#elriel fan fics

[pinkrasberryfish]

A new Chapter of A Court of Blood & Mercy now available! Chapter 27 - "The Lady of the House" 👑🌹🔪🕯

[violetasteracademic]

WIP ask game snippet for @misskket and the Elriel's waiting on The Alchemy 😘

Elain Archeron is a labor and delivery nurse and ex teen beauty queen with dreams of travelling and a new life, but a paralyzing fear of planes and change.

Azriel is a world renowned photojournalist who hasn't stopped running from his past and his problems for over a decade, and scarcely spends more than a week in the same country.

Two diverging paths cross in Velaris when Azriel agrees to take a six month contract to help Rhysand and Cassian restore the lost reputation and funding for Velaris Memorial Hospital.

Honestly, who are we to fight the Alchemy?

Rough draft snippet:

Maybe I haven’t fully healed from losing our parents and becoming destitute at sixteen. Maybe I was using up too much bandwidth at my job as a labor and delivery nurse, working long and erratic hours and watching life and death move in a circle around me every day. But I needed something steady. I needed to feel like the ground beneath my feet wasn’t going to crumble away and send me into free fall.

Graysen is steady. He’s safe. We want the same things. He isn’t perfect, but neither am I. There are things I am never going to get out of this life, and I’m the only one to blame for it. But with Graysen Nolan, I can have enough.

That night I dreamed I was standing at the airport gate. The same one I fell apart in front of when I was seventeen.

A little girl with long golden brown hair stood at the open door to the jetway.

I don’t know who she is. She could be me or my mother, who took every opportunity to tell anyone who would listen I looked just like her when she was my age. Or perhaps she was my future daughter, who would look just like me, and the chain of indistinguishable old photos would live on. Maybe this little girl was some other ghost I’ve yet to meet. My dream won’t make it clear.

She turns to me and outstretches her tiny hand.

“Are you coming?” she asks.

I try to force myself to move, but I can’t. My feet are frozen to the ground, unable to take the steps forward. Too afraid to feel the earth fall away as I lift into the air and see the world grow smaller and smaller during the ascent into the sky.

Over the intercom, there is a last call for boarding. My heart shatters into a thousand tiny jagged pieces as the girls hazy face collapses, because she knows I am going to let her down. Wherever she is headed, I can’t go with her. I have to stay standing still. I have to keep my feet on the ground.

I know what happens if I get on that plane.

I am not a woman who flies.

[elrieldreamer]

Lesser Known Elriel Fic Recs?

We are INCREDIBLY blessed to have so many amazing fanfic writers in the Elriel community. As we continue to wait for Elain’s book, I know that I’m not the only one rereading incredible works like What Bloomed in the Darkgarden by @bloomingdarkgarden , A Court of Bones in Bloom by @ladyveravincent , Resilience & Roses/Shining Through that Moonless Night by @tealeaves-and-rosepetals , ALL THE FICS by @nikethestatue , @tswaney17 , @merakimoonglade , @thesistersarcheron , @duskandcobalt , @yourstarsmyscars , Citizenofvelaris, and so many more!

To shake things up a bit, I’d love if we could share links to our favorite, more obscure, fics! Here are a few of mine to start:

The Mountain of Good Sense by @Moonlight_Rain

Keeping Secrets by @slytherhys

Love, Azriel by @Percabeth_feysand17

Watercliff by @propshophannah

[ladyveravincent]

A little WIP for the table?

The A03 curse is... no joke. What was intended to be published as a Christmas fic has now been pushed to be *checks calendar* a Valentine's Day fic. But, I thought I'd share a little bit of what I've been working on, as I bounce from one WIP to the next. Hang tight y'all. My writer's block seems to be finally fizzling out.

~

To Wanton with the Dawn

“Want to know a secret?”

“Nuala, no one wants to hear who was in your bed last night.”

In front of the hearth, the two wraiths skillfully waltzed about the kitchen, their banter not once deterring them from the tasks at hand. Elain was elbows deep in suds, trying and failing, to wash the dishes. Azriel would help her leave Velaris, if only she could muster up the courage to ask. He already knew she was planning some sort of escape, but had kept quiet, for all she knew.

