#bloodless heir book 1

[bloodlessheirbyjacques]

For Valentine's Day, for a pairing you want to write most! 💗 slow kiss / gentle kiss / inevitable / soft

💗 slow kiss / gentle kiss / inevitable / soft ! I chose Astrea & Elijah since I'm getting near this part in the new draft !! from this ask game

Bloodless Heir Book 1: Soul of the Pyre | Astrea and Elijah share a passionate first kiss | WC: 1.3k

(banners by @lockejhaven & @erensattacktitancock 🔥)

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They had both snuck away to spend the evening together. In a brief moment of peace in their previous few weeks of never-ending turmoil, they finally had one evening they could enjoy together. And Elijah wanted to show her something new. He could tell Astrea had a preference for sweet treats. This nation might grow cocoa, but he had never seen hot cocoa sold in the city markets. Coastal towns outside the nation purchased shipments of the delight to use as they wished, but Oraceans never added foreign sugars to sweeten the drink into a delicacy. 

From the look on her face when he brought her some in a canteen, she seemed to love it even more than he could have dreamed. Despite her nose red from the chill, her cheeks flushed with the warmth of her drink. And as she shivered in her scarves, he fought the urge to pull her closer. 

Astrea wanted to show him the meteor shower tonight. Apparently, she had read in books that Pyria did not have clear enough skies to see the stars like one could in Oracea, so she invited him to watch it with her. He would have to show her the truth one day. 

Together, they sat on a moss-covered rock where the capital met the lake, where her land met his seas. Gazing at the stars, he wondered how he found himself here. He had once promised himself he would never get involved with… a royal. And yet, here he was, pleased at the sight of her smile, filled with awe as she stared at the meteor shower. 

“Princess,” he whispered weakly, inching closer to her. 

He simply couldn’t help himself around her, so he reached for her hand in the darkness. Her smile at the stars grew as her fingers entwined with his. And his heartbeat through his chest at the feel of her fingers in his. Despite never having touched before, their fingers melded together as if they had always known how to fit together. 

“Pirate,” she smiled coyly, affectionately glancing at him before returning her gaze to the stars. Just the sound of her voice brought an embarrassing flush to his cheeks. 

When had he started caring for her like this? When had he lost track of himself? When she infiltrated the Monastery on her own, he was consumed with worry; he could barely focus on his own task. But it wasn’t just the worry for her safety— it was feeling safe himself. She had saved him from danger just as many times as he had saved her. When did his feet only begin to feel steady on the ground when she was around? It was hard to explain, but they simply… fit together. She complimented him. And he could only hope she felt the same. 

Looking at her, he knew he wanted more— more than helpless smiles when the world wasn’t watching. He wanted to help her fulfill her dreams— to help her prove to her nation that she was innocent of the crime of killing the Queen. To prove to them that she did not kill her mother. And prove to the nation who truly committed the crime. 

Did she want this, too? He needed to know. Gods, he needed to know. 

He caressed her fingers in thought. A glow spread through him as she mimicked his gesture. 

Stay with me, he wanted to ask. But he frowned. He couldn’t just ask her to leave her home to travel with him— to stay with him. He couldn’t just ask her to make sacrifices for him. But what could he offer her?

“Princess,” he repeated, pulling her hands toward him to get her attention. “Can I show you what your other nation looks like? After all this is over, I can take you to Pyria so you can see it for yourself.” He knew she had only ever seen the nation in books. Her knowledge of her other home was based on rumours or stories told by villagers, mixed with her father's stories. He could sense a part of her longed to leave; it was evident in the wonder in her eyes every time she travelled outside the city with him and whenever she stepped foot on his ship. Catching the look of awe in her eyes now, he boldly slid his free hand to her chin, unable to contain himself any longer. He brushed his thumb across her lips and continued, “If you don’t like it, we’ll bring you right back.”

After a moment of hesitation, she narrowed her eyes at him. “You can see the stars just fine in Pyria, can’t you?”

“That and more,” he said, cupping her cheek. “Nothing could compare to seeing Pyria with your own eyes. None of those books can truly show you.” He tucked a stray hair behind her ear, running his finger over the scar on her ear that this nation branded her with. “There are rivers of lava, and if you use your magic, you can swim in them. It’s one of the most beautiful things you can see, and only people with our magic can see it.”

“Hmm,” she smiled under his touch, forming a grin in his palm that sent a shiver up his spine. He wasn’t sure if she believed him— her books wouldn’t have mentioned one of their closest guarded secrets. But it didn’t matter, not yet. She whispered into his palm as she spoke, nearly kissing his skin, “Would I get more of that… hot cocoa?”

His gaze softened. “I will steal shipments of that cocoa at every port we visit if you so wish it, Princess.”

She grinned again. He was aware she was starting to play with him as he usually did with her. But he didn’t mind at all. In fact, he loved discovering this side of her, too. He didn’t think he could ever tire of uncovering new aspects of her. With her free hand, she started to trace the hem of his shirt. 

It was as if the world was frozen around them. With her touch on him, he thought perhaps she wanted this as much as he did. He allowed her to explore him, letting her go at her own pace. He sat patiently as her gaze flitted between his features as she touched him— tracing the hem of his tunic and then brushing her fingers along the stubble of his chin. He thought, if the Gods stopped time, he could live in this moment forever, with her soft lingering gaze on him and his palm on her cheek, fingers brushing over the stars erupting on her face.

“You know,” he said, leaning closer, “I do have more to offer than just chocolate.”

“Oh,” she grinned, “I can imagine you do, Pirate,” she laughed, emphasizing the nefariousness of his title. Still, her gaze lingered on his, Pyrian red meeting Pyrian red. 

Just her gaze reminded him of everything he adored about her— everything she embodied. She represented what Pyria could have been before the Usurper. She was love, gentleness, and mercy mixed with a reasonable vengeance. She was what Pyria could have been if hatred had not risen in its place. 

She leaned closer, raising her lips to his, but paused. “Tell me something. If you’ve seen the stars like this before,” she asked, her eyes flickering between his eyes and lips, “then why did you let me convince you to come tonight?”

“Can’t you tell, Princess?”

“I want you to tell me,” she replied, softly combing her fingers through his long hair. “Show me.” Kiss me. 

So, he did. He leaned down to her, held her hands close to his chest, and kissed her— slowly, gently, as if asking for permission. And as her fingers tugged at his hair and pulled him down to her, he allowed himself to fall deeper. And it was in this moment he realized if he had to wake one more morning with her beside him, then it was not worth waking. 

And, despite knowing that he once would have berated himself for falling for a Princess, he sat in this moment, fingers roaming her in turn, he knew he did not regret a single moment of it. 

[the-void-writes]

Void's Masterlist

This is a post compiling everything I can think of and find for the Preston series, Lockhart Manor, and other various WIPS.

The Freaks Of Preston, Book One

WIP Intro

Chapter One, Will meets Jason

Jason receives a best-friend necklace

Will and Colin in the kitchen

Jason and Henry being sweet (18+ just in case)

Jason learns the truth

Jin and Sarah being supportive

Will is scared to sleep

Jason protects his son, and Will shows off his power

Jason has to let Will leave

Will and his godfather at the zoo

Rio and Jason snippets

The Battle

Angels

Mistletoe

I Can’t Be Apart From You

Believe That I Love You

Worth An Angel’s Love (18+ only)

Salvation

Hospital Visit - Riley and Thomas

Complete - Jason, Henry, and Will

Prescott Family Breakfast

Heroes and Villains

Haunt Me

Nurse Me

First Kisses

You're My Hero

A Promise

Our Side of Paradise, Book Two

Character Intros

Gazali and Frank in the sky (18+)

Quick Gaz and Frank snippet (18+)

Frank has a nightmare, Gaz tries to comfort him

Romero's Intro

Wedding Gift (18+ only)

Everything You Could

A Third-Time Father - Rio and Sophie

King of the Stars - Gazali and Frank

In Your Dreams - Gazali and Frank

Bluebrook, Book Three (?)

Adrien and Micah in the cafeteria

Jon's partners comfort him

Ash and Dan try to eat in the woods

Evening Shift (18+ only)

Monsters

Maddie and Partners - A New Home

For All Eternity, Book Four

The Androids

Will and Dante stargazing

Rio and Harley

Will and Dante sketch snippets

Dante confesses his love

Dante proposes

Dante tells Will he's enough (gets suggestive at the end)

Roxie and Proteus (suggestive at the end)

Intro to the Monsters

Melancholy Holidays

You're Enough (18+ only)

You Know Me

Weightless

Dante’s Birthday

Will and Dante - Memory Lapse

Rio and Harley - I Want You

Like a Dream

Paternal Instinct

A Night Out

The Birth Of Paradise - Prequel

Gazali's Past, Part One

Gazali's Past, Part Two

Alex and Javi after a royal ball

Alex and Javi's first days in Paradise (18+)

Pedra and Josephine (18+)

Ruhi sleeps over

Dante and Vani (18+)

Javi and Alex- There’s Only Us

Gazali and Frank - Just Say The Word

Ruhi and Viraj - Remembrance

The Secrets of Lockhart Manor

SOLM WIP Intro

Cyrus' First Confession

Cyrus, Val, and Tristan (just suggestive)

Shower and a Possible Proposal (18+)

Cyrus tells off the crew

Cyval's First Night Together (18+)

Val stands up to the crew

The Hawthorn Ball

For You

Flowers and Songbirds (18+)

Painted Fire

Marius

Silver Lining

The Heart of Hollow Earth

HOHE WIP Intro

Find The Word Game including a HOHE snippet

Edith fixes Theo, small snippet

Crossovers and AUs

Bloodless Heir x Eternity, Part 1

BH x Eternity, Ezekiel and Illyera

BH x Paradise, Elijah, Adrien, & Micah

FOP AU, Jason is haunted by his loss

FOP AU, Jay and Henry try to heal

Supervillain Ichor AU Intro

Dark Ichor AU - Dancing

Dark Ichor AU - A Less Lethal Battle

BH x Paradise - Astrea, Pedra, and Josephine

Paradise AU - Broken Sun

Dark Ichor AU - I’ll Always Want You

[theoriginalcarnivorousmuffin]

"Tom Riddle effectively destroys the country from the inside out, which I believe was his true goal the entire time" (c) wait a second, so you think that he wasn't going to really take over or anything, just destroy the fuck out of w britain?

