his wrist, pulling at it. He made her look at him in the mirror as he slid the strap of her dress, exposing her bare breast. Aelin hated wearing a bra, and stopping wearing one did wonders for them.

The man took one in his hand, playing with her nipple as he used his other hand to pull harder at her hair. “Beg for it,” He commanded but Aelin didn’t. Unhappy with her behavior, he slapped her breast, hard. He took her nipple between his fingers and twisted, making her cry out in pain. “If you don’t beg me, you brat, your pretty pussy is the next thing I will spank and I won’t stop until you come.”

“Gods, please,” she moaned, a tear falling from her eye. “Please, sir. Fuck me, I need you in me, sir.” She didn’t care how pathetic she sounded, she would die if she didn’t have this man in her.

“Celeana?” He asked as he made her panties slide down her legs.

“Sir?”

“You’re not allowed to come until I tell you to, understood?”

“Yes, sir.” He bent her over the sink and unbuckled his belt. Aelin wanted to see his cock, he had felt so big against her ass.

His tip teased her entrance and then her clit. She didn’t care if someone heard her moan as he slowly entered her. He was big, bigger than any of the men she ever had. He buried himself to the hilt, groaning as her walls spasmed around him. It hurt to have him inside of her, but she welcomed and enjoyed the pain, and he knew it.

That’s why he didn’t wait for her to adjust and started thrusting into her, hard. Her eyes shut, focusing entirely on the feeling of him filling her.

She was shaking so much she didn’t know how her legs kept holding her. He pulled out and entered her again, hard, his balls slapping her clit. “Your cunt feels so fucking good,” He moaned, going faster, harder. His hand slammed on her ass, tearing another cry out of her. She was close.

He made her rise, hanging the angle of his cock, keeping her from falling with a hand around her throat. Delicately, he tightened his grip, and Aelin’s eyes rolled. His other hand found her clit.

“Sir,” she moaned, trying to hold her orgasm back.

“What is it, baby?” He was breathless. “Use your words, Celeana.”

“Please, can I come?” She prayed to every gods in the world he would let her come, but when she opened her eyes and found him smirking she knew her prayers were useless.

He only said “No,” and thrust faster in her, chasing his own orgasm.

Aelin wished she had a name to moan as she tried to focus on everything but the feeling of this man in her pussy and his finger on her clit. She cried, both in pain and pleasure as he kept going, hitting that spot deep inside of her nobody ever hit before

“Let go,” he grunted. “Come for me, Celeana.” His grip around her neck tightened even more and she lost control. She screamed, loudly, as she fell over that cliff of pleasure. Barely noticing she squirted. He kept thrusting into her and came a second later, spilling himself inside of her. Both leaned on the sink, trying to take their breath.

He pulled out of her and made her sit on the sink. Her back rested against the mirror, too tired to do anything by herself. He got dressed and took some paper to clean her up, she whimpered, too sensitive to be touched. He softly apologized, kissing her shoulder as he helped her get her dress back in place.

“Think you would want to do this again?” He asked, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. There was only curiosity and desire in his eyes, not demands.

“Sorry,” She gave him a small smile. “I’m not from here and anyway, I don’t really do more than one nightstand.” Gods forbid anyone ever gets attached. He only nodded and gave her a small smile full of understanding.

“Will I ever get your name?” She teased him, earning a soft laugh from him.

“I think I‘d like to keep some mystery.”

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

“We’re late,” Fenrys stated as they both entered the elevator.

“We’re fashionably late,” Aelin corrected him and he snorted. Both of them were past the point of fashionably late. Elide would be mad at her, she knew it, but Lorcan would be too and she kind of liked the sound of that.

“She’s going to kill you,” Aedion warned as he met them in the hall. Aelin quickly took him and Lysandra in her arms and started walking to the reception room.

“She won’t be physically violent, she won’t take the risk to ruin her bridesmaid look.”

“It’s Elide we’re talking about, it’s not physical violence I would worry about if I was you.” Lysandra chuckled, of course, she would find it funny. Aelin rolled her eyes but laughed along with her friend. Soon they were in the room, they were careful not to make noises, not wanting to drag attention to them.

She looked at her watch and sighed, one hour late wasn’t that bad, was it? At least, Fenrys would suffer from Elide’s rage if it came to that. Aelin took a glass of champagne and walked to Elide and Lorcan. Lorcan was talking to someone but she couldn’t see who because this bastard was just too tall. “Ellie,” Aelin started, taking the small woman in her arms. Maybe affection will make her less angry?

“You bitch!” Elide whisper-shouted, pushing Aelin away from her. Well, her plan definitely didn’t work.

“Elide, you look ravishing,” Fenrys winked and Aelin had to use all her focus not to laugh at Elide’s angry face. She was almost shaking as if it was taking everything in her not to yell at Aelin and Fenrys. If she laughed right now she was kicked out of the wedding, she knew it. Elide seemed to relax a little as Lorcan’s arms wrapped around her shoulders.

“Galathynius, Moonbeam.” He nodded. “So your plane didn’t crash.” She said with a point of humor but Aelin didn’t care and flipped him off. Fenrys just softly laughed and put an arm around Aelin’s shoulder, a normal way for him to show his affection.

“You two didn’t meet Lorcan’s best man.” Elide said as the man who talked with Lorcan turned around. Aelin’s heart stopped. No, no, no, no. “Rowan, this is Aelin, my sister. Aelin, this is Rowan, Lorcan’s best friend.”

This had to be some kind of sick joke, there was no way the man who fucked her last night was Lorcan’s best man. The universe really hated her. His eyes widened when he saw her and even more when Elide said Aelin’s name. Her real name.

Fenrys burst out laughing loudly, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

—————

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#rowan whitethorn #aelin galathynius #rowaelin smut #rowan x aelin #rowaelin fic #rowaelin #rowaelin fanfiction #throne of glass fanfiction #throne of glass

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theladyofdeath · 3 years ago

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Tempting the Fates {Chapter 4}

Summary: It’s the final semester of Aelin Galathynius’ collegiate career and she is so beyond ready to be done. Her schedule is packed full of nursing classes and labs designed to test her knowledge and hone her skills for the real world and her “big girl” job. However, she needs one last elective to graduate, so she decides to study a subject she’s always been fascinated by: Mythology. Who would have thought that a class about gods and goddesses living complicated lives would end up complicating her own in such an unexpected way?

Word Count: 2550

Chapters will be posted every Wednesday.

Tempting the Fates Masterlist

Shelby’s Masterlist

Tara’s Masterlist

Apollo

– God of light, prophecy, inspiration, poetry, the sun, music and arts, medicine and healing

Aelin tried to convince herself that she got up and got ready two hours early for class because of her busy schedule. She kept telling herself it was for the meeting she had with her advisor, about a possible internship at the end of the semester.

She knew that both reasons, while extremely important, were full of shit. She knew she’d showered, blow dried and curled her hair for Rowan. It wasn’t that she was trying to impress him. She’d already done that and the chance she had to be with him had come and gone.

No, now it was about proving to him that even though this class may be a gen ed, she was taking it seriously.

Dropping the class had crossed her mind. She really didn’t need to take it, she could still find a different one to pick up. But she didn’t want to think about the sort of impression it would leave about her.

If there was anything to know about Aelin Galathynius, it was that she was not a quitter, nor did she run from her problems.

Or heartaches.

With one last look in the mirror, and a whistle from Lysandra, Aelin was out the door and hurrying across campus. She grabbed a coffee on the way, but avoided her usual place, knowing full well that Rowan enjoyed the same famous cafe that she did.

He wasn’t there yet when she got to the hall, but she took the same seat she had the class before.

She wondered if Rowan would be looking for her this time.

She quickly shook the thought away.

With her hot coffee on the corner of her fold up desk, she was pulling out her notebook and a pen, waiting anxiously for class to begin.

For him to walk through the door.

Apparently he liked to be right on the dot, though, because students continued to wander in, but he did not.

She was tapping her pen against her notebook, doing her best not to stare at the clock. She was just anxious for her day to start. It wasn’t that she wanted to see Rowan.

Professor Whitethorn, she amended in her head. She had to quit thinking of him as Rowan. She couldn’t think of him like that anymore, his body pressing into hers, lips on her neck, as he—

Shaking her head, Aelin sighed and suddenly realized that the rest of the class had hushed. She was so focused on reprimanding herself for her highly inappropriate thoughts that she hadn’t noticed him come through the door and begin setting up for class. When she dared to glance towards the front, she found his eyes on her. He quickly looked away, going back to his laptop and setting up the PowerPoint on screen.

Maybe he hadn’t been looking at her.

Maybe it had all been in her mind.

But she didn’t think it had been.

He had been watching her.

“Happy Thursday, class,” he began, as the title page of his presentation flashed onto the board. “Glad to see you all showed up again. Must mean my first class didn’t suck.” Quiet laughter thrummed through the room. Aelin couldn’t muster a laugh, though. “On Tuesday, we covered the basics. So, today… Sorry, we’re doing that again.”

More laughter, especially from the pretty, flirty girls up front.

Aelin couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

Which, when she settled her eyes back on Rowan, he definitely saw.

Come on, get your shit together, she chastised herself. With her back straightened, she gave him her full attention.

She took dutiful notes, but his slides didn’t hold much in the way of information. They were mostly headers, with a few bullet points. Most of the important information, information she knew would be critical for homework or exams, came straight from Rowan’s mouth.

It was clear that he loved mythology, that it wasn’t just a class his aunt had tossed his way and told him to figure it out. He was a trove of knowledge and she noticed he had a habit of going on slight tangents when he got going on a topic he was clearly interested in.

After a student asked him to clarify what he meant about Hercules not being Zeus’ only son, he ended up talking for nearly twenty minutes about what the beloved Disney movie had gotten wrong. Aelin had stopped taking notes and was watching him go on and on about how Hades, while god of the underworld, was not necessarily a villain. He just had a job to do. A job that had rules that must be followed, or the consequences could damn not only him, but others involved. His eyes found hers again and the amused smile on her face fell as she made the correlation between their own situation and the story.

They held each other’s gazes for far longer than was appropriate, and Rowan cleared his throat, going back to the PowerPoint, and the predetermined lesson plans he’d made, which didn’t include children’s movie breakdowns.

She watched him.

She listened.

And she found it all fascinating.

Rowan peeked at the clock after going on and on, and stilled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well, I guess I’ll end there. There is an assignment due by tomorrow evening. You can find and submit it online. It’s an opinion piece. I want a little insight as to why you were so interested to take this class, or what you’ve found fascinating so far.” He sat on his desk, his legs hanging over the side, his feet nearly touching the ground as he leaned back on his palms. Aelin found it charming. “You’re going to write a short essay telling me of your favorite deity. It could be one I’ve talked about so far, or one I haven’t. It’s your choice. But, tell me why they are your favorite. Give me a little depth. And, remember, this is a college course. Grammar counts.”

The clock struck nine-thirty and everyone began packing up. Aelin had been so captivated by his voice that she had to snap herself back to reality.

She quickly packed up her bag, alongside the other students around her. She noticed then how young they all were, and she was willing to bet that she may be the only senior on the roster. As she was descending the stairs, she found Rowan’s eyes on her again, but he looked away as his attention was taken, thanks to the group of girls who’d been sitting in the front row. She heard vague questions of whether they could all write about Aphrodite, since they all related to her.

The scoff Aelin thought she’d kept to herself had apparently been out loud, since not only Rowan looked at her as she passed, but so did the three girls. With his attention on her again, she decided to give him a little wave.

