#ayla x jurian

[ladybookstan]

My masterlist✨

Thank you guys @sweetmalibugirl @theladyofthesummerday for your support and motivation and my apologies for making you wait so long😌I promise that I gonna establish a routine to post the chapters of the two fanfics. My insecurity in English and lack of time are the factors that hinder me. I going to try to change that.

Remembering that i write for fun🙂🙃

Chapter 2

Word count: 1.697

— Looking forward to your first mission? — Lucien stops in front of me and looks at me excitedly. I raise an eyebrow, not holding back my smile.

— Finding Bryaxis isn't exactly the best mission in the world. Also not doing recon for the Mortal Lands. And it's not exactly a mission. — I answer calmly. The sun in Velaris is extremely hot for an average day, I'm dripping with sweat as I finish cleaning the front of my shop. I want to get everything ready for the next few weeks I spend in the Mortal Lands in Band of Exiles.

— This is a mission, you know, pretty important. Are you ready to move in with me, Jurian, and Vassa? — I take a deep breath and try to align my thoughts with everything that happened in a single week. And live with Lucien? Okay. Living with Jurian and Vassa? Not so ok and how will they react to it? I accepted the IC mission because that's exactly why I decided to become a Valkyrie; make a difference, be helpful to my Court, do something really important. Finding Bryaxis and doing land recon is important, we need to find the creature and know how the humans are dealing with everything that happened, how they are living now, and if there are any rumors about the queens or Koschei. Could Lucien do this? Absolutely, but he's been very busy with all the activities of Emissary of the Night Court, and he needs someone new, with a different approach... Me. And that was a big vote of confidence that they gave me. Three pairs were made to try to find Bryaxis, Gwyn and Azriel, Emerie and Amren, Me and Lucien. We have some clues to three places the creature might be and, okay, the Mortal Lands is the most unlikely place, but there's still a chance. Living with Vassa and Jurian is perhaps what is worrying me the most. I shake my head and push those thoughts away, smile at Lucien, and lie most convincingly:

— Of course. I'm fully prepared and can't wait to meet Queen Vassa. — I look mischievously at my friend and ask the question that's begging to leave my lips: — Has anything happened between you two? Something I need to know so I don't make a fool of myself in front of her? — Lucien's eyes widen and a satisfying blush settles on his face. I already have my answer.

— Shut up. Nothing for you to know. — He walks past me to enter the store and I hum in amusement.

Maybe spending time in Band of Exiles isn't so bad.

After saying goodbye to everyone and getting everything I need, Lucien us winnows to the Mortal Lands; we stopped in front of a big house made of stone. It is a beautiful and well-planned construction. I appreciate the change of weather, compared to the Night Court, the Mortal Lands has a mild climate and a cool early evening breeze that causes a few strands of my hair to come loose from the top of my head where they're stuck.

Lucien walks towards the door of the house and I follow him. I grip the strap of my suitcase and breathe so deeply my lungs ache. I know who Vassa is and from what Lucien says, she's easy to get along with, but Jurian... Jurian, The Cruel Human General, who killed many of my kind and took pleasure in it... I'm not afraid of him, I'm afraid of what I can do to him if I feel threatened. As if reading my thoughts, Lucien says:

— Jurian is... a little hard to deal with at first, he doesn't let people get too close. But you made Eris and even Devlon like you, I'm sure you can soften Jurian too. — I frown at my friend.

— I don't want to soften Jurian and he won't have a speck on my selfless side. — Maybe my voice spills poison? Perhaps. I care? Not even a little. Lucien tries to argue, but I stop him; I love that loyal attitude, but I won't change my mind about Jurian.

— Just don't be so critical. — I look indignantly at the crimson red-haired male and he chuckles.

Before I can answer him with something sarcastic, Lucien opens the door and gives me a gentle push inside. If I thought the outside was a good view, the inside is even prettier. Shades of beige, red, and gold decorate the lobby, and a large stone fireplace and red padded sofas would easily accommodate eight people. I see a hallway and a few doors before Lucien puts his hand on my back and leads me down the hall.

