#friend of Hypaxia

[vintagegirl01]

Three is NOT a Crowd

Hunt Athalar x Bryce Quinlan x female witch reader (half-witch)

Summary: Hunt and Bryce are happily committed mates to one another. However, it’s a chance meeting with you that the angel and starborne princess realize that there is one thing missing from making their relationship perfect: You.

A/N: Since I enjoy this couple pairing, I thought of this idea. Currently, will be just a one shot and see where it goes from here. Will contain some smut later in the story so please avoid it if not interested. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy.

Hunt and Bruce just walked into the White Raven hand in hand. It is Friday night and it has been a while since the two of them had gotten together to hang out with their friends.

When they see they make eye contact with their friends, they both wave to them before making their way over to greet them.

In attendance is Fury and Juniper along with Hypaxia, the frat pack (Ruhn, Flynn, Declan, Connor, Tharion) as well as their mates (Lydia, Marc, Sathia).

Getting down to the last of the greetings, Hunt and Bryce come face to face with you.

Noticing the silence, Hypaxia makes her way over and introduces you. “Bryce, Hunt, this is (y/n). She is a fellow med witch who works with me at the new hospital I work for. She’s also a childhood friend.”

You smile at them both shyly. “It’s so good to finally meet you both. Pax has told me so much about you both. Plus, you both are quite well-known.”

After Hypaxia leaves to go talk to a girl from work, you are left face to face with the starborn princess and Umbra Mortis.

It’s a few seconds of the three of you looking at one another that the red-haired female comes up to you.

“Hey, you wanna grab a drink?” Bryce asked her with that same kind smile. You nod and follow her to the bar, before noticing a little smile come across the Umbra Mortis face.

_________________________________________

While you figured that Hunt and Bryce would go back to focusing on one another once you got drinks, they invited you to tag along with them for the remainder of the night.

Unbeknownst to you, both mates felt an instant connection to you. Bryce, in particular, had been watching you closely all throughout the evening. She noticed just about everything about you and how you interacted with the others. She definitely noticed that shy and docile yet adorable demeanor of yours and she especially noticed the way Hunt’s eyes kept darting to you.

Hunt, who never had a thing for shy and docile girls, was finding himself growing increasingly intrigued by you. His eyes had been darting to you constantly, almost as if he couldn’t keep them off you. It annoyed him how your shyness attracted him so much. He didn’t necessarily like shyness. He usually found it to be a mildly irritating personality trait. But it looked almost endearing on you. Especially when you kept smiling at him and Bryce whenever they told you some funny stories from their lives.

____________________________________________

After that night, the three of you begin to hangout more. While you never thought you’d be attracted to females, you find yourself attracted to Bryce and her mate Hunt.

Though you try to hide these feelings, in fear that you might offend them. Even though they treat you with kindness, you can’t help but feel guilty for even thinking of them in this way. They were clearly a couple, hell, they even mated. And in all the interactions you’d had with them, it was obvious they were in love with each other.

So you tried to push away the growing feelings, keeping your distance and trying hard not to look at them too much.

However, both Bryce and Hunt notice how withdrawn you’ve become around them and it doesn’t escape their attention that you are trying to keep distant. Hunt, especially, becomes more observant of you, his gaze fixed on you more often than it used to be.

They both began wondering at first what caused your change in behavior before finally noticing it themselves: how your eyes lingered on them or how your face flushed in their presence.

________________________________________

When you finally tell them of your date with a dragon shifter (in hopes that you’d be able to move on from having feelings for the two), both of them are left speechless.

Bryce and Hunt had been so sure of the growing feelings between the three of you that they felt their stomachs drop when they found out you were going on a date with the dragon shifter. For a moment, they were both stunned to silence, unsure how to go about the situation.

Though neither of them really wanted to admit it, they were both jealous. And both of them had been secretly hoping to confess to you themselves.

When it comes down to the night of the date, the two of them are waiting in the living room as you get ready. They both had insisted that you get ready at their place to give you moral support.

When you finally come down wearing a (f/c) dress that simply hugs you in all the right places and some heels to go with. Different from your usual attire.

”What do you two think?” You ask the female and male in front of you, giving them a twirl.

Their eyes widened at the same time the moment you stepped out of your room wearing a rather… revealing outfit. Hunt’s grip on the couch tensed, while Bryce’s heart was racing in her chest. Both of them were definitely surprised and taken aback, and neither could deny that look was rather breathtaking on you.

“Damn,” Hunt said with a low grunt. He hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

You begin to frown. “Oh no! Does it look bad on me?”

Both Bryce and Hunt look at you with wide eyes, shaking their heads as they try to gather their thoughts to be able to speak properly to you.

“You, uh, look beautiful,” Bryce manages to choke out through her sudden nerves.

Hunt is speechless for a moment, his heart pounding a little too hard. He finally clears his mind enough to rasp, “Yeah.. you look…”

“Good. Really good…” he says in a low voice.

You smile at them both. “Thank you both. I’m just so nervous about tonight.”

Bryce and Hunt nod in agreement, both of them unable to look away from you. As your words and the way you look in the outfit are sending their thoughts to places they definitely shouldn’t go.

“There’s no need to be nervous,” Bryce tells you gently. “You’re going to be just fine and anyone would want to be with you.”

Hunt, though, just watches you from his position on the couch. He remains silent but he’s itching to tell you not to go on that date. To stay with him and Bryce.

“Oh you guys, I hope to find my mate as you have found each other.”

It pains them to hear your hopeful words. They both want to respond to them, but they are both too scared. But hearing you say that, seeing how hopeful you are and knowing you may be about to go off with some dragon shifter is just too much for Hunt.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” He finally blurts out.

You gave him a look of confusion. “What do you mean, Hunt?”

The Umbra Mortis shifts uneasily on the couch, his fingers tightening their grip on the cushions. It’s clear he’s trying to not let the frustration and jealousy he feels show in his voice.

“You’re going to go off tonight with some dragon shifter you don’t even know…” he mutters, his words bitter.

“Yeah, that’s kind of how dating works, silly.” You giggle. “You get to know a person through a first date.”

Hunt grumbles and grits his teeth. He knows he’s being irrational but he can’t help it. Not when he has feelings for you that are making things too complicated.

“I just…” he starts, but falters before continuing. “I don’t know if you’re being safe by going out with someone you barely know. What if something happens?”

“It’s in a public place. Plus, I have yours and Bryce’s numbers on speed dial.”

Hunt’s scowl intensifies, not wanting to admit that you having their numbers made him feel reassured. But it was true. Knowing you had a means to contact them in case of an emergency helped ease some of his worry.

He manages to force out a reply, “I know. Just text us to let us know you haven’t been murdered or anything.”

“I promise.” You lean down to where they on the couch and kiss their cheeks. The ringer goes off on your phone.

“Alright. My ride is here. Wish me luck.”

Hunt and Bryce both stiffen at the kiss. They both look stunned as they watch you grab your things and head towards the door.

Hunt just stares after you, his breath catching in his throat. Bryce manages to croak out softly, “Good luck.”

It’s at that moment that Hunt and Bryce realize that you are their mate. Though thirds are rare they can happen and that is the case with the relationship between the three of you.

They had suspected before that you could be their mate. Especially when the three of you began hanging out together more often, and their feelings for you deepened. But it wasn’t until you had gone off with another male that they finally realized it.