That day was another moment etched into her memory…

When he found her plans to return to the Mortal Lands, he sat beside her as she cried. And then, he traced one of the Illyrian runes from Truth Teller’s scabbard onto her palm. His touch was like heaven.

“I did not realize then, I had given my heart to the wrong person.” 

He had told her. She had asked him, when she was mortal and engaged to a man, if he had ever been in love. His answer made her wonder, or hope, that the wrong person was Mor.

If only she could muster up the courage to ask. 

“Jealous Cerr?”

“No thank you. I remember what happened the last time you went out with someone from the Rainbow.”

“Cauldron Cer, I checked for warts.”

“Warts, pocks, rashes- they can hide anywhere!”

“As I said, I checked,” Nuala paused before she seductively bit into a carrot, “Everywhere.”

Cerridwen threw a raspberry at her sister.

“Wisp! You’re scaring my friend, Elain!” Cerridwen bumped her hip as she handed her a dish, “If you chase her away I’ll never forgive you, sister.”

“Oh hush,” Nuala teased, “Elain’s no wallflower. I’m sure she’s met some love struck male on all those long walks she takes.”

“No,” Elain answered. 

The water was warm, but her hand still felt like fire.

Our secret. 

Like music, his voice, rich and deep, like a cello singing the final waltz of the evening. 

“Nu, you’ll never believe who I saw at the opera last night.”

“Oh Cerr, tell!”

“The Shadowsinger.”

She forced herself to keep washing dishes, her cheeks red from the tendrils of steam. Certainly not from whatever hot feeling slithered through her gut.

“Cauldron! Was he alone?”

“Oh no. He was with the most beautiful female I’d ever seen. Long blonde hair, green eyes. Couldn’t keep their hands off each other.”

Her clumsy hands dropped the cup she was washing, but she barely heard the clamor over the roar in her ears.

“And?”

“Didn’t even make it to the entr'acte. Took her home after the third aria.”

“Elain, you're good friends with him. Do you know who that female could be?”

“No,” Elain snapped, slamming a plate onto the counter “Who Azriel spends his time with is none of my business.”

“You sure?” Cerridwen teased.

“His tongue was halfway down her throat- oh! Mother above,” Nuala gasped, “Cerr, what color are the Shadowsinger’s eyes?”

“Hmm, Nu, I don’t recall-”

“Hazel,” Elain answered, the knife gleaming as she scrubbed, “He has hazel eyes.”

“It was so dark in the theater, I could’ve sworn it was him… but the male I saw had…. blue eyes. Oh Gods…”

Elain stilled.

The twins snorted in victory.

And then, she picked up a soap soaked sponge and threw it with all her might.

“Oh! Evil, awful-” Elain laughed. Even over her abject horror and rush of relief, she laughed and laughed, harder than she had in almost a year.

“I knew it!” Nuala cried, “Cerr you owe me ten coins!”

“I’ll get you two!”

“Jealous Elain??”

“How dare you!”

“The Seer is in love with the-” 

“Ahem.”

Azriel leaned against the doorway, his polite interruption causing the chaos to come to a standstill. Rather than survey the kitchen soaked in suds, or the screaming kettle boiling over, his attention fell to Elain, her arm raised with a dishrag ready to throw at Cerridwen. 

“Spymaster,” the twins harmonized and bowed. Elain turned as red as a rose, and dropped the towel, but forgot to lower her arm.

“There are some reports I’d like to go over with you both.”

The twins nodded, and then (those wisps!) their haughty faces faded into smoke. 

“Elain,” he greeted.

She was certain her embarrassment had dissolved her into bones.

His hazel eyes considered her with their patented apathy before he pushed off the frame. But then, he paused. Over his wings, wide and fluttering, he murmured,

“Good aim.”  

She stood still for a long while, but she could not contain the smile that bloomed across her face.

Finally she whispered,

“Thank you. Shadowsinger.”

She could have sworn there was a shadow that carried the sound all the way to the study.

[ryokokicksit24]

WIP Folder Tag Game

Thank you for tagging me @merakimoonglade !!

Rules: make a new post with the names of all the files in your wip folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Tag as many people as you have wips. People send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, then post a little snippet or tell them something about it!

