#cardan greenbriar fanfiction

[starryevermore]

love's never lost when perspective is earned ✧ cardan greenbriar

angst city™ library | send in a request (consult request faqs first)

pairing: cardan greenbriar x fae!fem!reader

request: I happened to stumble upon your Tumblr too and I saw some of your rules regarding requests, I don’t know if it’s proper to do it here or on your tumblr because I’ve never truly requested something, hahaha. But would you mind doing another continuation to this? A smut continuation of their wedding night? I have a feeling you’d manage to do such an amazing work- AllyLover2014

summary: and he won’t confess that he waited, but he let the lamp burned. as the fae masqueraded, he hoped she’d return. with her feet on the ground, tell him all that she’d learned.

word count: 1,910

warnings?: 18+ MINORS DNI, smut, p in v sex, unprotected sex, oral (f & m receiving), dual povs, not proofread

PART ONE | PART TWO 

Cardan’s tail swished at his feet. From across the room, he watched as you danced with Jude. A smile tugged at his lips. His wife and his best friend. What luck he had been afforded for the two incredible women in his life to get along so well? He knew, of course, that you would. In your time at school, you often admonished Cardan for any cruel tricks he played on Jude. She didn’t deserve that treatment, you’d always say. Be better, because I know you can be. You were the only person he would allow to speak to him like that. After all, you were the only person who thought him above the part he played. If all of Elfhame thought him cruel, you saw him for he truly was. Jude, eventually, came to see that too—both your kindness and the mask Cardan wore.

You caught his eye and smiled. Cardan watched as you took Jude’s hand, gently urging her out of the swarm of dancing fae. She smiled appreciatively at you. It was difficult for humans to find their way out of these revels. If you were not watching out for her, Jude might have danced until she died. 

“You didn’t have to stop,” Cardan said as you approached him. Jude slipped away to the refreshment table.

“I cannot stand to be apart from you. I’ve had enough of a fill of that for a lifetime,” you said. Cardan’s heart soared. Your arms wrapped around his waist, and your head came to rest against his chest. “Besides, I think Jude was beginning to tire.”

“I do not plan to let you stray from my side for a long time.” Cardan’s tail wrapped around you and pulled you closer. If Cardan could achieve it, he would mould you against him so that you never could leave again. “I am glad you and Jude are friends now. She has so few she feels she can trust.”

“As am I.” Your smile faltered for a moment. So quick that Cardan might not have noticed it if he hadn’t committed himself to memorizing every part of you. He reached up, thumb tugging at the corner of your lips so that the smile might remain in place. “May I confess something?”

“Anything.”

You took a breath. You did not speak immediately. Instead, you took the time to straighten the crown that rested against his brow. “I left because I thought Jude was the one you cared for. After you were crowned High King, you were seldom from her side. It broke my heart to think that I had lost your favor. I would step aside for your happiness, but I could stand by and watch it happen.”

Cardan’s tail wrapped tighter around you. You would not run again, but he couldn’t stop the fear from sinking deep into his veins. “I was scared that you would not like the crown I wore. Jude took a liking to tell me how ridiculous I was acting. Truthfully, I think she liked that too much because it was the one thing that we could always agree.”

“Why did you wait so long then?”

Cardan laughed. “I may have agreed with Jude that I was being ridiculous, but it did little to quell the fear that you would not want me.”

“Well, whatever she said to convince you to act, I am grateful. Even if it did send me running.” You pressed a soft kiss to his lips. Cardan smiled. “In some ways, I think we both needed it. Who knows how long we may have skirted around our feelings still.”

He combed your fingers through your hair and pulled you in for a searing kiss. He loved this. He loved being your husband. Cardan no longer had to pace the floors of the palace, wondering if he could confess to you his feelings. He no longer had to dream of what it would feel for you to be in his arms, for it was now his reality. And as you moaned against his mouth, Cardan decided he would commit every moment of his long life to bringing you as much pleasure as you have already brought him. It was his duty as your husband after all. 

“Let us retire,” he said, parting from you long enough for a breath.

“It is our wedding celebration. People will talk if we leave too soon,” you said, but your voice was filled with enough lust that he knew you didn’t truly mean a single word. 

“Let them talk, and let Jude run them through with her sword for disrespecting their Queen and King.”

You smiled up at him, and Cardan stole another kiss. “Whisk me away, my love.”

The entire walk up to your shared chambers, Cardan’s tail swished behind him in excitement.

Sex and nakedness are not regarded the same in Faerie as it is in the human lands. Yet, watching as Cardan undressed before you had you positively giddy. It had you even forgetting that you were supposed to undress, too, until your husband was reaching around you, skillfully undoing the laces of your dress with his nimble fingers. 

“You are beautiful,” you whisper, running your hand down his chest to his stomach. “The most beautiful person I have ever seen.”

Cardan grinned. “And to think you tried to deprive yourself of such beauty,” he teased. He kissed your brow, dragged his lips down to your ear. His breath was warm as he whispered, “I should be quite upset, you know, that you tried to deprive me of your beauty.”

Wordlessly, you sank down to your knees. The wood was cool against your skin. A nice contrast to how warm your arousal was making you. Cardan watched you, his mouth falling open to release a shuddering breath as you took his cock in your hands. “Shall I repent, my husband?”

His throat bobbed as he swallowed. Any sign of his teasing had disappeared the moment you touched him. You wondered if he had always been so affected by you. You wondered how blind you must have been to miss it for all these years. “You may do to me as you please,” he breathed out.

Your tongue darted out, wetting your lips, before you took him into your mouth. As you looked up at your husband through your lashes, Cardan looked as though he might just fall apart under your touch. Pride settled in your veins. Neither you nor Cardan were strangers to pleasures of the flesh, but you were certain that no one could make him feel as you were now. You released him with a pop! and began to kiss down his length.

Cardan’s fingers found purchase in your hair. His grip tightened as you ran your tongue up the underside of his cock, taking time to flick over a rather prominent vein. But before you could take him fully in your mouth again, Cardan was pulling you away, gently nudging you back to your feet. 

“Was that not to your liking, husband?” you asked, though you already knew the answer. 

“I will not allow you to steal all the fun, wife,” he said. Cardan gathered you in his arms, carrying you the short distance to the bed and laid you down. He settled between your legs, which he had hiked over his shoulders. You reached down, brushing stray curls from his eyes. “It is my wedding night, too, after all.”

“Ah, yes, but what is that the humans say? Happy wife, happy life?”

Jude had been quite happy to share that one little line with you. Having grown up in Faerie, there was little she remembered from her time in the human lands. But she remembered that, and she shared it with you so that you could add it to your arsenal of things to make Cardan putty in your hands. 

“Oh, I fully intend to make you happy,” Cardan declared before diving in. 

Cardan ate your cunt as if he were a starved man. His tongue lapped at you, collecting your arousal as if it were the sweet nectar of an everapple. Just as he had you, your hand found its own wound through his silky curls. But where he had pulled you away, you drew him in closer. You could feel his smirk when he took your sensitive bud between his lips. 

You breathed out his name, chanted it as if it were the most precious oath. Recited it as though it were your vows to him. A cord deep in your stomach began to tighten, tauter and tauter until it finally snapped. Your chants became a scream.

Your husband emerged from your trembling thighs with a triumphant smile. He crawled up your body until he was draped over you like a blanket. Safe and secure within his arms. Cardan’s forehead rest against yours. His breath tickled your face, but you found delight in the sensation. His every breath was yours, and so yours were his. 

“I feel as though I am in debt to you,” you teased. “How can you let me finish, but not allow me the same pleasure?”

Cardan smiled. His tail dipped between your bodies, wrapped itself around your leg. “Your debt shall be paid soon enough,” he swore. 

You barely processed Cardan pressing his cock into you until the gasp escaped your lips. It had been a long while since you laid with anyone. You had forgotten how delicious that stretch felt. Acting of their own accord, your legs locked around his hips, keeping his thrusts shallow as he began to move. You pulled Cardan in for another kiss and did not let him pull away. 

His moans melted into your own. “I love you,” he chanted. His fingers intertwined with your own. “I adore you. I am yours to command.”

“Mm, don’t stop,” you said. And as though he were yours to command, he did as told, his thrusts beginning to grow sloppy. “I love you.”

Cardan gasped, and you felt him finish. He continued to thrust into you, one hand leaving yours to press against the still sensitive bud. He rolled it between his fingers, urging that taught cord to snap again. As though you were his to command, it did, and the tidal wave of ecstasy washed over your once more. 

“I love you!” you shouted, because nothing better encapsulated this feeling than those three simple words. 

Your husband came to rest against your chest, his ear pressed against the spot above your heart. He nipped at the skin of your breast until you scratched your nails against his scalp. His tail had unwound itself from your thigh, taking to swish softly in the air above you.

“I am glad I came home to you,” you said. “I am glad you did not let me stay away.”

Cardan lifted his head, a sleepy smile tugged at his lips. “I would run after you every day if it meant I got to have you in my arms for even a moment.”

“I shall never run again,” you swore.

“But then whom shall I chase through the palace?”

“I may run then,” you conceded. 

Content, Cardan rested against your chest once more. His breaths soon turned shallow, and a quiet snore echoed through the room. You followed soon after, because there was nothing in this life you would do without your husband at your side. 

