#ft. amaya / crownednight.

[ofanswereddreams]

@crownednight sent "i feel like i belong here"

Rhys looks towards Amaya and grins at her as the night breezes ruffle the raven curls of his hair. "I've always felt that way. Up in the skies, under the stars. It's the place I find the most peace. And have the most fun." They're far enough away from Velaris now that there won't be any prying eyes to watch the Prince and Princess of Night enjoy the skies. He tilts his wings to halt his forward progress and beats them slowly, keeping place while remaining aloft. His violet eyes twinkle with merriment as he regards his sister and asks: "Still want to learn some of those tricks?"

[broknheart-archived]

@crownednight sent: "i’ll never be that me again."

"is that really so bad?" jacks responds, tone bored and harsh. he's clearly not mindful or concerned for her seemingly emotional breakdown. in fact, the fate was still peeved about the bargain marks embedded onto his skin. jacks could currently give two shits about whether amaya would return to whatever she had been prior to her arrival in the magnificent north.

[ofanswereddreams]

"I'm certain Nuala or Cerridwen would be able to find or alter something for you if you wanted," Rhys says softly. "Or you can remain dressed as you are. We don't stand on ceremony like that. Just wear what you are comfortable in."

Watching Amaya make the same vow to Feyre that the rest of his Inner Circle had once made causes a funny fluttering in his chest. Feyre is gracious, warm and welcoming, as he'd known she would be. They've spoken often enough about Amaya in the months since Hybern's final defeat, when they finally had peace and the time to rest amid all the rebuilding. He'd recounted stories about Amaya's childhood, never dreaming that there would be a day Feyre would actually meet her.

He's grinning like a cat who's just been served a bowl of choicest cream, starlight glimmering in his eyes as he looks from his sister to his mate and back again. "Should I be worried about leaving the two of you alone together?" he jokes. "Cauldron knows what sort of tall tales you might tell each other about me."

__________✨    SHE       LOOKS       DOWN       AT       HERSELF,       MOUTH       PRESSING       INTO       A       THIN       LINE       AS       SHE       DOES.       the   high   necked   shirt    &&    jeans   are   modest,       not   at   all   flashy.     her    hair    has    been    pulled    tightly    back    into    a    low    bun,       not    a    curl    to    be    seen.       it   is   all   the   way   einar   likes   it     (       a   wife   who   does   not   draw   attention,       who   exudes   perfection   in   everything   that   she   does    –    never   to   be   more   than   silent    &&    unseen     )     ❛    i   have   nothing   else   to   change   into   --    ❜     it's   not   a   lie     (       she   hasn't   lived   here   in   centuries    &&    assumes   her   belongings   are   long   gone     )       but   it   is   closer   to   a   deferral   than   anything.       her   eyes   catch   the   figure   descending   towards   them    &&    her   breath   catches.     feyre    is    beautiful,       regal,       everything    she    would    have    imagined    for    her    brother.     ❛    high   lady    ??    ❜     the   sacred   tattoo   on   her   arm    burns    at   the   knowledge   that   her   brother   did   not   divulge   prior    &&    she   can   only   raise   a   fist   to   her   chest    &&    bow.     ❛    to   protect    &&    serve,    ❜     she   murmurs,       the   same   promise   she   made   to   rhys   when   it   was   apparent   he   would   be   their   father's   heir.     she    vowed    to    honor    this    court    &&    its    high    lord    –    or    now    high    lady.     feyre    says    something    about    it    being    unncessary,       that    they    are    family    &&    she    is    delighted    to    meet    rhys's    sister    at    long    last.       only   then   does   she   rise,       violet   eyes   misty   in   the   light.     ❛    i   am   grateful   to   meet   you.    ❜     her    heart    overflows.

[ofanswereddreams]

He laughs at the memory she's referring to. "I was a rather energetic young male, wasn't I? I wonder if Nyx will inherit that same energy." He's pensive for a few moments, looking up at the second story window where his baby boy's nursery is located and imagining what he will be like in a few years' time.

Rhys pulls himself out of his musings and escorts Amaya up the few stairs to the front porch. With a wave of his free hand, the door opens for them, fae light from inside spilling out onto the cool grey stones of the porch. Along with it come the scents of whatever delicious meal Nuala and Cerridwen have prepared for tonight. His stomach rumbles as he leads Amaya inside the front entryway and shuts the door behind them. "It smells as though dinner is nearly ready, but we can wait to serve if you'd like a chance to freshen up before we eat," he says to Amaya. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spies a familiar figure on the landing of the grand staircase that spirals upwards in both directions from the foyer. Starlight twinkles in his violet eyes, and he gives Amaya's hand a squeeze, ushering her gently towards the staircase that Feyre is now descending. The two parties meet in the middle, and Rhys feels as though his heart will burst. Never had he even dreamed this day be possible. "Feyre darling," he says in velvet soft tones, leaning forward and kissing her cheek. "I'd like you to meet my long-lost little sister, Amaya." Turning to look back at Amaya, he squeezes her hand and then releases it. "Amaya, this is Feyre, my mate, High Lady and better half."