Elriel Ever After (AU)

Made in the Pot (AU, non-canon)

Blue Moon (Original but will rework as Elriel)

Would love to hear from @ladyveravincent @fauxdette but no pressure :)

[saraannereads]

WIP Elriel Fic Part 4

Thank you for your patience while I worked through so more of this fic! Quick refresh for you — Az and Elain are in love and secretly seeing each as tension brews with Beron, Koschei and the Night Court’s hidden enemies. Rhys and Feyre have been exploring all options to bolster their defenses and prevent an all-consuming war. Tamlin has still not rallied his pre-war strength and control of his court. In an effort to prevent Beron and Koschei from sacking the Spring Court and forcing the fae in that region to fight for them, Beron has proposed a treaty — Elain accepts the bond with Lucien, and Tamlin names Lucien the heir to the Spring Court. In exchange, he will ally with the Night Court against Koschei.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You’re not a pawn, Elain,” Azriel whispered, his heart breaking with every word. “You don’t have to sacrifice yourself. I won’t let you.”

“I’m not sacrificing myself,” she said quietly, her hand clutching at her chest as though to calm the ache. “And if I don’t do this, people will die. I’m trying to keep us all safe.” She stepped back, her breath unsteady. “I love you, Az. But this is what I have to do. I can’t—”

“Don’t you dare say it,” he interrupted, his voice low and raw. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, as the weight of this decision settled. “I can’t watch you do this. Not like this. Not when—”

Her tears finally broke free, streaking down her cheeks as she looked away, as if she couldn’t bear to see him like this. “I have no choice,” she whispered, barely audible.

Tagging @lunaatthezoo, @shedoessoshedoes, @tswaney17, @ydubbu, @elrielffs, @jasmineandcedar, @nikethestatue and @nikachansstuff, whose work and theories I love!

Fingers and toes crossed for an announcement!

[elrielbaby]

Hello, everyone!

This is my new multi chapter elriel fic, inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean. It is obviously heavy on the elriel but will also include feysand and a smattering of Nessian. I’ll include little snippets, and then a link to A03 for the rest - I hope that’s okay ☺️ I hope to get the chapters out weekly. Anyways, I hope you enjoy!

Elain

Lady Elain Archeron sat before her mahogany wood dresser as her lady’s maid pinned and twisted her hair into a shape it was determined not to be put into. She felt as though she was being scalped, so she allowed her mind to wander.

Today was an important day not just for her family, but for all inhabitants of the continent of Prythian. Their family friend, Lucien, was having his ascension ceremony to be formally recognised as the High Lord of Autumn Court. He had of course, already been chosen as High Lord by the mysterious magic that decided such things, but this was but one of the first of many steps taken by the Fae in order to assimilate with the Humans and earn their trust.

With the war against Amarantha, or the War of the Red Queen as it was being more commonly referred to having destroyed the wall that separated the Fae and the Human lands, and with no way of repairing it, negotiations between the Fae and the Humans had begun no later than one day after the final battle. Peace and protection of the humans was the top priority. The tales of the cruelty of the Fae had not been exaggerated. Their brutality was infamous, and the Humans were rightly terrified and reluctant to trust them. Some of the Fae, on the other hand, still believed Humans to be beneath them, as lowly and filthy as worms, and did not want to share with them their land or riches. If not for the Archeron sisters, perhaps things would have gone differently. Not only were they pivotal in defeating Amarantha, they were now also Fae. Their youngest sister Feyre, through the sacrificing of her own life. Elain and Nesta had been forcibly made Fae by the magnificent and terrible Cauldron. The very though of the Cauldron threatened to bring Elain back to the place she had been in after her making. She quickly shoved the thought away.

Of course, with being turned Fae, they all now had access to the unfettered strength and power that belonged to them. Yet another reason why their influence on negotiations had been essential to the newfound, albeit tentative, peace they found themselves in.

[shadowsingerdraco]

i’m sorry but i am literally so down bad for azriel and lidia cervos as a pairing (i know it doesn’t make sense but it does to ME!!)

