#controlled the mask harp and crown

[stargirlie25]

consider yourself an enemy if you try to say Nesta didn't have a right to use the trove in the ember bonus chapter.

I know all these ppl are Rhysand Stan's in disguise trying to make a point.

NOT EVERYTHING BELONGS TO ONE CHARACTER ONLY!

The trove obeys Nesta SUCK ITTTT

I don't say it as much but I think Rhysand Stan's annoy me more than Rhysand himself.

LIKE people will never let Nesta goes even though she is practically the authors favorite character?

[silverflameataraxia]

She wore the Mask. She'd placed the Crown atop her head. And she cradled the Harp in her arms.

No one had ever wielded all three and lived. No one could contain their power, control them -

But yet Nesta had no right to give Bryce the Mask? Nesta must answer to everyone in Prythian for what she did?

Nesta has every right to do with these objects as she pleases. Nesta does not need to answer to anybody over objects that she alone can summon, control, and contain.

It's not like she's using the Trove for intergalactic conquest. She's only ever used the Trove to help people.

[emilystheories]

Aelin Galathynius created Prythian. She is the Mother.

This theory contains TOG, ACOTAR and (slight) CC SPOILERS!

Many, many thousands of years ago, Amren recalled that a huge "rip in the sky" appeared in her home world. Out of curiosity, Amren flew through this rip, and landed in Prythian.

This perfectly aligns with Aelin ripping a hole in the sky of the God's realm. This is the most concrete piece of evidence that Throne of Glass took place in the past (something I have already theorised about).

However, and most interestingly, it is suggested that Amren entered Prythian when it was being made - when the world itself was beginning to form.

If Aelin indeed created the "rip" in the sky that Amren went into - the timing suggests that Aelin's actions led to the creation of Prythian.

And, although subtle, we actually have proof of this.

Recall that Wyrd was described as the thing that "keeps the realms apart:"

But, when Aelin shut the gates between worlds at the end of Kingdom of Ash, we have this VERY important (and often overlooked) clue:

Aelin caused for all worlds to overlap.

I believe this is how Prythian was born.

The Cauldron.

According to the mural that Feyre observes, Prythian was created by a female with "glowing, slender hands," who tipped a fluid with "strange symbols" (wyrdmarks), from the Cauldron, onto the land.

I believe this was Aelin - perhaps not literally, but metaphorically.

But this begs the question; what exactly is the Cauldron?

For starters, we know that the Cauldron has 3 "legs". These legs provide most of its power (and this is an important clue!)

This is very similar to the 3 wyrdkeys in TOG; the very 3 wyrdkeys that Aelin embedded into her arm (and subsequently her blood) when she sealed the gates.

Aelin then gave over the 3 wyrdkeys, and all of her fire power to forge the new lock. It is this very power that is the essence of the Cauldron. 

As evidence of this, when we see the Cauldron's power in ACOWAR, it presents as Aelin's own power; "raw fire power," capable of burning an entire army to ash within seconds.

The Dread Trove.

The Cauldron also created the Dread Trove - and this is another very important clue.

The Crown.

The Crown can control and influence people - just like the wyrdkeys (and subsequent wyrdcollars and rings controlled people in TOG).

The Mask.

The Mask can control the dead - just like the wyrdkeys could create armies of dead people; a power Erawan desperately wanted.

The Harp.

The Harp can open portals to different locations, and potentially different worlds and realms. This is one of the key features of the wyrdkeys.

In fact, it was said the 3 wyrdkeys were needed to create a wyrdgate.

The Cauldron has 3 legs (that I believe are the 3 wyrdkeys Aelin yielded to seal the lock).

Thus, the Cauldron *IS* a wyrdgate.

Cauldron = Wyrdgate.

As further proof of this, to "nullify" the Cauldron, Amren had to:

give up her current body,

forget about those she loved,

and unleash her power of "light and flame."

Which is just like Mala Fire-Bringer; who also had to:

give up her current body,

forget about those she loved, (in fact, both her and Amren both warned that they will no longer "remember" their loved ones),

and unleash her power of "light and flame", in order to forge the lock, and shut the wyrdgate.

But, recall that when Mala's plan didn't work, Aelin (and Dorian) had to give all of their power to reforge a new lock, in order to seal and shut the wyrdgate once more.

This is just like Rhys in ACOWAR; in order to re-seal the Cauldron, he had to give over every inch of his power.

In fact, when Aelin and Dorian's power were used together, and in combination with the wyrdkeys, it was described as "creation and destruction," and the "beginning and the ending."

These are the exact same terms used to describe the Cauldron - and I'd argue the exact same *power* of the Cauldron (but more on that later).

And, as a side note - at one point, the Cauldron's power was even described as "fire and ice"... (ring any bells?)

The Lock.

Further, when Aelin and Dorian were sealing the wyrdgate shut, they had to make a "lock."

The lock they made was the Eye of Elena. This is perhaps the most important clue in this theory; that this very symbol and mechanism allowed for the creation of the Cauldron.

However, we learn in later TOG books that this symbol isn't just known as the Eye of Elena, but also as the "Eye of the Goddess." This is because it was first a sacred witch symbol, created by Rhiannon Crochan.

Crochan means Cauldron.

Additionally, the Eye of the Goddess was named as such, as it is said to represent the Three Faced Goddess (that the witches worshipped), and her three counterparts;

The Maiden

The Mother

The Crone.

It's for this reason that I believe the Cauldron was created from the Eye of Elena, or the Eye of the Goddess lock, as it too follows the principles of Maiden, Mother, and Crone.

We see clear evidence of this when Elain, Nesta and Briallyn were thrown into the Cauldron.

Elain was made into the Maiden.

The Maiden often symbolises innocence, beauty and blossoming.

In TOG, the Maiden was represented by the Blueblood witches, who were the "oracles, mystics, and zealots."

Elain was made into a Seer.

The Bluebloods also required more iron (as it was said that they were the most powerful), and it is rather interesting that Elain (presumably) wears an iron ring.

Nesta was made into the Mother.

The Mother often symbolises maturity, responsibility, and power.

In TOG, the Mother was represented by the Blackbeak witches, who were the warriors - known for their "obedience, discipline, and brutality."

Considering the multiple references to Nesta making a fine General in an army, as well as the parallels between Manon's thirteen, and Nesta's Valkyries - it makes perfect sense.

Briallyn was made into the Crone.

She was, quite literally, turned into an old woman by the Cauldron.

Creation and Destruction.

Knowing that that the Cauldron was made from the Eye of Elena/Eye of the Goddess, as well as the 3 wyrdkeys, as well as Aelin's own power that she donated to forge the lock, and seal the gate - this can explain Nesta's own power.

Nesta's power manifested as "cold" flame, one that seemingly burned without a trace.

We have already seen this before;

Aelin's moon-fire,

and Kaltain's shadow-fire.

The commonality between these two? Both women were in possession of the wyrdkeys.

The same wyrdkeys that the Cauldron now possess; the same power that Nesta stole.

And, all in all, this makes perfect sense. The Cauldron is a wyrdgate. Wyrd is the "language of the universe," it is the power of both creation and destruction, life and death.

Nesta's power symbolises one half - Death.

And, it's for this reason that I believe that Elain's powers (that are yet to be revealed), will symbolise the other half - Life. Creation. (And, I also have an inkling that she will be the one to rebuild the Dusk Court with this very power).