Seeing you leave the house to go on a date with someone else had made their hearts clench, their anger and jealousy flaring at the thought of someone else having you. It was the exact same feeling they had felt with each other once they realized they were mates.

——————————————————————

The next day….

Hunt and Bryce are both sitting in the living room, tensely waiting. They had been impatiently awaiting news of how your date had gone. So when they received your text and read through it, their shoulders slumped simultaneously. Both felt an immense sense of relief. No, they had felt overjoyed. You and the dragon shifter didn’t feel anything more than platonic friendship. Which meant there was still a chance for Bryce and Hunt to tell you they want you as their mate.

They both sat in silence for a moment, just staring down at your text. Then, they realized the opportunity this gave them. A chance to tell you the truth about their feelings and finally admit you were all mates.

The two looked at each other simultaneously, gazes locked. And from the look on their faces, they both knew they were thinking the same thing.

It was time to tell you the truth.

——————————————————————

They both felt a rush of adrenaline as they texted you and invited you to visit them. It was time they told you about the truth.

It wasn't long before the doorbell rang, signalling your arrival. They both stood still in front of the door for a moment, looking at each other silently. Hunt took a deep breath and reached for the door handle.

“Hi,” you say with that permanent smile that is always on your face in their presence.

They both smiled at the sight of you as the door opened. They welcomed you in and closed the door behind you. There was a strange tension in the air - they were both anxious to tell you their truth. So, after you settled in the living room, Hunt broke the silence.

"Come here. We need to talk to you about something."

“Hunt, Bryce… is everything alright?” You ask nervously. You hoped nothing bad was going on between them. You loved them very dearly and wished only the best for them.

They both fidget a little, clearly nervous. Hunt and Bryce take respective seats on either side of you, keeping their gazes fixed on you.

“Everything is fine,” Hunt tells you, but Bryce quickly interrupts.

“Actually, there is something we need to talk to you about.”

“... Nothing bad I hope,” You ask reassurangly.

They both attempt to give you reassuring smiles.

“Nothing bad,” Hunt says again, before falling silent.

Bryce takes a deep breath and begins, “We invited you over so we could talk about something important and… serious.”

The male and female exchange nervous glances, before Hunt finally speaks up.

“We’ve noticed the way we’ve been feeling for you lately…”

Bryce chimes in and continues, “We’ve been developing… feelings for you beyond just friendship.”

“Oh? Feelings like…”, you start to ask.

“…Romantic feelings,” they both say in unison.

They both stare at you, waiting for your reaction. Hunt’s expression is serious and uncertain whereas Bryce’s is full of hope and nervousness.

You look at them in astonishment. “Really?”

They both nod and offer small smiles in response, their nervousness growing.

“Yes, really,” Hunt says. “We both care for you deeply. In a way that goes beyond just friends.”

Bryce adds, “We thought we should tell you the truth. But this isn’t just a casual thing.”

Your face contorts to confusion. “Mates… but I thought… only a couple could be mates.”

Hunt and Bryce both nod in understanding at your words, clearly having expected this reaction.

“Usually, this is the case,” Bryce responds. “Two mates is the norm. But there are some cases…”

Hunt continues, “Where a third can be added to the bond. It’s unusual, but it does happen.”

Before you can give yourself hope, you have to know.“You two aren’t just pulling my leg here… trying to make me feel better about the date…”

They both shake their heads vehemently, their expressions growing serious again.

“No,” they both say firmly. “No, this is not some joke. We would never toy with your feelings like that.” Hunt continues, “We genuinely have feelings for you. You are our mate.”

Bryce lets out a soft sigh, her expression becoming hesitant. “We understand this is unusual. But… we both care about you deeply.”

You smile at them, before taking their hands into your own. “Hunt, Bryce… I care about you both too. In a way beyond friendship… it’s just I always figured my feelings were wrong since you both are a couple…”

They both look at you with a mixture of surprise and relief at your words. Their expressions soften, and Bryce tentatively moves your hand from your grasps and places her own on your hand.

“Your feelings aren’t wrong, sweetheart,” she tells you gently.

Hunt places a hand over yours as well, his grip firmer than Bryce’s. “We have strong feelings for you. Both of us. We want to be with you.”

“I want that too…”

Hearing those words from you makes them both smile. Hunt gives your hand a squeeze, and Bryce rubs her thumb in soothing circles on your skin.

“We know this is a lot to take in and we understand if you need time to process it,” Bryce says softly.

Hunt nods in agreement, his expression growing more serious. “But we want you to know that our feelings for you are genuine. We want you to be a part of our relationship.”

“I believe you both. I just don’t want to be a third wheel if you two feel like it gets that way.”

They both shake their heads quickly, the idea of feeling like that repelling them at the thought.

“You won’t be,” Hunt reassures you. “We both care about you equally. We don’t see you as just a ‘third wheel’.”

Bryce squeezes your hand again and adds, “We want you to feel as loved and valued as we feel for each other.”

The three of you embrace in a hug as this would be the start of your relationship with the two people you’ve grown to love and care for. _________________________________________

Over the following months, your relationship with Hunt and Bryce progressed, and you all began going on dates together. The three of you found a dynamic that worked seamlessly, and it became clear that the bond you shared with Hunt and Bryce was stronger than just friendship as you three had predicted.

You enjoyed the unique experience of dating both of them, with Hunt being the protective and assertive type that made you feel safe and taken care of, while Bryce showed her nurturing and caring side, always wanting to ensure you felt comfortable and loved.

The three of you were cuddled up on the couch together, watching a movie. Everything was normal and comfortable until a steamy sex scene suddenly flashed on screen.

Bryce let out a small gasp and Hunt’s eyes widened, both of them suddenly feeling a bit flustered. The energy in the room changed - the tension between you all suddenly becoming more palpable.

Hunt and Bryce both noticed the way you were slowly shifting uncomfortably on the couch, your legs pressing together unconsciously. They both exchanged a look, sensing the change in your body language.

Hunt let out a soft grunt, feeling his own desire beginning to stir at the sight of you. He knew that the scene on screen was getting to you. He leaned closer to you, his voice low. “You alright, sweetheart?”

Not trusting yourself to answer, you nod.

They could sense the way you were trying to restrain yourself, trying to keep your reactions under control.

Hunt’s expression darkened, seeing your flustered expression. He leaned in even closer, his breath warm against your ear as he murmured, “Are you sure?”

Bryce watched the two of you silently, her own gaze darkening with lust.

Once again not trusting yourself to speak, you nod.

Hunt and Bryce both notice your flushed cheeks and quickened breathing, and they know you’re holding back.

Hunt leans in more, his body pressing against you. "You seem a little tense, sweetheart. Are you sure you're okay?”

Bryce finally speaks up, her voice low. “Maybe we should turn off the movie… and find something else to do instead.”

“….Read a book?” You managed to get out.

Hunt huffs out a soft chuckle, his hand moving to rest on your thigh. “I was thinking more of a… physical activity, actually.”

Bryce chimes in, her eyes fixed on you. “Something that could help you… relax,” she says with a smirk.

“…Meditation?” You let out weakly.

Both Hunt and Bryce laugh at your suggestion. They exchange amused glances, enjoying your innocence.

Hunt shakes his head amused, his hand giving your thigh a gentle squeeze. “No, sweetheart,” he says with a smirk. “We were thinking of something a little more… physically engaging.”

