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imjustreadinglmao · 8 months ago

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BLUE PART II

Paring: Azriel x reader, Lucien x platonic!reader

Series summary: After Azriel and Elain‘s courtship is revealed, their mates, Lucien and Y/N, are left to deal with the consequences. While fighting against Koschei and for Prythian‘s freedom, Y/N has to navigate her emotions and learn how to live with the heartbreak of a one sided mating bond. But what happens when secrets are revealed and everything turns out differently than they thought?

Warnings: unrequited love, death, detailed descriptions of fights and blood, angst, characters being idiots

A/N: my last azrielxreader post won’t appear in the tags so reblogs are very much appreciated.

Word count: 3.3k

It’s a beautiful, crisp spring morning. The sun is shining, birds are singing, and the wind carries the lovely scent of freshly baked pies. I sigh at the prospect of leaving this peaceful place and trading it for the Autumn Court.

As I push the heavy oak doors of the River House open, I can feel anxiety coursing through my veins. After fleeing Autumn seventy-three years ago, I didn’t expect to return there so soon, even if only temporarily. It was difficult for me to leave. I couldn’t risk telling anyone about my plans, so I never had the chance to say goodbye.

Knowing my father, he had probably been more concerned about how me leaving would affect his standing with the High Lord and the other noble families. But my mother and sister… I would give a lot to see them again.

All those years, I have missed the familiarity of my home court, the traditions, and the celebrations I cherished so much as a child.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself as I step into the foyer. Rhysand, Amren, Azriel, and Lucien are already there, waiting for me.

Except for Lucien and me, who are wearing traditional Autumn Court attire, everyone else is dressed in midnight black.

Lucien looks up as I enter, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. “You look… convincing,” he says.

I let out a breathy laugh at that. The last time he saw me in Autumn colors was at a ball my family hosted, which ended with me puking my guts out, most of it landing on Lucien’s shoes.

Judging by the face he is making, he hasn’t forgotten either.

Azriel, standing beside him, nods in agreement. “It suits you,” he says quietly, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary.

His shadows peek over his shoulder as if they want to take a look too.

I try to ignore the flutter of emotions his words stir within me. Instead, I focus on the mission ahead, on the role I must play. The safety of Prythian depends on our success, and I can’t afford to let myself get distracted.

Rhysand steps forward, a mischievous smile on his face. “I have to say, you both pull off Autumn Court fashion far better than I expected. Maybe we should visit the Autumn Court more often.”

Amren, her eyes assessing our disguises, retorts, “If you spent as much time on strategy as you do on fashion critiques, we’d have won the war by now.”

I have to cover my mouth to not laugh out loud and accidentally anger the century-old creature that’s lurking beneath that Fae body.

Rhys just rolls his eyes, clearly undeterred by her sharp tone. “I’ll have you know that looking good is part of the strategy.”

With one last look at me, he stretches out his hand and asks, “Ready?”

I nod, take his hand, and let him winnow me away.

———————————————————

Arriving at the southern border of the Autumn Court, I am immediately struck by the beauty of the landscape. The trees here are taller than I remember, their leaves a riot of red, orange, and gold, perpetually caught in the peak of autumn. The air carries the earthy scent of fallen leaves and the smoke of distant fires burning in hearths.

As we step onto the moss-covered ground, bittersweet memories flood my mind. I find myself thinking of the simpler days of my youth, the carefree ones.

I feel dark talons gently scraping at the shields in my mind and lwt Rhys in. So lost in the beautiful nature, I barely realize him wishing us good luck and winnowing back to Velaris.

Right after Rhys leaves, Azriel begins to scout the area for any magical traps or shields set by Koschei, leaving us to wait for his return. As the minutes stretch into an hour, my anxiety starts to build.

I pace restlessly, my mind conjuring all sorts of terrible scenarios.

Lucien tries to reassure me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“He’ll be fine,” Lucien says softly. “Azriel knows what he’s doing.”

But his words do little to calm me.

“How can you be so sure? He could be injured… or worse. We don’t know what Koschei is capable of!” I snap.

I begin to ramble, listing every possible way Azriel could have gotten hurt. “What if he’s caught in a trap? What if there’s a magical barrier he can’t break?”

Just thinking about him being in trouble makes me want to vomit. “That’s it. He’s taken long enough. I’m going to find him and—”

Amren steps in, her voice cutting through my panic. “Enough. Get your shit together. We don’t have time for this.”

Her bluntness shocks me into silence, and I sulk, feeling chastised.

But Amren isn’t finished. “Oh, quit acting like a child. Maybe if you told him about your feelings and the mating bond, you wouldn’t be so anxious, girl.”

My mouth drops open and I look to Lucien, his face also morphed into shock. When I look back to Amren, she just lifts an eyebrow.

“How do you know about the bond?”

Amren lets out a long sigh. “Only someone stupid wouldn’t have picked up on that. And Azriel being the stupidest of all.”

She rolls her eyes and starts picking at her nails. “We all suspected it. For a while we thought it snapped for Azriel too. The way he followed you around like a love sick fool, we were sure of it. But I guess it didn’t.”

I don’t say anything else after that, my mind not coming up with a response.

——————————————————

Another hour passes, and my worry only deepens. I can’t stop imagining Azriel injured or trapped, his shadows unable to find a way back to us. Every rustle of the leaves makes me jump, hoping it’s him returning.

Lucien tries to keep me distracted, but my thoughts are a whirl of dread. He tells me stories of his own missions, but I can’t focus on his words. My mind is entirely on Azriel.

Finally, just as the sun reaches its peak, Azriel returns. He looks slightly worse for wear, his clothes torn in some places and his face smeared with dirt, but otherwise unharmed. He notices the tension immediately, his eyes narrowing in concern.

“What happened?” Azriel asks, looking between us.

I step toward him, my relief overwhelming. “Are you okay? What took you so long?”

Azriel nods, his expression serious. “There were more traps than I anticipated. It took a while to disable them all, but the path should be clear now.”

Amren crosses her arms. “Good. We don’t have time for any more delays.”

Lucien places a hand on my shoulder again, this time with a reassuring squeeze. “See? I told you he’d be fine.”

I manage a weak smile, still shaken by the fear that gripped me. Azriel’s eyes soften as he looks at me.

“We should move quickly,” Azriel says, breaking the moment. “It won’t be long till they notice that their shields and traps were destroyed. Amren and I will accompany you to the Forrest House, then we’ll separate and follow the original plan. It’s too dangerous otherwise. We can’t risk you.”

Lucien nods and gestures for me to go first. “Let’s get moving then. The sooner we’re done here, the better.”

We begin to move deeper into the forest, leading to Beron’s residence. The beauty of the surroundings contrasts sharply with the danger I know lurks nearby.

As we walk, I steal glances at Azriel, wondering how he can be so calm and collected all the time.

Gods, I nearly lost my mind over him doing his job. I am a hypocrite for snapping at him the other day. Yes, I am mad at him for courting Elain, but I also can’t expect him to be loyal to me when he doesn’t even know that we’re mates.

How different things would be if it had just snapped for him the second it did for me...

It happened three years ago. Unbeknownst to us, we were just celebrating the last winter solstice without Rhys when it snapped into place.

One moment I was admiring him from afar, the next I was connected to him for the rest of my immortal life.

He had still been in love with Mor back then, so I chose not to say anything. A huge mistake, because soon after, Elain came into the picture.

Truthfully, I never thought they were anything more than friends until I overheard Rhysand ordering Azriel to stay away from her. It wasn’t until then that I realized I had lost him forever. He wasn’t going to stay away from her, so I accepted my fate and kept silent.

———————————————————

After five hours of hiking through bushes, stepping in rabbit holes, and nearly getting killed by a boar, I can feel the exhaustion creeping into my bones.

“Can we please take a break? My legs are going to fall off,” I ask.

Amren smirks, not breaking her stride. “And here I thought you were tougher than this.”

Only Rhysand’s plea to behave and work together holds me back from strangling her. Gods, she really is a cranky hag.

Lucien chuckles softly and turns to me. “We’re only a few minutes away. Hang in there.”

I groan but press on. As we finally crest a hill, the sight of Beron’s castle comes into view, exactly as I remembered it. The imposing structure looms against the deep orange sky, its dark stone walls lined with creeping ivy. Tall, narrow windows glint in the dawning light.

“It’s just like I remember,” I whisper, a mixture of awe and dread washing over me.

Lucien glances at me, his expression unreadable. “Let’s get ready. We need to find a way to get in there.” He points to the entrance of the castle, where nobles are lined up to enter the masquerade ball hosted by the High Lord himself.

We slip through the dense forest that surrounds the castle, our movements silent and precise. Azriel scouts ahead, his shadows cloaking him in near invisibility. After what feels like an eternity, we find a secluded spot to prepare for our infiltration.

“Here,” Amren hands both Lucien and me a stack of clothes. “These are your disguises. You will pose as Lord and Lady Hawthorn. The late Lord Hawthorn died three months ago. You are recently married with no offspring or heir yet. This is your first outing as Lord and Lady. Some might recognize your name, though they should not look twice your way. Be discreet and don’t draw attention.”

“What about the real Lord and Lady Hawthorn? What if they decide to turn up and out us as imposters?” I ask.

Azriel shifts on his feet and answers a bit sheepishly, “Don’t worry, they have already been dealt with.”

My brows furrow in confusion. “What do you—” realization dawns over me. “Oh… oh, okay. I guess that makes this a lot easier.”

I grab the clothes Amren gave me and head for the nearest bush to change. When I look back, Azriel has his head tilted sideways and smiles at me.

The dress I change into is a deep burgundy, adorned with delicate golden embroidery.

The fabric is soft and luxurious and fits me like a second skin. The mask is made of similar fabric, with intricate golden lace around the edge of it.

As I step out from behind the bush, my eyes find Azriel’s immediately.

His eyes, usually so guarded, widen slightly as they take in my appearance, his gaze lingering on the details of my dress and the way it clings to my form.

“You look… stunning,” he murmurs, his voice low and sincere.

I feel a blush rise to my cheeks and look away, focusing on Lucien. Lucien is similarly attired, his outfit complementing mine with its dark tones and subtle elegance.

He grins at me. “Shall we, Lady Hawthorn?”

I bark out a laugh. “We shall, Lord Hawthorn.”

———————————————————

Getting inside the Forrest House was easier than expected. We just walked right up to the entrance, stated our names, handed them our fake invites, and were ushered in.

As we step into the grand ballroom, the sheer opulence of the scene takes my breath away.

Crystal chandeliers hang from the high ceilings, casting a warm glow over the sea of elegantly dressed nobles. Musicians play softly in one corner, their melodies mingling with the murmur of conversation and the clinking of glasses.

At the far end of the room, atop a raised dais, sits Beron, his cold gaze sweeping over the crowd. To his right stands Eris. Our eyes meet briefly, and I give a subtle nod, which he returns.

Lucien and I mingle with the guests, keeping our eyes and ears open, waiting for Eris to give us our signal.

As Beron rises from his throne, a hush falls over the grand ballroom. The guests turn their attention to him. He begins to address the crowd, his voice echoing through the vast space.

“Welcome, esteemed guests, to this celebration of our enduring legacy and power,” Beron proclaims, his tone laced with self-satisfaction.

Just as he is about to continue, the heavy doors of the ballroom burst open. A squadron of Eris’s soldiers rushes in, their armor clanking loudly. The crowd parts like a tide, murmurs of confusion and fear rippling through the room.

Beron’s confident façade falters, replaced by one of anger and panic. “What is the meaning of this?” he demands, his voice rising in pitch as he glares at the soldiers.

Eris steps forward, his demeanor calm and resolute. “Father,” he begins, his voice carrying a chilling edge, “it is time. Your reign has been marked by tyranny and cruelty, and I will no longer stand by and watch my people suffer under your rule.”

Beron’s eyes narrow, a sneer curling his lips. “You think you can overthrow me, Eris? It takes more than a few soldiers to claim this throne.”

Eris begins to smile. “Oh, I know. A noble to swear me in and an heir to secure the lineage, right? Well, here they are.” He gestures to Lucien and me.

My eyes widen as I whisper-shout in Lucien’s ear, “He cannot be serious? THIS is his plan?!”

Lucien replies, equally as quiet. “I have learned a long time ago not to question my brother’s way of handling things.”

“You are truly deluded, Eris.” Beron laughs, a harsh, mocking sound. “They won’t accept a random noble as your heir.”

Eris stands his ground, his gaze unwavering. “But they will. Take off your masks,” he says to Lucien and me.

And so we do. Nobles everywhere are gawking at us. Some eyes fixed on me, most on Lucien.

Beron steps down from the dais. “What a surprise. The lost son finally returns home.” He turns his gaze to me. “And you, you’re Lord Yarrow’s daughter, no?”

I don’t answer. Even if I wanted to, I don’t think I could. I’m rooted in place, not taking my eyes off Beron.

Beron turns to Eris again. “Well, it seems you really are full of surprises. But you’re forgetting one important thing. You would have to kilI me to claim the throne. And you’ve always been weak, Eris. You’re not strong enough, but you shall try.”

