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moononastring · 2 years ago

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Spirit Meets the Bones XXI

Find it all here.

Genre: Angst/Romance/Drama Please note: There will be heavy subjects discussed that may be triggering. Author's Note: I know this has taken a little long so I hope you enjoy this long one! I sincerely appreciate every single one of you ♥️ Feedback is always welcome and very encouraging :)

Something was wrong.

Iris had started to sense it not too long after Eris had left, a sense of unease worked its way through her chest and twisted in her gut. She tried to brush off the worry — today had been a whirlwind and Finn showing up suddenly was probably adding to the stress she was already feeling. Eris would be fine. He should be fine. Even if he was taking longer than she expected.

She let herself focus on other things while she waited, mindlessly tidying the room, washing up for bed, and lastly, actually choosing something she deemed indecent to wear to bed.

It was a beautiful olive-green gown, the material satin with lace trimmings that seemed to have been made for her, hugging her body in a way she knew would send her husband into a nice little spiral. Or, at least she hoped it would. It was also much shorter than she’d ever worn around Eris, barely reaching her midthigh and that — well, that made her a little more nervous than she’d like to be.

It was just skin after all. She’d gradually been showing him a little skin with each new set but never…never this much. Iris flushed deeply and then frowned at her reflection.

“Get over yourself.” she mumbled. “It’s not like you don’t want him to touch you.”

Because she did. If his kisses were any indication, Eris would likely be the death of her, and that had her feeling very nervous. But she had a nice long robe that would make her feel more secure. At least until they talked and she got answers to her questions.

Today had been challenging in its own way but this moment, choosing to be just a little more intimate with him…this was for her. For the way he had been making her feel the past few weeks. For the way his eyes always watched her with just a little hunger and a whole lot of amusement.

But mostly…for the way his voice had dropped when he had made his request earlier. He had asked so politely. It would be bad manners to refuse.

If he’d just hurry up and come back already.

Iris had been standing in front of the vanity, fidgeting slightly with the thin strap of her nightgown when a sharp tug to her ribcage had her freezing. A gasp left her lips as she steadied herself and the dread she had been trying to keep at bay came back in full force. She felt panicked. She felt — she felt pain.

Something was wrong and she didn’t understand what that was. That — that tug.

With shaking hands, she quickly slipped the robe over her gown and tied it firmly, rushing to her door and yanking it open.

She staggered to a halt in the doorway when one of Eris’s commanders turned to face her and she blinked in surprise.

“Oren?” she asked and straightened. “What’s going on? Why are you here?”

The general took a moment to scan the hall, empty aside the two of them then took a small step towards her and gave her a tight smile. “His Royal Highness, Prince Eris wished for you to have some additional protection at this time.” Oren said calmly but Iris’s heart stuttered in her chest. She didn’t miss the usage of the formal title, especially when Oren and Eris were friends and that never happened between them.

“Where is he?” she demanded. “He was supposed to be meeting with Finn earlier. Has something happened?”

The tight smile remained on Oren’s face. “The High Lord requested him earlier. He sent me here before he went.”

Iris inhaled sharply, her grip tightening on the doorframe as another sense of unease washed over her. “I knew something was wrong.” she said quietly and Oren narrowed his eyes at her.

“What do you mean?”

“Something is wrong. I can feel it.” Iris said and rubbed a hand to her forehead. “I’m going to change then go find —”

“I can’t let you leave.” Oren stated and Iris froze.

“Excuse me?”

Oren winced and Iris cocked a brow as he took a breath. “I am under orders to watch over you.” he said more gently. “Until he returns from his meeting with the High Lord.”

“He’s never had someone stand guard when he meets with the High Lord.” she said quietly and again, she felt that flutter of panic, and Oren’s lip thinned.

“It seems, the High Lord is angrier than usual.”

Iris bit her lip and then let out a breath. He was angry with Eris and Iris knew without a doubt, it had to be because of her. Because of her horrible father. “Fuck.” she mumbled and Oren gestured gently to the room behind her.

“I suggest you wait inside.”

“How am I supposed to wait when I know that —” she began then cut herself off in frustration, knowing she couldn’t say anything about the High Lord that wouldn’t get back to him. “How can I just wait when I’m telling you I can sense something is wrong!”

Oren gave her a look she didn’t quite understand then again, gently said, “I know it might be hard to wait but it’s better for you and him to stay here. He’ll worry about you less.”

Worry about her. As if she cared about herself at this moment. Knowing what she knew about Beron, she wouldn’t be surprised if he was tearing into Eris for not beating Iris alongside her father. She ran a hand through her hair and bit her lip, holding back a string of curses.

The High Lord needed Eris. Surely, he wouldn’t do anything — but Iris immediately shook her head. The High Lord would do whatever he wanted to his son.

And she could do nothing to protect him.

Shame and anger coiled in her stomach and Iris wished there was more she could do — anything she could do other than sit here and wait.

She glanced at the commander once more who only gave her a nod. She sighed.

“You don’t have to wait outside. I’ll be fine.” she said quietly. “No one can come in here without my permission.”

Oren gave her a small smile. “I know. But I am loyal to one male and one male only,” he said. “And I will do as he requested of me.”

Iris watched Oren carefully. So he knew all about Eris and the way things were with the High Lord. He’d also been a friend and commander of his for so long…but she had to ask, “Why?”

The corner of the commander’s mouth shifted up. “Because I see what he’s been trying to do. And I believe in him,” he said then gestured with his chin behind her again. “I’ll be here if you need anything until he returns.”

Knowing she’d been dismissed, Iris turned to go back into her rooms. Oren had distracted her briefly but as she slowly shut the door, her hands started to shake again. She couldn’t help the guilt threatening to consume her, couldn't help the twist in her gut. How long would Beron keep his son? What would he do to him?

Her eyes flickered to the grandfather clock sitting in the corner of their living space and she frowned. It was already so late in the evening. How much longer would this meeting take?

But an hour went by. Then several more.

And Iris spent the time pacing around their room, fighting back her anxiety and holding herself back from running past Oren and finding her husband herself.

She had been seated, curled up on their bed trying and failing to distract herself when she heard the familiar thud of their door closing and leaped to her feet.

“You took so long! I started to think —” Iris started but the rest of the words died in her throat at the sight of Eris in front of her.

Heat filled the room almost immediately as Iris halted a few feet away from him.

Her husband stood before her and Iris wasn’t sure where to look. At the now tattered jacket somehow still on his body. Or at the blood dripping from him. Or his hair that now barely reached the nape of his neck. She couldn’t stop staring, her heart rate increasing at the cold detachment on his face and the dead look in his eyes that set her on edge.

Iris tried to swallow, to hold back the horror and panic going through her body, to calm her shaking hands.

“What — what happened?” she asked carefully, taking a step closer to him. Eris’s gaze dropped to her feet and the step she took closer to him then back up to her face.

A beat of silence passed. Then another. Eris watched her, barely blinking and Iris didn’t dare move or say anything more as her fingers curled into the fabric of her robe.

Slowly and without saying a word, Eris gestured to his body, to the state he was in, and Iris tried to keep her expression from falling, tried to curb the slight panic clogging in her throat. Once again, Eris only glanced down then back up at her but this time, she saw wildfire in his eyes. The room’s temperature spiked and Iris felt her chest tighten as anger surged around them.

Eris wasn’t angry, no. He was seething. Fuming.

He took a step towards her and her heart started to beat frantically at the flame that had started to lick at his heels.

“Eris,” she started gently. “Tell me what happened.”

The Prince of Autumn cocked his head as his wild eyes watched her and Iris knew whatever had happened, whatever the High Lord had done to him, it was bad enough that Eris had gone someplace far, far away. And her Eris was not back yet.

His eyes narrowed on her and Iris couldn’t find it in her to say anything more, her body tensing instead. She wanted him to say something, anything to fill the silence, where the only sound she could hear was the frantic beating of her heart. Her husband had not returned as he had left and she wasn’t sure if he fully would. She wasn’t sure what to do with herself that would help him, that would ease whatever was going through his mind right now.

It was as she opened her mouth once more that Eris moved, taking one step towards her and Iris paused. She willed herself not to flinch as his hands lowered from behind his back and knew Eris had clocked the movement. His hands wouldn’t hurt her but it still didn’t stop her from watching them carefully.

They watched each other silently.

And Eris wanted to reply to her question, to speak, but he was having a hard time trying not to vomit. He was having a hard time trying to remember how to breathe properly. He had lost consciousness at some point enduring his father’s wrath and had woken up to find himself laying in his own blood. He didn’t remember being untied, and he didn’t know how much time had passed, but he knew he needed to check on his mother. He needed to get back to his wife.

So Eris had forced himself to stand on trembling legs, his wits barely about him. He forced himself to leave the throne room and muster what will he had left to winnow in front of his parent’s chambers. And Eris had waited, barely able to stand as his blood dripped from him to hear something, anything to indicate that his mother was alright. But Eris had heard nothing and he didn’t know if the deafening silence was worse than the cries of pain he had expected. Only when black dots began to line his vision had he finally forced himself to winnow once more to his own door.

He had waved off an alarmed Oren and allowed himself a moment to compose himself before walking in and standing as he stood now.

And he really, really wanted to hurl his guts because Iris was looking at him in a way he wasn’t used to in a moment like this. No one usually saw him like this. He mostly let himself go numb during his father’s unleashing and then, only when he was alone, did Eris let his anger consume him. But he had already been teetering on the edge today and he was no longer alone.

Iris said nothing as he stood there, only watching him with a level of concern that made his chest feel tight. She cared. She cared about what happened to him. She was not his father and she was not looking at him with anything but genuine concern and everything in him recoiled at the fact that she had to see him this way at all. That his father had put him in this position, to look weak and it made him so angry that Eris went momentarily blind with rage.

He forced himself to swallow and then do it again before he could unlock his jaw enough to speak.

“My father,” he began in a voice that wasn’t quite his and the flames licking his heels spiked up. “Wanted to give me a new look.” He held up a bloodied fist. “He suggested I choke you with what was left of this.”

Iris dropped her gaze to his hand holding — clutching strands of hair that was — she looked up at his face again then back down to his hand.

“Oh gods.” she mumbled and her heart sank to the pits of her stomach. What had the High Lord done to him? Or rather, what hadn’t the High Lord done to him? Iris took another hesitant step toward him and started to say, “Let me —”

But immediately, Eris held his other hand, stopping her in place and Iris fell silent. His eyes didn’t leave the hand holding the strands of his hair.

He finally glanced up at her, that wildfire in his eyes. “I told him to fuck off, of course.” he continued. “He didn’t take that well.” His gaze dropped again and Iris’s eyes followed to where a few drops of blood had dripped by his feet. She couldn’t even tell where it was coming from. “He didn’t take many things well during our conversation.”

“Conversation.” she repeated faintly and her face fell at the way his own hands had started to shake. “The state that you’re in is the result of a conversation.”

Eris fell silent again, blinking down at his trembling hands. A part of him wished he’d evaporate, simply melt into the floor and cease to exist. Maybe then he wouldn’t feel this way. Maybe then he wouldn’t have to think about how much this family had been through and how much more they’d have to suffer until his fucken father died. Maybe then he wouldn't have to worry about his wife being another body for his father to beat down.

Maybe then —

“Eris?”

He looked up at her gentle calling, so unlike the voice of his father who had spent the past few hours breaking him. The way she looked at him made him want to collapse.

He was bleeding and broken and there was no logical reason for it other than his father was a monster.

“How — how did you even walk the halls like this?” she finally asked and couldn’t help how choked her voice sounded, couldn’t help that she had to keep breaking his silence. Her own hands were shaking as she moved closer to him. “Let me help you — let me see wherever you’re bleeding from.”

Eris shook his head and tried to breathe. She cared and it was too much for him. He couldn’t do this now — he needed more time.

But even if he wanted to, that thread at his ribcage forced him to stay where he was. How could it not when he looked at her and it steadied him? That thread that had dragged him back here, to this room. That thread was the reason he hadn’t let his fire consume him.

It took him another moment to speak, his eyes unblinking as he watched her. “I shouldn’t be able to winnow directly in the House but stubborn as I am,” he said with a hoarse laugh and swayed slightly. “I can bend the magic to my will.” He pointed a bloody finger at her. “I think it has to do with you.”

This rooted Iris to where she stood. “With me?” she repeated in a whisper.

“With you.” he confirmed and lowered a trembling hand to his side, his eyes unfocused. “I had to come back to you. You were waiting for me.”

Iris’s mouth trembled and she tried to swallow back the cascade of emotions surging through her body at his words. “What can I do?” she pleaded. “What do you need right now to make this moment easier?”

“What do I need.” he repeated and his eyes fell back to his hands. Iris watched his grip tighten until a flame burst in his fist and what was left of his hair was no more. Eris shook his head again, his chest rising and falling as he tried to breathe. Her face fell as he backed a step from her, both fists aflame now. “You shouldn’t be near me right now.” he said and his gaze flickered up, his wild eyes watching her. “I — I am not — I don’t —”

What was left of her battered heart broke further. He was physically standing before her but Iris could see the struggle in his eyes to connect to their reality. She wanted to reach him. She needed to reach him and remind him, that he was hers and she would take care of him the way he took care of her.

“It’s okay.” she said as gently as possible and slowly reached out a hand. “Let me help you.”

“Don’t.” Eris snarled so viciously that Iris couldn’t stop the flinch this time, yanking her hand back immediately.

A thick silence filled the room once more and Iris watched her husband’s chest rise and fall, his breathing starting to turn shallow, those wild eyes watching her in an almost pained resolve at her reaction.

“You flinched from me.” he said, the words barely distinguishable.

Iris swallowed and she hid her trembling hands in the folds of her robe. “It’s alright.” she said softly and saw the way he shuddered at the two words. “You — you surprised me. That’s all.”

He took a step towards her and Iris froze, waiting as he breathed more deeply, the flame licking his body seeming to flare and then shrink with each breath. “I’m — I’m sorry.” he said, his voice guttural. “I need — I — I need —”

“You need a moment.” she said as his body shook and she fought every instinct to reach out again. She — she wanted to hold him, needed to. But he wasn’t there yet. He was still finding his way back to himself. So she tried to reassure him from their six feet of distance. “That’s alright. Why don’t you go change?”

He nodded and blinked at her, his gaze still unfocused. “Shower.”

“Okay.” she said and nodded carefully. “I’ll — I’ll ask for some tea.”

But her husband just stared at her. “Don’t go anywhere.”

“I won’t.”

“Stay.” he said then repeated, “Don't go anywhere.”

Iris gave him a tentative smile, trying and failing to hide how deep her worry ran. She tightened her grip on her robe so she wouldn’t reach out to him again. “I’m not going anywhere, Eris. I’ll be right here when you’re done.”

She watched him as he watched her and again felt that tug in her ribcage that she didn’t understand as Eris swallowed hard then slowly, as if he was forcing himself to, he walked away from her and into their bathroom.

The door shut behind him and Iris’s face fell. How badly had that…conversation gone? She had no doubt her own father had played a part in it after the way Eris had humiliated him but to what extent? How many more gifts had Beron given Eris? Letting out a shaky breath, her eyes fell to the drops of blood that had left a trail behind him.

An icy rage blinded her momentarily and Iris wanted nothing more than to find the High Lord and stab him violently until he choked on his own blood. Until he had enough wounds to make up for the ones he put on his son even if it would never be enough. The world would be a better place when the time came and he was gone.

The sound of the water running had her blinking back to reality and Iris forced herself to snap into action and move.

It didn’t slip her mind that earlier in the day, their situations had been the opposite and Iris wanted nothing more than to erase the anger and the shame that tied both of them to shitty fathers.

She knew Eris was…not himself yet. She knew he needed a way back and Iris needed to believe that there was a way out of this — this darkness they were surrounded in. There had to be.

No one deserved to live like this and as she wiped away any signs of his bleeding heart, Iris knew she would give him whatever he needed. Anything that would be a bright light for him on an otherwise dark night. So she had the tea tray ready with a bottle of hard liquor seated right next to it. Most importantly, she had tried to discreetly have her healing salves ready in the event he felt comfortable enough for her to touch him.

She waited, too restless to sit, and paced between the sitting table and hovering by the door of the bathroom, listening in case — Iris wasn’t sure in case of what but was sure she wanted to be close by.

Iris had just moved away from the door again when it finally opened and she immediately turned to find Eris standing in his sleeping attire. She tried not to frown at the way his body was still tense and her eyes roamed his face.