“See you later, Professor Whitethorn.”

If there was some extra sway to her hips, it wasn’t on purpose.

At least that’s what she told herself.

Two and a half hours later, Aelin was starving. She’d just gotten out of an extremely complicated lab and she could barely focus over the growling of her stomach. Twice, the instructor had looked over at her, half expecting to find a dog stashed under the table she was working at.

So when the class let out, she was hurrying toward the cafeteria ready to get a salad from the salad bar and a big ass slice of pizza.

It was all about balance.

As she was waiting in line to fill her plate with salad, she heard a voice behind her.

“Are you actually getting lettuce or just filling your plate with ham, cheese, and croutons?”

Aelin looked over her shoulder to find Chaol, her ex, suppressing a smile.

Aelin chuckled. “If it’s the same price, you may as well pile up on the good stuff.”

Chaol gave her a small smile. “Fair enough. It’s good to see you, Aelin. You look good.”

Things hadn’t ended the best between her and Chaol, but that had been just after freshman year. At least now when they ran into one another, they could have nice little conversations like this one.

No hard feelings.

“You too,” she said, and he did. He’d been in an accident the year before. They weren’t sure he was going to walk again. In all honesty, it was just good to see him on his feet.

“How long until your class?” He asked, sliding his tray along behind hers.

She glanced down at her watch. “About forty five minutes. You?”

“This is my long break,” he sighed. “I’ve got an hour and a half, but didn’t feel like leaving campus. Want to have lunch with me?”

“Sure.” Her smile wasn’t forced, it was easy and she was glad they could even do this, when three years again, they could barely be in the same room.

“I assume you’re getting a piece of pizza after this,” Chaol said with a smirk, nodding towards her plate. “So I’ll grab us a table while you get the rest of your lunch.”

She scoffed but nodded, and went off to get a slice of pizza. When she ordered her pizza, she also got a slice of cheesecake. It was his favorite, something she hadn’t forgotten, but it didn’t hurt that she liked it, too.

Finding him in the cafeteria, she sat down at the table across from him. “How’s Yrene doing?”

He blushed, and Aelin had to admit it was adorable. After his accident, he’d fallen for his physical therapist, and she was just as smitten with him. It must have been all the one-on-one sessions, because Chaol had never been one to let someone in. Aelin had met Yrene early in her med classes, but Yrene had specialized in PT and graduated in less than three years, taking as many classes as she could manage and even studying through the summers as well.

“It’s going good,” he said, at last. “We, uh, just moved in together, actually.”

Aelin lifted a brow. “That was fast.”

Chaol shot her a look.

Aelin laughed. “I didn’t mean it like that. I meant, good for you. I like Yrene. A lot. You two are good together.”

Chaol cleared his throat before taking a bite of his salad. “Thanks.”

Aelin chuckled, taking a bite of her pizza.

Chaol blinked. “What?”

“You get so uncomfortable when it comes to feelings,” she said. “Always have.”

His eyes narrowed at her. “That’s not true.”

Aelin stopped mid-chew and raised a brow.

Even Chaol couldn’t help but chuckle at the expression. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever. What about you? Seeing anyone?”

Aelin hesitated, then said, “No.”

A slow grin appeared on Chaol’s mouth. “Didn’t sound so sure about what one.”

Aelin shrugged. “Better be nice or I’m not sharing this magnificent cheesecake with you.”

Holding up his hands in placation, Chaol went back to his salad. Rowan was a dangerous topic, one she wouldn’t share with anyone but Lysandra, so she summed it up quickly. “Met someone I thought I hit it off with. Turns out we didn’t work.”

He slowly nodded. Aelin knew he’d had a couple failed relationships between her and Yrene. “I get it, I’m sorry. Still sucks.”

Shrugging again, she turned to her salad. “It happens. Not a big deal. So if you’re living with Yrene, does that mean you and Dorian broke up? Or is he playing house with you, too?”

Chaol leveled her with a look. Chaol and Dorian had been best friends long before they came to the University of Orynth. They were both from Adarlan, both trying to get away from overbearing fathers, and decided college across the country was the way to do it. They’d been roommates every year and Aelin couldn’t even imagine Chaol living with anyone except Dorian. But now he was. “He moved into an apartment with Manon this semester when I moved in with Yrene.”

Aelin blinked. “Blackbeak? He moved in with Manon Blackbeak?”

Nodding, Chaol went on. “Apparently, they’ve been dating for about a year, without anyone noticing.”

Something in the way he said it told Aelin that he had noticed, but when Dorian had his mind set on something, there was no stopping him. And apparently, he’d decided to date one of the most terrifying women on campus.

Aelin’s response was eloquent. “Wow.”

Chaol grinned. “I like it when you’re caught off guard. It’s satisfying.”

With a scoffed she nudged his leg with the toe of her sneaker. “Well, I don’t. Dorian will be getting a very angry phone call this afternoon.”

“I’ll be sure to give him a warning,” Chaol promised.

Aelin chuckled, taking the last bite of her pizza. “It’s good to see you all happy, though. Really.”

Chaol’s eyes softened. “Thanks, Aelin.”

She nodded. “Even if I am terrified that Dorian will get eaten alive.”

Chaol laughed, and she had forgotten how nice Chaol’s rare, hearty laugh was.

She meant it. She was so happy for them, both of them. It was interesting how things changed over the course of a few short years.

Their conversation continued, as did the laughs, and before she knew it, Aelin glanced down at her watch. She had less than fifteen minutes to haul ass back to the nursing building for her next class. Chaol, who had much longer to sit with nothing to do, assured her that he could handle her trash and told her to get to class. With a hug, and a promise that they’d have dinner soon, all of them, even Manon, Aelin was hurrying out of the cafeteria building.

Somehow, the entire time she’d been having lunch with Chaol, she hadn’t noticed the set of pine green eyes watching her.

Rowan’s own break had been at the same time as hers, but the gen ed building was much closer than wherever she was having to run off to, so he had longer to sit and— there was no denying it— brood. They were halfway across the room, so he couldn’t hear any of their conversation. He had no clue who the tall man was she smiled at so often, but clearly they were very familiar with each other with how easily they talked. And he made her laugh. A lot.

Rowan wasn’t sure why that was what grated on his nerves the most, but it unsettled him.

Seeing Aelin with someone else, someone clearly her own age, it all unsettled him. He didn’t like it. Almost as much as her parting words in class had.

See you later, Professor Whitethorn.

It’s like she was mocking him, yet at the same time, she clearly wasn’t. She was doing exactly as he’d asked of her, seeing him as her professor, not as her boyfriend.

No, he reprimanded himself. Not boyfriend. Hookup.

They’d had sex one time, that didn’t give either of them any claim over the other. It was a hookup and nothing more. And she was his gods-damned student.

She was off limits, in every way possible.

Yet he couldn’t figure out why seeing her with someone else, someone she should clearly be interested in instead of him, had him seeing red.

#rowaelin #rowan #aelin #fanfic #fanfiction #tog #throne of glass #modern au #professor au #college au #sjm #snacmc collab #snelbx x tacmc collab

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sodamnradd · 4 years ago

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After reading ACOSF I have an unpopular ship prediction for Nesta *SPOILERS BELOW*

Okay so I just finished ACOSF and I don’t think Nesta x Cassian are endgame...

Long-winded explanation with quotes for proof below!

I think Nesta and Eris are going to happen.

Here are the reasons why (my opinions of course and I could be totally wrong but):

Maas is the queen of jumping ship and Cassian was the perfect set-off for Nesta. She needed to train and heal, just as Dorian and Chaol filled that void for Aelin in Throne of Glass.

Nesta’s mother always told her she’d end up with a prince. If Feyre’s mate is the most powerful High Lord, does it really make sense for someone as powerful and badass as Nesta to end up with a General? I love Cassian-- but is he epic enough for Nesta? PLUS Lanthys’s vision showed Nesta on a throne, ruling a kingdom. Foreshadowing?

Which leads me to when Az and Cassian tell Rhys he should be High King but he refuses. What if it’s not Rhys’s place? What if there should be a High Queen and it’s Nesta?

Besides making Cassian jealous what was the point of Nesta dancing with Eris? It’s a waste of a scene solely for the purpose of Cassian’s jealousy. The reader is well aware he’s into her at this point you don’t need a jealous scene to prove it. (See quotes below to show all the details jammed into Nesta and Eris’s dances for proof).

I suspect Rhys is aware of the possibility of Nesta and Eris, which is perhaps why he is so weary of Nesta in the first place. She may very well crush Cassian’s heart

In Azriel’s bonus chapter, he mentions that it doesn’t make sense for Elain to be mated to Lucien while Nesta and Feyre’s mates are in the Night Court. But, what if Nesta’s place is also in Autumn? The Cauldron Made Nesta more than a High Fae, it’s not out of the question for her to have more than one mate. Especially because Elain was also Made and is Lucien’s mate.

At the end of the book, Cassian and Nesta don’t do the mating ceremony yet which means there’s a chance it won’t happen. OR if it does, it’s not to say Nesta doesn’t have the fiery spirit to walk away from her mate.

BESIDES so much can be done with Eris’s character! He is misunderstood, just like Nesta. She is constantly telling herself that Cassian is too good for her, would she feel that way with someone like Eris? Is it healthy to feel that way about your partner? I think Eris and Nesta have a lot of commonalities and will ultimately bond on a far more emotional level. Nesta and Cassian’s relationship is mainly physical, I think Nesta needs a deeper emotional connection.

Quotes Worth Mentioning

Chapter Forty-Three, Eris tells Nesta “When you get tired of the animal, come find me, I’ll show you how a future High Lord plays.”

Chapter Fifty-Seven, “She held his eyes throughout each step, let him feel her supple body, how pliant it was as she arched into a cluster of notes. His hand tightened on her, fingers digging into the groove of her spine, and she let a small smile rise to her red-painted lips. She had never worn such a color on her mouth. It looked like sin personified.” -- what is the colour you automatically associate with Eris and the Autumn Court? Red, red, red! Also, this scene is hot. Too hot and descriptive for the purpose of simple jealousy.

Chapter Fifty-Seven, Nesta’s inner-monologue, “She’d seen a Queen of the Night. As merciless and beautiful as the god Lanthys had wanted to make her.” -- comparison to a Queen again, why mention it so much if it isn’t going to happen?

Chapter Fifty-Seven, “[Nesta’s] gaze locking back to [Eris] exactly as the music returned to the melody. Flame simmered in his eyes, and he spun her again.” -- they are dual flames, one is fire and the other is ice.

Chapter Fifty-Seven, “Eris had her hand again, spinning her three more times, his red hair glinting like fire as if in echo to the unchecked, dark joy bursting from her.” --Mention of red again, only a few paragraphs after describing Nesta’s red lips. Unchecked joy bursting from Nesta as she dances with Eris? My oh my.

Chapter Fifty-Seven, “Nesta’s mother had wanted a prince for her. Cassian now thought she’d undervalued her daughter. Only a king or an emperor would do for someone with that level of skill.” -- Ding, ding, ding! Even Cassian has put it together. ALSO Nesta associated with a crown again.

Chapter Fifty-Seven, “Eris dropped to a knee before [Nesta] and held up a hand” -- he is literally on his knee for her. A parallel with Rhys and Feyre?

Chapter Fifty-Seven, Eris tells Nesta, “Don’t believe the lies they tell you about me.”