We also know that the Cauldron loved Elain. If the Cauldron was indeed created by Aelin - that she is it's Mother - then perhaps it's no coincidence that "Elain" is an anagram for "Aelin"....?

A portal too?

If the Cauldron is indeed a wyrdgate - then recall that Feyre threw the Book of Breathings into it.

Now, Jesiba Roga possesses that exact book.

Does this tell us that the Cauldron is in fact a wyrdgate to Lunathion, and the Crescent City world...?

Knowing all the connections between the Cauldron and the witches - and Jesiba being a witch herself, it makes sense...

[nikethestatue]

@elainarcheronweek Day 6, Growth

It's theory time!

two theories, actually.

My theory is that each Archeron sister will receive a Trove Object which would be specifically 'assigned' to them.

The Crown is for Feyre--it aligns with her Daemati powers, her status as a High Lady, and potentially, a High Queen later on and her future as a ruler.

The Mask is for Nesta--she can defeat enemies and raise armies with the Mask. I am assuming that the Mask is a death mask (Fionn's? or someone of importance) and her being associated so closely with war and armies, with her being called Lady Death, with her status as a Valkyrie it's only logical.

The Harp --is think that the Harp is for Elain. The Harp is closely related to the concept of Time. What is Sight if not the ability to move across time? Seeing the past and the future. Seeing places and people that no one else can? The Suriel told Feyre that it saw Elain's eyes peer across the worlds. I think that Elain can see across worlds and across times. I think she can find any person and any place within the universe. And if you can control time, can you control Fate? The outcome of choices that were or are being made? We saw that with Nyx's birth--his fate, and the fate of his parents was changed because Time stopped and was 'rewound'.

The question is--what does it mean for Elain's story?

My theory is that perhaps Elain will facilitate the revival of Dusk Court. But not in a way that most people probably envision it happening--she raises her arms and stuff starts sprouting! Kind of like a quick edit that you see in the movies.

But what if instead, Elain control's time? What if she PREVENTS the destruction of Dusk? What if she manages to control the outcome of bad choices that were made 15 thousand years ago? What if the Power of Life is...the prevention of Death and destruction?

Could her 'travel' consist of going back in time? To Prythian of 15K years ago? To the time of Fionn and Theia and the first Illyrians?

We had Aelin and Bryce fall through and into Prythian from their respective worlds. What if Elain does the same, only she falls out of Prythian as we know it right now and goes back?

I wonder if we've been thinking about the next book too simplistically and in too linear a manner? What if SJM turns it upside down and THAT would be Elain's story?

That certainly would be some interesting 'growth'.

[theladyofbloodshed]

Chapter 7 - The Penultimate One

With no signs of sirens blaring towards them or the door being kicked in by the auxiliary units of the city, all Hunt could do was wrap the Horn in a towel and shove it under the desk out of sight. He’d figure out that headache in the morning.

Nesta kept glancing towards it when she thought he wasn’t looking; Hunt caught her often frowning or wrinkling her nose up in its direction.

He pulled out the chair to sit on it backwards. Nesta perched on the edge of the bed, tiredness nibbling at her expression.

‘Tell me what’s going on.’

‘I don’t know,’ she replied, lifting her chin in defiance.

His fingers grazed against her cheek. ‘I’m on your team, Nesta. I want to help you.’

Fluidly, Nesta rose then moved to stand beside the wide windows which looked out upon the city. ‘In my world there are objects from the Dread Trove. The Harp is one. It opens wards. I’ve also used a Mask. I wouldn’t wish it upon my enemy. The world went cold. I-’ Nesta paused a moment. ‘I was being attacked by a kelpie. I thought I was going to die. It was biting me, pressing its face to mine - and the Mask came to me. I didn’t need to breathe or think. An army of the dead rose when I wore the Mask to do my bidding.’

‘A kelpie. Why were you anywhere near one?’

Nesta said nothing, just kept a slight scowl upon her face.

‘I hope they tucked you into bed and fed you ice cream for days after that.’

A light went out in her eyes. ‘No. They did not.’

Hunt couldn’t take the fraught expression on Nesta’s face; couldn’t bear to see her clinging to the cracks to keep from breaking. He crossed the room to stand behind her, his wings cradling around her. A hand rested on her waist as he stood behind her, watching the city with her.

‘There is a queen who was mortal, but – like me – she entered the Cauldron. It was of her own volition, but after I had attacked it. It turned her fae but ancient. She wears the Crown which can gain control of another’s mind. She wants me dead. It is my fault that she was cursed. If I hadn’t sought vengeance on the Cauldron for Elain…’

His hand went tighter on her waist. Between the Asteri, Einar Danaan, and this queen, there seemed no place safe for Nesta.

‘And do you think the Horn is part of that trove?’

On her exhale, Nesta sank into him. ‘It keeps calling to me, Hunt. Its voice is weak and broken but it is communicating.’

As if his arms might protect her from everything that life could throw at them, Hunt wrapped them around Nesta and kissed her temple. ‘What does it say to you?’

‘To use it.’

‘I’m not an expert on fae objects, but do you not have to pay a toll to use them? You haven’t suffered from using them?’

Her fingers rested on his forearms and Hunt wished they could stay that way for an eternity. He had to overcome his shitty life to make hers better; she deserved that.

‘It is said that some have not been able to take the Mask off. I won’t make a habit of using them.’

‘We can ask Danaan what the Horn was fabled to do. The fae like secrecy. I don’t want you whizzing off and landing in a road somewhere else.’ Hunt kissed her temple again. ‘You might end up in a world without waffles.’

‘A true terror.’

Nesta prised herself free then turned to gaze at him. She had to raise her chin an inch or two to meet his eyes, but for a female she was tall. Those long, lean legs reminded him of a dancer. If she stayed in Lunathion and kept up her diet of pure sugar, the harshness of her face would soon soften.

‘You are very calm about this,’ she noted.

‘Four nights ago, a shooting star fell from the sky and changed my life for the better.’ Hunt bopped the end of her nose. ‘I’ll take whatever life can throw at me as long as you’re there too.’

‘You barely know me.’

Hunt laced his fingers through hers then brought them to his chest so she could feel the steady thud of the heart within. ‘My heart knows you. It recognised you the moment we met, like we’d met in another life.’

When Nesta’s lips parted, he thought she might laugh or call him embarrassing for his words. Instead, she rose up on her toes to kiss him.

***

It was late when they settled into the bed. Like the previous night, they moved in together, one body tracing the other’s path. It was Nesta who needed Hunt beside her that night. Despite his words, she could sense the undercurrent of worry within him regarding the Horn. She did not know how it had come to her even after he had returned it to Luna’s temple but she imagined it was similar to the Mask, with even wards being unable to hold it. The trove items seemed to have a consciousness or their own desires. For now, Nesta was a tool they wanted to use so she needed to remember that.

‘Stop overthinking and go to sleep,’ said Hunt, voice hazy with sleep.

‘How did you know?’

‘You stopped stroking my wing.’

Indeed, her fingers had stilled from their path. Once she had discovered that an angel’s wings were nothing at all like an Illyrians, she could not be stopped. Hunt had explained that whilst most didn’t make a habit of touching a malakim’s wings, it wasn’t forbidden. He’d likened it to stroking somebody’s hair and even shared that his mother would brush his wings with her knuckles to ease him into sleep as a child. She found it soothing to stroke the feathers, especially the soft downy ones on the inside.