— They should be inside, relax. — I look at him questioningly, am I so nervous you can tell? I close my eyes and take in the scents around me: plants and something citrus and wild; this reassures me. Remember, Ayla: I am the rock against which the surf crashes. Nothing can break me. I open my eyes and know I'm ready for anything. We pass through a stone archway and enter a replica of the lobby, only this room is a little bigger. Sitting in nearby armchairs and holding glasses, which I imagine contain whiskey, Eris, and apparently Jurian. My eyes widen in surprise at Eris, but my body involuntarily stiffens at the sight of Jurian. Before coming to the Mortal Lands, I had my usual hairstyle: my hair is tied back and braided on top of my head and my ears are in plain sight. If Jurian thinks I'm going to try to hide my origin and identity, he's wrong.

— Look who the wind has brought. — Eris tilts her glass toward me, no movement beyond that. I smile tentatively:

— If Lucien's name is “wind” now, you're right, Eris. — He narrows his eyes at me.

— Where's Vassa? — Lucien intervenes before this becomes a battle of snide comments between me and Eris.

— She's not here yet. — A shiver runs down my spine at the sound of Jurian's low, husky, piercing voice. I look directly at him, dark brown hair, brown eyes, and tanned skin, stubble covering his entire strong, slightly angled jaw. Looking at Jurian is painfully cruel, someone like him shouldn't have a face like that.

— Right, introductions: Ayla Yastare, Jurian. Jurian, Ayla Yastare. Eris, you already know each other, no introductions required. Ayla going to spend time with us as a representative of the Night Court. — Lucien announces. Jurian gives me an indifferent look, which I return. Lucien speaks to me, and I direct my attention to him, “Welcome to the Band of Exiles.” I smile slightly and point to my suitcase:

— Where do I keep this? — I avoid looking at Jurian.

— I gonna show you your room. — I'm a little surprised I have my own room, but I'm also grateful. Lucien goes ahead, towards the corridor we went through to get here, but before we leave the room, Eris speaks maliciously:

— If Elain only knew…— Lucien stiffens in front of me. Eris likes to make certain kinds of innuendo with my friendship with Lucien. Asshole.

— Always so mature. Eris dear, if you have feelings for me, just say so, I won't hurt your pretty heart, but making these ridiculous and unsubstantiated insinuations is a very childish thing to do. — Lucien chokes on a laugh, I swear I saw surprise in Jurian's eyes and I can tell that Eris was pissed off. To further tease him, I hum: — Good to see you too, Eris. — Lucien and I leave the room before a fireball is launched at me. A hobby? Tease Eris. It's strangely satisfying.

After going through the well-decorated hallway, up the stairs, and down another hallway, I finally arrive at my room. Lucien opens the door and I enter; simple yet elegant. It's a beautiful room, the same shades that decorate the rest of the house. I wonder who was responsible for the decoration. This person definitely has good taste. I place my suitcase on the floor near the door.

— Eris…erh…— Lucien slurs his words, but I stop him, reassuring him:

— Relax, I know how to handle your brother. — And that's true. I grew up with two older brothers, two blacksmiths; I've had excellent training in dealing with arrogant and sarcastic males. Thinking about Dallas and Shay is like a punch in the gut and I know I need to be alone now. It's a relief when Lucien leaves.

— I know. You have your own bathroom, you have towels and sheets, and anything you need let me know. I gonna call you when Vassa arrives. — I thank him and we smile at each other, closing the door as he leaves.

I sit on the edge of the bed and take a deep breath; reality finally crashing down on me: I'm out of Prythian, I'm in the Mortal Lands, and my brothers aren't here to see it all. Dallas and Shay would be proud. I know, but that doesn't diminish the longing I feel for them.

I take a look at my room: linoleum flooring, wooden furniture, a large four-poster bed, a fireplace with two armchairs, red carpets, a small table with a chair, a large window with beige curtains, a closet that gonna accommodate my clothes very well and a small dresser. It's cozy.

I grab my suitcase and start to get my things, my sword, my set of daggers, my set of knives, the flexible spear I got for my eighteenth birthday, and lastly, the maps, books, notebooks, and clothes, and personal objects. I organize everything quickly and methodically. When I finish, Lucien knocks on my door:

— Vassa is here and wants to meet you. — He smiles softly at me, but that doesn't help my nervousness. Very well, Ayla, be calm. Nothing to worry about. I leave the room and close the door behind me.

Time to meet Queen Vassa.