[cloudybarnes]

Private Encounters

Pairing: Cardan Greenbriar x reader

Summary: you were tired of Cardan constantly attacking you and your friends. one day, though, Cardan asks to speak with you privately, and no good things could come from the prince of elfhame wanting to speak with you with no one else around

Word Count: 2.4k

Masterlist

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"Hurry up, you guys! We're gonna be late again!" Taryn whisper-shouted as you and Jude trailed behind her towards the courtyard.

Usually, you two went alone on your adventures, but Taryn decided she wanted to be spontaneous, too, and wanted to join along. Unfortunately, she didn't seem to have that much fun, and urged you back to class almost as soon as you got there.

"Who cares if we're late?" Jude rolled her eyes. "It's not like anyone would really care."

"Just because they don't like us, doesn't mean I want to draw their attention. Who knows what they'll do." Taryn shifted the picnic basket of food between her hands, nervously. She was always the most cautious of you three; always fearing what they would say or do to you guys.

You scoffed, "Taryn, let's be real. Even if we were there on time and minded our own business, Cardan and his little fanclub would still find some reason to bother us."

Jude chuckled, "he's so insufferable. What I wouldn't do to wipe that idiotic grin off his face."

You laughed, "I'm right there with you. It's like his greatest pleasure is being annoying."

"I don't know." Taryn slows her speed walk to match pace with Jude and I. "I feel like Cardan mostly has it out for you, now, (Y/N)."

You rolled my eyes.

"Oh yeah," Jude agreed. "Ever since we became friends, he's like diverted the hatred for us onto you."

You laughed, "Wow, thanks guys. Who knew being your friend would make a prince despise me."

Jude laughed too. "I don't think it was all our fault. You're human, so he would have hated you anyway."

"That's so reassuring, thanks for that."

Jude smirked, "anytime."

When we finally emerged onto the courtyard where class was taking place, most everyone ignored you, save for the professor.

"Ah," he said, "nice of you three to join us. Please find a seat so we can continue on with our lessons of astronomy."

Taryn bowed her head to keep from looking at anyone. You noticed Jude did not bow her head, but she would not look at the other students.

You, however, must be an idiot to not follow along with them, because your gaze falls straight to Cardan, who is staring back at you with much ferocity.

As the even bigger idiot you are, you do not avert your gaze, but simply glare back at him. To that, and small, devilish grin grows on his face. It almost seems like an invite of this little game you play. He hates you and your friends, goes out of his way to torment you three, and for that, you refuse to back down. Sometimes, you think he likes that you fight him so much.

"(Y/N)," Taryn calls, quietly as to avoid too much attention. She waves you over. Only then do you realize you've been staring at Cardan so long that Jude and Taryn have already set up the blanket and started spreading out the food.

Your cheeks heat as you walk the few feet to where they are sitting. You can hear Cardan snicker as you walk past him and Nicasia.

"What were you thinking!" Taryn scolds as you finally sit down on the blanket. Your professor continues with his lecture, but you don't even bother to pay attention to him.

You shrug, "I'm not really sure. I just can't stand him so much it makes me crazy."

Jude laughs at that. "I'm so glad we're friends, (Y/N). I think I'd go crazy if I didn't have someone else to share my hatred for Cardan with."

You giggle, "well it's a good thing I'm here, then, huh?"

"I don't think anyone is happy you're here."

Looking up from where you're sitting, you see Nicasia and Cardan looming down over you. Seems like the lesson is over as everyone else has abandoned the courtyard.

"Oh, Nicasia, always a pleasure." You rolled your eyes as you stood up. Behind you, you hear the shuffling of Jude standing and pulling Taryn up with here. "To what do we owe you coming over here and bothering us for?"

She smirked, "I have no reason for being near you filthy mortals other than to make sure you stay in your place. You don't belong here. You're frail, and worthless, and someone needs to remind you of that."

You mocked her with a laugh, "is that really all you've got?"

Taryn let out a quiet gasp.

Nicasia narrowed her eyes. "What did you say?"

You shrugged. "All I'm saying is you give the same excuse every time you come over here. 'I'm putting you in your place', 'make sure you know what a worthless mortal you are'. Blah, blah, blah. It's very redundant, Nicasia, and quite truthfully, it's just tiresome." You said condescendingly.

The fire is her eyes was hot. Her fists balled at her side as she glared at you.

Now, it's not like you were looking for trouble, or that you wanted anything bad to happen to you or your friends. You just could not stand the way she and Cardan always came over to you and caused problems.

The slap was expected. Your cheek burned as Nicasia's hand left your face. Taryn couldn't hold back the very audible gasp that left her lips. Looking back to your friends, Taryn looked utterly frightened, and Jude looked angrier than you'd ever seen her.

Right as Nicasia was about to slap you again, Cardan interrupted her.

"Nicasia," Cardan warned as he lifted his hand, "that is quite enough."

You scoffed. "Oh, and since when are you ever the peace maker?"

Cardan smirked, "Since Nicasia decided she was going to slap you. I quite like your face the way it is."

All heads turned to Cardan as he said that. Nicasia looked hurt, Taryn looked almost as confused as you felt, and Jude just looked disgusted.

You narrowed my eyes at Cardan, despite your confusion. "What games are you playing at, Greenbriar?"

His eyebrows shot up in delightful surprise. A cheeky smirk playing on his lips. "I have no games, (Y/L/N)." He spat out your last name like it disgusted but also intrigued him.

He looked between Nicasia, Jude and Taryn. "You, leave us. I have a few words for (Y/N)."

Jude and Taryn looked at each other, confused and contemplating if they should leave or not. You stood your ground though.

"I'll be fine, guys. I'll just meet you back at Madoc's, okay?" You tried to reassure them, though you weren't exactly sure what you were getting yourself into. All you knew was that you didn't want Cardan to know he frightened you.

Jude nodded her head. "We won't be far. And Cardan," she turned to him, "if you so much as touch one hair on her head, I will-"

"Oh relax, would you, Jude? Always resolving your issues with murder." Cardan rolled his eyes. "Leave us. Now."

Jude glared at Cardan before turning to you and giving you a reassuring look. Just as quickly, she turned away and pulled Taryn off with her.

"And you," Cardan said as he turned to Nicasia. "I believe I ordered you away, as well."

Nicasia looked shocked. "Me? Why would I need to be sent away? Whatever punishment you have for the way she spoke to me, I want-"

"Leave, Nicasia. I won't ask you again."

Stunned, Nicasia's mouth hung open just slightly as she looked between you and Cardan. With a 'hmph', Nicasia turned on her heel and strutted away, leaving behind just Cardan and you.

The two of you stood there in silence. You gazed up at him, trying to decipher why he could possibly want to speak with you alone. Maybe he wants to kill you. Maybe he's grown tired of this cat and mouse game you have going on.

"What do you want, Cardan?"

He smirked, and took a daring step closer to you. "I just wanted to talk with you. You're... interesting. I find you intriguing to say the least."

You raised my brow in confusion. "You find me intriguing? Now I know you're toying with me. What do you really want, Cardan?"

He scoffed. "Is it that hard for you to admit that I might find you interesting?"

"How interesting could I possibly be? I'm mortal, remember? Can't believe you would forget, not after you and your friends made it your entire personalities to constantly remind me of my mortality and how worthless you believe me to be."

Cardan's smirk only grew. "You are quite right. You're mortal. Mortals by nature are fragile, slow, susceptible to our tricks, and yet you seem to be quite the opposite."

Your eyebrows shot up, completely shocked by this sort-of compliment you just received from the Prince of Elfhame.

Cardan continued before you could even get a word out. "I dislike mortals quite a bit. I think they are weak. They have little skill that is worth anything, and they are often succumbed to the nature of our people. You, however, are quite different, (Y/N)."

He took a tender step closer to you. Your breath was caught in your throat. Cardan had never shown any type of interest in you. You thought he'd never actually shown anything other than disgust towards you, but maybe you were wrong.

Maybe all of those teasing smirks and cruel comments were him testing you, trying to figure out just how far he could push you.

"You've stood up to me. You've been given every chance to back down. I've seen how far you are willing to go to defend yourself and those little friends of yours. I find it admirable in a way."

You force out a laugh. "You find it admirable? Everything you consider so 'strong' and 'admirable' about me is what I've had to do to survive this place. You've done nothing but make living here just that much harder than it already is for mortals."

You strode closer to Cardan, persistence on your face. His eyes widened slightly, but the daring smirk never faltered from his lips.

Just as you two were chest to chest, you spoke, "answer now, Cardan, what is it you really wanted to tell me?"

"I've already told you, (Y/N). I think you're admirable. I think you're intriguing. I think there is something about you that keeps drawing me in. Something so pulling, it's frustrating how much I think of you."

No words left your mouth. How could they when your jaw laid open the way it was.

Cardan chuckled. "Now, another reason I wanted you here. I must ask: I know you mortals can lie, something we folk can not do, but how are you so good at pretending?"

Your eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Pretending?"

Cardan's smirk only grew, "pretending you aren't in love with me, that is."

The world had stopped. It felt like your entire world had shattered. This was quite possibly the last thing you thought Cardan would get you alone for.

Anyone with eyes could see that Cardan Greenbriar was gorgeous. All of his kind were gorgeous, but he had exceptional beauty. Beside that, you couldn't find one characteristic about him that you had liked. Sure, maybe he stopped Nicasia from hurting you further than she would have. And by the way Jude recalled his cruelty before they met you, it seemed to have subsided quite a bit since you met him. That still doesn't change the fact that he is cruel, and has been for a long time.

"Cat got your tongue?"

You shook your head clear from your thoughts. "No. Just confused how you could possibly think I would be in love with you."