In that moment, I realize what Eris was doing. He was provoking his father into accepting his challenge, and Beron just did exactly that.

“I’ve had a long time to prepare.”

And with that, all hell breaks loose.

———————————————————

Chaos erupts as Beron and Eris clash, their swords flashing in the bright light of the ballroom. Beron's strikes are powerful, but Eris is swift and precise, his fire magic flaring up with every swing.

Lucien and I are quickly surrounded by Beron's soldiers. The nobles' screams fill the air as they flee the room in terror. I manage to grab a blade as the first soldier aims right for my neck.

My heart races as I parry another soldier's blow, my muscles straining with each clash of steel. Lucien fights beside me, his own fire magic scorching the air around us, incinerating our enemies with fiery blasts.

The ballroom is a whirlwind of chaos.

As we cut through the soldiers, our eyes are locked on the fight between Eris and Beron. We try to reach them, but more and more of Beron’s soldiers are streaming in.

Eris and his father fight with brutal intensity, their swords ringing out as they meet. Eris dodges and strikes with a precision that keeps Beron on his toes, but his experience gives him the upper hand, forcing Eris back step by step.

Just as Lucien and I are within seconds of reaching Eris and Beron, the ballroom doors burst open again. Five of Koschei's soldiers, dark magic radiating from them, storm in. They immediately begin slaughtering nobles, women, and children alike. Their dark magic tears through Eris's soldiers as if they were paper.

Lucien and I have no choice but to turn away from Eris and Beron and face Koschei’s magic wielders.

I take several hits to the gut, and a sword slices across my cheek, but I fight on, managing to take down one of the dark soldiers. Lucien, with his fire magic, kills two more, but before the third soldier is turned into ash, he drives a sword straight through Lucien’s chest.

Lucien collapses to his knees, blood pouring from the wound. I rush to his side, my heart pounding in my chest. Lucien's eyes flutter, and he tries to speak, but I stop him. "Save your energy," I beg.

He begins to close his eyes, the loss of blood making him weaker and weaker. "Lucien, stay with me!" I cry, trying to stem the flow of blood with my hands.

I have to get him to a healer fast; otherwise, he will bleed out. So I do the only thing I can think of.

Desperate, I tug on the bond with Azriel, praying that he will sense my distress.

A moment later, Azriel bursts into the room, Amren in tow. Azriel’s eyes widen with panic as he spots me and Lucien. He rushes to us, dropping to his knees beside Lucien.

"Azriel, you have to winnow him back to Velaris," I plead. "Find Madja , now!"

Azriel looks torn. "I can't leave you," he says, his voice tight with fear. “I— not like this. Not with you being my—”

"Amren is here, I’ll be fine," I insist, glancing at Amren, who is finishing off the last two of Koschei’s soldiers. "Please, Azriel! I can’t watch him die. I am begging you, just go, please!"

Azriel nods reluctantly, wrapping his arms around Lucien. With a final, desperate look at me, he winnows away, leaving me behind in the chaos.

With Azriel and Lucien gone, I feel a pang of anxiety, but I have no time to dwell on it. I turn back to the fight, watching as Eris and the High Lord continue their deadly duel.

Around me, the battle rages on. I join Amren, who is ruthlessly dispatching the remaining dark soldiers with a ferocity that belies her small stature.

Together, we fight our way through the chaos, our movements synchronized from years of fighting side by side.

We are fighting for what feels like hours. My arms ache from dealing blow after blow, and my eyes are getting blurry from the lack of sleep.

I steal a glance at Eris and Beron, watching as they exchange hits. Eris manages to land a few blows, but Beron shrugs them off.

The two of them are evenly matched, but the High Lord’s power coursing through Beron's veins gives him a slight edge.

Suddenly, Beron lunges forward, his sword aimed at Eris's heart. Eris barely manages to block the strike, their blades locking together. Fire erupts between them, and for a moment, it looks like Eris might be overpowered.

But Eris digs deep, summoning a burst of strength. He pushes Beron back, their swords disengaging with a loud clang. Eris's flames burn brighter, and he steps forward, pressing the attack.

The next moment, everything is quiet. No swords clashing, no screaming, just utter quiet.

As the flames subside, there, in the middle of the ballroom, not moving, is Beron.

The High Lord of the Autumn Court is dead.

#acotar fanfiction #azriel x reader #azriel #a court of thorns and roses #lucien x reader #azriel x you #writers on tumblr #eris acotar #rhysand #amren acotar #azriel shadowsinger #acotar x reader #azriel imagine

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jymwahuwu · 11 months ago

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Sunday being head of the Oak Family. What if reader is the head of other Family who is trying to act as political opposition? Acting all tough, even hostile, trying to be a strong woman and a leader.

Sunday knows solution and she can be easily fixed!

Reader simply lacks a husband and couple of kids to care for so our benevolent angel Sunday will generously provide it for her, everyone deserves to have family, even bitchy arrogant women like reader.

Thank you thank you!! The content that humiliates arrogant reader is my favorite ><!! I think Sunday will not discipline you immediately, but try to give you a chance…

TW: yandere, non-con, brainwashing, mind control, housewife kink, inappropriate traditional concepts (language about serving husband and family)

Which family are you the leader of? Alfalfa who controls economy, Bloodhound who maintains security, Iris who develops culture and entertainment, or Nightingale who is responsible for construction?

Depending on which family you belong to, your experience may be a little different… If you are the leader of Alfalfa, then it is expected that you will use finances as your leverage against Sunday's leadership, such as refusing to pass some reimbursements. Of course, those are non-essential expenses… but they are quite troublesome, because those are the activities Mr. Sunday wants to organize. If you're a Bloodhound, you can expect to show him your fangs, taunt him, and quietly frame him. If you were Iris, you might make some promotional videos of your own and use some subtle ways to disparage Sunday, knowing that all negative press is banned in Penacony. If you are Nightingale, then you will find some excuse to pause the construct, especially those designs that Mr. Sunday likes.

But no matter which family you are the leader of, you do not hide your hostility and provocation towards Sunday. You were tired of the mask of hypocrisy on his face. He hindered you from becoming the leader and representative of The Family! You repeatedly framed him with conspiracy, sneered in his face, and pushed the atmosphere in the conference room to be tense. Some members have reminded you that there should never be conflicts or disputes among family members. Well, of course you don't want to argue with Mr. Sunday, so you reply perfunctorily. The teachings of Lord Xipe are in our hearts and we just communicate.

Sunday. You feel like he's actually the one adding fuel to the fire. He always stares at you with a kind of pity, condescension, and a perfect smile, as if you are making trouble unreasonably. "Praying for you," he said. "The anger and arrogance in your heart will only serve as thorns to stab you. It is important to learn to bow your head reverently and humbly."

You want to roll your eyes. Of course you believe in Xipe, but you don't want to be in the same family as Sunday. Feeling that there is some strange and terrifying grand truth behind that flawless mask, but you don't want to understand it at all. To live in harmony with such a guy? Maybe it could happen in a few hundred years.

Again. You used some conspiracy to destroy Sunday's reputation. This time… it almost worked, just a little bit. You are not discouraged. You tilt your head in mock innocence and prepare to leave his office. But this time…it seems different. He did not say those admonishing and decent words to you. The sunlight slanted onto the colored glass, and the halo behind it almost made his whole person soft and decent.

"You know, I never like to use strong tactics. Now I know where the problem lies." There was even a faint smile on Sunday's face. "You need to show some proper respect and deference, and you're just one family away from that."

"What are you talking about again?" You frowned, but you couldn't move when you wanted to say the next word. Panic grips your heart. A burst of cheerful and moving tones enter your mind, like a sequenced program. "Come to me." This sentence seems to be singing. You don't know if it's an auditory hallucination or what.

Your body obeyed uncontrollably, and slowly walked to him and knelt down. Get away from him!! Get down on your knees. You met his gaze pitifully and weakly, putting on an expression you didn't normally have. "I'm sorry," you heard yourself apologize. "I-I'm sorry, Mr. Sunday. I've been so mean to you."

What are you doing?

"I will serve you with love... my husband." Your hands rested obediently on his knees, like a puppy. You already want to slap yourself. What nonsense are you talking about? "I realize that I am too bossy all the time. Please give me a chance to make it up to you..."

You carefully unzipped his pants and stroked and rubbed his warm cock with your hands. That- what is that- so awful- why is it so hard and long, the head of the cock is standing in front of your face, standing menacingly... A thin mist surrounds your tears. Then you lowered your head submissively and tried your best to take it all in, but it was already pressed against your throat before it was even halfway through. A feeling of nausea, but you still try to do the best you can for your husband.

(The muffled gurgling sounds, the saliva and tears.)

After your wet mouth felt sore, you finally had him gently pull your hair. You wanted to scream, curse him. This thought is like roaring in the wind, but you say. "Isn't this good enough? Please…" Before you could finish, those white thick creams covered your face. "Ah…"

"No. You're doing great. " Sunday caressed your face dotingly, even though your face was now shrouded in humiliation. "We're going to have two beautiful babies. I look forward to seeing you do this every day."

#honkai star rail x reader #hsr x reader #sunday x reader #yandere honkai star rail #honkai star rail x you #yandere hsr #yandere hsr x reader #honkai x reader

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venusandsaturnsrings · 4 months ago

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you stand stiff with a harsh swallow and suddenly dry mouth, hands gripped tightly behind you to ease the trembling threatening to break through. in front of you, pacing back and forth across the large space, is none other than sunday himself. his brows are knitted tightly together and an occasional frustrated mumble leaves his lips as he ponders just what exactly to do with you.

earlier that day, you found yourself wandering the halls of the dreamscapes reverie. as a lowly employee simply tasked with basic customer service amongst the golden hour this was strictly forbidden. it was one of many firm instructions you were never to break and yet you couldn’t hold the boiling curiosity back; it was the one thought you could never shake off. thus you found yourself sneaking in once your shift was over and meandering around the both confusing and enchanting hallways. the dim lighting and bubbles forming across the luxurious spaces was nothing short of enchanting but alas, all good things must come to an end. another employee tasked with repairs spotted you and instantly recognized you were not meant to be there thusly dragging you away and off to sundays location with scalding words and promises of your immediate firing and criminal charges. once faced with the oak family head, you felt your fate was sealed at his poorly disguised anger.

he finally stopped his walking and turned to you with a tense jaw and harsh glare. surely your life was over and you’d spend years atoning in a cell but ever surprising, he spoke with a proposition.

“you’re nothing short of lacking in braincells,” he spat, “but i can work with that and you’re in no position to deny. for the rest of your lowly life’s time, you’ll be my personal stress relief. it’s your irritatingly pretty face and body that serves as your only redeeming traits, as your mind is worthless. accept my proposal or i’ll have you tolling away in prison for years to come.” his words were shocking but correct though the guilty arousal pooling in your gut was shameful. all you could manage was a curt nod which seemed to ease his frustration. “good. at least you know your place. i’ll be setting many rules in words simple enough for your minuscule intelligence to understand. as for now,” his smile was predatory and dripping with self-assured confidence, “you’ll find your place under my desk, quickly.”

you scramble to kneel below him, eyes wide with fear and slick building up between your thighs making your panties stick uncomfortably. sundays hands found your hair to grip tightly as he lowered your lips down his cock, the length pressing against the back of your throat and pulling a choked sound from you. he laughed at your struggle before demanding you put in the work, releasing your hair to busy himself with a mountain of papers. shifting on your already sore knees you worked his dick in and out of your mouth, spit dribbling down to his balls with tears lining your lashes. small moans and whimpers broke apart your painful gags as you knew he would be unsatisfied with anything less than a messy and desperate treatment of his cock. sobbing pathetically you mentally prayed he’d soon find himself finishing down your throat soon so you could properly breathe. when sunday finally grunted and held you down to his base again, you gurgled around the sudden flow of his thick release but made sure to gratefully swallow every rope down. he practically purred at your performance as he shoved a shiny shoe between your legs.

“grind on it. polish it with that pathetic cunt, i know your dripping, disgusting girl,” and you made quick work of rocking back and forth, arms weaving around his leg with panted praise and watery thanks. he rolled his eyes, demanding you quiet down as his pen scratched along whatever papers were in front of him. you worked your pussy tirelessly, chest heaving at every pleasurable drag of your hips. the stitching along his shoes adding to the stimulation and catching wonderfully against your swollen clit. grinding needy, drool soaking his pant leg, you sighed and cried with your release finally peaking. pulling away with a shaky exhale and sensitive pussy, your face flushed at the obviously soaked material of his leather shoes. sundays foot came up to your face, “lick it clean, whore.” you quickly obeyed, mouth drawing up and down to clean up every drop coating the surface as he hummed in a tone only described as bored.

“expect your days to be filled this way from now on. i’ll have your clothes, if you can call skimpy lingerie that, tailored as a uniform from now on, doll.”