Chapter Fifty-Seven, “Nesta’s mouth twitched to one side. ‘And you? Who do you love?’ His smile sharpened. ‘Are you inquiring about my eligibility?’ ‘I’m merely saying it’s hard to find a good dance partner these days.’ Eris laughed, the sound like silk over her skin. She shivered.” --ummm if that’s not chemistry idk what is

Chapter Fifty-Seven, Eris tells Nesta, “You’re wasted at the Night Court... absolutely wasted.” -- He’s right, Nesta should be ruling her own kingdom, not living in Feyre’s Court.

Chapter Fifty-Seven, Rhys and Eris discussing Nesta becoming Eris’s bride. “‘And it seems foolish for you to offer me anything I want in exchange for her, anyway.’ His jaw tightened. ‘I have my reasons.’” --Cassian assumes Eris wants Nesta because of her power, but what if it’s deeper than that? So deep he’s willing to offer almost anything for her, except his firstborn.

THEREFORE, I’m convinced Eris x Nesta is going to happen-- or another character that is a prince/king/something epic of some kind for her.

Cassian is hot af, don’t get me wrong. I love him. But he’s not enough for a glorious woman like Nesta who needs to be pushed further so she can conquer much, much bigger things.

Eris or not, I don’t think Nessian is endgame.

#nesta #nesta archeron #a court of silver flames #acosf #eris #eris vanserra #nesta x eris #eris x nesta #predictions #sarah j maas #book review #neris #cassian #anti cassian #acotar

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lidiacervos · 3 years ago

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The thing is that if Azriel had given up really because of Elain, it would've happened way earlier on.

El/riel met in acomaf! In acowar El/riel grew a little, but from Acomaf to Acofas we literally see him pining after Mor. The reason why it became less pining in Acosf is because Mor wasn't much around! He still reacted when Helion mentioned Mor.

With "given up" it wasn't a hint for Azriel having moved on from Mor to Elain. It wasn't a fricking hint for El/riel. It was more so telling us that he's tired of pining and of feeling like sh*t everytime she avoids him. Cassian found that good because this male has been trying for literally 500 years and he doesn't find it healthy for him. That makes much more sense- I too would have find it good if my brother gave up in trying and waiting for someone who will never be his. Who will never chose him. All the wait going to waste.

So it's ridiculous to say that he had given up only because of Elain. If so, it would have at least happened in acowar. Keep in mind that it's been 2.5 years!

Another thing what I find ridiculous is that El/riels claim Azriel and Elain are in love or that at least Azriel is and I'm just... wtf?!?!

I heard from some of them that El/riel has the friends to lovers trope..

literally from where did you get that? Are we reading the same books or do you mean the off page chemistry between El/riel? It all freaking happened off page. If you haven't noticed, Sarah doesn't let her characters fall in love off page unless they are side characters who don't get to have their own book (like Vamren). Feysand, Rowaelin and Bryathalar aside- haven't we all witnessed the romance with Elorcan? Chaolryne? Lysaedion? Nestarq? Manorian? Nessian?

Heck even Feylin, Samlaena, Chaolaena and Dorlaena! Don't you all remember how their love stories went? From the start til the end.

But I tell you what- Chaol and Nesryn's story would have been weak cause they didn't have any big romantic moments except for the end at least in QOS. So his book would have been about Nesryn and Chaol just debatting in their heads wether or not to confess that they are in love... with angst here and there... the whole time?That could be one of the reasons Sarah didn't make Chaolsryn endgame.

If Azriel and Elain were to already have such strong feelings then it really would be them taking their gods long time til the end to finally confess.

They claim that Gwynriel is boring... well everyone has their own oponions, but at least we would get to see Gwyn and Azriel falling in love. The actual 'friends to lovers' romance. We know damn well that there are not in love, nor have any deep feelings for each other yet, but there is big potential unlike El/riel, where we would just see them banging secretly until they finally confess and Elain rejects the mating bond to be with Azriel.

In every other book we would want to witness how the feelings change, how the POV of someone change, how distrust turns to trust, insults turn to compliments, No care turns to caring, dislike turns to like and it changes more and more. We all want to see the shift and authors do just. It's important to witness that love story and it goes with every love trope. Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, forbidden love etc.

Elain gets her own book, which means she will become a main character. To want to have her already in love with her love interest before her journey has even started is.. well everyone is entilted to their own oponions, but I would rather much experience the whole love story and not just the half of it. I don't read only the half of a book. I need to know where it's started! What happened back then?! El/riel just met, had some moments here and there and boom- they are in love...? Again, don't forget that acosf takes place after the war 2 years ago and nothing between Elain and Azriel has changed.. they want to convience me that they are already in love?!

Yes, you’re right, for all of this time that e/riel was supposedly “falling in love” Az was still fixated on Mor and Elain on Graysen.

“Given up” is also quite different than having resolved feelings and being ready to move on with Elain in a healthy manor. Az’s feelings for Mor are not something that is just suddenly over with, they still need to be worked through, which is why Rhys asking about Mor in the bonus chapter was so important

It’s funny because if they’re already in love and Elain is happy in the NC, the turmoil needed for her story would come from…breaking the bond & fOrBidDeN LoVe? Things that heavily involve Lucien. That wouldn’t make for a very epic romance for e/riel if they’ve got a third wheel they’re trying to get rid of half the book.

I think Azriel has no clue what love is and it’s going to absolutely knock him on his ass once he is actually in love

I agree, a gwynriel book seems way more exciting. They would challenge each other, work together as equals and I expect falling in love with Gwyn will be completely unexpected for Azriel. Elain and Azriel would just be them sneaking around and enabling each other to avoid their problems(their real problems, not the problem that they want to bang each other)

#asks #anti e/riel #antielriel #long post

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acourtofthought · 1 year ago

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Contains TOG series spoilers

It really frustrates me when certain readers ignore that SJM wrote how Elain is bothered by cruelty and claim she'd be fine with Az's torturing:

Chaol cleared his throat. She knew he hated this. When she’d gone on her first mission—to an estate up the coast in Meah—he’d paced so much before she left that she honestly thought he would ask her not to go. And when she’d returned, severed head in tow and rumors flying about Sir Carlin’s murder, it had taken a week for him to even look her in the eye. But what had he expected?

Whenever the princess or Chaol or even Dorian looked at her like that, it was almost too much to bear. But they had to believe the lies, too. For their own safety.

Chaol watched blood bubble out of Archer’s lips as Celaena let him slump to the stone floor. She stared down at the body, her final words to him hovering in the air, running claws over Chaol’s already chilled skin. She closed her eyes, tilting her head back as she took a long breath—as if she were embracing the death before her, and the stain it left as payment for her vengeance.

For a month now, it had been the same dream. Every night, over and over, until Chaol could see it in his waking hours. Archer Finn groaning as Celaena shoved her dagger up through his ribs and into his heart. She embraced the handsome courtesan like a lover, but when she gazed over Archer’s shoulder, her eyes were dead. Hollow.

Chaol was a soldier who killed when it was necessary for duty, he even killed Cain to protect Celeana (something he also had nightmares over). Yet even he struggled with the idea of Celeana as an assassin. He loved her while still having a difficult time accepting the violence in her.

Chaol and Celaena are not exactly like Elain and Az but SJM tends to stick with certain themes throughout her writing and one character not being able to fully embrace the darkness within another character pretty much guarantees that ship will sink. There's a reason Elain was not present during Az's torture scene, with SJM later telling us cruelty bothers her then later having Az tell us Elain had no idea the things he'd done. The author is telling us that even if Elain and Az were to become a thing, Elain wouldn't be fine with his methods, that she'd never fully accept that darkness in him just as Chaol could never fully accept that side of Celeana. SJM shows that "love" still isn't always enough for two characters when their values don't align (not that E/riel is even in love) and Az actively hides that side of himself around Elain because he knows she's not the kind of person to accept the torture of their enemies.

Which is another thing that doesn't bode well for a romance in her worlds

Characters hiding who they are from the other. Celeana lied to Chaol about who she really was, and while her reasons were completely understandable, he fell in love with her without truly knowing her.

But he thought of all that she’d told him, all the secrets she’d revealed, and knew he needed time to comprehend it all. He could tell that she had left out information. She’d told him only the vaguest details; and then there was the matter of her Fae heritage.

But I had to get her out of this castle. Because it was too dangerous, and she was … what she was becoming …” “She was not becoming anything different from what she always was and always had the capacity to be. You just finally saw everything. And once you saw that other part of her …,” Dorian said quietly. / “You cannot pick and choose what parts of her to love.”

SJM endgame pairings tend to show their worst to one another from the start.

Rhys played the villain in front of Feyre very early on, showing her the lengths he'd go to in order to get what he wanted. He basically called her human trash at one point then twisted a bone in her arm at another.

Nesta showed Cassian her claws and teeth from their very first meeting.

SJM had Elain first meet Lucien in the worst possible situation. Lucien is actually a really good guy but the author set it up where if there was ever a reason for her to be angry towards Lucien, she put it out there right from the beginning. There is no more "bad" or "dark" that Lucien is hiding from Elain, that was the worst of him that she's ever going to experience but is in line with endgame couples seeing the negative right away.

Gwyn saw Az slaughter an entire group of people before her eyes. I don't think she's seen the darkest parts of Az just yet however her first experience of him was seeing him have absolutely no mercy, a storyline SJM retconned just for Gwyn.

Rowan saw Aelin falling down drunk, knowing who she was while she herself hid from it, knowing what she had done before. He saw her at her worst from the get go.

Az shows Elain the parts of himself he thinks she wants to see. He's gentle and polite in her presence while hiding really major parts of who he is from her, he's someone entirely different when she's not around and that's not a good thing in these books.

Elain can't have real feelings for Az because she's never seen the real Az.

I'm sick of seeing "she does know Az and she's fine with what he does, she understands he has to do it!"

There is ZERO evidence of this because there are no canon scenes proving this.

She wasn't in the High Lords meeting where he attacked Eris. She wasn't in the room when he disrespected Feyre's orders. She wasn't in the room when he said she shouldn't search for the Trove. She wasn't in the Hewn City while he tortured Autumn's soldiers and Az says he's been avoiding her and that she doesn't know the things he's done.

Elain killing the king to save Nesta and Cassian, a one off occurrence that was not premeditated is in no way comparable to what Az regularly does and torturing is not even comparable to fighting in a battle, it's on a whole other level. His torture is something even Feyre struggles with, Feyre who is mated to the High Lord of the Night Court.

This is why Chaol was never going to be right for Celeana / Aelin:

He had seen Aelin do terrible things. He still dreamed of her gutting Archer Finn in cold blood. Still dreamed of what she’d left of Grave’s body in that alley. Still dreamed of her butchering men like cattle, in Rifthold and in Endovier, and knew just how unfeeling and brutal she could turn. He had quarreled with her earlier this summer about it—the checks on her power. The lack of them.

This is why Rowan is:

Rowan was a good male. Utterly unafraid of Aelin, her magic.

And that's why Chaol ended up with Yrene, who said:

So I may not be a warrior waving a sword about, may not be worthy of your glorious tales, but at least I save lives—not end them.”

Chaol was a warrior but only killed when necessary in order to protect just as Lucien is a warrior but only when necessary, just as Elain only stabbed the king to protect.

Even though he'll kill to defend, Lucien does not seek out revenge and is bothered by extreme violence as it's a reminder of what happened to Jesminda and his experience with Amarantha.

Is Elain's character more like Celeana's or Yrene's?

If Chaol, a character bothered by extreme violence, was best matched with Yrene (a healer) and not a match for an assassin, then I think it's pretty obvious that Elain (who is more like Yrene) is going to be better matched with someone like Lucien than a torturer.

