#first jurdan moment in awhile

[chaiichait]

You know that trope of a very hardened strict mother-figure that is actually just an embarrassingly sweet mess in closed doors with the people she trusts? Yeah

[courtofjurdan]

One Chance part 10

Jurdan College AU - Previous chapter

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*I hope you enjoy!!!*

Jude didn’t know what to think. She was having a kid….. with Cardan Greenbriar. This can’t be true. There had to be a mistake somewhere. Maybe there is another Jude Duarte in the hospital. Most likely not but could be. 

All while Jude was in thought, Cardan just stared at her and waited for her to talk, but when he realized she was almost in a shock-like state, he squeezed her hand and ever so gently said, “Jude?” 

Jude looked up at him with tears brimming her eyes. Her breathing started to come in heavy pants as she said, “Cardan… I...I..” 

He shushed her. “Jude it’s okay. It’s okay.” Her breathing was still heavy so he placed her hand on his chest. “Breathe, Jude. You can do anything. You’ve proven that much.” Cardan wanted to ask who the father was. He doesn’t know if Jude has been with anyone. He was going to ask but he thought it was best to wait. 

He remembers the party he had when He woke up to Jude in his bed the next morning, and he was naked. He asked if they did anything rather than kiss but she didn’t know. Little did she know, when Cardan changed the sheets of his bed, he found a little bit of blood on them. So he might have done more than kiss. 

When her breathing slowed down, and she was quiet, Cardan said, “How about you just take it easy and rest as best as you can and I’ll call your family and friends, okay?”

Jude nodded then said, “Don’t tell them. Please.”  He didn’t have to ask what it was she didn’t want told, he knew. 

“I won’t, Jude, I promise. I’ll be right back after I call, that is if you want me to?” 

Jude nodded.

Cardan went out into the hallway to call Taryn and Jude’s court of friends. He felt like he was walking on a fine line right now. He was surprised she didn’t blow up at him, but then he might not be the father if she isn’t mad at him. Or it’s just she’s still in shock. 

“Hey Taryn, you're not busy are you?” 

“Umm, no. Is this Cardan? Why are you calling from my sister's phone?” 

“Well, we got in a car accident and we were on a motorcycle when a car ran a red light and hit us. Jude is okay. She got banged up pretty bad, has a serious concussion but nothing that won’t go away on it’s own. They are keeping her for observation to just make sure everything is okay.”

“You let my sister ride on a motorcycle!” Taryn was yelling at him through the phone that he had to pull it back from his face.

“Well she was actually driving it. But I can’t change the past. Trust me, I regret it.” 

Taryn breathed a sigh. “Okay well, I’ll be there in a little bit. Text me floor and room number.” 

“Will do.” 

“And Cardan?” 

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for staying with her.”

“No problem.”

And at that they hung up the phone. He then called Liliver from Jude’s phone. And let me tell you, she was even angrier than Taryn. 

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE WAS DRIVING IT?!?!” 

“Liliver I know, it was a mistake.” 

“Yeah it was. Use your freaking head. My gosh. Well, me and the boys will be there soon. Don’t do anything else that’s stupid.” 

Liliver didn’t give him a pleasant goodbye like Taryn though. 

Cardan felt ashamed. Ashamed that he let her drive it. Even more ashamed that she got hurt from doing it. People were mad at him. He was mad at himself. The guilt was crushing him inside. Why do I have to be such an idiot, he thought. 

He quietly walked back in and found her asleep. She looks so peaceful. So relax. He couldn’t help himself when there was a piece of hair in her face, he had to move it. And then he dropped a kiss on her forehead for good measure. 

Maybe he was showing her all this attention because he felt bad. Or maybe he has feelings he doesn’t want to admit. He’s never felt so pulled to someone before. 

Not too long after she fell asleep, Taryn, Liliver, Van, and Garret came into the room. Cardan was sitting in the chair beside her bed. He put a finger to his lips to tell them to talk quieter. 

Cardan could see some of their eyes widen at the state of Jude. She had bruises on the side of her face, on her arms, had small and large cuts all over, had her head bandaged from the big cut on the back of her head. And then Cardan was full of cuts and bruises also. 

Garret spoke to Cardan first, “How is she doing?” 