#tw: noncon #tw: power imbalance #celabratory nonsense!! he’ll be here soon!!#not soon enough tho…#he’s on my mind but i felt the need to make him Gross before expanding into his character #sunday x reader #sunday x you #honkai star rail x reader #honkai star rail x you #hsr x reader #hsr x you #hsr smut #honkai x reader #honkai x you

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thelov3lybookworm · 3 months ago

Text

I Am Forever Yours (part 3)

Day 6: Reputation

Summary: They assumed.

•○●⛦●○•

Word Count: 1092

Warnings: snobby, jealous ladies trynna bully yn but yn is a badass 😏, i think kinda oc lucien cus he hasnt fucked around at all heheheeheheheheh

A/n: look i just find people who wait till marriage to have intimate relations to be adorable and neat 🥹

(its me im neat and my future husband better be too 🤭)

edit: if you saw me edit the last line to add in a dialogue no u didnt 😇

@lucienweekofficial

ANYWAY ENJOYYYY 🥳

°•°•°•○🌑○•°•°•°

Y/n knew there were quite a few ladies who would kill to be in her place. After all, becoming the bride of one of the princes was no small matter. Especially when said prince was the most charming gentleman the kingdom had ever seen.

Royal and elite families, even from neighbouring kingdoms, as well as more potential brides had all been invited to the wedding. And where there was a wedding, there was a gathering of the ladies. And where there were ladies gathered, there were rumours spreading.

And Y/n found herself in such a setting the night before her wedding, and the topic of discussion, unfortunately, was her husband.

"Did you know he lives amongst the poor?"

"I cannot fathom why he would do that."

"Does he not get to spend like his brothers?"

"Poor him. I heard he might be a bastard child, and that is why he’s always left out of things."

Y/n heaved a frustrated sigh. From the past hour, she had been sitting here courtesy of her mother’s scoldings on propriety and etiquette, and if she left in the middle of the tea party after dinner it would be disrespectful. That the ladies would think marrying a prince got to her head and she thinks them beneath her.

One of the younger ladies’s giggles caught Y/n’s attention, and she turned to look at what was so funny.

"You know, there are rumours that he has fire in his veins."

High pitched giggles followed that statement, and Y/n’s cheeks burned from the implications in that statement.

Am I being too dirty minded?

But the next second, her worries were blown away by the words of an entirely too smug lady who sat closer to Y/n. "Oh, believe me, he does."

The others in their little group gasped, beginning to hound her for information.

"Did you have him in your bed?"

Y/n clenched her jaw just imagining such an erotic scene, pulse spiking.

"Oh no, I am not so fortunate. But I have surely dreamed about it and heard from others."

It gave Y/n little peace knowing that even though he might not have slept with others, people drooled over him still. She wanted to chide herself for having such thoughts, considering she had only met Lucien at that ball a month ago and was not even married yet.

But not for long, she reminded herself. The wedding would be tomorrow, and then she would have all rights to be possessive over him.

"Lady Oak, you are far too lucky. How did you even get him to agree to your proposal?"

Y/n blinked, meeting the eyes of the lady who grinned at her fiendishly. Her eyes narrowed.

Her name must be husband stealer or something.

She snorted at her own thoughts when another lady who looked younger than her piped up.

"Is it because your father is the advisor and the king forced him?"

Y/n fisted her hand, smiling sweetly. "Oh no, quite the opposite actually."

Husband-stealer laughed. "Oh, so prince Lucien asked your father for your hand? Can’t be, for he has been known to reject proposals left and right."

"Oh, did he reject your proposal too?"

Y/n leaned back in her cushioned chair, innocently gazing at husband-stealer as colour darkened her face, anger evident in every part of her body.

"That does not matter. He does not seem the type to stay with one partner forever anyways."

"You do not have to worry about his betrayals for you are not the one going to be affected by it."

Husband-stealer stood abruptly, glaring at Y/n for a moment before announcing she was going to retire to her room to her companions who did not bother to wish her back and focused on Y/n.

Another win, Y/n thought with a smirk.

"When did you meet him?"

"Last month during the ball he approached me, and when I told him to basically leave me alone, he asked for my hand in marriage. My father said yes."

"And you had no problem?"

Y/n’s smile turned genuine thinking about Lucien stalking up to her father and talking to him with his usual charm. She remembered very vividly how her father’s eyes had widened and he had stuttered through a response, his lips spreading in a grin.

"No. I had only seen him that day and I knew he would be the best suitor. Moreover, I trusted my father’s judgement."

The younger girls sighed in wonder, their eyes glazing over as they themselves imagined themself in her position.

Hiding her grin, Y/n stood, bidding them goodbye before making ehr way to her own bridal suite, anticipation building in her gut.

Tomorrow.

°•°•°•○🌑○•°•°•°

Lady Oak, you are far too lucky. How did you even get him to agree to your proposal?

Somehow, after a whole day had passed, after the wedding officiant had pronounced Lucien and Y/n husband and wife, after the reception and dinner party, husband-stealers’ words came back to Y/n.

Was she not right for Lucien? Had he made a mistake? Would he doubt their marriage just as the ladies had?

"Y/n?"

She turned to her new husband, who grinned at her, holding open the door to their bed chamber. She tried to smile back, but of course, even under the dim lighting of the corridor, Lucien saw it.

"Did something happen?"

Y/n paused, wondering if she should tell him what she’d heard.

"It’s just… some ladies were talking about you last night." His brows furrowed and he nodded at her to continue. "They said you would… betray me."

Understanding dawned on his eyes, and he reached out to touch Y/n’s cheek. "You do not have to worry about that. I’d rather cut my own di- private parts off than be with someone that is not my lawfully wedded wife."

Y/n blushed. How could she ever have even given thought to husband-stealer’s words? They were just that. Words.

"Thank you."

He rolled his eyes. "Do not thank me for common human decency." He paused, then- "May I kiss you?"

Y/n’s breath hitched. "I’ve never-"

"Neither have I."

Y/n’s eyes widened. "But- but they said-"

"They assumed."

Y/n closed her mouth with a snap.

"I always thought being loyal to your future partner had a certain romantic side to it. So? May I kiss you now?"

"I- yes but I do not know how to-"

He kissed her.

"I am forever yours."

°•°•°•○🌑○•°•°•°

Permanent Taglist: @berryzxx @sarawritestories @milswrites @throneofsmut

@daycourtofficial @sweetorangeblossom @secret-third-thing

Acotar Taglist: @bubybubsters @eos-princess @nightless @harrystylesfan2686

@cassie6392 @kennedy-brooke @tele86 @miluiel1

@hnyclover @minnieoo @sidrapotter @piceous21

@mybestfriendmademe @saltedcoffeescotch @lady-of-tearshed @starsinyourseyes

@starswholistenanddreamsanswered @cumuluscranium @byyalady

@lilah-asteria @girlswithimagination @garden-of-runar @girlswithimagination

@sunnyspycat @artists-ally @milswrites @kingdomofstarrynights

@berryzxx @buttermilktea11 @loving-and-dreaming @yucanbmylxdy

@mellowmusings

Lucien Vanserra Taglist: @mirandasidefics @tele86

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cherriecove · 5 months ago

Text

A Courtship of Politics and Passion (Part 4)

Jacaerys Velaryon x Hightower!Reader

Summary: Cannon divergence, Rhaenyra Targaryen is queen after the Dance of The Dragons. In order to secure peace and ensure her son is able to take his rightful place on the throne after her she decides to make allies out of previous enemies. Cherrie's Note: Masterlist | Previous Part | Next Part

Their uneasy alliance had always been fragile, but it shattered entirely the night Jacaerys overheard a conversation between Lady Y/N and a former Green sympathiser. The words—faint, but sharp enough to twist the blade in his heart—confirmed his deepest fears. For weeks, the whispers in the Red Keep had gnawed at him: doubts about Y/N’s loyalty, suspicions about her intentions. He had tried to dismiss them, to bury his unease, but now… now, the sting of betrayal burned too deep.

By the time he stormed to Y/N’s chambers that evening, fury burned through his veins, hotter than dragonfire. His mother had warned him, the court had warned him, and yet he’d fought to see her differently. The corridors blurred in his vision, his thoughts consumed by the bitter echo of her words. How could he have been so blind? How could he have trusted her?

Without a knock or word of warning, he flung open her door. The heavy oak banged against the stone wall, startling Y/N from where she sat by the hearth, her hair tumbling over one shoulder as she brushed it. The warm glow of the fire danced across her face, casting her in soft light. For a moment, she looked so serene, so innocent. But Jacaerys could see only betrayal.

She turned slowly, surprise flashing across her features before she masked it, setting the brush aside with measured calm. “What is the meaning of this?” Y/N’s voice was steady, though a wariness lingered in her eyes.

Jacaerys didn’t answer immediately. His breath came in ragged bursts, fists clenched at his sides. The words bubbled up, spilling out before he could stop them. “I trusted you,” he spat, his voice shaking with fury. “I defended this alliance, defended you, while everyone doubted. And now I find you conspiring with the very people who sought to destroy my family!” His voice cracked, raw with betrayal. “Was this marriage just a game? A way for the Hightowers to weaken us from within?”

Y/N’s expression hardened, her eyes narrowing. Slowly, she stood, her posture stiff with anger. “You heard wrong,” she said, her tone edged with steel. “Whatever you think you overheard, you are mistaken.”

“Don’t lie to me!” Jacaerys barked, taking a step closer, his face flushed with rage. “I heard enough. Don’t deny it. You’re in league with them. All these months, I’ve defended you—fought against every voice telling me to turn against you. And now you stand here, daring to deny it?”

Y/N’s eyes flashed dangerously, her own anger rising to meet his. “A ploy?” she echoed, her voice sharp. “Do you honestly think I wanted this marriage? That I came here willingly, to the heart of my family’s enemies? To be treated like a viper at your feet?” She stepped closer, fury rolling off her in waves. “Do you think I have enjoyed the constant mistrust, the whispers, the accusations? I came here to stop another war, not to ignite one.”

“And yet you surround yourself with those who plotted to tear my family apart!” Jacaerys shot back, his voice shaking with hurt more than anger now. “You speak of peace, but every word, every action… all it does is stir more doubt!”

The room seemed to pulse with the weight of their words. They stood so close now, both breathing heavily, their anger barely contained, like two blades on the verge of clashing. But beneath the fury, there was something else—something simmering just below the surface, unspoken but undeniable.

Y/N’s voice dropped, the sharp edge softening as she stepped even closer. “Do you really believe I’m here to betray you, Jacaerys?” she whispered, her gaze searching his. “If you can’t trust me, then what hope is there for us? For peace between our houses? If we are to have any chance, you must trust me.”

Her words cut through the haze of his anger, leaving him standing there, vulnerable. The fury that had raged so fiercely now felt hollow, like a storm that had spent its strength. He wanted to trust her, wanted to believe that she wasn’t like the others, that she wasn’t here to tear down what his mother had fought to build. But the scars of the past ran too deep.

“I don’t know how to trust you,” he admitted, his voice breaking. “I’ve been trying so hard to hold onto everything my mother built, everything she sacrificed for. But all I can see is the blood, the betrayal. I’m afraid, Y/N. Afraid of losing everything.”

Her gaze softened, the fire in her eyes cooling as she reached out, her fingers brushing against his arm. The touch was light, hesitant. “You’re not the only one afraid,” she said quietly. “I am, too. I carry the weight of my family’s mistakes, just as you carry yours. But if we keep looking back, we’ll never see what’s in front of us.”

There was a long pause. The crackling fire was the only sound between them as Jacaerys looked down at her, torn between his heart and the bitter memories of war. For the first time, he allowed himself to truly see her—not as a Hightower, not as an enemy, but as someone just as burdened by the past as he was.

“And what do we do now?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he feared the answer.

Y/N took a deep breath, stepping even closer until there was barely an inch between them. “We stop looking over our shoulders,” she said, her voice low. “We trust each other. We build something new… together.”

The space between them shifted—no longer filled with anger, but something far more dangerous. His heart hammered in his chest, every fibre of him aching with the tension that had built over months of mistrust and fragile hope. She looked up at him, her breath mingling with his, her gaze intense and searching, and in that moment, something broke.

Without thinking, Jacaerys closed the distance, his lips crashing against hers in a kiss full of frustration, longing, and something he could not yet name. It was desperate, raw—a collision of all the emotions they had buried for too long.

For a moment, Y/N froze in shock, but then she kissed him back, just as fiercely. It was not a gentle meeting of lips, but a battle in itself—full of the anger they had thrown at each other, the trust they were still trying to find, and the fear of what this fragile alliance might become.

When they finally pulled apart, both breathless, neither could speak. Their foreheads rested together, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, the world around them fell away. There was no past, no future—just this fragile, stolen moment.

“I don’t know if I can trust you,” Jacaerys whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. “But I want to.”

Y/N’s fingers curled around his tunic, holding onto him like he was her last tether. “Then let’s try,” she whispered back, her lips brushing his once more. “Let’s try.”

And so, in that dimly lit chamber, amidst the ashes of their anger, something new was born—a tentative understanding, fragile as the first breath of spring after a long winter. Neither of them knew what would come next, but for now, they were standing together, and that was enough.