“Yoga?” You breathe out harshly.

They both chuckle at your persistence. “Okay, okay,” Hunt says, unable to keep the amusement out of his voice.

Bryce joins in, her teasing tone evident. “No, not yoga. We’ve got a different kind of cardio in mind, love.”

_________________________________________

It isn’t long before the three of you are naked.

They both take their time to gently caress every inch of your body, slowly and tenderly. They whisper sweet words to you, and reassure you that you are beautiful and desired.

Currently, you are on Hunt’s manhood as Bryce is helping you adjust to his size.

You were both nervous and anxious at first, but they both helped guide you. Bryce is at your side, her hand on your skin, guiding you gently. Her other arm is at your hip, her touch both reassuring and arousing.

“Take it nice and slow, sweetheart,” she says softly.

Hunt is beneath you, his hands gripping you at the waist. “Just relax, sweetheart,” he murmurs, his breath hot against your skin.”

“It’s so big… he’s so big Bryce…” you say with tears in your eyes. The pressure started to grow more pleasurable, becoming too much for you considering this was your first time having sex.

She smiles softly, her own excitement building as she watches you above Hunt. “Yes, he is darling. You’re doing so well for us both.”

“I am?” You ask for reassurance.

They both nod, and they can sense your nervousness.

Bryce leans in to kiss your neck, her free hand gently playing with your hair. “Mhm… you’re doing wonderful, darling.”

This causes you to moan.

They both respond to the sound of your moan, their own arousal growing stronger.

Hunt lets out a low groan, his hands gripping your hips a little tighter. “You have no idea how many times I’ve imagined this,” he says huskily, his gaze fixed on you.

“…What?” you ask breathlessly.

Hunt and Bryce both chuckle at your question.

“We’ve both imagined this,” Bryce clarifies, her hand moving to caress your cheek. “Having you like this, between us. It’s almost better than we thought it would be.”

“Almost?” Are you doing something wrong, you think.

They both smirk at your question.

Hunt speaks up, his voice low and gruff. “We only said almost,” he repeats, his hands moving to grip your hips again. “Because we haven’t quite reached the good part yet, sweetheart.”

“But don’t worry - you will,” Bryce adds, her hand trailing down your back. “In a few moments.”

Their words send a shiver of anticipation down your spine. You could feel their want and desire for you - it was a palpable, almost electric energy that crackled between the three of you.

“Oh….oh…oh….OHH!!!!”

As the sensation builds and your pleasure mounts, your body starts to tremble.

They both watch you closely, their own desire growing stronger with every moment. It’s a rush of sensation and emotion that’s almost too much to handle.

“That's it… let go,” Hunt encourages, his voice ragged and low.

Bryce adds in, her own voice shaky and wanting. “Just let it happen… we’re both here for you.”

As your release covers Hunt’s manhood, you lay yourself on Hunt as exhaustion hits you.

Hunt takes you into his tan arms with tenderness, cradling your shaking form against his chest. His own breathing is heavy, but he focuses on you, his hand rubbing soothing circles on your back.

Bryce moves to your side, her touch gentle and comforting. “You’re alright, darling,” she whispers softly. “We’ve got you.”

You continue to cry from pleasure in Hunt's arms, resulting in Bryce starting to leave kisses across your back.

Her ruby lips trail slowly down your spine, leaving a path of kisses that linger and soothe.

Hunt holds you tightly, his arms encircling you protectively. He presses a soft kiss to your forehead, whispering words of reassurance. “You did so well for us, sweetheart.”

“So well,” Bryce echoes, her hand continuing to run soft circles over your skin.

They both take a moment to let you recover, their touches gentle and unhurried now. They want to give you time to come down from the intense experience, and they remain content to hold you close, their arms surrounding you like a safe and secure blanket.

“As you try to remove yourself from Hunt, both sets of your mates hands stop you.

“We’re not nearly done with you yet, sweetheart,” Hunt murmurs softly, his hand stroking your hair. “You’ll get a little rest, but we’re not through with you just yet.”

Hunt fills you so many times throughout the night. Meanwhile, Bryce tends to you throughout that you are sure it’s morning by the time you all let sleep take over.

_________________________________________

Early afternoon….

You wake up snuggled between the two of them, their bodies warm and comforting as they hold you close. For a moment, you don't move, relishing the feeling of being surrounded by their love and warmth.

As you slowly stir, your movement causes them to stir as well, their eyes opening slowly to see you awake.

Hunt is the first to speak, his voice rough from sleep. “Morning, sweetheart.”

Bryce, on the other hand, presses a soft kiss to your shoulder, her arms tightening around you. “Good morning, darling.”

You smile. “It’s afternoon actually.”

The two of them smirk at one another. “We did have a busy night.”

The three of you exchange kisses and caresses with one another before eventually getting up to make lunch.

Who knows what else will be in store for the three of you in the future.

Unbeknownst to you, your mates were thinking about inviting you to move in with them.

[acourtofquestions]

I LOVE LIDIA CERVOS AND WOULD DEFEND HER WITH MY LIFE!!!

[prunpplee]

commission for a co worker of mine :D

She's going to the release of the third Crescent City book and wanted to dress as one of the characters

[phoebe-ofthe-cosmos]

instagram algorithm serving me so many reels lately of people reading sjm books and then complaining about the characters like "when you're trying to finish acosf but nesta keeps getting in the way" or "acotar5 is coming next 😁 but it's going to be about elain 😔" (side note NOT EVEN CONFIRMED!) why are you even reading the books if you hate the characters so much. do you guys know you don't have to read them?

[biggestqiblifan]

Holy shit. How did I miss this?

TOG and CC similarities

Has anyone else noticed that in TOG, Dorian is pushed to get engaged to Nehemia. She is the free spirited princess to her people. He is the crown prince to the most ruthless and egotistical king in their realm and is a partier and womanizer.

Then let’s look at CC. In the HOEAB, Ruhn and Hypaxia get engaged. Ruhn is the son of the autumn king who is more interested in gaining power than his son’s happiness, while Ruhn lives in his party house and drowns himself in drinks, drugs, and casual sex. Hypaxia was hidden away by her mother and is a strong and independent woman who longs to be normal.

Not to mention, both Ruhn and Dorian fall in love with women who are strong, independent, and ruthless. They both first fall for women who they consider to be soft (Ruhn with Hypaxia when she was an unknown healer and Dorian with Sorcha). When those relationships fall apart they both crave someone who is the opposite and end up falling for these women that are complicated and ultimately are fighting for their people while in disguise as the enemy. Both end up being double agents after being brainwashed and trained from birth to be evil weapons.

I know that SJM already said that Dorian and Lucien would be besties, and I can definitely see that now. What if you added Ruhn to that bestie mix? They SJM universe would never know what hit it.

Ruhn x lydia and Dorian and manon are on very similar trajectory so I am soooooo excited to see how CC3 plays out, especially since Lydia is our first POV 😍

[emilystheories]

Aelin, Nesta, Bryce: the secret of the eight-pointed star.

My all time favourite SJM universe theory.

[Spoilers for ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City!]

In Empire of Storms, Aelin is seen wearing a Wyrdkey around her neck. Because of this, a temporary gate is opened inside of her, allowing Deanna to possess her body.

Within the Throne of Glass world, Deanna is a god.