#elucien #pro elucien #elain archeron #lucien vanserra #anti e/riel #pro lucien vanserra #acotar series #sarah j mass #character deep dive

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acourtofquestions · 4 months ago

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Me: *crying* because HOW DID IT END? fits the TOG series & Aelin WAYYY too well for comfort😅😭

IM SORRY IN ADVANCE IF YOU READ THIS BECAUSE OW! BUT ALSO TAYLOR & SARAH WHY DOES IT FIT SO WELL? AND ALSO WHY BRAIN? — WHY NOTICE?? — OW! OW!! OWW!!! SRY BUT FANGIRL BRAIN GO BRRR😅😭🖤☠️🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️

He was a hot house flower to my outdoorsmen — from Dorian & his cold blue yet sweet soul of a good man not a ruthlessly weighted King, the Chaol & his “classic sensibilities”, to Rowan her carranam (her old life burning with it as it all changes for good)

Our maladies were such we could not cure them — Sam😭 they tried to get away, but they were always trapped (by the same thing that caused them to meet), the Assassin’s Keep (it’s called keep for a reason), Arobynn (🖕I hate him so much more by the day😅😂) the “guild”… they couldn’t run far enough even if they’d had the time to try… but they never would🖤

A touch that was my birthright became foreign — LOSING HER MAGIC & parents & home & kingdom & crown (all the times her very being was pried from her; an unfortunately long list… Arobynn… Endovier… Maeve… Erawan… Deanna… it goes on & on💙) and reclaiming it, to have it stolen again (she learns in Wendlyn & and then back to Rifthold with it gone, she unleashes magic only to be drained, gains strength & is possessed by Deanna until she burns out). Plus another “incurable malady” because the power talk she has with Brannon, how it makes her lose them, her, it’s hers but it’s always been her fear too (her parents) it goes on…

Come one, come all, it's happenin' again — her refusing to think Sam is dead, even seeing it, then fighting Rourke for him, and ending up trapped anyway. The King (who killed her family) facing her again, and off to Endovier (pried from her freedom or even a chance). Back to the King to be his butcher, still chased by monsters. Running through the castle to save Chaol from a fate she is screaming to her fear is not true (not again) only to find the letter and go cold & off to slaughter for him again. Running for Nehemia because “this time she would be fast enough”. The look in Rowan’s eyes as he turns to tell her & she begs him not to but Endovier’s people (her people) were slaughtered. “Ellywe is burning”… That crippling ache & fear & rightful paranoia; death always too few steps behind her. The “fate” for her by Elena, Deanna, & Mala… the lock, the key; the love, the losses.

Soon they'll go home to their husbands, Smug 'cause they know they can trust him— the bitter resentment of those who get to have that; trust, family, happiness… something more… something not lost… then when she does, the ache of the world they remain stuck in.

Walking in circles like she was lost — her going to the grave veiled in black as they avoid her grief like a plague

Say it once again with feeling, How the death rattle breathing, Silenced as the soul was leaving, The deflation of our dreaming, Leaving me bereft and reeling, My beloved ghost and me, Sitting in a tree D-Y-I-N-G — I mean this has been Aelin’s entire life, so much feeling so much silence so much screaming, not believing Arobynn, or Dorian, or Chaol, but seeing it. Being forced to take lives, and watch people lose them. Almost having hope, Chaol, or Dorian, or freedom, and then it happens again. The shell of herself and the “death she became”. Her watching the world from the woods on the anniversary…

*I’m in pain now… time to go read…😅😬🤦‍♀️* but hey Who’s Afraaaid of Little Old Me? also works and that’s way more pump-up kick-ass jams😅😂🤣

#more bar of sanity #sorry in advance iwantvaldezinator😅🤣🫶#How Did It End?#Aelin Sardothien #Celaena Sardothien #Aelin Ashryver Galathynius #traumatized children of Terrasen #the lost Queen of Terrasen #little Aelin deserved better #Swifties #Maasverse #TTPD #tortured poet indeed #😅😅 laughs then cries #ow in advance #I hate Arobynn #I love Rowan #oh back in the Chaolaena days OW #pulling a Michael Scott make myself cry for a tagline poster for a movie idea I had lol iykyk I understood that reference #sry #I need to go read and stop crying about this #but I also know EoS will destroy me so…#too close for comfort songs #songs that remind me of characters #and now im crying again 😂#I think this post is evil be warned #fangirl problems #too in the feels #associating fictional characters with songs is too dangerous #laughing coughing throwing up etc hehe

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kimsnnn · 3 years ago

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Part 2

Disclaimer: This post is in favor of my ship, Elriel. No hate, just an opinion. This is what makes sense to me. If this isn't your cup of tea, and it came up on your feed, no worries just skip please.

With all this in mind Elriel to me just seems so clear.

The enemy is Koschei and Vassa is the only one to be directly linked to and affected by him so she will be the one to defeat him, plan and give us insight from the inside because she is the one who is captive. She has a personal interest in defeating him and that victory and moment is rightfully hers to own.

She will get a book. Her being a firebird means nothing? why would people assume she won't have a conscious while in that form when Rhys, Tamlin and Helion do? Why do people believe that a story cant be developed and moved along as a firebird? Has any one ever read a werewolf book? Im soooo confused. I mean why is that a end all? Even as a firebird she can see and reveal so much, and as a person even more.

The main original characters that have a direct link to Feyre from the very beginning before Hybern, Amarantha, and ACOWAR are Nesta, Elain and Lucien. Those are the characters that make the most sense to have their own book. Not Tamlin who is of no importance to Feyre anymore. Who is of importance and who where her first family Lucien basically becoming her first brother. She is always concerned for these people. If you take a look at all of Feyre’s POV in ACOFAS its always showcasing her concern or confusion for Her sisters, Lucien and even Mor (possible novella). These three individuals (N&E&L) are the ones she has an original relationship with and the most history, a shaky relationship that has room to be improved on. These are the wildcards, the ones who have wronged her in some way, the ones who’s stories NEED to be told. Three different people three different stories.

If you also take a look at Rhys’ POV in order, you realize he talks to or refers to 5 people usually:

Cassian, Azriel, Mor, Tamlin & Lucien

Each of these first 5 POV also directly touches on what issues exactly are pertaining to them or could be pertaining to them if that had their own book OR how they may contribute to the whole over arching plot.

If we conclude everything from those first 5 chapters ( I'm not including the rest because its too much, and they also include these 5 characters regardless) of importance this is what we have and what each book may touch on.

1st POV: involves

-Cassian - Illyrian dissent, inequality, Nesta, queen Braiylln, training female Illyrians,

-Cassian’s role

2nd POV: involves

-Azriel-shadows/powers strength, Az’s past, confusion on shadowsinger abilities, Illyrian dissent/hate, Human queens, Hyberns people, Human lands, Vassa’s situation,

-Az’z emotions (& concealing of emotions) on : Lucien, Elain, Possibly Az’s mom and her whereabouts (Rosehall).

3rd POV:

-Tamlin/Lucien-SC and Tamlin current state and down fall, alliance with Tamlin, peace/future, Lucien’s and Tamlin’s relationship, Anger/Hate/Remorse/Defeat/Hope/Empty, Feyre

-Feyre-Tamlin, Rhys’ actions and remorse

-Jeweler(Neve)-no jewels for Feyre, Neve’s background

4th POV:

-Velaris estates along the Sidra before and after hybern,

-Mor: Rhys and mor’s relationship currently, Kier/Eris/CoN

-The CoN people occupied the Velaris estates (they left Hewn City before the division of the NC)

-Kiers upcoming visit to Velaris in Spring (the hewn city’s containment and curiosity)

-Mor’s Mother/ desire to leave the NC

-Mor’s Role

Rhys’ 1st POV which included Cassian and Cassian’s following POV/Chapter was a foreshadow to ACOSF completely. Everything touched was basically addressed in ACOSF. Rhys basically told Mor and Cassian to assume different jobs and roles (to lessen Azriel’s world load) in their chapters which came true in ACOSF.

A bond between Elain and Lucien does not mean they will have a book. If I'm honest they remind me a little of Nesyrn and Chaol who seemed like with time something could blossom between them but in reality just weren't for one another and were better off as friends. All that connects these two is an unwanted bond, a person they both have wronged yet care about (Feyre) and an incident that resulted in Elain’s trauma. Everyone thought Elain who is literally everything to Nesta, who Nesta would have sacrificed everything for, would be more involved, yet she wasn't even present in the majority of Nesta’s book, at least not as present as we thought she would be. But she was mentioned throughout ACOSF nearly in every chapter because Elain does and has impacted Nesta’s life completely.This is something I expect to happen for Elain’s book as well. Yes Lucien will appear but perhaps the purpose of his appearance would be to get closure and fill in questions left unanswered. If ACOTAR 5 is an Elriel book and not ACOTAR 6 then her book will also serve to set up for his book with Vassa.

Feyre’s relationship with the IC is fine and any issues can be resolved in the books of the others (like for example as Love interests) or in a novella.

Cassian had a POV, the second main role in ACOSF but.. ACOSF was Nesta’s story.

The same can be said for Elriel’s book as well as Vassien’s.

And yes a male can have a book like Chaol did but in my opinion it won't be Az with Gwyn being the second main POV. It will be Lucien with Vassa who has far more ties to the IC and to the over arching plot. Vassa at least has met Feyre the main character of the whole ACOTAR world.

Hypothetically speaking lets say Az does get a book and ends up with Gwyn and the plot is about the Illyrian camp. Their story would most likely be written as a novella if anything not an actual book, there is not many ties that Gwyn has so far to the whole plot at least not yet. But getting a novella still wouldn't make sense when we have characters, who are not only closer to the plot but also provide an opportunity to get info/support to win this war, like Mor who is spending time in Vallahan, and Tamlin who’s literal court is not only in shambles but unfortunately detrimental to the success of attaining peace.

I do think Gwyn is more important to this plot then most give her credit for but I dont believe that necessarily means shes due a book or a main POV especially over Vassa. And Emerie.

Vassa who has direct link to koschei the main issue, point and villain of the plot and Emerie who has a direct link to Illyria and its backward ways in everything most importantly on its stance of women and their roles.

SJM Set Elriel to be endgame because it just makes the most sense. Not only because of their connection, moments and relationship thus far but because that's what makes the most sense with this plot. There’s no spinoff in the works.

There’s no reason for Gwyn or ANYONE for that matter to be the one to defeat koschei over Vassa, no reason to have the hugest wedge between Elucien while building a bridge for Elriel, no reason to build and hint for Mor’s leave and put emphasis on Tamlin & the SC’s dire situation.

Has anyone considered if Lucien wants to even be HL ?

Lucien’s future as a highlord comes down to if he even wants to even become the Day Court’s High lord in the first place.

Lucien thought less of humans and was indifferent to them in ACOTAR yet now has found a home and friends among them. ‘

Truthfully the BOE’s work in the same way that the IC does and the Valkyerie.

Actually scratch that the Valkyerie work exactly like the BOE’s.

Yet can anyone imagine any of the Valkyrie leaving their group or be far from each other especially if one of their member’s is their possible love interest ?

They will choose each other and they will create a future where they are all together.

I don’t see lucien who has finally found stability and friends leaving the BOE’s to play high lord at Day court unless Vassa and Jurian decide to leave with him. Which seems unlikely. The only way I see that happening is if vassien truly becomes endgame resulting in Vassa going to Day court. But where does that leave Jurian.

