#general nesta

[shadowsingerofnight]

NO BECAUSE LISTEN

A new enemy comes along, with armies as vast as the continent, ready to face the Night Court.

The valleys between the mountains and the outskirts of the territory are overflowing with soldiers, monsters and unfathomable beasts.

They come to a halt when they finally encounter resistance, the infinite wall of Illyrians that the Royals of the Court sent to stop the invasion. Fools. All of them, just a bunch of fools for thinking their puny power can withstand what awaits.

Especially that General Bloodshed they heard so much about back home. He cannot begin to understand the power this army possesses. Nor can the Spymaster that so coolly is assessing the battlefield. A laugh escapes the Commander, who’s already deciding how their bones are going to break.

But then. Then the sun somehow disappears, as the light leaves the world for a moment. As a storm approaches, dark and flowing.

But those are no clouds, not in the traditional sense anyway.

The world seems to halt, as if holding its breath. The very ground seems to shake as a horde of Pegasi overpowers the sky.

A new General enters the battle, clad in black as black is her Pegasus, unmistakably in command of another kind of army. Her eyes grey as the storm she seems to contain, her power sending a shudder through the air.

There are only legends about them back home, stories and fables of old, but it is clear why the moment two other Pegasi flank the carbon one, one of purest white and one of shiniest gold. Their riders grinning with glee in their teal and hazel eyes.

Nobody had ever walked away alive to reveal the Court’s prized secret.

Valkyries.

Nesta in jest: we should bring Illyrian and Valkyrie forces together!

Azriel and his shadows:

"She'd meant it in jest, but the words rumbled through the space, as if she'd spoken some great truth, something that made fate sit up."

"Azriel turned to them fully this time, eyes narrowed. Like those shadows had whispered something to him."

— ACOSF

[janearts]

Got an itch to draw fake Nessian romance novel covers. Does this fake romance novel make canonical sense in-world? No! Did that stop me? Not a chance!

[yaralulu]

thinking about how feyre literally told rhys “to keep out of it” during nesta’s intervention and almost IMMEDIATELY he opens his big mouth and starts meddling. and not just that but he also starts going on about brawling nesta and going “head to head” with her….??? my brother in christ that is your mate’s sister why are you acting like this .

[littlest-w01f]

Sharing

"Free Use" with:

Cassian x Fia (Oc), Nesta mentioned, Feysand's partner

Kinktober 2024 Masterlist

Summary: While her partners are busy, Fia knocked on Cassian and Nesta's door for company, and Cassian answered.

Cw: Free use, FxM, exhibitionism Smut 18+ MDNI

The Night was bright, underneath the canopy of twinkling night stars, in a room of the House of Wind, Fia found herself trapped under Cassian, the Inner Circle's war general, wearing nothing but a sheer, translucent nightgown that hid nothing.

With her body pressed against his, Fia could feel every inch of Cassian's muscular frame. His broad shoulders and chiselled abs pressed firmly against her as he pinned her beneath him on the bed. Her bare skin tingled where it came into contact with his, his large hands mapping her body.

"Shh," Cassian whispered, covering Fia's mouth as she let out a breathy moan. "We wouldn't want to wake Nesta now, would we?" He smirked down at the beautiful Fae female pinned beneath him, relishing the feeling of her curves against his battle-hardened body.

Fia bit her lip, stifling another whimper as Cassian slowly trailed a hand down her side, over the swell of her hip. She turned her head to the side to see Nesta sleeping mere feet away, the beautiful female Fia had also been with was fast asleep, her breath shallow and calm.

Cassian's hand dipped lower, fingers brushing through the slick folds of Fia's cunt. "So wet already," he growled approvingly, keeping his voice low. "Your body knows what it wants."

Cassian chuckled darkly at Fia's needy state, knowing all too well how easily he could bring her to her knees. "I saw the desperation in your eyes when I opened the door for you" He murmured, sliding a thick finger inside her dripping cunt. "You craved this, didn't you?"

Fia arched off the bed, face pressing in the pillow covered in Cassian's scent as he pumped his finger in and out of her tight heat, her inner walls clenching around the invading digit. She nodded frantically, unable to speak past the soft moans spilling from her lips.

Cassian added a second finger, scissoring them apart to stretch Fia further. "Rhys and Feyre are too occupied to attend to your needs," He purred, nipping at her earlobe. "But I'm more than happy to fill the void." He pulled his fingers out soon, replacing them with his cock nudging against her entrance.

As Fia trembled beneath Cassian's sudden thrust, she felt him grow even harder inside her. The way he held her hips down, the sounds he made, every movement, every sound seemed more desperate, more urgent as if time were running out for them. His powerful hands kneaded her ass, playfully spanking yet making sure to not make too much noise, gripping tight enough to leave marks that'd serve as a memento in the morning.

He slammed into her once, twice, again and again with increasing force. He could feel how her walls clenched around his cock, tightening each time he pushed deeper inside. He wanted nothing more than to fill her up completely, marking her as his property like a dog in heat.

She moaned louder, her head whipping back and forth against the silk pillow from his hard grip on her hips and forceful thrusts. Her entire body quivered with each powerful drive into her slick cunt.

Cassian continued pounding into Fia's tight cunt, relishing how wet and ready she always was for him. Her muffled moans vibrated against the pillow as he grabbed her hips, slamming into her harder and faster.

"Mmmm, you love this don't you?" Cassian growled, feeling her clench around his thick cock. "Being my dirty little thing, letting me fuck you whenever I want."

Fia could only moan in response, her hands gripping the sheets beneath her as she felt him move within her. Her face was flushed, her cheeks burning red as she tried to stifle her cries, not wanting Nesta to hear them.

She whimpered as Cassian gripped her hips tightly, slamming into her dripping cunt with powerful thrusts. She bit down on the pillow to muffle her moans, not wanting to wake the sleeping female beside them. The brunette beauty arched her back, pushing herself against him as he fucked her harshly from behind.

Cassian leaned over her frame, reaching around to grope one of her breasts roughly. He pinched and rolled the nipple between his fingers as he continued pistoning into her body. His other hand slid down to rub firm circles over her sensitive clit.

"Mmmm you like this don't you, slut?" Cassian growled in her ear. "Taking my cock while my mate sleeps right next to us? You're such a dirty little whore." He knew his mate wasn't really asleep, or wasn't in on what was happening between him and Fia, in fact, Nesta quite enjoyed Fia and Cassian together, trying to maintain her act of the clueless sleeping mate as Cassian's words and Fia's almost silent moans were desperately turning her on.

Fia's moans grew louder as he pleasured both her body and mind. She loved being called dirty names while Cassian took her so shamelessly. She was theirs to be with whenever they or she wanted, they both were always free to turn the other away but they never actually did.

"You're going to come all over my cock while Nes sleeps just beside us," Cassian breathed hotly into her ear, pulling on her clit as he drove into her with punishing thrusts.