When Aelin attends a religious service to honour Deanna and the other gods, it is noted that the High Priestess bears the marking of an eight-pointed star above her brow.

In the ACOTAR world, it has been widely speculated that the Cauldron - with its three magical legs - is also made from Wyrdkeys (thus creating a Wyrdgate). Items dipped into the Cauldron, such as the Dread Trove, also appear to take on similar properties to the Wyrdkeys.

When Nesta uses the Dread Trove items - just like Aelin and the Wyrdkey - a god-like being appears to possess Nesta.

Nesta also bore a tattoo of the eight-pointed star. The symbol of the gods.

Many believe that the fourth Dread Trove item is the Horn in the Crescent City world.

The Horn is embedded into Bryce's back. Just like the Wyrdkeys, it allows Bryce to open up doors to other worlds.

When the Horn was repaired... Bryce also gained the same marking of the eight-pointed star.

Thus, it appears that Wyrdkeys and the Dread Trove (including the Horn) allow gods, or higher beings, to possess the bodies of those wielding them.

However, unlike Aelin or Nesta, who can remove their access to these items, Bryce is stuck with the Horn permanently inked into her back.

In the final chapters of CC2, when Bryce reaches the Asteri palace, it is said that an eye opens within her soul, and "snarls."

This begs the question; is there someone inside Bryce as well...?

Interestingly, after the Horn was healed and Bryce is racing to save the humans, the Prime of the Wolves looks at Bryce and refers to her as a "wolf." As he says this, he points to his heart.

Similarly, when Bryce meets the Prime again in CC2, he once again refers to her as a "wolf" and taps his chest - his heart.

But, the Prime isn't referring to Bryce. He's referring to Danika.

Bryce's best friend, the wolf-shifter... the one who is always inside of Bryce's heart... literally.

Danika told Baxian that she was trying to find a way into a new world. But, she also knew that she was going to die before this could happen.

Perhaps it's then no coincidence that Danika inked the Horn on Bryce's back; creating a gate inside of Bryce - one that she could enter, even after death, should she need it.

Danika inked the Horn in the "language of universes" - Wyrdmarks.

In doing this, she spelt out the phrase "through love, all is possible." When Hypaxia asks Bryce about this very phrase on her back, Bryce explains the meaning: that she and Danika will never be parted.

Danika says the same thing herself; that even if Bryce cannot see her... she will always be there.

And, I don't think these are just pretty words. Because, through the Horn - a gate into Bryce's soul - Danika's own soul resides.

This explains how, after the Horn was healed, Bryce was able to the Drop.

The Drop is a descent into one's soul. When Bryce does the Drop, when she descends into her own soul... she found Danika there.

But, this raises an interesting question; can any deceased or otherworldly being enter Bryce through the Horn?

Or... is Danika someone important?

Given the theme of reincarnation within the SJM universe... it is possible that Danika was once a god, or a higher being, herself?

Well, the name Danika means "morning star." Or, otherwise known as Sirius.

In the Crescent City world, Sirius was the seventh (and long deceased) Asteri.

Sirius was known as the WOLF STAR.

Further, within various strains of mythology, Danika is known as the Goddess of Dusk.

...Danika's search for Dusk's Truth.

...The Horn, given to Bryce by Danika, is a beacon to Prythian. To the Dusk Court.

The Dusk Court (most likely situated on the Prison Island), with the same marking of the eight-pointed star.

The symbol of the Starborn fae.

The symbol of the Gods.

With SJM's next (multiverse?) series speculated to be called Twilight of the Gods...

Twilight being another word for dusk...

It's all coming together.

(And, as an additional headcanon - if this theory is true - I wonder if this is all leading up to Starfall - the migration of souls. That we will see Danika's soul leave her place inside of Bryce, and join the other souls in the sky - destined to be reborn once more).

[shadowqueenjude]

Ranking the top 10 most pathetic SJM men

10: Ithan Holstrom Come on, if you didn't think him simping for Bryce after knowing her for like 5 seconds was pathetic then idk what is. Also, him being mad about the Fendyr heir being enslaved and stealing fire sprites for revenge will never not be hilarious

9: Fenrys Moonbeam Bro was so desperate to escape Maeve that he almost killed himself. Then he had that "You'd rather my queen die than your king" line. Like bro is Aelin's dog at this point.

8. Eris Vanserra Thanks to @kateduchessofdolittle for making me see how pathetic Eris is.

-Fiancee goes to *great lengths* to get out their engagement. After all that, bro still bailed her out by dealing with her father Keir in ACOSF

- Got to be a passive little bitch to monster father

- seems to be a surrogate father to the *worst* people

- he's giving mama's boy

- his allies taunt him with another engagement and she laughs in his face too

At least he has his dogs.

7. Hunt Athalar Not sure how to explain this one. It's just the *vibes*

6. Tarquin Poor Tarquin. I felt so bad for him during that Feyre-Tarquin scene in ACOMAF (one of these days I shall write the Feyquin fanfic and rectify Feyre's mistakes here).

5. Ruhn Danaan You may be surprised Ruhn is so high up on this list. But bro, Hypaxia duped him so badly. Also, he was so desperate to get back in his sister Bryce's good books. Here are just a few examples from the book:

Ruhn bared his teeth at Maximus as the glowering vamp headed toward the golden steps. “Riso called me a few minutes ago and said you were here. With that fucking creep.” “Excuse me?” Her voice sharpened. It had nothing to do with the fact that she highly doubted the diplomatic club owner had used those terms. Riso was more the type to say, She’s with someone who might cause the dancing to cease. Which would have been Riso’s idea of Hel. Ruhn said, “Riso can’t risk tossing Tertian to the curb—he implied the prick was being handsy and you needed backup.” A purely predatory gleam entered her brother’s eyes. “Don’t you know what Tertian’s father does?” She grinned, and knew it didn’t reach her eyes. None of her smiles did these days. “I do,” she said sweetly. Ruhn shook his head in disgust. Bryce leaned forward to grab her drink, each movement controlled—if only to keep from taking the water and throwing it in his face. “Shouldn’t you be home?” Ruhn asked. “It’s a weekday. You’ve got work in six hours.” “Thanks, Mom,” she said.

She just opened the door. “If you hear anything about the Viper Queen, call me.” Ruhn stiffened, his heart thundering. “Do not provoke her.” “Bye, Ruhn.” He was desperate enough that he said, “I’ll go with you to—” “Bye.”

She flinched as Ruhn said at her ear, “You don’t need to see this.” This was another murder. Another body. Another year. A medwitch even knelt before the body, a wand buzzing with firstlight in her hands, trying to piece the corpse—the girl—back together. Ruhn tugged her away, toward the screen and open air beyond— The movement shook her loose. Snapped the droning in her ears. She yanked her body free from his grip, not caring if anyone else saw, not caring that he, as head of the Fae Aux units, had the right to be here. “Don’t fucking touch me.” Ruhn’s mouth tightened. But he looked over her shoulder to Hunt. “You’re an asshole.”