Taglist: @rafslytherin

#hotd x reader #hotd #house of the dragon #rhaenyra targaryen #jacaerys velaryon #jacaerys velaryon x reader #hightower reader

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solaris-amethyst · 26 days ago

Text

💫Our Journey💫

✨Pairing: ateez ot8 x gn!reader ✨Chapter 2. After getting dropped in the middle of seemingly nowhere, scared of where you are and far away from home, Y/n meets a peculiar boy with a raspberry hat and a necklace with a topaz on it. Perhaps he can help you? ✨Genre: fantasy au, Elsa Beskow inspired, non romance, ✨Word Count: 6.1k ✨Tag list: ☀️Authors Note: Chapter 2 is here and it is longer than I had planned for it to be! Let me know what you think! It was so hard to decide what berry/flower each member was going to represent/wear.😭 Let me know if you'd like to join the tag list💓

You didn’t know how long you had been up at the air at this point. The greenfinch wouldn’t let you go no matter how much you had screamed at him. That was until he had gotten far enough where he would stop and just fly over the same spot for a while as if he was contemplating what to do with you now.

You feared that he would just drop you and from the height you were at you knew that you’d be hurt incredibly bad. Just as you finished that thought you were flung up in the air as the bird let you go allowing you to just free fall down and you once again screamed in terror, afraid of what would happen to you next.

What if you got hurt enough to actually die? Far away from home, far away from your family and the comfort they brought you. Far away from everything that brought you serenity. Would you not live to see yourself become old with time?

The trees and the ground got closer and closer and soon you just closed your eyes, deciding you didn’t want to know when you’d hit the ground. You then felt your body connecting with leaves and branches as you crashed into a big oak tree. It hurt so incredibly much you wouldn’t really be able to fully describe it, perhaps the closest you’d get to the same pain you felt as you fell down desperately trying to grab onto something was if you were bitten by a bunch of angry fire ants and also getting stung by nettles. It hurt so much and at one particular point your wrist was in more pain than you had ever experienced before.

You do not know what kind of luck had been on your side during this fall but somehow you manage to land on your bum at the stump of the tree, truly a miracle with how you weren’t hurt even more than you actually were.

You sat up slowly in shock looking around with big wide eyes. Your surrounding was unfamiliar and instead of being welcoming and kind, the forest and greenery around you felt looming and threatening for someone so small. Your wrist was throbbing in pain as you looked around before looking down at yourself. You truly looked worse for wear, bruises were starting to form on your skin, some really big and ugly, soon you’d be hurting even more than you were now.

There were open wounds on your hands and arms and some on your legs, you weren’t bleeding much but enough for some panic to start again deep within you. You once again could not stop the tears from falling down your cheeks, at this point you would have thought you wouldn’t be able to cry anymore but it seems that you were proven otherwise as you bury your face in your hands sobbing loudly.

It was scary, you were hurt and all you wanted was to be in the arms of your mama but she wasn’t here to hold you, to comfort you or to help heal your wounds. She was far away from where you were and it broke your heart into millions of pieces. You could vaguely hear wings flapping over you before something landed with a soft thud in front of you.

”Are you okay?” A voice asked and in your head it was obviously the greenfinch back to torment you even more causing you to lash out in anger at the creature in front of you.

”Stay away!!! Haven’t you caused enough harm to me you vile creature!” You scream as you flail your arms hoping that the bird will fly away but you realize when you opened your eyes that the bird in front of you wasn’t the greenfinch but a little robin, it’s red chest puffy as it’s little face tilts to the side looking at you curiously.

”Oh… I’m sorry I did not mean to scream at you.” You say in shock and the little robin hops closer to you.

”You are hurt. What happened to you? My dear you shouldn’t be outside all by yourself? Where is your family?” The robin asks concerned for your safety, hoping closer to see if you’re incredibly hurt.

”I was abducted by a greenfinch… he grabbed me from my home and flew me away and I’m scared. I wanna go home, i’m hurt and oh please do you think you can fly me home?” You ask the bird desperately and the robin looks at you sadly.

”I’m sorry but I can’t fly you home, my wing is hurt and I can only fly in short distances before I need a break.” It tells you and your face falls at the realization that this nice little bird cannot help you get home.

”Perhaps you should see if the other little people can help you?” The robin asks.

”O-other little people? Here?” You say surprised.

Sure you had known there were others like you and your family out there, it was usually a rare occasion meeting others since the world was big and everyone had different places they fit into. Some lived in the wild open fields with all the flowers because that’s what they were. Dhalias, marigolds, roses and so on.

Some lived in the forest like your family, disguised as blueberries, raspberries, pinecones and other species of plants. But it hadn’t occurred to you that perhaps there were others like you in this part of the world where you had been dropped off.

”Oh yes, I’m not sure where they are but they’re somewhere here. Perhaps you can find them and get help?” The robin chirps jumping back and forth excited to have given you some information that could help you.

”Thank you ummm… I never got your name?” You ask the robin wanting to thank it properly.

”Oh! My name is Stormcloud.”

”Stormcloud?” You ask surprised that the little robin had such a name.

”Yeah! I took my first flight as a little bird during a storm and thus gained the name Stormcloud. My parents thought it would be befitting a brave little robin like me.” Stormcloud puffs his chest out in pride.

”Wow you truly must be a brave little robin then.” You compliment Stormcloud before asking: ”You wouldn’t happen to know where I need to go to find the others like me?”

”They are usually seen deeper into the forest near the blueberry bushes.” Stormcloud tells you looking towards the forest. ”You’ll find them I’m sure of it!”

”What if I get lost…” You mumble causing the robin to chuckle.

”You already are lost are you not? So why does it matter if you get even more lost in the process?”

The two of you talk for a while, Stormcloud giving you information that you might need when traversing the density of the earth. And while he is helpful a lot of his information comes from how he sees things from above. Making it harder for you to understand at certain points what he might mean when he tells you that its next to the rock formation of a wooden stump from above.

Soon Stormcloud bids you farewell and good luck on your journey before he flys away, back to his home and his family. You shakily stand up on your legs. It still hurts and you cannot help but look up towards the sky scanning for the bird who had taken you away. Fearing he might come back to pluck you up again and take you even further away from your home. When the coast is clear and all you can really see is the blue sky and the clouds dancing around you take it as a sign to start walking.

You find a stick which looks good enough to use as a potential weapon to defend yourself with just in case anyone or anything tries to hurt you as you go looking for the other children of the forest.

It’s dark and unfamiliar as you slowly traverse through the greenery and it forms a pit in your stomach. You have no idea what might be hiding in this part of the world. Perhaps swamp trolls or goblins or perhaps even wyverns. How were you going to defend yourself if any creatures like those came to attack you? They were bigger and stronger than you and your father had always told you that the only thing you could do was either run or hide and wish said creature wouldn’t find you. Not many of your people lived to tell the tales after an attack from a swamp troll or a wyvern.

”Be calm and stealthy like a spider.” You mumble to yourself, trying to be as quiet as possible like spiders were but in reality you were terrified, legs trembling with each step they took.

How would you even know where to find these other people? What if Stormcloud had actually been lying to you? And wanted you to get even more lost like the greenfinch that had kidnapped you and taken you far far away from home. From your mama, from your papa and from your siblings.

Your family.

Were they worried? Had they noticed you were missing? What if they did not question it when you did not return? What if they did not care?

That made you stop in your tracks. What were you even thinking? Questioning your own family like that. You shook your head, trying to will away those mean thoughts. Your family would notice you were gone when you did not come home for supper. They would search for you because they cared, because they loved you.

You told yourself that a few times and reminded yourself of the time Birk had gotten lost when you all were younger, perhaps around nine years old. Your father and mother had gone out looking for him and did not stop their search until he was found. Both were worried but determined to find him, they even got the help of their friends like the birds and the squirrels to help search for him.

Birk had been found all alone under a chanterelle, crying because he could not find his way home and when your father had found him he had hugged him tight that day. Your mother had hugged him even tighter and made sure he was alright before the three of them went back home.

They’d search for you.

They wouldn’t stop, not unless all the signs said you were gone for good.

”My family loves me and they will search for me. Just like I would have searched for them.” You tell yourself before taking a steadying breath to calm your racing heart.

It would be fine. You just needed to find the other children of the forest and see if they could help you. Help you find home and perhaps even help you with your wrist which was hurting terribly now after you had walked for a while.

It irked you how eerily silent everything were. Back home the forest was lively and full of life, there were birds singing and chirping, squirrels bickering back and forth and it was just filled with warmth and joy.

This place was dark and silent almost as if it was dead. Not a creature in sight and it bothered you and made your worries rise. Perhaps your worries earlier about dangerous creatures had been right and here you were walking around making noises and being out in the open. Perhaps you should be even more stealthy and hide with leaves so if something comes around the corner it would not spot you immediately. The thought of being spotted made you quickly pick up a big oak leaf that had fallen from its tree to hold in front of you as a shield. This way you could drop down on the ground with the big leaf covering you making sure you were protected if you could not defend yourself with your stick.

You wandered for what could have been hours without any sight of anyone like you. There were certain times where you felt like you were being observed as you tumbled around trying to find your way forward.

There was a certain feeling you’d get when it felt like someone was watching you. Shivers running up your spine but no matter how hard you looked around you could not see anything that would indicate that there was someone in close proximity that would be watching you. In the end you had felt too tired to continue your journey and decided to rest under a cep, using the big leaf you had picked up earlier as a blanket and before you knew it you had slumbered away into dreamland.

What you did not see as you slipped away into dreamland was someone carefully stepping out of the blueberry bushes.

It was a boy.

He was careful, glancing around to make sure the surrounding area was safe before quietly making his way over to you. He was curious about you, never had he seen someone with a hat like you around these parts of the world. You were clumsy and absolutely not silent at all despite you probably thinking you were super stealthy with that stick and leaf in your hands. He had fought hard to not snort or burst out laughing at certain moments of your traveling like when you almost tripped over a little stone but instead stepped on the leaf and fell down anyway.

You were interesting.

Something new and uncertain.

But still very interesting according to him.

Otherwise said boy would not have followed you as you walked around mindlessly with no real destination in mind. He had been sure you would have taken a left near the chanterelle ring and make your way down to the meadow but instead you took right, down towards the caves for some reason.

”What do we have here?” He mumbled as he took a closer look at you. Inspecting your face closely, taking in all the details of the way your nose looked, to how long your eyelashes were and the way your lips were parted slightly as you slept.

He moved on to your hat after studying your face for a while. It was different than his that’ s for sure. His was a pretty pink and looked cute whilst yours screamed stay away from me with the way it resembled a poisonous hat. Perhaps that meant you were poisonous as well? Before he could think if it was a good idea or not he poked your cheek but nothing happened so the boy concluded that you were most likely not poisonous.

You had scrunched your face when he had poked your cheek but that was not something the boy took any notice of. He was too busy inspecting the spots on your hat to notice that your eye were fluttering open once more.

You blinked your eyes a few times before you registered the fact that someone was standing in front you and slightly above you. Before you could even think you pushed the person hard so he fell back on his butt.

”OW! What was that for?!!” The boy screeched looking at you very offended.

”W-what was that for?! What do you mean! You were standing over me like some weirdo!!” You screeched back in anger and fear taking your stick getting on your feet as quickly as you could taking a swing at him.

”WOAH!!” He managed to roll to the left avoiding getting hit by your stick. ”What’s wrong with you! I wasn’t even doing anything!” He glares at you and throws a stone at you that he had picked up as he avoided your attack.

”OW!” You let go of your stick to cradle your wrist which hurt even more bow thanks to the stone hitting it. Tears prickle in your eyes at the pain and you glare at the boy in anger.

”Oh no! Sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you!” He looks panicked for a second before getting up on his feet and takes a few steps closer to you.

”Stay away from me!” You say taking a step back every time he takes a step forward. ”I-i’ll bite if you come close!” You say hoping he will stop but he just snorts at that.

”I don’t believe you. You’re shaking like a aspen leaf and you look two seconds away from crying again.” He says before continuing ”Look I’m sorry I scared you like that, that wasn’t my intention at all. I’ve just never seen someone like you around here before so curiosity got the best of me.” He admits bashfully.

”Are you the one that’s been watching me?” You ask finally taking your time to actually observe him. He got a raspberry as his hat with black hair sticking out from it, he got a beautiful face with a mole right under his eye and you find yourself studying his face intently. His eyes are beautiful and they shine in a way only a person being truthful could have and his lips are thin but slightly pink. He looks gorgeous and when the sun flitters through the leaves above his skin practically glows in a way you had never seen before.

Perhaps he had been blessed by the faeries? ”Ummm… Hello?? You’re staring at me.” He says waving his hand in front of you and you can feel your face heat up at that.

”No I’m not!”

”You totally were!!”

”No I wasn't!”

You two bicker back and forth for a while until you by accident slip up and says that you did causing the boy to cheer. That’s when you notice a necklace hanging around his neck. The stones on the necklace are beautiful, some are as pure crystal clear like the rivers back home and some of them are tinted yellow like the sunset.