[duskcowboy]

“A Taste of Her” —

Was bored at work so I wrote a little elriel fic just for fun! Not sure if I’ll add to it later or write anything else, but please lmk if you enjoy! 💗

Elain is unlike anyone Azriel had ever encountered. While subdued, her personality is absolutely radiant and magnetic. And if you didn’t pay attention, you’d miss it—the small quips that expose her true personality, the wittiness in her humor, and the unrelenting strength of her heart. But Azriel pays attention. He sees everything, especially when it comes to the doe-eyed dreamer.

Azriel couldn’t help but be drawn in by her gentle nature—her comforting presence. From the moment he saw her white-knuckled grip on her fork at their first meeting, he'd felt a shift. No, it was even before that. He remembers the ringing that echoed in his head shortly before, as he and Cassian first laid eyes upon Elain and Nesta. It had caused them to go utterly still. He had dismissed it then, still too captivated by his adolescent infatuation with Mor. But when Elain had asked him about flying with that innocent curiosity of hers, he couldn’t stop the words flowing from his mouth. She had that effect on people. One that compelled you to spout poetry just to make her smile. Or at least, for Azriel she did.

He can never stop his gaze from lingering on her whenever she is near. He noticed the way her smile always begins with a small tug on the right side of her lips, slowly blooming into a full grin that sucks the air right out of his chest, the way her eyes sparkle when she talks about her sisters or her garden plans, and the way a small crease appears in her brow any time she gets frustrated or concentrates. He has to fight the urge to plant a kiss there each time he sees it.

He often watches her from the second-story window as she toils in the garden. Her hands working the soil, Azriel’s eyes trace every delicate movement, every loving touch she places on her creations. He can’t help but feel the ghost of her soft touch on his skin that lingers from the times he led her out to that very same garden not long ago.

His eyes glance to his brutally scarred hands. She had once called them beautiful. He couldn’t understand what would make her believe such a thing, but a subtle heat warms his cheeks at the memory of her quiet affection, and he longs to take her hand in his once more.

The same longing comes calling when he catches glimpses of her baking in the kitchen with Nuala and Cerridwen. Clouds of flour forming in the air, he gazes at her hands kneading the dough, then slipping on oven mitts and softly placing her work in the hot oven.

He watches her decorate the various sweets and he notices how each time she finishes icing the last of a batch, she finally allows herself to take a taste. Azriel can’t tear his gaze away as she lifts her dainty fingers to her rosy lips, nor can he stop himself from imagining his tongue taking their place, from wanting that small taste of her.

Thanks for reading 🫰🏼 should I continue? 🤔

[duskandcobalt]

happy thursday! I missed wip wednesday bc I was busy crying at a concert but here's the teensiest glimpse at the random bits and pieces I jot down in my notes app when inspiration strikes at all the wrong times hehe✨

special shoutout to the man that sat next to me on the train today and almost definitely watched me feverishly write stargirl mating ceremony smut for twenty minutes 👍🏽

okay bye luv u, mean it 💖

[shallyne]

Over the Edge

Elain POV, partner to On the Edge. Happy mermay

Words: 846

TW: none

Elain looks for her Feyre but meets a stranger

"Feyre!" Elain hissed as she swam through rocks, looking for any trace of her sister. She was always around the outskirts of their territory to collect, well, everything. Trash, rocks, jewelry, she brought it all home and hid most of it in her hidden stash that she thought nobody else knew about. Admittedly, Elain didn't know anything about Feyre's stash until Feyre brought so much stuff home that some things just peeked out of their hidden place but she didn't tell her sister because she knew it didn't come from a malicious place inside Feyre's heart. Their family wasn't always as well off as they were today and collecting things was just one of Feyre's coping mechanisms. "Feyre, stop hiding! That's not funny!" Elain called out. Yes, Feyre always lingered around the outskirts but she never came home later than agreed or went over the border. Worried, Elain swam out here to drag Feyre back home but there wasn't any trace that she was ever here. Elain swam around a big rock, which apparently led into a small cave. She followed the path inside, grateful that she didn't have the eyesight of a mortal. When she turned around another corner, she could make out another entrance. This was more of a tunnel than a cave. Sighing, Elain kept following until she was out of the tunnel. When she turned around, the entrance was gone. She knocked against the a few times, as hard as she could, but there wasn't a way back. Looking around, Elain realized that she was in a whole other part of the sea. Dread started to build inside her. That's how Feyre must have left. Accidentally. Elain huffed in defeat and turned, slamming into something that had her reeling back. Yelping, she rubbed her forehead as she eyed the merman in front of her. His ebony tail shimmered cobalt and as her eyes traveled upwards, shadows clung to him. Around his abdomen and his arms, his shoulders. Then she looked at his face, her breath hitched. He was the most beautiful merman she had ever seen. Elain wanted to ask him what's his name or what he's doing here but she blurted, "Did you see my sister?" remembering that he didn't know her sister, she explained, "She's about 3 inches shorter than me and has brown hair, it looks more golden-brown when she's close to the surface and her eyes are blue but they look gray when she's scared. She's wearing a satchel to carry her treasures around. Her tail is light blue."