The pressure building in Fia's body intensified dramatically, sending shockwaves throughout her body as she gripped onto him tightly. "Ah fuck, you're so tight," Cassian gasped as Fia squirmed beneath him, trying her best to stifle her lust-filled screams. He slammed into her over and over again, making sure his sizeable shaft worked all angles of her dripping-wet slit

"Mother's tits, you're so damn tight," Cassian grunted, slapping his thigh against hers as he picked up the pace. His hand moved between Fia's legs, thumb continuing to circle her swollen clit as he continued to thrust into her.

He watched as her body shuddered, and heard her moans growing louder and needier, he reached forward to pinch and twist at her nipples.

Fia screamed out loud, unable to hold it back anymore as Cassian rubbed hard at her sensitive clit. Her body shook uncontrollably as pleasure tore through her system like lightning, leaving her entire body trembling beneath him.

"F-fuck...!" She gasped, her nails digging into the mattress beneath them. Her cunt clamped down on his cock so tightly that it was almost painful, milking him mercilessly. A hot rush of juices soaked him as she squirted, soaking his cock and thighs in her release.

Her ass rocked back against him with each thrust, taking every inch of his throbbing cock inside her until she felt like she might rip in half. Cassian felt himself close too, and then he exploded, filling Fia with his release, pumping shot after shot into her womb.

He collapsed onto the bed beside her, pulling Fia into his strong arms. They lay there panting, basking in the afterglow of their passionate encounter. Fia waved her hand and cleaned them both quickly

"Mmm, why did you stop?" Nesta spoke from where she lay, her eyes hooded, dark from lust, blinking open. "I was enjoying."

"Nes…" Cassian murmured, glancing over at his mate. "Sorry, It just… got a bit intense. You know how it is." He reached over, kissing her softly.

"Nesta!" Fia beamed softly, yet sleepily, "I knew you weren't really sleeping..."

"Well," Nesta said with a grin as she shifted closer to the two. "Your noises... Helped keep me awake." She leaned over Cassian to kiss Fia deeply before shifting back towards her own pillow.

"I'll make sure to do it more often," Cassian winked at Nesta as he wrapped an arm around Fia, pulling her closer to his warm chest, before Nesta pulled her away to her rather colder body.

Fia giggled as the Made female pulled her closer, turning them so that they were slightly away from Cassian, "Sure, next time I'm fucking her." Nesta bit Fia's shoulder gently, letting the chill of her fire seep into the female in her arms.

"Sounds good to me," Cassian agreed, smiling wickedly as he watched the two females snuggle together. He loved seeing them so content and playful, especially when sharing a moment of affection together.

Nesta leaned in, nuzzling Fia's neck before trailing kisses along her jawline. Fia tilted her head, offering her mate more access to her skin as she wrapped her arms around Nesta's waist, tired after taking Cassian, and soon one after another they fell asleep, Fia's face buried in Nesta's chest, Cassian's arms wrapped around them both.

{General taglist- @nox-ceur @lilah-asteria @paleidiot @dee-writes-smut @adalia-jaycee @anarchiii @alwayshave-faith @velarisnightsky444 @minnieoo @mellowmusings}

{Acotar kinktober taglist: @romanticatheartt}

{Cassian taglist- @yeonalie}

[iocaisaint]

all this conversation about "who's going to wield Gwyndion" is so funny to me. I may be crazy but I think the person who it was specifically given to and was instructed to uncover its secret.....may also end up wielding it.

[whatisamettafor]

*sings* Who’s gonna see a butt today?

It’s you.

[areyoudreaminof]

Frog Army!!! A Next Gen treat

READ HERE

For a day outside with his cousins, Nyx was bored. 

They had been banished to the gardens of the River House. Mama had asked them very nicely to play outside while the grown-ups talked about something inside. Nyx suspected it had something to do with Illyria, but he wasn’t sure. Either way, he and his cousins had been ushered out to the garden quickly, without grabbing any of their toys or tools, so they found themselves on the bank of the large garden pond, skipping rocks. Far from the eyes of the twins who were checking in on them. 

His cousin Cricket lazily skipped stones across the surface of the water and they sailed across the water as if they were flying. Nyx was beginning to feel frustrated at his own stones, barely skipping before they’d drop with a deep blop sound before sinking to the bottom. His baby cousin Froggy, was toddling along the cattails and meadowsweet, babbling to herself. Nyx and Cricket had somehow gotten to talking about High Lords after trying to figure out what the adults were plotting. 

“When I’m High Lord, you can be my second,” Nyx said as he skipped the smooth stone across the pond. It skimmed the water quickly, losing its momentum before it crossed fully. 

“No, you’re going to be my second when I’m High Lord,” Cricket corrected. She flicked her wrist as her stone reached the lily pads on the other side. 

“Wait, you’d be High Lady, not High Lord,” Nyx huffed. 

“I don’t wanna be High Lady, I wanna be High Lord.” Cricket said as she aimed another stone at the water, crinkling her freckled nose as she took aim. 

“Why?” 

“Because it’s more fun to be a Lord. It sounds better.” 

“Mama and Grandmother and Lady Vivienne at the Winter Court are High Ladies and they rule the exact same,” Nyx said, watching her second stone soar across the water. “And besides, High Lord Cricket sounds dumb.”

“So does High Lord Nyxie,” she said as she skipped another stone clear across the pond. Nyx responded by sticking out his tongue. 

A large wet plop soaked them as Froggy launched a large rock into the pond. “Go!” She squealed as she stomped her small feet into the water. “Go rock, go!” Nyx laughed as Froggy stuck her chubby fingers into the water, while her dress became filthy with mud. 

“Eeewwwww” his baby cousin squealed with delight or disgust as she poked in the water. Curious, Nyx peered over at the little spot of gathered rushes. A clear blob of jelly floated along the water's surface. Hundreds of tiny little dots, like beady eyes, stared back at them. On instinct, Nyx grabbed the baby’s hand before she could touch the blinking blob again. 

“Hey Cricket, come see this,” Nyx couldn’t take his eyes off the blinking jelly. Was it poisonous? Would the baby lose her fingers? A sharp gasp shot him out of his thoughts, Cricket flopped to her knees and examined the blob. Her brown eyes grew wide as dinner plates and a wicked smile crossed her face.

“Frogs!” 

Nyx blinked and looked at the dots again. He’d seen tadpoles before, but they had tails, “Are you sure?” 

“These are new frog spawn, so they should become tadpoles by tomorrow,” Cricket’s eyes widened with delight, “If we grab them now, we can raise them ourselves.” 

It dawned suddenly on Nyx then, there was an unused bathroom in the townhouse, far off into the corner of the first floor. Half the time he forgot it was even there, since the family used the rooms on the second floor. “The tub is deep, made for wings.” his voice reached his ears before he realized he was speaking out loud. “We’ll put them in there.

With soft pop and a rush of wind, Cricket winnowed away. Nyx looked down at the jellied lump.

“Amazing, all those frogs,” Nyx whispered in awe. 