[ladybookstan]

Vibes Ayla Yastare (chapter two please)

[ladybookstan]

How to rebuild when you've been torn apart piece by piece? How to get rid of the horrors they caused you? And above all, how do you get rid of the horrors you've caused? — Jurian

Chapter 1

Jurian once again wakes up at night. Chaotic memories mingling with each other, sweat pouring all over her body. The night was too hot, and even the breeze was hot. Putting these factors together, breathing was becoming an unbearable task, he was in agony. Voices and whispers were tangled in his mind, burning his neurons.

Alone in that huge house he couldn't concentrate on anything else, just his damn thoughts.

Sitting in bed, he tries to calm his heart rate; since the wars he has never been able to sleep a whole night and since the first war 500 years ago, the unimaginable horrors haunt him. Jurian gets up and walks to his bedroom window, the blanket of darkness dotted with small points of light always soothed him, although nothing should have been able to soothe him. He didn't deserve a single moment of peace. Every time the faces of those he killed popped into his mind to haunt him, he didn't try to get rid of them.

The worst was when her voice and face came out. All of Jurian's blood drained from his body at the small mention of Amarantha, but still, he thought he deserved it. Tomorrow Lucien would come, over the months they had kind of formed a friendship, very unstable, of course, sometimes they wanted to kill each other, but it was still a friendship. Tonight he wouldn't sleep anymore, so he went to do what he always does when that happens, seek comfort in books.

✨

Ayla was excited this morning, the traffic in the store was great, people were excited and happy, it was a sunny morning in Velaris. A fae lady with blue crackle skin, is next in line.

— Good morning, welcome to Sweets of the Stars. What do you want? — I ask smiling and the old lady smiles too.

— I want a Star Falls candy. — I nod and pick up the most requested candy from the store.

— Here it is. — I hand her the candy and I receive the coins — Have a nice day!

Hours later, the movement does not change, people come and go, buy to eat at the store or to eat on the way to work. The doorbell rings and Lady Feyre enters accompanied by Lucien. I smile at both, are my frequent customers (although Lucien is a great friend) and they've placed orders for today. Everyone in the store bows to Feyre, and I go to the front of the counter and do the same, I give Lucien a quick hug, pick up his orders and hand them over.

— Good Morning! Here it is — I get smiles from both.

— Oh, what a wonderful smell, Ayla. Nyx loves your candys — Feyre talks taking her box.

— Who doesn't? — Lucien says playfully, and I smile, glad everyone in Inner Circle likes my sweets. I receive a monthly salary from them, and every time they want the orders they are already paid.

— Thank you for your preference.

— Thank you for making these amazing candies. Well, I'll go. Nyx will bring the house down if those sweets don't arrive. — We laughed, little Nyx is intense.

— Go ahead, I have an order to make. — Lucien signals to Feyre.

— Okay, have a nice day, Ayla — She greets me.

— Likewise, Lady. — I smile and she leaves.

— You've got the Lords on your hands now that Nyx can't live without her candy. — A smiling Lucien nudges my shoulder.

— Well, don't say such a thing, I respect them too much. — I go behind the counter.

— You're adorable when you're flushed. — I narrow my eyes at Lucien.

— Say your order right away. — I smile looking at the floor, Lucien is one of the few friends I have. I still remember the day he came into my store to buy a candy for his partner, it was cute.

— Very well, I'm going to the mortal lands today and I thought of taking some of your delicious sweets for the trip. — I'm surprised by the request, I'm aware that my sweets run through Prythian, but the mortal lands? It boosts my ego.

— Assorted candys? — He smiles and waves. I start taking a candy of each flavor to put in the box, and finally, I put in my new recipe. I constantly use Lucien as a guinea pig for my new candys, he doesn't complain.

— Lucien, I'm working on a new candy, the name is Dreams of the Stars, — he laughs and I raise my eyebrow.

— Do you have any candy that doesn't have a name with the word “stars”?

— Hey! I'm a citizen of Velares, Night Court, okay? Stars are very common in my life, sir. — He laughs tall and some people look, I don't know if Lucien realizes how much attention he draws.

— Alright alright, ma'am, continue what you were talking about.

— Well, this new recipe needs someone to try it and you — He widens his eyes and his natural smile widens.

— Accept! — He interrupts me.

— You don't even know what I was going to say.