The man looks at her with interest, slightly tilting his head as a smile tugged at his lips. "Is her name Feyre?"

"Yes! You saw her! Where is she? She was never so far from home, she must be scared! What happened? is she okay?"

"She's fine," the stranger calmed her down. "The Attor attacked her but she's not injured. Not anymore, the Attor bit her in her fin but we got him before he could seriously injure her. Although the blood did attract a shark and she raced away from him and lost orientation. Feyre didn't find her way back home so she lives at my brother's castle while they look for a way to get her back into her territory. She's well cared for, "

"Castle? Which Castle? The only castle I know is in the northern sea, where Kallias rules." she said, more to herself than the stranger.

"She is in the north." The stranger said. "In the northern lands."

"LANDS?" Elain squeaked. "She never was on land! I–"

"I can bring you to her." he offered. At her narrowed eyes he introduced himself, "I'm Azriel."

"Elain." she said. "Yes, lead me to my sister."

She took his offered hand and they swam in silence for what felt like an eternity. Elain could feel his gaze wandering to her every now and then. When he did it for twenty-third time, she said, "What is it?"

"Nothing." he shook his head. "Just – You'll have to transform your tail into legs."

"I know." she said. "I'm not stupid." Of course she knew. Elain knew how it worked, but only in theory. She never actually did transform.

"Of course you're not stupid." Azriel said. "But your sister didn't know that this was even a possibility."

Elain stopped at that. How couldn't Feyre know? It was part of their lessons! Elain began swimming again as she thought back to her lessons and came up blank when she tried to remember Feyre at said lessons. Where was she?" Is she alright?" Elain asked. Was her absence at these lessons fault for her disappearance? Was that the reason why she didn't find her way back home?

"She is fine," Azriel repeated but this time he smiled. "Her first attempts at walking were…wobbly. She fell face first into sand but she's fine."

Elain felt incredibly bad. One, because the transition must have been scary for Feyre and second, because she couldn't help but giggle at the thought of Feyre falling face first into sand.

[pinkrasberryfish]

A Court of Blood & Mercy - Chapter 29 "And Everything Was Perfect" now available! 🖤🩸🥀

[violetasteracademic]

Chapter Fourteen: Me, You, and the Moon- Part One

Summary:

Elain uses her sight to confirm if she and Azriel have indeed been forgotten by their family. The world as she knew it crumbles around her.

Warnings: None

Read the chapter here on AO3

Need to catch up? Find the chapter list here.

Preview:

Meet me, meet me, my love

By the river at twilight

Meet me there near the roses

Known only by you and I

Such hours we stole in the quietest time,

When the water reflects the colors of the sky,

I'll hold you, then, beneath the cover of twilight

As dusk gives way to the moon rising high,

Until the stars begin to blink their goodbyes,

I'll kiss you, then, away from prying eyes

Meet me, meet me, my love

By the river at twilight

I'll hold you near the roses

Known only by you and I

*Surprise ACOTF drop because I am in my chaotic era. This isn't intended to overhype the chapters, but Me, You, and the Moon Part One and Part Two are truly some of my favorite things I have ever written. This is not to speak to the quality, but simply to my joy and passion for writing them. I hope it is everything you are looking for from Azriel and Elain and more, and that my heart has bled on to the page in a way that speaks to you. Please enjoy, and thank you so much for all of the wonderful support and love for this story.