Next to him, Froggy squealed a delighted “I Froggy! That me!” as she poked at her chest.

 “Yes, you’re the High Lady of Frogs, Froggy!” Nyx tickled her tummy, delighting as she giggled and snorted. 

“High Yady!” The toddler babbled as she threw her arms in the air. “High Yady!” 

Another rush of wind, punctuated by a loud “oof”, produced a panting Cricket, who had winnowed back with three large buckets, clanging in her hands and one on her head like a helmet. “This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” she panted as she handed Nyx a bucket. “Get to work!” 

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

The blob of tadpoles gleamed in the bathtub, now filled with cold water. The pails of mud had settled in the bottom, and they had hardly gotten any on the floor. Hundreds of tiny little dots, sat in the depths of the claw footed tub. Nyx lost count of the dots around a hundred and twenty three. He could see it now, a hundred and twenty three frogs trailing behind him as he entered Windhaven, the warriors would be swallowed by frogs that only obeyed him. 

“I think we need some more mud and grass and stuff,” he announced as Cricket turned off the faucet, “No rocks though, it will scratch the tub.” 

“They should have tails and eyes tomorrow,” Cricket’s eyes widened with delight, “Then their legs will sprout.” She still was wearing a bucket on her head like a helmet, the handle under her chin like a strap. 

“Amazing,” Nyx whispered in awe. Next to him, Froggy squealed a delighted “eeewwww, yuck!” as she poked in the water.

Cricket grabbed Nyx’s arm, rounding on him as her eyes grew bigger, “What if we taught them to talk?” 

Nyx gasped, “Could we do that? Is that even possible?” His heart began to thump wildly. There was no possible way, but his mother and aunts had been human once. Anything seemed possible. 

“Probably,” Cricket grinned as she stared into the tub, “there’s a horse that runs the chariot races at home who can count with his hooves.” 

Nyx’s eyes narrowed, “You’re lying, horses can’t count.” 

“This one can,” Cricket huffed, “I’ve seen it! He’s white and his name is Julius!” 

“Yeah, in your dreams maybe,” Nyx mumbled. Cricket flicked the tip of his ear, hard. 

“Can we use your old writing and number books?” Cricket continued, “How much of the alphabet do you know?” 

“I know it all,” Nyx snapped, “Just because I’m not Day Court doesn't mean I’m stupid. I know the alphabet.” He was seven, he knew how to read, write, and count.

Cricket shrugged, “Just checking, Froggy already knows her numbers. Right Froggy?” 

Froggy’s little golden curls flopped up as she began to count off from her fat fingers, “One, two, free!” 

Nyx clapped for the baby, it was impressive, even if Cricket was being stupid. 

A little voice rang in his mind, suddenly. Nyx, where are you and the girls? His mother sent over. Nyx shot up as he flashed images of them all playing at the river bank. 

“We gotta go. They’re looking for us.” 

“The meeting is over? Already?” Cricket sputtered. 

“Guess so. I told them we were at the bank so we’d better go,” He scooped Froggy up “Close your eyes tight!” he told the baby, “We’re gonna go back, but this is a secret, okay?” 

Froggy widened her brown eyes, “Shhhh issa secret!” she put a fat finger up to her lips. She and Nyx shut their eyes tight as Cricket threw her arms around them and winnowed back to the bank. 

They plopped back onto the grass just in time. Nyx could hear the voices of his mother and aunts heading down to the marshes. Nyx sighed with relief, they wouldn’t be as suspicious. 

“Oh dear, you’ve had some fun in the mud today,” Aunt Elain’s voice rang out with laughter as she inspected his cousin's dresses and feet that were wet and streaked with mud. 

“You had more fun than we did, I’m sure,” Mama said as she tapped the bucket that was still lodged on Cricket’s head. 

“Froggy in the bath! Froggy in the bath!” Froggy flapped her arms wildly. Nyx’s stomach dropped as he met Cricket’s eyes, full of panic. 

“She wants to take a baff,” Cricket blurted out. Mama whipped her head around, eyes narrowing. Nyx swallowed, trying to think quickly, “She’s all muddy!” he added with desperation. 

“Do you want a bath?” Aunt Nesta giggled as she scooped the baby up, kissing her fat cheek, “Let’s get this mud off of you and have some dinner and dessert.” She and Aunt Elain began to head back towards the house while Froggy kept on chirping. 

“Froggy in the baff!” 

“What else did you do today, besides getting filthy?” Mama asked as she folded her arms. “I don’t see any mud pies or forts.” Nyx shrugged, he didn’t feel his mother poking in his mind, she hardly did, but he wasn’t sure if the guilt showed on his face. 

“Nothing, just played” Cricket murmured. “Soldiers and pirates stuff.” She took the bucket helmet off her head and began to swing it as she skipped. 

“Hm,” Mama watched them both as they made their way back. Carefully, Nyx put up his walls before he extended a thought to Cricket.

Do you think she knows?

If you don’t tell her she won’t. Grandfather says it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Cricket shot back, though she skipped ahead like nothing was wrong. 

Nyx fiddled with the door anxiously as he felt his mother’s stare in his back. We won’t take the baby with us to check on the tadpoles, since she didn’t keep a secret. 

She’s a baby, stupid! She’s just babbling! Don’t give it away or you’ll ruin everything. This is why I’m the General. Cricket’s nostrils flared before she tossed her red hair and turned to Mama with a brilliant smile, “Aunt Feyre, may I go take a bath? The mud is making me itch.”

A small smile crept on Mama’s face, “Of course you can, Bug. You both should take a bath, actually. Clean up any mess you made.” Her eyes narrowed and Nyx gulped. 

“Of course,” Cricket said, “I won’t leave my wet towel on the floor.” She skipped up the stairs without another word. Nyx wanted to tackle her. 

Mama turned to face him now, her blue eyes full of accusation. “What about you Nyx?” 

“We played pirates at the bank,” he repeated for his benefit more than hers, “that’s why we got muddy. We thought it was okay.” His mouth began to feel dry, he hated lying. 

“Alright then,” Mama sang, “But if I find out you’re up to something, I will not be happy.” 

With a nod, Nyx bolted up the stairs to his rooms. 

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

It was two days before he and Cricket could get back to the townhouse to check on the tadpoles, and the entire time Nyx felt jumpy and guilty. It was one thing if his parents never found out about the frogs, but it was another to lie. Cricket pointed out that the adults really didn’t ask, so they weren't actually lying. Now, Nyx understood why Uncle Cass said Cricket hung around High Lord Eris too much. She really was sly as a fox, and he felt as dumb as a goat. 

They made their escape while Froggy napped, his mother and aunts gossiped, and his father and uncles went to train at the House. They snuck quietly out through the kitchens when the twins had stepped out, and winnowed out near the gates where they knew no one could see them from the windows. Using the spare key that was stashed under the eave, they let themselves in, not daring to open any blinds. Small noises sounded from the bathroom in the back of the house, but Nyx couldn’t see under the door, the towel they had stuffed in the crack muffled the sound. With a nod, he and Cricket reached for the door handle-

“Now, what are we up to, alone in the townhouse?” 