‘Everything will be alright, Nesta.’ Hunt kissed the back of her neck which sent a shiver down her spine. ‘You’ll be home soon.’

If anything could have sent her spiralling, it was that. They were well and truly different worlds. In Prythian, she lived in Rhysand’s pocket. She was Cassian’s to parade. She had been willing to believe that it was love because she knew no better, had no other options. They had all been taken from her. She’d watched her mother and father’s stifled, loveless marriage that had been arranged by their parents and expected the same. These days with Hunt had shown her that life could be fun. It didn’t have to mean survival. There could be somebody who stood on your team and wanted to be there for every moment.

Hunt groaned and pulled his arm tighter around her. ‘Overthinking.’

‘Sorry.’

‘Do you want to talk?’

‘Let’s sleep,’ she offered.

Hunt kissed her skin once, twice, she couldn’t count the number of small kisses he peppered upon her. ‘Goodnight, waffle queen.’

‘Sleep well, Orion.’

It was Hunt who woke her in the morning. He spoke softly on his cellphone but the words were crass and aggressive; a threat to whoever he was talking to as he made the morning coffee. A shard of light was exposed by the curtains which promised another bright, sunny day in Crescent City. The dawning of each day was a countdown that Nesta didn’t want.

‘For once in your pampered life, stop being a fucking dick,’ Hunt whispered.

Nesta couldn’t make out the quiet voice on the other end as she lay in the bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

‘Fae bullshit,’ replied Hunt. ‘Whatever. I’m heading to the Comitium soon. Your father can cry and scream all he wants, but it’s a fae item and it’s missing from Luna’s Temple so of course the finger will be pointed at your lot.’ A pause. ‘Fine. There’s still a warrant for your father’s address.’

He tossed the phone to the end of the bed then carried over the mugs.

‘What’s a warrant?’

As Hunt jumped, a dribble of coffee sloshed over the side of the mug. ‘Sorry. Did I wake you?’

‘No.’

‘A warrant is an official document meaning we can search a premise. In this case, Einar Danaan is being investigated. Apparently Luna’s Horn is missing. Can you believe it?’

‘Colour me shocked,’ Nesta replied drily.

‘It’s still where we left it. I’ve checked.’ Hunt settled the mugs down then flopped across the bed, covering her legs like an overgrown house cat.

‘What should we do?’

Hunt yawned carelessly. ‘Take a shower together. Find breakfast – there’s a nice little café not far from here – and then get as far away as we can. Pangera, maybe. Or the moon.’

Something about the way he’d said we as if they were in this mess together, like even if it was Nesta’s fault that a historical relic had turned up in the room, Hunt was still on her side and they’d figure it out.

She wiggled her feet out from beneath Hunt to draw her knees to her chest. ‘It’s really bad, isn’t it?’

Hunt gave a short smile. ‘I mean, it’s not great, but it is a little bit funny that Micah has managed to get a warrant from the other side of the world to have Einar Danaan’s home searched. I wish I could see the fae prick’s face.’

‘Is it a common theme across universes that the fae are disliked?’

‘They’re all stuck-up assholes. Except you, of course.’

‘I am not fae by choice,’ she reminded him.

Hunt rubbed his face with his hands. ‘Let’s get your Harp and find a nice corner of the universe where it’s warm and sunny and nobody knows us.’

‘I’d like that,’ Nesta admitted.

Despite what she had seen in Prythian, Nesta had never been convinced that fate was real. There was no such thing as destiny moving two pieces together across worlds. No force tethering souls. And yet, her heart so wanted to believe in it when she looked at Hunt. As a child, Nesta’s ideal husband had been one who left her alone; polite at best, neutral at worst. She had never dreamed of a man who was her equal because those sorts of mortal men did not exist. Her mother had instilled in her that she was an asset and that was all. Even in Prythian, a male was still worth more than a female. It was he who felt a bond, not a female. And Nesta, so stupid and lost, had stopped fighting for her freedom, for her choice, and gave in. She’d become her worst nightmare; her mother’s daughter. For months, she had told herself that beyond lust, it was only irritation that she felt for Cassian. There could be sparks of brilliance, of kindness, but it was extended to anybody – and more often than not, Nesta was the bottom of his priorities. The male she loved shouldn’t make her feel like a problem.

Hunt yawned his way through a sleepy morning, cuddling up to her legs beneath the duvet while Nesta drank her coffee. She couldn’t bear to tell him that she wasn’t a fan of it unless it had whipped cream on top and sugary syrups pumped into it; the fact he made her drinks in the morning was such a low expectation and yet nobody else ever had. Nesta alternated between running her fingers through his hair or his wings whilst prompting him to wake up and drink his own coffee. It appeared that burrowing against her was a more favourable way to spend his time.

Eventually, when Isaiah had called three times, Hunt dragged himself from the bed to shower.

He returned with a towel slung around his hips with damp wings.

‘Where’s the hairdryer?’

Nesta frowned. ‘The what?’

Hunt plucked a device from one of the drawers, careful not to disturb the Horn. It was red with a metal grid over the muzzle. A black cable was wrapped around the handle which he unwound before plugging it in.

‘Oh, you’ll love this,’ he said.

‘I thought it was a gun, like the one you have.’

Hunt tried his best not to laugh at her and failed quickly. ‘Nesta, in this world – probably any world that has guns – they don’t need to be plugged in. They’d not be effective. I mean, I can see why. It looks like one.’

The angel aimed it at her face then pressed a button.

Nesta screwed her eyes shut, bracing for pain, but was met with a loud noise and a burst of hot air.

When she dared open her eyes, Hunt was pointing it at himself, blowing the moisture from his hair. Nesta practically groaned at the sight of it. All of those nights carefully towelling her hair dry and still finding it damp in the morning.

‘What would happen if I used the gun on your wings?’

‘Hairdryer, Stargirl,’ he called over the noise. ‘I’d be all fluffy like a little chick.’

‘Oh, I’m very tempted,’ she said, grinning with a delight that she rarely felt.

Nesta lay back on the bed, watching Hunt dart about the room readying himself for a brief visit to the Comitium. She never thought she’d be the type to be so comfortable sharing such a small living space, but Hunt made everything easy. Nothing ruffled his feathers.

Perhaps because they were the same. Two lost souls searching for another’s hand to hold.

‘I have to go and play dumb about the Horn. I’ll look through Einar’s underwear for the sake of it.’

‘A strange way to spend your day.’

‘I’ve already rifled through yours,’ he shot back. ‘You’ll get a frequent shopper card from that lingerie boutique soon. When I come back, I have a day planned. A final day in Lunathion hitting up all the sights.’

She knew the final day was coming, but it felt a lot like a noose pulling tighter with each passing moment. There had been so many goodbyes that were stolen from her. Nesta didn’t want to say this one. Couldn’t say it.  

***

After putting on his best bored tone and acting as though it was as much a pain for Hunt as it was for the Autumn King to be searching every inch of his home for Luna’s Horn, Hunt allowed himself a little laugh when he got back to the barracks. The king had seethed, demanding to know which informant had planted the information that the Horn might be in his possession – and Hunt had shot him down with about thirty different city regulations about witness protection just to piss him off further.

‘Hunt, you still here?’

Vik called through the door as he was changing, ready for a day of adventure with his Stargirl.