[elrieldreamer]

“I’ll take care of you, lovely,” he promised. Now, forever. Whether she needed an orgasm or a warm meal or a friend or a second opinion on her plans to prune her rose bushes, he would give it to her. Anything she wanted.

I absolutely love this little excerpt from one of my “comfort fics”, All’s Well that Ends Well by @thesistersarcheron . There are several incredible fics that I reread often, but this little moment always makes me smile. Our dark and broody Shadowsinger wanting nothing more than to serve sweet Elain Archeron for their rest of their lives. 🗡️🌸

[ladyveravincent]

This Solstice fic is almost at 10,000 words and I'm not even done yet...

WHOOPS. Sorry everyone... this has turned into quite the saga

[ryokokicksit24]

A Balcony in Winter

Read on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/61493278

While visiting the Winter Court Elain seeks some peace outside on a cold Solstice night. Azriel finds her and warms her up. All cozy Solstice feels on the balcony!

Text below:

The Night Court finally visited their counterparts at the Winter Court for Solstice and it was as spectacular as Mor had promised. Evergreen garlands laced with ribbons and bright red berries peeking from under glittering snow lined the soaring halls. Tables with sweet glazed meats, steaming piles of golden pearled grains, and dishes brimming with spiced vegetables awaited them. The sweet scents of pastries and cinnamon-plum tea were as inviting as the roaring firesides. Not that Elain had doubted Mor’s enthusiasm but standing in the palace's receiving room, everything was warm and welcoming. 

As the High Lord and High Lady of Winter greeted the Inner Circle, she waited among the retinue of midnight blues and crimson reds, wondering if certain amber eyes noticed her in the soft shades of a winter morning. She dutifully spoke to Winter officials and friendly courtiers, females but mostly males. The Shadowsinger kept to the edge of the crowd; he remained as solemn as an obsidian pillar, did he notice her? Or was he just diligently scanning the room for threats to their court?

As soon as it would go unnoticed, she wandered away from the pleasantries.

She was afraid that seeing Winter would take her back to the time in the cottage. It wasn’t that the cottage itself was the problem but living in the icy forest was the hardest time of her life, her human one. Their family had so little, the sisters didn’t get along, and it was always cold. During winter the frost came in under the door and along the window panes. They slept huddled together but the warmth did little for the pricks of aching hunger. The thoughts sent a shiver down her spine despite the rich layers of fabric she now wore. 

Finding a quiet balcony away from the bustle, she raised a cloaking glamor over the stone archway. She’d been practicing recently at home or in the garden, especially when unwanted emissaries were invited to the river house, carving out some peace. 

Overlooking the grand canal taking in the view, well, Winter was beautiful. 

The salt-white stone lined waterway reflected the crisp azure sky as elegant barges cruised down the canal, some crewed with great white bears. Wisps of smoke wound up from rooftops dusted with snow and shimmering glass spires pierced the hazy skyline. Music rose up from one of the city’s theaters, the orchestra lighthearted with sparkling flutes and lush harps. As the sky eased to blush and rose gold, the Cold moon rose signaling the start of the longest night of the year. Evening shadows stretched around the arched marble bridges and tumbled among the moonstone buildings. The slightest  tug on her frost-flower hair pins followed by the faint chittering of excited children brought her back to the balcony.

Wings rustled behind her, warming her cheeks more than any holiday festivities could stir in her. Maybe he wouldn’t notice.

It hadn’t taken him long to find the little terrace, so her glamour still needed work. Dressed in battle leathers with taut folded wings he looked like he belonged to the evening, silent and beautiful, as the sky’s enchanting shades of blue faded he was the waiting dark embrace.

‘Here you are’, relief in his tone.

His amber gaze eagerly trailed up her form, over bare shoulders, along her neck, and settling on pink curving lips.

To honor their host court she wore a sleek off the shoulder ice-blue shimmering gown, with a low bodice and even lower back. The style wasn’t as bold as her sisters but she’d hoped it wouldn’t go unnoticed. An evening breeze brushed her skin, a reminder that the interior of the palace was heated with magic but her little balcony certainly wasn't. 