Ruhn was in the apartment lobby when Fury dropped her off. Tharion left them at the docks, saying he was going to help haul in the seized synth shipment, and Fury departed fast enough that Bryce knew she was heading out to make sure the Viper Queen didn’t abscond with any of it, either. Ruhn said nothing as they rode the elevator. But she knew Fury had told him. Summoned him here. Her friend had been messaging someone on the walk back from the docks. And she’d spied Flynn and Declan standing guard on the rooftops of her block, armed with their long-range rifles. Her brother didn’t speak until they were in the apartment, the place dark and hollow and foreign. Every piece of clothing and gear belonging to Hunt was like an asp, ready to strike. That bloodstain on the couch was the worst of all. Bryce made it halfway across the great room before she puked all over the carpet. Ruhn was instantly there, his arms and shadows around her. She could feel her sobs, hear them, but they were distant. The entire world was distant as Ruhn picked her up and carried her to the couch, keeping away from that spot where she’d yielded herself entirely to Hunt. But he made no comment about the bloodstain or any lingering scent. 4. Lucien Vanserra (or Spell-Cleaver? Vanserra sounds better)

Ah, Lucien, Lucien, Lucien. My poor baby just wants somebody to marry him. Does it get any more pathetic than "I'm a mated male now?" My man prepares for rejection every holiday without fail. He and Lucien did not exchange gifts, though the male had brought a gift for Feyre and one for his mate, who barely thanked him after opening the pearl earrings. Cassian’s heart strained at the pain etching deep into Lucien’s face as he tried to hide his disappointment and longing. 3. Chaol Westfall I don't think many people remember Lithaen, but Chaol was in love with her and she fucked Dorian's cousin instead. Also there was this:

Babe, ily but wtf. You ran into a different fucking dimension to save your ex-girlfriend's DOG??? Talk about pathetic. 2. Lorcan Salvaterre Bro abandoned the queen he served more loyally than any of the rest of the cadre the moment a tiny little human with witch blood showed a little cleavage and bossed him around. Bro wanted to be someone's bitch SO BAD. He RIPPED his shirts up for her periods even after she refused to even speak with him and said she hopes he's miserable and spends the rest of his life alone (and threatened to gut Rowan and Gavriel if they ever told her it was him). He swore a blood oath to his greatest enemy just to protect her and lost the will to live when she called him a monster. Absolutely fucking pathetic and we love him for it. 1. Tamlin It was a close fight to first, but nobody can beat Tamlin in the pathetic category. For one, of all the love interests we have seen, he is in possession of the least rizz. Negative rizz, actually. Lucien actually roasted him so badly for his negative rizz, and Lucien personally backed off so Tamlin and his negative rizz could rizz up Feyre. Bro sacrificed all of PRYTHIAN to keep Feyre safe, bartered with his enemy to get her back, only to have her destroy his court. Even after that, he saved her life at the Hybern camp and revived her mate. And unlike the others above, he didn't get the girl, and probably won't get any girl, actually. We could always put him up for adoption and one of the members of the fandom can take him? Maybe??? Maybe @kateduchessofdolittle will take him.

[lilac-witch]

Solitude - Hunt Athalar x Reader

masterlist

Summary: Y/n seeks solitude from the stress of life in Lunation following the exile of the Asteri. Meaning: "the act of being alone and away from society" Word Count: 1k. Warnings: Strong language.

-------------

Lunathion was a city jack-full of buildings, vehicles and an obscene amount of Vanir. It was home and yet it could sometimes feel like a prison. Or rather like you were a sardine in a can.

Avallon, however, was the complete opposite.

Ever since the death of Avallon's king and the end of the war with the Asteri, Avallon had become something of a sanctuary. A home away from home when the stress of caring for an entire city became too much.

It was in Avallon that Y/n presently found herself, following the harrowing argument she'd had with her mate.

------------

"You're never around anymore, Hunt! It's like we live on opposite sides of the fucking planet!" Y/n yelled, face contorted in anger towards her mate.

"My sincerest apologies, Your Higness," Hunt sneered. "In case you've forgotten, some of us are trying to keep an entire city from becoming one great ruin!"

She could feel her blood boiling. How dare he use her title like that, when he knew how she felt about it, how Hypaxia felt after being exiled from the witch clans.

"And what the fuck do you think I've been doing? Sitting on my ass looking pretty? I've spent hours down in the labs with Hypaxia, working on a better solution for curing the water, trying to find an alternative source of power! But at least when we make plans to hang out, I make the effort to actually fucking show up!"

She must have been red in the face at this point, her flailing arms further emphasising her point.

"Research is not the same as sitting through meetings with city leaders, or taking to the streets to keep the peace, Y/n! So fucking shoot me if you are not my top priority at the moment!" Hunt bellowed in response.

It was like time stopped and the air stilled.

Y/n's eyes which had previously been blazing with fury had now turned downwards, her mouth agape in shock.

Hunt's own expression faltered. He took a step forward, hand stretching out to reach for her.

"Don't touch me, Athalar."

The depth of her tone was a shock to Hunt's system, halting him in his path. Y/n seized the moment, swiftly creating a portal from their shared apartment to the green hills of Avallon, and took the leap.

-------------

It had been a week since their fight, and Y/n hadn't seen Hunt since. He hadn't come looking for her, and she hadn't gone home, both were too stubborn to come to terms with their faults.

"He's losing his shit, you know."

Y/n turned to the timber voice, its owner looming over her sitting form.

Y/n turned back to the view of the ocean below the cliff's edge. "Have you become his messenger pigeon, Baxian? Did Hunt not have the balls to come and find me himself?"

Her words were harsh, but they reflected the hurt she felt.

"Ouch blondie, you'll hurt my feelings," Baxian joked, cracking a smile that lifted her spirits ever so slightly.

She watched as the Hellhound lowered himself to sit beside her.

"He's really beating himself up. He knows he fucked up, and that what he said was way out of line, but you know Hunt... He never did have a way with words."

"No fucking kidding," she grumbled back, resting her chin on her bent knees.

"You're not going to come home, are you?"

Baxian had always been a good friend to her. So good a friend, that it sometimes seemed like he could read her mind.

"No, I'm not," she murmured. "Not yet at least."

"What should I tell him?"

"Whatever you want, Bax. I don't have the energy to care right now."

Y/n could feel his gaze on her but chose to ignore it. Instead, she closed her eyes and let the sun shine down on her skin. She let the week of elusive sleep finally take her.

-------------

When Y/n awoke, she was no longer on the cliffside. No, she now found herself beneath blankets, atop a comfortable bed. A very familiar bed.

She shot up, glancing around the room. She was back in Lunathion. Back in the apartment. Back in their room.

The door to the bedroom swung open quietly, Hunt's hulking form moving into the space. He looked as exhausted as she felt, as though he had also not been granted any sleep.

His eyebrows rose in shock as he observed her form, clearly still expecting her to be asleep.

"You're awake."

"And you kidnapped me," she said bluntly.

Hunt scratched the back of his neck, a nervous habit of his that Y/n had observed from the first time they'd met.

"Is it considered kidnapping if I simply brought you home?"

"You brought me home against my will, without my consent."

She crossed her arms in defiance. She could do this all day.

Hunt sighed and took a seat on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry sweetheart. I'm really fucking sorry."

Y/n watched as he hunched over, palms covering his face in silent grief.

"Bryce keeps giving me new tasks, and Isaiah expects me to train the new legions, and it just seems like it never ends. Like time has become a figment of my imagination. I never meant to take it out on you. Gods know you've been overworked yourself, but fuck, the stress just got to me."

She watched him for a while longer, as he watched her back, gauging her reaction. Eventually, Y/n sighed, opening her arms for him.