I have avoided this ask long enough.

I’ll start by saying that asking me about Tom Riddle is like staring down into a bottomless rabbit hole. We could travel down that path, but it is a dark and perilous journey, and by the end of it I will come out looking like the Mad Hatter.

It also requires a few prerequisites that you’re just going to accept as true (or else got off the crazy train here).

We know very little about Tom Riddle or Voldemort

What we do know of Tom Riddle comes to us from suspect sources

I’m just going to go out there and start with the basis that Tom is not crazy

Elaborating a little on number 1. We never actually see much of Tom Riddle or Voldemort directly. He’s a bit like Thanos in the MCU, or Palpatine in the first two movies of the Original Trilogy, he’s this looming threat that we pass by and glimpse every once in a while but never really get quality time with.

Generally, Voldemort makes an appearance in a moment of crisis.

He and Harry fight over the philosopher’s stone for Tom’s very survival. He and Harry fight over the diary for Tom’s very survival. He resurrects himself with Harry as a witness. We get those very strange dreams from Voldemort’s perspective (half of which we later learn are fabricated).

None of these really lend to our, or Harry’s for that matter, understanding of Tom Riddle. There’s too much going on, it usually happens far too fast, and there’s usually something Tom Riddle desperately wants or needs that eclipses all other concerns or else he has an audience.

This is part of the reason we get those Halfblood Prince pensieve lessons: Harry knows nothing of Tom Riddle and doesn’t understand him at all.

Which leads us, of course, to number 2, most of what we know about Tom Riddle comes from Dumbledore. I’ve talked about this before, so I won’t spend much time on it, but Dumbledore has a very clear agenda in relaying these memories to Harry. Dumbledore already has strong suspicions of what objects are horcruxes and where they’re located, he already has Snape as a very reliable agent to continue work when he’s gone, his job here is to convince Harry there is no path but suicide. And that involves portraying Tom Riddle as the most evil man who ever eviled, was born eviler than the antichrist, and will die eviler than the antichrist. 

Now, does this make Tom necessarily good or bad? No.

However, it does mean when Dumbledore tells us things like, “See, Harry, an impoverished child was upset when I lit all his belongings on fire! What a monster!” (especially given that, in a similar situation, Harry thought it was hilarious when Hagrid gave Dudley a permanent physical deformity and Harry was told he was an angel child) we should take it with a very large grain of salt.

Right, so, with all that backdrop what I’m getting at is that a) we can’t take Dumbledore at his word b) even if we could he could be wrong c) Harry doesn’t have the introspection to be able to figure himself when a or b is happening. I won’t elaborate on this last much, suffice to say that Harry’s world is very black and white, divided into the camps of those who personally like him and those who don’t.

So, why do I think Tom’s goal was not to rule the wizarding world but instead to destroy it?

A few things.

First, there are so many easier ways he could have ended up ruling the wizarding world. More, even when he effectively does rule the wizarding world in book seven, he takes very strange actions so that he’s never directly in power.

Second, I never really bought Tom’s racism. It’s too convenient and too contradictory with his backstory.

The second first, because we’re going out of order today. I’ve gone over this before, but I don’t believe Tom had minions early and I think he was effectively treated as a muggleborn (see here and here) until he took on the Voldemort persona many decades later. I’m hard pressed to believe someone as intelligent, angry, and proud as Tom Riddle would willingly believe and accept he was inferior to the likes of Abraxas Malfoy. More, even if he wished he was a halfblood, I think the evidence of him being muggleborn would be stacked too high against him to deny even to himself (and when he finds out it’s not true, he has maybe a month or so before he realized that he’s the bastard son of a squib). 

And it’s just so convenient. All the people with the power, with the money, who are itching for a cause against a threat that doesn’t really exist believe in blood purity. Ergo, Voldemort shows up suddenly espousing over the top blood purity rhetoric (rhetoric that directly clashes with his “there is only power” philosophy at that). 

In other words, I think Tom Riddle gave himself a line that he knew would get him places very quickly.

And now for the first. For a guy who has had the entire country in the palm of his hands twice, one time taking it over in a bloodless coup, he’s really big on causing collateral damage and really small on actually doing the ruling thing.

The first wizarding war, Tom Riddle as Voldemort has the backing of the heirs of the most prestigious and wealthy noble houses save a select few. These are people with seats in the Wizengamot, which has a frightening control over the government itself (including the minister of magic). I imagine, in 1980 had Tom Riddle wanted to be elected as Minister of Magic, he would have been elected as Minister of Magic. If he wanted a friendly face in office then he probably could have made that happen to.

More than even this though, by this point, Tom had already won. By having control over the majority of the Wizengamot he owns the government. He’s done, it’s over, it’s finished, and many of the characters admit as much which is why Harry Potter was such a miracle. So why all the seemingly random, exceptionally pointless, terrorism? 

One answer is that Voldemort is crazy bananas. And sure, I guess we can go with that, except for someone insane he’s oddly effective and very consistent. 

I believe Tom was systematically destroying the very foundations of the country through its core aristocratic families. Within a few short years Tom decimates the Black family, it goes from having five heirs to none, and while some of this isn’t Tom’s fault he does take care of quite a few of them. He brands Lucius for life, while Lucius rises high in politics he never escapes the stigma of being a known Death Eater and in the end cannot escape the consequences for his actions. The Malfoy family is very nearly destroyed by the end of the series, had Draco died in the Fiendfyre. The LeStrange family, presumably decimated as well.

More, this is mostly me headcanoning, but I imagine Tom fuels an extremism that the Wizarding World had never contemplated. I imagine, previously, anti-muggleborn sentiment was probably fairly rampant among purebloods. Oh, some were very pro-muggleborn I’m sure, but I think most were fairly “eh” on the people and felt they were a drain on society (such as requiring constant funding for the obliviation department).

However, when Diagon Alley starts getting blown up every other week, when muggleborns start being tortured and murdered, when purebloods who aren’t anti-muggleborn enough are being tortured and murdered, this starts wigging people out in a way they’ve never wigged out before.

By the time we get to Harry Potter’s canon, it is now only a minority that are anti-muggleborn, and they’re perceived as raving lunatics. Nobody wants to be grouped with these people. Which, just goes to show, how much Voldemort rattles the wizarding world in a very small amount of time.

Then there’s Deathly Hallows, rather than become minister himself Voldemort installs a puppet minister. He shows no signs of wishing to change this and instead does things like destroy the sorting hat (which again shakes the very foundations of the wizarding world as whta will we do if we don’t know who’s a Gryffindor anymore?!)

So, where is this ramble going?

Given the results we see, that more than any others it seems to be the purebloods and often Tom’s own followers that suffer colossal losses, I think Tom’s actions are, in part, a means of vengeance against the entire damn wizarding world (but especially the purebloods).

He makes fools of these people, brands them as his slaves, and has them participate in the most over the top ridiculous rituals (the cloaks, the masks, the entire theatrics of it feels like Tom got drunk one night and planned this whole thing out). He destroys them entirely, and better, enables them to completely destroy themselves and the country they believe they’re trying to save.

Basically, I think by the time the series begins Tom is fueled by a nihilist rage that knows no bounds. But dammit all, the wizarding world is going to burn.

[even-love-unreturned]

Meanings behind Chain of Iron chapter titles (part II, Ch16-29)

16. Dark Breaks to Dawn

Likely from another Dante Gabriel Rossetti poem, “Found”, a companion to his painting of the same name. It was published in 1881 in his volume Ballads and Sonnets.

“There is a budding morrow in midnight:”— So sang our Keats, our English nightingale. And here, as lamps across the bridge turn pale In London's smokeless resurrection-light, Dark breaks to dawn. But o'er the deadly blight Of Love deflowered and sorrow of none avail, Which makes this man gasp and this woman quail, Can day from darkness ever again take flight?

17. Prophet of Evil

In “The Raven”, Edgar Allen Poe calls the raven a “Prophet” and a “thing of evil”.