They spun on their heels, coming face to face with Uncle Lucien. 

Nyx stared dumbly at his Uncle, who was looking at them both curiously. How did he know? Nyx thought with panic. If couldn’t bear his parents disappointment then he was certain he wasn’t going to be able to handle his uncle’s. 

“We weren’t doing anything!” Cricket exclaimed loudly, and Nyx flinched at the lie. 

Uncle Lucien knelt in front of them, his golden eye whizzing and zipping as he looked back and forth. Cricket looked at the floor, her eyes shifting. Suddenly, Nyx’s hands got very, very, sweaty. 

“You know I don’t appreciate lying, Cricket,” Uncle Lucien said calmly, “What are you up to?” 

“Nothing bad,” she mumbled, peeking up at her father through her lashes. Uncle Lucien just snorted, turning to Nyx. 

“Nyx, be honest. If this is something that could get you into trouble later, then we need to fix it. What are you both up to?” Nyx met Uncle Lucien’s eyes. He didn’t look mad, but even though Uncle Lucien wasn’t daemati, Nyx felt like his thoughts were loud. 

“We found a bunch of tadpoles the other day,” Nyx said with a sigh, but he really wanted to fart with nervousness now. 

“We put them in the tub here,” Cricket added in defeat, “We’re going to raise them and teach them to talk. Frog army.” 

Uncle Lucien coughed, though it looked like he was smiling. “How many tadpoles?” he asked. 

“I lost count at a hundred and twenty three,” Nyx answered. Uncle Lucien just sighed, turning to Cricket. 

“Mathilde,” he said sternly, Cricket’s back stiffened at the use of her real name, “you know better than to make messes in your Aunt and Uncle’s house. We’re family, but you are still a guest here. We’re going to get the tadpoles and mud out, and then you and Nyx are going to scrub that bathroom clean, do you understand?” 

Cricket nodded meekly, “Yes, Papa.” she said. 

“And Nyx, you’re going to tell your father what happened. Maybe we can get Uncle Cass to help us get this all cleaned up. Frogs belong outside.” 

“They certainly do.” 

Papa’s voice rang in Nyx’s ears, and his stomach dropped. He looked up at Papa, whose arms were folded and his eyes dark as he leaned against the doorway. 

“Are you gonna tell Mama?” Nyx said, fearfully. 

“I haven’t decided,” darkness seemed to swirl around Papa like coils of smoke. He and Uncle Lucien exchanged a look. A look that probably meant extra chores for weeks and early bedtime. No dessert either. 

“How did you know?” Cricket squeaked as Papa stood side by side with Uncle Lucien. 

“Call it a lucky guess,” he said, deathly calm. His eyebrow quirked, and Nyx knew what was coming. 

The front door thudded with a woosh as his mother, aunts, and cousin stormed into the room. Froggy was on Aunt Mor’s hip with a big grin on her face, while Mama led the Archeron pack. Aunt Elain looked shocked while Aunt Nesta looked calm, meeting his eye with a wink. 

 “I knew it!” Mama said, brandishing her tattooed finger. “I knew you were hiding something.” 

“We weren’t hiding!” Cricket said desperately, but Aunt Elain interrupted her. 

“Mathilde, I am disappointed in you! You know how deceitful it is to sneak around and-” Aunt Elain stopped short, “what is it that you’ve done?” 

“Froggy in the baff!” Froggy clapped her hands in glee, “Froggy in the baff!” 

“Open the door, you two,” Uncle Lucien said, “after all, it’s easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.” 

With shame, he and Cricket turned around, grabbing the door handle together. Nyx took a breath and Cricket nodded, as they turned the brass knob. 

Nyx felt them before he saw them. Little, soggy taps along his sandaled feet and a thump to his left wing. Next to him Cricket gasped while Aunt Mor let out a blood curdling scream and Aunt Nesta gasped. The floor was covered in tiny little frogs, and even more littered the bathtub. Green and brown frogs began to jump out of the bathroom, up on the walls, into the sink. Nyx really had no idea frogs could jump that high. It really is a frog army, he thought in a daze. Cricket’s eyes were wide with wonder as she spread her arms out, almost as if to beckon the little amphibians to her. Another scream jolted them back to reality.

Whipping his head around, he saw Aunt Mor thrust the baby into Aunt Elain’s arms and run out of the house. Froggy bounced on her mother’s hip, squealing with delight as she reached for the frogs, now bouncing up Aunt Elain’s legs, who was shaking them off in vain. Aunt Nesta now stood wobbling on top of a chair, holding her skirts tight around her ankles and Uncle Lucien stood still as stone while frogs crawled up his leather boots. Mama looked angry, her neck was red and the little vein on her forehead bulged. But it was nothing compared to Papa, who had darkness seeping out of him. Nyx retracted his wings tightly, curling them around his shoulders as if to disappear. Papa stepped forward slowly, like a panther, Nyx thought. Cricket whimpered next to him in fear. 

“Clean this mess up,” he said, in a dangerously low voice, “Now.” 

Nyx and Cricket didn’t need to be told twice. 

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

The townhouse was deemed clear of frogs the next day. The guilty children were appropriately punished with chores for months and were required to thoroughly clean the house, every time they were together for the next several years, when Rhysand and Feyre finally felt the place was finally habitable again. 

No one stayed there for long though, and the neighbors on the road were puzzled by the chorus of frog music that played near the townhouse every night for decades.

@asnowfern @born-to-riot @goddess-aelin @c-e-d-dreamer @iftheshoef1tz @kataravimes-of-the-shire @queercontrarian @popjunkie42 @temperedink @thesistersarcheron @romanticatheartt @reverie-tales @secret-third-thing @tunaababee @chunkypossum @octobers-veryown @xtaketwox @yams-77 @jamborina @bunburyahoy @buffy-vanserra @berd-nerd @luciensdefenseattorney @astra-aeterna

[lady-of-tearshed]

Mother knows best

Nessian & Platonic!OC!Nessian's daughter (Briana)

Cassian Week 2024

Day 3: Family

@cassianappreciationweek

Sumarry: When Cassian encounters a hair issue with Briana, he can't help but wonder through his despair in this situation: "What would Nesta do?"

Warnings: None. Really, pure fluff

Word count: 804 words

Divider by @tsunami-of-tears

“Bri… I’m trying so hard…” 

“But it huuuuurts!”

Cassian pulled the brush away from his daughter’s hair. He didn’t have a fucking clue how she managed to get that much fir sap in her long shiny hair, so much like his. He kept staring at the nest-like mess her hair was in right now, and sighed, trying to find any inch of remaining patience left in him. 

When he became a dad, Cassian thought nothing could ever test his patience more than the dashing Illyrians recruits he had to train every once in a while. This exact moment he was in just proved him the opposite. He was exhausted, Briana was too, and mama was away to enjoy her girls’ night, the first she had in a good while. She deserved it, and Cassian could handle it here for once.