”You like my necklace?” He asks cheekily, his hand coming up to touch it.

”It’s beautiful.” You mumble and he beams at you seemingly already forgotten the fact that you two had been fighting earlier.

”Thanks! It’s a stone called topaz! My birth stone in fact!” He tells you before taking a step closer causing you to take one backwards.

”Oh come on! I won’t hurt you!”

”How can I know you speak the truth!” You spit back and he shrugs.

”You just gotta trust me.”

”Yeah sure like I will trust anyone right now. I shouldn’t have listened to Stormcloud I should just have tried to walk back home.” You say frustrated.

”Stormcloud? You know him?” The boy asks curiously tilting his head slightly.

”I met him earlier, he told me to find the others who were like me living in this place but I should have tried to go back home instead! Now I’m even further away from home and I have no idea on how to get back to my family. I’m scared and hurt and hungry and all I want is to be home.” You told him your voice growing thick with emotion as you fought back your tears.

”Wait… you’re not from around here?” He questioned and you shook your head as your hand went up to wipe away the tears that started falling again.

”No. I was kidnapped and dropped off here by a mean greenfinch! He took me away from my home and I really wanna go home.” You told him face crumbling into sadness once more.

”Oh I’m sorry that has happened to you! Perhaps I can help you? Me and my friends could? We’re good at traveling! I could take you to them and perhaps we could figure something out.” He tells you gently feeling sorry for you now when he’s realized your situation.

”You’d help me? You don’t even know me!” You ask sniffling.

”Yeah! You don’t seem like a bad person and we should help each other out should we not? After all it’s a big world for us so small! We need to look out for each other.” He says earnestly giving you a big smile.

”O-okay… I’m giving you one chance… mama always says to give someone one chance but screw it up and I’ll leave!” You tell him and he nods.

”I’m Wooyoung by the way!” He introduces himself as he stretches out his hand for you. You take it and shake it as you tell him: ”My name is Y/n. Nice to meet you Wooyoung.” You tell him and he smiles widely again.

You decided then and there that you like his smile. It’s warm and welcoming and comforting.

”Is it okay if I take a closer look at your wrist?” He asks and you nod allowing him to inspect it for a few minutes before he lets you know not to use it and that someone named Hwa could help you.

Who Hwa was you had no idea but perhaps you would meet this person down the line?

”Okay stick close to me so you won’t get lost while I take you to my place!” He says before turning around and walking towards the blueberry bushes. You hurry after him so you won’t loose him in the lush greenery that surrounds you.

”A-are there any wyverns or trolls around these parts?” You ask worriedly and he chuckles; ”Yeah a bunch of them!”

”What.” You feel dread entering your body before Wooyoungs body is shaking with silent giggles.

”I’m sorry that was a joke! I didn’t mean to scare you! As far as I’m aware there are no wyverns or trolls here.” He tells you looking at you over his shoulder with a playful glint.

”Oh why you!” You hit his shoulder lightly, unhappy that he thinks these are times to joke around like this. Especially after you just had told him about how you were kidnapped far from home. Perhaps you should hit him again with your stick just to make a point.

”Do something like that again and I’ll hit you so hard you’ll get amnesia!” You tell him and he laughs again.

”I’d like to see you try!” He bites back as he continues to lead you through the blueberry bushes.

The leaves are a vibrant green and it looks luscious and finally it looks like home making you feel a bit safer walking with this boy you had just met. But he seemed nice and Stormcloud had told you to find the others like you and Stormcloud was someone to be trusted you had decided. Robins were after all widely known to be birds you could trust because of their kindness and their friendliness.

As you glance around the bushes while following Wooyoung you almost get a heart attack when you realize that there seems to be a blueberry moving in a very weird way. It keeps going up and down slightly and moving forward as if it was walking. But that would be impossible would it not? Blueberries cannot walk unless it wasn’t actually a blueberry but perhaps something else. What if it was something dangerous? You start worrying again and before you can think your feet has speed up bringing you closer to your new friend, your hand reaching out to grab his arm causing him to look back at you surprised.

”Are you okay?” He asks, his tone indicating that he seems worried about your sudden behavior.

”I think we’re being followed.” You whisper trying to as subtly as you can motion towards the weirdly behaving blueberry.

Wooyoung follows your movements and you can see how he is fighting back a smile. He thinks this is funny? You think to yourself. Before you can say something to him he calls out.

”Hey San! Stop hiding and come out and meet my new friend! They’ve already noticed you!”

”What are you doing?!” You hiss at him and he smiles at you.

”He’s a friend, don’t worry! You would have met him back at my place anyway!”

”Did you have to call me out like that!” A man said as he emerged from the bushes, his hat was a blueberry and the shirt he wore were a darker green allowing him to truly blend in with the blueberry bushes.

He was handsome you noted, just like Wooyoung. His hair was black and he had really wide shoulders and while that intimidated you, his face looked almost soft in your opinion, like a wilted dandelion, his eyes carving into half moons and the smile he shot his friend looked kind.

Just like Wooyoung he seemed like a kind person and since you’re here trusting Wooyoung you might have to trust this man, San, as well.

”You gotta work on your hiding skills, like come on! Y/n here spotted you immediately!” Wooyoung chastised him and San groaned at that.

”I was trying a new techique but clearly it wasn’t effective!” He explains before turning to you. ”Hi! My name is San! Nice to meet you! I don’t think I’ve seen you around these parts before? I feel like I would remember if one like us with your hat were around these parts of the world.” He said giving you a blinding smile.

”I’m not from here… I got kidnapped.” You mutter before giving him your name. ”My name is Y/n like Wooyoung said earlier. Nice to meet you too.” You nod, still observing the newcomer.

”Kidnapped?! By whom??” San asks worry laced in his tone as concern starts to form on his face as he takes in your battered form.

”That darn greenfinch snagged them up from their home.” Wooyoung bristles clearly not happy with what had happened to you. ”So I’m bringing them back for Hwa to look over them and potentially heal any wounds and then we can maybe figure out if we can help Y/n home?”

”Yeah Hwa should definitely check those wounds and your wrist looks really bad, I don’t think it should be that swollen.” He says stepping closer to look at your wrist. ”Does it hurt a lot?? Can you move it at all?”

”It hurts a bit but it’s a bit numb now from the pain. I don’t think it’s broken, I’ve seen broken bones before and I don’t think I’ve been unlucky enough to break my wrist.” You tell him holding up your wrist for him to inspect.

San takes ahold of it with utmost care and such gentle hands you’d think he wasn’t touching you at all. The way his entire body demeanor change from big buff guy to making himself appear smaller and more approachable and almost fluffy, though you’re not entirely sure how he managed that, which makes you relax more.

”You should not use it at all or I fear it might get worse to the point where you might not be able to use it at all for several days which will not be optimal for trying to get back to where you are from. Wooyoung why did you not take Y/n back quicker!!!” San chastises his friend irritated and worried.

”Hey I would have if they didn’t attack me!!” He defends himself causing you to bite back.

”I wouldn’t have attacked you if you weren’t checking me out whilst I was asleep!!”

”Wooyoung!!”

”What?!”

”You don’t go up to random people or creatures and check them out while they’re sleeping!!”

”Ughhhh fine I was in the wrong!! There! Are you both happy now?”

”I’m so telling Hongjoong about this.”

”Please don’t he’ll chew my ear of.”

”Serves you right.”

The two of them bicker back and forth and I makes you snort. They’re pretty funny arguing like this you don’t miss how theres no real bite behind their words and how their tones while annoyed are filled with adoration for the other.

”Now lets hurry back! It’s not long before were back home.” Wooyoung exclaims taking your hand and dragging you away from San who hurries after the two of you.

The three of you journey over logs and rocks and you’re grateful they’re both there to help you under and over all obstacles. You learn more about them and find out they’re best friends which doesn’t surprise you at all. San tells you that he and Wooyoung get into all sorts of trouble back home and that they’re known for their mischief in their little group. Apparently they love clinging to someone named Yeosang who is Wooyoungs longest friend and while this Yeosang acts like he hates it when they cling and play with him they both claims that he secretly love it.

”You will love everyone! They’re super kind and lovely.” San tells you as he points towards a place where they live which seems to be in a tree stump. You can see the outlines of a door which seems to have been crafted with lots of care and patience if the decorations of it were anything to judge by.

”Let’s just hope everyone are home so we don’t have to go around with introductions over and over again!” Wooyoung says as he opens the door cheerfully and calls out as he steps inside.

”We’re back and we brought a guest with us!! Come meet them!”

San allows you to step inside first and closes the door once he’s inside as well. It’s slightly dark inside with the only lightsource coming from a crackling fire spreading some warmth in the room. You can vaguely take in six other figures dwelling about in the room and one of them makes eye contact with you. He looks kind and you noted he was another person with a berry on top of his head.

A strawberry to be exact.

His hair was long and a beautiful shade of black contrasting very beautifully with the red and green of the berry. His eyes were big and suddenly filled with concern as he took you in before he stood up and walked over to you slowly. The others in the space seem to be watching him to see what he’d do next.

”Ah! Seonghwa! This is Y/n! And as you can see they’ve been hurt and I was hoping you could look them over and help treat some of their wounds?” Wooyoung explains.

”Come here you’re hurt badly let me get a closer look in the light.” He gently takes your hand and guides you over to the sofa near the crackling fire. He makes you sit next to a man wearing a brown sweater, his own hat which looks like a dahlia resting on his lap as he takes you in silently.

”Wooyoung, San, care to explain why our new guest is here with us?” A man wearing a necklace similar to Wooyoung with topaz in it asked and Wooyoung went to explain your situation to everyone, explaining how you had been kidnapped from your home, how he had trailed after you for a while and how you attacked him when you had woken up.

Someone had muttered that it served him right to get smacked for doing something dumb like that and Wooyoung had just smacked the guy who had said it on his bicep before continuing to tell everyone how he felt bad and thought that they could maybe help you. Help you find home or at the very least heal you, let you rest up before figuring something out.

”This might hurt a bit.” Seonghwa said as he cleaned your wounds and you hissed a little at the sting but otherwise stayed quiet listening to the others conversation about you. It seemed everyone was inclined to letting you stay, especially as the sun was setting.

”We can figure out more of this tomorrow.” The other topaz man said before turning to you and that’s when you noticed the marigold hat he wore. ”My name is Hongjoong. You’ve met Wooyoung and San and Seonghwa as well, since you will be staying the night and eating dinner with us I’ll introduce you to the others as well, Jongho is the one next to you, he’s our youngest but don’t be fooled he is the strongest one out of all of us. Yeosang is over there by the fire.” He points at Wooyoungs and Sans friend who’s beauty makes you stunned for a second. It was very fitting that he was a rose, he was elegant and just downright gorgeous just like his flower. ”Then we got Yunho our resident daffodil and Mingi our resident poppy.” Hongjoong finishes as he points at two very tall people.

They’re probably the tallest people you’ve ever seen in your life.

”H-hello everyone. It’s nice to meet you even though my circumstances aren’t ideal. My name is Y/n and as you can probably tell by my hat I’m not from around here. I got kidnapped while plucking wood sorrel for dinner when this mean greenfinch came from nowhere and plucked me up and wouldn’t let me down. He flew a long way before eventually dropping me off making me fall a long way before I ended up on the earth again.” You tell them tiredly and most of them nod.

Some look saddened by the fact that you were taken from home and the others look like they haven’t really figured out what or how they should feel about you just yet. You don’t blame them, it’s good to be cautious of new folks, that’s something your father always told you.

”We got some nice hot stew ready to be eaten if you’d like a bowl?” Hongjoong asks and you nod appreciatively.

”That would be very kind of you thank you.”

”No problem, we can figure out more tomorrow I promise.” He says as everyone gets up to get their bowls, Wooyoung comes over with an extra bowl for you as Seonghwa just finishes up wrapping your wrist while telling you to be extra careful and not overuse it for a while.

”Thank you Seonghwa and thank you for the food Wooyoung.”

”No problem!” Both of them exclaims.

The night continues slowly, the nine of you enjoy the warmth of the soup and fire and shares stories of what you’ve done and been through to get closer. There’s a lot of laughter and joy as they tell you all the funny or weird things they’ve been through. Like that one time Mingi had gotten stuck in a log and couldn’t get out so they had to ask for a beaver to help him get out or the time they had an encounter with a scary swamp troll. You decided to share stories about what you and your siblings had been up to as children, like how you befriended bats and sometimes rode them during the night or when you danced with the faeries in the early morning fog.

Back in your own home your mother was pacing worriedly back and forth. You had not come back for dinner yet and you would usually be first one home especially today when you were tasked to bring home wood sorrel for her.

”My dear has Y/n not come back yet?” Your father asked as he came back from his first route of searching for you. He, Opal and Birk were searching in every place they possible could trying to find you.

”No and I am worried. What if they have gotten into trouble or hurt themself badly? Oh my sweet baby what if they’re unconscious somewhere?” She said trying to will away the thoughts of one of her children being hurt. It was hard enough as it was for her to have to lie to her youngest children about your wereabouts.