In the Iliad, Cachas the seer/prophet is called a “Prophet/seer of evil”:

To Calchas first of all he spoke, and his look threatened evil: “Prophet of evil, never yet have you spoken to me a pleasant thing; ever is evil dear to your heart to prophesy, but a word of good you have never yet spoken, nor brought to pass. […]”

I don’t think either of these two are the reference used here though.

18. Goblin Market

This title is clearly from the poem “Goblin Market” written by Christina Rossetti in 1859, a tale of two sisters tempted by magical and dangerous fruit sold by goblins. According to some analyses, the poem might read as an allegory of addiction and recovery. (This poem has also been quoted in chapter 6 of CA)

19. Thine Own Palace

From one of John Donne’s verse letters to Sir Henry Wotton beginning “Sir, more than kisses, letters mingle souls”:

“Be then thine own home, and in thyself dwell; Inn anywhere; continuance maketh hell. And seeing the snail which everywhere doth roam, Carrying his own house still, still is at home, Follow (for he is easy paced) this snail, Be thine own palace, or the world's thy jail.”

20. Equal Temper

From the poem “Ulysses” written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson in 1833.

Though much is taken, much abides; and though We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are, One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

21. Hell’s Own Track

From another Christina Rossetti poem, “Amor Mundi”, published in 1865.

“Turn again, O my sweetest,—turn again, false and fleetest:  This beaten way thou beatest I fear is hell’s own track.” “Nay, too steep for hill-mounting; nay, too late for cost-counting:  This downhill path is easy, but there’s no turning back.”

22. Heart of Iron

Perhaps from “The Belfry of Bruges” (1866) by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

At my feet the city slumbered.  From its chimneys, here and there, Wreaths of snow-white smoke, ascending, vanished, ghost-like, into air.

Not a sound rose from the city at that early morning hour, But I heard a heart of iron beating in the ancient tower.

23. Silken Thread

Possibly from the poem attributed under its first line “O Lady, leave thy silken thread” by Thomas Hood.

O lady, leave thy silken thread And flowery tapestrie: There's living roses on the bush, And blossoms on the tree; Stoop where thou wilt, thy careless hand Some random bud will meet; Thou canst not tread, but thou wilt find The daisy at thy feet.

24. He Shall Rise

This is either a biblical passage, or from Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “The Kraken”, first published in 1830.

There hath he lain for ages, and will lie
Battening upon huge sea worms in his sleep,
Until the latter fire shall heat the deep;
Then once by man and angels to be seen,
In roaring he shall rise and on the surface die.

25. Archangel Ruined

Finally we have Cassie’s obligatory Paradise Lost reference in every book!

[…] He, above the rest In shape and gesture proudly eminent,⁠ Stood like a tower; his form had yet not lost All her original brightness, nor appeared Less than Archangel ruined, and the excess Of glory obscured. […]

- Paradise Lost, Book I (1674), John Milton

26. Older Than Gods

The only thing I can find for the exact phrase “older than gods” is something from the play The Birds by Aristophanes, performed 414 BCE, in which characters argue that if birds are older than earth and therefore “older than gods”, then the birds are the heirs of the world, for the oldest always inherits. Somehow I don’t. Think that’s the reference used here ajskfkd.

Then, there’s a line that goes “older than all ye gods” in Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem, “Hymn to Proserpine (After the Proclamation in Rome of the Christian Faith)”:

Will ye bridle the deep sea with reins, will ye chasten the high sea with rods?/Will ye take her to chain her with chains, who is older than all ye Gods?

27. Wake With Wings

From another poem relating to Prosepine (which is one of the Latin names for Persephone) “The Garden of Proserpine” (1866) by Algernon Charles Swinburne.

Though one were strong as seven, He too with death shall dwell, Nor wake with wings in heaven, Nor weep for pains in hell; Though one were fair as roses, His beauty clouds and closes; And well though love reposes, In the end it is not well.

28. No Wise Man

Possibly from the famous quote, written by Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) in essay: “No wise man ever wished to be younger.” But I doubt it, considering all the other references are of poems and verse.

29. A Broken Mirror

Possibly from poem XXXIII in the long narrative poem “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage” by Lord Byron, published between 1812-1818. The wikipedia description has it as: “it describes the travels and reflections of a world-weary young man, who is disillusioned with a life of pleasure and revelry and looks for distraction in foreign lands.”

Even as a broken mirror, which the glass In every fragment multiplies; and makes A thousand images of one that was, The same, and still the more, the more it breaks; And thus the heart will do which not forsakes, Living in shatter'd guise, and still, and cold, And bloodless, with its sleepless sorrow aches, Yet withers on till all without is old, Showing no visible sign, for such things are untold.

Part 1 (chapters 1-15) here.

[goforwardgreenwriter-blog]

The Worm Reads: Empire of Storms, Ch 13 - 14

Every time I turn the page to a new chapter, I tense up, not knowing whose POV I’ll be stuck in. Fingers crossed.....

It had been a long while since Dorian had seen so many stars.

Oh thank God, it’s my precious ice son, Dorian. He deserves to be stretched out on his back across some cool grass, gazing up at the twinkling night sky, happy and safe.

“You were impaled by a poisoned barb,” Rowan said, his voice no louder than the waves lapping against their boat as the swift wind pushed them from behind. “Your magic was drained keeping you alive and walking. You need to eat, or else it won’t replenish.” A pause. “Didn’t Aelin warn you about that?” Dorian swallowed. “No. She didn’t really have the time to teach me about magic.”

Yeah, to teach Dorian magic requires patience, kindness, and intelligence, and Aelin is pretty well lacking in all three of those categories.

Dorian could feel Rowan’s stare pin him like a physical blow. “The choice is yours how much you allow it into your life, how to use it—but go any longer without mastering it, Majesty, and it will destroy you.”

Damn, I don’t like Rowan but at least he’s helping Dorian out here... The bar is set pretty low here.

Dorian angsts about Sorscha. For those who didn’t know, she was a character introduced in Heir of Fire (she was in earlier books but not named) for Dorian to fall in love with, only for her to be beheaded by Dorian’s father near the end, so totally not a waste of everyone’s time. Sorscha deserved better.

[Dorian’s] magic had felt the bond between Aelin and Rowan—the bond that went deeper than blood, than their magic, and he’d assumed it was just that they were mates, and hadn’t announced it to anyone. But if Rowan already had a mate, and had lost her…

Nononononono SJM please please please don’t use Dorian’s POVs for gushing over Aelin and Rowan please please please I’m begging you.

Rowan and Dorian talk, and Rowan... is actually helpful? He’s listening to Dorian’s problems and fears, offering solutions. What happened to the Rowan we all know and hate?

“You know,” [Dorian] said, “sometimes I wish Chaol were here—to help me. And then sometimes I’m glad he’s not, so he wouldn’t be at risk again. I’m glad he’s in Antica with Nesryn.”

Not gonna apologize for saying it; I ship Dorian and Chaol. I want Dorian and his people to leave this shitty war behind and move to another place and Dorian and Chaol to reunite.

Dorian asks Rowan to teach him magic, and I’m so happy SJM is letting these two be friends. The  Rowan gushes about Aelin forever and I want to claw my eyes out.

Dorian nodded his thanks. “The first time you met Aelin, did you know …?” A snort. “No. Gods, no. We wanted to kill each other.”

Yeah you two spent most of  HoF beating the shit out of each other, insulting one another, and Rowan goddamn BIT Aelin. This is supposed to be romantic how......?

The two leave for Skull’s Bay, and Chapter 14 starts.

Clothed in battle-black from head to toe, Aedion Ashryver kept to the shadows of the street across from the temple and watched his cousin scale the building beside him.

Oh yay, Aedion’s POV. Let’s see how SJM butchers him even further.

They are leaving to go wreck shit up or something. The town is empty and dark and cold, because symbolism. They also paid a captain for a ship.

Aelin’s face had gone a bit bloodless, and [Aedion] braced a steadying hand between her shoulder blades.

Wait, between her shoulder blades? That’s kinda odd, ain’t it? Wouldn’t it make more sense for him to put his hand on her shoulder, or is this a gesture from another country I have no idea about?

The captain they paid says that Maeve is putting together an army.

Aedion glanced at where Lysandra waited behind him, on the lookout for Aelin’s signal. She was in her traveling clothes — a bit worn and dirty. She’d been reading an ancient-looking book all afternoon. Forgotten Creatures of the Deep or whatever it had been called. A smile tugged at his lips as he wondered whether she’d borrowed or stolen the title.

Haha... because theft is hilarious.... Seriously, if these guys were morally grey of bad guys that’d be alright, but SJM beats us over the head about how they’re in the moral right 100% of the time, so why is Aedion so nonchalant about Lysandra swiping an ancient and probably valuable book?

Lysandra cleared her throat a bit and said too softly for anyone to hear, either the queen or the soldiers across the street, “[Aelin]s accepted Darrow’s decree too calmly.”

TOO CALMLY???? You call threatening Darrow, almost stabbing him, threatening to burn all of her allies, CALM???? WHAT THE FUCK DOES SJM THINK CALMLY MEANS???????

Aedion and Lysandra gush about Aelin some more and makes sure the readers know that even though they are up against a dangerous war, Aelin can handle it because she is the best queen ever!!1 Whatever. Then they flirt.