What would Nesta do… 

“We won't chop them off, right daddy?” Briana whimpered, her eyes shined with tears as she looked up at her dad, and escaped them to roll down her perfectly rounded cheeks. 

“Of course not sweetheart… Daddy won’t let it come to that. Huh… here,” Cassian said matter-of-factly while he picked her up into his arms, not missing to notice how big and tall his baby girl was getting. He kissed her tear stained cheeks, and filled the tub with warm water and vanilla scented oils, in hope it would help dissolve the sticky substance from his daughter’s beautiful, yet currently very tangled, curls.

“You’re going to sit and soak in a nice, warm bath and relax for a while, sounds good?” Bri nodded quickly and shimmied out of her dirty Illyrian leathers before jumping, inheriting all of Cassian’s grace, into the bath. The water splashed everywhere, covering Cassian from head to toe before he could even think of protecting himself from the splash. 

He wiped a hand across his face, and caught his daughter's amused glance. “Ha.Ha. So funny,” He rolled his eyes, sitting beside the bathtub to dip a finger, making sure the temperature was okay.  

An amused grin formed on his lips when his daughter attempted to roll her eyes at him, too. “Funnier than you and your “We don’t bite unless you ask us to” boring joke.” 

Sassy, just like her mother.

“You and your mother just don’t have any sense of humor,” “What did you say?” Cassian jumped a little, Briana followed the movement as their head pivoted to the bathroom door. Cassian threw the dirty leathers in the laundry basket, trying to hide the evidence, although the biggest one was currently sitting in the bath, of their wild and quite messy adventure. “Nesta! My love, I… uh…” 

Cauldron, Nesta looked like the Mother herself. A pure, raw, enticing beauty emitting from her.  

And he fucking missed her. 

He rose up to his feets, quickly closing the distance between him and his mate, and captured her lips into a searing kiss, flooding the bond with his relief of having her here now. 

“Mama, my hair…” Briana's pouty lip wobbled, and her whimpering tone made Nesta quickly pull away from her mate's arms.  

She walked up to her daughter and offered her an amused, yet reassuring smile. Nesta stroked Briana’s cheek and looked up at the mess her hair was in. “I assume you and daddy had lots of fun tonight?” 

Briana nodded, her eyes closing in content as her mother’s way more skillful fingers threaded through the knots and spread shampoo to melt the sap tangled in her long locks. “Yeah, we went flying!”

“Near the snowball fight field?” Nesta guessed, since there were lots of pines and firs there. 

“Yup! We made a gigantic snowman, we raced through the trees…” Her hands were flying everywhere, splashing water on every wall of the bathroom, and Nesta struggled to keep working on the knots on top of Briana's hair.  “Oh oh! Guess who won the race?!” 

Nesta chuckled “From how excited you sound princess… I'm going to assume you did.” 

Cassian faked an outraged expression, his hand snapping to his chest as if he'd been stabbed, and Brianna smiled widely. “Yeah, I did!!” 

Nesta smiled, thinking to herself how lucky she had been to be blessed with such a mate. She could never express how grateful she was for Cassian to fill her and their daughter's head with those joyful memories. 

“I'm proud of you Bri.” Nesta kissed her daughter's soapy forehead, then rinsed off the excess of soap covering her hair with water. “All done! No more big knots.” 

Briana launched into her mother's arms, hugging her tight, not caring that her movement made the water spill over the side of the bathtub. “Took notes to know what to do next time Dada?” 

Cassian laughter booming through the small bathroom. “Yeah, baby. I took notes.” 

A/N: Short Lil one, but I love it sm 🥹💕

Acotar Taglist: @lilah-asteria @mybestfriendmademe

Cassian Taglist: @acotar-lover @ladybookstan

[feyres-divorce-lawyer]

thinking about how acomaf and acosf are literary crime scenes where sarah janet murdered feyre and nesta, scooped out their cores and replaced it with bat bastard loving hearts and then she dared tell me “look how happy they are” no they are not happy, sarah janet, they’re mere shadows of the originals. get out of my fucking house.

[rosenecklaces]

Living in fear of getting Snarky Cringe Elain or Extremely out of nowhere Alpha Male Azriel like... I would rather gut my eyes out than read that happen to them

[rosesncarnations]

How rude to interrupt them

A redraw!!

A year of difference is wild

[achaotichuman]

It's the first of June, y'all know what that means..

Welcome to the first chapter of my next generation ACOTAR fiction, A Witch A Warrior And A Reckoning, ACT 1- The Witch (link at bottom of the post)

Protagonists:

Dahlia Fairburn, General and Heir of Spring

Aisling Sapphirus, Healer of the Hewn City

Nyx Archeron, Son of the Witch

Relationships:

Dahlia Fairburn x Aisling Sapphirus

Nyx Archeron x Tamlin Fairburn

Azriel Shadowsinger x Eris Vanserra

Nuan x Lucien Vanserra

Original Azris Child(ren) x Tarquin

Summary

Life is peaceful for Dahlia Fairburn, running with her War Band, and commanding the Spring Court armies. Since the day she could wield a sword, she's been helping her father, along with her younger brother, to restore Spring to its former glory. Trying to ignore the festering magic in her body, that threatens to consume her.

One day, all that peace is threatened to be shaken, as a certain prince of Night asks for her to join the rebellion of the Hewn City and Illyria. From beneath the great mountains, an ancient song calls for her. She meets a woman with death in her eyes, and power in her veins, who makes Dahlia's blood boil while something clicks into place between them.

This new generation of Prythian was thought to be one of peace and prosperity. But the mask of the reigning High Lords begin to crumble, as secrets older than Prythian itself are uncovered, and darkness is unleashed.

An ACOTAR next generation fanfiction

I hope y'all have fun with this fic!

Tags:

@sonics-atelier, @shi-daisy,

@sadisticdevile, @praetorqueenreyna,

@skyesayshi, @futurehunt

@mathiwrites

[hurremsfirstchild]

Honestly I stop engaging with Nesta stans cause majority of the things they say about feyre is just multiple loads of misconceptions. And i genuinely can’t not find a bone in my body to care more about it.

I’ll say this once and I won’t say it again. Nesta’s behavior being a mirror of their mother because their mother abused Nesta is NOT an excuse. It’s like saying the mother is not a bad person because she is just mirroring the person who abused her all her life and you can tell from acosf what kind of a woman that grandmother is.

Generational trauma exists but we can’t keep giving excuses to people sometimes. I can understand Nesta has her own way of dealing with her trauma but letting other people catch strays because of how YOU feel is just wrong???