”Mama? Papa? Where is Y/n? They promised to tell me a bedtime story.” Your younger sibling said tiredly, grasping your mothers skirt in her tiny little hand, hoping she would see you soon.

”Your sibling is staying with a friend right now. I am sure Y/n will come back tomorrow.” You mother says picking her up and holding her close.

”Go inside, I will find Opal and Birk and see if they found anything.” Your father says before kissing your mothers cheek and then your siblings forehead as they head inside.

The one who had found any clues about you had been Birk. He had found your pile of wood sorrel and he searched desperately for you, calling out hoping you would respond.

”Y/N!! This isn’t funny!! Please come home!” He called out and called out over and over again and yet no one responded.

It was like you were gone.

Disappeared from the earth and Birk refused to believe it. He wouldn't rest until he found you safe and sound again.

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reyla-the-black-wolf · 10 months ago

Text

My heart speaks for you (Part 2)

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Pairing: Eris x f!reader

Word Count: 3.6k

Warnings: angsty fluff?, angst, hints of anxiety, anxiety attack, nightmare

Summary: Y/n is the youngest child of the High Lord of the Night Court and lives a slightly different life than the rest of her family. But what happens, when an unexpected visitor enters the stage and decides to completely change her life?

A/N: Hey guys! It took me a bit longer to write this chapter than I had planned to (accidentally deleted a part of the story ups) but finally did it! And I recommend you listen to "Remember that night" by Sara Kays and "The night we met" by Lord Huron.

Anyway, enjoy reading! 😙

Part 1 ⎮Part 2 ⎮Part 3⎮Part 4⎮

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Six days. Six days had passed since the incident in the conference room. Six tough days and not a single glimpse of him. No word, no letter, no message of any kind.

The water of the Sidra washed up on the shore in mesmerising waves, each time stealing a bit more of the glittering sand. Sunlight reflected off the mirrored surface, magically illuminating the facade of the River House.

The hammock I sat in swayed gently in the afternoon breeze and, thanks to Elain, the sun didn´t bother me too much. My aunt had planted two Illyrian oaks in our garden the year I was born, providing shade now that they had grown from tiny sprouts into strong, sturdy trees. As I became older, I found my favourite reading spot underneath them. They stood a few feet from the River House and were the perfect place to relax and simply be.

A piece of bark crumbled onto the pages of the book I was holding right now. `Feathers and Fire´ was written in large, ornate letters on the leather-bound cover. Nesta had borrowed me one of her novels to keep me company, as I had spent the last few days mostly by myself.

I give up! After reading the same paragraph for the third time in a row, I finally slammed the book shut. I had really tried to concentrate on the story in the last hour, but my mind had drifted off more than once. And always back to the same place.

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I was in shock. Or so I thought, as I couldn´t think clearly. My mind was racing and my heart was pounding so loudly that all of Velaris must´ve heard it.

Mate. Eris Vanserra was my mate.

I couldn´t believe it. I mean, he doesn´t even know me?

The beige sofa under my legs felt too soft, as if it wanted to pull me into a hug and never let go. And the ticking clock on the opposite wall made my ears twitch in annoyance, so I decided to get up and pace around the living room, trying to quiet my mind. I was massaging my temples to ground myself a little when a soft touch stopped me in my tracks. Small, gentle fingers starting to trail along my shoulder in a soothing rhythm.

„Sweetheart, look at me, please.“ My mother´s calm voice made me turn to her. „Everything´s going to be all right.“ She radiated pure love. „Whatever happens next, I want you to know you´re not alone. I´m here for you, okay, honey?“ It helped slow down my racing heart a little, but not enough. I sincerely hoped my father and his brothers hadn´t beaten Eris to death just out of anger.

Just as I thought of them, three men winnowed into the living room. With long strides, my father rushed towards me, some of his darkness still clinging onto him, and cupped my face with both hands. „Darling, are you all right? Are you hurt? Do you need anything?“ He asked worriedly as he inspected me for any injuries, whatever he was looking for.

I withdrew from his grasp, spun around once to show him I was fine, and put on my most reassuring smile to calm his worries, making his tensed muscles relax. „I´m so sorry. I never wanted you to see this.“ Regret seeped into his voice. „But…“ He paused, visibly struggling to find his next words. „Did the bond snap for you too?“ The question caught me entirely off guard, as I thought he was angry with me, trying to argue. I could almost feel my family holding their breath, dreading my answer. Silky hair fell around my face, casting tender shadows on my features as I shook my head. A quick glance at my parents and I knew they were having a silent conversation. Sweat formed on my palms as I unconsciously clenched my hand into a fist. With each passing second, an unpleasant feeling returned to my stomach, making me want to throw up.

It spread even further when my father turned his attention back to me, and my heart sank as I noticed the sudden change in his expression. A completely blank canvas. The mask of a High Lord. Others probably wouldn´t see through his masquerade of deceit. But I could. I did. I had studied his features over the years, every time he put it on. How his jaw tightened just an inch, noticeable only to the trained eye. How his eyes shimmered in a more vibrant shade of violet. I´d seen him in his role so many times that I´d learned to watch out for him. The real him. Not the High Lord, but my father. He kept his face sealed, but I could see what he hid behind that mask. Fury over Eris. His worry. But the strongest emotion was his love for me.

„I want you to stay away from him. Or even talk to him.“ Someone had just knocked all the air out of my lungs and punched me in the guts. I hadn´t been braced for what was to come. My pulse skipped a beat and the blood in my veins began to boil. He can´t do this! Voices shouted in my head and a lump formed in the back of my throat. But why? I didn´t even know Eris, even though he was my mate. I shouldn´t be so disappointed. He is practically a stranger.

At a loss for words, I stared at my parents. „We don´t want to make decisions about your life, but Eris is a... complicated man.“ my mother interjected. You mean dangerous.

„Wait, Eris is your mate?“ I flinched and turned around, only to spot my brother hidden in the darkness with a shit-eating grin on his face. „Finally something interesting is happening.“ he chuckled, earning him a slap on the neck from Cass. „Hey!“ he cried out as my father shot him a warning glare before continuing his lecture. „Darling, listen. We only want to protect you and make sure you don´t get hurt. And Eris is not good company. He has proven that several times in the past. So please believe us when we tell you to stay away from him. We have our reasons.“ And what are they? A knot tightened in my stomach when I heard Azriel whispering from behind: „Especially after what he did to Mor.“

But he is my mate! Even if we don´t know each other well, don´t I have the right to figure out what´s happening between us? My mind screamed at me. Say something! Anything! You know you can! I forced my thoughts to shut down. We would not have this conversation now. Fight back! But I didn´t. I understood that my parents were trying to protect me. They were angry, no doubt, but with the love in their eyes, I couldn´t argue against them.

So I only looked up and nodded, giving them a coy smile, even though it felt wrong. So terribly wrong.

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This moment had been stuck in my head for the past few days. Although I´d agreed not to approach Eris, somehow I still hoped he would talk to me. Maybe to explain when and how the bond had snapped for him.

Starlight? Az is waiting for you in the training ring.

Oh, right. I looked at the sun, which was already sinking deeper into the sky. Uncle Az had asked me yesterday if I wanted to train with him. We usually met at the same time every week to train, but over the last few days he had become more careful around me, giving me more space.

I quickly stowed the book away, not wanting Nesta to get upset if something happened to her beloved book. Changing into my fighting gear, I winnowed to meet Azriel.

„Faster!“ Azriel shouted, lunging forward, but not fast enough. I sidestepped his punch to the right, and in the brief moment his defence was down, I landed three swift blows to his ribs. He groaned in pain and tried to sweep me off my feet in one smooth motion. Just as I was about to dive again, my back hit the sandy ground, Truthteller at my throat. A sweaty Azriel lay on top of me.

He pulled me up, brushing the sand from my clothes. „That wasn´t too bad, but you´re less focused today.“ A questioning look crossed his face for a second as he looked down at me, then it returned to his usual straight expression.

I opened my mouth slightly as if to reply, but shrugged instead and walked towards the edge of the training ground, breathing heavily. Az only threw a knowing look in my direction. He knows. He knows how I feel.

We had been training for about two hours and I didn´t know how my muscles were still able to keep me standing, but anyway, I was grateful for them when I winnowed us back to the River House for dinner.

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After a quick shower, I now sat opposite to my brother at the wooden table eating dinner and it was truly a symphony for the senses. Wine glasses clinking. Knives scraping against plates. The aromatic scent of grilled steak and vegetables wafting through the room as my family engaged in a huge debate about who had the biggest wingspan. All I could do was smile at the silliness of it all and feel it seep into my soul.

My father stroked my back lazily beside me, probably to keep calm, as Nyx started throwing peas across the table at Cassian, who dodged them. It really was ridiculous. „Seriously! A little decency, please!“ Amren hissed at this `display of strength´. Mor chuckled, „They´re Illyrians. Do you really think their egos would just ignore it if someone with bigger wings came along?“ My mother nearly choked on her wine at this comment, earning an amused look from her husband. „Can we all just calm down a little before the whole dining room is decorated with pieces of food?“ A quick, stern glance around the table from the High Lord and everyone resumed eating, interrupted now and then by a few giggles.

Ten minutes had passed, and the others had just finished chatting about upcoming events in Velaris, when Amren apparently decided to break the comfortable silence. „So y/n. Has anything been happening with the Autumn Heir lately?“ The wicked smirk on her face made her look like a cat that had caught a mouse to play with. All of a sudden, the room fell silent and everyone stopped eating. I felt my father stiffen beside me, his muscles tense. „Amren.“ Azriel warned, a low growl escaping his throat. „What? Just a sincere question.“ Not impressed by his threatening face. Not in the slightest.

Of course, the incident with Eris had spread around the River House throughout the last few days, fuelling rumours, but the others hadn´t said anything to me yet. I should have guessed that it was only a matter of time until the tension would blow up.

I think I might throw up. I certainly wasn´t in the mood to talk about it with my family. Not today. My blood froze as I gathered the strength to look into Amren´s cold, steely eyes, which were fixed directly on me. She didn´t even flinch when my father shot her a terrifying glare that would send shivers down your spine.

Words began to flow into my mind, begging to be heard and a familiar feeling crept through my entire body, making my nerves go blank. It felt like I couldn´t breathe.

„Are you all right, dear? You look a bit pale.“ she said, making me feel even more nauseous. „Amren, don´t.“ Everyone had stopped breathing by now. „You don´t have to answer her question, darling.“ My father´s hand darted out to graze my fingers, but I pulled back at the sensation. „You are his mate y/n, aren´t you? Must be desperate to know why.“ „Enough!“ Pure darkness collected in the corners of the dining room, ready to consume everything. I´d never seen my father so pissed off. „Why would you say such a thing?“ Mor uttered. „Exactly! She´s my sister, I´m the only one allowed to make fun of her!“, Nyx joined in. „I´m in the mood for some trouble.“ she responded honestly, taking a sip from her wine glass, completely untroubled.

Everyone began to talk over each other, making it difficult to distinguish the individual voices. Tears welled up in my eyes as I covered my ears. The noise was becoming too much to bear. I sniffled, holding back a cry as I stood up and took a few steps away from the table. My chair scraped along the floor, causing everyone to turn around to me and all the shouting stopped. The tears began to trickle down my cheeks as my mother noticed them first, „Sweetheart, we´re so sorry.“ She stood up too. „We didn't mean to make you cry.“ Mor tried to reassure me, guilt clouding her voice. Everything felt too overwhelming. Leave. Walk away. Get out of this situation.

„Starlight, come here. It´ll be fine.“ He took a few steps in my direction, but I quickly held my hand up in front of him to keep a distance between me and my father.

„Y/n. Darling, we´re…“ But he stopped when I shook my head and scowled at him. Stared at all of them, anger written on my face, before I winnowed to my room. Leaving them all guilty and silent.

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With my back against the door, I sank to the floor, tears streaming down my face. It´s my life! I get to decide how I deal with Eris! Why do they keep talking about it like it isn´t my decision? Like it´s not my life?

My nails scraped the floor, attempting to hold on to something, anything, as I spiralled down a path I didn´t want to go. A guttural sound escaped my lips as my hand clenched into a fist and slammed into the expensive wood panels beneath me. Pain shot through my knuckles, making me want to scream. Anger. Fear. Emptiness. These emotions ran through my mind as my body shook with sobs. Why can´t I just talk? I want to, but I can´t... I don´t know... the words just won´t come out when I try. It made me even angrier when I thought about it. Do I not feel safe enough around my own family to talk to them? Or is there something wrong with me?

A knot formed in my stomach. I had never had a big problem with myself before. Not with my body, nor with my inability to speak to others. But now I wished, longed to talk to someone. Just someone who understood me. Someone who...

A certain scent wafted through the room making me pay attention. Was that smoke? I sat up straighter to observe my own bedroom. Books were scattered across the floor and the door to the neighbouring bathroom was open. My bed was made, covered in indigo silk sheets that shimmered slightly in the moonlight streaming in through the closed windows. A few plants hung from the frescoed ceiling. Nothing more.