“Doing good. The doctor told her to get lots of rest so she’s been sleeping for about three hours.” 

Garret nodded then said, “How are you? You looked pretty banged up also.”

Cardan was surprised they cared about his well-being. He hasn’t even really looked at himself yet, he’s been too caught up with Jude. 

“I’m fine. Just sore.” 

“I hope you get to feeling better.”

“Thank you.” 

Garret and Taryn's relationship must be going well. Taryn walked in on Garret’s arm. If Jude was awake she would be proud.

At this moment, Cardan realized he was very hungry. It’s been awhile since he’s eaten anything. 

Cardan says to Garret, “I’ll be back shortly. I’m going to the cafeteria. Can I get you anything?” 

“No I’m good but thank you. And don’t worry we’ll watch her.” 

Cardan gave a slight nod in response. 

He walked down to the cafeteria and found that not many people were there. So he found a pizza bar and grabbed him a couple slices of cheese pizza, and then he went to sit at a table. 

The pizza was as good as cafeteria pizza could get. But he was hungry so he didn’t care if it tasted like cardboard, he would have still eaten it. 

When Cardan was done he threw his stuff away and walked back to the room. He opened the door and saw Jude sitting up. He gave her a smile and she waved at him. Cardan went and sat back in the chair beside her bed. 

Jude and her sister and friends were just carrying on conversation while Cardan stayed silent. After about an hour of talking and laughing, Jude started to yawn again which had them wanting to leave so she could rest more.

After they left, he looked at her and said, “Can I get you anything?” 

“I - nevermind. No I’m good.” 

Cardan brows knitted together as he took her hand and said, “Jude tell me and I’ll go get it.” 

“No you're probably sore and I don’t want to make you because if you know I want it then you’ll do it.” 

“Jude I’m not that sore. I can walk fine. What is it? “

Cardan was pretty sore, but Jude didn’t have to know that.

“I’m really hungry and this hospital food isn’t hitting the spot. But there is a McDonald’s right beside the hospital.” 

Cardan said with a smile on his face, “What would you like me to get you?” 

Jude gave a smile in return, “I want a ten piece chicken nugget,  medium fry, and a large sweet tea.”

“Yes ma’am. I will go get it. If you need anything else, please call me.” 

Jude nodded her head, and Cardan was off to McDonald’s. He got her food and went back. When he walked in she was sitting up, playing on her phone. 

When she saw the bag of food, she said, “YESSS!!” 

Cardan just shook his head and said with a smile, “Are you really that hungry?” 

Jude gave him a stare that said really. “I am eating for two just in case you forgot.” 

Oh yeah, Cardan thought. “That’s right.” 

Cardan took a seat in the chair beside her bed and drank the drink he got for himself.

She said, looking down at her food, “Well I guess a congratulations is in order for you too. You are the baby’s father, you know.”

Cardan was wide eyed and surprised. He thought he could be but he wasn’t sure. 

When he didn’t speak she continued, “I lied to you that day. I was sore but I didn’t want to admit it. I understand if you don’t want anything to do with the baby-”

Cardan interrupted her, “No, no, I want to be part of its life. I want to help in any way I can. Wow this is not how I expected this to ever happen, but I am happy. So I assume you are keeping the baby?” 

Jude took a bite of her chicken nugget, “Yeah I think I will. I just think of my mom and how excited she would be and it makes me just want to be the mom she was.” 

Cardan was skeptical to ask but he decided to any way, “Jude, did you really not know you were pregnant?”

Her eyes were wide, but she spoke anyway, “No I didn’t know. I look back now and it makes a lot of sense. I was late but I never noticed with…. all the other stress. And I have been having morning sickness a lot. And I have just started having a bigger appetite. So yeah, it makes sense why I was feeling like I did.”

“Oh okay. The day I came and you weren’t feeling good, do you think it was morning sickness?”

“Yeah it probably was.”

Cardan stands up and gives Jude a gentle hug, saying, “Thank you for letting me be a part of the baby’s life. It means a lot.” 

Jude just smiled at him. He sat back down in the chair and turned the tv on. Him and Jude watched tv until Cardan fell asleep in the chair. 

“Hey Cardan.” Jude spoke softly.