So [Aedion] snapped his teeth at [Lysandra] and said, “Good thing I know how to make women purr.”

Aedion is a furry, confirmed?

[Aedion] didn’t even want to think about what else Darrow had implied—that a union between Wendlyn and Terrasen had been attempted over ten years ago, with marriage between him and Aelin the asking price, only to be rejected by their kin across the sea. He loved his cousin, but the thought of touching her like that made his stomach turn. He had a feeling she returned the sentiment.

EWWWWW PLEASE STOP. At least the characters are confirming that this is gross shit IG. I’ve read worse.

They just leap off a building and go corner a bunch of the soldiers. What a flawless plan. Better hope none of the soldiers have crossbows or your ass is grass, Aelin.

The soldiers blinked. One of the townsfolk behind them began weeping as a crown of fire appeared atop Aelin’s hair. As the cloth smothering Goldryn burned away and the ruby glowed bloodred.

Bloodred isn’t a word; you’re thinking of simply, blood red. Also lmao Aelin is so dramatic. I guess it’s working because the guards have crossbows but they’re not shooting any of them for some reason...?

Aelin burns a man from the inside, turning him into ash. That is kinda cool, not gonna lie. Just wish a better character had these awesome abilities, you know?

They took back the temple in twenty minutes.

Um... okay? How did you all come out of this fight unscathed? I believe that they could win, considering Aelin has magic and Lysandra is a big leopard and the soldiers are humans without magic, but you’re telling me they had no archers with good aim? That none of them even thought of shooting Aelin while she was there threatening them? Aiight.

And as for the shifter who had ripped into those soldiers with such feral savagery … Aelin left her again in falcon form, perched on a rotting beam in the cavernous archives, staring at the enormous rendering of a sea dragon carved into the floor, at last revealed by that razing fire.

Is Lysandra gonna turn into a sea dragon? That would be cool, but how the hell is she gonna turn into a huge ass dragon? How does her shifting magic work? SJM said earlier that it takes energy from her to change into even simple animals, so wouldn’t she drop dead after shifting into a dragon?

Aelin enters the temple and goes to see the sacred Rock. Chapter ends.

[john-t-ohalloran-blog]

RED FLARE.

I believe my book Red Chameleons is  relevant right now as the election in the USA approaches, I am approaching all and sundry to bring it to the notice of the world. This is terribly difficult as you are no doubt ware. [ It can be found on this link in the USA: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780992624668. My book is also available via Ingram Spark  and is on Kobo and unfortunately Kindle.] Imagine, that following the election’s in November glasses are raised in Moscow because, following a military coup, a new Czar replaces the President and succeeds re-establishing the old Soviet Union. At the same time, he succeeds in having Russia’s puppet elected as President of the USA. This new President is a fascist, white racist southerner from Texas. Immediately before this, he convinced the USA that they should both disarm, which the Russians do not. The consequences are terrifying. Hoping therefore that I have now found a curious mind, this book cover should tantalise you because from top to bottom there is a thread of history. Please, therefore, have the patience to read the synopsis below and what follows:  VLADIMIR PUTIN 'wants' to reinstate the Russian royal family and move them into an ancient palace once occupied by the last Tsar Nicholas II.  The plot leading up to these events is hatched in the Ukraine immediately after the Russian Revolution and unfolds over many years; there is carnage and deception throughout. This all started 1993 when I first wrote this book. The cover design came  about because last year I found the following article on The Daily Express website, a British newspaper: http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/586470/Russia-royal-family-Vladimir-Putin-reinstate-Tsar-Nicholas-Second-Romanov The relevancy of my book has been re-inforced by a Reuters article on Tuesday 26th July. This was Just before Hilary Clinton attended the Democratic Conference to confirm her candidacy. http://www.reuters.tv/v/Csg/2016/07/28/russia-denies-blame-for-dnc-email-fiasco   The first article was somewhat of a coincidence because the Russian’s had already attempted to invade the Ukraine, which is where The White Russian’s and Cossacks came from, who are pivotal in my book, which I thought I had lost after several moves. God only knows why, but after searching high and low, I found an envelope marked  Danger Everywhere on my bookshelf. Inside were three floppy discs,' but I had no hardware that could read them. After buying a floppy disc reader, I discovered that my book was in a format no longer used. Overcoming this obstacle, I discovered that I couldn’t remember exactly what I had written. 165,000 words later I realised that I had and have something worth pursuing because of the subject matter. The book contains elements of violence and mild erotica. There is also espionage, money laundering and the involvement MI5 and the FBI.   Synopsis of Red Chameleons.   1.      Following the slaughter of the Czar in 1917, The White’s from the Ukraine who supported him go into hiding to avoid capture and death. 2.      Devchenko, the leader of The Whites, who is based in Odessa, is determined that one day a new Czar of Romanov blood will be crowned and drafts The Agenda to achieve his aims, which includes the demise of the USA and Great Britain as super powers. 3.      Because Stalin survives the Second World War, Devchenko calls for a meeting of The Agenda’s signatories in Helsinki, where together with two brilliant financiers, Isaac Greenbaum and Gerady Gerasimov, The Agenda is altered and detailed plans about how Czarist funds should be used to achieve their new aims are agreed. There are those that fail to comply who are summarily dealt with. 4.      Gradually, The Whites infiltrate the secret services of the USA, Great Britain, and their own KGB in Moscow, where a British defector from MI5 secretly arranges the building of a missile base in the Ural Mountains. The Whites also ensure that one of their number controls the NASA moon-based spy satellite. 5.      Meanwhile, Greenbaum and Gerasimov take charge of undermining the American government to ensure the election of their own candidate as President, who they can blackmail into obeying their orders. They also begin illegally trading on the stock market and introduce farmers to a company that has invented a new seed that yields triple the grain crop they are used to, which they all use. 6.       However, The Czars successor nearly destroys The Whites’ plan by commanding a test of the moon-based satellite which triggers two explosions killing 2000 people in London and more in America. The result is that key figures in The Whites organisation come under unwanted scrutiny, which after several deaths they manage to fend off, but only for the time being. 7.      When Devchenko dies, the commander of The Whites arranges the murder of the Czars heir and having manipulated his own bloodline, assumes he will be next to step into his shoes. 8.      The year before the election in the USA, The Whites remove the Soviet regime in a bloodless coup. They then deceive The West into agreeing mutual disarmament in return for the break-up of the Soviet Union and a guaranteed share in profit for financing the rebuilding their industries. The Americans also agree to release their grain reserves so that the Soviets can feed their starving millions. 9.      The American president is now sure that he will be re-elected, even though it has been discovered that he sanctioned an illegal investigation by the FBI resulting in deaths and has repeatedly ignored calls from the farmers to investigate a possible famine 10.  Disarmament begins and the grain reserves arrive in the republics. Funds are then deposited in Moscow’s central bank by eager western investors. Elections in the Soviet Republics are arranged, the results of which are to be announced in Moscow with all of the world’s dignitaries present. 11.  But, while the world’s leaders are on their way to Moscow, the FBI and MI5 have finally discovered the identities of The Whites spies, the whereabouts of a hidden missile base in Russia and much more. However, they decide to wait until the President returns from Moscow. 12.  The results of the elections reveal that each republic has returned a deputy who pledges allegiance to Moscow. This is a shock to those present, but not as much as the film footage showing a famine across the USA or the news that all the financial markets have collapsed, apart from that in the Soviet Union. The final live film they see is that of a nuclear missile being launched en-route to Hawaii. This is accompanied by a stark warning that if any country re-arms they will receive the same treatment. 13.  Back in the USA and Britain, the culprits that the FBI and MI5 have identified have all flown the roost, and their investigation is in tatters despite deaths and kidnaps, blackmail and more. 14.  The elections in the USA returns the American senator selected by Greenbaum and Gerasimov, who on the morning of being sworn into office receives a phone call from Greenbaum. He is the new First Secretary of the Soviet Union. The angry President knows now the price he has to pay his dead wife’s lover for his power.       Copyright  John T O’Halloran I anticipate that my audience will be people who are interested in history, subterfuge, murder- mystery and a plot with a sting in the tail; particularly following the TV screening of War & Peace and the story of the Romanov girls earlier in the year.  Trump has also unwittingly played into my hands. At a crucial moment in history when my books impact will be at its maximum, I wonder if you would be interested in reporting on my book, a copy of which I would be happy to send to whoever you recommend and in whatever format. I look forward to hearing from you, AND please, forward this to anyone who you think may be able to help me. Thank you for your time   Regards John T O’Halloran +44 7799 715311     Regards John T O’Halloran 07799 715311   And please spare a moment to view some of the following https://www.amazon.com/John-T-OHalloran/e/B00FMNB6MQ http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780992624668 https://www.bublish.com/author/view/7147 http://bit.ly/2dY6rE1 https://youtu.be/3LiGMXbGXQQ https://youtu.be/M_9jBOCeV98 www.chiselandstone.co.uk http://amzn.to/1htJR0Y http://on.fb.me/HNl6w1 http://youtu.be/8qPT_PGrkSQ Skype: Galliards17

[bloodlessheirbyjacques]

Bloodless Heir Master List!