‘One second.’

‘Meet me in my office when you’re done.’

It wasn’t like Viktoria to summon him so, warily, Hunt grabbed another change of clothes and hurried down to her basement dwelling. There were three monitors open and a computer that sounded like it might fly from the churning noise coming from the fan. Polystyrene coffee cups littered the desk.

‘Just the male,’ she said, spinning in her chair. ‘Micah asked me to pull the footage from Luna’s temple. There are no cameras inside which is so not helpful, but I’ve managed to get a picture of anybody who entered or departed the temple within a two-hour window of it disappearing. According to witnesses, it simply vanished before their eyes.’

‘Weird,’ Hunt said with a shrug.

‘Yeah. So, Declan Emmett is running additional tests on the footage and other teams are scraping the images to match them with IDs from our databases to question them. Isaiah’s got another team already speaking to the acolytes at the temple about what they saw.’

Hunt said nothing, just nodded along because this was information he already knew.

‘What’s really weird is like two hours after the Horn disappeared, there was a freak lightning storm that frazzled the cameras for a while.’ Viktoria threw an empty cup at him. ‘Hunt Athalar, I know your lightning.’

‘That’s not my lightning,’ he lied, voice pitching slightly too high.

Vik glared. ‘Oh, terribly sorry. It must have been the other Umbra Mortis who sent all the tech haywire last night.’ She threw her hands in the air. ‘Fuck, Hunt. What are you getting involved in?’

‘What? Nothing. Why the Hel do you think I’m involved?’

‘Uh, because you have a faerie girlfriend from outer space whose Harp went absolutely nuts last night.’

‘Nuts… how?’

Colour dotted her cheeks as she rolled up her long-sleeved top to reveal a painful-looking purple bruise wrapping around her elbow. ‘It shot me across the room when I was working on it. Literally nothing since it arrived. I’ve played every single string, ran every test, and nothing. Except last night. It was like it was excited. A burst of energy threw me into the wall and it was vibrating. Can you guess what time that happened? I’ll tell you, Hunt. A minute before the call came in that the Horn had disappeared.’

Hunt gave an innocent shrug. ‘A weird coincidence, huh.’

If looks could kill, he should be dead.

‘Sorry about your elbow,’ he said gingerly. He scratched the back of his neck. ‘Have you told anyone else about this?’

‘No, because tomorrow, I am handing that Harp and the sword back to Nesta Archeron and she’s going back to where she came from. Isn’t she, Hunt?’

‘Yeah, she is,’ he replied dejectedly.

When he tried to leave, Vik called out to him again and told him to shut the door.

‘Hunt, I’ve noticed a change this last week and I like it. I really do. But this isn’t her home. When Micah returns-’ she cut herself off. ‘Shit, if the Asteri even catch a whiff of her.’

‘I know. She’s going home.’

On the flight to her hotel, his plans for a day of excitement at the adventure park just on the outskirts of Lunathion plummeted to the ground. For a moment, Hunt debated not telling Nesta – but he couldn’t keep her in the dark. It wasn’t fair to do that. It was a thin line between scaring her or being honest, but surely with the reassurance that he was on her side, it would be alright. Hunt told himself that again: it would be alright. He glanced down at his phone as he landed. A text had been sent while he flew.

Dearest Orion,

I miss you.

Yours,

Nesta.

As he expected, Nesta was quiet as he told her. Her face was too guarded to pick up on much. No wonder Isaiah had such a hard time interrogating her when she landed.

The mood had soured so neither wanted to do much – except enjoy the other’s company.

With Tristan Flynn’s credit card still in Nesta’s possession, they walked to the supermarket. Nesta liked pushing the trolley although they only tossed snacks and a few fruits into it. Hunt let her scan it herself at the self-service even if it took ten times as long because she wouldn’t have the chance again.

‘I wanted to take you on a roller coaster today,’ he said as they walked hand in hand back to the hotel. He swung the plastic bag of groceries as they went.

‘I don’t know what that is.’

‘Like a big metal thing with a cart on it and it goes fast or upside down and everybody screams.’

‘A torture device?’ she hedged.

It sounded that way. ‘No, it’s fun. They have cotton candy. You’d love that. Hot donuts. Lots of rides.’

All of these stupid things that he wouldn’t get the chance to show her. He hated it. Hated that their time together had a fucking expiry date that was drawing closer.

‘I wish you could show me everything,’ she said, entering the elevator and jabbing the button with more force than it required.

Hunt heaved a sigh and slumped against the mirrored-back. ‘I wish you could have met my mother. She’d have loved you.’

Nesta did well to hide the few stray tears on the brief walk to the bedroom, but Hunt didn’t draw attention to it. His mother would have loved her. He wasn’t the Umbra Mortis when he was home, wasn’t the bottom-wrung malakh who was rising up the ranks with his brutality. He was just goofy Hunt who made his mother laugh. It wasn’t like Shahar who’d seen his value and concocted a way to use it while holding his heart. With Nesta, he could be just Hunt.   

‘What’s the plan then?’

‘The plan is,’ he said, tugging off her jacket to hang on the hook, ‘we see what crap is on the T.V. and eat our way through this. You can cuddle me, of course, or read your book. We’ll order dinner tonight or go out then back to here. Then I’m cuddling you.’

The smile on Nesta’s face was almost shy as she turned to him. ‘Before I leave, there is one request that I have.’

‘Anything.’

‘Can we wet your wings then fluff them up with the hairdryer?’

Hunt cupped her face then squeezed it. ‘It’s a good job that I like you.’

There's one chapter left then an epilogue. Where the story broke POVs in the first half is where there will also be a smut insert so either you can read it or not :-)

[starsreminisce]

do you think the mask will be significant in future acotar books? will it be more for a crossover kinda thing?

Short Answer:

The mask is why I have a strong inclination that the next book will be Elain's POV. However, I think by the end of the third ACOTAR book, the dread trove items will either be cleansed or destroyed.

@glossamerfaerie posted this theory about how the next two book covers would feature the dread trove items, and it got me thinking about how each item's powers correlate to each FMC's powers and their essence. The mask, which controls the dead, is linked to Nesta's death powers and her ability to Make and Unmake. Nesta also masks her emotions from the get-go. The harp is a musical instrument, perfect for a musically inclined priestess who has found Merrill's study on the 26 worlds fascinating. The mind-controlling crown is ideal for Elain, who can convince anyone with her pretty smile and honestly, leads me to believe in a HK/HQ path for Elain and Lucien.

From this, I think that the next books will tackle each of the dread trove items, but their fate isn't clear, and quite frankly, SJM can tell us how she intends to weave them into the plot.

Long Answer:

I previously mentioned that something needed to be established in HOFAS to provide context for the coming books, and like others, I thought it was Truth-Teller. While we received the lore of TT, it didn't receive as much attention in the book compared to the dread trove items, particularly the mask.

In ACOSF, the mask received the most attention in how it affected Nesta as opposed to the other items. She had more time to reflect on it compared to the other two. We were also told that Helion had a strong reaction to it (Lucien's connection), and Azriel said Elain shouldn't be exposed to its darkness.

When we left ACOSF, Nesta was able to remove the mask with ease, but Elain and Nesta's fight was sort of swept to the sideline. Nesta was able to work out her issues with Feyre towards the end of the book.