“I have the tea.” she said quietly. “And um, alcohol.”

The corner of his mouth ticked up a millimeter before his expression shifted to the blank one she hated and he walked over to her, stopping a few feet away.

She waited, letting him take his time as he glanced down at his feet and then back up at her, his anger still lingering around him.

He watched her, his hands at his sides. “I made you flinch away from me.”

“You were angry.” she said simply.

“I would never harm you, Iris.”

His tone offered no argument and the corner of her own mouth curled up. Anger towards her had typically only meant one thing but she knew, deep in her weary bones, that Eris would never hurt her.

So Iris took a step closer to him and made sure she met his gaze as she replied in a tone that also offered no argument, “I know.” she said. “Your anger wasn’t towards me.”

His nostrils flared at the reminder and Iris almost regretted saying anything but then he took another step closer to her. “No. It wasn’t,” he said and Iris let her gaze drop to his hands that were clenching and unclenching at his sides. “After…events like this, I usually…am alone. To process.”

The words, the resignation in them, made her ache. Iris wondered how many times he’d had to process alone, with no one to share this burden with.

She looked up again and took one more step toward him as she slowly held out her hands. “Well, you’re not alone anymore,” she said quietly and watch as his gaze dropped to her open hands. “I’m here.”

“Yes, you are.” he said so softly and Iris felt her heart twist. It took him a moment and she felt his hesitation, as if afraid to touch her but she waited. She waited as he clenched and then unclenched his hands once more before he slid his hands into hers.

“I’m here to listen if you want to talk about it,” she said as softly as he had spoken. “If not, I’m still here.”

His grip on her hands had tightened and she watched as his breath quickened for a moment, working his jaw. “I will. I have to,” he said hoarsely. “Or I will lose my mind.”

“Okay.” she simply said even as her chest tightened at the slight tremble in his hands. “I can’t have you losing your mind over anything except me, can I now?”

Eris tried to give her a smile but it turned more into a grimace and Iris gave him a small smile of her own, wanting to bring him some sense of ease. She glanced down at their intertwined hands and let her thumb caress the back of his hand gently. “I don’t think I ever actually told you but…” she met his gaze. “I like how your hands feel holding mine. I have since that day I met the puppies for the first time and you told me I have lovely hands.”

She watched the Prince of Autumn shudder at the words and it took him another moment before he could answer her. “Not puppies,” he said and Iris couldn’t help her small smile, especially as he continued in words so quiet, she almost missed them. “I like how your hands feel in mine too.”

“Smart male.” she said and again, the corner of his mouth lifted but this time, it remained curled up, and again, Iris couldn't stop staring at him. He may look a little different with the sloppy cut he had been given but it didn’t change the feeling that was spreading in her chest. She loved it when he smiled, especially if she was the reason. She liked his wicked mouth too much.

Iris made to move towards the table but Eris’s grip tightened on her and she turned to find his expression tense, his body rigid.

“Don’t go.”

“I’m only getting you a drink.” she said gently and Eris swallowed then gave a small nod and squeezed her hands once more before reluctantly letting go. Iris couldn't help the way she softened at the way he watched her, as though she was his tether to his way home.

How many times had he needed someone but had suffered alone? How many times had she been in the same scenario? It made her wonder how often had they shared a moment like this in their separate lives…two sides of the same miserable fucken coin indeed.

The thought exhausted her and with a swallow, Iris pulled away to turn to the table, feeling his eyes on her. As if she’d disappear if he blinked. She opted for the alcohol and filled both teacups to the brim. She may have the power to heal but with wounds that ran as deep as her husband’s…she wasn’t sure if she would be enough.

She carefully handed him his teacup and stood opposite him as they glanced at one another.

They did so much watching one another. So much observing. They exchanged so much without saying a word and Iris wondered if he could hear the way her blood was pumping so loudly in her ears. If he knew she could hear the rapid beating of his heart.

She gestured with her chin. “Drink.”

He glanced down at the cup in his hand and then looked up with a quirked brow. “This isn’t tea.”

“I think we need something a little stronger tonight.” she said gently and Eris gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes before lifting the cup in a mock salute and knocking it back.

Iris switched their cups and handed him hers with a small smile at the dry chuckle that escaped him before he drank it as well. But her expression immediately fell as his body gave a shudder followed by a small grunt of pain and Iris’s grip tightened on her cup.

“I’m sorry.” she whispered and the apology seemed to dim any momentary lightness Eris had experienced.

“For what.” he said dryly.

“For whatever happened. For all of it.” she continued and Iris tried not to fidget beneath his gaze. “For anything that I might’ve had to do with it.”

Eris stared at her in silence, his expression tight, and the only sound in the room was the tapping of his fingers against his cup. What seemed like a lifetime later, he reached out to take the empty teacup from her hands and turned from her to place them back on the table.

He stood like this for several quiet moments and it made Iris tense again, wondering if he needed more time. If she should’ve backed off and let him be alone. Even if that was the last thing she wanted to do. She wanted —

“You know, my father wanted you with me for this little meeting.” Eris finally said and Iris blinked.

“Why?”

Eris turned to face her again and leaned against the table. She didn’t miss the way, a second later, he moved a slight inch to avoid his back making contact.

“You see,” he began and glanced down at his hands. “He found out about my little encounter with your father and didn’t quite like that.” His hands slowly clenched into fists as he spoke. “The High Lord wanted you on your knees apologizing to your father. At your father’s request, of course.”

“What?” she croaked.

“But my father also wanted me to apologize to your father for beating him. Because I did it for you,” he said and then gave her a dry smile. “And well, the High Lord can’t have his son beating people for his wife now, can he? The only person the High Lord’s son should be beating is his own wife.”

Iris’s fingers dug into the folds of her robe as anger and shame washed over her once more. For the audacity of her father and the cruelty of his.

“He doesn’t deserve an apology,” she said through clenched teeth. “He deserves death.”

“I agree.” Eris said and he slowly made his way over to her, the room heating again with each step. “Which is why my father tied me to a flogging pole and whipped me within an inch of my life. Because I told him that my wife apologizes to no one and I certainly do not apologize to anyone either, especially filth.” he snarled softly and straightened with an angry wince. “So do me a favor? Do not apologize for their choices ever again. My wife doesn’t apologize for things she had no hand in.”

Horror slammed into her as she stared at Eris, fully engulfed in his own flame. At the way he had so casually admitted what his father had done.

“He — he whipped you?” she whispered and watched his body tense again, the temperature in the room spiking once more.

“Yes. But before that, I broke both of your father’s legs and his face again.” he said and Iris saw his fists clench again. “So that makes us somewhat even.”

“Eris…” She couldn’t think of anything else to say. How can he ask her not to apologize when she was the reason he was hurt? When it was because of her father that he had been pulled so far away from himself.

And she hated how it fell silent between them again. She hated that he felt this way. That he was made to be feeling this level of anger and despair. As if every word that fell from his mouth took too much effort, too much work.

Iris hadn’t realized how desperately she wanted to make him feel better. To bring back that stupid smirk she pretended to hate so much. She wanted to —

“Don’t look at me like that.” he said so tiredly and it made her ache. With a shake of his head and a deep breath, his flame went out, and he turned away from her, moving towards their bed.

But Iris froze and every single thought emptied from her head.

With his back to her, Eris’s shirt had clung to his skin and tiny beads of blood peppered the white shirt.

He looked over his shoulder, meeting her horrified gaze, and immediately looked away from her, his shoulders tensing as he lowered himself to sit at the edge of the bed.

“Don’t.”

“Eris, you’re bleeding again.”

“I know.” he managed then rubbed a hand down his face. “Just please stop looking at me like that.”

Iris bit the inside of her mouth, outraged on his behalf and hating that he felt embarrassed by any of it. She willed herself to breathe. One breath in, one breath out. They couldn’t catch a break. A small dosage of time where they could just be. Where everything between them didn’t have to get so fucken hard the moment they found a little ease.

“Look at you like what?” she finally said and made her way over to him. She sank down next to him and knew her expression gave away the panic she was trying to control. “Like I’m disgusted with what happened to you? Like I’m horrified that your father hurt you because of me and my piece of shit father?”

She stared at him then waved a hand helplessly. “How else am I supposed to look at my husband who left me in one way then came back another?” she added softly. “How else am I supposed to look when I want to help you so badly but I’m unsure how?”

Iris watched his throat bob as he swallowed. “Careful, wife. You sound like you care about me.” he said and Iris let out a huff of frustration then glared at him.

“I do care, you stupid bastard.” she muttered, flushing deeply and the dead look in his eyes was given a short reprieve when he gave her a small smile.

“That’s good to know.” he said and then fell silent, the weight of this whole day and what was left unsaid suffocating.

And as Iris watched him, she was hit by the need to kiss him. The need to run her hands down his arms and chest and scarred back that she wanted to help him heal and then kiss better. She wanted anything but whatever this heaviness was, anything but that awful expression on his face. Her eyes scanned his slightly ruffled hair and how tired his eyes were and her frown deepened.

Slowly, she reached out a hand to gently touch his face, giving him all the time in the world to push her hand away if he desired. But he didn’t and Iris turned his head so he’d face her and his exhaustion slammed into her.

“What happened was not acceptable.” she whispered. “And for that, I am sorry that it happened to you. Because you don’t deserve it. You didn’t do anything wrong and he had no right to treat you that way.”

Eris scoffed faintly but swallowed before closing his eyes and hesitated for a heartbeat then nuzzled gently into her hand. He hated how desperately he needed the softness of her touch. How badly he wanted to be soothed. She was here and even if he felt like death itself, she was here. “No one deserves what he delivers.” he finally said quietly. “But we still take it.”

“You should not have to.”

“No.” he said and straightened with a grimace, taking her hand in his hand. He let his thumb caress her palm as he added, “None of us should have to.”

“Please let me look at your back,” she whispered but he shook his head, his thumb still rubbing her hand gently. Whether it was to soothe him or to soothe her, she wasn’t sure. "Please. Let me heal it."

A muscle in his jaw flexed and Iris had to remind herself that his anger wasn't at her.

“I can heal it myself,” he replied but not unkindly. “I’m choosing not to at the moment.”

"Why?”

“Pain is good. It keeps the memory fresh.”

Once again, the room heated at the words and Iris’s body went rigid. He was so angry and gods, she knew that anger. She had tasted the humiliation he felt. And she knew without question that beneath that anger was so much sadness. So much exhaustion. So much…yearning. For more. For different.

For love. For some sense of normalcy in a fucked up home that showed them no mercy.

Iris could practically hear his mind whirling and it pulled at her heart because she had started to understand him in a way very few people did. Slowly, she reached out once more and gently forced him to meet her gaze.

“There is no part of you that deserves pain like this, Eris.” she said firmly and hated the way she could see his disbelief, as though it wasn’t true.

Eris’s eyes fluttered closed at the words, a muscle flexing in his jaw. “How do you know that? That I don’t deserve pain? I’ve made bad choices. I’ve had to do bad things.”

She shook her head. “Making bad decisions and being forced to do bad things doesn’t make you a bad person. You’ve had to carry so much…give yourself some room.” she said and then added quietly, “Unburden yourself with me. Let me help you.”

Eris met her gaze and she watched the internal struggle in his eyes as he worked his jaw. Finally, he said, “There’s too much. It’s a lot.”

“I know. You were ready to tell me earlier. So tell me now.” she encouraged calmly. “You told me you wanted to know the side of me I didn’t like anyone seeing. That you wanted to see.” She squeezed his hand. “Well, I want to know too. I want to see.”

Eris seemed to pause and then his gaze hardened as he straightened. “Iris,” he began and her brows furrowed at the urgency in his tone. “You have to understand whatever I tell you, it has been kept a secret in order for us to survive. I do not trust anyone as much as I’m allowing myself to trust you. Don’t — don’t make me regret it.”

She tilted her head and watched him for a quiet minute. “Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?”

“No.” he said and swallowed. “But when you’ve been living in a pit of snakes for so long, you’re never sure which one will bite. Things have changed between us but…I have this doubt in the back of my mind that you’ll take anything I say and give it to the highest bidder to get out of this marriage and run.” He paused for a moment and licked his lips. “I wouldn’t blame you.”

She watched him quietly again and it made her chest tighten that even after things had shifted between them, this still worried him. So Iris swallowed and decided to be honest as well.

“And despite the changes between us…I still fear that someday you’ll realize you could beat the living shit out of me every single day and no matter how much I can defend myself, you’ll still overpower me.” she replied. “But I have not seen anything from you that would truly have me succumb to that doubt. Have you seen anything from me to feed into those doubts?”

He paused but Iris didn’t fail to notice how his thumb was back to caressing her hand softly, almost as a way to calm himself down.

“No.” he said after a moment. “You’re my wife and my friend and my — you’re many things. I — I trust you.”

“Good. Because I trust you too.” she whispered. “I’ve trusted you not to hurt me and you haven’t.”

He shook his head and held up her hand in his. “It is my job to protect you. These fists will fight for you.”

Iris couldn’t help the small smile that bloomed on her face or the way her heart swelled at the words. “And I am grateful for that.” she said. “But then who protects you?”

His mouth curled into a tired smile and he sighed. “Apparently, it’s my wife with her healer's hands.”

Iris gave him a pointed look then gestured to his shirt with her chin. “Then let these hands help you.”

Eris tensed and his grip tightened on his wife’s hands. He wasn’t used to anyone being near him whenever this happened. Wasn’t used to anyone seeing any of his scars, much less fresh ones.

But this was Iris. His wife. His mate. And he wanted her hands to touch him. To fit all of his pain in the palm of her lovely hands and wipe it away.

Eris didn’t let himself overthink it as he finally released her hand from his and only hesitated for a moment before he pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it to the ground. He knew Iris hadn’t meant to make a noise but the sharp intake of breath that slipped from her mouth had him digging his hands into his thighs, tensing even further. He would not overthink it. His shirt was already off and she’d seen his scars before…even if his back had never looked this bad.

“Quite a masterpiece my father made, didn't he?” he mused quietly then dared to glance over his shoulder to find Iris’s face flushed in anger, her eyes locked on his back.

The High Lord had avoided his face, of course. He only left bruises where others couldn’t see and had certainly not held back. He knew the scars would line his back, the back of his upper arms, and his neck. He didn’t want to think about his hair and how his father had deliberately kept it down so it would stick in his wounds and make the sting worse.

“Do you think, if I didn’t want your wife here, she wouldn’t be?” his father had whispered to him after the first crack of the whip. “Do you think I couldn’t have her in your position right now if I didn’t want to?”

Eris’s blood had boiled at the mere thought of Iris being subjected to any of this but he kept his mouth shut. He had endured.

“You’ve gotten too bold, son. You’ve forgotten yourself.”

He had indeed. Eris had forgotten how his father liked to play. But Beron had reminded him over and over again exactly what happens to those who cross the High Lord. Eris had forced his body to shut down and closed off his mind until his father was finished. The only thoughts he allowed himself were of Iris waiting for him.

“I look forward to the day his blood fills these halls.” she muttered. “He deserves nothing but a brutal and painful death.”

The corner of Eris’s mouth curled up. “Bloodthirsty, are you?”

“I am your wife.” she said with a pointed look and a small chuckle escaped him despite how wretched he felt.

Yes, she was. His lovely little wife.

“Tell me, how pretty do you think your lovely little Iris would look bleeding all over the throne room floor?” his father had whispered.

His magic had recoiled violently at his father’s threats. Eris had nearly choked on the taste of ash in his mouth.

“I could make you watch. Or…have you be the one to make her bleed. What do you think, son?”

“Eris?”

He blinked himself back into reality to find his fists had burst into flame again and Iris watched him patiently. Eris hadn’t even seen or heard her bring a small bowl with a towel and salves, resting them on the nightstand beside them. He cleared his throat and flexed his hands to calm down. “Hm?”

“I need to start cleaning the wounds and wanted to make sure it’s still alright for me to touch you.” she asked and Eris felt himself nearly break at the question.

He forced himself to take a steadying breath and hoped she didn’t see the slight tremble in his hands when he rubbed his forehead. “Yes.” he said. “It’s always alright for you to touch me.”

She gently squeezed his arm at the words and he tried to hold back the shudder. He wasn’t used to anyone taking care of him. He could heal himself just fine but his wife wanted to help him. His mate wanting to touch him made a world of a difference and Eris knew the thread that he was holding on to was on its last legs. He had to get everything off his chest, all the burdens he carried.