Genre: Fantasy. Sub-Genres: Romance, Mystery, Political Intrigue

Fantasy Tropes & Themes: | Heroic Quest | Betrayal | Power & Corruption | Toxic Magic | Mental Illness | War & PTSD | Trauma | Reluctant Allies to Lovers | Found Family | Hurt / Comfort | Disabilities | Hard & Soft Magic |

• WIP INTRO • penguin book covers

if you're interested in supporting what I do, you can tip me on Kofi right here ✊

I reblog other writers on @jacqueswriteblrlibrary !

Masterlists:

• Snippets • Characters • Worldbuilding

Prequel:

Synopsis: Life was normal for citizens around the world. Until the Usurper Rose in Pyria, marking an end to a era of relative peace. The Old King, and his family dead. One survivor was a child, an infant, rescued by a single man. Known as the Hero of Pyria to some, for saving the child. Known as the Traitor of Pyria by others, for running away. He has to raise the child on his own terms in another kingdom, where he thinks they're safe.

Part 1: The Fall of Kings

King Ezekiel and Illyera discover she's pregnant. (600 words)

Antor and Ezekiel Soar with the Relic (800)

Ezekiel's death. Illyera's showdown with Hadrien. (800)

Run boy run! The Legend of Antor [Kid Alek meets Antor] (1.4k)

Antor Loses Hope (450 words)

Both Part 1 & Part 2:

Two in One: Antor saves Illyera from a street mob & and Edrei and Antor have a date (1.3k)

Antor's Discarded Diary: After escaping Pyria, Antor is left wondering what to do with the surviving baby Astrea (750)

Part 2: The Traitor of Pyria

Introduction to Sir Antor x Queen Edrei Romance

Antor takes a trek to the Oracea Relic with Edrei (1.2k)

Edrei bandages Antor with a promise (900)

Edrei asks Antor for a kiss during a ball for everyone to see. (1k)

Antor and Edrei dance with a drop of jealousy (1.4k)

Edrei runs into Antor after leaving a ball (1.3k)

"All the Kings Horses" Ilpherin threatens Astrea *new (1k)

Main Series:

Pre-Book 1 Snippets:

Edrei's Diary Entry on Hadrian

Astrea fixes Antor's long hair (800)

The first words of a traumatized mute boy (William)

William bleeds for Astrea (200)

Antor carries Will to bed (1.3k words)

Astrea's discarded diary, "every time a man yells."

FFF: The Late Queen Edrei's Broken Promises to her Surviving Children *new (850)

Captain Elijah, The Indifferent, Dangerous Pirate (200)

Book 1: Soul of the Pyre

Introduction to Princess Astrea x Elijah Romance & Commission

BOOK 1: PROLOGUE - the shadow of the seas

Chronological Snippets from Book 1

Astrea's first impression of the dangerous Elijah (90)

Early Astrea and Elijah make a deal (350)

Elistrea: am I a fool to trust you? (last line tag)

First Date Part 1!: Astrea Agrees to Join Pirate Elijah (1.6k)

First Date Part 2!: Astrea is swallowed by the Seas (1.6k)

Elistrea first kiss, running from pursuers *new (1.3k)

Panic Attack: Astrea gets a panic attack of her past (1.2k)

Panic Attack: post panic attack "can I kiss you?" *new

Elijah flirts with Astrea in another language *new (500)

Elayna asks Astrea and Vera to describe Elijah *new (550)

Elijah confesses and kisses Astrea. (1.6k)

Astrea Versus Monster Fight (1.1k)

Elijah realizes who Astrea is (1k)

Daughter- Heir Elayna reads Edrei's Entry on Pyria (1k)

Post Break Up Part 0: Brave Enough to Love You (1.5k)

Daughter-Heir Elayna learns about the Traitor of Pyria (800)

Post Break Up Part 1: William begs Elijah to save Astrea (1.1k)

Elayna shows Antor Edrei's Diary (1.4k)

Post Break Up Part 2: Astrea saves Elijah (1.7k)

Elijah accidentally proposes to Astrea (550)

Non-Canon Snippets from Book 1

Book 2: Leviathan Wakes

Tiny Intro to Elijah's Crew: Ghea, Téa & Khalid

Chronological Snippets from Book 2

Elijah watches Astrea Dance (WC: 600)

Nightmares: Hadrien Welcomes Elijah Home (750)

Nightmares: Elijah Tricks Astrea into being a Tyrant (350)

Found Family Fluff with Elijah's Pirate Crew (700)

Astrea & Elijah dancing on his ship (700)

Elijah comforts Astrea during a Storm with A Story (1.3k)

Antor catches Astrea falling asleep on Elijah *new (750)

(ARRIVALS part 1): Astrea & Elijah arrive in Pyria (400)

(ARRIVALS part 2): Antor Returns and Remembers (900)

Antor & The Daughter of Love and Grief

(CORINTHIAN Part 1): Astrea, Kidnapped By The Darkness (1k)

(CORINTHIAN Part 2): Corinthian breaks Astrea's trust in Elijah (1k)

Elijah Furious about Astrea's Kidnapping (700)

Astrea, coping with missing Elijah (620)

Meeting Alek (part 1) Astrea meets Heir Alekszander (800)

Astrea x Alek: Empathy vs. Ignorance (300)

Meeting Alek (part 2) You Are The Sun (1.1k)

Meeting Alek (part 3) Astrea Brawls Alek's Men (950)

Alek finds Astrea sitting in the Rain (850)

Meeting Alek (part 4) Astrea teaches Alek to Dance (1.3k)

Astrea reunites with Antor and breaks down (1k)

Astrea and Elijah Reunite and Speak About Death (1k)

Non-Canon Snippets from Book 2

Specials

Combining characters from all Era's to showcase their parallels

Only One King [Ezekiel, Hadrien, Alek, Astrea, Elijah] [650]

Monster in the Mirror [Astrea x Elijah, Antor x Edrei, Ezekiel x Illyera,] (950)

Book 3: Kings Rising

Chronological Snippets from Book 3

Astrea and Elijah swim & kiss in a pool of Lava (1.6k)

Like Your Father (900)

[Introduction to Pyrian Heir Alek]

Alek sings for Astrea (1k)

Alek comforts Astrea (800)

Alek invents tiramisu for Astrea (1.3k)

Astrea touches Alek's scars (500)

Prisoner Elijah Maniacally Laughs at Alek (300)

Alek Proposes to Astrea Version 1:

(Astrea x Alek part 0): Alek finds Elijah's weakness (450)

(Astrea x Alek part 1): A Bargaining Chip (600)

(Astrea x Alek part 2): Elijah's Fury | Unification Gift (WC: 1.6k)

FANFIC: (Elijah x Alek part 2.5): The Wedding Present ��� ~ Fic AU by @stormbrightwriter)

Alek Proposes to Astrea Version 2:

sneak peek: Astrea x Masked!Elijah x Alek (850)

Alek, Hadrien, & Prisoner Elijah (1.4k)

Alek & his Pet Soldier Elijah (750)

Alek invites Astrea to sit on his throne (650)

*

SMUT moved to @bloodlessheiratnight

*

[bloodlessheirbyjacques]

7 for the Spotify writing prompt ask!

Bloodless Heir Book 1: Prologue

The King of the Seas

The pirate closed his eyes, letting the songs of battle lull him into a daze. 

Screams echoed through the wooden planks of his deck, accompanied by determined raised steel. Shoots of flame whizzed past his cheeks, lighting up his grin as they passed. The wind whipped through his long curly hair as if a hand holding him tenderly. The storming seas below him reassured him, each stir of the ship was like a mother rocking him. And every flash of the sky was a promise of his safety. 

With the storm's reassurance, his feet found balance in the storm, the only time he could walk straight was at the height of a storm at sea. 

He opened his eyes in sudden relief. Beneath his boot, he met the gaze of the captain who had dared think they could defeat The Masked Phantom. The King of the Seas. 

With his hands tied behind his back, and a gag in his throat, all that escaped the captain was a forced growl. His boot tightened on the gagged man's throat. A whimper escaped his throat. That was all it took for a pitiful beg to erupt over his face. The eyes of a man who knew he was going to die. The elder captain wriggled in his binds, fiercely trying to pull his hands free in a desperate attempt to stay alive.

The Masked Pirate frowned, disappointed. This was not how you begged a King.

Still, he knew too much. If this pirate was chasing him because he knew what lay on his treasure map, he was too risky to let live. Secrets. They wanted his secrets. Always his secrets. 

A crack erupted beneath his boot, easily crushing his neck. Metal clattered to the plank. The pirate dropped his sword by his side. 

Nobody dead, or alive would get between him and his treasure. The secrets of the elusive knight of the greatest nation of the south. A dragon among dragons. A leader unlike any other. A warrior unmatched in all of his years serving for his King. Until the King fell, and the nation crumbled.

He had finally found the map to Rondar. Rondar could spark the rebellion by leading them. Or bring the rebellion to its knees with news of his death. 

But, it had been twenty-five years since he had been seen. And, nobody had a clue if he was alive, or dead.

Until now. Now, he found a clue. A trace. A hint to where he could be.

The Captain removed his mask and turned to the sun rising over the horizon. Finally, the Oracean shore was in his sights.

He turned back to the dead pirate beneath his boot, smiling at the sword to his side. 