My eyes were no longer watery and my heartbeat had stabilised. But I could still smell that there was... something. Parchment.

I looked over at my desk, which was littered with various rolls of parchment, papers and pencils of all kinds. But right in the middle. Something had changed.

Slowly, on shaky legs, I got up and walked over to my desk. A crimson envelope lay there, and next to it a shiny golden feather with light brown spots. I couldn´t remember putting anything like that here. It smelled of an open fire, fresh rain and a hint of vanilla.

Deep down I knew who must have sent it. I opened the letter with trembling hands.

・✧✵✧・✧✵✧・

Hello Princess,

Do you remember the night we met? To be honest, I can´t forget you. Standing on the balcony in your stunning gown, watching the stars fall upon you, even though they couldn´t diminish your appearance. At first I wasn´t sure how to approach you, but I did it anyway.

And it turned out to be one of the most wonderful nights I have ever had, and I wanted to thank you for it.

I could almost hear him chuckling to himself as a warmth filled my heart.

As you probably know by now, I'm your mate, but I don´t want you to feel obligated to anything that concerns me. It is your decision whether or not you wish to meet with me. ( Though I wouldn´t mind, of course)

A blush spread across my tear-stained cheeks and I instinctively smiled. He had thought of me. He really had. My heart melted like snow in early spring. Something about him made me feel complete and understood.

But if that´s the case, winnow to the border of Autumn in two days. I´ll be waiting for you under a birch tree when the sun sets. You can´t miss it. Sleep well, Princess!

His letter also contained a small note.

(Oh, the feather and the paper you write on will appear on my desk as soon as you write back).

・✧✵✧・✧✵✧・

I was speechless. Not just because he had thought of me or wanted to meet me. No. But because he would let me decide for myself. He wouldn´t force me to accept the bond, even if it hadn´t snapped for me yet.

Not wanting to think clearly at the moment, I did the only thing that seemed right. I broke the agreement with my parents.

I pulled out the chair, sat down, picked up the quill and wrote back.

Half an hour later, I was lying in my bed, surrounded by fluffy pillows and a gentle night breeze caressing my form. A few candles were lit to provide some sort of night light.

Just as I was falling asleep, footsteps came from the hallway and my bedroom door creaked as it slowly opened. I quickly closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep, not wanting to talk to whoever it was. „Darling, are you still awake?“ My father´s voice echoed through the room as he peeked out from behind the door.

Just breathe. He won´t recognise it.

And he didn´t. He only walked over to my bed and tucked a few loose strands of hair behind my ear, while the last thing I heard was him whispering: „I´m deeply sorry, Starlight.“ before he silently walked out of my room, leaving me alone.

✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Not the slightest flicker of light. Total darkness consumed everything around me. No light, nor sun, nor any kind of something... soft. Something to keep me warm as the cold crept up my body, like a hidden shadow from the depths of darkness.

I gasped for some air to reach my lungs, but all I could inhale was dust. Air! I need air! My lungs began to burn from the lack of oxygen and a tingling sensation shot through my entire being.

I felt like a flame being smothered as a deep, dark wave crashed over me, trying to drown me, as if I were nothing. As if I didn´t matter.

The darkness drew closer with each passing second. Minute? Hour? Time didn´t matter in this place of emptiness. A place without walls or windows or even solid ground. The only things that trapped me were my own thoughts and the giant beast I couldn´t see, but felt. It swallowed everything around it as its claws raked along my skin, my soul, leaving scratches all over me.

I screamed, but all that came out of my mouth was... nothing. Every sound, no matter how small, was absorbed by the emptiness of this place.

My body was drenched in sweat and my voice must have been hoarse by now from screaming my heart out for I don´t know how long. Slowly my body was losing consciousness and I was drifting further and further into the devouring void as I frantically tried to breathe. Please! I need to breathe! My heart stuttered for a moment. Help... help me! Somebody! Please, I... Hot tears streamed down my face and my eyes slowly closed as I was suffocated and drowned by the beast that guarded this place. My body went limp, tired from fighting.

A gentle brush of soft fur against my back was the last thing I felt as I drifted into nothingness.

✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦

I jolted out of my sleep, my heart racing and the sheets beneath me damp with sweat. You´re awake! Everything is fine! I placed my hand over my chest, feeling my pulse slowly steady as I realised it was all just a nightmare. The silver curtains swayed slightly at the open windows and the moon shone so brightly I had to blink my eyes. `Shh, it´s all right, Little one. I´m here´ it yearned to say. My breathing had normalised and I ran a hand through my sticky hair. It was just a dream. I lay back and tried to sleep again, but I knew it was going to be a long night.

✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦・✴︎✦

@tele86 @circe143 @impossibelle @st4r-girl-official @cherry-cin

#acotar #acotar fanfiction #eris vanserra #eris x reader #acotar fandom #chapter 2

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areyoudreaminof · 5 months ago

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The Day is Coming: Eris Week Day 2

It's Day 2 of @erisweekofficial! I really wanted to satisfy myself here and expand a bit more on Uncle Eris. His desire for a true family, the healing that has come with his young nieces, and his own reflection of his childhood. Just a short little treat. Enjoy!

Taking for granted This lifetime and what's up ahead

But the day is coming, the day is near The day is coming, the way is clear

My Morning Jacket-The Day is Coming

The boy sits with his new hounds, alone.

The pups wriggle in his lap, around his feet. Slippery coats of smoke colored fur and pink paws. They whine and squeak as they crawl blindly across his lap and feet. He can only hold two or three at a time and their mother is exhausted, panting as she waits for more milk to come in. The boy makes sure to pet her too, to remind her she’s not alone.

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

“Uncle Eris, look! This one’s opening his eyes!”

Eris turns to the little redheaded girl who’s gently holding a blueish gray pup in her fingers. His eldest niece is right, the pup's eyes are opening. Her brown eyes are lit up with excitement. The little golden haired girl on his lap gasps with wonder. His youngest niece hasn’t helped with the pups before, and Eris delights in it all.

“It will take him a few days to make out shapes, but he can still recognize your smell and touch.” Eris tells his nieces. Cyra, the youngest, giggles as the pup sniffs and licks her fingers. The eldest, Mathilde, softly strokes the white splash of fur between the pups' eyes.

“They’re so sweet,” Cyra whispers, “when do they start to play?”

“In a few days, I’d wager,” Eris says with a smile, “You both will just have to stay until then, I think.”

The girls squeal with delight.

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

The boy sits alone amongst the trees. After his lessons with Father, his hands and back sting with emerging welts. So, he escapes to the oak groves where it is quiet. The wind does not hiss insults at him, only sighs softly. When he was younger, he and his mother would take long walks around the gardens, watching leaves fall. But since his lessons began he hardly sees his mother, his father and tutors now watch his every movement. So now, he inhales what little freedom he has left.

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

“Me and Cricket are making a leaf maze!” Cyra chirps. Eris chuckles at the nicknames his brother gave to his nieces. The rest of their families use them, but Eris loves their names just as they are.

“Is that so? Round or square?”

“Square!” Mathilde says as she bounces over, “Me and Froggy can get more dead ends with a square. We’re going to have Mama and Papa do it when they come to get us too.”

“Very good.” He kisses each of them on the nose, red with crisp autumn air. “Should I help?”

“Yes!” his nieces giggle. Eris begins to design the maze with more leaves.

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

The boy looks at the fire coming from his fingertips with terror.

He had gotten angry at one of his brothers. They kicked him, broke a wooden post, then blamed him. He was sent to the racks for punishment and his father whipped him raw. Now, on the carpet of his room, the flames lick his skin. They do not hurt, but he can feel it. He feels the rage and anger. He feels the unrelenting fear in his blood as the fire crackles. Will his father beat him for this too?

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

Eris opens Cyra’s small hand beneath his. Her dark golden skin almost glowing beneath his own pale hand. His youngest niece found that she could summon the Autumn flame at a very public gathering. The pride hadn’t left Eris since. He found he loved rubbing it in Helion’s face that only one of his beloved granddaughters got Day Court powers. Mathilde was disappointed at her own lack of fire, but she was happy for her sister. Lucien had the ability too, of course, but Eris had begged him to let Crya come to Autumn once a week to be trained.

Eris would not say it aloud, but he wanted to train his own heir.

“When you summon your flame, feel it in your fingertips. You were angry or scared, but what else did you feel?”

Cyra wrinkles her brow, “It felt like the hounds licking at my fingertips, or when I poke myself on my needle when I quilt with Grandmother,” she shuts her eyes, tightly, “It’s under my skin sometimes. Like when my foot is asleep, or my heart’s beating fast after I go swimming. My blood feels warm too.”

Eris nods he knows the feeling very well. “Open your eyes, dearest.”

The Autumn Flames dances across her hand. Reds, oranges, and a deep blue burn brightly across her fingertips. Cyra stares at her flame with awe, and so does Eris.

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

The young man spits blood out from his mouth as his father strikes him again.

“I gave you an order and you deliberately disobeyed me. Lucien makes for Spring, and why is that?” his father sneers.

The young man says nothing, and his father grabs the young man by the throat, forcing him to the metal rack. Heavy cuffs strap the young man’s feet down, while his father snaps chains over his wrists. He turns and grabs an instrument off the table. The young man shuts his eyes, takes a breath, and tries to will himself away before the pain comes.

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

His brother stands before him, holding a small baby. His niece.

Her skin is a deep golden color, tinged with pink, but the hair is unmistakable. Red as his own, the same red as her father and her grandmother. The baby’s mother smiles from her bed, Eris smiles back.

“Her name is Mathilde,” Lucien whispers. He hands the bundle to Eris, who takes it slowly. For as many infant brothers as he’s held, this is different.

“After mother’s sister,” Eris murmurs. The babe sleeps peacefully in his arms. Her full lips are puckered, her small pointed ears sticking out among fine red curls. He strokes her small hand that has escaped the swaddle. Mathilde opens her eyes as she grasps his finger tightly. She looks at him with russet eyes and it hits him then. He begins to sob.

“He’s gone,” he whispers as he looks at Lucien, “He cannot touch us again. He’ll never corrupt her. She’s safe.”

Lucien knows, of course he does. He says nothing though, just wraps his arm around Eris and sobs with him.

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

The boy can feel the itch creep on his nose as he sits on the velvet chair, waiting for the artist to stop painting. He is bored and restless and his tunic itches. It is heavy with golden thread woven into leaves, while a thick, leather jerkin makes in sweat in the firelight and candelabras that populate the room.

The old fae brushes away at his canvas, looking over spectacles and a hooked nose. He will finish a painting that resembles Eris, but makes sure to highlight the cruelty in his face, to make him resemble his lord father more. It will hang along the halls of the Forest House, collecting dust and trapping the boy for eternity in discomfort.

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

Eris kicks his boots off as he sinks into his sofa. The fire crackles as Anais and Justinian, his oldest and most loyal hounds lay at his feet. The day with advisors and emissaries was a long one, full of squabbling and shouting. Now, Eris takes a moment to rest in his solar.

He looks up above the fireplace where the first painting catches his eye. His nieces look out at him with mischief and laughter from the painting. Mathilde’s wild red hair is lifted as she jumps for joy, while Cyra’s dimples are visible with her smile. The leaves they’re kicking up seem to move and their own smoke hounds are caught in midair at their feet. Lucien was quite jealous that his daughters were given a smokehound. “Life’s certainly tough for you, isn’t it?” Eris had simply said.

On another wall, portraits of the girls as infants hang. And above his desk, a painting of the three of them, in Autumn Court regalia, hangs. Eris smirks as he looks at his own smile, his nieces in each arm. Mathilde grins as if she knows a secret, while Cyra stares out with warmth in her eyes. Feyre painted all of them, of course. As their aunt, she too knew the girls and could capture their likeness in the canvas without having them pose for hours. Eris laughs at the details, because in their outfits, Feyre has painted a little creature into the threads to represent their nicknames. A cricket, for Mathilde, and a little frog for Cyra.

Leaning his head back on the sofa, Eris closes his eyes and enjoys this moment of peace. It is Anais's grunts that bring him back. "You're right, old girl." he says, leaning down to pet her great head, "We must get some sleep, the girls are coming tomorrow."

TAGLIST: @secret-third-thing @acourtofladydeath @born-to-riot @chunkypossum @elleybug @queercontrarian @iftheshoef1tz @yanny-77 @tunaababee @pippsmcgee @separatist-apologist @fieldofdaisiies

#eris vanserra #erisweek2024 #next gen oc #here's a thing!

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asumofwords · 2 years ago

Text

Smoke, Fire and Ash

Warnings: This fic includes noncon, dubcon, manipulation, violence, death and inc3st. Tags will be added as the fic goes on.

This is a dark!fic. 18+ only. Read at your own discretion. Please read the warnings before continuing.

Summary: You are the eldest daughter of Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen. You are forced to navigate the difficult surroundings of your upbringing and the eventual disintegration between your family and the Hightower's relationship. What will happen when your older and estranged uncle suddenly takes a more sinister interest in you? (Dark!Aemond x Reader)

Masterlist

Characters: Aemond Targaryen X Reader, HOTD characters.