Iris guided him to sit at the corner of the bed and turn his back to her, working in silence at first and Eris forced himself to relax as she gently dipped his head forward and began cleaning with a soft cloth. This was not his father putting his hands on him, it was his Iris. Her lovely, lovely hands soothed the broken pieces of him. She touched him with featherlike movements and the way his body was reacting to the softness of her hands alarmed him.

This was pathetic. He was pathetic.

“Does this…has this happened often?” Iris asked into the silence of their room. “I know you have older scars.”

The cloth slid against the nape of his neck and Eris breathed in deeply through his nose, digging his fingers into his thighs. He knew without looking at his wife, that Iris had picked up on it and her touch had gotten even gentler. “You remember when I told you earlier about the High Lord and his ways?” He began tightly and Iris hummed in response. “He leads with fear and a very heavy hand. And I use the term leads very loosely.”

Eris forced himself to swallow as Iris began to pat his back dry and continued.

“He changed Under the Mountain. He was always rough around the edges but…that time awakened a side of my father that he has not returned from. We all did what we had to do to survive those fifty years but he…he became more vicious.” he said quietly. “Prior to that, he lashed out a lot and his fists spoke before his mouth ever did but it wasn’t consistent. You weren’t sure what would trigger him. The flogging is saved for special occasions, when we really piss him off.” Eris couldn’t look at her as he added, “The first time he used it was on my mother. He made my brothers and I all watch.”

Iris froze behind him, hand in midair as revulsion coursed through her.

“It was after Lucien was born.” Eris said, his voice carefully void of emotion. “We were all locked in place by his magic and had to watch her bleed. We had to listen to her scream and could do nothing. None of us were really the same after that, especially my mother.”

“Why?” Iris managed to choke out and Eris looked over his shoulder at his wife.

“Monsters don’t need reasons but…” he turned away again and with his voice barely above a whisper said, “My mother had an affair and my father found out. Lucien…is not my father’s son.”

Iris blinked rapidly. “W-what?”

“My mother met a male that she fell in love with before she met my father but her family decided power was more important than their daughter’s happiness and married her off to my father anyway,” he said, his voice dull as he glanced at his wife again before his gaze dropped to his hands. “Their relationship was…a checkbox that was fulfilled. And things were fine. Until they weren’t.”

Iris forced herself to move, to place the cloth down on the nightstand and pick up the salves instead. “What happened?” she asked as she sat behind him once more.

Eris tensed as she began to apply the ointment, forcing himself to breathe through his nose again and calm his thoughts. “The male she loved saved her during the first war and they reconnected.” he continued. “Then the affair began on and off for years. Until my father found out after Lucien was born and nothing about her was the same afterward.”

Iris bit her lip, trying to hold back the nausea she was feeling as tension lined Eris’s back again, his shoulders stiff. “My mother was so full of light and love. A firecracker with magic that almost rivaled my father’s. She was…happy until that day.” Eris said and dread filled Iris’s chest when Eris pulled away to meet her gaze. “After he was done spilling her blood in the throne room that day, he took her away and they were gone for days. We did not know where they went or what he did to her then but when they came back, no fire was left in the Lady of Autumn. Nothing of who my mother had been was left.”

Iris’s heart was nearly beating out of her chest as the room heated once more. She watched Eris’s knuckles turn white from how hard he was clenching them. “Later on, after my mother remembered how to speak and to look at me without flinching,” he growled softly and Iris’s heart shattered further. “She told me everything. About her affair. About what happened. That he had used her fire against her. That he beat her and hurt her, and burned her so badly, he made her fear the fire that made her who she was. She is terrified of it because of how badly he made it hurt.” He let out a breath full of rage. “Since then he has never stopped belittling her and breaking her down. Hasn’t stopped doing everything he can to make her small and weak and prey.”

“And I hate him.” he snarled darkly and Iris felt the bed heat below her as she looked over at Eris, his eyes ablaze. “I hate him with every atom in my body. I loathe him and loathe the life he has forced us to live. I cannot stand the sight of him or the sound of his voice or feeling his eyes on me. I hate that he even breathes the same air as my mother. I hate that he uses my mother against my brothers and me.” Iris watched his shoulders rise and fall as he took shallow breaths. “But most of all, I hate that he’s still alive when his final breathes are a symphony I have been waiting to hear for years.”

Iris blinked and in the next moment, their whole chamber was in flames.

She gasped, her hands dropping to her lap as fire covered every inch of their room. She looked to Eris who had his eyes closed, his head tilted as frustration dripped from every inch of him. Her eyes turned to scan the room, feeling the heat and smelling the smoke. Though none of the flames touched her body, Eris was completely aflame.

“We survived fifty years of darkness beneath that fucken mountain for the nightmare to continue within this forest. He is a plague and the dream of his death is the only thing that keeps me going.”

Silence fell between them as Iris watched his fire burn throughout the room. She wondered what would happen if he did let it melt everything away. What would happen when he eventually unleashed?

“Does he know?” Iris finally asked. “That you have all this inside you?”

“He knows. Everyone knows. I will be the next High Lord.” Eris said quietly. “My power has been brewing for years and everyone can sense it. I have all this rage and all this fire but I’ve had to hold back.” He ran his tongue over his teeth. “His death has always been marked for my mother and until she is ready to get out, we cannot make a move. We endure and play my father’s games…but every now and then, I need to let it out.”

And with those words, the flames flickered out in the room. Iris’s eyes surveyed everything and found...nothing was damaged. Nothing ruined — only a lingering smell of smoke.

Turning back to him, Iris found him staring at her, smoke coming off him in waves at what remained of his rage. He blinked at her, his expression blank as his exhaustion stared back at her.

“Did I frighten you?” he asked quietly as she watched him. “I’ve shown you quite a bit of my dark side lately.”

But Iris was not frightened. Not in the least. She felt — she felt seen.

She shook her head and stood carefully, returning the healing ointments to the small table beside them. How did she explain to him that there was nothing frightening about what he said? That all she felt was understood?

Finding her way back next to him, Iris sat with little space between them and color bloomed on her face when Eris’s eyes dipped to the inch between their bodies. She let her hand slide up and gently, with a tenderness she knew they both needed, let her finger delicately trace his face.

“I’m not afraid,” she said and then let her finger continue to slide up, gently musing the hair she knew he would later mourn. “I am only enraged for you.”

A heartbeat passed then Eris shuddered beneath her touch, a sigh of relief fluttering through the whole room and Iris couldn’t help the urge to lean in and kiss him. She did so tenderly, a caress of a kiss that Eris sighed into.

He couldn’t bring himself to touch her yet, to wrap arms around her when he was still so furious He allowed himself to trace the material of her robe beneath his fingers instead.

“I told you there was so much to tell you.” Eris said quietly and Iris pulled her hand away to rest in his empty one, the corner of her mouth curling up.

“And I told you I want to know.” she replied. “So tell me.”

Though exhaustion had melted his bones, Eris knew he needed to keep talking. He needed to get this all off his chest. And then he hoped he’d get to spend the rest of the night kissing her.

Eris forced himself to breathe deeply and slowly rolled his shoulders back, the tightness of his skin as it healed fueling his anger. “My brothers and I excel in pretending to hate each other and pretending we want to kill each other.” Eris glanced at Iris. “We each control a territory and let my father believe what he sees about where our loyalty lies but do what we can to keep our lives moving. The two brothers who tried to kill Lucien after Jesminda were the two that were most like my father. The rest of us were not sorry to see them go.”

Iris watched him curiously. “Your brothers…they are not as terrible as I’m supposed to believe, are they?”

“I personally think they’re all piles of shit but no, they’re not.” Eris said and the corner of his mouth ticked up at Iris’s expression. “We’re not close but we have an understanding. They’re …trying to survive.”

Iris nodded slowly, her eyes falling to her hands in his and the way his thumb was still caressing her palms. “Do your brothers know about Lucien?”

Eris pursed his lips before answering. “My mother…preferred for everyone’s sake, they stay in the dark about it for as long as possible but they needed to know. We had to be on the same page for her sake. So with her permission, I told them. But the only people in this court who know Lucien is not a Vanserra aside from my parents are my three brothers.” he said and met her gaze. “And now you.”

Iris nodded slowly, a strange sense of pride filling her chest that Eris was sharing with her. That he trusted her when he trusted very few. She felt that strange tug in her ribcage once more.

“Things are never truly what they seem with you Vanserra clan, is it?” she said with a small huff of laughter and Eris couldn’t help but scoff.

“Nothing is ever what it seems,” he said. “Except my father. He’s always been a piece of shit.”

Iris chuckled and she couldn’t quite place the emotions she felt as she watched him. She saw the exhaustion, the heavyweight suffocating him. She hadn’t forgotten when he told her how often he mediated between his parents. How many times he’d had to do it for others as well? How often had he been the one to catch the brunt of his father’s wrath?

Eris shifted next to her and it made her focus on him once more, his expression tight and she braced herself for whatever he would say next.

“Lucien’s father is also why he and Elain live in the Day Court.” Eris said slowly. “Courtesy of the High Lord.”

Iris blinked rapidly. “Oh.”

Eris nodded and waited for a heartbeat as it clicked for Iris.

“Helion?” Iris’s shocked whisper had the corner of Eris’s mouth curl up before it fell once more.

“The High Lord of the Day Court is my brother’s father, yes.” Eris began then swallowed hard before continuing, “He is also…my mother’s mate.”

Iris’s shocked silence filled the room. “Oh gods.”

Everything suddenly made so much sense to Iris. The High Lord’s contempt towards Lady Enya. His reaction whenever Lucien was brought up.

“Oh gods.” she said again and Eris’s mouth went into a thin line. “How did your father find out?”

“When Lucien was born…no one thought anything of it. He looked like any other baby.” Eris said quietly. “Until one day…he started to glow whenever he laughed. Or whenever he was fussy. It didn’t take my father long to figure it out after that. Everything went downhill from there.” He looked down at their hands. “My mother…she only ever stayed for her sons. So we wouldn’t be left completely at his mercy growing up. And my father knew this. He spared no chance in breaking us all down for her choice.”

“That’s why your father did what he did to Lucien.” Iris said and Eris nodded solemnly.

“Once he knew Lucien wasn’t his, it wasn’t hard for him to differentiate his treatment. He hated looking at him. Hated speaking to him. My father couldn’t outright disown him because it would bring questions and you want the High Lord to admit his wife had an affair? And birthed a son from another High Lord? He would never.” Eris said, scowling. “He knew he could treat my mother the way he does because she broke it off with Helion. For us. For Helion. So there wouldn’t be some kind of crisis between the two courts. She’s been suffering so others won’t.”

Eris swallowed then looked at Iris. “They’re mates.” he whispered. “And he let her go because she chose us. She chose her children. But she always wanted him and he always wanted her.” Eris’s eyes fell down to their joined hands, his shoulders dropping. “He has never stopped loving her. Helion may pretend he hasn’t been waiting for her all these years with his dalliances and carefree attitude but he will always wait for her. Even when he doesn't want to.”

Iris’s heart broke for Lady Enya and for the High Lord she didn’t know. It broke for the son who knew everything and had to watch his mother fade away and his father become a monster.

“That must’ve been so hard for your mother.” she said quietly. “After all these years…” Iris shook her head. “When did Lucien find out? And Helion?”

“A few years ago.” Eris continued with a sigh. “After the war, something…something in my mother changed. Maybe it was the war or maybe her capacity of dealing with my father had finally reached its limits or maybe she realized her sons had only suffered watching her suffer and she was done waiting but…” He shook his head. “I saw a small spark of who she was return and she decided she wanted Lucien to know.”

Iris scrunched up her nose then shook her head.“I’m sure that went well.”

“Considering I had to be the one to tell him because he wouldn’t set foot here? It went great.” Eris said with a snort so like his usual self that Iris couldn't help the small smile. “My mother wrote him a letter. And I had to watch Lucien have a fucken meltdown once he read it.”

Iris shook her head again. “You can’t blame him, Eris. He endured all that he did with a piece of shit that wasn’t even his father.” she said and squeezed Eris’s hand. “Who knows what kind of life he would’ve had if he had known about Helion sooner. I’m sure it was hard for you both.”

“It wasn’t as hard as the time I had to be the one to tell Helion.”

Iris’s brows went up but she held off on saying a word as Eris’s shoulder tensed again. He had been sharing with her so easily, so openly, she didn’t want to say anything to have him shut down.

“What happened?” she asked quietly and Eris sighed.

“I told you how my mother started to…come back to us.” Eris said and Iris nodded. “Well. Lucien wasn’t the only one she wrote a letter to.”

Eris shifted, running a hand through his hair while his other hand stayed wrapped in hers. “I didn’t read it, of course, but I know she told him. And I know she told Lucien that she’d let Helion know but it was up to the two of them to connect if they wanted to,” he said quietly. “She hoped they would but didn’t want to push it. She felt awful enough to have hidden it all these years and then to not be able to tell them herself…” Eris fell silent with a grimace. His mother’s face had rarely been dry from how often she cried those days.

“How did Helion take it?” Iris asked softly.

“I have never seen someone breakdown the way the High Lord of Day did that day.” Eris shook his head again with a frown. “I think he was already at a breaking point and that was a final straw. It was messy. For Lucien. For Helion. For my mother.” he said. “There was a lot of resentment. A lot of anger. A lot of hurt. Especially because my mother can’t speak to either of them in person…she dropped this tragic surprise on them and essentially put them in a position to deal with it without her.” Eris waved a hand. “Even if it’s not by choice, it…was hard for everyone.”

“Including you, I’m sure,” she said and squeezed his hand again. “Being the in-between.”

“I was more worried my father would find out again. What would he do to her this time if he found out she’d reached out to the one male she never stopped loving?” he said quietly then shrugged with a deep sigh. “But they have a code. She writes him letters and he replies.”

Iris felt emotion swell in her at the Lady of Autumn and the love she never stopped holding on to. “The letters she writes to Lucien include a letter for Helion, don’t they?”

Eris let out a harsh laugh. “It’s reckless after all these years but...I see her face every time she hands me a letter and whenever he sends one back. I’ve watched her wait and suffer for all these years so she could find her way back to herself. And Helion…” His expression was tight as he continued. “He would worship the ground she walks on. He would give her everything that she’s ever wanted and a life that she deserves but we have had to watch her stay here because of us. We had to watch her die little by little each year and could do nothing.” His voice broke at the final word and Eris forced himself to swallow before continuing. “He is a better male than I could ever be. Because if my mate was suffering the way my mother has, I wouldn’t have left a person alive. I would’ve razed the whole fucken continent. I don’t know how he did it. How he still does it after they’ve reconnected.”

It took a moment for Eris to be able to continue. He sighed. “Helion has always been respectful of her choice. Even when he resented it. Even when he hated it.” he said. “Their bond…I don’t think it was ever really rejected because deep down, neither of them wanted that. I think it’s just been strained all these years.”

“And now here they are…” Iris mused quietly, her mind drifting to the conversation she had with Elain earlier. “A mating bond so strong even years apart couldn’t diminish how right it is. It’s a beautiful thing for those lucky enough to find it.”

Eris tensed at her words, his heart skipping a beat. Would she still feel this way about him when he told her? Would she consider herself lucky knowing the kind of shit he had to deal with? He rubbed a trembling hand over his face and continued.

“My mother is ready to leave. I’m just waiting on when,” he murmured. “I’ve been helping her reconnect with her magic and it’s making her stronger, but it’s been hard when she’s so fucken terrified of it.” Iris squeezed his hand and he offered her a thin smile. “She’s been always scared to leave us but my brothers and I can handle the fallout now. We couldn’t before but we will now. We want her to get the fuck out of here. We’ve had enough and she’s most definitely had enough.”

“And you’re all…fine with her going to the Day Court?” Iris asked quietly.

“Yes. A part of me will always resent Helion the way I sometimes resent my mother for all these years of having to deal with this. Even if the fault ultimately always lies with my father.” Eris said tightly. “This could end very badly but once Helion claims her publicly as his mate, my father will have to let her go.”

“Will he, though?” Iris asked, unease creeping in her chest. “What if he invokes the Blood Duel?”

Iris felt the shift in his mood at her question and watched him carefully as he slid his hand from hers and stood. His shoulders tensed even further and all at once, Iris felt the room heat up once more and her stomach dropped as he ran both hands through his hair, his breathing turning shallow again.