Hunt let out a whimper of sorts before finding comfort in her warmth.

"Pull this kind of shit with me again, Athalar, and I'll wipe the training grounds with your face," she warned, running her fingers through his dark locks.

Y/n felt him nod and heard the deep chuckle reverberate through his chest in response.

Solitude was good for a while, but it was nothing like being home.

-------------

[skyfallscotland]

Ok, House of Sky and Breath live reactions, final part! We're done! Only one more Maasverse book to go. Thank fuck

• Ithan noooo! How will Tharion ever survive if you die before he realises how perfect you are together?

• Oh, Tharion's actually here? Don't worry Dumb, Dumber is here to make sure you're ok 😭

• Wait??? Is Tharion with Hypaxia?? I mean...that's ok, she thinks Ithan's cute? We could make that threesome work??

• Ooooh Ruhn setting up his own Cinderella moment? 🥺 top tier shit!

• Ruhn's Cinderella moment getting ruined by the evil step-sister? Not top tier shit 😤

• WAIT, Hypaxia and Celestina?! Ok, that one I didn't see coming! Literally everyone in this fic book is in an arranged marriage and none of them want to be in it and honestly, I'm so tired of SJM using consent and rape as a plot device and barely ever touching the consequences

• Almost as sick as I am of Bryce and Hunt's sex drive. Shut the fuck up, honestly, you're insufferable!! I'm almost finished this book I think? I hope? And there's been barely any (worthwhile) plot whatsoever. I'm here for the smut, I love smut, but there is such a thing as too much and these two are so boring, I can't even. I'd rather eat stale bread, bye

• Lidia 😭😭 Imma take that as confirmation that I'm right and Day is the Hind. I have such a soft spot for the sister who was discarded and turned into a vicious little thing, may she get her own shadow wielder, she deserves it 😭🖤 Remi 🤝 Lidia forever

• "I don't have a foot fetish." You're BITING HER TOES 😭 I hate them istg

• Oh, we're talking about a war? Yeah, must be the last 200 pages.

• Tharion is such a fucking idiot. Maybe that’s why I ship him with Ithan—just...dumb and dumber.

• Baby Baxian being Danika's mate? Danika not telling Bryce a single thing? No, no, nope, not having it. Firstly, Baxian deserves better tbh. Secondly, Bryce is an idiot if she a) missed aaaall this and b) still thinks Danika was ever her friend, what a [insert c word here]

• It’s actually incredibly depressing how much emphasis she places on sex and the way the men are always thinking about sex. Like?? I’m not here for realism gal and I’d like a side of feelings with that. Ruhn is at least more interesting than Hunt in that regard, but still…ugh.

• “Your starborn bloodline specifically hailed from a small isle a few miles from the mainland….the isle existed in a near-permanent twilight” ACOTAR Dusk Court???

• Celestina being a backstabber? I was surprised tbh, you lulled me into a false sense of security in those many, many pages, good for you SJM, but also, fuck you for handing her someone as nice as Hypaxia, unless she's about to turn into a hidden psycho too

• YAY, the internet's worst kept secret is here! Hiiiii Rhysy! 👋🏼

• Also the internet: what if Azriel is Bryce’s real mate??? Me: what if Azriel and Bryce are related??? 👁️👄👁️ Not sure how my mind jumps to the complete opposite place of other people all the damn time but…here we are 🤷🏼‍♀️

Final impressions: • fuck that was a big book for not much happening • why the fuck did i ever need to find out anything about sofie or her brother at all, what a waste of time, really • danika's still winning the world's worst friend award, two books running • if i ever have to read about bryce and hunt having sex again it will be far too soon.

[theladyofbloodshed]

one of my many issues with sjm is that her characters must insta-bond and become best friends who'd die for each other with no real foundation of their friendship

Danika - clearly not a very good friend to Bryce from all the secrets she kept but bryce hero-worships her

Lucien - vilified for not being 100% team Feyre after knowing her a couple of months when tamlin literally gave him sanctuary for hundreds of years (despite getting whipped and trying to protect feyre)

Mor - Feyre's best friend after meeting her once but only common hobby is drinking (and keeps secret about demon baby from her)

Hypaxia and Tharion - meet once at the summit then they're best friends

Lysandra - never got on with Aelin but when she became useful to Aelin through the reveal of her magic, well then she's ready to die for aelin and have her children for her

[purple-haired-faerie]

Post HoFaS headcannons

First things first, Ember and Randall become the honorary parents for the entire group. No one questions it. It's fact. They all know when they are in trouble as Ember has learnt everyone's middle names and will full name them when the fuck up.

Ithan starts a couple of wolf sunball teams. One that competes in competitions and really takes it seriously and one aimed a kiddos and is a lot of fun. His friends make up the hype group and go to all the matches.

Talking of Ithan...him and Perry become a thing. He asks her out on a date and the whole scene is hilarious as you have the Prime of the wolves getting flustered and awkward at asking this artist cinnamon roll out for a coffee.

Lidia comes to an arrangement with her son's and their dad's where they (the boys) visit their mum every other weekend, should the boys want to. Brann makes every visit unless something comes up, Ace make most but not all. Ruhn sometimes hangs out depending on when they are doing but also respects this is their time and often makes himself scarce. The boys invite Lidia and Ruhn to special occasions and Ruhn and Lidia will return the favor to the boys and their dad's.

Eventually the conversation around Ruhn and Lidia having kids comes up. Ruhn wants to be a Dad but is totally respectful of Lidia and what she feels comfortable with. Given what their own childhoods looked like, they decide on adoption. They end up with three kids; a female Fae, and male shifter and a witch.

Hunt takes his role as Bryce's secretary very serious, especially the office sex part. But, at her insisting, gets himself a hobby. She has started dancing again. Not on any professional level but it still feeds her dancers soul. Hunt joins an amateur sunball team, and cooks loads. He even gives some cooking lessons to kids as part of a "life skills course" Hypaxia has a lead on.

Of course they have children. Four in all, a boy and girl fae and a boy and girl Malakh. Bryce is just impressed she was able to push out not one but two winged children.

Bryce does go back to Prythian and she and Nesta become solid friends and find a way to communicate when they aren't in each other's world. Once Lunathion has its shit relatively together they invite Nesta and whoever else from the IC to come. It can't just be Bryce going to them all the time. Cass, bless him, losses his mind at all the stuff he realizes they don't have and the amount of questions he asks puts a toddler to shame. It's excessive.

Sathia helps Colin become free from the Viper Queen, divorces Tharion and marries Colin. Her father objects and her only response is to give him the middle finger as she walks away. Zero shits given.

Tharion and Adriane have some sort of understanding. They wouldn't say they were dating each other but no one sees them messing around with anyone else either. Read into that what you will.

Baxion never fully lives down the fact he freaked out over the numerous Pegasus he found. He thankfully has a sense of humor and after a lot of time sees the funny side.

He decides he enjoyed his work helping all the refugees and becomes a social worker of sorts. Helping people help themselves is what he says when people ask him what he does.

[blodgmonster]

Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood reread commentary Part IV: The Ravine.

Here we go. The last chunk of the book. Where SJM kicks it into the highest gear she can find and grinds out hearts into dust! Buckle up, babies!

- the photo slideshow is just...chef's kiss.

- Jesiba can be a cold heartless bitch but DAMN if she isn't always there when Bryce needs her (and her money).