When he didn’t answer she spoke a bit louder, “Cardan.” 

“Yeah, are you okay?”

Jude giggled at his disheveled self. “Yeah I’m okay. You can go home and sleep. That chair doesn’t look comfortable.”

“Oh, well, I was going to stay with you but if you want me to leave, I will.”

Jude was surprised, “You were going to stay?”

“Yeah, I don’t want you here alone.”

“Oh okay. You can stay. I just thought you would be more comfortable at home.”

“I’ll be good. Sleep well, Jude. Goodnight.” 

“Goodnight.” 

Nurses were coming in all night long to make sure everything was okay. It kept waking both of them up. Until about 8 o’clock, Cardan decided to get up for good. He looked over at Jude who was just starting to open her eyes. 

“Hey, Good morning. Cardan said softly. 

“Hi.” Jude said with a small, tired smile. 

“How are you feeling?” 

“I’m just sore. Probably like you.” 

Cardan nodded his head and gave a smile. 

About ten minutes later someone came in with breakfast for Jude and then a nurse came in telling Jude she had to have a CT scan of her head to make sure the bleeding didn’t become worse. 

Cardan went to get breakfast at the cafeteria while Jude was having her scan. He went back to the room and waited on her to come back. She has to take extra precautions in a scan because of the baby. 

When Jude came back, an OB-GYN doctor came to talk to her about the baby. 

“Hello I’m Dr. Tatterfell. I’m going to be your ob-gyn doctor. I will monitor your baby. I looked over the ultrasound from yesterday and the baby looked good. Nothing was wrong. The heartbeat sounded great. There is only one thing I’m worried about. Your weight. You are far too underweight to be 9 weeks pregnant. Is there a reason you're underweight?” 

Jude looked hesitant to speak, but Cardan grabbed her hand and gave it a slight squeeze, “I just went through something quite stressful and eating just wasn’t my top priority. I have gained some of my weight back but not quite all.” 

Dr. Tatterfell looked at her with understanding, and said, “Okay well really try to eat more. Even if you don’t feel like it. I don’t want any nutrition issues down the road. Do you know who the father is?” 

“Yes. He’s the Dad.” Jude said, gesturing to Cardan.

“Okay, well I would like to see you at 12 weeks and I expect for you to have gained some weight. I will have a nurse come in to set an appointment up. Congratulations to both of you.” 

It was Cardan who said, “Thank you.” And he nodded his head towards her. 

After she left Cardan turned to Jude, “Well I’m glad everything looks good. But Jude really try to do what she tells you. I want both of you to stay healthy.”

“I will, Cardan. I will.” 

Soon enough a nurse came in and made an appointment and she said that the CT scan looked better so she said that she may go home. But she had to go home under the supervision of someone. To make sure she’s safe.  

Cardan was happy that Jude didn’t explode in anger about the baby. That’s what he thought she would do once the doctor left the room but she was in too much shock. It’s not that she didn’t want to have children, she just didn’t think she would have one this young, 19 years old. But she was still in too much shock to even convey her future. She’s in too much shock to even have some sort of emotion for this.

Next Chapter

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I hoped you guys liked this. This was not how this was suppose to turn out at all, but I think I like it better than what I originally planned. It was suppose to be angsty but I couldn’t put it in my heart to make it very angsty because I really like fluff but I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to give me prompts on what you would like to see happen. 

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[wingsofanillyrian]

When the Cold Creeps In (Jurdan)

This one comes from @spegetty : “The only thing cold here is my heart.” I may have gotten a little out of hand... :)

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ACOTAR & TOG Masterlists

Snow fell in flurries from the dreary gray sky. Flakes stuck to my eyelashes, and I blinked them away. Travelling with royalty through the densely wooded forests of Insmire meant that I had to remain alert. I scanned the path ahead for any anomalies, my ears attuned to any sound. My focus is broken, however, when the King sidles next to me.

“Its freezing,” Cardan complains, teeth chattering as he rubs his arms. I pointedly look at the numerous furs he is bundled up in before rolling my eyes. No way in hell can he possibly be cold.

“The only thing cold here is my heart,” I say, and spur my stallion ahead. I would not fall for his Kingly ‘s tricks. We had to stay on task if we wanted to reach the Court of Termites by midday. We couldn’t afford to stop because someone got a bit chilly.