“He won’t have a fucken choice. A mating bond trumps everything else.” he growled softly. “But if Beron invokes the blood duel, I can promise that it will only end in agony for him. I will do everything I can to ensure it, even if means handing Helion the spear to plant in his chest myself. I will do anything. Anything to have him gone and be rid of this misery. I just need him gone without trying to take my mother with him.”

“You said your mother wants the killing blow.” Iris said carefully and she saw his fists clench. “Will that…be possible?”

“She will be ready for it regardless, but we will have to see how the events unfold.” he said in a strained voice. “Helion has enough pent-up rage in him towards my father that I wouldn’t be surprised if he killed him with one well-aimed blow.”

Iris opened her mouth but Eris resumed pacing with another shake of his head and continued.

“Elain’s visions keep telling me that pieces are moving and all we can do is be prepared for whatever is coming next,” he said. “The problem is there are too many things out of my control. There are too many pieces on the fucken chess board and I am — I am going to lose my fucken mind if things keep piling up.”

Iris watched as he took another breath and fisted then flexed his hands. “You don’t have to handle all this alone.” she said and stood, watching the grimace he made at her words. “You can’t stay like this when you have people willing to help you.”

“The more people that help me, the more people get hurt.” Eris snapped and Iris frowned at his tone as he kept pacing. “I can’t — I can’t keep letting that happen.”

“Eris,” she chided gently. “You can’t stop —”

But Eris let out a snarl and Iris blinked to find him aflame once more.

“Don’t.” he said. “I can’t stop because the next person that he’ll hurt if I let one thing slip is you and that will bring hell upon us all.” His snarl shook the room and Iris felt herself tense. “Because if my father touches you. If he so much as looks at you wrong, I will kill him and probably get killed in the process and then everything we’ve been enduring for years will go up in flames from my stupidity.”

Iris’s face flushed. The anger and shame she had felt earlier had found its way again and the feeling seeped down her body as he stood across from her. “I’m not asking you to kill your father for me, Eris. I’m asking you to ease some of the things you’re carrying so you don’t keep doing this to yourself.” she snapped. “You’re lashing out at me right now while all I’m trying to do is understand what happened with you and find a way to help.”

Eris was breathing hard once more and she braced herself as he walked over to her, his body burning. His hand curled around the nape of her neck and he pulled her flush against him. “I know you’re trying to understand and I’m trying to help you understand how fucked up this all is and how much I have hated every single thing about myself and my life for the longest time. That I have always been a thing my father uses to punish everyone for everything because I can’t stomach him doing it to anyone else.” He took a breath as Iris placed a hand gently on his chest, blinking rapidly. “The only reason my father isn’t dead yet is because I need to make sure it’s a fight I can win. Because if I die, then everyone else is left dealing with him. My mother. My brothers. You.”

His grip tightened on her as he continued, his tone almost frantic. “I’m telling you all these things so you understand that I am fucked terrified of what comes next because things have changed for me and the stakes are even higher and now I am a thing that has someone to leave behind. Someone who will be brutally hurt just because you’re linked to me in a way no one else will ever be.” he said as his wild eyes locked on her wide ones. “I have laid down everything at your feet. All of my armor. Everything that I am and you want to know why? You asked me what changed earlier. What happened to me.”

“Eris, you need to breathe,” she said even as her heart rate went wild, a hand clenching his arm. “I want you to tell me but I need you to breathe.”

But Eris shook his head and before Iris could open her mouth to say anything else, his expression fell and the grip on the back of her neck tightened once more. “You.” his whisper broken and his eyes watched her wildly, wrapping her in his arm as his flame licked every inch of her. He held her to him tightly, as if afraid she would disappear and slip through his trembling fingers. “You. You. Tell me you see it. Tell me you fucken feel it.”

Iris stared at him. She stared and stared and stared and that feeling, that tug she had felt in her ribcage earlier, seemed to intensify. What he was saying — what he was insinuating. It had crossed her mind only briefly, for one hopeful moment earlier, and yet — here he was, saying — he was saying —

Something had been different since that kiss. Something had been different about him since the moment she met him.

“I — I felt you.” Iris found herself saying then swallowed. “When you were gone and took long. I don’t know how else to describe it but…I felt you.”

“You did?” he asked, nodding. “And what did it feel like?”

“A tug.” she said slowly. “Right in my ribcage. I feel it right now.”

Eris laughed a hollow laugh as he watched her beautiful face, her expression shifting as her mind processed what he was saying.

And Iris blinked. “I kissed you.”

“You did.”

“And everything — it felt so right.”

“You said things were always intense between us.” he said quickly. “That we couldn’t fight the pull we felt towards each other despite the way our relationship started.”

“Yes.”

“You kissed me.” he said almost desperately. “And every single thing in my life suddenly made sense. Every part of me made of stone suddenly became covered in you. Like ivy, wrapping its way around me whether I liked it or not. It was something I had never thought would be mine or something I deserved and yet somehow, this is happening. This is real.”

Iris felt her body start to tremble at his words, the feeling inside her chest unfurling as every moment they had shared together flashed through her mind. Nothing about their relationship had made sense and yet, the two of them seemed to have been destined to find each other. Everything about them, Eris and Iris, fit together like puzzle pieces they hadn’t known were missing. She hadn’t been able to stop him from planting roots within every part of her mind and body, long before she realized what was happening — even when she had wanted nothing to do with him.

He had always been hers and she, his.

Iris stared into his eyes, watching the hope mingle with the desperation he felt, and her hands slacked at her sides. She had spent her life adrift. Alone. She had spent her life barely mattering to anyone at all. Forgotten. And now, in a twist of fate, Iris had found something she hadn’t realized she was even worthy of.

Eris Vanserra had appeared in her life and what she had assumed would be a walk to the gallows, a nightmare like the one he had just returned from, was anything but. He was anything but.

He was her beginning, her middle, and would be her forever.

They had both been lost only to be found within one another, the red string of fate guiding their path.

“This is real.” she finally said and Eris nodded, his gaze never leaving hers.

“This is fucken real.” he said hoarsely. “This is very fucken real.”

Every glance. Every touch. Every moment that had angered her and made her laugh. Every moment that had made her feel. It had all been leading her here.

It had been leading her home.

Iris took a sharp breath and finally whispered the words, “You’re — you’re my mate.”

#eris vanserra #eris vanserra x oc #eris vanserra fanfic #eris x iris #smtb #I hope you enjoy this and like my spin on plot things lol #forgive me for the wait #this year has not been the writing year for me.#I hope the tags work!

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positivewitch · 1 year ago

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@erisweek2023 Day 6 - Arranged marriage | Modern Au

Spirit Meets the Bones

by talented brilliant @lucienarcheron

#eris vanserra #erisweek2023 #eris week 2023 #eris vanserra week #eris week day6 #smtb #eriris #eiris #eris x iris #gigi <333 love ya #acotar #ella edit✨#my edit acotar

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runningwiththeoceans · 1 year ago

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THE BLOG WITH MY FAVORITE FIC IS GONE WHAT DO I DO

update: lmao i found her! all is well :)

#HELP #moononastring #eris x iris #The spirit meets the bones #SMTB #eris vanserra #acotar #acowar #acomaf #acosf #eris x oc

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artethyst · 9 months ago

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~ Leaves In A Sky Full Of Stars ~

Eris Vanserra x Rhysand’s Sister! OC/Reader

Little Silas Vanserra had Eris vowing to never have anymore children.

He thanked the Mother that his daughter was a little angel- still at the age where she wanted to be carried everywhere, snuggled peacefully in an adult’s arms.

Her pale hair and violet ringed autumnal eyes reminding him so much of the woman he loved.

Her older brother was the complete opposite.

He wondered if this was his punishment, a cruel joke played upon him by the Gods for having such a carefree life since his father died and reminding him that he needed to keep his faltered guard up.

And that’s how he felt in the early hours of the morning, with little hands patting at his face and excited little feet hopping on the oak floors of his bedroom.

Tired.

He cracked one amber eye open- unceremoniously meeting a matching golden flecked iris, one full of wonder and guiltlessness, as he supposed his own once were.

He closed it as quickly as it had opened, letting a wry smirk take over his ostensibly lazed features.

“Daddyyyy I know you’re awake-“ the little boy began incredulously before shrieking in glee as Eris swooped him onto his chest with ease, tickling his son mercilessly as his Mate softly slept beside him.

After the boy had relented, his rounded cheek flushed with the childish mirth of giggles, Eris couldn’t help but chuckle to himself at the boy’s wild red locks.

As expected the boy’s mother was still soundly asleep, Eris had always been a light sleeper, in fact having his Mate beside him and children down the hall only worsened the fact, even though his father was no longer a threat- to him or his loved ones, simply having them in such a place always had him on high alert.

Even though he had done his very best to rid the Autumn Court of longtime Advisors, the types of men that would love nothing more than to see the Night Court Princess with a Fae bane arrow through her much too large heart, he knew there was no good in him-undeserved of him in ever feeling content.

It had the opposite effect on his wife, who admittedly had never slept better than when she was in the comforting arms of her husband- the natural warmth emanating from him lulling her into such ecstasy she wished she never had to be cruelly ripped away from by the chill of the Autumn morning.

She had never really slept well in the Night Court, the pain of living there without her mother sister always too much to bear.

Eris was her new home.

Since having children- her body still not quite having recovered from their second and Eris insisting she get as much rest at she could, even the joyous squeals of her firstborn still wouldn’t- couldn’t make her budge.

“Daddy Uncle Lulu said you p-pwomised-“

“Promised,”

“Promised to show me m-my fire againnn!”

The boy was practically trembling with excitement, his father’s hands coming to steady him as his little body wriggled with joy, perched on his father’s raised knees who raised a slim digit to his smaller lips, reminding him to remain quiet as possible.

Not that it would have made a difference to the blissfully knocked out woman beside them.

“Did he now?” Eris withered, the thought of his brother- knowing just how much he treasured the few late mornings a High Lord might have, had told his son- who’s adorable little face noone could deny, that those small, valuable hours were reserved for “magic time”.

It took only a brief moment, a fleeting fall of Silas’ dimpled grin- his mother’s grin, to have the High Lord swinging his legs from the refuge of his silken sheets, his boy held firmly in his strong hands.

“Then I think it is best we get dressed appropriately, what do you say Little Flame?”

The boy simply cheered in response and Eris couldn’t help the grin on his own face at the feel of chubby hands around his neck in a makeshift embrace, carrying him down the hall as his son rattled on in half nonsensical toddler speak about how he was going to ‘beat his Uncle Lulu in a duel’.

The Maids cooed as the little Prince raced down the hall in his teeny tiny Autumnal uniform- gifted to him by his Aunty Elain who thought they were the cutest thing ever.

The boy stopped when he reached the top of the grand staircase, skidding to a halt with a nervous expression on his little face.

The same staircase his Mummy always carried him down, the same staircase he had been told to scoot down on his bottom in case he tripped, the same staircase she had been slowly helping him descend himself (holding his hand tightly and giving up halfway as he took nearly a whole minute per ten steps)

Eris watched him amusedly- a miserable jutted lip and a coy flush on his baby cheeks.

“Umm Daddy, M-Mummy said I am not s’pose to go down m-myself in case of ouchies…”

That was not what she had said.

“I thought you were a big boy now, hmm?” Eris teased as his son pouted, just as his mother would have.

“I-I am…” Silas’ point was refuted with the small grabby motions his little arms made to his father who looked down at him with a smirk.

“Do big boys get carried down the stairs?”

“Ummm…Yes?” The boy widened his glimmering autumnal eyes, “pleasies?”

And so with a roll of his eyes, all in good humour, Eris fastened his excitable son against his chest as they began to exit the grand estate, heading into the vast, luscious gardens where they would begin their training.

Lucien could only laugh when found his brother- sincere and unbridled joy dancing in his otherwise piercing gaze, watching his son chase after the little flames he made for him.

“Uncle Lulu!” The boy squealed, barrelling into the male who swung him atop his shoulders with ease.

“I’d be careful if I were you,” Eris warned, “he has quickly figured out how to control his magic, you might end up with that treasured hair of your singed at the root.”

Silas nodded furiously, his little feet hitting the floor as he flexed his small palm as proof, and to his pure wonder, delicate embers- faint as they were, twinkled at his will.

“Look Daddy! I did it! I did it!” Eris couldn’t help but chuckle softly as his son danced with not only with the little flicker he had mustered with his father’s help, but larger wistful wisps that flowed around him with delicate care.

Eris couldn’t help but feel his heart constrict, wishing nothing more than to give his children the childhood he had wanted- deserved.

He took one look at his son and wondered how anyone could ever hurt him, let alone do it himself.

He wondered what he had done to make his own father hate him so, vowing to never once make his own offspring feel even a fraction of the way he had.

For what seemed like hours Lucien and Eris entertained the little boy, sometimes engaging in a silent battle between one another who could impress the young heir the most.

Lucien eventually was called away and Eris wondered if his years were finally catching up to him, small burn marks littering his clothes from his son’s inexperienced hands and an ache in his legs from chasing after him.

After Silas’ giggles had dissipated along with his energy, Eris suggested they head back, the boy agreed sleepily, the thrum of magic still alive in his little body as Eris made a mental note to keep an eye on his budding powers.

“T-Thank you for giving me my fire,” Silas mumbled, stumbling over to his father “love you Daddy…”And as a pair of all too familiar amber eyes met the High Lord’s blurring own, he bent down and received his greatest gift in his trembling arms.

A reminder he would never be the man who had damned him, a reminder that he was a good man- a good man that was loved.

#fanfic #eris vandaddy #eris vanserra x oc #eris acotar #eris vanserra x reader #eris x oc #eris vanserra #eris x reader #acotar x oc #acotar x reader #acotar fanfiction #acotar fic #acotar

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daycourtofficial · 3 months ago

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The uncertainty of Spring

Pairing: Eris x OC | WC: 1.7k | Warnings: Eris is a bit bitchy

Summary: a son of Autumn makes a deal with the daughter of Spring in hopes for a watchful eye over Lucien

Author’s note: happy Eris week @erisweekofficial 🥳🥳 this is for the ‘bargains’ prompt of day one. Wanted to try something a bit different and use an OC for the first time.

The stars shown above Iris, the air unseasonably warm around her. She held the piece of wood in her hand as she scraped her knife against the bark, letting the shavings fall at her feet.

Iris’s eyes scanned the area every few minutes, searching the darkness for signs of life, returning to her whittling when her eyes came up empty.

“Is that not blasphemy? A child of spring hurting a precious plant?”

Iris couldn’t control the scowl she sent in the direction of the voice, the sound grating on her nerves. She searched the woods for signs of him, not seeing him anywhere in the moonlight.

“What do you want, Eris? If you linger too long surely Tamlin will catch your scent on the wind and come to dispose of you like he did with Asher.”

He waved a hand as if the thought of his brother’s death was nothing more than the wrong shade of fabric, the action the only way she could make out where he was. “Any fate my brothers find themselves beholden to is none of my concern.”

She arched a brow, her movements against the wood halting. “And does that attitude extend to baby Lucien?”

Eris looked at her, a darkness to his gaze she had never seen before. He straightened his jacket, the brown coloring much less ornate than the greens and reds she was accustomed to seeing him in, but the neutral color suited him quite well.

He truly resembled an oak tree in the middle of losing its leaves.

Iris smiled, “so this is about Lucien.”

He breathed deeply, a slow exhale from his nose. “And if it were?”

“I would consider listening.”

He stepped closer to her, and she could feel the heat radiating from his body from several feet away. His eyes raked over her, taking in her appearance. ‘The seed of Spring’ they had called her, long blonde waves trailing down to her hips, flowers entwined with small intermittent brands. A long, pale green dress reached to mid-calf, allowing brown boats slightly caked in mud to be seen.

Her green eyes glowed unnaturally in the moonlight, resembling the way morning dew clings to grass and gives it a glassy appearance.

“I can’t linger here long. I do not have time to repeat myself.”

Iris nodded, Eris’s cryptic way of speaking leaving her uneasy.

She had known Eris for a long time, running into him mostly at High Lord meetings, or whenever the families of their respective courts would visit each other. Centuries of knowing him in the peripheral and she hardly knew anything about him. No one had a read on him or knew anything about him.

The juiciest piece of information was his failed engagement to Morrigan, Night Court nobility who slept with a lesser fae during her engagement, either in a bid to end it or because she couldn’t help herself, no one knew.