I believe that after the Beron and AC issues are resolved, that Eris will ascend and become HL, Lady Autumn will leave to be FINALLY with Helion to be Lady Day 😍, and Lucien can enjoy his life in the mean time with his found family, stay as an emissary and possibly prepare to be Day’s HL down the line in the future.

#elain #elain archeron #elain x azriel #elriel #acotar 5 #vassien

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lilisouless · 3 years ago

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I´m gonna do a little reading experiment

Ok , so many of you are familiar with SJM , people here love her or hate her, i kind of want my opinion here and i can't give critics without taking a peck, so i´ll read the first chapters or both ACOTAR AND TOG , i´ve seen the plot and doesn't call to me.Also...SJM kind of writes like those "men writing women" memes except well, she is a woman.

My interest is maybe find if there are characters (the thing i mostly look for in a work) that can get my attention and make me keep reading, maybe one of this books turn into a guilty pleasure.

If i don't like then i´ll take this as an experience i´m sharing on here. My critism to SJM could only be limited since this is the first book on each series and maybe she got better there.

I won't be having all the books, i don't have the time or energy, the challenge here is seeing if i can get trought the first one and maybe like one of them.Who knows.

Let´s hit it: Throne of Glass

Celeana:

-She is weird, she is supposed to be a prisioner and keeps thinking if the people around her is pretty or not

-Prince here are tought to be...repugnant? what kind of weird ass worldbuilding is this? If this is setting up something interesting, i could be on board but right now is a really awkward way to setting Celaena (i won't always spell her name right) as having prejudice against royalty but this are the first pages,doesn't have a great impact

-Celaena´s narcisim and self image obsetion has to be her fatal flaw or i won't take it

-Like, i´ll take a protagonist with Celeana´s personality if it was well fleshed out, which i don't know if is the case here.But my great problem is: it doesn't quite fit an assasin. She is unsubtle, likes to be noticed,which could work from SOME assasin characters (Ex: that villain from The Nevers) but Celeana doesn't seem crazy ,why is she exactly an assasin?

-"No soy tonta, aunque cometí la estupidez de dejar que me capturasen" mija...te tengo malas noticias.

-Celinita celestina, creo que te has de haber graduado por palanca de la academia de acesinos.

-Enought with her, concensus?:

I don't "like" her but...strangely i may keep on with her as a guilty pleasure. Like those people who hate watch riverdale ( I don't i can't stomach it) Celeana doesn't strike me as a well writen character at first sight .BUT , i can take it as Dunyasha in another life, if i don't take her seriously i can have some fun reading her. My main problem is pretty much how much she doesn't make sense but,maybe i can live with that.

Celaena passes the test, unintentionaly and for the wrong reasons but she passes

-OHOHOHOH.I wrote too soon, she is a female mysoginist, of course she is. Yeah, i will never like her as a person,let´s cross fingers that i´ll take her as a character.

Dorian

-Alright, i did laught at him complaining about Celaena´s smell, is just funny how shameless he is.He is a stiff rich and privileged kid...i may like him

-Dorian...you sure you want to offer fredom to this girl? she is kind of nuts

-"esa" 🤣🤣🤣

-Unfortunetaly, his POV is not really the big deal, is just a paragraph on how beautiful Sar...ahem,Celeana is and that´s it, what a wasted change to expand him.

Chaol-

-I don't really have a lot to say about him, but i think he is fine

-He is a little generic til now and too serious but i actually like his banther with Cealeana and is a legit good contrast ,like those two and Dorian have a potential for a power trio

-No voy a mentir , el "¿estas casado? / yo tampoco😏" me mató

You know what? if nothing specially bad happens that makes me quit the book , i´ll may actually read it all for the fun,although i don't promise anything. Just the first one,the key is not taking it seriously.

Now: ACOTAR

Feyreh

-Ok, she likes painting, a hobbie is always something that makes a protagonsit a little more relatable

-Si,si mija ya entendí que eres tan pobre que no puedes ni prestar atencion

-But...her whole dylema with the arrow is conffusing, i am having trouble to get her personality , doesn't feel nuanced , it feels more,cultered

-YA DALE CON LA FLECHA O MÉTETE PA TU CASA PERO HAS ALGO C*ADOS!!!

-WithCindy and El geek are right, how is she soo poor but as soon as she can afford fcking food she buys a strange and expensive arrow,doesn't make sense

-If this is setting Feyreh as materialistic i´m on it, BUT make it with self awareness ,since right now it just seems convenient

-Alright, Feyre being a painter right now seem like an excuse for purple prose

-I really can't point her personality ,she is just ...blah,generic and i´m surprised since i´d asume SJM´s lead female would improve ,Celeana is not great at all but at least she is defined ,Feyre is just like any female lead in all fantasy lit

-Nope, sorry Feyre but ...nope, i don't hate you but i´m nowhere charmed by you and you don't make me want to continue this.Failed test.let´s see if you supporting cast saves your series

Elain & Nesta

-So one is mean and the other is dump

You know what? i´ll just skip to the most talked characters here

Tamlin:

-Not sure yet,he seems boring but maybe he is just quiet

-I kind of fell asleep thinking about this guy

Lucien:

-I like Lucien actually , the argument between Feyre and Tamlin is kind of generic banther but his interventions are kind of good

-Call her out Lucien

-Is official, i may not continue the reading but Lucien is my boy

-I´d root for him to be the main love interest (i know he is not, i know not even Tamlin is) but he deserves better than Feyre honestly

Rhysand:

-Since this guy went, acording to tumblr,some character growth later on, this is probably like the case of Zoya in S&B or Jamie in ASOIAF , anything i could say about him here may not apply to his character in later books.

-Alright, i am not charmed by him, he seems to have an interesting backstory, has more personality than Feyre and Tamlin

-But, his character type is a personal pet peeve, characters that are overall: hot. His whole personality and actions revolves on them being the author´s fantasy hot guy and...that never does it for me. This is a personal thing since most people would call it the female gaze but ,like i said: for me it´s a no.

-Me when Lucien interacts with Rhysand:

So...no, i won't continue ACOTAR , but Lucien it was nice to meet you.In my mind,you had a happy ending and that´s it.

#lili reads #this is too much negativity #little positivity #so the taggs shall be:#anti sarah j maas #or better #sarah j maas critical #anti acotar #acotar critical

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seasonofthewicth · 4 years ago

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A Groovy Kind of Love - Chapter 19

AN: Only the epilogue to go from here... I hope you guys enjoy as much as I enjoyed writing this.

previous chapter - masterlist - ao3

Rowan had never seen Aedion so hurt.

Pissed off? Sure.

In their first year of college they had fought like the testosterone-fuelled, hot-blooded, young men that they had been. Rowan still remembered the black eye Aedion had given him during one particularly awful fight in their junior year. The bruise had hung around for far longer than the bad blood between him and Aedion and by now Rowan couldn’t recall what the reason for their fight had been, the punches had been thrown and that had been it.

As they had grown older and their friendship had matured they didn’t often fight. They knew each other well enough at this point that any fights ended before they had even begun, any points of view that would provoke the other were reworded before they could launch. Any snipes or taunts were let go before they had a chance to land.

But this–the fight they had had back at the loft they shared with the others. Aedion was hurt. And Rowan had no defence.

He hadn’t been keeping the job a secret on purpose, he hadn’t wanted to bring it up when he applied. He could admit to himself that a part of it had been out of fear of the shame that would follow a rejection. As it kept going however–an interview, a second interview, and then the offer–it had snowballed and there had never seemed the right moment to bring it up.

Truthfully, he had thought it had been a longshot. The position in the law firm in Doranelle had seemed unattainable even with his degree, but seeing Aelin with the doctor had stirred something within him and he had sent off the application. He hadn’t expected to hear back from them and had busied himself with the bar since but now it seemed uncomfortably real.

Since applying he and Aelin had moved further than he had ever been able to hope for, he came home to her every night in his bed, he kissed her before she left in the mornings, he took her for dinner and was allowed the luxury of peeling her clothes off after they arrived back home.

It was why Aelin had been the one person he had wanted to talk to about the job. Aelin was who he wanted to talk to about the busker he had seen on his way to work in the morning, Aelin was who he wanted to call when Lorcan was chewing his ear off, Aelin was who he wanted to turn to when he was lost.

And he was.

But he had still held back, and now it had come around to bite him.

The job offer had been lingering around the back of his mind for the days since the firm had called, and they needed an answer by the end of the week. He had wanted to discuss his options with Aelin beforehand but had never found the perfect opportunity.

He had tried to bring it up the day before but she had been late for a yoga class with Lysandra and had only had time to peck his lips as she had rushed out of their front door. He had tried to bring it up the day he had received the offer but Aelin had looked so pretty with her golden hair spread out across his pillow, only wearing his faded t-shirt with a brilliant smile on her beautiful face that he hadn’t wanted to risk scaring it away.

He hadn’t meant for Aedion to find out. At least not before he had spoken to Aelin, but Aedion had caught the email notification that popped up on his screen before Rowan could clear it away, desperately hoping his friend was paying no attention.

Aedion had demanded to know what the email had meant, even though they had both known it was more than clear. The words Aedion had hurled at him, Rowan knew, had been out of hurt and he had done his best to shake them off.

He had been a coward, yet again, and he had all but ran from the loft, leaving Aedion clenching his fists in their living room, only to find himself face to face with Aelin. Her smile had been so open at the sight of him that his heart had clenched in his chest. He needed to talk to her–and he would–as soon as his shift was over.

The clock on the side of the bar seemed to be taunting him, moving impossibly slowly, he swore at one point the time had even jumped back a minute between him checking the hands on its bare face.

He nodded at the older male he had just served before walking away, wandering over to the other end of the bar. He was stacking glasses on the shelf when a voice sounded from behind him.

“Rowan.” It was Malakai.

Rowan hadn’t thought the night could spare any more confrontations but this was one he knew he couldn’t avoid, he couldn’t save this one for later.

“Malakai,” was all he said as he turned to face the other man.

Malakai’s face was kind as he surveyed Rowan. The lines around his eyes grew deeper as a kind smile curved onto his face. Rowan had always looked to Malakai as a mentor of sorts and he would be sad to see the older man go.

“Have you decided then?”

Rowan sighed, throwing his towel over a shoulder. Malakai wasn’t wasting any time.

“Whether you’re staying or going?”

Rowan couldn’t help the small smile that he knew he wore and Malakai’s own smile grew at the sight.

“Yes,” He said finally. “I wanted to speak to you but I hadn’t found the opportunity. I heard back a few days ago and it’s all ready to go.”

“You’re sure?” Malakai stepped forwards.

“One hundred percent.” Rowan allowed the older male to clap him on the shoulder in as close to a hug as they would ever get. He didn’t hold back from returning the gesture. “The papers are ready to be signed any minute.”

Malakai drew back, a proud smile still on his lined face. “It’s good to hear, I told you this was a great opportunity.”

Rowan allowed himself to laugh as he flipped the other male off.

Aelin left the light off as she lay curled up in Rowan’s bed.

The smell of him surrounded her, his musky pine and snow scent that she had become so accustomed to. She breathed it in deeply, comforted by even the leftovers of his presence. She wore a t-shirt of his, the well-worn cotton soft against her bare skin, and her legs were drowning in the lengths of a pair of his joggers.

She almost hadn’t gone into his room, a dark and viscous part of her mind had wanted to hide away in her own room as punishment to him for not telling her but the rational part of her brain knew that was unfair. In their short moment in the hallway he had asked her to talk and she had to hope that he wanted to tell her. It wasn’t Rowan’s fault Aedion had blabbed.