When we got to HOFAS, Nesta was not able to remove the mask without Azriel listing off people she cared about, and her power flared at the mention of her sisters. Later on, after Nesta gave up the mask, it was a decision only supported by Feyre. So, my guess is that her power flared at Elain's name. Nesta enjoyed wearing the mask because it gave her a separation from her feelings where she isn't in her head all the time. The thing with healing journeys is that they aren't perfect, and someone can slip up every now and again. Cassian is testament to this. So Elain's name triggered something strong for Nesta, but when she was told Nyx's name, that's when she was able to remove it.

While we were told the lore of TT, we were also told more about the Dread Trove items even when Rigelus saw Bryce wield the mask and truth-teller. Rigelus cared more about the mask than he did TT.

So, there is this unexplained gap - why was Nesta able to remove the mask with ease for her not able to do so, and what is happening in Prythian that caused even Cassian to be the most disappointed with her when he had supported most of her decisions throughout ACOSF?

Are Elain and Nesta rehashing the fight they had regarding the dread trove?

I believe the next book will explore this gap, and it'll start either right after or during the ceremony of Nessian. It could also be a bridge between the two series to explain their perspective of Bryce coming to their world. Lucien and Elain are removed enough so that ACOTAR-only readers would be able to follow along as I feel retelling the tunnel part through Az would be redundant for the maasverse readers.

Ember's parting words to Nesta were not to worry, and she would find her way. Nesta had taken pride in being Elain's protector, and what would become of Nesta if Elain were to be with Lucien, who is primed to leave as he is the heir to Day, and his mother's line is strong enough that he could be contested for Autumn?

There's also a three-to-four-month gap between the blood rite and Bryce coming to Prythian, which actually follows a pattern seen in SJM's handling of mating bonds, from acknowledgment to acceptance. Feyre left the Spring Court mid-February to accept the bond in May. The bond snapped in December for Nesta to accept it in March.

Would Elain and Lucien follow this pattern? Perhaps they'll finally acknowledge each other during the ceremony, with Elain accepting it during the Summer Solstice, a celebration Lucien mentioned that the fae hold for being fae and completing her journey of self-acceptance.

So yes, to me, the mask is going to be important in the next ACOTAR book and be a point of contention for Elain and Nesta. I think Elain is going to focus more on mastering the crown while Nesta grapples with the mask.

I still don't know what its role would be for a crossover. It could very well be magical girl weapons for them, or it could be destroyed.

Now, of course, we are at the mercy of SJM's whims, and she could very well decide that Gwynriel is the best couple to bridge ACOTAR and HOFAS after Bryce gave Nesta the items, but I am having trouble reconciling why Nesta is struggling to remove the mask and how SJM would handle rehashing a similar plot, given her penchant for info dumping.

[kopfkino-o]

Ok I need to develop a more in-depth theory on this but I think the Mask from ACOSF is 100% coming back in House of Flame and Shadow. I think we will see Bryce and Nesta working together to some degree since Bryce MOST-LIKELY has the fourth Dread Trove item tattooed on her back. 

What I’d love is to see all three of the sisters using one item from the Trove to help Bryce. Feyre with the Crown since she’s the High Lady and a Daemati. Nesta with the Mask because it controls the dead and she is Lady Death. Elain with the Harp since she can see through worlds, possibly even time, to know when and where they need to go. Then Bryce as the Horn, a living Trove Item, opening a portal back to Midgard to get her man and save the whole fucking world. 

I love it. I need it. 

[acourtofthought]

I read somewhere that the heir of hel is mor and she will betray rhys and honestly that sounds more believable to me🤷🏼‍♀️ and just because nesta has the HOW doesn’t mean she wouldn’t leave it for a whole court, we see that she and rhys still don’t like each other, she is still questioning herself. I don’t think she sees the night court as her home. So This could also be a set up for nesta to leave the night court. And honestly I don’t think its bad that nesta has so many items, she lost half of her powers where everyone else still has them.

HOFAS SPOILERS

I don't think it's really necessary for Nesta to be able to control time with the Harp, control minds with the Crown, raise an army of the dead and wield death with the Mask, kill the unkillable with Ataraxia, AND keep Gwydion.

Also, Nesta and Cassian are a mated pair.

Does it make sense for them to live in a newly created land for female warriors?

The Night Court is Cassian's home so the story needs to work for them both.

As far as Mor in Hel.........

I'm going to go with no.

[silvress]

THE DREAD TROVE

From the Wiki, the Dread Trove is "a collection of magical Fae items with immense power". Most of these artifacts were created by the Cauldron hundreds of thousands of years ago, with all but a small collection of them having been lost "to time or misplacement". Three of the surviving items include the Mask¹, the Harp², and the Crown³. But there are now also three other items which were created by Nesta Archeron and accepted by the Cauldron as part of the Dread Trove: two swords⁴ ' ⁵ and a dagger⁶.

¹ The Mask

Found in the Bog of Oorid by Nesta Archeron, the Mask allows the wearer to reanimate and take control of the dead. There are no known limitations at this time. It is now in the possession of the Night Court in an undisclosed location.

² The Harp

The Harp gives its user the ability to open portals to other locations, as well as between worlds. It can also change the environment around its user. There are no known limitations at this time. It is now in the possession of the Night Court in an undisclosed location.

³ The Crown

Previously owned by the human queen, Briallyn, the Crown is capable of influencing and controlling anyone the wearer desires, regardless of the victim's own power and status. Its limitation is proximity to those it can control. It is now in the possession of the Night Court in an undisclosed location.

⁴ Ataraxia

Nesta Archeron's sword of silver flames, capable of killing all immortal creatures by trapping them in their physical form. Believed to be a weapon of pure death. The name translates to "Inner Peace". It is now in the possession of the High Lord of the Night Court in an undisclosed location.

⁵ The Great Sword

Nesta Archeron's great sword, which glows bright silver and crackles with great sparks. It is now in the possession of the High Lord of the Night Court in an undisclosed location.

⁶ The Dagger

Nesta Archeron's dagger, which gleams like ice in the light. It is now in the possession of the Heir to the Autumn Court, given by Rhysand to mark an alliance between Autumn and the Night Court.

None of these items have ever been wielded all at once until Nesta was able to do so. It is theorized by some that the Cauldron gave her this ability; others believe that she stole it when she was Made into High Fae. Similarly, it is unknown how she was able to create her own items that were then accepted as part of the Dread Trove and for these reasons, she is believed to be extremely powerful and dangerous.

[silvressa]

THE DREAD TROVE

From the Wiki, the Dread Trove is "a collection of magical Fae items with immense power". Most of these artifacts were created by the Cauldron hundreds of thousands of years ago, with all but a small collection of them having been lost "to time or misplacement". Three of the surviving items include the Mask¹, the Harp², and the Crown³. But there are now also three other items which were created by Nesta Archeron and accepted by the Cauldron as part of the Dread Trove: two swords⁴ ' ⁵ and a dagger⁶.

¹ The Mask

Found in the Bog of Oorid by Nesta Archeron, the Mask allows the wearer to reanimate and take control of the dead. There are no known limitations at this time. It is now in the possession of the Night Court in an undisclosed location.

² The Harp

The Harp gives its user the ability to open portals to other locations, as well as between worlds. It can also change the environment around its user. There are no known limitations at this time. It is now in the possession of the Night Court in an undisclosed location.