Rumor was neither her father nor Beron responded well to her actions. Rumors swirled of the failed engagement’s end - Morrigan was shipped to the continent until the war when she would be useful, Eris stabbed her out of jealousy,

Most rumors held some version of truth to them, but any and all gossip around the Vanserras felt too exaggerated to be real. Iris’s favorite rumor was that the manor they resided in had a secret tunnel system connecting to the far reaches of Autumn, so Beron could pop up anywhere in the Court with no one knowing.

The rumors were either grandiose ideas (that Eris was a shapeshifter and frequently shifted to run around the land with his hounds) or unsurprising tidbits about a family of seven sons (a Vanserra sleeping around, each of them supposedly incredible lovers).

Then again, rumors only grow.

“I need a bargain.”

That she was not expecting.

“My mother needs assurance that Lucien will be taken care of here.”

Iris stalked around him, her skirts moving in the darkness, the green chiffon swishing with each step.

“And how is your grieving mother? Three sons in one day, that’s half the family.”

“You’d be wise to bite your tongue, flowers are easily crumpled, as Rhysand knows first hand.”

Iris put her hands up in mock surrender, wondering just how much Eris truly cared for his fallen brothers.

Wondered if his feelings mimicked the ones inside her chest about the demise of her own brothers.

“Pray tell, Eris, why would I tether my soul to yours?”

Surely Eris had lost his wits to visit her about this.

“I know you wish to leave Spring.”

She halted, breath catching in her throat, eyes assessing him as he continued. “I know you have been sniffing about the Autumn borders for some time. I know you spend considerable time in my court. No one in Spring able to catch your eye?”

She scoffed, the male before her unseeing of the real truth to her visits.

“I don’t think safe passage in Autumn is good enough. If I’m going to be sticking my neck out for little Lu, I need something to sweeten the deal.”

His gaze felt burning as his attention focused on her, the longest time she had spent conversing with him prior to this was filled with insults and barbed snipes. This conversation had almost an air of vulnerability to it, something she didn’t know Eris could be.

“When I am High Lord, I will ensure you will live a comfortable life in Autumn, if you wish to leave the neverending life of Spring.”

Iris looked at him, an amusing grin on her face.

“And when do you plan on being High Lord? What if the magic skips you?”

He didn’t bother answering either of her questions, they already both knew the answer to the second one: it wouldn’t. His gaze was penetrating as he looked at her, his features sharp in what little light they had.

She stretched out her fingers, looking at her nails to get away from his gaze. “I want something else.”

“I’m not in the interest of ruining other males for you. I won’t be warming your bed as part of the deal.”

Iris gritted her teeth at the smugness in his tone.

“I want a secret from you. Not now, but whenever I call on you. I want you to tell me a delicious secret that no one else knows.”

“You always were nothing more than a bored gossip.”

Her smile was lupine, “and your family has always been a most interesting topic. Seven sons all interested more in getting their dicks wet than being competent rulers. There must be an overabundance of bastards in Autumn.”

The smell of blood was in the air, a slight tang as her words hit their mark. His demeanor doesn’t falter, though.

“I will agree, if this bargain remains between the two of us.”

He stretched his arm out, long fingers adorned with rings presented to her.

She had an out.

She could say no.

But having Eris Vanserra indebted to her was worth the risk.

She slid her hand into his, taking in the freckles dotting the outside of his hand, the gold ring on his middle finger with a bright orange gemstone set in it.

“Fine, I will see that your precious Lucien is attended to. However I cannot protect him from any trouble he goes out searching for on his own.”

“And I will take over Autumn, making it a better court for you to live in, should you wish.”

Her brow rose before he added, “and a secret for you to collect, however anything I tell you is not to be spoken of to another soul.”

Their hands glowed slightly, and she could feel the magic spreading up her arms and through her body. It felt like a wave in the ocean - strong but quick, gone before she could do anything. The ground in between both of them shook just before a young tree sprouted from the ground, the two of them stepping back and away from it. Pink petals exploded from the tree, bursting over the pair, several getting caught in her hair as they fell to the ground.

Eris looked at the plant, dusting the petals from his jacket. “Flowers, for spring. How original.”

He held up a petal, watching it catch in the moonlight. The action drew her attention to his hands, deep brown gloves adorning his fingers.

She wasn’t sure she had ever seen him wear gloves before, keeping his hands bare even at the most formal of gatherings.

“Does Autumn have any traditions around bonds?”

He shot her a look of exasperation before answering. “You get a burn mark. Its size is relative to the severity of the bargain.” He continued twisting the petal between his fingers, bored of the conversation already.

At his words, she began rotating her arms, searching for any new scarring. “Should I be concerned?”

“Shouldn’t you have asked questions beforehand?”

She tucked her hair behind her ear, not wanting to admit that he had a valid point with that.

“No matter. It will ache on occasion if you go too long without thinking of it.”

The Autumn Court truly was a whole new style of warfare. Iris looked at him, uncertain of what kind of creature could survive in such conditions for so long, wondering how long looking into the darkness it took to have the darkness etch itself into your bones.

“What should I tell Tamlin about this scar? Surely he’ll see it?”

Iris looked back, a sharp pain now shooting from her right wrist. She looked down, watching as a burn mark etched itself into her skin.

Eris shrugged, gazing at the tree between the two of them before he turned, long legs carrying him into the trees. The wind blew around him, as if they too tried to get answers from him. “It is no matter to me what the beast thinks. Perhaps you could convince him the monsters of the night dared to be near his darling sister.”

She looked at the burn mark on her skin, the texture catching the light. The scar was roughly the size of a gold mark, and she wondered if this was meant to be a small bargain. As she rotated her wrist, the scar seemed to disappear in the light. Iris looked back up to where Eris had last stood to find him gone, her wrist aching in remembrance.

Permanent taglist: @vanilla-seabass @cyrygher @lees-chaotic-brain @topaz125 @chessebookgirl @fides25 @lady-of-tearshed @ashbatz @fxckmiup @lilah-asteria @justvibbinghere @daughterofthemoons-stuff @mybestfriendmademe @heartless-tate @tsunami-of-tears @idrkwhatthisisimsorry @olive-main @azrielsmate3 @pit-and-the-pen @durgenyx @dee-writes-smut @chairofchaos @thelov3lybookworm @berryzxx @throneofsmut @kennedy-brooke @prythianpages @itsswritten @acotarxreader @milswrites @the-golden-jhope @hannzoaks @secretlyhers @tothestarsandwhateverend @sarawritestories @chxosangxl

Eris taglist: @magicstrengthandcourage @panther-girl-124

#eris fanfic #eris vanserra #eris vanserra x oc #eris x oc #eris vanserra fanfic #acotar fanfiction

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erisweekofficial · 2 months ago

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Fanfic

One Year Later by @afandomangel 👑

Until I see you again by @mika-no-sekai-blog

Hold Me While You Wait by @fieldofdaisiies

Pull Me in Deeper Ch 17 by @zenkindoflove 👑

A Bond of Song & Flames (7 parts) by @sadiegirl2021

The Uncertainty of Spring by @daycourtofficial

Roots In My Dreamland by @lucienarcheron

Always An Angel, Never A God by @chairofchaos 👑

Lady Luck by @ginandtobacco 👑

Burning Red by @separatist-apologist

Love in the kennels by @readychilledwine

Fini by @/tessabeth 👑 (on ao3; post is from @pippsmcgee)

Cures by @littlest-w01f

Hold Me Tight by @mika-no-sekai-blog

Caress Me Down by @zenkindoflove

His Father's Son by @the-darkestminds

Burning Red Ch 2 by @separatist-apologist

Healing | Betrayal by @afandomangel

A Bond of Song & Flames by @sadiegirl2021

This ain't no love that's guiding me by @lovely-vanserra-sunshine

Carry You Home by @zenkindoflove

In the Shadows of War by @lucienarcheron

The Jewel of The Forest House by @zenkindoflove

Hold me While You Wait | Prologue by @fieldofdaisiies

Weak spot by @lady-of-tearshed

Burning Red by @separatist-apologist

a bond of song and flames by @sadiegirl2021

Smokehounds & Surprises by @lucienarcheron

Caught by @afandomangel

Birthday by @littlest-w01f

Moth to a Flame by @lucienarcheron

First Words by @afandomangel

Dawn Breaks Early by @avabrynne

A Court of Scales and Fire V by @azrielsshadows

Light the Fire Bright Chapter 7 by @clockwork-ashes

Tear the World Apart by @cressidagrey

Hold Me While You Wait Part 1 by @fieldofdaisiies

Hold by @littlest-w01f

Fanart

Eris x Alexius by @zenkindoflove

Eris and his mate by @/artbyellat (on instagram)

Eris Week OC Project: Estella by @queercontrarian

Eris Week OC Project: Iris by queercontrarian

Eris Week OC Project: Ada by queercontrarian

Eris Week OC Project: Alexius by queercontrarian

Eris Week OC Project: Ashley by queercontrarian

Eris Week OC Project: Tilly by queercontrarian

Eris Week OC Project: Arina by queercontrarian

Eris Week OC Project: Lyra Castellan by queercontrarian

Eris x OC Project: Gianna by queercontrarian

Eris x OC Project: Aisling by queercontrarian

Erixius by @thrumugnyr

#eris vanserra #eris acotar #acotar #pro eris vanserra #high lord eris #autumn court #eris x oc #eris vanserra x oc #autumn court heir #eris #erisweek2024

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loneliestluvr · 10 months ago

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Hi! I just had an idea about how Lucien and Reader would go out on their first date since their baby's birth, and like they hire a babysitter for the evening. And like Lucien and Reader (mostly Lucien tough) would be soooo anxious and missing their child. Like it would take everything in them to control themselves and just enjoy their date. I would love it if you could make a fic about that 🥲💕 If not, thanks anyway for just taking the time to read it. (Oh! And maybe their child could be a girl? I totally imagine Lucien as a girl dad.)

Hope you have a great day!

the hardest thing.

pairing: lucien vanserra x reader

synopsis: after letting feyre and rhys convince you to go out with them for the first time since your daughters birth, lucien is feeling a bit anxious about having to leave her.

warnings: birth-ish, breastfeeding(brief mention), leaving your newborn for the first time, anxiety, a bit of angst and fluff.

word count: 1.5k

taryn thinks: this request was honestly so cute to write and i so see lucien acting like this. sigh, girl dad lucien. and i know you said ‘go on a date’, so i’m leaving it if people want to see that. i would gladly figure out a part 2 of this with the actual date i just had this part of the idea in my head immediately and needed to write it out as soon as i got your request. that’s it. much love, t 🥹💕

“Do you think she’ll be scared?”

You and Lucien had not left your daughter in nearly three months. You didn’t want to. Didn’t have a need to. The little spitfire who’d inherited her fathers coppery tuft of hair claimed all of your attention at all hours of day and neither you nor Lucien minded one bit. It was you three against the world it felt like.

After having a baby, the bond had only grown between you and Lucien. You only really ever needed each other, and your daughter of course. Your Lucelia, named after her father as a token of love for your mate. He’d wanted you to pick the name since it was a female and he’d been convinced she would look exactly like you.

How wrong he was. You took one glance at that screaming babe, tears welled in your eyes, her eyes, and Lucien’s— you just knew. That curly red hair, her golden eyes like his with a ring of green around the iris like yours and the tanner skin— she was undeniably his. The indications only grew with time.

Lucien had said ‘Thank you’ and kissed your sweat slick forehead, stroking your hair while you both cried as they placed your daughter onto your bare chest. He’d said it what felt like over a thousand times that day, and continues to do so.

Looking at your mate, the love of your life, your eyes softened. He was standing in your daughter's nursery, holding her tiny body in his arms. Shirtless, pressing his skin to hers, tracing the side of her face with his nose, etching it into memory. His hair tied back and out of the way as if he hadn’t wanted it to tickle her. You could tell he was worried just by the soft clicking that filled the room as his eye whirred.

He must have heard you coming, having woken in the midst of the night to come feed Lucelia and realized your husband was not in his rightful place next to you in bed. The mattress cold.

“Love,” You say quietly, almost a whisper on the wind that flows through the cracked window of the room. “—what has you so worried?”

“Everything.” His word is simple, but it’s his tone that tells you everything you need to know about the meticulous list going in his head. And the continuous mechanical ticking your daughter had grown accustomed to, of course. You step into the room, careful not to creak the door too loudly even though you were here to wake her anyway.

“Tell me.” You say softly, reaching your hands out to take her from him. His reluctance to let her go is endearing as he looks to you pleadingly. You only smile, tire laced in your own face and you can see as his eye dilates in the soft light of the moon before handing her over and kissing your forehead.

Cradling your daughter in one arm, you tickle her belly softly with the other, slowly swaying about the room to rock her awake. You hear his deep sigh before you turn to look up at him, his arms crossed and mouth pressed against his closed fist. The muscles in his arm straining as he watches you and you know he doesn’t want to say anything just by that look he’s giving you.

“Lucien Vanserra,” You start, sternly. Or as stern as you can manage this late in the night and as tired as you were. “—we don’t keep secrets. Talk to me, my sun.” Your voice only grows softer as you speak. Sitting in the rocking chair, shrugging off the shoulder of your robe, your babe stirs in your arms. Lucien tenses, immediately moving to try and comfort her as she starts to cry but with a soft,

“It’s alright sweetheart, mommy’s with you.” You say soothingly, her cries die out and she latches, starting to feed. “Daddy’s here too, my flower.” Smiling down at her before flicking your eyes up to meet his. “I know you know that. He’s a worrier, huh?” You whisper, but the only answer is Lucien’s scoff.

“I’m worried she’ll hate us for leaving her.”

“Lucien, we are not leaving her.” You try not to laugh, really. Seeing him so torn up honestly makes you regret letting Feyre and Rhys convince you to go on a double date. A parent double date, as Feyre had said. She, who did most of the convincing, had said it could be good to get out of the house. That if you just push through the first time, everything after will come easier. To give yourself a break.

“She’s wrong.” He says, pulling out the foot stool in front of you to sit. “I don’t need a break, nor do I want one.” His brows are furrowed as you look at him and you only hold your hand out to him. He takes it immediately.

“I know, love.”

“She’s known only us for the past three months, Y/n.” He’s pulling your hand to his mouth, peppering your knuckles with kisses to soothe himself. “And I’m sorry to say it, truly, but leaving her with your sister does not give me much faith.”

“My sister is my best friend, Lucien. I promise I wouldn’t let just anyone take care of her.” You sigh before smiling humorously at yourself, your own thoughts. “Would you rather Eris?”

He glares up at you as he presses your palm to his cheek.

“My brother wouldn’t know what to do with a babe.” He mumbles.

“She will be okay,” You cup his cheek yourself and when his eyes move to the floor you force him to look at you. “—she will.”

You both are quiet for a long time, just sitting together as a little family. He eventually pulls one of your legs up and into his lap to slowly start working the muscles. You don’t mind, you know touch is one of the ways he comforts himself. The way he cares for others, too. And you certainly don’t hide the fact that you’re watching the way the muscles of his arms and chest move.

You were so going to be having another babe soon.

Lucien catches you mid thought, your scent dragging over to him and he looks up at you. Your raised brow, bottom lip tugged between your teeth as you watch him. Lucelia had finished feeding a few minutes ago, but you didn’t say anything when you fixed yourself and adjusted her over your shoulder to burp her.

No, he had been so lost in thought that he didn’t see or hear you moving. So worried about how his heart would feel when he was apart from your daughter. Anticipating the panic that would be coursing through him, how close he would need to be to you when the two of you went out, just so he could keep her scent—your scent—in every breath. Maybe he could psych himself out of it, trick his brain into thinking that because your scents were near identical, you were both there.

A small smile tugs at his lips and he rolls his eyes, gently releasing your leg back to the floor. A blush staining his cheeks as he stood and moved the stool silently, brushing a hand down his face before reaching out for your daughter.

You let him take her, his large hands immediately cradling her against his chest and something in his face calms as he murmurs ‘my beautiful flower’.

He was weak when it came to her, weaker than you’d ever thought he’d be. You thought that it was you who would be worse, giving into her every cry and sniffle. The one sneaking off to hold her and kiss her cheeks, staying up just watching her. Maybe it was the exhaustion your body had been in constantly, but it was him who did all those things. You wouldn’t have it any other way.

He still hadn’t let any male’s hold her until she was a month old, and it was Eris then. He had still watched like a hawk and you were certain that the reason his brother had only lasted a few minutes with her in his arms was because of the way Lucien was damn near growling.