 He never got tired of the battles, euphoria filling a void in his chest with every enemy he overcame. A new trophy with every title he stole and every legend he killed. Picking up this new sword, his smile quickly turned to a frown as he examined the engravings around the hilt. He sighed, tossing the steel over the edge of the ship. The battle wasn’t worth remembering. He had seen hundreds of swords like it.

His boots rhythmically met wood as he walked through the current of magic, battle not yet done over the edges of the clasships.

I’m coming for you, Rondar.

[bloodlessheirbyjacques]

My original intention was to send you the ask that was my favorite chocolate form but it occurs to me I am far too much of a chocoholic to be able to pick. So I'll simply say this one because the words make me giggle and I love seeing characters personalities: peanut butter [filling]

Peanut Butter Filling: share a snippet showing a character’s personality. (I answered this in my head completely forgetting to actually answer the real one I'm so sorry jdsfadfsd) -- For context, Book 1 takes place in the nation fo Oracea. Louis is the Prince, and his sister Elayna is the daughter heir. They're treated like that of Gods by those who are in the Palace and even revered as such to the nation since they are the only ones in the nation with magic. Astrea is a bastard, where as these two are the direct heirs.

Louis raised a glass to his sister, “You know,” he gestured to the never-ending movement of servants around them that never met his eyes. “It’s times like this I actually kind of feel like a God… The way my musicians regard me sometimes too." He gestured to the two musicians who still had not taken a break from their playing. Because he did not wish them to stop. "It’s even more reverent than these servants. It’s quite amusing to see how far down they can bend to kiss my feet. Even my toes.” 

“Amazing, brother.” Elayna narrowed her eyes at him. “Even before a festival dedicated to giving back to the people, you know no shame."

“What is shame to a God?” Louis smiled at her, sipping his chalice. “We ought to know better than having any, my dear.”

[bloodlessheirbyjacques]

Hazelnut Praline

Hazelnut Praline: share an out-of-context line from your wip! From an early chapter of book 1! An early interaction between Elijah and Astrea, when she still doesn't know his name.

“Ah, well—” The gleeman cleared his throat. It seemed he was nervous, unsure what to say. It was strange to see such a look on someone speaking with her. She smiled at the sight. The man continued, “I go by many names. To most, I am a Gleeman.” he gestured to his instruments at his side, “To others, I am a shadow. But to you, well, you may call me anything you please.” He raised his hand to her, a tint of pink in his cheeks. 

“Oh, I see.” She lifted a finger in realization. “So, you're a fool, then!” She blushed at the realization of what she said. “A jester. I mean– like a court jester. A fool!” The explanation made her wish she could drop her head into her hands

[bloodlessheirbyjacques]

Hi, yeah, can I get uhhhh… A first kiss scene…? With a side of them doing so to hide their faces from pursuers? Thanks ✨

banners by @lockejhaven & @erensattacktitandick 🔥

Bloodless Heir Book 1 Drabbles | Astrea kisses Elijah (for the first time) to hide their faces from pursuers | WC: 1.3k

TW: descriptions of sexual situations, mentions of drug-induced sex, (these two do not partake just witness it)

...

The rhythmic marching of steel-toed boots was barely audible over the excitement and cheers of the celebrations through the streets. 

She cursed as her chest heaved in exhaustion. Breaking from the shadows of the buildings, she stumbled into a familiar alley. The taller man was quick to follow, cape whisking as his back flew to the wall beside her. 

Astrea grunted as she ran through the fairy-lit streets, hiding in shadows and speeding between alleys.

She had skipped a banquet for this. This. She had angered her sister for this.

She peeked from the corner, ensuring there were no guards nearby. 

Despite the array of daggers and weapons in his cloak, she was surprised at how soundless he could move. But, she was too infuriated at him for getting them caught to let herself be impressed. She cursed at the pirate's uncanny ability to constantly get the attention of city guards.

She never had this problem before he came around. 

It wasn't a great hiding spot but they both needed a rest. And if they were lucky, it might work. A crowd of festivity enjoyers collected in the park in front of them; some drank with arms around the other, others released lanterns in the sky, and others collected in circles reciting prayers to the moons. They could get lost in the crowd. But she knew stumbling through them would draw attention, especially if any of them saw her face. She was easy to identify if anyone got a good look at her. 

For now, she was glad most festival enjoyers were too distracted to notice the uniforms surveying the alleys, entrances, and exits, questioning vendors a little more aggressively than usual. 

The same celestial revelry was being celebrated in some esteemed noble's estate. She glanced upon how a guard pushed a vendor's goods over their cart in frustration, and briefly considered if these patrols were, in fact, better company than the nobility. At least they wore their opinions on their faces.

The establishment they were beside had one of the only organized businesses in the city to partake in debauchery, sex, and drugs. It was a building she often avoided unless she was following a particularly corrupt aristocrat she thought she could get answers from.

“Princess.” The voice called her from her thoughts, pulling her to where he was looking, deeper into the alley.

She blinked, finally glimpsing the people around her. It was, unfortunately, the perfect spot to hide. But the look on the pirate's face was enough to bring a disappointed, but not surprised, sigh to her.

“A fascinating choice.” He beamed at the people partaking in various activities in the alley, sounds of enjoyment and pleasure she was too distracted to notice before.

”Astrea.” He looked down at her, uncertainty fighting with amusement, “Are you sure you wish to hide here?“

At the clatter of boots and guards' voices closing in, she quickly glanced out into the street, only to find a patrol questioning drunk partygoers nearby. Blood drained from her cheeks. It was guard that could surely identify her face if he had a look.

With a mutter of surprise from him, she seized his hand and pulled him into the alley until she found an empty wall, and shoved him against it. 

She blinked at the odd formal sound of her name on his lips. But, she nodded. She didn't care. Not anymore. The jovial festival. The celestial show. The nobles dancing, no doubt having a much better time without her. Just imagining the smug look on Jasper's face, under the belief he was the reason she did not attend. 

“It's fine." She glowered at the thought, dropping her voice to a whisper. "Besides, there's nowhere else to go.”

As if taking it as permission to, at least, pretend to act as the rest of the alley, he nodded and raised his hands to her hips. But he hesitated, never having touched her before. 

Her scowl remained, not at him, but at the thought of Jasper. The reason she even knew this alley to begin with. He had taken her here. The memory of it all brought a crack to her jaw. 

Her uncharacteristic mood caught his attention as he lifted his hands to her arms, keeping her close. “We should be fine now. Well, if they don't look in the alley, that is.” He let out a nervous laugh. 

Despite the real danger around her, she couldn't help but remember everything that vile boy had shown her, taught her, and done to her. The chill in her skin met the rageful hunger for revenge. She didn't need this. She didn't need everything he pierced in her skull. 

She tried letting Elijah's firm hold ground her. She tried to focus on his fingers tight on her arms. Even if it was for nothing more than to maintain a cover, his touch still brought her some comfort. He seemed preoccupied too, not by the guards, but eying the mindless acts of different couples throughout the alley, as if in their own world, drugged out of their senses, unable to get pulled out of their trance, focused on their partners solely until the drugs faded. 

With his back still flat against the wall, she caught his sheepish gaze. Both stared in silence for a moment, unsure what to say or do. She could have sworn she saw nerves on him, the flicker of overhead dim lanterns rose a slight blush to his fair cheeks. It was like peeking into him in a way she hadn't before, close enough to feel the rise and fall of his chest on hers. She briefly wondered what was making him so shy, so nervous, so quiet. Unless all of his flirtations were as serious as he let on. The idea of it offered her an odd relief, having him come undone, nervous, for her. It struck a confidence in her she couldn't quite describe. 

But they started at the clatter of boots nearing the alley even closer than the last.

All of the shame and frustration fought with the relief and confidence he sparked in her. 

Through the reflections of the moon, stars and lanterns above her, his eyes widened at her sudden grasp on his neck, yanking him down to meet her. The moment the soldier's boots entered the alley, Astrea's lips met the bewildered muffle on his. 

His hands hesitated over her hips, reluctant to touch her or perhaps afraid. So they flew to her arms, bringing her nearer. 

She dismissed his refusal, the marching of boots far more important. They were quick to flash a lantern into the crowded alley, only increasing her desire to blend in. So, shoving her hips into his, and clawing her fingers into his hair, she released a moan into his lips identical to the ones already echoing off the walls of the alley. 

She peeked at the light of the lantern, dismissing how he squeaked and fidgetted beneath her, convincing herself the patrols were more focused on the more ludicrous acts occurring in the alley. 

But, there was always something bizarre about this alley. The real reason it was the perfect hiding spot. The guards always seemed to pass it by, no one ever pestering it, as if it had some seal of protection. She was sure it had one given the amount of nobility she had seen around it.

Soon, the lights of the guards left. And Astrea peeled herself from the pirate.

He fumbled at the sudden loss of contact, his face staggering closer to her, before quickly jerking away. “I-” He brushed his hands on his cloak, “They- They're gone, yeah?”

If she wasn't so focused on considering a route to safety, she might have caught the colour on his cheeks, the hitch in his voice, and his fingers itching to return to her waist. She would no doubt recall the feel of his hips on hers when she was alone but, now, there were other things to worry about.