³ The Crown

Previously owned by the human queen, Briallyn, the Crown is capable of influencing and controlling anyone the wearer desires, regardless of the victim's own power and status. Its limitation is proximity to those it can control. It is now in the possession of the Night Court in an undisclosed location.

⁴ Ataraxia

Nesta Archeron's sword of silver flames, capable of killing all immortal creatures by trapping them in their physical form. Believed to be a weapon of pure death. The name translates to "Inner Peace". It is now in the possession of the High Lord of the Night Court in an undisclosed location.

⁵ The Great Sword

Nesta Archeron's great sword, which glows bright silver and crackles with great sparks. It is now in the possession of the High Lord of the Night Court in an undisclosed location.

⁶ The Dagger

Nesta Archeron's dagger, which gleams like ice in the light. It is now in the possession of the Heir to the Autumn Court, given by Rhysand to mark an alliance between Autumn and the Night Court.

None of these items have ever been wielded all at once until Nesta was able to do so. It is theorized by some that the Cauldron gave her this ability; others believe that she stole it when she was Made into High Fae. Similarly, it is unknown how she was able to create her own items that were then accepted as part of the Dread Trove and for these reasons, she is believed to be extremely powerful and dangerous.

[mythriteshah]

Pg. 13: Himpaat Siren’s Bolero

MODEL: Sonalice Aida

To those who just can't help but relish the idea of showing some skin - your wait is over.  The long-awaited artifact gear for Bards has arrived: the bolero of the Himpaat Siren.  Through a blend of Near Eastern and Shroud influence (yes, the Twelveswood can have fashion sense, too) comes a form-fitting yet comfortable ensemble for the aspiring songster or songstress. 

Those on the more seductive side can enjoy a wealth of exposure in the chest area, but still maintain the functionality a bolero can provide.  As an added layer of mystery, a mask customized to the wearer's specifications compliments this attire so that no two ensembles are alike.  If you fear a wardrobe malfunction, then you may put those to rest: the most durable of thread - modified by esoteric alchemy techniques - ensure that the buttons on the bolero can withstand any tug or pull, be it sudden or sustained.

Furthermore, the attire itself has a level of power over the wearer's voice, providing a chilling echo that carries it for what may as well be a malm's length.  But the crown jewel of this ensemble is its harp bow.  Taking after another famous relic weapon of eld, this particular model has been granted the epithet of "Arash", named after a legendary bowman who was said to have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending and liberating his country from foreign invaders.

The harpstrings are given a different coloring so as to not be confused with the much larger bowstring, and also serves to enhance their music via "chilled notes" - frozen symbols which dance about the Bard's body, which make one's Battle Voice increase not only in efficacy, but in duration as well.  Empty quivers are also an afterthought as their control over Akasa grants them more arrows, and the power of their salvo is commensurate to the intensity of their emotions.

Lure your enemies to a chilling demise and stand out from the songless dross.  As a Himpaat Siren, those who hear your voice will soon realize that Bards are more than just mere storytellers.  They're orchestrators of fate: in fighting, and in fashion.

(Credit and thanks to https://sapphrix.carrd.co/ for the creation of this masterpiece!)

[aldbooks]

On the assumption that the horn is the 4th trove item…. They’re infinity stones.

Mask - controls life/death

Crown - controls will/mind

Harp - controls time and power? (Still unclear what else it can do)

Horn - controls space (portals)

Bryce wielding the trove 😂

[emilystheories]

Nesta Archeron is Thurr - God of Lightning.

ACOTAR and Crescent City 2 spoilers!

[Disclaimer: This theory aligns with the thinking that the ACOTAR, CC and TOG worlds are not existing on the same timeline. I understand that Aelin flew past Prythian, and that SJM has recently spoken about this matter, but I have addressed that (and all other evidence) here! There's so many ways a non-linear timeline could work (and I've already posted a few theories with different variations), but the most basic is that Throne of Glass is occurring in the past, ACOTAR is the present, and Crescent City is the future. So, at the end of HOSAB, Bryce has gone back in time.]

Now, let's get into it!

---

Nesta's powers.

As of ACOSF, we are made to believe that Nesta has given up her powers (or most of them, anyway). But, what if she doesn't need them...?

Instead, Nesta has the Harp, the Mask, and the Crown. She has the Dread Trove.

Even though Mor tries to hide the Dread Trove at the end of ACOSF, the book concludes with this important passage:

"I got a crown of my own, don't worry" Nesta said, even as she knew that Mor was now winnowing all three objects of the Trove back to the place Nesta had taken them from. She'd summoned them, working around Helion's spells. No spell could ever keep them from her - Briallyn had spoken true about that."

To me, SJM is making clear that Nesta's connection - and use - of the Dread Trove is far from over.

The Horn.

In ACOSF, it is also suggested that there is a 4th Dread Trove item (made of "age-worn born"). It seems to be popular consensus among CC and ACOTAR readers that this missing item is the Horn; the object tattooed into Bryce's back.

With this in mind, it is then worth noting that the Horn, when wielded at full power, can do anything. It can even allow someone to establish themselves as an Asteri.

Thus, if the Horn is part of the Dread Trove, then logic suggests that the other Dread Trove items - of which Nesta can control and summon - would have that exact same power.

And it makes you think; if one Dread Trove item, such as the Horn, can allow someone to establish themselves as an Asteri... what can three Dread Trove items do...?

Three items that Nesta can wield to their full power...

This gives Nesta... almost God-like power.

The Crown.

One particular Dread Trove item is of notable interest for this theory - and that is the Crown. Towards the end of ACOSF, readers are informed that the Crown can harness and manipulate the power of weather - bending it to the users will:

I now want to point out some interesting parallels between Nesta - and storms.

For starters, there are multiple occasions where SJM describes Nesta using "storm" imagery:

Stating that Nesta dances like a "night storm"

Nesta's rage is often likened to a "storm"

And Nesta even describes herself as a "storm cloud"

But perhaps the most salient example, is when Nesta comes face-to-face with Tamlin.

As Nesta starts to feel her rage - to threaten Tamlin with her wrath - thunder starts to grumble in the sky.

Then, in that final battle on Ramiel, where Nesta faces off with Bellius - lightning is mentioned multiple times (more times than what the below screenshot conveys!)

In fact, Sarah's use of thunder and lightning in this scene was so overt, that many readers started thinking about Thurr - the storm deity mentioned in Crescent City 2 (who presumably could wield thunder and lightning). As a result, many theories started popping up about Thurr's connection to Ramiel and the Illyrians (that maybe Thurr was even an Illyrian himself!)

However, what if the thunder and lightning had nothing to do with the Illyrians... but Nesta instead.

And dare I say it... what if Nesta IS Thurr?

And, in future books, through the use of the Dread Trove - most notably the Crown... what if Nesta will harness the power and lightning and thunder?

Thurr.

We are first introduced to Thurr in the very first chapter of Crescent City 2 - Bryce notices a statue of a fae male using a hammer - lightning is cracking, and he is forging a sword.

"On it, a powerful Fae male stood poised above an anvil, hammer raised skyward in one fist, lightning cracking down from the skies, filling the hammer, and flowing down toward the object of the hammer's intended blow: a sword."

Now, who is the only other character in the SJM universe who also raises a hammer, and forges a sword - in the exact same manner?

Nesta.