— You want me to try the candy so I can put it on the market. — His face fills with smugness and I narrow my eyes.

— You're very smart. Yes, I want you to try the candy, but only do it when you want to relax, this new recipe was inspired by soldiers and people who have busy lives with little rest time. Has ingredients that relax muscles, making sleep come and without interruption. — I speak proudly of another of my creations and Lucien's eyes widen.

— When I think you can't surprise me, you come to me with a “candy sleep aid” — He shakes his head and I smile.

— Exactly. — I hand him the candy box and quickly remember Helion and Eris' candy boxes too. They both got to know my candy through Lucien and are now my loyal customers too. I hand over their boxes and Lucien raises an eyebrow.

— Candy boxes from Helion and Eris. Can you give it to them please? — I know Lucien can find a way for Eris' box to get to him.

— Of course, you addicted my mother with your candys — He pretends to accuse me. LoA, I don't know her personally but I'm sure she's wonderful for the things Lucien and Eris say about her.

— Thank you for doing this favor for me.

— You're welcome, and my sincere thanks to the Best Baker Valkyrie in all Prythian! — He makes a silly bow and I laugh.

After Lucien leaves the movement remains the same, as the time to close the shop (for Cassian or Azriel to take me for daily valkyrie training) approaches, the doorbell rings and a great Ilyrian warrior enters the shop, Mr Devlon; people stop talking and just watch him, they know that every month on the same day he always comes to the store. I smile to myself as I pick up his order: a box of Falling Stars candy. I'm glad even an Ilyrian warlord likes my candy.

— Good morning, Mr. Devlon. Here's your order. — I greet.

— Right. You are a strangely happy female. — He talks as he picks up his box and hands me the coins

— We need more joy in the world, hate and sadness already have too much. Anyway, have a nice day and thank you for your preference. — I smile again, always trying to get a smile back. I never received it.

— Right right. — With that he turns and leaves.

Later that day I am with my eyes closed, exhausted, slumped on a bench in the Wind House training ring (which is now the seat of the valkyries) after training for the past seven hours.

— AYLA! — Gwyn calls me from the other side of the ring, she, Nestha, Emerie, and Cassian are laughing at something, Azriel is trying to contain his laughter, failing miserably. It surprises me, is there something funny here? I look around until a large amount of extremely cold water falls on top of me. I get up and scream.

— Hey! — I look around and I don't see anyone else, all the others are gone. Then something comes to mind: The House. The others must have noticed my line of reasoning and started to laugh louder, this confirms my thoughts. The House likes to play tricks on me. I look up and scream:

— Really? Swear? What did I do to you wrong?! Argh! — I walk towards the others and mentally thank this to be a warm night in Velaris, otherwise I would be freezing.

— THE HOUSE HATES ME! AND YOU DID NOT WARN ME! — I speak indignantly, stopping in front of them.

— The House doesn't hate you, Ayla. It adores you, actually. — Nesta responds while the others continue to laugh, I end up joining them. The situation is unrealistic.

— It saw? That's why she loves you, Ayla, you don't get mad for more than five minutes about anything — Emerie speaks.

— There would be no need for me to be angry about it. It was actually good, I'm sweaty and it's hot as hell today, I'm going to waste my energy on other things instead of sulking. — I shrug.

— We need more females like you, Ayla —Cassian says with wide eyes and Azriel nods.

— Oh? Don't like your angry partner, Cassian? — Nesta asks in a dangerously calm voice.

— Ohh! — We all speak in unison as Cassian's eyes widen.

— I don't- He starts to speak but Nesta interrupts him:

— We'll talk later. — We all burst out laughing, with the exception of Cassian.

I really like them all a lot.

— It's so much fun but I need to go home. — I say

— Stay here today, Ayla. We will spend the night at the Library looking for information about the Trove's fourth object and about Koschei. — Gwyn invites and I narrow my eyes.

— What a great invitation — I mock and we laugh — But I accept, first I'll need to change.

— Okay, we're the same size, I'll get you . — Nesta speaks.

And so I spend my night, talking and laughing with Gwyn, Nesta and Emerie. Completely forgetting our task until Azriel sends one of his shadows to remind us of the reason for our trip to the Library, Gwyn mocks her partner but we quickly begin our research.

And I have a deep feeling that this week something will happen, something different will happen and in time I will know.