"You want to know how I know you're in love with me, despite what you might believe?" Cardan grinned and closed the already small space between you two. "Because I know how insufferable you find me. I know how I get under your skin, how you lay awake thinking of how much you hate me. I know this because I feel the same towards you, and despite my feelings of irritation with you, I still find myself completely infatuated by you."

"You are?" You questioned, voice so quiet you might barely have heard it, but Cardan sure did.

He grinned. "Oh, yes. I have been infatuated with you from the moment I laid eyes on you. I wasn't lying earlier when I told Nicasia I'd like her to leave your face the way it is. I think you are pretty for a mortal. You give off this glow and iridescence. You are unlike any other mortal I've come across. The way you've kept me up at night, the way I am excited to see you just to have our little spat had me confused for the longest time. Eventually, I just couldn't take it anymore and I’ve decided to act on it."

You couldn't take it anymore. Everything Cardan said resonated so deeply with you. Somehow he knew exactly how you felt. The way you hated him, the way you were angry with yourself when you thought of him so often, everything he said he felt is exactly what you were going through as well.

You decided, if Cardan was going to act on his confusing feelings, you would act on yours as well.

Already chest to chest, you reached up and gripped Cardan hair, tight enough to hurt, and kissed him with all of the pent up anger and hatred for him you had.

If Cardan was surprised, he didn't seem it. He gripped onto your waist and kissed you back with so much ferocity it made your knees weak.

It was hot, and it was unlike any kiss you've ever had before. Kissing Cardan was unleashing something so deep inside of you. All of your confused feelings for him wrapped up all into a long-awaited kiss.

Gasping for air, you and Cardan separated, though not fully. While you were no longer kissing, you had yet to pull your fingers from the tangles of his hair, and he had no plans of letting go of his hold on your waist.

"I still hate you," you said breathlessly.

Cardan smiled, he actually smiled and replied, "I think I hate you more."

[novelroyalty]

Cardan is the biggest fucking simp istg. I love writing his point of view. It’s just: 

Jude. Why can’t I help Jude. I want Jude. Jude love me. 

[riordanness]

[avelanlorelay]

"For someone who has spent the life too busy training with swords, you really know how to provoke men." He squinted at Jude, his voice dry.

She made a point of facing him, narrowing her eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"Make of that what you will." Cardan shrugged with a vague hand gesture, walking towards the bedroom.

"I'll interpret it the hard way then . Or come back here and tell me once and for all what you really think of me. If you have courage."

Cardan turned as if Jude had thrown something at his head.

"What kind of talk is that? Are we going to start a duel?" he asked indignantly.

"Maybe we should." She walked towards him, chin raised to look him in the eye.

"Maybe if you had a knife to your neck you wouldn't play games and just say what you mean."

"Are you threatening me?" He asked with a nervous laugh, raising his eyebrows.

Jude was unbelievable. This wasn't how he imagined wives acted. His wife wasn't like the other girls, though.

"Make of that what you will." She imitated him, her lowered voice still sounding menacing.

My English is terrible but I think that's the best passage I've ever written lol (I hope this doesn't sound like a 5th grade discussion 😭)

[iscreammutiny]

Primroses

Jude x Cardan

Post Qon/Cardan's pov/Angst/Hurt/Comfort if you squint/Cardan is traumatised/Jude is also traumatised damn/bit of fluff in the end

(FIRST EVER JURDAN FIC HELLOOO sorry if the pacing is off and if there are some horrendous mistakes guys english is not my first language☝️ but I'll get there someday ong)

——————————————————————

Several jagged branches snake over a glass window, covering it, as dusk spills onto the High King's sleeping form in slits of pale, shifting light.

But the land, drowsy as it is with the slow rise and fall of his breath, isn't fast enough to stop the cold from creeping in and nipping at his fingers–a troublesome little gift from winter's last of evenings.

He stirs, slumber disrupted from the sudden sharpness in the air, blearily stretching his hand out to grasp for more warmth, fingers splaying out across the bed for the familiar dip of a waist, only to be met with cold, bare sheets. Cardan stills then, eyes snapping open in alarm.

The High King of Elfhame has never been fond of the colder weather. Not only does he find it dull and dreary, he finds it to be cruel too, ironic as that would've been a few years ago.

It irked him then, the fact that there was too much to miss, too much to long for. And It irks him now–now that it holds too many reminders. Of wretched times, of his own year of hollow hands, pierced with the stinging absence of sharp blades and even sharper eyes.

It terrifies him still, the idea of winter returning.

He lies there, frozen in his spot, staring at the ceiling as the branches and leaves covering it start to writhe, coalescing into a dense, panicky mass of rot, sprouting and resprouting again.

Fear is familiar, his one constant, he should be used to it by now. But this...this is entirely separate. A kind of sickness he can't seem to shake off, a bone deep terror, of waiting for the other shoe to drop, the arrow to find its mark, the price of his undeserving head to finally catch up to him.

He doesn't dare turn his head to the side or tear his eyes off the ceiling, doesn't want to look. Because what if he finds out that he's been dreaming all this time–another one of those illusions borne out of plum wine?

That, drunk and slumped over, he's awoken just now to realize that the other side of the bed has been empty all along?

"Jude?", he whispers into the near dark, heart sinking when he hears nothing but the sound of his own breathing. A brief vision of empty palace halls at dusk flashes in his mind, looming above him, echoing with the ghostly voices of distant revels as he shuffles along, moth eaten fur pelts trailing behind his small form. He closes his eyes, allowing the dark to have its way with the unwelcome memory.

It was funny, really. A soundless twilight still seemed to him like a token of his own misery, one he can trace all the way back to the sour tang of cat's milk on his breath, long before the days he’d spent on hollow hall's floor crouching and heaving, finding a detached sort of similarity between his own soul and those terribly vacant halls in his childhood.

And yet, of all the weapons that have ever been used on him, his queen's silence is, by far, the one that has wounded him the most.

Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude-

His chest heaves, straining as the panic fully sets in. He kicks at his sheets and scrambles upright to check, to see for himself because, miraculously, he might just be wrong. Perhaps he has been worrying for naught–and yet.

And yet, a part of him is already thinking: just rip the bandaid off, just rip it and be done with it.

He turns to look and, immediately, the rush in his head goes quiet. The branches overhead cease twisting as breath stutters out of his chest in a faltering sigh. Everything stills, then eases back into place because there it is, silken sheets rumpled on the far side of the bed. There she is, whole and hale, pale light tracing the familiar outline of her silhouette. Must've rolled off to the edge of the bed in her sleep, the chestnut of her hair spilling onto a half occupied pillow, the slow rise and fall of her sleeping form, curled into a scythe of a girl and stars above, could he get more foolish than this?

He uncurls his hands from fists he'd unknowingly wounded them into, watching the crescents buried into his palm turn red. Haltingly, Cardan scoots forward and reaches out towards her. His hand shakes, a whisper of a touch, barely there as he tries to brush the hair out of her face. Her lovely, and for once, untroubled face. He has to be careful because Jude is a light sleeper and any manner of respite is rare for her(and if she is a figment of his imagination—he doesn't want to let go just yet).

Unconsciously, she nestles into his palm as he gingerly traces the hollow of her cheekbone. A sick little laugh crawls up his throat, turning into a quiet sob as he tries to steady his heart. She's here, he tells himself, be still, be still, be still.

Instinctively, his fingers curl around the shell of her ear, thumb caressing its soft, mortal curve. And as his nails lightly press into the skin behind her ear, a hand grips at his wrist, and Jude is bolting upright, taught as a bowstring, shoulders squared as if to attack.

She pins his arm to the bed frame and uses her other hand to push his shoulder backwards. Cardan stiffens.

Her eyes, momentarily wild and unseeing, focus onto his face and she falters mid twist. Her hand on his wrist immediately relaxes, the other one trailing up to rest against the side of his neck, an apologetic frown already crossing her features.

"I'm sorry I–" she sees the stricken expression on his face and stops short – "what is it?"

Her thumb brushes the edge of his jaw and Cardan lets out a shuddering breath, his eyes stinging.The gesture is simple, one he hasn't gotten used to yet, but it is involuntary. The familiarity in her touch has him unspooling.

He covers her hand with his own and shakes his head in what he hopes is an assuring gesture, not trusting his voice at the moment, struggling to collect his thoughts. He knows he's doing it again. That old trick with the mask, trying to smooth its edges over his face. A game of hiding where no one seeks him out–even though he knows now that she will. She'd drag him by the scruff if it came to that. But old habits die hard.

A long moment of silence passes and he realizes that Jude is waiting for him to speak, gently stroking the inside of his wrist, entirely at odds with the smooth, unperturbed set of her face.

And yet, even in the near dark room, where the old wood of her eyes is illuminated only by a thin slash of dusky light, he finds in them a scrap of fear akin to his own–one he knows will take longer than anything else for them to wrestle with and have it buried along with the rest of those who have threatened this fragile peace.

He tucks an unruly strand of hair behind her ear, as he'd been meaning to do before, and presses his mouth to her temple, breathing in the familiar scent of verbena. "It's nothing. You're here." he whispers.

She tilts her head back to look at him, eyes searching, "Of course." She says, lacing their hands together, and then peers around to stare at the window. She waits for a moment while the branches recede to give a clear view of the sky, which is now a luminous ink blue. Humming in thought, she turns back to him and says, "We are to attend council in another hour or two."

"Yes." He answers tiredly, dragging a hand over his face.

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to rest for a little while longer, no?"