[bloodlessheirbyjacques]

Nurse Me: Elayna and Vera

Bloodless Heir Book 1: Soul of the Pyre | Daughter- Heir Elayna, Astrea, and their Guard Vera | Discussions about Elijah | WC: 550

(banner made by @erensattacktitandick thank you, but i do not thank you for making me type that sdfksd)

Early Book 1 Drabble. Just after Vera, and Astrea have had a couple run-ins with Pirate Elijah, they're required to report it to a displeased Daughter-Heir Elayna. Here, Elayna asks them to describe the pirate.

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Daughter-Heir Elayna was known for her flawless display of elegance in demeanour and posture, never faltering a step, a mirror of her Late Mother, seeking to be a perfect mimicry of her idealized image of Regency. But, after listening to the accounts from both parties of what had occurred the night previous, the facade jerked as she held Vera's arm in her grip, applying salve to her fresh scars.

Vera and Astrea both, unfortunately well acquainted with her fury, shared a rueful glance. Despite their infamous clashes, both shared one common fear. 

“Describe him for me.“ Elayna asked no one in particular.

Astrea began, with a slight tilt of her head, "He's quite pretty."

"For a scoundrel." Vera grimaced, correcting her. "It's always the pretty ones.”

"Interesting," Elayna noted with a slight lift to her voice. "It's rare to see you admit beauty in the male form,” She did not remove her gaze from the ointment as she carefully applied it to Vera's wound with a slight squeeze of flesh. 

Astrea did not seem to notice Vera's astonishment as she continued her answer, “Sun-kissed skin as if he spends a lot of time out, and intimately close with the day. Oh yes!" She rose to her toes in excitement, "He has eyes as red as mine!" She brought a finger to the tip of her hair over her shoulder. "He has elegant and long boyish lashes. And, he's quick to smile.”

“A sneer.” Vera corrected with a slight wince, trying to catch where Elayna was healing her. “A sneer that's usually accompanied by lewd jokes amongst foul company. It is not a smile of warmth, but one of... depravity.”

“Well, I think it's rather delightful.” Astrea lost herself remembering how his eyes shone as he smiled, and how his long brown curls framed his cheeks and bounced as he laughed. But she quickly blinked the thought away. “Company. Delightful company, I meant.”

Elayna sighed. “A handsome man with enough skill to best you, my finest guard, and to rob my sister of her heart. A fascinating choice of treasure.” Elayna tied the bandage on Vera's arm and raised herself from her seat with a sigh, turning to her desk. “I wish to meet him."

“No- no.” Astrea released a bemused scoff. “He hasn't stolen anything. It's not like that.”

But an even worse offended breath escaped the wounded guard, rising to her feet. “He did not best me.” But, she was quick to snicker in Astrea's direction, an easy target for her frustrations. “But you do throw your heart around without being careful often, don't you?”

Heat rose to Astrea's cheeks at the accusation, knowing exactly what boy she was referring to. But knowing Vera, it might have been a jab about the shameful song about her.

Astrea tilted her head at the thought, letting it distract her from the guard's constant jabs. But watching her sister pour from her large teapot, something was nagging her about the proposal. 

"Enough." Elayna groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Please. Invite him here. I'll make up my own mind."

“He's a Pirate. A criminal. A wanted man." Astrea narrowed her eyes. "I don't think he'll take it as a friendly meeting, requesting his presence in a place like this. Surrounded by sentries who could arrest him.”

Elayna simply smiled, raising her teacup to her lips. "I'd like to see what he thinks."

[bloodlessheirbyjacques]

last seven-ish line tag

game invented & tagged by @muddshadow I love you. I hope I played right. (lol i jest). completing book 1 draft at the moment. this is before they get together when they're still in their "reluctant allies" phase

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"Am I a fool to trust you?"

"Yes." He looked around her chambers, peering at every secret as if his to discover. He took a sudden glance at her. "Did you know I hated royalty? I had once sworn to never befriend, trust, let alone love a single one. Truly, the thought of any royal blood inches from my own had always put a rotten taste in my mouth." He stepped closer. "Yet, here I am."

She frowned at him, almost embarrassed for every secret she had revealed to him, regardless of how much she needed him. Scoffing at the thought, she turned away. "Worry not, you've heard my status enough. None of your oaths are broken, Pirate. Plus, you would never-"

Her words were cut off as his head curiously dipped down to hers, wearing a smirk that had likely seen various bedroom escapades she had best not think about. "You're a Princess."

"A Bastard."

"And yet, here we both are, reduced to nothing but fools."

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tagging: @the-void-writes @monstrousfreedom @asher-orion-writes @forthesanityofstorytellers @inkingfireplace @moonluringfrost @erensattacktitandick @flowerprose

[bloodlessheirbyjacques]

We'll be cursed together.

prompt by @flashfictionfridayofficial

Bloodless Heir Book 1 | Pre-Relationship Elijah & Astrea | 1k

Context: After killing a monster/assassin outside. Elijah slaps Astrea too hard on the back in sheer excitement and pride for her maneuvers and skills with blades and magic. He doesn’t realize it accidentally triggers a panic attack.

CW: mentions of physical abuse (flogging a child).

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Astrea shook. His prideful clap on her back sent a chill right up her spine. It erupted the decade-old scarred crevices etched into her skin. 

The pirate had meant it as a proud congratulations. 

So, why now? Why did everything flash red now?

Was it the blood wrapping her fingers? What is the weariness from the fight? Was it the sweat beading down her skin? The screaming of the assassins as they died? What was it? Why? Why did her wrists tremble? Why did she feel the rope rashes over her wrists– from how she desperately tried to tear free from the pole?

The pirate's voice muffled as if underwater.

Fingers dug into her scalp as the world rattled around her, flashing that familiar blood-stained room.

Her feet pedalled backward until her back found a tree. “No.” It was– it was an accident. “No.”  He was proud. “No– Not again.” Her back slid down the bark. 

She shook her head, barely hearing the pirates' muffled call for her.

Being with him– it was supposed to make her forget. About her life, belittled and broken. About everything. Because even just standing in front of a mirror, glimpsing the scars stretching to her waist.

Even trying on dresses with Elayna. No amount of smiles or compliments from her sister could mask the pain of every dress that exposed her scars. Banquets. Balls. Dresses.  

But this– Being out with the pirate. It was supposed to make her forget. Being with him... was supposed to make her forget. 

His voice muffled in front of her, "Princess. Hey."

Her eyes were glued shut. Pressing against the tree bark behind her she tried to find a semblance of comfort. But the heel of her palm only dug deeper into her eyes. 

The whips against her brought a splitting pain as if the sun itself sliced at her skin. But there was something else. After every lash, her sobbing eyes couldn’t meet him. One strike after another. His roaring protests brought a deeper sob to her throat. The deep curdling begs of– 

Elijah’s gentle call of her name found her and grounded her. The sound lifted her chin, but her eyes remained closed. A gentle touch on her arm left as soon as it came, as if afraid to touch her. “I won’t touch you– just please. Hey. Breathe– Look at me. Hey. Look at me.”

Despite the shaking, her eyes lifted in him. 

His concerned red eyes looked at her. “There you are.” His sweaty brown curls were still stained with fresh dripping blood from the fight.

Her eyes flinched closed again, and her hands flew to her face once again. The screams. Fingers dug into her hair, desperately wanting those anguished protests to disappear.

“Astrea– Astrea!"  The chains on him rattled as the deep, frantic screams roared through the hall, "Don’t you fucking touch her!”

“That’s not going to work, Antor.” King Ilpherin’s chuckle resonated through the room. But it wasn't nearly as deafening as the next crack of his whip. 

Astrea’s whimper trembled her throat, tugging her head back into her knees.  

“Astrea.” A soft touch traced the fingers clenching her hair. “It’s okay. You’re okay. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Please. Please look at me."

A sob crept at her throat. But she swallowed it and anchored herself to his voice. Peeking up at him, muffled in her knee, "Sorry?" she stammered, “For- For what?”

He knelt in front of her and leaned closer. His eyes were closer than his hands, inches from her own. “For hurting you. If– If this was my fault. I’m... I'm sorry.”

She didn’t realize when the red had cleared. Now all she could see was his face. A plunging resignation. A sorrow she had never seen on him. His unruly curled hair framed a shadow over his face, but it wasn't enough to hide the shine in his eyes. 

She looked away, setting her chin on her knee. “Do you know about–?” Her breathing hitched gesturing to her back. “Everybody here knows.”

“Yes– But. I didn’t know why I..." he let out a breath, "I should have realized. I was caught up in the moment." He set a soft hand on her shoulder, "I shouldn't have been so callous.”

Her eyes flickered back on him, watching his shaking gaze. There was something between longing and an undeniable understanding. So, she scooted closer, and dipped her head in his chest, hugging herself tighter. “I should be over it.”

She felt his chest shake as he quietly laughed. “No, you shouldn’t be. You have every right. You’ve been angry for so long that you asked me for help.” He raised a hand to settle on her hair. “You can be as resentful as you need with me.”

How did he keep doing this? Astrea thought, hiding her smile in her arm, Understanding her in ways no one had before. 