Note: The reader really needed to let all of that anger out, and all those unsaid words and thoughts and gosh we are thankful for it. In times of war comes times of trouble... and desperation...

Chapter 46: Burdens of the realm

You spent the rest of that day in your chambers. Refusing entry to anyone except your maids who brought up your bath and steaming hot water, which you sank into slowly.

Their soft hands had brushed through your hair, pulling away the knots as you bathed, and washing the ash and smoke from your long tendrils.

The bathwater turned a deep sooty colour by the end of their careful washing, and they had left your chambers to bring up new water to rinse you with.

Saria brushed scented oils into your hair before braiding it into a single, long braid down your back for you to sleep in. You had spent considerable time in the bath pulling the ash from beneath your fingernails, the dark soot encrusted in the lines of your palms.

By the time you were out of your bath, and dressed for bed, the sun had been set for many hours and a dark glow had settled in your chambers. You sat on your chaise, staring into the fireplace, watching the flames dance as you let your anger simmer inside of you.

The flames flickered and waved.

Even after all you had done, it would never be enough.

It would never be enough that you had done more than your male peers, because you were a woman. It could never be enough for the realm to be you. You were not a son.

You would never be a son.

You could not completely fault your mother to this. Change does not happen immediately, it will take time, but time is something you were short of. You hoped that during your mothers rein that she could change things.

If not for you, for others to come.

As you stared at the flames, a knock was heard on the thick wooden doors.

You turned your head to look at the carved wood, taking a deep breath to steady yourself, and deciding to ignore the unwanted guest.

A moment passed, and you turned your attention back to the flames again.

Another knock.

You breathed heavily out of your nose, before pushing yourself to stand, ignoring the twinge in your side as you walked to the chamber doors. The grain of the wood crawled the same way, its dark oak smoothed by a steady hand.

The oak echoed with the thud of three soft taps.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

You stared at the entrance as your fingers moved to touch the handle of the door, fingers curling around the cold steel. You took a breath, and pulled the handle towards you, opening it up to allow for a gap in the door to look at your visitor.

Rhaenyra stood behind the door, hands clutched together at her front as she looked at your through the gap.

Her eyes looked sad.

“Can I come in?” Her voice was soft.

Maternal.

You said nothing as you looked her over.

“Please.” She asked again.

You sighed, pulling the door wider, allowing for the Queen to enter your chambers. The door was shut behind her as you stood waiting. If she was to talk, she would need to begin. You had said all that you needed to.

She watched you, eyes scanning your face.

“Could we sit?”

She was trying.

You gave her a soft nod, before following her back in front of the fire, to sit by the chaise. She sat first, looking up at you as you hesitated, before slowly sitting beside her. Your thighs touching hers.

You loved her more than you could express. But it hurt.

Her head tilted as she watched you, her expression mournful. It reminded you so much of Lucerys. There was just so much of her in him.

She breathed deeply in thought, hands fidgeting in her lap as she thought of what to say. Then as sudden as that meekness came, the power came forward. Her hand came to grab yours, pulling it into her lap.

Physical touch was important to show her affection. You couldn’t remember a single time as a child where she had shown you love without holding you.

“I have thought all night of how to talk to you, but I find I am lost for words.”

You looked down into your lap.

Why did you feel guilty?

Mothers had that sort of power.

“I have watched you grow into such a fierce strong woman…” She paused.

You waited for her next words. For the but that felt like it was coming, for the other shoe to drop. For her to tell you how she resented you. How you were a disappointment, how your actions had changed you forever in her eyes.

“And I could not be more proud.”

You head snapped to look at her.

You were shocked. This was not what you had expected.

“You are everything that I could have hoped for, and more. Unfathomably kind, smart, courageous. Your love and devotion to your family is your biggest strength, and also your weakness.”

There was the other shoe.

You looked back down, and she squeezed your hand tighter.

“If the realm was different, if this was different, you would be my heir. How could you not be? But the realm is cruel, and unkind to women. They believe us to be better fitted for bed chambers, as decor to the men who hold us on their arms." She paused to breath, her fingers stroking yours in her hand.

"In saying this, I know it is not fair to you. We women are built up, only to be pushed back down, no matter if you are of noble birth or common. Rhaenys had tried to warn me once, when I was younger and I didn't listen.”

You straightened your back.It felt like rubbing salt in the wound.

“I tell you this now, because I had planned to name you my successor. I had plans for you to rule after I did. That is why I prepared you. It was not all for naut, for me to just pull the rug from beneath your feet unkindly. But then... Viserys died…” Her thumb rubbed against your hand and you felt her gaze fall away from you.

As you looked up, your mother was staring at the fire, watching the flames in the same manor as you had.

“And Aegon was crowned King. The realm was divided before, but now I fear, more than ever, that there may be no winning this war. Even if I sit upon the throne, there will be those who do not accept it. There will be those who conspired with the Greens to place my brother on the Iron Throne, so that a woman would not. To name you successor, would be to put an even larger target on our backs. On yours.”

Rhaenyra’s side profile glowed from the warm light of the fire. Her brow was furrowed as she watched the flames. You looked down at your hands, where her thumb had ceased its comforting stroke.

It was your turn to comfort her.

You reached your other hand to hold hers, pulling it into your lap as you looked down, not raising your eyes even as you felt her gaze come back to you.

The warmth from her hands settled you.

“I know that you are angry. I know that you are bitter. And you are right to feel this. I felt it the day Rhaenys came to tell us Aegon had usurped the throne. I felt it the day Otto came to give us Aegon’s terms. I know that there isn’t anything that I can say to make this better. To make you not resent me, or your brother, but please know it was not because you aren’t fit to wear the crown.”

The ring on Rhaenyras hand glinted in the flames as she spoke to you, your finger coming to fiddle with the gold.

Anything, but look up at your mother.

“What you did at Riverrun…” She sighed, and you waited. “Was reckless. You could have died, and I had feared I had lost you again… I worry about you… About this… anger you have.”

“Fear is the strongest ally of all.” You murmured.

“I suppose it is.”

“They should fear you. Us.”

“They will.”

"I do this for you. And if not for you, then for them. For Visenya. For Lucerys. For Syndor.”

“You are far too young to know such loss.”

“This is war.”

“Ñuha dōna riña.” (My sweet girl.) She cooed, before pulling your face to her lips, letting them brush against your temple gently, as she placed three kisses there, as she always did.

Like how she always did for Luc.

“I want to fight.” You whispered beneath her.

“Y/n.”

“Please. I cannot bear to sit in these chambers and do nothing. Let me fulfil my duties, if not as your heir, then as your daughter. To the crown. To you.”

You watched her eyes as she thought.

Those light purple irises glowing in the low light of the room. She held so much beauty. It oozed from her pores, from the way she held herself. From the way she just was.

Both of your mothers hands came to frame your face, holding you to look at her before she nodded.

“I suppose I cannot stop you, even if I tried.”

A smirk pulled on your lips.

"Give me your word." You demanded softly.

The Queen looked at you unsure.

"Give me your word," You repeated, "That you will let me fight. That you will let me fulfil my duties to ensure your ascension to the Iron Throne. No matter the cost."

Rhaenyra continued to watch you, not answering, eyes full of thought.

"I swear to you, that I will consult you before I act. As my Queen, and as my mother." You assure her.

The silence in the room was heavy as you waited for her to give you her answer. For her to swear to let you fight. To be a true Targaryen Princess. To give your all to her cause and help win back the throne.

"I give you my word." She breathed, and you let yourself relax into her.

It was done.

She pulled you to lean against her shoulder, as you sat in silence, letting the days tension burn away with the fire.

“Is Jacaerys alright?”

“He is fine. Only worried about you.”

You hummed.

“He loves you. More than you know.”

You both sat in silence for some time, held tightly against your mothers side as she brushed a gentle hand up and down your arm, soothing you. There was not much more you could say to each other, but now there was more of an understanding.

As you felt your eyes begin to grow tired, and slowly drift shut, Rhaenyra gently pulled you up and led you to bed. She tucked you underneath your covers before leaving a soft kiss on your forehead, her lips lingering gently against your skin, then leaving you to fall asleep.

When you woke the next morning, you built up your courage to go and apologise to Jacaerys in his chambers. You had your hair brushed out of its braid, and into a new style, the oil from the night before making your hair smooth and soft to the touch.

You dressed in all black and at your breakfast slowly, delaying the inevitable.

As you picked at the bread on your table, your door opened, and Jacaerys walked into your chambers, without announcing himself.

“I knew you would be avoiding me, so I came to talk.”

You swallowed the mouthful of crust that sat on your tongue.

“I’m not avoiding you. I had plans to come to you.”

The young prince pulled the chair beside you out and away from the table, before sitting into it heavily, leaning back as he looked at you expectantly. He wore a deep red tunic today, with dark silver buttons lacing him up. His brown hair brushed neatly atop his head.

You rubbed at an eye, as you inhaled deeply, ready to begin your disgruntled apology to your brother.

“I forgive you.”

You cocked your head to the side, brows furrowing.

“I have not apologised?”

“You were about to. Whenever you have to say sorry, your lips pull into a grimace like it pains you to do it.”

You frowned.

“To win this war, we can’t fight amongst each other. If we stand divided, the faster we fall. I know that what you said came from a place of hurt, and anger. And you were right. What would I know of sacrifice?”

You opened your mouth to argue, but he cut you off with a hand raising into the air.

It reminded you of a King.

“Let me finish. You did enough speaking yesterday and now it’s my turn. I will never truly know what it is like for you, or mother, or Rhaenys. I will never know what it is like to be a woman and to have the men of the realm look at you as nothing of consequence. I will never understand the burdens that are placed on your shoulders from birth, nor will I ever begin to understand the ones that you will carry until death. But you can help me understand. Tell me before you get to your breaking point. Do not hold it all in.”

You reached forward to full more bread off of your plate, rolling the soft flesh into a ball before placing it into your mouth to chew. You leant back in your chair watching your brother, waiting for him to continue.

“I was expecting an argument.” He commented.

“None so far. Continue.”

It was like he was apologising to you.

“I had told you before in the Throne Room back in the Red Keep that you deserved the throne, not me. And I meant that. But that is not the way of the world, as much as we both wish different. Hope is a fools ally, and-“

“Don’t quote the Lords now.”

“I don’t wish to see you broken. What you did was stupid. I will not apologise for that. You could have died. You could have cost us the war. You could have given them the upper hand, by having you again. But you didn’t, and so you afforded us a win amongst a sea of losses.”

You watched as Jacaerys leant both elbows onto the table, hands coming to grasp his own on the table in front as he looked at you.

“You are my sister, and I am loyal to you. I will do whatever is in my power to protect you. But I will not fight with you about the succession of the throne. I refuse to. It is a mute point. And something that neither I, nor you, can change. If we are to win this war, we need to do so together.”

“You sound like you’ve spoken to mother.” You smiled shyly.

“I may have. And I hold no shame for it. She is wise, wiser than she lets on.”

“She is.”

“I love you, y/n. And I cannot even imagine what you have endured for all of us. I cannot imagine what you have kept from us in order to protect us. Much like mother. But you can’t keep this going on. You can’t keep sacrificing yourself for others. I know you have that fire inside of you, but one day it will burn you up, and everyone else in its path.”

“Now you do sound like mother.”

“I mean it. You get this look in your eye, it frightens me. And the way you razed that army to the ground like it was nothing? We got word today that there were no survivors. Not a single tent left unburnt, bodies torn and mangled…I do not wish to see my sister become another Maegor.”

“It would be what they deserve.”

“Even still. It comes at a cost. Yourself. And I- we, cannot afford to lose you.”

You nodded, as he watched you. His soft brown eyes watched you before cocking his head to the side lazily, leaning back in his chair to bring his arms to cross in front of him.

“I’m sorry," Your hand came to grab his as you let out the two words,

“I will do better. But I will not sit back and do nothing. I will fight in this war, and you cannot stop me. I will do what is needed, whatever it is, to give us the upper hand. To give us time. To win. I will not allow us to endure any more loss. I will do what I have to, to ensure mothers claim, whatever the cost.”

Jace held your hand as he looked at you, brows furrowed.

“I know you will... And that's what worries me.”

You let out a gentle laugh and went to place more bread in your mouth, watching him observe you with a certain unease.

“I won’t break.”

Jacaerys eyes do not leave yours.

The chambers are quiet, and in that moment you realise the depth of the silence.

His eyes were so much darker than you remember Ser Harwin's being. They had this deep, brown to them, gold flecked around the edges, so that when his pupils were wide, his eyes looked completely, and utterly black.

As you stared at each other, the stillness blanketing the room, neither of you responding, it was then, in that moment that you realised what Jacaerys was saying.

He thought you had already broken.

That was what scared him.

Thanks so much for reading along with me, if you wish to be added to the tag list please let me know :) Likes and reblogs are greatly appreciated ! Enjoy <3

Tag List:

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Bold is who I cannot tag!

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