But he had still let him, and you said that even that was a big step. Leaving her, even for a little bit, was monumental.

“It’s only one or two hours, right?” Lucien asks in the dead of quiet, his gaze sliding to you.

“Mhm.” You smile, finally standing as you walk over to him with a yawn and wrap your arms halfheartedly around him. Cradling her with one arm, he rests his free hand on the small of your back. “She’ll be okay.” You nod, his thumb stroking your skin through your robe as he kisses your temple. “We’ll all be okay.”

#lucien vandaddy #lucien vanserra #acotar #a court of thorns and roses #acotar x reader #lucien x reader #baby #newborn #family #date night #i love him #acotar men with babies makes my heart go into v-fib

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tsunami-of-tears · 1 year ago

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ACOTAR Masterlist

☼ Angst ☁︎ Fluff ☾ Smut ✧ Suggestive (not quite smut) ✦ Dark themes

Series

Shadows and Sunshine ☁︎ ☾ ☼ Azriel x OC (completed)

Angel ☁︎ ☾ ☼ Cazriel x Healer Reader (for poly+ ACOTAR Week 2024) (WIP)

Haunted ☼ ✦ Elain x Medium Reader (sapphic), Rhys x Medium Reader (platonic) (WIP)

Oneshots

Azriel

No Control ☾ Azriel x Reader

Iris ✦ ☼ Azriel x Rhys’s Sister Reader

Someplace better ✦ ☼ Azriel x Reader

Cassian

Sunny ☁︎ Cassian x Reader

Switch ☾ Part II ☾ Cassian x Reader

Peace ✦ ☼ Cassian x Reader

Eris

Missing him drabble ☁︎ Eris x Reader

Feyre

Draw me like one of your fae girls ☾ ☁︎ Feyre x Reader

Lucien

Quality Control ☾ Lucien x Reader

Morrigan

Red ☁︎ ✧ Mor x Reader

But Daddy I Love Her ☼ Mor x Vanserra Reader

Rhysand

Cake ☁︎ ✧ Rhys x Reader

Taboo ☾ Rhys x Reader

Other Ships

The Wolf and the Fox ☾ Tamcien (A/B/O)

Just one? drabble ✧ Elucien

Poly+

Three Wishes ☾ Batboys x Reader

Foxtrot ☼ Nerissian

Subtle ☁︎ ✧ Azriel x Reader, Nesta x Reader, Nessian

Other

Size Queen hc ✧ Rhys, Azriel, Cassian, Lucien & Nesta

Reacting to Reader’s piercings hc ✧ Rhys, Azriel, Cassian, Lucien & Eris

So High School hc ✧ Rhys, Azriel, Cassian, Lucien, Eris & Tamlin

ACOTAR characters as dog breeds hc

ACOTAR ships as Taylor Swift songs hc

ACOTAR x Stardew Valley hc

Rhys teaching Nyx to read incorrect quote

Cassian cooking Nesta breakfast incorrect quote

Dividers are by me ♡

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acourtofkindness · 5 months ago

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Thank you for sending in all the stories, here you can find the collection! Some of these are one-shots, some are longer stories, just click your way through them and also check out their other fics!

A Ballad of Thorns & Roses: How the High Lord of Spring told his Tale (Feylin/Tamcien)

by @positivelyruined When Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court of Prythian, finds the clock counting down to his final battle with Amarantha — two things push him into action: the sudden death and bloody sacrifice of his friend Andras and the fierce vexation of his close friend Lucien. With no more time to waste, he offers shelter to the one person that he should despise the most — the girl who murdered Andras. His heart has been bleeding for a decade. Will their connection be enough to break the bond that holds the Spring Court captive, or will this burning love only spurn Tamlin’s heart? In this tale as old as time, only time will tell.

Spirit Meets the Bones (Eris x OC)

by @lucienarcheron Eris and Iris. Son of a high lord. Daughter of a fiend. An arranged marriage brought them together and beneath all the hate, the two are more alike than they’d like to be.

To Dust Or To Gold (Neris)

by @queercontrarian Eris calls in his bargain with Rhysand: he wants Nesta to join him in the Autumn Court to help him in his scheme to bring down his father.

Flame of Autumn (Eris x OC)

by @climbthemountain2020 "He quashed his hope like a bug beneath his heel. They would meet, marry, and produce a child. How hard could it possibly be to copulate and wash his hands of it? It’s not like he hadn’t regularly found release in the hundreds of years of living. This one would just be attached to him a bit more legally." Eris Vanserra is forced into a marriage with a magic-less daughter of Autumn from a strong bloodline. Despite his best efforts to remain apathetic, the universe has other plans.

A Court of Threads & Daises (Lucien x Tamlin)

by @shi-daisy Tragedy almost struck the Spring Court when Tamlin Evergreen tried to take his own life. Lucien Vanserra manages to save his former Lord, but not his power. Now that the Spring Court has a new High Lord and the horrors of war are behind them, both Tamlin and Lucien agree to help the new heir navigate court life and attempt to rebuild the broken Spring Court, along with healing themselves. They weren't expecting to fall back in love in the process.

A Court of Song and Desolation (Tamlin x Lucien)

by @achaotichuman With his Court in ruins and everyone gone, Tamlin lives amongst the broken pieces of his Court and has no intentions of changing that. Lucien, however, will not stand to leave his oldest friend alone. When Lucien takes Tamlin back to the human lands, they discover a darkness coming for Prythian. If something does not stop it, it will completely rewrite the way Faeries and humans alike live as they know it.

Of Hearts and Swords (Feysand, Nessian, Manorian, Quinlar, etc.)

by @QueenofNightmares (on ao3) 5 years have passed since Bryce Quinlan fought the Asteri—and lost. 5 years since the Horn in her back was then used to permanently open the gates between worlds. Midgard, Erilea, and Prythian are now in open war--the reunited Fae of each world working together to fight the Asteri. But much has changed in the war-ravaged years that have passed. The Crochan Witchclan fights alongside the Valkyries. Hunt Athalar has sought day and night for a way to bring Bryce back from the dead and end this war. And the beloved High Lady of the Night Court--Feyre Archeron-- left Prythian for Erilea, just after their Inner Circle was cleaved apart forever by a newcomer. As war rages on, the Asteri have found an unlikely ally in Prythian--one that might turn the fortunes of battle against the Fae. This is an alternate ending to CC3 (HOFAS) where the Asteri win. Bryce was killed in the conflict that followed and the Horn in her back was then used to permanently open the gates. It will follow each of the main character ships (Feysand, Nessian, Rowaelin, Lysaedion, Manorian, Quinlar, etc.) as well as introduce some new ones for some other beloved characters (Azriel, Fenrys). Lots of relationship angst with a happy ending.

Flame of Autumn (Eris x OC)

by @climbthemountain2020 Eris Vanserra is forced into a marriage with a magic-less daughter of Autumn from a strong bloodline. Despite his best efforts to remain apathetic, the universe has other plans.

Beyond (Helion x LoA)

by @areyoudreaminof The Lady of Autumn has agreed to come live at the Day Court, though she seems hesitant. Can Helion convince her that she belongs at his side?

#eris x oc #eris vanserra #helion x loa #feysand #nessian #quinlar #neris #feylin #tamcien #acosf #acotar

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animezinglife · 6 months ago

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"Every part of me made of stone suddenly became covered in you. Like ivy, wrapping its way around me whether I liked it or not. It was something I had never thought would be mine or something I deserved and yet somehow, this is happening. This is real." - Spirit Meets the Bones by @lucienarcheron

#spirit meets the bones #fanfic moodbards #eris vanserra #iris vanserra #eris x oc #acotar #autumn court #the autumn court #we got creative with the healing magic photo. that last chapter has me making things <3 #moodboard

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animezinglife · 5 months ago

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I love the way you write the Lady of Autumn. She's such a beautiful presence, and Eris is so freaking cute!

Spirit Meets the Bones XXVI

Genre: Angst/Romance/Drama Warnings: Mentions of physical abuse. Author's Note: check out this lovely new art of my babies ;;

shoutout to @abruisedmuse for being part of this journey with me!!

tagging: @climb-the-mountian / @vanserrass / @zenkindoflove / @animezinglife / @readthelastpaage / @teddyhoneybear / @positivewitch / @krem-does-stuff / @clockwork-ashes / @carolynmezzosoprano / @carnythian / @runningwiththeoceans / @secret-third-thing / @readychilledwine / @goldenmagnolias / @thedarkinmansfield / @mali22 / @maidr-00 / @electromagnetic-waves / @eastofatlanta / @moobell55 / @bibliophiliaxvignette / @devilsfoodcake22 / @moonfawnx / @weesablackbeak / @ladywhilemia / @alohaangels / @eachies / @feysandfeels / @thelovelymadone / @corcracrow / @dawneternal / @sinnerrsworld / @gracie-rosee / @mage-neve / @queenoftheworld1998 / @wolvesnravens / @illyrianvalkyrie / @that-golden-lyre / @ladystarrynight / @rityrooroo / @thewilderheart / @rainbowsnowflake

Find it all here.

His mother wouldn’t see him that day. Or the day after. And Eris knew better than to push. He knew she was waiting for her bruises to heal before she’d allow him to see.

Now, he stood before her private gardens spelled to keep out anyone who wasn’t desired and swallowed hard.

He let himself take a few moments. Let the both of them have the space.

He didn’t know why this incident hit him harder than the others. It was terrible each time his father decided to lay his hands on him and his mother but this time…Eris had felt it so much worse. This incident felt different. Like for once, it could be the turning point for them.

This was where the tide could shift.

The only bright light was the presence of his wife next to him. The delicate hand that had come to rest on his own. Eris glanced down at the soft touch.

“Are you sure it’s alright for me to be here?” Iris asked gently. “I know this is her private garden and not anyone is allowed in.”

Eris glanced at her lovely face and wondered how lately, she always seemed to know what to say to him. He glanced down, focusing on Lyra and Atlas, his hounds who had joined them today.

He never liked to need anything or anyone. It was a weakness that could be exploited.

But his wife…Once the aftermath of his father’s gifts wore off, Eris wondered if he’d feel less inclined to let himself want her – if he’d let some walls come back up. It had only taken Iris smiling at him as they went about their day together to know the answer would be no. His walls had crumbled to pieces as easily as his resolve did when it came to her.

He needed her by his side more than he had ever needed anything else.

“She welcomes you at all times.” he finally said quietly and looked up to offer her a small smile. “She granted me permission for you to be here. I’d like you by my side.”

And he watched her expression soften. She had been going soft around him so much lately.

He had spent the last few days only wrapped up in his wife, kissing, touching, and what shocked him the most, talking.

Eris didn’t think he’d spoken to anyone as much as he’d spoken with her the last few days alone.

But it was the intimacy that was between them now that was building. The routine of waking and sleeping together. Of slowly, less hesitantly, being comfortable with the lingering touches. Being a safe space together.

Iris felt Eris take a small breath and then squared his shoulder before moving. They walked through the opening of the garden and she felt the buzz of magic as the shield allowed them through.

As Eris and Iris entered the private garden, the atmosphere immediately shifted. It was as if they had stepped into a world entirely separate from the harsh reality outside. The garden was a hidden sanctuary, lush and tranquil, a stark contrast to the turmoil that typically plagued their day-to-day life.

Eris led Iris along a cobblestone path that wound its way through a colorful array of flowers, carefully manicured hedges, and a small, serene pond. The sweet scent of flowers hung in the air, mingling with the distant sound of a babbling brook and the autumn air crisp around them. It was a testament to the magic that protected this place – a refuge within their world.

They walked in silence, their canine companions moving around them, their steps quiet as Iris drank in the beauty of the sanctuary. She could easily see why Lady Enya spent so much time here and peeked a glance at Eris. She didn’t miss the tension in his shoulders.

Eris’s thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions. He was grateful for Iris’s support, her presence like a lifeline amidst the chaos. He knew that he'd never truly opened up to anyone like he had to her in the past few days and having her here of all places, made their progress even more significant. The bond…though they hadn’t gone farther with it, it was there, growing stronger, evolving into something he couldn't bring himself to name but cherished in a way that would always scare him.

Eventually, they reached a secluded alcove at the heart of the garden. A white marble bench invited them to sit, and maybe another day, Eris could bring Iris here to enjoy the peace this place offered. They could sit together and absorb the serenity of the place while sneaking a kiss or two. For now, he could ground himself in her presence as he spotted his mother in the distance.

She was seated on a wrought-iron bench beneath a canopy of wisteria, her eyes distant as she stared at the pond's still waters. Eris felt his chest tighten as he neared and couldn’t imagine how bad it had gotten between the High Lord and his wife for her injuries to be still evident. They were faded – healing, and yet, as always, his mother had a grace and strength about her that no pain could ever take away.

Eris gave Iris a small, grateful smile before gently squeezing her hand. "Thank you — for being here with me," he whispered.

Iris turned to him, her eyes filled with warmth and an understanding that always knocked the wind out of him. “Thank you for letting me be here,” she replied softly, her fingers entwining with his. “I’ll wait here with the puppies as you two talk. You can let me know when you’re ready.”

Eris nodded, squeezing her hand before letting go, his heart swelling with emotion and it was moments like these that made him grateful for this one decision his father had made for him. In a twist of faith, his father had given him what he’d never offered his own son – support. She was slowly becoming his anchor. His… solace.

As he neared, Lady Enya turned her gaze towards him with a faint smile that slowly fell at the sight of him.

He knew what she saw when she looked at him with this hair. He saw it too.

And Eris’s heart ached as he saw the love and sorrow in his mother's eyes. At the lines of silver she blinked back furiously, her mouth set in a thin line. She had been through so much, and gods, he wished he could have shielded her from it all. He had tried. Gods knew he had tried.

And now she had to look at him and see more of the man she hated.

“Mother.” Eris greeted gently, standing across from her. He could almost see her pulse thumping wildly as she took a deep breath, then another.

“My son.” she replied and immediately held out her hand towards him. Eris swallowed and with a small smile, let her guide him to sit next to her.

He let his mother take her time as she tenderly touched his face and then his hair, her expression shifting between emotions he didn’t want to think too long about.

And Eris knew the exact moment when it dawned on his mother why he looked this way, who had done this to him.

A heartbeat of silence then another before he could get his mouth to work again.

“Do you like my new look?” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

A muscle in Lady Enya’s jaw twitched before she leaned forward and held his face gently between her hands. “You still look just like me. Everything about you is all mine.” she said softly. “And you are handsome in every light.”

Eris scoffed, a small smile finding its way to his face despite the shattering of whatever was left of his heart at her words. “As my mother, you are obligated to believe that. You think that of all your sons.”

The corner of his mother’s mouth lifted a fraction. “That’s because all my boys are handsome.”

“Your other sons are baboons. I am the only handsome one.” he immediately objected and a small jolt of joy burst through all the hurt at his mother’s chuckle. He couldn’t help that he would always be a boy who wanted to make his mother laugh. A boy who wanted his mother to be happy.

Lady Enya tapped his cheek gently once then sat back. “Despite what you think you see, you will always look like your mother. The look suits you.” she said then added firmly, “Do not think otherwise.”

Eris nodded but didn’t say a word, afraid his relief at her words would be too obvious if he opened his mouth. His mother had waited two days to see him and though it had worried him, Eris was suddenly glad she had waited; he wasn’t sure his new look would’ve been easier to digest had she seen him earlier.

“Will Iris not join us?”

The question made him blink, and Eris followed his mother’s gaze back to his wife, admiring the flowers where he left her.

“She will.” he said with a small smile. “But I thought it was best for us to check in first.”

His mother seemed to understand as she nodded, her hands folding in her lap and Eris couldn’t help his worry – his anxiousness and need to ensure she was alright. He knew Iris of all people understood but…shaking his head, he met his mother’s gaze. “How are you feeling?” he asked quietly and didn’t miss his mother’s jaw clench at the question.

A beat of silence passed before a quiet sigh slipped through her lips.

“I’d rather ask you that question.” Lady Enya said, glancing at Eris. “I wanted to see you sooner but I…could not.”

Eris’s fist clenched at his sides. He knew exactly why and yet…

“I would’ve wanted to see you regardless, Mother.” he replied quietly then ran his tongue over his teeth before adding, “I’m alright. I managed.”

Lady Enya’s expression shifted slightly – with guilt and something more. “I am… alright as well. I managed.”