- "Then take me." Bryce...what the fuck? I can't decide if she has low self-esteem because she's constantly trying to trade away parts of herself or if she has amazing self-esteem because she thinks she's worth more than $100 million.

- I hate that Rhun claims her as property BUT I'm glad he's doing everything he can to save her from throwing her life away.

- "I will never forgive you for this." Except you totally will. Because he did it to save you. Because even though Bryce can be a ruthless badass and unforgiving, she also does have a forgiving nature at her core. If she loves you, you're forgiven. See Danika, Hunt, Fury, Rhun people who have lied to her, abandonded her, and hurt her but she's forgiven them all. But if you hurt of them, she'll fucking kill you.

- "She might have been furious with him for lying, but she'd lied plenty to him as well." BRO. Not disclosing her parentage is nowhere near as bad as what you did, Hunt. Idiot.

-Hypaxia is so cool.

- The Eternal City is on the TIBER RIVER. IT'S FUCKING ROME.

- so then I need to know what city Lunathion is. It's "nearly 6,000 miles away." Google says that cities roughly 6,000 miles away from Rome include LA, Honolulu, Sydney, Tokyo, Auckland, and Santiago. They never mention Lunathion being on a coast. The only city listed that isn't on the coast is Santiago, Chile. But Santiago doesn't have a river. WAIT. Hunt is at the meeting thingy which is a 5 hour drive from Lunathion. So if it was LA, you'd still be in California. The palm trees and dry heat would match California. Though I had kind of pegged Lunathion as New Orleans. I have no idea. Fuck.

- the Asteri are Daglan...which are...valg? It's hard to keep track. I thought a Daglan bled black like the Valg.

- Alright google was wrong. Rome to LA is OVER 6,000 miles. However Rome to New Orleans is about 5,460 miles. So. If the Summit was held a 5 hour drive away from Lunathion, and a 5 hour drive is about 300 miles that would put the Summit location at almost 6,000 miles away from Rome. Hmmmmmmm. New Orleans is also a coastal city but it has a river that curves like the Istros. And Crescent City is ONE OF IT'S NICKNAMES. And it has a central business district aka CBD

- Micah's here.

- The Great Library of Parthos. Like the Library of Alexandria. And according to Wiki Parthos was a settlement of Illyrian tribes loacted in what is now Albania.

-Tristan Flynn is kind of great. Hey...wasn't Manon's father named Tristan??

- "The language is beyond that of this world. It is the languaheof the _universes_." WYRDMARKS, BABY.

- So Micha DID kill Danika and the Pack. Hm. Okay. So he dumped synth on the street, she went after it, he blackmailed her into stealing the Horn, she hid it, he injected her with synth, she tore the others and herself apart with it. Okay. Got it. And he put Bryce onto the case because he still wants the Horn.

- I was right. Hunt didn't set fire to the apartment.

- Oh shit! He injected Bryce with synth!

- The Walking Dead from Tog AND The Book of Breathings from ACOTAR make cameos!!

-"You're free, Lehabah." ... "Then let the world know that my first act of freedom was to help my friends."

"My friends are behind me, and I will protect them."

"My friends are with me and I am not afraid."

Nesta drawing the line. Manon drawing the line. Lehabah, beautiful, brave, and beloved, drawing a fucking line and saying, not today motherfucker. Buying Bryce and Syrinx time, time that Bryce makes good use of. The Vanir saluting her brave sacrifice.

- she took the antidote!

- "And she shot that bullet right through Micah's fucking head."

- DANIKA'S SWORD!!!!

- "Vengence incarnate. Wrath's bruised heart. She would bow for no one." FUCK YEAH!!!

- Bryce vacuuming up Micah.

- oh tits. Micah DID manage to open a rift.

- "One wolf remains in the Old Square...A true wolf." SPIT THE TRUTH, PRIME!

- LOOK AT ITHAN GROWING A SPINE!

- "The jackals joined them. The coyotes. The wold dogs and common dogs. The hyenas and dingoes. The foxes. It was who they were. Who they had always been. Defenders of those who could not protect themselves. Defenders of the small, the young. Shifter or true animal, that truth lay etched in the soul of every canine." FUCK YEAH.

- "I am Bryce Quinlan...Heir to the Starborn Fae" HEL YEAH

- Hypaxia removing the tattoo. Badass.

- DAMN. I forgot how badly Hunt gets fucked up in the missile attack.

- "I know it's bad right now...I know it's so, so bad and dark, and...I know it feels impossible." This? This made me cry. Hitting close to home.

-'" Light it up, Bryce." The onyx stone of the Bone Quarter glowed like a dark star...and soul to soul with the friend whom she had not forgotten, the friend who had not forgotten her, even in death, Bryce made the Drop."

-THROUGH LOVE ALL IS POSSIBLE

That amazing ending more than makes up for that rough ass start.

[hope-and-insanity]

Crescent City Incorrect Quotes #1

Hypaxia: You guys worried about Celestina? Hunt: Totally! Isaiah: Yeah, she called me in the middle of the night and just yelled, "what do I do, what do I do, what do I do, what do I do?" Hypaxia: And what'd you say? Isaiah: "I dunno, I dunno, I dunno, I dunno." Hunt: Hypaxia: She's lucky to have you as a friend.

---

Lidia: If any person here knows of any just cause or impediment why these two should not be joined together in holy matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace. Hypaxia: Yes! I do. One of the partners is already married! They married me three years ago. And don’t let them deny it! I’ve got the marriage certificate to prove it! *Hunt turns around to face them* Hypaxia: Oh... sorry. Wrong church.

---

Ruhn: Can I bother you for a second? Lidia: You're always bothering me, but go ahead.

---

Hypaxia: Ruhn told me that brown is just navy orange, and I have never been more disappointed with something I agree with.

---

Hunt: *runs up to doors* Hunt: Be careful, Ruhn! These doors say "Blast Danger"!

[obsessedwithlute]

Aidas x Reader Fic, Chapter Two

When you got back to your apartment, your phone was waiting on the kitchen counter where you'd forgotten it, lit up with a text alert from Hypaxia.

Coffee at noon tomorrow?

It was nice having your best friend in Lunathion, but the amount of work she was doing meant you hadn't really gotten to hang out together. Finally, she had some time to do something together. A lot of the time it felt like you were best friends with a stranger. You hadn't wanted to tell Aidas because he'd ask too many questions (honestly, did he ever shut up?) but Hypaxia had been giving you the sense she was hiding something for months. Maybe you could finally confront her with the grand news that you weren't an idiot tomorrow.

You had some idea of what might be going, on but needed it confirmed before making any accusations. 

You replied, Sounds great! Regular place? 

She instantly typed back, Ofc. Gtg now but see u tmrw

Okay, she was definitely hiding something if she was using abbreviations! Hypaxia had once drunkenly admitted that she only ever resorted to them if she really wanted to avoid a conversation.

Hypaxia had never used them on you before.

You groaned and collapsed into your spinning desk chair, face buried in your hands. Between Aidas, Danika's murder, and this, your life was a complete shithole.

You had finally worked up the courage to finish chapter twenty-one of your current work- something that had been an exciting prospect earlier that morning- when your phone pinged with a text from the Autumn King.

Meet me in my office in seven minutes. Do not be late.