Cardan smiles a little at that, already nestling back into the sheets and dragging her along "No, of course, it won't." He pulls her in to tuck her head under his chin, "Besides," he continues, "you'll require it if you have to deal with Randalin today."

At that, Jude groans into his chest and he can already feel the cogs turning in her head, coming up with more ways to outmaneuver the council. He chuckles into her hair and rubs her back, "Rest, first." He murmurs and she hums, sleep prodding at the edges of her voice again.

Primroses bloom along the edge of the bed frame, wilder and whiter than any other.

Right there, with his fearsome queen tucked under his chin, the king of Elfhame knows this too: That no fear could ever be stronger than the weight of her battle worn body in his arms. And even that pales in comparison to the ruthless glint in her eyes for when she wields her blade to kill.

[beloved-daydreams]

"Her pet"

⚠️Warning⚠️ a spicy Jurdan fic! So minors do not interact please!

It starts off really fluffy and despite the heat in the later part I tried my best to keep it fairly soft and mindful. BUT it does contain some bdsm-like elements (being tied up and blindfolded but I promise there’s no physical "violence" or like, "roughness" I suppose is a better term?)

It has some vulnerability and a liiittle bit of crying but in a good way ;)

Anyway, you just gotta trust me with this one. I think I managed to keep things rather cute and tasteful though I’m sure in a few days I’ll feel stupid for writing this. ❤️🫠

♤♠︎♤♠︎♤♠︎♤♠︎♤♠︎♤♠︎♤♠︎♤♠︎♤♠︎

Cardan was laying down on the bed as if it were a flowery meadow. Which, well, it was a bed of flowers but not quite literally a grassland. The High King was waiting for his wife to finish bathing, he had offered to wash up with her or even to wash her back but she would turn him down everytime. Pointing out how he would immediately start to snuggle up against her and lead things to go haywire.

Sick of waiting, Cardan walked up to the bathroom door. And just as he was about to go in, Jude walked out of the room, almost hitting him in the face with the door. Realizing what her dear husband was about to do, she crossed her arms in front of her chest, giving him a disapproving look.

"You know, sometimes I really wish I could still command you."

Unfazed by the comment, Cardan answered assuredly.

"Oh interesting, what would you make me do? Shall I swear an oath to you again just for tonight?"

"Ugh." Jude pushed Cardan aside, making her way towards her dresser and sitting down to brush her hair. "Whatever it is you’re thinking about, I know I don’t need an oath to make you do it since you would obey me gladly for anything that would feed your fantasies."

He smiled, thinking how his wife knows him so well. Then he followed her to the dresser, standing behind her.

"Allow me."

Snatching the brush away from her hand, the King started to lovingly brush his Queen’s beautiful hair. Sometimes his hands would brush against her neck, though most times it was done willingly and Jude knew that instinctively, yet she let him do it nonetheless. Since she liked how gentle his hands were when he took care of her. It was almost therapeutic… if it weren’t for the few times her hair would be too tangled and result in her quietly wincing at some of his brush strokes.

"...Would you do something for me as well?" Cardan mutters, yet Jude catches it clearly.

"Of course. Would you like me to brush your hair as well? Although…" Jude looks at his reflection in the mirror. Slick as always. "It doesn’t look like it needs much brushing at the moment."

"No, not that… my back is what would need some of your help."

Now that Jude thinks about it, she has never clearly seen his bare back, since the only times he was shirtless, she would usually be facing him…

"...What is it? Don’t tell me you’ve got back pains?"

"Mmh… Something like that."

Worried, Jude’s gaze shifts to the ground, remembering how Balekin treated him. And how she never told him about it. She reasoned with herself, convincing herself that there was absolutely no need for her to bring up his past to him again… unless he would be the one to bring it back first. In that case, she felt like she had to tell him. She didn’t want to omit information like this.

And as she had thought, that day was today. Cardan let his shirt drop to the floor, turning his back to her, allowing her to see the state it was in. It had small marks all over which was concerning since the Fae are much more resistant to scarring, in fact, they almost never scar at all. The only way for them to get a scar is if the same spot is abnormally hit over and over again and not taken care of, which practically never happens. Since treating a wound right away is the natural thing to do. Seeing how his back was in this state, Jude came to the conclusion that Cardan at some point just gave up on trying to heal the wounds, knowing that the same thing would keep happening.

"I consulted a Faerie who has a knack for medicine. They said that I should apply-" Cardan hands over something that looks like a weird cross between honey and condensed milk. "This lotion. Apparently, it could possibly even heal old wounds."

Taking the container into her hands, Jude looks into Cardan’s eyes, touched that he would ask that of her.

"I see. Go lay down on the bed then, I’ll apply it."

Leaning over, not only does she apply the lotion, she gives him a light massage while she’s at it. Hoping that it will somehow make her following words less hurtful.

"...It was all Balekin’s doing, wasn’t it? Back when I was working undercover for Dain, I saw how he treated you... Um. Unwillingly, of course."

Cardan stays silent for a moment, before uttering a simple and calm. "I see." Which takes Jude off guard.

"That’s it? You’re not mad?"

"What is there to be mad about? I always knew there was a possibility that you had witnessed it since you even found that damned paper." The one with her name, written down over and over again. Obsessively. "Besides, at this point you’ve seen me in all of my lowest moments. This one is only a trace of the past I’d like to erase from my back… Well, quite literally."

Jude laughs seeing how he still has a sense of humor at a time like this. But she still appreciates the honesty, and his attempt at lightening up the mood. And although she can’t see it, she feels his tail flailing behind her. Either because of his nervousness at showing his vulnerability, or her massage is just that good. She doubts it, though it’s probably a bit of both.

Suddenly, a ridiculous idea pops up in her head. Most likely because she wants to make him feel comfortable. To please him.

"Cardan dear?"

She takes on that sweet tone. The one Cardan recognizes as a very favorable signal to some filthy doings in their private chambers. He knows that tone and gets giddy, only hearing it is enough to get him thrilled.

"Yes, my Queen of mischievousness?"

Already exasperated, Jude lightly taps him on the head.

"Would you let me tie you up?"

A bit taken aback, Cardan turns his head to the side, trying to see Jude’s face. Which she disallows by placing her palm on his eyes, blocking the view of her red cheeks. Despite the offer, Jude was still a bit shy from saying such things.

"As well as your eyes and your mouth. I’ll cover them. Would you agree?"

Cardans grins, his eyes still covered by her hand.

"Just as you said earlier my sweet Jude: I would gladly agree to anything of the sort."

From then on, things are a bit blurred. Jude digs through their wardrobe and room, in search of cloth that can be used to cover his eyes and something to tie his mouth with, so that he can still sort of get sounds out without being able to talk. And finally, for the rope she settles for a thick lace used for corsets. All she needs is to tie them well around his wrists and it’ll do the work.

Cardan undresses himself and lets himself be tied and covered obediently, not even asking what she plans on doing with him. Or to him. In truth, the answer to that question, Jude wouldn’t even know it herself. She just wants to see him unable to move freely, helpless under her gaze, her touch, her words. Whatever they will turn out to be in the moment.

As he’s finally there in front of her, his knees on the bed, hands tied behind his back, eyes and mouth covered, he’s completely at her mercy, yet Jude gets nervous and confused. She wonders what he expects of her or if he has any expectations at all. And if he did, what would they be? She has nothing ready, nothing clear in her mind. It’s all jumbled together in a mush of anxiety and craving. Thus she decides to test the waters, starting slow. Letting her body and instincts do the thinking.

As she slowly slides a single finger down his arm, she can feel him shiver at the contact. Gaining in confidence, she crawls on the bed and makes her way behind him, placing her hands around his shoulders. She rests a soft kiss on one of the small scars on his back, then another. And another. And everytime, Cardan tenses up a bit, almost as if he can’t breathe when she does that.

Gently, Jude starts talking. She’s not sure why she feels the need to, but she lets the words spill anyway.

"Humans say that if you kiss a wound, it will heal faster. It’s just a saying but…" She sneaks in a kiss again. "I hope the lotion will work. But even if it doesn’t, I’ll keep kissing your scars forever. Would you like that?"

Shyly, Cardan nods and as he does, Jude swears she can make out a wet spot on his blindfold.

"Cardan…?"

He slouches a bit, and although Jude has never seen him do that, she takes a guess.

"Cardan… Are you crying?"

His silence speaks volumes and Jude’s heart drops.

"Oh honey. I’m so sorry, should I stop?"

Yet as she makes that offer, Cardan shakes his head immediately in strong disapproval with the idea.

"Are you sure? We can stop anytime."

He nods and Jude raises her hand , running her hand through his hair, what she hopes to be a comforting touch.

"Okay. If you ever feel like stopping just… hit me with your tail or something." She wraps her hands around him, taking him into a warm embrace. As she does, it feels as if all the tension has left his body. Like he’s completely giving himself up to her.

Jude doesn’t think about what she should do or what she shouldn’t do anymore. She just lets herself show him her affection as gently and as lovingly as she can. Every single one of her actions is so careful, so lovely, Cardan feels like he could drown in this much love. And how lucky he is to be drowning in it.

As Jude caresses his ear then cheek, he shamelessly nuzzles himself against her hand. As if he’s a needy animal, hungry for attention. As if he’s her pet and only hers to play with. Jude smiles, a bit full of herself seeing his complete submission to her and how he willingly cast his pride aside, acting so pathetically cute.

"Good boy."

Cardan shivers again. This time it’s more clear as the shiver even reaches his tail. It’s quite an adorable spectacle, really. And how lucky is Jude that he only performs like this for her, and no one else.