[merwgue]

The amount of people that use A.I art in this fandom is actually insane. On both the pro and the anti parts. Like wdym the "official" art of rhysand is A.I?? Literally what?? And even tamlin art sometimes,and when you tell a bitch she's like "it's my page" Well you can shove that art right up your ass because you're supporting artist being out of JOBSSSS

Anywho support actual artist like

@thrumugnyr

@copypastus

@ladymidnight-goesforth

@works-of-heart (who was actually accused of using A.I art, this shows how damaging it is)

@dimalry

@ceoofyearning

@jmoonjones

@geniemillies (I just saw their tamlin art?? OH M GEE???)

(Give me more in cmmts bc I genuinely have the memory of a goldfish)

[whatisamettafor]

I saw a reel.

[areyoudreaminof]

Just For Mama: A Mother's Day One Shot.

This one goes out to all the MILFS. Just some next gen fluff for your weekend!

Feysand: Nyx (11)

Nyx lined up the brushes on the table for the sixth time. He needed them to be perfect. 

The remodeled art studio certainly was perfect. He and Papa planned it for months, and Nyx drew up the plans himself. The north wall was torn down, making way for a large bay window that would let in natural sunlight from dawn to dusk with a perfect view of the mountains. Little crystal ornaments were clipped onto the windowsill, throwing prisms of rainbow light all over the room that had been painted a warm cream color. Nyx had written to Cricket and Froggy to send them from the Day Court. His cousins had sent back an array of colored crystal charms, with one large lilac colored crystal bat. Nyx hung that one right in the middle of the room. 

Mama didn’t exactly need a new studio, but Nyx had wanted to do something special for Mother’s Day. It was technically a Day Court celebration, but his cousins were shocked that they didn’t celebrate it in the Night Court. “You don’t do anything for Mother’s Day?” Cricket had said with wide eyes a few years back, “At all?” But Nyx had been so taken with the idea, he went right to Papa, who agreed. So, Nyx had been doing small things for his mother every year on that spring day. Mama loved every single card he made and kept all the wooden figurines he had carved for her on her desk. 

But this year, Nyx wanted to do something bigger. Aunt Nesta had given him the idea last winter, pointing out that Mama’s regular studio faced the east, which didn’t get the best lighting from the afternoon onwards. It was why she painted in the mornings. He had drawn up his sketches that very night and brought them to Papa the next morning who had the builders in his office by the early afternoon. 

Papa had simply told Mama there was a plumbing problem and that the studio needed to be rebuilt. Mama bought it, though Nyx suspected she knew something was up. Nyx had presented his plans to the builder, a large green skinned orc named Jondar. “Measurements are only an inch off. I take on apprentices at twelve,” the orc grunted with satisfaction, “You can study when you come back from that camp of yours.” Papa just sighed and Nyx beamed with pride. 

Nyx came to the site every single day after lessons to work on the studio. He sanded and stained small beams of wood, he hammered nails and fetched tools. Nyx watched Jondar in his team in awe as they sawed and whittled away, explaining their technique as Nyx jotted down notes. 

Now, the day had finally come to bring Mama to the new studio. He gave one last look around, before he launched himself out of the room, stretching his wings in such a way to give him more momentum as he came face to face with his father and blindfolded mother. 

“Is that you Nyx?” she reached for him, stretching her fingers out. Nyx laced his own through them. “It’s me. Happy Mother’s Day.” 

“Anyone want to explain what’s going on?” Mama inquired with a tilt of her head as she pulled Nyx to her. He was nearly as tall as she was now, the top of his head sitting just below her chin. 

“Nyx has a surprise for you, darling,” Papa said, his violet eyes glinting with mischief, “Lead the way, son.” 

Nyx nodded, slowly leading Mama across the hall and stopping at the door. “You can take your blindfold off now.” he said, as he wiped his sweaty hands on his pants and opened the door. 

Mama removed the blindfold with her slender tattooed fingers. Her blue eyes crinkled in joy as she saw Nyx in front of her. He just hoped she didn't see him shaking as he took her by the hand again and led her into the studio. 

Mama gasped behind him and Nyx sighed in relief. Sunlight poured through the windows and filtered through the hanging crystals in cracks of multicolored light. New canvases had been stretched and propped up on easels, while clean brushes and wooden palettes sat ready to be used. 

Mama turned around, stunned at the new studio. “Did you do this for me?” Mama asked in wonder, her eyes round and her mouth agape. 

“I drew the plans and Papa helped.” Nyx replied bashfully, leading Mama to the frame that held the sketches he had done in the dead of night. Mama touched the glass with tears in her eyes. 

“I just called the builders,” Papa corrected, “Nyx was in here every day after his lessons doing something. He made this room all on his own.” 

“The master builder said he could take me on as an apprentice next year,” Nyx blurted but Mama cut him off as she pulled him in for a bone crushing hug. He wrapped his arms around her then, closing his eyes as she rocked him ever so gently. At the camps, some of the other boys gave him hell over his mother; that she was High Lady, that she was human once, that Nyx loved her so much. One of the first drag out brawls he had gotten into was with a particularly snide boy back at Windhaven who insulted her. Nyx split the boy's lip and broke his nose. 

“I love you, sweet boy.” Mama whispered in his ear, before kissing him on the forehead. 

“Love you too, Mama. Happy Mother’s Day” Nyx murmured against her neck, squeezing her harder. 

Mama pulled away as she cupped his face in her hands. “An architect’s apprentice at twelve? I think you might be the most accomplished heir the Night Court has seen.” Her blue eyes twinkled as she laughed. 

“I can’t argue with that,” Papa sighed as Nyx felt his cheeks and neck go red. “You can build yourself a house up at Windhaven.” 

“I might,” Nyx grumbled, “and my sofas won’t have dried barf on them.” 

“And that my darling, is how you’re going to unite Illyria, ” Mama teased, “With your talent, wisdom and cleanliness.” 

Papa drew them both into his arms, “If Nyx can pull this off on one of Helion’s made up holidays, I’d hate to see what he has up his sleeve for Solstice.” 

“Just you wait,” Nyx smirked, “I might add a whole new wing to the house.” 

______________________________________________________________________________

That night, Feyre watched the moon rise in the windows of her new studio, stars and galaxies blinked in the moonlight that washed across the peaks of the mountains. Feyre stroked the slabs of wood on the windowsill. Nyx created this, she thought with wonder and pride, he built this with his own hands. 

He did, he had the idea months ago. Rhys said in her mind as his arms snaked around her waist from behind. 

Feyre rested her head back on Rhys's chest, "We've done alright by him, I think." 

Rhys hummed in agreement as he turned her to face him, "We really did." 

Elucien: Cricket (9), Froggy (5)

It was times like this where Cricket wished she had gotten fire powers. 

She could technically turn the stove on by herself, she was nine , but she always had to have someone help her in the kitchen, since the stove had to be lit with a match and she was too short to not have to stand on a chair. “Supervision.” Papa called it. That’s why he was here, over her shoulder, watching Cricket stir the porridge in the small pot. 

“Perfect,” Papa murmured, “let’s add the cinnamon shall we?” 

Cricket sprinkled the small shaker of cinnamon sugar over the porridge, taking care not to put too much. Even though Mama ate her porridge sweet, there were still strawberries and blueberries to add, and there was warm raisin bread that her little sister was buttering on the table. 