“Jude! How can you expect me to appear put-together and royal if I’m shivering? You’ve got to have an extra cloak or something in those saddlebags.”

I sigh, pulling back on the reigns until we are even. I glare at him, only because he is right. “I do, in fact, have an extra cloak. But I’m not letting you ruin it.”

“Come on,” he says, turning his wicked smile on me. “Not even if I ask nicely?”

“Nope.” He wouldn’t get his grimy, greedy Fair hands on my ocean blue velvet cloak. It was the one thing I had allowed myself to splurge on recently. The clasp was forged in brass, and was trimmed with lush, white fur. And it certainly wasn’t cheap.

“I promise not to get mud on it.”

“Uh huh, sure.”

“I swear!”

“Not happening, your Highness.”

“Fine then. I guess this council might be cut short due to my frostbitten fingers and toes.” He wiggles his hands in my face for emphasis. Fed up with his spoiled attitude, I sling the cloak from my shoulders and hold it out to him.

His smile fades. “Oh, no. you keep it, or you’ll be cold. I was only joking-“

“Just take the damn cloak,” I growl, beginning to regret my decision to be nice. I avoid Cardan’s eyes as his fingers brush mine as they close around the fabric. I snap out my treasured blue cloak and wrap it over my shoulders.

As fate would have it, my mare chose that very moment to splash through a puddle, splattering thick clumps of mud onto the long fur hem. I let out an exasperated sound and glare at Cardan.

We don’t speak a word the rest of the way to the Roach’s palace.

************

The silver-haired king greets us at the front gates, all kind smiles and warm words. Our horses are whisked away to be brushed and fed by human servants, and I hope my face does not betray my distaste at the sight.

Cardan and I, along with the rest of the Royal guard, are led into the massive dining hall. Torches light the giant space from floor to ceiling, which arches high above our heads. The walls are intricately carved marble, and I admire the craftsmanship from afar as the monarchs take their seats at the long wooden table.

Talks with King Robien go smoothly, judging by what I observe from my spot at the edge of the dining hall. After all, as his Royal Highness’ bodyguard, it would be uncouth for me to join them. I clench my jaw at the harsh reality. As a mortal, I could never hold any real power here in Faerie. Not outright, at least. No one knows the true power of the throne lies in my hands, and I intend to keep it that way, for all our sakes.

So I stand stoically as Cardan and the King talk and laugh, content to let him fill me in later.

After the meal is finished, Cardan purposely raises his voice loud enough that I can hear him. “While I do enjoy your company good sir, I must insist that I return home tonight.”

“Won’t you stay the night? I’ve prepared guest chambers for you and yours. Certainly you must be tired after a day’s journey.”

“While I appreciate your kind offer, I must insist on returning to my homestead. I have an appointment tomorrow that I cannot miss.”

“Very well.” The Roach King tips his goblet respectfully in Cardan’s direction as he rises to his feet, giving a curt bow.

If there’s one thing Cardan can be counted on for, its civility when needed most. But not when it comes to me, apparently. The incident earlier in the forest proved that.

I bark orders at the palace guard to retrieve the horses and prepare to depart. Cardan tries to catch my eye as we wait to mount our steeds, but I stare straight ahead. My chestnut mare is brought to me, and I swing onto her without a second thought.

“Jude-“

“Save it, Cardan.” I signal to the others to move out.

I ride through the winter storm in only my simple uniform, my stained cloak balled up in my saddlebags.

************

By the time we reach the estate, I cannot feel my nose. My fingers are nearly frozen around the reigns, and I have to blow on them to warm them enough to pry them free. Thankfully, I made it back first and am able to avoid Cardan’s selfishness for a few more hours. I stumble to my chambers and collapse under the thick, down-filled covers without even removing my muddied boots. The fire is burning in the hearth, a fact that I am incredibly grateful for. Exhausted, I close my eyes and let my mind wander.

As usual, my thoughts swirl around the King. My still numb hands curl into loose fists as I recall his earlier whining. Must he be such an entitled brat? Did he ever stop and think how his actions and words might affect others?