"Nesta's arm arched above her, the hammer gripped in her clenched fingers. It was a dance, each of her movements timed to the ringing echo of the hammer on the blade. She pounded the sword to a music no one but she could hear."

And, is it then any coincidence that the swords Nesta created emitted "iridescent sparks" and "crackling magic"....?

Which, is also the exact same description of the Starsword when Hunt filled it with his lightning...?

However, you're probably thinking: "But Thurr was a man!"

You've also probably picked up on Thurr sounding just like Thor - the Norse God of thunder and lightning - and also a man.

But, what if history got it wrong...?

What if Thurr was instead a woman?

Because, when you look at SJM's Pinterest board for Twilight of the Gods (her rumoured next series...)

A little closer...

That's LADY THOR!

And, you can't tell me that Nesta as Lady Thor - or rather, Thurr - isn't so damn fitting (especially if we get a scene where she's leading the Valkyries into war...)

Ancestry.

Going back to that statue of Thurr, it was rather interesting that Bryce's father (Randall) likened it to Hunt - to which Bryce then joked that the statue was a "long lost relative" of Hunt's.

We know Hunt has similar lightning and thunder powers. They must have originated from somewhere, but strangely... no other character in the SJM universe possesses such power.

Unless, they haven't possessed it... yet. Given that this theory operates on the different timeline hypothesis; what if we are yet to see Nesta wield these powers, achieve her status as Thurr - and her (and Cassian's) descendant is Hunt?

Although, it is rather interesting that Hunt is said to look exactly like the statues of Thurr. If Nesta was Thurr - but this detail was twisted throughout history, replacing her with a man - what if the figure people currently know as Thurr, is Nesta and Cassian's son instead?

Is that who Hunt descends from...? (Or, could he be his father...?)

I mean... many readers have commented on the likeness between Hunt and Cassian.

And, let's not forget that Nesta and Cassian's bargain tattoo was an eight-pointed star - the symbol of the Starborn fae.

We also know that "Project Thurr," the Dusk Court, and the Starborn are seemingly all connected...

So, although it's crazy to think about, perhaps it's not out of the realm of possibility.

I'll guess we'll have to wait and see! ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

[nikethestatue]

Elain and the Harp

So I wonder if Elain and the Harp are connected? What if they are made of the same 'THING' that is inside the Cauldron? The harp was dipped into it and now it controls time. Elain was thrown into it and now, in some manner, she also controls time.

What's a vision? The ability to influence time and actions.

Elain PREDICTED that Cassian was going to die during the war. Word for word and it happened just like she saw. But what did she do? She stepped in and changed the flow of time and the outcome.Just like the Harp, she reversed the inevitable.

Cassian offered her his dagger, for protection. She refused to take it. Yes, in the next minute, she took Truth Teller. Did she know that she needed to take TT specifically? Did she sense/Saw that TT was Made, just like she was, and like Nesta?

We know from Lanthys that he was able to hear the Harp, even though he didn't know that it was in Prison, with him. But he heard the note that it kept 'singing'.

So I wonder whether Elain heard the 'song' of Truth Teller as well? Did like call to like? Is there a silent song that she can hear and did she know that she needed to take that specific dagger to change history? To save Nesta's and Cassian's lives?

And is Azriel's shadowSINGING somehow connected to the silent songs that Elain can hear?

Nesta is the embodiment of the Mask. It's the thing that she controls the best, it raises armies, it's a weapon. Nesta is a weapon. She also forges weapons.

But the Harp--what it aligns to Elain and her magic, her GIFT? The gift that allows her to change the trajectory of time and influence events? Just like the Harp did when it turned back time and 'saved' Feyre. We know that Elain was praying to the Mother at that moment--could that prayer have influenced the way the Harp was used? Nesta was bargaining with the Cauldron and promising to return everything that she stole. Elain, who is more associated with the Mother, was praying to the Mother, and then next moment, Nesta felt the Mother's presence. What if Elain KNEW that she needed to bring the Mother into this? That the Cauldron wasn't enough. That the Harp had to be influenced by something even bigger than the Cauldron? By its creator--the Mother?

I suspect that each Trove object will be aligned to a sister--the Mask to Nesta, the Harp to Elain, and the Crown to Feyre, while the last remaining object--the Horn-- is already inside the other starborn female descendant of Theia, Bryce.

[starborn15]

Alright I’m about to make a wild theory post that I haven’t made in a HOT Minute so….hang on.

I’ve been reading Lord of the Rings, watching Lord of the Rings and ya know I’m on a high and it got me to thinking; the parallels between throne of glass and lord of the rings is so apparently obvious it’s basically fanfiction but hey; I love it.

Crescent City Three; army of the dead weird sci-fi thing, kind of like an ode to “only the King of Gondor can command me!” And then charging in for the “Queen of Avallen.” Ya know?

Now with acotar; you have this bubbly pot of angry juice that was once golden and poured all this lovely magic over the land and it’s been corrupted which (retcon or what?) but I digress.

ANYWAY; The Mask, The Harp, The Crown are a metaphor for rings from Lord of The Rings. We saw Nesta with all her “stolen” power be able to use all of them at once completely under her control, but then in CC3 it’s clear it’s hard and harder for her to release herself from the mask. Similar to the rings; the longer you hold it, the harder it is to let go. Which is interesting when you think about how this ties to Helion (and Lucien likely would be affected by this as well) because Helion physically recoiled from the mask — as if something in his blood was cautioning him against using it, as if an ancestor had used it to do something terrible. — is this a way to use Isildur’s curse? (Similar to Aelin in ToG but she loves her recycled plots ya know.)

Aragorn is the one true king; but he’s an outcast, a drifter, a strider, hidden away. Given a blade of his people to aid the realm of men, but is cursed to carry the burden of the ring and desire for it (if we compare this to Lucien he will not be the ultimate hero of his book.)

I think it will be Elain, Elain “shall I tend to my garden forever? You cannot resent me for wanting a quiet life while not letting me do anything greater!”

Who will be the one to destroy the one who made the trove; who I believe is Koschei, who will be a member of the Asteri — or Istar (also from Lord of the Rings I see you Sarah)

Yes — that’s very Bilbo Baggins, Shrine loving Hobbit of you Elain; now it’s time for your life alerting fantastical adventure!

It’s interesting to think of “the trove” as rings because ya that’s what they’re like to me!

[prettyboykatsuki]

»» — { ♡ } —— { ♡ } —— { ♡ } — ««

speakeasy | s. aizawa 

➳ tags ;; dirty talk, smut, fem!reader, aizawa being a menace, mirror sex?, readers wearing a dress, the word violate ?, petnames like good girl, praise kink, fingering etc. 

➳ wc ;; 1.6k

➳ a/n ;; well-spoken men make my brain empty n my kitty wet dslkfjskdf hi mr. aizawa sir.. i like u 

➳ plot ;; aizawa likes to talk you through everything, even filthy mirror sex

»» — { ♡ } —— { ♡ } —— { ♡ } — ««

Aizawa is clasically well-spoken. 

He used to get made fun of for it when he was younger - especially in high school where his formal speech felt out of place for his age. The older he gets, the more attractive the quality becomes. He speaks so smoothly - doesn’t stutter when he talks at all. It’s always slow, concise, and to the point. 