At this point, his length is begging to be touched. She purposefully avoided that area all this time, loving how frustrated and desperate he got because of it. Cheeky, she reaches for his thighs, grabbing them firmly then caressing them.

"You want me to finish you?"

Cardan nods, a whining sound coming out of his throat since he can’t really speak.

"Hmm… I don’t know, I’m quite tired of this already. Try pleading a bit?"

Without any hesitation, he grovels on the bed, his forehead against the soft fabric of their cover. Jude is baffled at how easy it was, she can’t even laugh. She just can’t, Cardan is truly adorable when he’s being honest. In fact, Jude is now certain that there is nothing cuter. She pets him, praising him for his display of sincerity. And as she does, his tail unreservedly moves from side to side, showing his gratefulness at the kind words of praise and her touch.

As he sits up, Jude guides him to her lap, allowing him to rest his head there as she extends her hand to the area down his navel. He makes a sound at the contact.

"Sorry baby, too sudden?"

Cardan strokes his cheek against her thigh, as if to assure her that it’s okay. But as he prepares for the up and down sensation of her beautiful fingers on his shaft… nothing comes. She’s not moving her hand.

"What’s wrong dear? Surely you can try to move on your own? Go on."

As if the humiliation of him groveling in front of her wasn’t enough, he’s now expected to please himself by moving his hips on his own? He squirms under her gaze, while not even knowing where it’s directed. Yet somehow, it feels so good to be watched, to be seen, to have somebody’s undivided attention on your whole being. And knowing that they love what they see. Losing himself in the moment, Cardan obediently does as he’s told. Well, not like he has any choice. Holding on that long was already unbearable, he needed to quench his craving.

So he kept moving his hips against her rough, yet still soft fingers. Holding onto her promise, Jude didn’t move her hand away, letting Cardan desperately thrust himself against her curled up hand. And as he felt himself reach the end, an embarrassing sound left his throat. Usually it had been low and rough, this time it was high and whiny. Almost like a whimpering pup. The pleasuring sensation gone, as his thoughts cleared up to what had just happened, reality finally hit him in the face and he felt mortified. He wanted to run and hide yet at the same time… A big part of him had loved it, being treated like this. Being loved like this. Making a fool of himself in front of his darling wife.

Little did he know that the wife in question had little restraint left in her as well, if at all.

"You’re so adorable Cardan. Please, give me one minute."

She climbed on top of him, riding his thigh. Rubbing herself on it like a depraved animal, just as much as he had. And as she did, she couldn’t hold back her voice either. Cardan suddenly felt regret, not being able to see her in that state, although feeling her stroking herself on him was admittedly thrilling in and of itself. And it quite literally did only take one minute. Turns out she was just as desperate as he was...

And as she finally freed and untangled him of all of his restraints, the exact same thought was in their minds.

They kissed.

[thejudeduarte]

My new fic We are all someone's monster has just been posted! This is from Cardan's POV from chapter 20 of The Prisoners Throne! I love writing and I don't just write for other people but for myself as well, but I hope you all enjoy it <3

[the-true-blue-pineapple]

Started a new fic.

Summary:

Cardans life seems almost perfect, he has just moved in with his girlfriend who he is planning to propose to soon and he has finally managed to get his first murder case. A case he quickly realizes is connected to a string of other murders, clearly the work of a serial killer.

Little does he know that the person he is looking for is closer than he could have ever known.

It's a detective Cardan and serial killer Jude au

[jurdannetrevels]

Hallowed Greetings, Folks and Folk!

We are mere nights away from our potions being brewed, our spells being cast. However, we have a few more riddles for you, sweetmeat. You need only choose the spooky film that speaks to you most, and our High King or Queen might just play it during the revel.

Be wicked, and cast this poll unto your realm for more powerful magic. You have seven sleeps! 🎃🕯️

Thank you so much to all the lovely wondrous anons who contributed to the film prompt section! 🖤

poll 1

[viisator]

The Prince of Elfhame

Tittle: The Prince of Elfhame

Pairings: Nishimura Riki X F!Reader

Genre: Fantasy

Summary: Niki is the only son of Jude and Cardan Greenbriar, and he has a human maid, but his maid and he don't get along pretty well, and he has this secret crush on her that he's bitter about, he couldn't believe he's liking a human maid, it's just not on his ligue.

Warning: none

Not Proofread

Short scenario • • •

INSPIRED BY "The Folk Of The Air" by Holly Black

– Can I have a request, please? After/before you read this(thanks for checking this out btw) like or reblog, or both; is really appreciated!! And it will help my blogs reach other ppl too!! Thank you!! Have a good time reading!! –

(I CAN FINALLY SHOW MY LOVE FOR THE FOLK OF THE AIR!!!)

(The devil's contract isn't finished yet, that's why I wrote this so the wait is quite worth it...and it's been a lot of months since I posted the teaser and until now I haven't finished the story:'( I really really am sorry)

• • • • •

Y/n have been walking upstairs of the palace where she would be serving his highness the prince, a cup of his afternoon chocolate tea with a strawberry on top. 

Ever since she'd been to Elfhame, all she ever felt was a surprise; and it's been four years since she'd been there. The first thing she was shocked with was her Majesty the Queen, she never thought a human would be ruling a kingdom of faeries; she often wondered if the Queen was ever been afraid, and the fact that humans can always be harmed by glamours, but she still stands so tall whenever they stumble upon each other; but what surprised her the most was that the prince- son of the king and queen- was always been kind with everyone except her.

They first met at the ball, the very first ball she ever attended on Elfhame. There was dancing and laughter with singing, and people who only care for free food. There was a loud bang in the hallway on the outside when the knights on the stand announced that the prince has come. Everyone cheered - the loudest was the king - and girls heave deep sighs as they hear the name 'prince' when the door opened and a tall young man, hair as black as the night, lips lump with rose tint, pointed ears, and a kind smile that convinced everyone that he should be loved; and Y/n was caught by it. She also heaves deep-long sigh and all she could ever think is that he looks more majestic than any other creature she has encountered here in Faerie.

That night didn't end up the way Y/n had dreamt of, the prince- Nikael Greenbriar - seems to not like her face so much. The first encounter was at the table of sweets when Y/n grabbed a strawberry tart with extra cream and microwaved(seem so) strawberry on top, and Nikael -mostly known as Prince Niki- grabbed her hand tight and shoots her a glare that almost poked through her eyes. They stayed staring at each other for a while then the price yanked away the tart from the girl's hand and walked away. And that's how everything ended at the ball.

One day, Minji, one of your faerie friends, told you that the palace needs one more worker for the laundry work, and that's the start of your getting promoted as the prince's maid. But everything just didn't work well, and it seems like the prince hold grudges since the night you stole his tart.

As you open the door, Niki is laying down on the couch while he's staring up at the ceiling.

"You spend two hours making tea?" He gave you bored looks and a sigh, unfortunately, your attention is on the tea; and when you finally put the teapot down, you straighten your back and answered him.

"Fourty-three minutes your highness. It was never an hour or more." He hated the way that you smile with so much sarcasm. He hated that you stares back at him with no slight bother. And he hated you the most because you always make him feel powerless, but of course, he'll never tell you that. Not anyone.

He answered you with a short eye roll and a groan. Three minutes had passed and you're standing still at his side as he consumes his tea very slowly, waiting for his next order.

"Do you hate me?" After three minutes long of silence, you were surprised by what he asked you. You barely know what to say.

"Why would I, your highness, my prince? I've no complaints even though I have more than a hundred, I still have no complaints, and I should never hate you. And that is because I don't-"

-like you? Was that it? you don't like me?" He shift his look to you, his brows meeting each other as you gave him another sweet smile.

"Your highness, I will be very honest. I hate you with every inch of my being." Your stare was intense, it made him put his teacup down and look at you fully. He was very much surprised you could say such things that never, not even one had ever told him.

"How about you, your highness, how much do you hate me?" He did not answer, but instead, he got up and walked out and shut the door loudly.

The next thing that happened is at the dining hall, when the king, queen, the queen's sister and her child, prince Oak, and prince Niki are eating dinner. You were standing at the side with the other maids when Niki keeps on looking at you, but when you make eye contact he abruptly changes his view, either to his food or to his uncle who keeps on talking. Niki is very loud whenever he talks with his uncle, but always quiet when the King is in view. So when the King talks and brought out a topic concerning Niki, he slams his utensils down and got up from his chair and walked out. And you guess he loves to walk out whenever he's mad. And nobody stopped him.

The next scene was in the garden when the Queen asked you to follow him and let him talk of what had offended him with his father's word. You see him by himself sitting on the well-cut grass, while you were standing close to his back.

"Why did you walk out again?"

"He said something about what a prince should do. But he never saw my efforts! that I always try to be a better prince and all he can see are the things I did not do. The things I couldn't do!" You were a little surprised he said those openly in front of you without hesitation.

You sit down beside him and you listen to his thoughts until it's nearly daytime.

"It's nearly time for bed...thank you Y/n, I never had someone to talk to either than my uncle. And it's been a while since I let someone hear my concerns." The morning sunlight that hits his face was yellowish red, his side view was the most beautiful view you've ever seen. He looks so majestic. The most beautiful faerie you think there is to live.

"Why do you hate me?" It was an inch distance between you two, and you were lost in his eyes that you think it was glamour that made you advance more and put your warm lips into his plumpy rose red lips and he gladly return the kiss.