__________✨       SHE       LETS       HER       BROTHER       LEAD       THE       WINNOWING       &&       WHEN       THEY       EMERGE,       SHE       IS       STRUCK       BREATHLESS       AT       HOW       BEAUTIFUL       THE       HOME       IS.       despite   the    size    of   it,       there's   a   degree   of   warmth   to   it   that   makes   it   feel   like   a   true   family   hearth     (       unlike   einar's   palace,       this   house   is   designed   to   look   inviting    &&    focuses   more   on   the   practical   than   sheer   opulance     )       her   stomach   twists   in   nervousness   to   so   quickly   meet   her   sister-in-law,       but   she   does   not   wish   to   accept   her   cowardice.     she's    been    living    with    it    for    centuries    now,       so    instead,       she    pulls    closer    to    rhys    &&    takes    her    first    step    forward    before    she    loses    her    courage.     ❛    it's   beautiful,    ❜     she   says   quietly.       she   means   it   sincerely    &&    notes   the   obvious   pride   with   which   he   speaks   of   his   mate.     a    clear    love    match    then,       she   muses    &&    she   could   not   be   happier   for   him.     ❛    with   a   growing   family,       it   would   have   only   been   a   matter   of   time   before   the   townhouse   became   too   small   for   you.       even   for   us   as   children,       it   had   been   tight   on   space. it didn't help that you'd race through the halls && knock into anyone who happened to be in the way.    ❜

[ofanswereddreams]

Rhys just sticks his tongue out at her and holds her gaze in challenge, but Amaya needs no encouragement. In a flash, she dives down, down towards the surface of the Sidra. So close that he's beginning to wonder if she remembered the second part of his instruction... and how he'll explain things to their parents if he has to fly her home, unconscious, bruised and soaking wet. But then Amaya flares her wings and soars back up into the sky towards him, crowing with joy. A grin lights his face, stars sparkling in his eyes, and he darts towards her. "That was perfect. Now- together?" Taking her hand, he tucks his wings and dives down again, pulling her with him so that they plummet towards the river again, hand in hand.

__________✨    SHE       FEELS       HER       STOMACH       DROP       JUST       WATCHING       HER       BROTHER       DIVE       TOWARDS       THE       EARTH.     down,       down,       down       he    goes    until    she's    sure    he'll    flatten    himself.       he   swings   back   up   to   where   she's   kept   level    &&    she   shakes   her   head   slightly,       a   teasing   smile   pulling   at   her   lips.     ❛    show    off.  ❜     can't   be   that   hard   right    ??       she   quells   the   stone   sinking   to   her   stomach   as   she   tucks   her   wings   close   to   her   body.     down,       down,       down    –    she    sees    her    eyes    in    the    water    yet    down,    down,    down    –       her   wings   flare   at   the   last   possible   second     (    far   closer   to   the   surface   that   her   brother   had   been   for   better   or   worse     )       her   hoot   of   accomplishment   slices   through   the   air.     ❛    did   you   see   that,       rhys    ??  ❜

[ofanswereddreams]

"Never in a million years," he shoots back, grinning as he shoots past her, out over the waters of the Sidra far below them. "Okay first trick: a nose dive." Without any warning, he tucks his wings in tightly and tilts downward, streaking towards the river below them. His gleeful shout drifts up behind him towards Amaya's ears as he barrels towards the water's surface. Just before he hits the water, Rhys spreads his wings again and glides just above the surface of the water for a few yards before beating his wings again and flying back up into the sky towards Amaya. "It's all in the timing. When you can see your eyes reflected in the water, then you know it's time to spread your wings again."

__________✨    HER       OWN       WINGS       BEAT       AT       HER       BACK.     they    stretch    &&    reach    &&    itch    to     play.       she   is   so   often   cooped   up   in   the   house   of   wind   with   their   father's   court     (       protected   but   never   allowed   to   enjoy   life   amongst   others   fully   for   their   father   sees   shadows   around   every   corner     )       her   hair   has   been   tied   back    &&    her   violet   gaze   has   a   gleam   to   it   under   the   stars.     she    is    radiant    in    a    way    many    will    never    be    able    to    see.     ❛    don't   tell   me   that   you've    changed    your    mind,       brother    ??    ❜        she   teases,       letting   herself   glide   along   the   wind   for   a   moment,       her   hand   letting   the   breeze   dance   between   outstretched   fingers.     ❛    afraid   i'll   be   better   at   them   than   you   once   you   teach   me    ??    ❜