Frustration clogged his throat at her response even though it mirrored his own. He knew their Head Healer was the best at her job and she had discreetly worked with him and his mother too many times to count but it had been three days and he could still see the outline of her bruises. “You say that and yet what he has done has still not healed.”

His mother’s shoulders straightened, her hands clenched into fists in her lap. “Nothing he has done will heal while he’s still infesting our lives.” she said bitterly. “I will not glamour myself in my gardens. It’s enough I have to do it everywhere else.”

Guilt immediately clogged Eris’s throat and he forced himself to swallow before sighing. “That’s not how I meant it, Mother.”

A tense silence fell between them and Eris couldn’t help but scan her all over despite his own scars still healing, he could sense some lingering discomfort in his mother as she sat next to him. He clenched his fists, trying not to picture what his father might’ve done.

“Do you need anything else at the moment?” he asked her gently. “Is there anything else that is bothering you?”

His mother gave him a small smile and reached for his hand, squeezing it. “I am fine. I’ll need a few days of easy movement but I am fine.”

A beat of silence followed her confession and Eris had to choke down the anger that surged through him. He tried to control his response but couldn’t help the hiss, “Days. It’ll take days for you to fully heal?”

Lady Enya’s gaze sharped. “Eris. What’s done is done. This isn’t new. This isn’t any different.”

But those words did nothing to soothe his anger and gods, his temper was on a very thin leash. Eris forced himself to swallow, tasting ash in his throat as he stood. He forced himself to move, to pace, running a hand through his hair as the rage of everything coursed through him the way it always did every time this happened. His father taking it out on his mother wasn’t new, true, but it was the fact that this thought was always a reality to them that made him want to scream. It may have been a few days but his rage never really left him.

He should’ve been there to take the brunt of it all. It should’ve been him.

Eris didn’t stop his pacing but forced himself to glance again at his wife who was now watching him, looking at him with that concern of hers. Gods, they had even dragged her into all this and Eris didn’t even want to consider what his father would do if their bond was scented. If they took that step and his Father became aware –

“Your flames –” his mother managed to say and Eris realized a beat too late that he’d erupted again. He glanced at his hands, engulfed in his fire, steam licking his footsteps, and forced himself to take several deep breaths. He couldn’t afford to let himself go like this and yet…he knew he could do it here – with the two people he could trust.

“It’s getting harder for you to control it, isn’t it?” his mother asked and Eris managed to glance at her as his body calmed.

“The last few days have been more stressful than usual.” he answered tightly and Lady Enya closed her eyes, her hand coming to gently rub at her temple.

Silence surrounded them once more and Eris couldn’t help but think about how hard they were both trying to manage their emotions. Because control was always needed in this place. If you lost control, you lost so much more than that.

Lady Enya swallowed, then took a breath and said, “I’m sorry.”

“Mother. Don’t –”

“But I am. And I always will be.” she said firmly, her hand dropping back to her lap as she looked up at him. “I cannot go back and change time. I cannot control what is out of my hands and neither can you. I will be alright. I will be fine.” Lady Enya gripped his wrist, “We will be fine, Eris. As we always are.” The smile she gave him didn’t reach her eyes.

“Fine.” Eris spat the word then shook his head with a weak scoff. “I hate that word,” he said. “Things have been far from fine for years.” He shrugged, helpless and frustrated all at once. “Am I supposed to wait for him to get worse with you? With me? With my brothers? With my wife? Am I supposed to wait until he finally snaps one of your necks and I watch you all die? Will we be fine then?”

He watched as his mother glanced down at her hands and Eris hated himself for speaking to her that way, for unleashing his fears on her. But he couldn’t help it. Things were getting worse and he was getting desperate and she was his mother. His mother.

“We will be fine.” Lady Enya repeated more firmly and met his gaze. “We will be fine and ready for what is to come.”

A beat of silence passed once more and Eris felt his chest tighten.

“And what is to come, Mother?” he asked, careful with this expression but deep down, Eris was begging his mother to say the word. They’d all be waiting for so long but he would never push, never rush a moment like this. He just didn’t know how much of this he could take. He didn’t —

“Sit. Take a breath.”

Eris shared a glance with Iris, who was still standing as she watched him from afar, her fingers curled in the folds of her dress. She gave him a small smile and it embarrassed him to admit how that small smile seemed to ease the tightness in his chest.

Forcing himself to calm down, Eris flexed his hands and then slowly sat beside his mother as her expression sobered.

In the peacefulness of the garden, surrounded by the beauty of nature, time seemed to slow as Lady Enya swallowed once more and took a breath.

It took a moment before she finally spoke but when she did her voice was filled with quiet determination. "The Autumn Equinox is coming.” she said, her gaze fixed on the rippling pond and Eris’s brows furrowed.

“Yes, it is.” Eris confirmed with a blink. “In three weeks time.”

“Yes.” Lady Enya replied and she met her son’s gaze. “It is a time where we put away the old and bring out the new. Where change is expected and…welcome.”

Eris felt his pulse quicken, the beat of his heart thundering in his ears and he clenched his fists, waiting for his mother to say more.

“Indeed,” he agreed quietly. “Change is in the air.”

“Change…is coming.” Lady Enya said slowly. “And I think it’s time that I – that I am ready for it."

Eris froze as the gravity of her words hit him. He blinked. Then blinked again, his eyes glued to his mother’s face as his heart raced at the implication of what was said. On what his mother was finally requesting.

The weight of years of suffering seemed to hang in the air, and he couldn’t help but think back to Elain’s vision.

“Every caged bird finds a way to flee. Some are stained red while some shed their cloaks and reign free.”

Elain had also seen fire and blood but Eris didn’t have any doubts that the eagle flying free was the one caged in front of him.

His mother sat rigidly in place as they glanced at each other. As though weighing her decision between them and yet…he sensed something else as he gazed into her russet eyes. A flicker of relief. A glimmer of hope. Hope that could bloom as the seconds ticked by.

Hope that they had been living for.

“Your fire?” he asked carefully.

“Burning bright.” she said, her eyes filled with a glow of pride he would never get tired of seeing. “And he’s none the wiser.”

He swallowed hard. They had worked so long on getting over the fear of her magic his father had instilled. After everything his father had done, poisoning the love for the fire in her, Eris hoped his pride showed on his face. His mother was a phoenix. It was time she rose from the ashes.

“The Autumn Equinox.” Eris breathed.

“The Autumn Equinox.” Lady Enya confirmed and he couldn’t help but notice the slight trembling in her hands as she said it. “The invitations went out last week.”

Eris reached out and held both of her hands in his and lord, did Eris want to find his father and break his face into pieces at the tremble in his mother’s lips. “Are you sure? Do you feel prepared enough?”

Lady Enya took a shaky breath and nodded sharply before saying the words she’d held on to her heart for so long, “I’m – I’m ready to leave.” she breathed. “It’s time to get out. I need to get out.”

A heartbeat of silence passed then another as the weight of the words sank into the air around them, as mother and son shared a look of understanding.

Eris finally took a breath, steeling himself as he nodded. “Yes. Good.” he said and gently kissed his mother’s hand. “It will be done. I will make sure of it.”

“Eris.” she whispered and her voice had a warning in it. “You have to be careful. He will not take it well.”

His lips curled in anger. “He doesn’t take anything well but we’re done caring,” Eris said. “Your word was the only thing we were waiting for.”

“I’m sorry it took so long,” she said and blew out another shaky breath. “I’m sorry you and your brothers have had to bear the consequences of my decisions.”

Whatever anger Eris had felt disappeared at the guilt weighing his mother’s words. He didn’t know what to do with himself as he watched her lips tremble and blink back tears.

“Mother, please don’t — don’t say that,” he said gently. “You don’t have to apologize to me when I know better than anyone else what it’s been like. We know. We understand.”

“It doesn’t excuse it. Having to wait so long,” she whispered then her expression soured. “And now I’m running. Like a coward and leaving you boys to clean up my mess. I wanted to make him pay. I wanted to make him hurt.”

“The only thing inexcusable was anything he’s done,” Eris said firmly. “We have been bearing the consequences of his actions. Do not bear more than you should. More than you have.” His expression hardened as he said, “You are one of the bravest people I know. Do not minimize how hard it was for you to stay and how brave it is for you to finally leave and get away from it all. While I would never deny you the killing blow you deserve to give, I’d rather you be as far away from him as soon as possible instead. We will deal with him.”

A tense silence filled the space between them, the only sound a small sniffle from his mother that broke his broken heart even further. A part of him died when she wiped a few stray tears.

“How do you give me so much grace?” she asked softly. “How do you not resent me when I resent myself so much? I can’t imagine Lucien and — and him do not feel that way.”

Eris felt his shoulders drop as he gazed at his mother’s face, her expression stricken. “There is only so much we have control over, Mother. You did what you could.” he said quietly and waited a breath before adding, “And sometimes I — I do get resentful. I am always angry about the way our lives have to be. But my anger is never about you and more that we are in the situation to begin with. I know the burden you bear and I know how tired you are. How can I give you anything but grace?”

Lady Enya’s lips trembled again as she hastily wiped away her tears. “And I know the burden you bear, Eris. I know how exhausted you must be. Don’t think I’m not aware of how often you step in. Of all that you do in the shadows. I know. We all know.”

Eris felt his face and the tip of his ears heat. He wasn’t above admitting to himself how much those words meant something to him. To know, everything he had been slaving over these many years wasn’t in vain. That despite the way his relationship with his mother and siblings had to be, his care for them was seen. Acknowledged.

“Then we only have a little more to bear.” he said and squeezed her hands. “We will get it done.”

His mother took a deep breath and then nodded. Eris let her have a moment, his hands sliding to his knees and squeezing as his mind wandered to the many things he would need to start buckling up for if he only had three weeks to prepare for his mother’s departure.

Two things complicated matters. His brothers and his wife. Eris ran his tongue over his teeth, his hands tightening on his knees again before relaxing them and turning to his mother.

“In the meantime,” he began and licked his lips. “I have two pieces of news to share with you that I hope will bring you a little bit of joy until it’s time.”

Lady Enya’s brow furrowed. “I could use a little joy.”

Eris gave his mother a knowing look and then took a deep breath. “Your son has complicated matters for himself.”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific.” Lady Enya said, straightening. “I have more than one menace I call a son.”

Eris snorted, then sighed and quietly stated, “Izak.”

Lady Enya froze, tension lining her shoulders. “What about him?”

Eris worked his jaw and then spoke. “You are aware of his attraction to his commander’s daughter, yes?”

“Of course.”

“Well. He has…eloped with Helene. They are now married and living together.”

His mother blinked rapidly, her mouth opening then closing then opening once more to say, “He did what?”

Eris nodded and rubbed at his temple gently before adding in an even quieter tone, “That is not all.” he said then cleared his throat. “Congratulations. You’re going to be a grandmother.”

Lady Enya’s hands flew to her mouth with a gasp. “She’s with child?”

“Yes.”

“They eloped and are now expecting a child together?”

“I’d say unfortunately but that feels a little rude.”

His mother fell silent and Eris watched as different emotions flickered across her face until she settled a hand over her heart, her mouth curling into a soft yet sad smile. “I can’t believe he actually did it.”

“You knew about his intent to marry Helene?” Eris asked curiously.

“I’m his mother. You’re not my only son who tells me about his love life,” she replied and Eris rolled his eyes. “He told me years ago…he knew she was the one. He hasn’t wavered from her since.”

Eris couldn’t help but sneak a glance at his wife, who was still exploring the garden, his hounds keeping her busy. He wondered if Izak had felt Helene sneak up on him or had he been hit over the head like a boulder with his feelings for her. He wondered if his brother felt like he’d ever be worthy of his wife. If tying her to this family would ever be worth it.

“I’d say I’m happy for him but we both know this makes things more difficult.” he replied and hated that the smile slowly faded from his mother’s face.

“Oh gods,” she muttered, her hands falling back on her lap. “Your father is going to ruin everything for him.”

“Not if I can help it,” Eris promised darkly, rolling his shoulders back. “I’m going to go see him today. Finn and Emil will likely join me. We will figure it out.”

Lady Enya nodded, her expression hardening. “What would you like me to do?”

Eris pursed his lips. “I don’t know that I want you in the forefront of anything.”

“Eris.” his mother chided. “I already am. You cannot shield me forever.”

“You say that but I will shield you till my dying breath if I could,” he said simply. “You’re my mother.”

“As your mother, I should be shielding you.” she retorted, her hands fisting in her lap. “That is my job. I should be shielding my children. Do not deny me anything in my power.”

Eris softened. “I would never deny you anything.”

“Then how can I help?”

He scowled. “Do what we always do. Redirect the attention to something else,” he said. “After I meet with all the involved parties to discuss the ball, I’ll let you know how we can proceed.”

Lady Enya’s mouth went into a thin line and it fell silent between them for a few moments until she said, “I will try to plan on my end. My sources can help.”

Eris nodded tightly. “Keep it as limited as possible. The less people who know, the better.”

His mother nodded then sighed, straightening once more. “I could use your other news of joy now.”

He clenched his fists. Eris’s gaze shifted to his wife then back to his mother and he rubbed the tip of his ear, feeling his face slowly heat. Why did it embarrass him this much to share his own news with his mother? His life had literally turned on its head since he found out and she was the first person he had wanted to tell. His mother’s words had guided his approach with Iris and in a way he would never admit to anyone, Eris had wanted his mother to see that she had raised a son who would do right by his wife even with the terrible example of his father.

His mother had been one of the only people who knew how much he wanted his own person and Eris had found that in the most unexpected way. His wife was now closer to him than before, in a way no one else would ever be.

In his most private thoughts, when he wasn’t battling his self-loathing and embarrassment, Eris had yearned for a partner. He never considered he’d be telling his mother he had a mate. A wife, yes. A mate? Never. He didn’t deserve that and yet…here he was. He wasn’t sure how to casually drop this news. He pursed his lips and glanced at his mother who watched him in amusement.

“This definitely has to do with your wife, doesn’t it?”

Eris scowled at his mother. “If you start making fun of me, I will not share anything.”

His mother had the nerve to chuckle. “Alright. I won’t make fun.”

He narrowed his eyes at his mother who smiled gently at him, making his ears heat again. Eris rolled his eyes and crossed his arms to battle his self-consciousness then cleared his throat. “Iris and I,” he began slowly then licked his lips. “Well. We found out about something important. Significant. To us both.”

Lady Enya fell silent and blinked. “If this is you trying to tell me the two of you are also expecting a child, I don’t think my heart will handle it.”

Eris’s expression flattened. “Mother. I work quickly but surely not that quickly.” he said with a snort. “She barely tolerated standing next to me not too long ago.”

His mother took a breath, a hand over her heart. “I would’ve been happy for you regardless but I do think it’s wise to wait a little longer.”

He frowned, glancing down at his hands. “I don’t know if I ever want children,” he said quietly and met his mother’s gaze. “Especially if he’s still around.”

Lady Enya reached out to squeeze his hand. “I understand,” she said. “Does Iris know you feel that way?”

“We haven’t discussed it yet but I have a feeling we’ll reach an understanding given the circumstances between us.” he said and licked his lips once more, glancing at his wife.

Lady Enya glanced curiously at Eris, following his gaze to his wife and then back to her son. “Circumstances?”

Eris met his mother’s gaze. “Do you remember when I described to you how I felt around Iris? Since the beginning? That there was this…pull I couldn’t explain.” he said and his mother nodded. “Well. It all makes sense now.”

He watched his mother’s face processing his words and a strange tightness filled his chest as her eyes widened in delight.

“Eris.”

His face heated as he nodded quickly, his heart beating furiously as if he were finding out the news himself all over again. Swallowing and trying to maintain a sense of underwhelming calm so he didn’t throw up, Eris murmured the words with an embarrassed frown, “She’s — we’re mates.”

“Oh, Eris!” his mother engulfed him into a hug that he wasn’t prepared for and Eris awkwardly patted her back, his face flushed. “This is wonderful news. I’m so happy for you!”

“Thank you, Mother. I’m – we’re still coming to terms with what it all means but we’re on the same page of where we stand on the matter.”

Lady Enya pulled back and held his face in his hands, beaming at him. “You’ve wanted this for so long and Iris is so wonderful.” she gushed and quickly wiped at her eyes. “I knew she would be good for you from that first night.”

“Mother.” Eris chided, wanting to die at the way his emotions were starting to indeed overwhelm him. “She threw a chair at me. You should’ve been worried.”