His question was never answered, and after that night when the sun finally stands tall, you both got to bed, and the next day, everything seems to be normal again with your daily dose of bickering, but it seems different from the previous fights because he doesn't smile or laugh after the arguments before. But he'll never say he likes you, and so do you.

(I hope you liked it<3)

Masterlist

©® Viisator 2023

[starryevermore]

you said you were gonna come find me ✧ cardan greenbriar

angst city™ library | send in a request (consult request faqs first)

pairing: cardan greenbriar x fae!fem!reader

request: part 2 of the cardan fic?? - anon

summary: and you didn't wanna hang around. she said it was just goodbye for now. he said he was gonna grow up, then he would come find you.

word count: 1,728

warnings?: dual povs, a little angst with a happy ending, not proofread

PART ONE | PART THREE

The local children were convinced you were a witch. Part of you wanted to tell them that you were worse than a witch—that you could turn them into animal of your choosing, that you could make them do things and think they liked it, that you could ruin their lives by virtue of existing. Perhaps that was the heartache talking, so you instead shouted “boo!” when you caught them staring for too long. You supposed, though, you fed into the rumors of your being a witch. You came into this town out of nowhere, lived far away from the rest of its people, and only interacted with them when you went into town for food or a new library book. No one knew who you were or where you came from. At first, you reveled in the solace.

Now, you were only painfully are of how lonely you were.  

When you left Faerie, you went as far as you could from your former home. Traveled up to the mountains, found an abandoned cabin you could hole up in. There were few faeries in this area, mostly solitary fae that you would encounter while on walks in the woods, which had been the draw. Months later, you found yourself wishing you had set yourself up in one of the communities of fae who lived in the mortal lands. Would you be admitting defeat to leave the cabin now and join them? 

It wasn’t all horrible in your little cabin. Being away from court and all of its expectations was nice. You didn’t have to worry about carefully mincing your words so as not to offend anyone. You weren’t dragged into dances you would rather avoid. And you certainly did have to let your heart break over and over again as Jude at Cardan’s side. No, instead, you could read and write poetry and tend to the little garden you had started. You could find your happiness, even if it was without the one person you truly wanted by your side. 

You wondered how Cardan was doing. Had he even noticed you were gone? Did he care? He had seemed to miss seeing you when you danced with him on your last night in Faerie. But he had also not made any prior efforts to seek you out. Fae couldn’t lie, but they could manipulate. They could twist the truth to serve their interests. Few were better at doing so than Cardan. 

“When I learned you left Faerie, this was not the sort of place I expected you to be.”

You stiffened as you rounded the corner. The basket you’d been using to carry the herbs you foraged nearly fell from your grip. You squared your shoulders, looked down your nose at the woman seated at your dining room table. “I did not come here under the expectation to be found.”

Jude considered the room. The dirty dishes in the sink, the wilted flowers in the center of the table, the open storybook at the chair askew in front of her. “So it seems. It was not easy to find you.”

“You should have taken that as a sign to leave me be,” you said. You crossed the dining room and went into the kitchen. Jude’s chair scratched against the floor as she followed you. You ignored her as you began to unload the herbs from your basket. “I left Faerie for a reason.”

Though you were avoiding looking at her, you knew Jude’s eyes did not leave you. If you didn’t know better, you might have thought Jude was fae herself. The predatory glint in her eyes, the way her fingers itched to grab at her sword. She was not still like fae, nor was she unnaturally beautiful like fae, but she carried herself in such a way that you could be convinced otherwise. By human standards, she would have been the most beautiful of all. It was easy to understand why Cardan would choose her. Gorgeous but lethal—the exact sort of woman he would pursue. First Nicasia, now Jude. It was just as easy to see that you did not fit into the picture. 

“You ran in the middle of the night,” Jude said. You looked over your shoulder. Her brows were pinched together as she scrutinized you. 

“Have you come here to chastise me for leaving without a goodbye?”

She shook her head. “I have come because you were invited to breakfast.”

It was hard not to laugh. Was that why she came all the way to mountains to find you? Because you didn’t come to breakfast? It was so ridiculous. Of all the reasons to seek you out, it was the silliest of them all. Your heart ached all the same, though. No one came because you were a friend. No one came because you were missed. Would Cardan have even known you were gone if he hadn’t extended the invitation the very evening you fled? 

“If I have offended the King, then I extend my apologies.”

Jude lifted her chin. “Tell him yourself.”

Your jaw clenched and unclenched. No. You would not go to him. You would not drag yourself back to that palace and let yourself be reminded why you had to go. You refused to break your heart all over again. “I have no desire to return to Faerie.”

“You don’t have to.”

Cardan stood in your bedroom. It was different than your one in Faerie. The one there had been full of extravagant things—the finest things he could gift you. It was full of gold and pearl and opal, glittering as if it all needed to be housed in a vault. But this bedroom, it had been stitched together out of nothing. Threadbare blankets, smooshed pillows, books that looked like they would fall apart with one wrong look. Cardan listened to your conversation as your voice floated down the hall. Would you really choose all of this over being with him? Was he truly so terrible?

The floor creaked under his feet as he stepped out and walked down the hall. Cardan could only see the back of your head, but you still looked just as beautiful as he remembered. His fingers twitched at his side as he fought the urge to run up behind you, take you in his arms, and whisk you away to Faerie. When had you taken so much control over him? When had he given it to you so willingly? When had you decided you didn’t want it anymore? 

“I believe I am owed an apology?”

You turned slowly on your heel. Your eyes narrowed, but Cardan did not miss the flash of surprise. Your tongue swiped over your teeth. Would it be wrong to take that tongue in his mouth? Did it matter if it was? “I apologize.”

“My, that was heartfelt.”

Your eyes fell to the tail that swished around Cardan’s legs. It was still unfamiliar for him to have it out, still hard to control it from revealing his base emotions. He tried to will it to stop, but it continued to wave around as his excitement of seeing you bubbled in his chest. “Would you prefer I fall to my knees and weep for your forgiveness? Kiss your feet until you are pleased?”

“Oh, there are few things that would please me more than you on your knees for me, but I would prefer to not have an audience for that.”

Your gaze flitted from Cardan to Jude, who was inspecting your collection of kitchen knives. Were you debating sending her away? He would enjoy that. He would like to get on his own knees and remind you why he cared for you so. He misliked the distance you were putting between him. Maybe if he begged prettily enough, you would forgive him for whatever cruel thing he did that sent you running. 

“What are you doing here?”

“I don’t appreciate learning that you fled in the middle of the night after inviting you to breakfast. Is my company so awful that you would rather leave your home than spend a moment with me?”

A scoff escaped your lips. “I didn’t expect you to care.”

Cardan stared. Didn’t care…? He was so sure he had been clear with his intentions. He sent you gifts—he sent you a ring! The ring…Cardan reached over to his littlest finger and slipped it off. Ignoring your noise of protest, he closed the distance, grabbed your hand, and slipped the ring back on the finger it belonged. His heart slowed to a normal beat.

“Why would I give you this ring if I didn’t care?”

You stared at the ring. “You have gifted me many things.”

Jude stepped toward you. Your head snapped over to look at her, as if you had forgotten she was there. She tapped on the glittering gem on the ring’s center. “Allow me—Cardan is not good at professions of love, it seems. I told him of how humans would gift a ring as a promise of love. He wished to do that for you. Usually, there are confessions of how one wants to stay with their partner for all of their lives, but it seems he forgot that part.”

Cardan’s face burned as you looked back to him. “Is that true?” you asked. 

“Do I need to get on my knees for you to believe it?” He ignored Jude’s remark that that, too, was part of the human tradition.

You straightened your spine. “I will not be a lover to the king.”

Of course you wouldn’t be. You deserved more than that. Cardan was willing to offer you more than that. All you had to do was give him the word. Without a thought, Cardan sank to his knees, captured your hands in his. “Then be my Queen.”

Your breath hitched. 

“Come back to Faerie and rule by my side. Allow me to love you as I have tried for all these years. I missed you.” He lifted one of your hands to lips, then the other. “I begged Jude to help me find you and bring you home. I begged her to help me come here. Please, don’t let it all be for not.”

All you could manage was a single nod, and that was enough. 

PART THREE

[claudiarya]

Hey there, I’ve written this Jude/Cardan one shot for fun!

It contains spoilers for The Prisoner’s Throne, so beware of that.

[novelroyalty]

I had two reactions to Holly Black's announcement of a Cardan book. 1. YAY NEW BOOK AND ITS CARDAN! 2. NO MY JOB!

[cursed-dagger]

badboy stories about emotionally repressed men who were neglected as children and were ultra possessive had me in a chokehold and that is why I am the way l am

[avelanlorelay]

*Fireflies*

Mature | Fluff | Fluff and Smut/Romantic | Post The Queen of Nothing

Words: 4,124

Summary: Cardan steals Jude from the feast to show a surprise. Based on the deleted scene from The Queen of Nothing.

*Just cuteness and happiness. English is not my first language so sorry for any mistakes 🖤

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/49553290?view_adult=true

You are the light I've been searchin' for forever

Feels like I've really never felt the rain

Buried in the desert, didn't think I'd push through the dirt

You just cleansed me like a waterfall, you came

You cranked the heat up, I was cold

My past grew mold around my heart

And all my anger, sadness, regret disappeared, it's madness

I'm not used to all this water love, it's true

Light Shower, Melanie Martinez

He squeezed her hand, a signal for Jude to trust him, even though her patience was wearing thin as they walked through the woods, toward a lake Cardan used to visit near the palace. He had whispered furtively in her ear in the middle of the feast, promising her a surprise and a kiss if she would accompany him without asking questions.