It was that thought that kept her tucked up in Rowan’s bed. That and her desire to see him.

She hadn’t even known he had been looking for another job. She wondered when he had applied, whether he had applied before or after they had become… whatever they were. Gods, were they even a couple?

Aelin hadn’t thought they had needed a conversation to explicitly discuss what they were doing, she had thought their dates, their kisses, and their time spent together said enough. Surely Rowan agreed. They had always been on the same page.

This job threw more than a spanner in the works. Aelin had a job in Rifthold, and she hadn’t held it long but she loved it. She loved the school and each and every single one of the kids in her class. She loved her friends here. Lysandra and Dorian, Nehemia, Chaol and Yrene. She loved living in the loft, even with Lorcan, and she had become accustomed to coming home at the end of every day to some scheme or situation her roommates had concocted. She wasn’t sure she was ready to up and leave.

Aelin swallowed, the motion an attempt at calm as she flopped onto her back, Rowan’s duvet rustling as she turned. The tightness in her chest at the thought of remaining here and trying to maintain a relationship while Rowan was across the sea in Doranelle told her all she needed to know.

Aelin blinked back the tears as the soft click of their front door being unlocked echoed through the loft. She knew what she had to do.

She stayed quiet as she listened to the thud of a pair of shoes being dumped by their front door, she didn’t dare move as she heard Rowan’s footsteps pause in the hallway outside their bedroom doors. She held her breath as the door cracked open and a sliver of light slid in from the hallway.

Rowan didn’t bother flicking the main light of his bedroom on and Aelin watched as he emptied his pockets onto the desk, flicking out his phone and wallet before pulling his flannel off and tucking it onto the chair tucked under the table. He ran a strong hand through his hair as he leaned against the desk and released a sigh.

“Hey, you,” Aelin said softly.

Rowan’s head jerked towards her and the hand that had been in his hair slid down to rest on his now-bare stomach. Aelin flicked on a lamp and couldn’t help but bite her lip as she took Rowan in in the soft lighting.

His body was powerfully cut and it was a shame it was always covered by those loose flannels he wore. His skin was brushed gold with the faintest dusting of fair hair and the toned planes of his body were a delight. She wanted to run her hands down his chest and feel how his heart would race.

“Hi,” He said finally and his voice was quiet, careful. “I wasn’t sure you’d be in here.”

“Because of Aedion?” She asked, too nervous to bother beating around the bush.

Rowan offered her a slight shrug of his broad shoulders. “I’m guessing he told you.”

“Yeah, he was upset. He didn’t know I didn’t know.”

Rowan nodded. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you, it’s what I wanted to speak to you about after my shift.”

“Yeah I guessed. Rowan I–” Aelin kept her voice quiet as she built up to spill the words she had been tossing through her mind repeatedly in the hours he had been gone. “Rowan from what Aedion told me it sounds like a fantastic opportunity. I know we were starting something here and it was good but–”

“Aelin.” Rowan’s own voice was soft as he interrupted but Aelin shook her head. She needed to tell him how she felt. She lifted herself onto her knees on his bed, needing to be somehow closer to Rowan as she spoke. His position across the room had begun to worry her.

“No, Rowan. Please let me get this out.”

Rowan nodded, but a small smile crept onto his handsome face. He pushed away from the desk and began a slow journey towards her, Aelin took his smile as her cue to continue.

“I have loved every minute we have spent together and I love living here and I love our life together here.”

She took a deep breath as Rowan came even closer still.

“Aelin,” He said again as he placed a warm hand at her waist. Aelin almost melted into the touch. The feeling of him against her was enough to make her knees unsteady, even through the cotton of his t-shirt. She longed to kiss him, she knew Rowan’s touch could reassure her but she needed to get this out.

“Rowan, I love all of it.” Aelin lifted a hand to gently cup his cheek, she felt the stubble beneath her fingertips and she could feel the curls of air against her skin as he breathed, slowly and evenly. “And I hope we’re on the same page here or I’ll feel really stupid but,” Aelin swallowed. “If you’ll have me, I’d love to come with you.”

Rowan kept his gaze locked to her own as he lifted his hand to cup the back of her head. Aelin leaned back into his touch and allowed her eyes to flutter shut as Rowan drifted closer.

She could feel him close to her, the heat of his body burning into her. He was still shirtless and it was a pity she had been too nervous to be able to take him in in all of his glory.

Slowly he leaned in and pressed his lips to her own. He lingered for a moment, only a gentle touch of their lips before pulling back. Aelin let her eyes drift open to look into his deep green eyes, swimming with the words he had held unsaid.

He leaned back in to press his lips to her own once more. This time he stayed longer, and used the hand at her neck to tilt her head to the side as he parted her lips with his own. He used his tongue to tell her all the words he was yet to say and he poured them into his kiss.

Aelin let herself lean into him, lining her body up with the length of his as he kissed her. He kissed her with an intensity she hadn’t thought possible and Aelin was swept along. She twisted her fingers into his hair, holding him even more tightly to her as his lips caressed hers.

He let out a soft gasp at the scratch of her nails against his scalp and Aelin smiled into the kiss.

Rowan returned the smile as he pressed a final kiss to her lips before pulling back to look at her. His hand still cupped the back of her head, holding him close to her as he spoke, his voice thick with emotion.

“You’d do that for me?” He sounded breathless, only partly from the kiss they had shared.

Aelin smiled. It was the easiest answer she had ever given him. “Of course I would.”

Rowan didn’t speak, he only leant back in to kiss her again. This kiss was stronger and he held her more firmly as he ran his tongue across her lower lip and slid his fingers into the tangles of her thick hair. His kisses told her more than his words ever could, she could feel the tightness in each of his muscles and the passion in each sweep of his tongue.

After a few moments he pulled back once more. His chest heaved under her hands and Aelin ran her palms down the ridged planes of his abdomen, marvelling in the sensation of the velvet-wrapped steel beneath her fingertips.

She lifted her eyes back to his face to find him watching her, an awed expression on his face as he did.

“Aelin, I’m really hoping we’re on the same page here too or else I’ll feel stupid,” He threw her an almost cheeky smile and she leaned back into his arms, her chin tilting upwards to look at his face. “But I love you. I love you and if you’ll have me I’d like to stay here. We’re not going anywhere.”

Aelin threw her arms around his neck, burying her face into his shoulder. Rowan loved her. Her heart felt like it could take off inside her chest and she could only laugh into his shoulder as the relief settled into her. All of her doubts had been unnecessary because Rowan loved her. Rowan loved her and he wasn’t going anywhere.

“Rowan,” She pulled back but kept her arms looped around his neck as she grinned at him. “I love you too.”

Aelin closed the gap between them and pressed a kiss to his lips. She could barely kiss him through the laugh that bubbled out of her, unable to contain her joy.

“Wait,” She pulled back with a jolt. As overjoyed as she was she couldn’t let it slide. “We’re not going anywhere? Rowan you can't turn this job down.”

“I can,” He pressed the gentlest of pecks to the tip of her nose. “And I will.”

“Why?” Aelin shook her head, struggling to comprehend all that had occurred since Rowan had returned from his shift. “Don’t you want to take it? Would you regret it?”

“I definitely won’t regret it.” At her brief look of apprehensiveness he continued. “I thought it was what I wanted when I submitted the application but it’s not.”

He punctuated his statement with a squeeze of her waist and if Aelin was stood up she definitely could have swooned.

“It’s not? Why?” Aelin shook her head. “You have me, either way you decide to go.”

Rowan smiled down at her and Aelin could only describe the look in his eyes as he spoke as love. “You don’t think I only had one plan did you?”

The crooked smile he flashed at her gave Aelin a glimpse of the cocky side to him he didn’t often show. He had begun to show it to her more and more since they had started dating and Aelin swore her skin heated every time that cocky smile made an appearance.

Aelin bit her lip as she tightened the loop of her arms around his neck and she fell back to lie on the bed, pulling Rowan into the space between her legs as she did. The weight of him between her thighs and the heat of him against her core sent a pulse through her that set her skin on fire.

Aelin could rest here forever, with Rowan surrounding her and pressing her into the mattress as she curled her leg around his hip.

“No?” She asked finally, raising an eyebrow at him as she remembered the words he had said that had led her to pulling him onto the bed.

“I don’t want to work in a stuffy law firm, I want to work here in the bar.” He took a deep breath, still hovering above her as he tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. He shrugged almost nonchalantly. “A few months ago Malakai came to me about selling his half of the bar. He and Emrys are retiring back to Wendlyn and so he’s selling his share of the bar.”

Aelin felt her mouth drop open slightly. She hadn’t even known the bar was to be sold, and she hadn’t ever imagined Rowan would buy it… But it made perfect sense. The bar was a part of Rowan and it always came to her mind when she thought of him. The same way flannel shirts and the scent of pine did, with the memories of his hand on her waist or the sound of his low laugh in her ears.

Rowan continued to speak, his voice growing more and more sure as he did.

“He offered me a really great price but even so I wasn’t sure I could swing it–or that I even wanted to. And then we were there one night, all of us. Me, you, Aedion, Lorcan and Fenrys–Lysandra and Elide were there too–and I realised I didn’t want the job in Doranelle, I wanted what I already have. I don’t want to leave you or the others or the bar.”

“I’m sure Lorcan will be so thrilled to hear.” Aelin knew her grin was blinding.

He kissed her neck. “Mostly you.”

“So?” She prompted, forcing her mind to stay on task even as Rowan’s mouth roamed her neck, pressing hot kisses along her skin.

He drew back after a final kiss to the base of her throat. His eyes were dark with heat but he cleared his throat, shaking himself out of the arousal she knew he felt.

“So, I went to the bank and apparently years of living with Aedion and his organisation,” Aelin snorted a laugh at the description of her cousin. He was somewhat uptight when it came to money but it always came in handy. “Has left me with a pretty decent credit score.”

“Yeah?”

Rowan nodded as he returned his face to her neck, this time nuzzling the skin gently.

“Yeah. As of tomorrow when we sign the papers I’ll be a majority owner of the bar.”

Aelin smiled as she squeezed her eyes shut and slipped her fingers through the thick strands of his hair.

“The boss,” Aelin crooned, leaning so that her lips brushed his ear. “That’s hot.”

He nipped at the skin under her ear, pressing down with her skin between his teeth enough to make her hiss.

“I know.” Rowan said as he slid his mouth up to the skin under her ear, a tease of what she knew was to come. “I know as much as you front you like it when I’m in charge.”

His words sent a peal of heat through her, curling into her core as she dragged his face up to her own and crashed her lips to his.

Loft meeting, read Aelin’s message to their group text chain.

Rowan wasn’t sure they’d had a loft meeting since Aelin had moved in and the thought of his girlfriend calling one now amused him. Lorcan didn’t look amused to be crammed on their sofa between himself and Fenrys while Aelin stood in front of the four of them, her arms crossed across her chest doing things to her boobs that left Rowan trying not to stare.

“Please get on with telling us why you called this meeting Galathynius.” Lorcan’s tone was playfully bored and Rowan rolled his eyes. Aelin only grinned as she clapped her hands.

“We have a matter to settle.”

Rowan barely held back his groan.

“Don’t moan,” She told him. “It was you two that wrote the loft charter.”

“Yeah,” Aedion scoffed. “Like ten years ago.”

Aelin shrugged, undeterred. “The rules still apply. Any loft disagreements settled with one dig each, and then never to be mentioned again.”