I sigh deeply. Of course he does. I’ve peeked behind the mask he wears. I’ve gotten a glimpse, no matter how small, of his heart and the tenderness of it. I’m one of the few that knows he feels more deeply than he lets on. I almost pity him for the way he has to hide his true self.

Almost.

I’m nearly asleep when the door creaks open, causing me to bolt upright.

Cardan stops in his tracks, the flames of the fireplace dancing in his black eyes. “I hoped you’d be sleeping.”

“What are you doing here?” I ask, slinging off the covers and stalking toward him.

“I came to talk,” he says quietly, shifting on his feet. “And to give you this.” He holds out my borrowed cloak, which smells sweet and soapy, like its been freshly washed. I stare at it, completely dumbfounded. I hadn’t realized until that moment that I hadn’t expected that I’d ever get it back.

“Thank you.” I hang it on a hook behind the door. “But we can discuss the Roach King in the morning. Right now, I just want to sleep.”

“Actually…” Cardan starts, his expression softening. His tail makes a rare appearance, flicking across the floor. “That’s not what I came here to talk about.”

I roll my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m in no mood to discuss the lack of your favorite late-night snacks in the kitchens-“

“Please, Jude.”

It’s the rawness of those two syllables that cause me to still. Never once have I heard him say please, besides when begging for his life. I take in the slight inward curve of his shoulders, the dullness of his eyes. It doesn’t take much to see that he’s just as exhausted as I am.

I take pity on him and motion for him to sit beside me on the bed. He does, sinking into the mattress silently. For awhile, the only sound is the crackle of the burning logs.

“Well?” I ask, patience wearing thin. “Are you going to sit there and sulk all night? I recall you mentioning talking. Which involves, you know, speaking. Like a conversation-“

“I can’t keep doing this forever, Jude,” he says, brows knitting together. I wait for him to elaborate, and when he doesn’t, a stone settles in my gut. This could be bad. I school my features into a neutral expression and prepare for the worst.

“Can’t keep doing what, your Highness?” I cannot help myself from rubbing the title in his face; reminding him of our deal. But his flinch does not provide me the satisfaction I was hoping for.

“This,” he repeats, motioning between us. “Pretending that there’s nothing there, acting like you mean nothing to me.” He turns his hollow eyes up to my face, and my heart clenches. “I can’t keep pretending to be some cruel, heartless being and treat you as if you’re beneath me.”

“What are you saying, Cardan?” My voice is barely a whisper. My heart pounds so loud I’m afraid he’ll hear it. His gaze dip to my lips, his mouth twisting with remorse.

“I’m saying that… You mean something to me, Jude. And I don’t know exactly what yet, but I’m drawn to you, like a moth to a flame. No matter how hard I try, I can’t stay away. And… I hope you’ll forgive me for this.”

My brows draw together. “Forgive you for-“

I am cut off by the unexpected feeling of Cardan’s wind-chapped lips on mine. This kiss isn’t like the first time, which had been fueled by spite. It doesn’t feel like running over knives; its softer. Sweeter, like the memory of the chocolate chip cookies mom made for my sisters and I when we were younger.

His mouth and tongue are gentle against mine, and this time its clear he isn’t trying to hold back. He’s stopped trying to resist temptation, instead had given into it wholly. I follow his lead, tangling my fingers in his dark locks above his thorny crown, tugging him closer. His hands slip under my shirt, and its only then that I pull away.

He’s gone too far.

Drawing a deep breath, we’re still close enough that I can smell him. I can smell the pine and the stables, scents from our journey which cling to his unwashed skin. Suddenly, I’m reminded of the throne room, and how we could never be equals.

Some may call me the Queen, but I could never actually be one.

“Leave,” I whisper, cheeks burning with shame as I turn from him.

“Jude?” There is sorrow in his voice, along with a million questions. I have a million questions of my own, too, but none that I want answers to right now.

“We can’t,” I say simply.

From the corner of my eye, I see Cardan’s shoulders slump. His footfalls are silent as he strides for the door and pauses with one pale hand on the knob. I can feel his eyes searching, like hot pinpricks on my skin.

“We could, if we dared.”

I stare at the carpet as the door clicks shut behind him and everything I thought I knew crumbles to dust.

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