Despite Jude’s reprisals that they shouldn’t run away in the middle of dinner, abandon the guests and especially escape the guards. But of course, a rebellious and impudent King like him didn’t care about any of that. Cardan agreed with a prankish smile, satisfied with his new title.

She followed him, though, perhaps because she was tired of Lady Asha’s glares and Minister Randalin’s exhausting babbling. Or maybe she was really tempted by the promise of a kiss. Jude hated to admit it, but Cardan’s lips were always good justification for breaking the rules.

Amidst the sound of owls and other creatures moaning or rejoicing in the dark of night, Cardan heard his Queen sigh, tired probably, but too touched by his willingness to surprise her to complain aloud. Oh, his Tempting Fruit Jude, who had already charmed him while sour, now made him even more smitten with her little efforts to prove herself sweet.

“Don’t worry My Queen, just a little bit more and we’ll arrive. Oh, perhaps you would rather have called your servants to carry you in a litter. He turned with a smirk so he could see her brown eyes roll back.

Even now as High Queen, Jude wasn’t usually as ostentatious as Cardan – except when it came to politics, of course, Jude then was all beauty and orders – but she wasn’t spoiled like the king, he had to admit.

“Perhaps I would rather you carried me in a litter.” She replied, eyebrows raised in sass, which no other person would have the audacity to say to the High King of Elfhame.

Cardan laughed.

“And am I not already one of your most faithful servants, my Goddess?” He pulled her to his side, placing a soft kiss on her hand. He was grateful for his magical vision for being able to see Jude's cheeks turn crimson like a red rose. She made a strange sound in her throat.

"What sound is this? Are we getting there yet? Jude pointed, quickly changing the subject.

Cardan became aware of the sound of water and the croaking of frogs nearby.

"Indeed. Wait here, I'll be back shortly.

"Cardan..." She began.

“Just trust me, Jude.” He insisted with a smile. Not a malicious smile or one of silly joy, but a truly sweet one, increasingly present on his lips.

Cardan didn't wait for her answer, he slipped through the trees. Five minutes later, Jude prepared to follow him, not caring to spoil the surprise, when she heard Cardan's voice humming her name. She approached with a small smile and almost gasped when she finally saw him.

Her King was smiling by a shining lake, illuminated by hundreds of fireflies that flew together, moving and dancing in harmony with the silent song of the woods, illuminating a carpet of white flowers that bloomed and spread out to cover the dry leaves of the ground and the trunk of the surrounding trees. A sweet scent of jasmine and honey lingered in the night.

Jude felt love move her heartbeat. In the light of the living stars, Cardan looked even more handsome and charming. Even more passionate. She had to blink a few times to make sure it wasn’t a dream.

“Did you like it?” Cardan asked hopefully, gesturing to induce the fireflies to fly around Jude. She turned to follow them with her gaze, but said nothing. “I have been training for some time.”

His tail swayed back and forth in anticipation, his usual confidence faltering terribly with her long silence. It was always like that with Jude. At all times, he found himself yearning for her reactions to his jokes, to his kisses, to his touches, from the most delicate to the most intimate. A rare laugh, a sigh of comfort, a moan of pleasure. Every melody that came out of Jude’s lips was the most beautiful song to his ears.

But at the moment he heard nothing. Perhaps the flowers were overkill? Maybe Jude was finding him clingy. Maybe he should tell all those silly fireflies to stop dancing and go away.

“It is splendid.” She finally sighed with a smile and he felt his heart dance in the chest along with the fireflies.

He smiled smugly, proud that he’d managed to impress her. Cardan held out a hand for Jude to join him at the edge of the lake.

“Did you do all this just for me?” She asked, brow furrowed, a little surprised and thrilled at the same time. Jude didn’t even remember that there was a lake near the Palacio, and especially didn’t knew that Cardan trained to charm fireflies.

She realized that she still wasn’t used to the idea that Cardan was her husband now and that lovers did romantic things for each other, asking nothing in return, even in Elfhame. Indeed, it seemed she would never get used to the idea that Cardan was hers, that he thought of her, that he liked to surprise her and give her gifts, that he wanted her. Without any logical explanation, his love was like Faerie magic itself.

“Well, I still don’t have much experience with being a husband and I also thought you wouldn’t like something too extravagant. So I tried something romantic in the right measure. However, I’m also not sure any measure of romance suits your tastes.” Cardan explained with a shy smile.

Jude couldn’t help but laugh and could have sworn his cheeks reddened. He was undeniably handsome when he was -rarely -shy.

“Actually, I like any measure of romance when it comes to you.” She moved closer, wrapping her arms around his neck. Cardan raised his eyebrows in surprise. “So feel free to be romantic whenever you want.”

“Oh Jude” He sighed, in love “You’re not mocking me, are you?”

The Queen pressed her lips together, drawing her eyebrows together.

“If every time I try to be affectionate you’re going to get suspicious, then I’ll give up right here.” Jude replied, promptly withdrawing her embrace. He pulled her back against his chest before she could pull away any further.

“No, don’t be so cruel to me. But sometimes, everything seems too perfect to be true. I feel like I’m dreaming.”

Jude thought so too, but she at least had the advantage of knowing that every word of love and devotion that fell from Cardan’s lips-and of which there were many, even when she didn’t ask for it, even at inappropriate times-were the absolute truth. . He, however, was not so lucky. Jude remembered how he hadn’t believed her when she confessed that she loved him for the first time, making a mental note to try to remind him of the truth of her feelings whenever necessary, even if it wasn’t with words.

"So… it’s a dream.” She concluded simply, with a small smile that reflected across his lips, before she attacked them with a kiss.

After a long moment, the fireflies swirling around them like a spiral, Cardan tried to pry their mouths apart, but Jude bit his lip to stop him. He moaned into her mouth and after a lot of effort, managed to pull away with a husky laugh.

“Wait, my dear kissy. Actually, I brought you here so we could bathe in the lake. I used to enjoy swimming back in the day, before I became King. I realized I missed it, so I wanted to come back here, but with you.”

Most of the time, he swam alone, enjoying the peaceful feeling of floating in the water, of feeling free. No pain, no hurt, no anger. Just freedom. Nicasia accompanied him some other times. They exchanged secrets and kisses and risky caresses, and he walked all the way home with a goofy smile on his lips. But those moments were long forgotten by Cardan, the happiness of those memories fading with time, as his love for Nicasia had faded. Disappeared from a place in his heart, so that Jude could occupy it entirely

In every moment with her, Cardan could feel the memories being eternalized in his own skin, just as he could feel the flowers opening in the ground, as if he and Jude were intertwined like the roots of a single rose. And every moment together with Jude, he wanted another and another and another, and as many memories as he could keep in the hundred or two hundred years they would live together.

“As long as you don’t try to drown me this time.” Jude narrowed her eyes with a wicked smile.

Cardan froze. He had completely forgotten about that day. Jude watched him blush a second time, truly a miracle. She had to stifle a laugh when he lowered his gaze.

“Oh, that. I don’t think I’ve ever apologized properly. I’m sorry, Jude. But if you give me a chance, this will be the perfect opportunity to replace this terrible memory with a much better one.”

Cardan looked into her eyes, a small hopeful smile, his tail twitching nervously for the second time that night. He could almost feel his muscles getting tired. She smiled brightly at him, moving close enough that her breaths seemed like a single, as she murmured,

“You’ve already done it. No bad memories exist when I’m with you, Cardan.”

He raised his eyebrows in surprise and swore his heart had stumbled a beat.

“Ask again if I’m mocking you and you’ll have to swim alone.” Jude added grimly.

“Fair.” Cardan chuckled, raising his hands in surrender as he approached the lake. He had been speechless anyway.

Cardan removed the long wolfskin cloak from his shoulders, followed by his doublet and shirt, and threw them carelessly to the earth. It took Jude some time in her silent admiration to realize that he was taking off his pants as well. Her cheeks flushed as Cardan turned to her stark naked, gaze inquiring and tail twitching impatiently. All his pale skin glistened in the moonlight, as if the King was it sole focus. It was mesmerizing and intimidating at the same time, his unearthly beauty.

“As tempting as your gaze is, I would like you to hurry up.”

His petulant tone snapped her out of her trance. Jude cleared her throat.

“You want me to go in the water with you completely naked? If anyone sees it, they’ll think we were doing something else.”

Cardan rolled his eyes. His queen didn’t care much for the fae’s nudity and even their inhibitions with sex. But Jude seemed terrified that anyone would find her in the slightest bit in that condition or in any way related. Jude only allowed the folk to see her as a warrior, never as a lover. Not that it bothered him, she had always been secretive anyway. On the contrary still, Cardan liked to think that her innermost side was reserved for him alone, her greatest proof that he possessed her every confidence. As if he were special.

“Good.” The King snorted with amusement. “You can swim with your clothes on if you want. Everyone will wonder what happened to the Queen when you returns soaked from head to toe, though.”

“Or you could lend me your robes and walk naked to the palace.” She retorted insolently.

The laugh Cardan gave echoed through the forest, as revitalizing as birdsong.

“Well, then surely everyone would know what happened to the Queen.” He snapped, so bold he didn’t even make a point of looking at Jude. He didn’t wait for her either as he waded slowly into the water, the fireflies clearing a path for his to pass.