‘Are you alright?’

‘Yes’, she meant it. And his wings lowered, easing his posture.

In his hands he held a velvet cobalt cloak and wisps of evening shadows whirled and chattered pointing out the pearly embroidered flowers.

‘This is for you’, and draped the soft garment over her shoulders, the familiar hint of cedar rose from the fabric.

‘Thank you, it’s beautiful’.

Sliding over her hips with his warm hands, he collected hers, ‘these are always so cold’ and tucked them into the pockets. She hadn’t realized how chilled she’d become until she could feel the ripples of skin under the strokes of her thumb.

He tugged her in closer, ‘now, that's perfect’.

It was.

Heat from his chest seeped through the cloak and the sapphire siphon dug into her back, anchoring her to their embrace. Tipping back into the broad warmth, she felt his cheek nestle into her loose waves, pushing thoughts of bleak window panes away. 

Under the weight of his arms pressing through the layers of fabrics, a vivid sense of warmth settled, of belonging, like waking up rested. She tilted her head further to tuck under his, brushing the soft golden skin.  His even breath kept her own steady.  So completely enveloped she wasn’t sorry they weren’t visiting the Summer Court instead. 

It’d all become more familiar since the last Solstice. They'd been meeting at the night markets of Velaris, holding hands amongst the cluttered stalls or walking along the quiet Sidra for months and it was worth more than any high lord's ire.

Tiny flakes of snow began to silently float down and smooth dark wings rose up to shield them. 

‘I have something for you’

‘Oh? I hope it's not a necklace?’, giving him a gentle hip bump.

A warm huff of breath brushed past her pointed ear, ‘no, even better’

Twirling her around like a ballerina she couldn’t help but mirror his bright grin. Flakes of snow landed on his dark mass of hair catching the fading light, wreathing him like faint stars. The only thing she wanted for Solstice was here but she wouldn’t mind a confession of unending love in the center of the ballroom tonight, in front of their whole family.

Gathering their hands together, shadows swirled from his palm revealing two small beans the color of orange peels, ‘they’re enchanted to always be warm. You normally use these with gloves but since you don’t use them —.’

He gently placed the beans on top of her hands, and ivory thread began weaving across them forming two delicate iridescent lace gloves.

‘I also know how you don’t like the cold’. The warmth spread immediately, just as if they were still holding hands. Reading her thoughts he began,

‘For when– .’ we’re apart, neither could add aloud.

Rising up on her toes she threaded her arms over his broad shoulders pressing a firm kiss to his lips. She felt his breath pause and his wings twitch at the brush of her finger tips. The caress was warm, direct, speeding her pulse. Did he feel her heartbeat race?

When Feyre’s voice called her name through the arched doorway, Elain didn’t pull back.

In fact, she pulled him in closer.

‘I should go,’ he managed in a low murmur and spun them around, the turn lifted the cloak off her shoulders to pool on the stone floor. The cold pricked at her skin but that didn’t matter.

‘Mm not yet–’, keeping her arms in place.

His wings flared at the hold but he leaned his forehead onto hers, ‘I’ll find you later this evening’.

Cupping Elain’s face he tilted down to press a firmer kiss forcing her back a step against the rough stone archway, crushing them together. She saw stars but not from the impact on the wall. Her knees may have faltered a bit. And her pulse. But he kept her upright.

‘Fine’ she breathed out. 

Replacing the cloak and looping the velvet ties, his amber eyes glimmered despite the layer he’d just added, 

‘Soon’. 

And launched off the balcony. Peering over the railing she leaned forward on shaky elbows never quite trusting that he would rise back up again. But he did, magnificent as ever. And tracked his dark wings until they became mist and shadow in the evening haze. 

Her oldest sister’s voice traveled through the door this time.

‘Elain, do you want to go get ready?’ Nesta stood in the archway scanning the empty space and her flushed sister.

‘Oh, yes, alright’, if Nesta asked she’d blame her warmed cheeks on the brisk winter evening.

‘Were you alone out here in the dark the whole time?’

‘I just wanted a little quiet’, tucking her hands away.

Nesta nodded and as they headed down the corridor added, ‘what a nice blue cloak.’

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