“Aelin, no,” Rowan began and stopped as she cocked a brow at him.

“It’s this or you can talk it out.”

Rowan glanced to where Aedion sat at the other end of the couch. The blond male was avoiding his gaze. From where Rowan stood–or sat–their argument was water under the bridge, he completely understood everything Aedion had said, but Aelin had wanted to make sure the two of them were good.

Without wanting to drag it out anymore Rowan stood from the sofa, pointedly ignoring the wide grin Fenrys wore. He stood in front of Aelin and Aedion squared up opposite him.

His friend’s face was full of remorse and Rowan only nodded in acknowledgement. They knew they were good, this performance was for Aelin’s sake.

“I am sorry about what I said, man,” Aedion began. “You’re definitely not going anywhere?”

Rowan spared a glance to the woman at his side, her bright blue eyes shining as she smiled at him, the golden ring at their centre just as intriguing as it had been the day he had met her. He hadn’t ever imagined he could have ended up in this position, where this beautiful woman wanted him as much as he wanted her. Where she returned everything he felt with just as much passion and intensity, it could make his head spin just to think about.

He offered her a quick quirk of his lips, and delighted in the soft pink that dotted her cheeks.

“No,” He said at last. “I’ve got a pretty good reason to stay.”

“Gods, get on with it,” Fenrys jeered from their side.

Rowan made to flip him off but Aedion beat him to it.

Rowan grinned at his friend as he raised his fists. Aedion nodded as he readied his own.

“Three, two, one,” Aelin counted down.

Rowan swung as Aedion did, landing a dig to his friend’s bicep as Aedion landed his own. As always, it was over before it began and he allowed Aedion to throw his arm around his shoulder, barely hissing as his arm pressed into Aedion’s side.

“Glad that’s sorted.” Lorcan stood, smoothing down the dark denim coating his long legs. “Drinks at Whitethorn’s bar? Now you own it we’re not paying for drinks.”

Rowan laughed and felt Aedion’s own laughter at his side. Slim fingers linked through his own and he squeezed Aelin’s fingers as she joined in their laughter.

“When have you ever paid for a drink in there anyway?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Lorcan shrugged as he led the way to their door. “I was warning you I wasn’t about to start.”

Rowan wrapped his arm around Aelin’s shoulders and he pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head as they followed their friends out of their front door. The echoes of his friends’ laughter and the sweet peals of Aelin’s surrounded him as they made their way through the space.

tags:

@jesstargaryenqueen

@maybekindasortaace

@slytheringalathynius

@http-itsrebecca

@morganofthewildfire

@in-love-with-caramel-macchiato

@fictional-horan

@tottenhamboys20

@dressedindustandshadows

@sleeping-and-books

@perseusannabeth

@ireallyshouldsleeprn

@superspiritfestival

@aelinfeyreeleven945tbln

@spyofthenightcourt

@jlinez

@queen-of-glass

@booknerdproblems

@sjmships

@elriel4life

@bamchickawowow

@woollycat22

@claralady

@illyrianwitchling

@SHINYA-HIIRAGI

@fangirlprincess09

@darlinminds

@bookittothelibrary1

@thenerdandfandoms

@danibutterr

@inthecityair

@autophobiaxx

@imaginedhaven

@endlessdaydream - I’m having an issue with this tag not sure why :(

please as always let me know if there are any issues with tags

#rowaelin #rowan x aelin #aelin x rowan #throne of glass #a groovy kind of love #agkol #im going to miss this fic so much #rowaelin fic #also i read over this once just because i wanted it posted #so enjoy any typos or errors lol

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dawninlatin · 4 years ago

Text

Queen of Peace, chapter 13

A manorian high school AU

Words: 2563

AO3 Link

Masterlist

Summary: Manon Blackbeak is flawless, untouchable. From the outside at least. Her grandmother pushes her to achieve greatness, and she doesn’t let anyone get too close in fear of being hurt. How can anyone love her when not even her parents could?

Dorian Havilliard has always felt safe and confident around his friends. He might not have the greatest of families, but with Aelin and Chaol by his side, nothing can go wrong. That is until he tries keeping his greatest secret from them.

What will happen when Dorian and Manon gets to know one another? Can two lost souls find their way back together?

Oh, the queen of peace

Always does her best to please

But is it any use?

Somebody’s gotta lose

-Florence + The Machine, Queen of Peace

The music roared out of the speakers, and Manon moved her body to the rhythm, letting herself get lost in the upbeat tones. She had done this a dozen times by now, memorized this choreography weeks ago.

But then she turned to the right, and it wasn’t Asterin dancing beside her - as it had always been - it was Sorrel.

It startled her enough that she halted and messed up a few steps. Manon caught up with the others, but she was unable to pour her heart into it like she usually did. Her mind was too busy thinking about Asterin, worrying whether she was okay or not after their grandmother had kicked her out.

Manon had seen her at school a few times in the following weeks, but they hadn’t talked, and she doubted they would. Asterin probably hated her now, after all the horrible things Manon had said to her.

Getting kicked out is the least you deserve after getting yourself knocked up by a boy who will leave at the first sign of some real responsibility. Don’t come crawling to me when you find yourself homeless and heartbroken. You’re off the dance team, by the way.

Manon hadn’t meant what she said, not really, but maybe this was for the better…

Her grandmother had made it very clear that she was not to talk with Asterin anymore, and Asterin avoiding her, hating her, made everything much easier.

Yet, if it made things easier, why did it also make her so sad? The house had been awfully quiet these weeks, so quiet it was near-stifling. Manon hadn’t realized how different, how empty, home would be without Asterin there.

Stop moping around you sad, pathetic fool!

Manon mentally scolded herself, forcing her attention back to the dancing. She couldn’t keep letting this distract her. Asterin was simply an obstacle who no longer stood in the way of her future.

Finishing the rest of the choreography, she ignored the desperate, disappointed voice inside her head that whispered; you’re beginning to sound like her.

When the music faded into nothing and her body stopped moving, Manon put on her usual mask of cold, calculating boredom and turned towards her team. She immediately knew something was up, as they were all looking at her as if they had something to say, but didn’t dare say it.

«What,» Manon said, more an order than a question. If they had all decided to gang up against her, she only wanted to get it over with.

The girls exchanged wary glances, before Sorrel took a step forward and said, «We need Asterin on this choreo.» Manon was surprised when Vesta, who leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, stayed silent for once.

With a sigh, Manon answered Sorrel, «And why the hell do we need Asterin?»

Yet again did they all look at each other, as if this was something they’d discussed behind her back. The icy feeling of betrayal snaked its way up Manon’s spine.

«Because it’s always been the thirteen of us. We’re off-balance without Asterin.» It was Ghislaine who spoke this time.

«You’ve said it yourself,» Briar shot in from the back of the room. «If just one of us is missing, the entire team falls apart!»

It was when Vesta finally opened her mouth that she snapped. «And you slipped up today, Manon. Several times!»

«I have no idea what you’re talking about,» Manon hissed, clenching her fists so hard it hurt. «You have been distracted today, hell, you’ve been distracted, lazy and off-beat all week!»

«Because Asterin-» Vesta begun, but Manon didn’t let her finish.

«I don’t wanna hear another word about Asterin! It was her own stupidity that got her kicked off the team, and if you, all of you, don’t start working a bit harder, I won’t hesitate to replace you with someone else!»

The room was unbearably quiet when she was done talking, and Manon could hear her own heart thundering inside her chest. She had to stay calm, couldn’t let them see her fall apart, even if that was what she felt like doing right now. She was losing control, she was-

«I can talk to Asterin today if-»

«GET OUT!»

Manon’s blood was boiling at the audacity of Vesta. Why couldn’t they understand that Asterin, with her carelessness, was jeopardizing everything they had worked towards?

Her grandmother had been clear in her orders: everything had to be perfect, so they had to win nationals, which they couldn’t do when one of the teammates first of all didn’t bother showing up to half of the rehearsals, and second of all, would be heavily pregnant come spring.

When everyone had left, and Manon was alone once more, she didn’t let herself brood over the fight they’d just had, didn’t let herself recognize how awful this made her feel. She simply turned the music back on, and forgot.

She forgot everything she’d promised her grandmother, forgot the math test she’d butchered earlier today, forgot the fact that her whole dance team had probably just quit, forgot that she had no control over anything in her life anymore.

Yet as she kept moving her exhausted body, one thought remained. One of piercing blue eyes and soft lips.

And when she remembered that she had an actual date with him the next day, Manon smiled, despite everything.

«Why are you looking at me like that?»

How am I supposed to not look at you? Dorian wondered. Manon was radiant where she sat with her body leaned back, eyes closed, face tipped towards the sky. She was smiling softly, the autumn sun making her white-blonde hair glow.

Instead of telling her that, Dorian went with: «I’m just wondering what you’re thinking. You went quiet all of a sudden.»

She had. They’d been sitting here for hours now, under the huge oak tree in the park, eating and laughing and talking, but now she was silent, a calm, contemplating aura around her.

Manon hummed in answer, before opening her eyes and twisting towards him. «I’m just…savoring the moment, I guess.» Her mouth quirked to the side, the movement making her nose scrunch, and Dorian had to let out a chuckle.

«Now who’s the cliché?»

She’d been playfully mocking him for his picnic this whole time, even asking him if he was aware that they weren’t in every high school movie ever made. Dorian had begged to differ, telling her that the only reason it was a cliché, was because it worked.

And it did. After a while, Manon had reluctantly agreed that yes, maybe it was a little romantic. The admission had been accompanied by an eye-roll, of course, but what else could you expect?

«What time is it?» Manon asked after a moment.

Dorian scrambled for his phone, finding it half-lodged under the picnic basket. «It’s almost 3pm,» he said, marveling over how much time had passed. He could spend all day like this, just talking about all and nothing with Manon. No matter what they discussed, she surprised him with her answers, whether it be a funny joke or an unusually deep thought, offering a new perspective on things.

«I should head home soon,» she sighed, but Manon made no sign of getting up. Instead she laid down, Dorian joining her. «My grandmother will start to ask questions if I’m late.»

From what he’d gathered, Manon’s grandmother was very strict, especially when it came to boys, and Manon had told her she was studying at the library today. She rarely talked about her family, and whenever they touched on the subject, she quickly started talking about something else. Dorian knew not to ask questions, though. She would open up when and if she was ready, and those moments often came at the most unexpected times.

«I had a lot of fun today, you know. Even if I still think you just googled date ideas and went with the first hit.» Dorian laughed at that, his stomach filling with what could only be described as butterflies.

«Does that mean you would want to do it again?» They were lying on their backs, face to face, and all Dorian could think about was how badly he wanted to kiss her.

It had been weeks since their kiss in the library, but they hadn’t been able to do it again. All they’d gotten was stolen moments in between classes and late-night texts, their busy schedules making sure of that. Until now, that was.

«I would love to,» Manon offered, answering his question. «But next time I decide what we’re doing.»

«Deal,» Dorian grinned, his eyes staying fixed on her lips as she spoke.

Moments passed, the tension between them tangible, and then Manon whispered, «Is it weird that I really wanna kiss you right now?»

That was all it took for Dorian to crash his lips into hers.

The kiss was exploring at first, her lips so soft and so perfect. He’d thought about their moment in the library constantly in the past weeks, but his memory could never do it justice, he knew now. This was the real thing, the real Manon, and she was bewitching. No other word could describe the experience that was kissing her.

Dorian pulled her closer, and Manon placed her hands in his hair. He had to continuously remind himself that they were outside, in the middle of a park, and anyone could walk by at any moment.