“Come on Jude, the water is very nice. Warm, as you like in the bath. The sun must have been pretty hot this morn...” His excited voice trailed off as he turned and saw Jude wading into the lake. She had let her chestnut curls loose and, naked with every detail of her body exposed and lit by the night, Jude looked as beautiful as any mermaid of the sea. He would have gladly drowned at the sound of her melodious voice, even for a single kiss. She laughed at his silly expression.

“Why are you looking at me like that? With those rosy cheeks, you looks like a maiden boy who has never seen a woman without clothes.” She scoffed, cupping her hands together to get some water and splash it on his head, wetting his black hair.

“No matter how many times I look at you, your beauty always disturbs me.” Cardan muttered hoarsely, ignoring her taunt and the drops dripping from his hair.

Jude felt her cheeks burn. It was still hard to get used to being the center of all attention from those black eyes. She ran her hands through his wet hair and pushed it back, leaving his face fully exposed to smear kisses over his pale skin. A kiss on top of one apple, then the other. Another kiss on the forehead and one more on the chin. One last at the corner of those soft lips, right where he hid his smiles.

When she pulled away, Jude combed his black brows with her thumbs and smiled into his smitten eyes. He looked like a hypnotized sailor, ready for her to drag him under the water.

“I dare you to see who can stay underwater the longest.” She said suddenly with a teasing smile. Cardan needed a moment to process her sudden change in mood.

He smiled and agreed. Jude counted to three and they both submerged in the water at the same time, her long hair flowing around her like a great crown. With puffy cheeks and a small smile of suppressed amusement, she was beautiful and she was his wife.

Underwater, Cardan reached out his hand and the entire lake lit up as if stars had fallen from the sky. Jude’s eyes widened and when she looked up, she realized it was the fireflies that had formed a carpet over the lake, following his movements.

Jude could see a shoal of violet fish swim in a row at the bottom, followed by a small water fairy riding a pink eel. At the very bottom were glistening mosses and a variety of water plants and flowers. She had never been able to see what she had in the lakes of Elfhame before. All the while, the King’s eyes followed her awestruck gaze.

When he could no longer hold his breath, Cardan emerged and Jude followed him.

“You won!” He laughed breathlessly, pushing his hair back.

“It’s so amazing. Do it again.” She asked in awe, ignoring her small victory.

“Why do not you try? Go ahead. Come on, Jude.” Cardan persisted when Jude stared at him in disbelief.

She held out her hand as he had and a rare goofy laugh escaped her lips as the fireflies followed her, even as Jude twirled her fingers, they danced in sync with her movements. Her eyes sparkled with the reflection of the lights.

“But I don’t understand...” She mumbled with furrowed brow. “This is magic, but I’m not magic. I’m just a mortal girl.”

“You are the High Queen, Jude.” Cardan smiled, taking her hands in his. “And this is our land, Elfhame. Yours and mine. You gave me this.” His voice has genuine admiration.

“And you gave it to me.” Jude reminded him softly.

“In fact, if we’re both upfront about our intentions, we set a trap for each other. And you fell perfectly into my trap, which made me really proud of my skills.” He grinned cheekily.

Jude clapped his shoulder. He held her hands tighter and savored her lips and the smile that crept onto them afterwards.

Neither of them worried that they had been gone for too long or that any guests or guards had noticed their absence. They swam deeper into the lake and discovered new creatures and plants. They played with the fireflies and laughed so hard their stomachs hurt. They floated in the water and watched the clouds move.

Only when Cardan took Jude’s hands in his and felt her fingertips wrinkle like shriveled fruit did he stop, frowning in concern.

“What happened to your fingers?”

“It’s normal. It happens because I was in the water for a long time.”

“Does it hurt?”

“Oh, no” Jude chuckled at his lovely genuine concern. “It’s like armor for human skin to get used to water. It’s just a little uncomfortable, but it can happen in the bath too.”

“Oh.” He raised his eyebrows. “We better get out of the water before you turn into a plum.” Cardan dropped one more kiss on her fingertips and stepped out of the lake, helping Jude out as well. He knew she didn’t need the help, but he also knew that she liked it when he showed her that he cared.

“But I don’t want to go back yet. Can’t we stay a little longer?” Jude questioned as she wrung out her hair at the lakeside. By this time, she no longer cared that Cardan saw her naked anyway.

He stared at her in mock surprise.

“And to think it was so hard to convince you to come… But if that’s what you want.” The King shrugged “I won’t be the one to deny you something in life.”

“It’s better anyway.”

Cardan grimaced.

“You are incredibly demanding today, aren’t you?”

Jude clicked her tongue ready to bite back a reply, but then she noticed he was leaning back, gently twisting the furry tip of his tail.

“What are you doing?” She asked with a surprised laugh.

“It gets heavy when it’s wet. Don’t laugh, Jude.”

“I am not.” She lied with a amused smile. Cardan shook his head in mock irritation, reaching down to pick up his robes from the floor.

“For my Demanding Queen, only the finest accommodations.” He said with warmth, dramatically laying his soft cloak on the flower-strewn ground.

He lay down in all his elegance and nudity and Jude couldn’t help but be reminded of the sculptures of Greek gods from the human world. She wouldn’t tell him of course, she’d already done enough for his arrogance for one night.

She lay on his chest while Cardan stroked her damp hair and they were both silent for a long moment, simply admired the stars. Until Jude realized too late that it wasn’t a good idea to hug Cardan while they were without clothes and having skipped the first step that usually got them into this situation. It was stronger than she was, this desire that had haunted her for so long and that now it was finally free to indulge whenever she wanted.

Their skin was still damp, and with hers pressed against Cardan’s, they warmed each other, making the touch even more inviting. She was up and sitting on his lap before he could notice.

Jude felt him under her body almost instantly. She almost let out a laugh, the poor King should have been holding back for a long time, but he was too respectful to try anything with his wife outside of they rooms.

“Jude” Cardan panted, clutching the lined cloak on the floor beside his tightly to avoid touching her. “I don’t want to test my resilience right here and now. Let’s go back then.”

Jude smiled and ran her hands slowly over his chest and belly.

“I already said that I don’t want to go back. And if we go back, we’re going to have to join the party. I want to party with you alone.”

Cardan covered his face with his hands and growled.

Jude laughed and pushed his hands away from his face. He looked at her with a frown.

“Are you sure?”

“No one will see us here, willt hey?”She asked shyly, stroking his soft cheeks.

“No. Nobody, I swear.” Cardan promptly stated. Too fast, even. The controlled desperation in his voice was comical, and though Jude was trying hard to sound seductive, she laughed again.

“Then fine.” She moved closer to kiss his lips and he responded eagerly.

Cardan turned them so that Jude was under his body. He kissed her all over her face as she had done to him, taking the opportunity to move down her body. On her muscled belly, he stopped to lick her belly button and followed with kisses down her inner thighs, skipping a spot that Jude thought was extremely important.

She gripped his hair tightly and pulled him up.

“I need you. I need you now.” Jude whispered in his ear, nibbling the tip of his pointed ear. Cardan shivered and let out a hoarse groan.

He squeezed Jude’s breasts hungrily and hurriedly positioned himself inside her, moving slowly as their breathy moans echoed through the forest.

Amidst the scent of flowers and the lights of dancing fireflies, Jude and Cardan made love as if they were the only ones in the world illuminated by moonlight.

“You are so delicious…” She whispered into his neck, spreading wet kisses over his skin. “I love having you inside me. I want you so much...”

Cardan shuddered and kissed her on the lips with even more desire. He had once confessed to Jude that he fantasized about her flattery, now she always whispered sweet nothings that drove him crazy. To mock him or not, Cardan did not care. He would beg at her feet for more if he had to.

“I am the one who desperately wants you.” He stroked her cheeks in his long-fingered hand. “Say what you want and I’ll give you anything, anything you wish. If you asked me for the stars, I’d go up to the sky and knock them down for you. I’d make the planet stop spinning, Jude. Just ask and I will give you everything I have and steal what I don’t have.”

Jude caressed his soft lips with her thumb, as if they were the petals of a rose. Her amber eyes like two fireflies twinkled only for Cardan.

“I don’t wish for anything. All I want is you. It is more than enough.” She slid her fingers under his chin and pulled him to her, their mouths intertwining effortlessly.

When she melted into him and pressed him inside her, her lips vibrated into the kiss with a drawn-out moan from Jude. He tightened her thighs around his body tightly and increased his thrusts, releasing himself inside her with his whole body shuddering and a growl. Jude pulled away biting Cardan’s lip, panting and with a small smile of satisfaction. Cardan always invoked many of her smiles.

He buried his face in her neck and almost purred when he felt Jude’s hand stroke his damp curls with water and now sweat. Another hand of her gently ran its fingers over the old and newly self-made scars on his back. Cardan could spend the rest of his long life there in her arms. He would forever be undone by her, in fact.

**** ***

They walked back through the forest barefoot, the warm night air drying their skin and hair. Between kisses and laughter, they stopped halfway to lean against a tree, their swollen lips tireless of each other. They promised to come back whenever they could and make it a secret place. Those memories they would create together Cardan would never forget.

That night, the King and Queen returned to the party just as the sun was about to rise through the trees. Their absence was not noticed by any revelers, however, all too involved in the celebration. Cardan and Jude danced and laughed, a secret on their lips shared only between them.

He loved it, how it was now part of her secrets. She felt as light and exhilarated as she had never allowed herself to be before.

If life had ever been cruel or boring, neither of them could remember.

*I modified some lines from the deleted scene and made some references to HTKOELTHS.

Thanks for reading! 🖤💗