The soft pink light of dawn and the sea breeze filtered into the kitchen. It was Mother’s Day in the Day Court, a celebration of motherhood. Grandfather swore they had always celebrated it, but Papa told Cricket that it only became a holiday when Grandmother came to live at court. Either way, Cricket and Froggy had brought Mama breakfast in bed for as long as they could remember. They’d spend the day at the beach, then have a big dinner with Grandfather and Grandmother on the balcony under the stars. 

“I think the porridge is done.” Cricket announced. With a wave of his hand, Papa put out the flame on the stove. Mama was still asleep, unusual, since she liked to get up with the sun. But there was some sort of party last night, and they got home late, so Grandmother stayed with them, since she didn’t like late parties. Cricket vaguely remembered a kiss on the forehead when she was dead asleep. 

“What time did you get home?” Cricket asked.

“Too late,” Papa replied, “Grandfather got into some sort of dance competition with some of the scholars, it was absolutely horrifying, but we couldn’t take our eyes off of it.” 

“Did he win?” Cricket tried to picture Grandfather dancing inside a circle with the scholars. 

“No, the astronomers beat him.” Cricket snorted and swallowed her belly laugh. 

“Leave it to cool while we cut the berries,” Papa whispered, “Everything alright, Froggy.?”

“Yes.” Froggy answered softly as she set down the butter knife. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, pushing her golden hair back from her face. “I haven't filled the vase with water yet.” 

“Let me do that,” Papa said as he kissed each of them. He took the crystal vase to the sink, filling it with water. Quickly, the girls gathered up the large bouquet of orange and apple blossoms they had picked yesterday. They had raced in the groves to see who could get the most flowers, scaling each tree like monkeys. Cricket had won, but just barely. A bowl of ripe oranges and apples sat on the table, another present for Mama. 

Froggy put the absurdly large bouquet into the vase, while Cricket arranged the last bits of fruit into the large porridge bowl. Papa set down a small velvet box on the tray, the sisters giggled as they caught each other's eye. Papa lifted the tray and the girls held back their giggles as they entered Mama and Papa’s room. 

Mama slept soundly, her curly hair braided across the silk pillowcase. Cricket opened the curtains, letting the now golden dawn light brighten the room. Froggy crawled gently on the bed, while Cricket flopped down face first. 

“Happy Mother’s Day!” they squealed as Mama opened her eyes and arms. The girls scurried into her embrace, latching on and kissing her face all over. Mama just laughed and kissed them back. Papa set the tray down across Mama’s lap and stole his own kiss as Cricket and Froggy snuggled on each side of her. She touched the white and pink blooms with awe.

“Oh, how beautiful! Did you girls pick these yourselves?” 

“Yep,” Cricket nodded, “we picked lots of fruit too.” 

“We can make orange juice and apple pie!” Froggy added breathlessly. 

“Maybe we can make some juice for our picnic at the beach today?” Mama added. 

“I’ve already got the pitchers out,” Papa laughed as he stretched out next to Cricket, wrapping his arm around her back to touch Mama’s hair. 

“And what’s this?”

Cricket and Froggy shot up with excitement as Mama opened up the small velvet box. The little golden chain inside had two delicate charms that wound together; a small honeysuckle and a wisteria blossom, the flowers associated with both of them. Cricket with her wild honeysuckle scent, and Froggy, a soft and delicate wisteria fragrance. They held their breath as tears filled Mama’s eyes. 

“Are you gonna put it on?” Froggy whispered nervously. Cricket swallowed her own anxiety. 

“I’m never going to take it off,” Mama promised as she took out the delicate chain reverently. “Let me,” Papa said, as he rose to latch the chain around her neck. 

“Thank you,” Mama breathed, kissing them both and wrapping each arm around them. “I love you both so much.” 

“Love you too, Mama.” Froggy whispered. “We love you the most.” Cricket added. 

Cricket and Froggy sank into her embrace, breathing in the familiar scent of honey and jasmine, of the sea breeze that wafted through the wood and sandstone room, just as it always had. They smelled the familiar scent of Papa as he managed to embrace all three of them, of the sun on their faces, or warm mornings just like this, and cool nights at home. 

“I think,” Mama announced, “it is a perfect day for swimming and a picnic.” 

“It certainly is,” Papa agreed, “I wonder who can get ready first?” 

Cricket and Froggy squealed and scrambled off the bed as they raced for their rooms. “No winnowing, Cricket!” Froggy shrieked as her sister laughed maniacally. 

Elain finally rose from the sheets and crossed the room, meeting Lucien halfway. She closed her eyes, as she embraced him, savoring the laughs of her girls across the small house they had lived in for years. The laughs that had echoed across her visions as she fought her way across a frozen wasteland and lake. Visions of red and golden hair that gave her the strength she thought she didn’t have as she destroyed a sorcerer's box and made her way back to Lucien. 

Her daughter’s had been her dream once, and now they were her reality. A messy and loving reality. 

She rose up on her toes, kissing her mate. “We should have a Father’s Day, I think.” 

“Don’t give my father any more excuses to blow smoke up his own ass,” Lucien laughed. 

“No, we’ll just blow smoke up your ass.” she leaned in again-

“Will you two stop kissing for once?” Cricket hollered from across the hallway. “You have one more minute to get ready!” Froggy shrieked from somewhere in the house. 

“Ready?” Lucien asked.

“For my family, always.”

Nessian: Oriana (4)

Oriana kicked her feet and flapped her wings along as she hummed. The picture looked very good, she thought. She colored in the lines she drew, a picture of her, Mama, Papa and her poofy kitten, Pudding. She made sure to put the House in there too, Mama said it was part of the family. 

“Mrow?” 

She turned to Pudding, his round face was cocked with confusion. Oriana sighed as she explained the picture again. 

“It’s Mother’s Day so I made Mama a book. That’s you and me, and Mama and Papa. I didn’t have green for your eyes though.” 

A green colored pencil appeared on the rug next to her. “Thank you, House!” she chirped to the House, who flickered a light in reply. Quickly, she filled in the eyes of her cat in the picture, finally satisfied with the result as Pudding pawed and rolled the rest of the pencils around the floor. 

“Mama is going to love your book,” Papa said, as he lowered himself down on the carpet next to her. 

“I know,” Oriana replied. She had been practicing her letters and she could write very well now. She wrote Mama a book about a Valkyrie helping a nice dragon and defeating an evil wizard. Aunt Gwyn helped thread ribbon to the pages. All that was left was to finish up the cover with a picture of her family. 

“Are we gonna eat at Sevanda’’s still?” Oriana asked, putting her book on the table, next to that wrapped box of new training leathers for Mama. “Can we get fried squid rings?” 

Papa made a gagging noise, “You can get fried squid rings, sweetheart. Mama is on her way back from the library, why don’t we get changed for the symphony?” He placed a kiss on her nose and Oriana kissed him right back on his before she ran back to her room, Pudding trailing behind her. 