What the Hel could this possibly be about? And how did he expect you to get from the Old Square to FiRo in seven minutes? You didn't own a damn car!! And he knew better than anyone that the strange almost batlike wings that had resided on your back since birth and had been a mystery to everyone you'd met had always been folded in and incapable of flight. And there was no way you were texting Hypaxia and asking her to fly you, not when she obviously was trying to avoid you! You had enough headaches to deal with!

You typed out a furious response. Seventy minutes

You pushed yourself out of your chair and pulled your jacket over your frayed grey CCU Sunball T-shirt, and started on the trek to the Autumn King's villa.

It had been seventy-four minutes by the time you arrived. You hadn't run; it would only satisfy him to see you huffing and puffing to be there on time. You pulled open the door to his villa, completely ignoring the guards who basically begged for an ID, even though your one-of-a-kind wings made it obvious who you were.

You reached the Autumn King's office and yanked the door open. "You summoned?" you said in a dry tone.

"You dare mock your king?" he hissed.

"Oh, was I mocking Your Majesty? Deepest apologies!" You curtsied so lightly it could have been considered a borderline insult. There wasn't a chair for you across from the Autumn King's desk, so you sat down right on top of it, crushing a stack of papers as you did so.

The Autumn King pinched the bridge of his nose and looked you directly in the eyes. "The time has come for you to carry on the Fae bloodline." "Excuse me?" you barked. "I am not your breeding mare!" "I am your king, and you do not contradict me. You made your decision, Y/N. Live with it." Right after graduating, the Autumn King had shown up on Bryce and Danika's doorstep and demanded that Bryce swear allegiance to him, most likely on account of her Starborn powers. You had stepped in front of her and told the Autumn King you would adopt the last name Danaan instead. It had been in name only, really, and you never expected it to turn into anything more, Luna forbid this.

"I am not getting married, and I am certainly not having a child," you hissed.

"You will. And after you tie the knot, you will drop this business of yours. Writing dirty smut is not something I wish to be associated with the Fae bloodline," the Autumn King insisted.

"I right under an alias, so no one can associate my writing with your fancy bloodline!"

"I do not care. You are to marry Tristan Flynn three days after the Autumn Equinox, and this is not up for debate. You will consummate your marriage, and continue to attempt to reproduce until a child is conceived. Or," he said in a slightly lighter tone, "I could simply ask if Bryce Quinlan would like to take your place." "No!" you half screamed. "I'll do it. I'll marry Flynn and have a kid with him. I'll give up my writing and I'll do whatever the fuck else you ask. Just leave Bryce alone."

"Very well, then," the Autumn King said, nodding. "The announcement will be in two days."

[sofiasjornal]

House of Flame and Shadow 🌙 Review

Let me just say that I absolutely loved 90% of the book, it was perfect in many, ways. But that ending… it kinda spoiled the book for me…

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a half

Let’s start with that! I felt the built-up to the battle with the Asteri was bigger and more interesting than the battle itself. It ended way too quickly and too easily. The Asteri really didn’t put up that much of a fight. Two books leading up to this moment and then it just that? I was disappointed, not gonna lie. The battle needed more momentum and more magnitude, it felt really small. 

I also saw some comments about the crossover, of people disappointed that it was just Nesta and Azriel, and didn’t get a chance to see Feyre or Nyx, or even Mor. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to see them too, but the crossover was not a big reunion of all the characters. The purpose of the crossover was to find the connection with the trove and the starlight bloodline, the connection between the blades, and for that, only Nesta and Azriel are necessary. Maybe a novella would be different, but I think the crossover was done right, even in the bonus chapters (also, Sarah can you please stop with the different versions of the books and different chapters spread god knows where?! Thank you!)

As you may know, Bryce lost some of my affection during this book, her insensitive remarks to Hunt pissed me off so much. And even to Lidia, saying her kids are baggage, honestly, I don’t know how Lidia didn’t freak out on her. I get that she’s young and has the world on her shoulders, but it doesn’t feel like enough of an excuse. And Hunt was never a personal favorite of mine (I still liked him enough, though) so if this is really the last book where they are the main couple I don’t really mind it! Lidia and Ruhn carried the book anyway 😍 and I feel like SJM explored Bryce and Hunt’s relationship enough. The next one would definitely benefit from a different and fresh perspective. 

Also, I was never a fan of the whole Danika thing. I understand her importance to Bryce and to the story but how it was built made me really dislike her for some reason. I know she was brave and cared for Bryce deeply, and was willing to sacrifice (and did in the end) a lot for the cause. But she never sat right with me. And that whole bonus chapter where she just gets Bryce drunk (I know, I know, Bryce didn’t need any help, I know) it just made things worse. It was obvious she had a plan since the beginning and Bryce just went along because she cared deeply for her friend. And while I don’t doubt Danika’s affection and friendship with Bryce, at some point you have to wonder how much was real when Danika was hiding so much vital information, and not only about her cause, but about herself.

The rest of the book I liked just fine. Celestina should have died, and this is the hill I’m dying on. She deserved it. And she had no redemption at all to earn the mercy Bryce got her. The autumn king's death was spectacular! And Morven’s too! How I laughed, I was never that happy with characters dying. AND SABINE! This book had many, many happy moments for me 😂 I only felt bad about the Prime, he deserved a more dignified death than what he got and the way Sabine killed him… she deserved all that she got. And Sigrid? That little bitch! I know she’s not in control, she’s a freshly made reaper, probably still adjusting, running on instinct, but I mean… siding with Sabine? SABINE?! Ithan will be one hell of a prime, I just know it!

There were a few surprises that got me screaming. I think Lidia’s kids connect her with the spring court because of the fertility rite (but we’ll get to that!) and Hypaxja as the head of Flame and Shadow! I think the true wonders of Hypaxia’s power are still to be shown and I’m all for it! 

Now, I’m assuming the next book will be House of Many Waters, if SJM is following the house names. Here I think Tharion could definitely play a bigger role! HOFAS spent a lot of time setting him up, but also Hypaxia (who became the head of flame and shadow! and is also Lidia’s sister!) and Ithan! If Tharion and Hypaxia's friendship were to grow into something deeper, and Tharion somehow became the head of Many Waters, imagine the power couple!

But I have so many questions about this book and its connection to the others and other series! So many that I think maybe it’s better to put them in another post and organize them there 😅 otherwise this will never end!

[paperbaacks]

[writing this review now knowing that sjm is a zionist, this is the last of her books i'm posting. i'm done with her, dear lord this was bad]

review:

“The friends they’d made were what mattered in the end. Not the enemies. Through love, all is possible.”

the quote i just selected for this review??? yeah! the conflict resolution for every single thing is the friends we made along the way because??? what the fuck??? deus ex machina on steroids is what this book is.

there is somehow less chemistry between hunt and bryce now that they're mAtEs—they barely communicate, they hardly do anything that can be considered just domestic or romantic. all they do is have extremely cringe and mediocre sex.

this book ruins ruhn too btw because he does NOTHING??? i love ruhn but his literal purpose in this book is think about fucking lidia. and don't even get me started on how june and fury appear ONCE!

i do not care about tharion's pov, i do not care about ithan's either. give me fury and hypaxia, fuck give me ember and nesta bonding i would take that over literally half the plotlines in this book. almost 850 pages and for WHAT.

i just wish i could get the last week of my life back that i spent reading this trilogy. but you know what? i'm fucking free now.