Soon, she exhaled and crossed her arms in a slump. “I’m sorry I freaked out.”

“Mmm,” He breathed into her hair, “I’m sorry I freaked you out.”

She scoffed, nudging closer, settling into his shoulder.

She sunk into him and closed her eyes; a wash of relief engulfing her as his arms quickly wrapped around her. 

After weeks of flirting and taunting, this was the first time she had moved so intimately into him. The first time she allowed herself into his touch. The first time she let herself feel so vulnerable. The first time she ever let herself–

“It’s okay.” He whispered into her, pressing her hair down as he spoke, soothing her soft trembles under him. “You're okay now.”

“It hurt.” Her voice cracked, nails pulling his shirt closer. “It hurt so much.”

He rested his chin on her head. “I know. I know." He’s gone now. He can’t hurt you anymore.” He spoke, squeezing her in gentle reassurance.

“I wish…” She sniffed, moving in his chest. “I wish it was me. That killed him.”

A soft laugh escaped him. But it wasn't of mockery, it was of a surprised understanding. “Do you dream of it?”

“...Sometimes.”

“Perhaps we can pretend this tree is him." He knocked on the bark behind her. "He probably looked just as ugly. You can do it all. Everything you've ever–”

He paused as she pushed away from his chest.

Keeping his surprised gaze, she slid her hand to grip his arm. Gently, she guided his hand down from her shoulder to her spine. 

She winced as his hand touched her scars. 

His eyes widened, stunned he could feel the crevices through her clothes.

She dropped her head to his shoulder and sighed under his touch.

“Are you sure?” He whispered, slowly moving his fingertips to the edge of her spine.  

“Mhmm.” She nodded in his neck and whispered, “It’s you.”

Sitting between his knees, his fingers traced her back, finding a landscape of lines and crosses. It calmed her, finding refuge in his embrace. 

She didn't realize it did the opposite for him.

He pulled the wrath out of her and took it in himself. His fingernails dragged across her skin, and soon his palm took her in. His entire hand, pulled by his vengeful claws, mapped the crevices of her back, like an angry, yet gentle claim on her scars. 

Now Elijah knew just how the nation’s hate was more damned than any.

Oracea, her home, was more cursed than any they accused her of being.

Pyria had the decency to banish him as a child. But, Oracea.

Oracea branded her, as a little girl, to carry the weight of their hate for the rest of her life.

But here, now, their broken pieces fit together; each an outcast of their home, finding freedom in each other's embrace, and comfort in each other's wrath.

[bloodlessheirbyjacques]

“You'll be okay if you be yourself for no one else”

“They'll hate you cause you're beautiful”

Bloodless Heir Book 1: Soul of the Pyre Drabbles | Pre-Relationship Elijah and Astrea getting to know eachother |

Context: This takes place after Elijah sees firsthand how much Oracea, as a nation, hates & belittles Astrea.

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She spun away from him, toward the darkening shroud of the blazing setting sun. Despite everything that just happened, it was a beautiful sight watching as the plunging sun shone on the silver city in a wave of fire. But, it wasn't a raging fire; it was a delicate simmering overtone as if a candle's flicker was blanketing the massive trees and stone-infused architecture. It was a view she would have enjoyed sharing with anyone. 

But, like this, with him, it was different.

She held her elbow, and turned her away from him, letting the rays of the sun distract her from the flush of stars shamefully blazing on her shoulders. 

"I told you. They hate--"

His voice was quick to cut her off, "--I'm proud of you."

The strange words were enough to turn her away from the sun, "For what? For tolerating how they walk over me? Yeah, that's what my family says."

"No, actually." Elijah's hand didn't hesitate to find her shoulder. She didn't turn to him, but she didn't push him away. "These people have taken too much from you. But, you've never let it bury you. You've found a way to survive. You've found a light to guide you past it. You've become your own light. But... You don't need to do it alone."

She turned back to the sunset and shrugged him off. "I don't need you to help me."

He lowered himself to her ear, "You asked. And that must have taken a lot. Asking for help from a stranger."

She opened her mouth to retort, but couldn't think of anything to outwit him. Not this time. 

"Think about my proposal. You can escape this country. There is a home for you beyond these walls. One that will bend a knee to you."

"I told you to stop lying to me."

"I'm not." He shoved his hands in his pockets, and stood beside her, watching the light of the sun disappear beneath the horizon. "Besides. A home is more than just a place."

"Please. Stop." She closed her eyes, sighing in response. "There is not one person in my life that trusts you. They all say to stop this deal of ours."

"Good." A smile shone in his voice. "They're careful. They're concerned about you. I'm glad you have loved ones who look out for you."

She turned to him, and raised an amused gaze at him, "Is this not when you're supposed to persuade me to trust you?"

"Why would I do that? They're right. I've only ever gotten everyone I've loved killed. They're right, I'm sorry for asking. It's better to stay away, isn't it? Don't worry, I'll leave you alone after this is over."

A silence filled the space between them. A jarring frustration lifted to her chest at the thought of it. At the mere idea of him leaving. Perhaps it was meant to be. The idea of her sailing was preposterous. Antor would never allow it. But, the people would no doubt enjoy her departure. Besides, he couldn't have been serious about his offer. It was likely just another jest.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, staring at the fireflies replacing the light of the sun. She let the buzzing of the flies fill the space between them. "Losing people is never easy."

He chuckled beside her. "Don't be. I know you understand. Being accused of your mother's murder. Everyone in this nation was able to grieve. They all had someone to blame. Everyone except you. She was your mother. You should have been able to grieve; mourn; to move on. They took that from you too."

She remained silent. No one ever speaks to her like this. She itched to deny it. But it was true. Elayna had been there to help her grieve. Her sister was there to hold her every night, but no one else. No one allowed her to speak her mother's name. No one allowed her to visit her memorial. Antor barely allowed her name whispered in his presence.

No one allowed her to mourn her own mother. He was right. 

He continued, an amused tone rose from him, "It's been years, and you've become so desperate for answers, you seek help from the first outsider you encounter."

She rose a quick fist to his arm. "Watch yourself."

He scoffed but smiled at her. "I don't mean it offensively. I just find it... appalling? The manner the nation treats you. Truly I look up to you for dealing with it the way you do. You don't let your emotions drown you. You make it seem easier than it is."

She turned away from him again and felt around her belt. She knew she wouldn't be able to hide the stars flushing at her cheeks. No one had ever spoken to her as Elijah did. No one ever understood her feelings. How could she leave him? How could anyone tell her to leave the one person who understood her?

Metal clattered as she pulled out a metal spyglass. She turned in the direction of the castle and scanned the walls.

After a delayed silence, she jumped at the sudden noise from the pirate. "I just realized you remind me of something."

She finally found it. The light remained flickering in her room, untouched. No one had entered her room. No one knew she was gone. She continued to examine the other rooms. 

"They hate you because they're terrified," the pirate continued, mostly speaking to himself, "They're afraid of how beautiful you could be. For them, for the nation, for the world, even. They dread the unknown. It's the same fear that ruined the peace of my country. But, I'm glad I got to see the same beauty somewhere else. Finally, alive and--" he froze, staring at her.

She removed the glass from her face and lifted an amused eye at him. "You're not as smooth as you think, freezing up like that as often as you do."

"Astrea." He whispered her name in an air of realization. "Is that short for anything?"

"Not that I know of." She retracted the spyglass and clicked it back into her belt. 

She blinked, trying to understand the whisper under his breath.

The soft call of a name she had only heard spoken in holy books. A name of a God so well-known, it had a constellation named after them. But, he whispered the name in another language. The Pyrian name. A name she had only ever read. But, it was a beautiful sound on his lips.

The name of a God she wouldn't mind hearing more stories about.

[bloodlessheirbyjacques]

Six Sentence Sunday

Tagged by @pheita Here's some Book 1 Foreshadowing Drabbles I just wrote. You did more than 6 so I'm following your example.

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"Elijah," Astrea pulled at his sleeve, "Kill it?"

Elijah turned at her tug. The moment he noticed where she was pointing, he lifted an amused eye at her. "You know I'd kill anything for you. But, I'm not a monster."

Astrea frowned, watching the spider skitter across the rail of his ship. "They're just so dreadful. Please?"

He wrapped an arm around her and sneered down at her, "Didn't you tell me how you used to walk across forests covered in flames so bugs wouldn't touch you? Go ahead."

"Well. I suspect you wouldn't enjoy your ship getting ruined by whisps of flames." Her grasp on his sleeve tightened, watching the spider skitter even faster across the rail. At his silence, she glanced up at him, almost mockingly. "You're scared of them too, aren't you?"

A flush rose to his cheeks. "I am not. I just don't see a point. Let it leave on its own. Perhaps it will drown."

Astrea grinned and opened her mouth to retort. But, she yanked Elijah's arm closer as a thunderous snap echoed across the ship.

A piece of wood slid off the rail and splashed into the sea below. Beside the rail, Antor held the other half of the plank. He released a disgusted grumble under his breath, and grimaced at the flattened guts under his broken plank, "Disgusting creatures."

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Tagging; @the-void-writes @tryingtimi @inkingfireplace @forthesanityofstorytellers @muddshadow @circa-specturgia @kainablue @agrimedena-drax @avrablake