Yet he couldn’t stop either. Their mouths had gone from searching to ravenous, both of them trying to get closer to the other. Manon nudged him with her tongue, and he opened up for her, the taste of her exquisite.

His blood heated, skin becoming incredibly tight all of a sudden. He could keep doing this forever.

But they had to pull apart at some point to simply just breathe. And they did.

Manon let her forehead rest against his as they both panted slightly, Dorian reaching up to brush a strand of hair out of her face. «I really should go now,» she murmured against his lips, leaning in to kiss him once more.

It was Dorian who pulled away this time, stroking her cheek. «I’ll see you later then.»

«Yeah,» she sighed, standing up in one smooth movement. The air around Dorian suddenly became unbearably cold.

After Manon had picked up her jacket, ready to leave, she halted for a moment, and said, «I meant it when I said today was fun.»

Then she leaned down to place a swift kiss on his cheek, stood back up and walked away, leaving him alone, all flustered.

Dorian had to wait a moment before he could get up himself, because his pants had just become very tight. His face was burning at the fact, but he forced himself to think of dead puppies and his parents fighting and his gym teacher in those tiny shorts he insisted on wearing.

That last image was particularly horrifying, but it seemed to do the trick. Then, Dorian picked up his phone, only to find fifty new messages from Aelin in their group chat.

Sighing, he began to skim through the thread.

Aelin: Do you guys have plans for today?

Aelin: Rowan is busy

Aelin: And I’m bored

Aelin: Hellooooo

Chaol: I’m guessing I have plans now…

Aelin: I can actually hear how hard you’re sighing right now Chaol

Aelin: We’re seeing a movie today

Chaol: When?

Then there was a lot of planning back and forth, and both Chaol and Aelin trying to reach Dorian. The last message he got was a selfie of his best friends glaring at him, the text reading: Come hang out with us loser.

So Dorian stood, feeling lighter than ever, and began calling Aelin to hear where they were.

Stepping into the narrow hallway of her home, Manon carefully closed the door behind her, trying to stay as quiet as possible in case her grandmother was working.

She hung her coat on the rack and turned her phone on silent. She rarely got any notifications, but that was before Dorian. Now they sent messages back and forth at all hours, most of it silly nonsense.

«Manon, is that you?» her grandmother called from the kitchen. Letting out a shaky breath, Manon made her facial expression that of someone who had studied in a library for hours and definitely hadn’t just made out with a hot boy.

Listen to yourself, you sound like some lovesick girl from those movies you hate so much, Manon mentally yelled, rolling her eyes at how annoying her internal monologue was becoming.

«Yeah, I’m back.» She stopped by the doorway to the kitchen on the way to her room, where her grandmother was sitting by the table, laptop open in front of her.

The woman glanced up at the clock on the wall, before looking back at Manon, her eyes searching. «You stayed at the library for a long time.»

Manon had to fight to stay fully still, to not flinch at her grandmothers words. She couldn’t know, could she? Putting on a fake smile, Manon said, «I just got into a really good workflow, didn’t wanna quit.»

Her breaths were getting faster, and she could feel the panic sneaking up on her.

Just keep it together until you’re alone! She always asks questions like these.

«I’m almost done with the history assignment,» she added to make sure her grandmother bought it. Even if it was all a lie. She hadn’t even started on the history paper.

«Good. I already made dinner, but there are some leftovers in the fridge if you’re hungry.» Her grandmother’s tone was pleasant, almost happy. She had to be in a good mood today, then. The whole thing felt deeply unsettling.

At least she was safe, for now.

«Thanks, but I’m not hungry. I’ll be in my room,» Manon said before turning and hurrying down the hall. Once she’d closed the door, she finally let out the breath of relief she’d benne holding, throwing away all pretense.

She couldn’t keep lying to her grandmother like this…

Not only did it make her feel awful, but the consequences would also be too great. She was putting her whole future at risk when she was acting like this, sneaking around and prioritizing boys over her schoolwork.

Frustrated, she threw herself down on her bed, startling Abraxos who was sleeping on her pillow. Dorian made everything so much more complicated. Agreeing to go out with him had been a mistake. A huge, huge mistake.

Yet she’d felt better today, happier, than she’d had in a long time. She’d even managed to forget the catastrophe that was her dance team, if only for a few hours. And with this light, fluttery feeling, everything seemed more manageable.

For now, she could do this, wanted to do this. The thought of not being with Dorian anymore… It didn’t feel right, and she was actually looking forward to Monday, when she would see him again.

She knew this, they, would have to end one way or another, but she couldn’t let go just yet.

A/N: That break really got longer than I anticipated...

It's been nearly a year now, since I first got the idea for this fic and started writing it, and here I was, believing I could be done with it by summer 2020. In all honesty, it feels like I posted chapter 12, blinked, and then 4 months had passed. But here it is, at least:) We have reached the halfway point, and a little progress is better than none. I'm still not making any promises regarding this fic, other than I will finish it, someday, whether that be in 2 months or 2 years. And to all of you who still read, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU SO MUCH<3<3 I could not have done it without you!

All the love, Aurora<3

Taglist: @fireheartdreamerstarborn @bookishwitchling @hellasblessed @kit-12 @onfma @ireallyshouldsleeprn @sayosdreams @rowaelinismyotp

I keep a separate taglist for each ship, so let me know if you want to be on any of them!

#dawninlatin QoP #manorian #manorian fic #manorian fanfiction #manorian au #manon x dorian #dorian x manon #manon blackbeak #dorian havilliard #sjm #sarah j maas #throne of glass #tog #throne of glass au

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sassyhobbits · 4 years ago

Note

"Why are you awake right now?" FOR ROWAELIN PLEEASE

enjoy this one!

~~~

Rowan was thoroughly passed out when sound of his phone ringing cut through his peaceful sleep. Normally, he would ignore any call that came for him past twelve, but unfortunately for him, he recognized this ringtone. Aelin had set it herself.

Rowan groaned and peeled his eyes open, grabbing his phone and answering.

“Why are you awake right now?” he grumbled out as a form of greeting.

“I’m outside your door,” Aelin’s familiar voice came through the phone. “Can you please let me in?”

“What the fuck…” Rowan whispered mostly to himself, checking the time. 2:30am. He rolled lazily out of bed, not bothering to shrug on a shirt. He threw open the door, shuffling over the hardwood floor of the halls. He tried to keep quiet for Lorcan’s benefit, knowing his roommate was asleep in the other side of the house.

Rowan reached the front door, not bothering to glance out the peephole before opening it. Aelin Galathynius stood there, wearing an oversized sweatshirt that he was pretty sure she had stolen from him in the past, golden hair tossed up messily. Even in her casual clothes, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

He had been best friends with Aelin since sophomore year of college. They had despised each other before then, but being forced to work together on a project had allowed them to come to an understanding that morphed into friendship… and eventually, something more. For Rowan at least. He wasn’t sure what went through Aelin’s head. She was always thinking, creating, scheming… it was one of the reasons he was so drawn to her.

But he had to keep his distance. Aelin was involved with someone, had been dating him for a little over six months. Rowan could still remember the bitter disappointment that cut through him when she had mentioned offhand that she had started seeing a man named Chaol Westfall.

She had seemed happy at first, those first few weeks of puppy love. Rowan had met him on a handful of occasions. Chaol seemed like a nice enough man. Rowan just couldn’t help but think that he wasn’t right for her. He couldn’t put a finger on why exactly. Maybe he was just hoping they were wrong together, though he knew it was wrong of him to think. He should be hoping for her happiness for now and long into the future.

Yet, Rowan couldn’t help but watch when they were together. Curled up on the couch side by side, sharing casual kisses and touches, always knowing that they would leave together after a party, would spend the night together in bed. Rowan knew he was jealous. And it was an awful emotion.

Aelin seemed unharmed, but there was something in her eyes. Fatigue, maybe. Sadness? He thought about what she had mentioned about her day. All he could remember was her mentioning she was going out with Chaol that evening.

“Is everything okay?” he asked, voice still raspy from sleep.

She gave a stiff bob of the head. “Yeah, it’s just… can I come in?”

Rowan nodded, stepping aside and allowing Aelin into his apartment.

“Salvaterre here?” Aelin asked quietly.

“Yeah. Asleep. We can head back into my room.”

He knew it was something he should think twice about. Inviting Aelin into his room so late, especially when she was dating someone. It wasn’t anything they had thought twice about before in the past. They had slept in the same bed plenty of times before, nothing romantic about it. Still, Aelin had stopped staying the night since she started dating Chaol. Rowan understood, but he still missed her. Missed that extra bit of intimacy.

Rowan shut the door behind them as Aelin plopped down on his unmade bed, hanging her head in her hands with a heavy sigh. He sat down beside her, placing a gentle hand on her back.

“Aelin, what happened?”

She released a shuddering breath before sitting up, eyes gleaming in the sliver light of the moon. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Chaol. He, uh… he- we… we broke up tonight.”

Rowan blinked, wondering if he had heard her correctly. But… he had. It was true. They had broken up.

“Oh. Oh gods, Aelin. I’m sorry. Are you alright?”

Aelin sniffed and wiped at her face. “Yes. I think so at least.” She released a small, bitter laugh. “Is it weird to say that I’m almost relieved?”

Rowan hesitated, not knowing exactly what to say. “Were things… bad?”

Aelin shrugged. “It wasn’t really bad. I mean, he wasn’t being cruel and we weren’t fighting constantly. It’s just… for the past couple months or so, I got this feeling that what we wanted from each other, from the future… wasn’t the same.”

“What happened tonight then?”

“We were at dinner, and we were talking. Chaol mentioned something about marriage. I tensed up. He noticed. We talked about it on the way home, argued. He said I didn’t love him the way he loved me. I said he didn’t love me, he loved the version he had created in his head. It got a bit nasty. He called me some not so nice names. We didn’t end on the best of terms.”

Rowan’s jaw clenched. The idea of Chaol spewing insults at Aelin made him see red.

“You didn’t tell me,” Rowan said, the fact hurting more than he thought it would. “That you had been feeling that way for so long.”

Her eyes flickered towards her hands in her lap. “It’s not easy to talk about, you know? I didn’t tell anyone about it. Maybe I should have. Someone would have talked some sense into me and we could have made a cleaner end.”

“Do you need me to kick his ass?” Rowan asked.

Aelin released a short laugh. “No. I can kick his ass all by myself, thank you.”

Rowan wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. “I know you can, Ace.”

She sniffed and hugged him back, resting her head against his shoulder.

“Do you mind if I stay here tonight?” she asked, looking up at him through her lashes. “I left my apartment to clear my head and I left my keys inside. Lysandra is with Aedion tonight so I won’t get back in until tomorrow morning.”

“Of course, Aelin. You’re always welcome here.”

She smiled and it warmed Rowan’s heart. She detangled herself from Rowan, taking the right side of the bed, her favorite. Apparently, they hadn’t changed since she had started dating Chaol. He took the other side, helping to fix the comforter and get her tucked in properly.

They settled on their sides, facing one another.

“I missed this,” Aelin confessed softly, reaching out and placing a hand on his cheek.

Rowan covered her hand with his own, relishing in her touch. “I missed it too.”

Her eyes fluttered shut, scooting an inch or two closer to him. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Rowan.”

He smiled, breathing in her flowery scent, admiring the contours of her face highlighted in the cool moonlight. He would do anything for this woman, he knew.

“You’ll never have to find out, Ace.”

#rowaelin #my writing #throne of glass

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