The content of what he says matches his tone of voice well. Aizawa is a conversationalist almost by nature. Despite how quiet he is upon meeting him for the first time, if the subject interests - he could harp on about it for hours and hours. He’s just as eager to hear you respond, loves adding to your ideas and building a concept up until it reaches the ceiling.

He’s knowledgeable too. Unsurprisingly, he reads a lot. But he also has a bad habit of deep diving into obscure things. He knows a lot about how clothes are made and the way honeybees fly. He’s a natural at the retention of information - of both the important and unimportant kind. Aizawa makes habit of these things - the ability to speak and communicate anything he wants. 

His vocabulary is vast as seven seas and his voice is pleasant to listen to - a raspy baritone, low in his throat. You could listen to him talk all day. 

The problem only lies with how Aizawa likes to use his voice. Selective by nature, it can’t help but feel purposeful whenever he talks to you this way. You can almost feel the hum of his throat, how it gets. With his hand placed so carefully between your legs - all you can hear is that deep chuckle that he likes to. 

Aizawa is uncharacteristically built. His body is all muscle, and you can feel it against your back as he holds you this chest. Your legs are spread apart over his - seated comfortably in his lap as your being exposed. It doesn’t help that you can’t see him, can only listen to the way he speaks to you. 

His voice is warm as it ghosts the nape of your neck - it smells like spearmint and coffee and sleep. His tongue smooths over the side, sharp teeth sinking into soft flesh as a hand rests your thigh. He massages your legs with a hum - and you squirm at his overbearing presence. 

“You look beautiful today” 

The compliment is well-meaning. You nod absently at it. You dressed up for this date with no expectations, masking your surprise is proving difficult. It’s like he senses it.  

“Why’re you so nervous, love?” 

“You’re.. hands are uhm..” 

He pauses, a free hand settling right at your belly. His knuckles brush over lace panties with a crooked yet lazy grin. You can feel it against your clit. It throbs with anticipation and desire. A wetness forms between your legs, drips like a broken faucet with repetition. You shift your weight around, feeling his cock in the small of your back. 

“My hands? What about them?” 

You want to say something, anything  really but you come up blank. His finger slides underneath the cotton barrier, snaps it against your sex a few times - amused. A little whimper carries through you as his fingers get closer and closer. The mirror in front of you is a terrible reminder of everything. The way Aizawa has you spread apart, the way his tired eyes glaze over your body. Your nipples are stiff underneath your dress - when he pulls the fabric to bunch underneath your tits you yelp. His thumb and forefinger are tender against your nipples as he pinches and twists them. 

All you can see is yourself and him over your shoulder, onxy black locks pulled up out of his vision. 

“Do you not like where my hands are touching you?” 

You moan, soft and sweet as he plays with your tits, shaking your head. It’s a losing game - you’re sure of it. 

‘N-no - ‘s just a lot” 

“That’s good, that’s good. It’d be unreasonable if you dressed like this and told me not to touch you, don’t you think?” 

And you want to respond back about something with bodily autonomy, something coherent and cohesive. But your body is running feverishly high and your mind feels blank. When your dress gets pulled up past your hips, bunching at the top of your thighs - you lose sight of your control. You want to squeeze your eyes closed, embarrassed by the graphic image of his hand. He pulls your panties back - lets it rub between your folds until your slick makes a mess of the light fabric. 

“Shouta, ngh,” 

“I haven’t even touched you yet but you’re drenched,” 

Aizawas hands are strong, pretty too - they look like they fit in your panties just right. His fingers brush the circle of nerves till your back arches, a piercing wave of pleasure that has you crying out his name. Such a small touch is enough to send you reeling as the beginnings of on orgasm snap in your gut. 

It feels like your skin is firing off, blazing heat encompassing you. His fingers are thick as they stretch your hole out, first one then another. He pumps two fingers in your cunt, scissoring it until he feels the tension of the stretch around them. Your insides feels soft against his touch, molded to the shape of his careful hands as your entire body throbs for his touch. Your pussy feels like it’s weeping and your eyes feel hazy. You can see yourself, bearing witness to the way he violates your cunt with ease. 

“Look at your cunt taking me in so good, right there in the mirror, my love” 

And he’s right, you know he is - you can see it with your eyes half-lidded. But your body craves more, even as an orgasm feels like it’s right there. You know you can’t reach it without getting what you need and Aizawa knows that too. You whimper soft in your throat, clenching around his fingers as you whine. It’s good but not good enough - has you grinding your hips back for more. 

“Shouta..” 

Your voice trails off and he smiles at you, chin tucked over your shoulder. 

“Hm? What is it” 

You whine, screwing your eyes closed as he goes faster and faster. You can feel yourself gush around his hands, orgasm impending but not quite there. You hiccup 

“Sho, please” 

“Please what, baby? Use your words and tell me what you want - I can’t read your mind after all,” 

You could argue that he could - that he can right now with how his cock keeps twitching in his pants at the way you moan so shamelessly. Your legs trap his hand as you squeeze them shut - almost crushing his wrist but not being strong enough. Emabrassment drowns your senses. 

“Your cock, Sho -  please” 

His laughter is smug, almost sarcastic. 

“So greedy. You want me to split you apart on it just like this? I didn’t stretch you out yet, arent you afraid I’ll break your pretty little pussy in half?” ― you can feel him push his pants down his thighs as he hoists your hips up with one leg. Suddenly his cock is sitting between your legs, brushing up against your swollen pussy ― “or is that what you wanted in the first me? For me to break you open?” 

The tip throbs right against your clit, sending electricity through you. And you’re begging him again to fuck you. His hand rests on your belly, loving and tender, as the head nudges against your hole. 

“Keep your eyes on it or no cumming, got it?” 

You exhale a shaky breath of confirmation, hear ricocheting against your ribs. And you watch like he asks - watch the way your whole stretches open and tries to accommodate his size. Watch as he penetrates you inch by inch, thick and hard and hot until you feel him against your cervix. Aizawa’s never been particularly big but the way he fills you up makes you think otherwise.

“Does it feel good?” 

You know the question is rhetorical with the way he bounces you on his dick - the smug grin on his face as your expression becomes messy. Skin covered with a sheer of sweet, tits bouncing, feet  kicking as he lifts you by your hips and fucks into you. You can still see yourself in the mirror being taken and it makes everything feel more sweet. 

Delirium is the only thing you can feel as he fucks up into, brushing your cervix with a spare hand on your clit. Pleasure is overbearing emotion, burning a hole in your stomach as heat licks at your calves. You can feel him so fucking deep you can barely breathe. His whispered sweet nothings only add fuel to the fire. Aizawa’s jsut got that voice  - that tone that makes each word of praise go straight to your core. You’re half dressed and getting fucked so hard you feel it in your lungs but all you can hear is Aizawa groaning “good girl” against the shell of your ear. 

“You’re ― shit, haah ― clenching down on me so tight. Are you gonna cum, hm? Gonna cum all over my cock, like a good girl? So fucking pretty aren’t you?” 

Your orgasm knocks into you full force as his words fill your empty head. Convulsing, your spine arches you cum hard and fast all over his cock - still full to the brim. You twitch as you ride it out, slow thrusts making you mewl as he kisses the crown of your head. 

Aizawa hums, soft and low 

“I haven’t finished yet so you’ll have to bear with me. I’m sure you can take it though, right?” 

And you nod your head, thighs trembling. You’re sure with how he speaks to you, Aizawa could convince you of anything at all. 

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