The House had opened her wardrobe and suddenly, it seemed to Oriana that she had a lot more dresses that she remembered. 

She and Mama went to the symphony all the time after school and training. They watched the musicians rehearse during the day, but this was the first time Oriana got to see them perform with all the fancy grown ups. If Mama is going to wear her silver dress, Oriana thought, maybe she would wear silver too. But Mama loved it when she wore red, and she also wanted to wear her Valkyrie ribbon. Taking a deep breath, she dove into her wardrobe. 

_________________________________________________________

“I’m ready!” Oriana chirped as she bounced into Papa’s view. She had decided on her favorite red dress, purple socks, and her sparkly sandals. She held the ribbon in her hand that she wanted to tie around her head. Her cousin Cricket always kept her red hair short, so Oriana cut hers to her chin the same way. 

Papa scooped her up and twirled her, “You look beautiful, Ori. Why don’t we take the socks off, it’s not cold outside or inside the Symphony.” He set her down, unhooking Oriana’s shoes as she bounced on one foot. 

“Okay,” Oriana chirped, “can I wear my ribbon?” 

“Of course you can, would you like me to put it on?” 

“Not too tight,” Oriana demanded  as Papa tied the ribbon around her dark hair. 

“Never, sweetheart.” Softly, Mama’s voice carried in from the hall with another voice, Aunt Gwyn and Papa gave her a grin. “Are you ready to go surprise Mama?” 

“Let’s go!” Oriana squealed as she flapped her wings, hurling herself towards the hallway.  She used her wings to propel her steps, as she threw open the door. She didn’t think, just flew right into Mama’s arms. 

“Happy Mama’s Day!” Oriana exclaimed with a giggle, “Surprise! We’re going to the symphony!” 

Mama just laughed as she bounced Oriana on her hip, “Surprise indeed!” 

Aunt Gwyn placed a small stack of books on the little table by the door, “I won’t keep you any longer, Happy Mother’s Day.” she beamed brightly at Nesta before smacking a kiss on Oriana’s cheek. 

“Aunt Gwyn, are you gonna have a baby?” Oriana asked. 

“Oriana!” Mama chided, her face turning red as an apple.

Aunt Gwyn laughed, her pretty blue eyes sparkling, “Maybe one day.” 

“Well, could you have one now so I have someone to play with? Nyx went to the camps and Cricket and Froggy are at the Day Court. So, I want a baby cousin to play with.’ Oriana clasped her hands together tight and bounced on her feet. “Please.” 

“Don’t you have friends at school and your art class?” Aunt Gwyn giggled.

“Yes, I got lots of friends but I want another cousin.” Oriana thought for a moment. “A girl or a boy. Just a cousin who's fun.”  

“Well, when Uncle Az and I have a baby you’ll be the first cousin to know.” 

“You’re having a baby?” Papa  asked as he walked into the room. 

“Yeah, Aunt Gwyn’s gonna have a baby so I can have another cousin,” Oriana announced, “But not right now.” 

Mama and Aunt Gwyn just started laughing. 

___________________________________________

Oriana got her fried squid rings at Sevanda’s and she got extra whipped cream on her strawberry cake. They ate on the balcony and watched and waved at people walking down the street. At the symphony, an old High Fae female told Oriana she looked like a princess, “She’s my princess,” Papa had said proudly. Oriana watched the symphony reverently on Mama’s lap, bouncing along to the drums and tubas and she had only gotten tired during the flight up to the House. 

Now, in the dim light of her bedroom, Oriana scrambled up onto her bed, book in hand. “This is for you.” she puffed as she snuggled next to Mama. “It’s a book! Aunt Gwyn helped me tie it, but I wrote it all by myself.” “That’s me and you and Papa.” Oriana pointed at the figures in the drawing on the cover. “I put silver for my eyes and your eyes, cause we have silver eyes. And I used black and red for my wings!” Oriana pointed to the blob shape, “There’s Pudding,” she said, affirming her cat’s presence, “and here’s The House.” 

Nesta set the picture down reverently on the bedside table. Grabbing Oriana into a hug, she inhaled the sweet scent of mountain juniper. “I love it so much.” Nesta said softly, kissing Oriana’s face all over. “I’m going to show everyone in the library.” 

Oriana rubbed her eyes, the lights from her flower and star lights began to fuzz in vision as Mama’s song and arms cradled her to sleep. 

“Night, night, Mama.” she mumbled as she stepped into her dreams. 

Nesta listened to the soft rhythm of her daughter’s breath as she held her, a ritual she completed every single night since Oriana was born. 

The very idea of motherhood had terrified her, her own mother took residence in the back of her mind, whispering doubt into her ear. The first time Nesta had felt her child move, a sheer sense of terror washed over her; would she be another incarnation of her mother? Would she place all expectations of grandeur on the chest of her child with no thought for breath? 

But, the moment Madja had placed Oriana on her chest, her mother was banished from her mind. Instead, a door opened in her heart, revealing a vast and wondrous sky of love for her daughter. Her name, Oriana, an old Illyrian name, sounded like a song, and it was one that Nesta sang every day. She and Cassian had made this beautiful little girl; with Nesta’s blue gray eyes and dark hair that matched Cassian’s, but still had that baby fine texture that made it impossible to stay tidy for long.

Yet, she was completely her own person, a curious and creative child who loved music and stories. Nesta delighted in every moment, even if she did want to take refuge in the deepest pit of the library some days. 

The House had dimmed the lights softly, as Nesta stroked Oriana’s face, studying her Illyrian brow and Archeron nose, of the rosebud lips and cheeks that dimpled when she smiled, which thank the Mother, was every single day. Soft wings that curled at the top in a way that Cassian’s didn’t. Did his mother have wings like this, Nesta had often wondered, was this something Oriana carried of a grandmother that would have surely loved her? 

The door creaked as Cassian almost silently crept inside. “I missed storytime, didn’t I?” He lowered himself softly on the other side of the bed, wrapping their little girl and Nesta into his own arms. 

Nesta closed her eyes as she drifted off, at peace in the tangled arms of her family.

TAGLIST: @asnowfern @born-to-riot @bunburyahoy @belabellissima @c-e-d-dreamer @conebrain @cowboylament @cursebrkr @damedechance @dawneternal @foundress0fnothing @goddess-aelin @kataravimes-of-the-shire @iftheshoef1tz @lucienarcheron @moodymelanist @moonpatroclus @cauldronblssd @octobers-veryown @queercontrarian @sassyhobbits @tunaababee @thesistersarcheron @separatist-apologist @secret-third-thing @chunkypossum @the-lonelybarricade @thelovelymadone @xtaketwox @popjunkie42 @yanny-77 @wilde-knight @luciensdefenseattorney @reverie-tales @velidewrites @lamija-v @laxibbeb @witch-and-her-witcher @itsthedoodle @missfckingfortune @rosanna-writer @mossytrashcan