“I raised you. I guarantee that chair was a kindness.” she said with a snort and Eris scoffed in disbelief at his mother.

“Don’t let her hear you. She doesn’t need the encouragement for violence.”

His mother chuckled and the sound lightened a little of the darkness in his chest. “No, I don’t think she does.” she agreed. “Is she alright with me knowing?”

“Of course,” he said. “Lucien knows as well. I…I wanted to make sure she had somewhere to go should she need to.”

“Oh, Eris.” his mother gently touched his cheek and his heart hurt at the too-knowing look she gave him.

He patted her hand with a thin smile then nodded towards Iris and the hounds. “Let’s hope I don’t make her miserable enough that she does need to go there.”

Lady Enya shook her head with a small smile. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that,” she reassured him. “I see the way she looks at you.”

Eris watched Iris toss a stick for the hounds to chase after and felt a tingling sensation in his spine when she laughed at their antics. “You think so?”

“Oh yes.” his mother replied. “And more importantly, I see the way you look at her. You won’t give her a reason to want to go anyway.”

Eris took a breath and slowly released it. “I hope so.”

“A mating bond…” his mother started and Eris shifted at her wistful tone. “You decide what it means to you but should you decide that it’s worth it…” The Lady of Autumn fell silent as she swallowed, fighting back emotions she couldn’t put into words and Eris took his mother’s hand and squeezed. It took a moment before she added in a whisper, “What a gift it is to have your soul tied to someone who was made specifically for you.”

“It’s terrifying to think about.” he said, his eyes following his wife and he felt his mother chuckle next to him.

“I know it must be so overwhelming for you,” she replied then patted his hand. “But I also know you will cherish it like nothing else.”

“I will try my best,” he said softly.

And Iris must’ve felt his eyes on her because she turned and met his gaze with a smile, waving at them.

His hand lifted on its own accord and Eris waved in return, the corner of his mouth curling up.

And gods, he could watch her for hours. Is this what it felt like to let himself feel things? He wasn’t sure he liked it but then his wretched heart skipped a beat as Iris began to walk over to them, the hounds trailing her. Despite everything that was happening in their lives, being able to share this news with his mother made him feel somewhat lighter.

He felt…happy?

Happy enough that Eris had almost forgotten his mother sitting next to him had she not shifted and given him an amused look that made him scowl immediately.

“Mother.”

“I didn’t say a word!” she said with a laugh then leaned in to gently squeeze his arm. “Watching you fall in love has been one of the highlights of my life, Eris.”

He nearly choked at the words, feeling the air cut off from his windpipe.

Eris met his wife’s gaze as she neared, stepping into their space and it stumped him every time he looked at her – how beautiful she was. She stood in a garden of endless beauty and yet, she was easily the most stunning thing there.

Love.

He was certainly not ready to call whatever these intense feelings were…that.

The thought alone made him want to hurl. He should probably consider getting that checked.

“Good morning, Mother,” Iris said and flushed gently as Lady Enya stood and enveloped her in a hug with a small noise of joy and her eyes widened, meeting Eris’s gaze.

“Eris shared your exciting news with me. I’m so happy for you both.” Lady Enya said and Iris pulled back from the hug with a bashful smile. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”

“Of course.” Iris said, shyly shifting. “It was… a surprise.”

“That’s an understatement,” Eris muttered with a frown, running his hand through his hair. “Forced her way into my life and then ruined all my plans.”

Iris rolled her eyes. “I forced my way into your life?” she scoffed. “Do you hear your delusional son, my lady?”

“Delusional? I’m the one who woke up one morning and found himself bound to a stabbing maniac.”

“Oh my gods, it was one time.”

“You have threatened to stab me many times, sometimes multiple times a day. My sentries are all aware that should I die in a stabbing incident, you would be the first to blame.”

“You are so lucky you didn’t have to try and seduce me into marrying you. You’d be terrible at courting me with the kind of nonsense that goes through your head.”

“Are you saying you’d reject me if I had proposed to you?”

“Of course. You wouldn’t have won me over.”

Eris finally made a noise of protest. “I absolutely would have. You wouldn’t have been able to resist my charm.”

“Big words for a male who has yet to propose to me.”

“You’re already my wife. Why would I waste my time with such frivolous things.”

“And yet you think you’d be able to win me over. Ha!”

Eris fought back a smile, narrowing his eyes at her pretty face and coy little smile.

Somehow and without realizing it, the two had drifted closer, now inches away from each other and if Eris didn’t think he’d likely go too far and rip her dress off to take her right here in the gardens, he would’ve kissed her as desperately as he wanted to.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her, smiling at him in a way that made him want to never leave this spot. She made him feel better. Just by being around her, he felt the heaviness of his conversation with his mother drift away.

He had to bring her back to this garden at some point. Eris was sure his mother wouldn’t — and he froze, blinking himself back to reality.

Judging by Iris’s flushed face, she had come to the same realization that he had and cleared her throat, his head snapping to his mother who was standing a few steps back, watching them with a mix of delight and amusement.

“Don’t mind me.” Lady Enya said casually. “By all means, you two keep talking.”

Eris straightened immediately, stepping back from the magnetic force that was his wife and Iris sheepishly turned away from him to face his mother.

“Sorry,” she mumbled. “We…are still figuring out how to manage ourselves in front of others.”

“I see.” Lady Enya replied and seemed to be fighting back a laugh.

“Elain and Lucien were very entertained, for sure.” Iris added and laughed softly at Eris’s eye roll.

He sighed. “I think it’s about time I went to see your other sons,” he said to his mother then turned to his wife. “Will you be alright until I return?”

“Of course.” she said with a nod. “I’ll spend some time here then see to the puppies later.”

“Not puppies,” he muttered with another eye roll. “I’ll find you when I return.”

He reached out to touch a strand of her hair and was grateful when his mother suddenly became interested in the flowers and turned away from them. Eris licked his lips, hesitating for a moment until she smiled shyly at him. And nothing could stop him from leaning in and kissing his wife.

Iris melted into him like she always did, easily – comfortable in his arms and she would always be in awe of the way the red string of fate linked them together. Her hand gently brushed against his chin and it delighted her when he shuddered beneath her touch as he kissed her, his mouth caressing hers.

In the last two nights they’d spent together, becoming more and more comfortable with their hands touching skin, Iris had found just how much a tender touch meant to her husband. He needed it the way she did, just like she understood him in ways no one else seemed to.

He pulled away a moment later, reluctantly, and licked his lips again. “Be careful while I’m away. Keep the hounds on you at all times.” he murmured against her mouth and Iris nodded.

“Don’t worry. I can take care of myself,” she replied softly and gave him a small smile. “My husband taught me well.”

“Indeed I did,” he said with a smirk. “I look forward to all the other things I can teach you.”

And Iris couldn’t resist kissing him again at the way his smirk had heat pooling in her stomach before pulling away. “Be careful,” she said. “Be nice to your brothers. Don’t be too hard on Helene.”

Eris rolled his eyes but nodded all the same and straightened his tunic. “Mother, you’ll be alright?”

“Always.” Lady Enya said and reached out for his hand.

Eris squeezed his mother’s hand and spared his wife a wink before finally departing.

Iris watched him go and hated the feeling of longing already blooming in her chest. After the last few days, it couldn’t be helped. Intensity was at the forefront of everything they did and after living half a life for so long, it felt good.

“I saw this coming, you know.”

Lady Enya’s voice broke through her thoughts and Iris turned to her mother-in-law with a curious look.

“What do you mean?”

“You and Eris.” her mother-in-law said with a knowing smile. “A mother can sense these kinds of things.”

Iris flushed. She wondered just how much Eris had told his mother. She knew the two of them had needed to speak privately before Iris could join them and absolutely understood why; she’d been around them enough to understand how these moments of emotion were precious to them and how difficult these private conversations could be. And though Iris knew she didn’t have a reason to feel nervous, she couldn’t help but fidget slightly as she stood here. To be allowed in this sacred space, she was humbled.

“I can’t say I wasn’t a little surprised. It’s…been a rollercoaster of emotions the last few days.”

Lady Enya chuckled, reaching out to hold Iris’s hands in hers, smiling softly at her. “I know you two have come a long way. I know it must seem overwhelming but you were meant to find each other,” she said gently. “And to think…neither of you had wanted anything to do with the other.”

Iris flushed again and met her mother-in-law’s gaze. “Fate works in mysterious ways, I suppose.”

“Indeed.” Lady Enya said and squeezed her hands. “Now, come sit with me. I want you to tell me everything.”

#yes puppies.#spirit meets the bones #eris x oc #eris x iris #acotar #the lady of autumn #eris vanserra #iris vanserra #the plot thickens

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moononastring · 2 years ago

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Drawing Up the Plans - Eris x Iris [Modern AU]

Prompt: Modern AU Eris x Iris "celebrate" Valentine's Day. Inspired by this post. I have no other excuses. Rated: SFW. Brought to you by: Taylor Swift's - I Think He Knows & Gorgeous Author's Note: Happy Heart Day! Here are my morons doing their thing in modern au format. I had fun writing this so I hope you enjoy reading it :)

Find everything Eris x Iris here.

Iris watched him with a look of slight disdain on her face as her...whatever he was, sat across from her at their local ice cream shop. Eris was sitting with one leg crossed over the other, an ice cream cone in one hand and his eyes locked on his phone in the other.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as he nonchalantly bought the cone closer to his mouth and licked the creamy sweetness.

She clenched her fingers around her spoon and scowled.

It was just ice cream. He was only eating ice cream and yet — Iris clenched her thighs together and her scowl deepened when his traitorous tongue darted out again to take more.

It was obscene. Slightly erotic. But mostly it was obscene and she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

Iris didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing it was doing something to her. They’d only been orbiting around each other for a few weeks, and she was barely tolerating their interactions. He was so obnoxious and yet despite her many attempts to avoid him, they kept running into each other. The two of them ended up in the same space too often for it to be anything but fate.

She blamed it on how small this town seemed to be. And the fact that he was a rich, attractive man with too much confidence. Iris had moved into town a few months ago and during her first week, stumbled into him at the local bar where he spilled his drink on her. He insisted it was an accident but that hadn’t stopped her from throwing her drink at his face in return.

Needless to say, they treaded very aggressively around each other.

“Is there something wrong, Iris?” he asked and Eris met her gaze with a slight smirk, finally putting his phone away. “You’re awfully quiet.”

“Everything about you is wrong.” she mumbled and her gaze dropped to her own cup of ice cream. Iris had opted for a cup rather than a cone; She didn’t exactly trust what would come out of his mouth if she licked an ice cream cone in front of him.

She twirled the spoon in the sweetness as Eris chuckled then made the mistake of looking up to watch him as he once more, slowly, took another lick of his ice cream with a raised brow.

“You seem to have quite a problem with me and yet, here you are.”

“You asked me to meet you here, asshole.” she snapped and the corner of his wicked mouth lifted.

“Wound up a little tight today, are we?” he asked and had the audacity to smile as his tongue slowly lapped more ice cream.

Her lips curled in disdain once more as he smirked his way through another lick and Iris closed her eyes with a deep sigh. “What the hell do you want, Eris?”

“Are you not enjoying our date?”

Iris’s eyes shot open and both brows went up. “Date?”

“Yes.”

“You think this is a date?” she asked flatly.

“You think this isn’t?”

“When the hell did you ask me out on a date?” she asked with an incredulous laugh. “When did you dream that I said yes?”

Eris had the nerve to chuckle once more. “I asked you out to share some ice cream. On Valentine’s Day. Here we are. Date.”

Iris squinted then her gaze flickered around the shop and it hit her how blind she’d been; it was decorated with red and pink hearts everywhere. She’d been so annoyed when she walked in to meet him that Iris hadn’t even noticed. How the hell had she missed that it was Valentine’s Day?

True, she hadn’t really celebrated it in years. But it wasn’t her fault that most of the men she’d tried dating sucked.

Besides, it was the day after Valentine’s Day that was worth celebrating. All her favorite chocolates were on sale.

Finally rolling her eyes at his smirk, she said, “Every time I think you’ve reached your limit of audacity, you surprise me by outrageously exceeding it.”

He smiled once more then took a deliberately slow lick of his ice cream. “I like to keep you on your toes. I think you rather enjoy it.”

“I don’t enjoy anything about you.” she snapped, stabbing at what was left of her ice cream. “I don’t even like you.”

He snorted. “Sure. You definitely want to fuck me though. I bet you’ll like me a lot more then.” he said smoothly.

Iris’s brows shot up and she let out a huff of laughter in disbelief, her grip tightening around her spoon. “You are one cocky motherfucker. Especially when this is your idea of a Valentine’s Day date,” she huffed. “A date I definitely did not agree to.”

“Don’t worry, I absolutely want to fuck you too,” he said, raising his ice cream to toast her. “In fact, I insist.”

Iris willed her face not to flush, for her body not to betray her by reacting to his words. In the midst of all their unfortunate meets and bickering, had she thought about what it would be like to fuck him? Sure. Would she ever admit it? Definitely not.

“You’re unbelievable,” she said with a shake of her head. “How has no one in this town choked the life out of you yet?”

“It’s because I’m pretty.” he said with a smirk. “And very, very rich.”

“And so humble.”

“Exactly,” he said with a wink then straightened. “In all seriousness, when are we going to make this official between us?”

Iris rolled her eyes. “What, exactly, is there to make official?”

“You and me, little gazelle,” Eris replied with a knowing look. “Let’s not pretend this dance is anything but foreplay. Say yes and I’ll show you exactly the kind of dates I take a woman on.”

“Ah yes, the recycled list of dates you’ve used on all the women you go through?” she said with a snort. “Pass.”

“The kind of dates I only plan for one type of woman,” he said and the corner of his mouth ticked up in a way that made her toes curl. “And I’ve only ever met one of you.”

Iris watched him in silence, taking a moment to think of an appropriate response. He really was unbelievable. Obnoxious. Uppity. An ass most of the time. But…she had to admit, there was something that drew them to each other. Like an invisible string dragging them down the same path.

She’d resisted at every corner. And yet…gym? Eris had been there. Cafe? He had been there. The park while on her morning walks? He’d somehow been there. If it weren’t for the look of genuine surprise on his face every time, she’d think he’d been stalking her.

But then they also ended up at the same social events. Town meetings. Fundraisers. Parties. They’d had a…moment at the last gathering that replayed in Iris’s mind for longer than she would’ve liked. She’d deny it to her last breath but Lucien and Elain had witnessed it and though Iris loved having them as friends, she knew they were way too excited about whatever this was between her and Eris to let it go.

Iris placed her spoon in her ice cream cup and then leaned back in her chair, watching him curiously.

“Eris.”

“Yes?”

“What do you want from me?”

He gave her a small smile she hadn’t seen on his face before, one that softened his features and it made her instantly look away. “I simply want us to spend time together.”

“Why?”

Eris shrugged. “You feel it. You know why,” he said. “I want to see where it goes.”

Irid did feel it. As much as she would’ve liked to deny the chemistry between them, it was hard to pretend nothing was there when seeing him automatically made her pulse start racing. She hated it. But she also wanted to see where it’ll go.

She pursed her lips and waited a heartbeat before answering, “Fine. On two conditions.”

He took another obscene lick of his ice cream and waved a hand for her to continue. She tried not to squirm.

“One, physical contact will be limited to what I am comfortable with and sex is completely off the table.” Iris said firmly. “My body isn’t a prize you earn. We will simply see if we have a good time.”

“Agreed,” he said graciously. “My body, however, is absolutely available should you feel the need to explore it. I will humbly oblige.”

Iris rolled her eyes for what felt like the millionth time. “I’m not interested in going on dates with an egotistical ass who just wants to show off his money.” she said with a pointed look. “Don’t waste my time if you aren’t actually serious about this.”

“I am very serious.” he said and frowned. “You think I enjoy feeling this way about anyone?”

Iris felt her heart flutter at the look he gave her. If she wasn’t mistaken, his ears had gotten a little red. “And what way is that?”

Eris took a bite from his cone and squinted at her for a moment before answering. “When we’re on our date, I’ll tell you.”

She hummed her agreement and tried not to fidget in her seat at the movement of his mouth. “Either way. If you’re trying to impress me just so I don’t pour more drinks over your head, know that I don’t want flashy, I want real.” she said firmly. “You need to earn my trust.”

Eris watched her silently for a heartbeat then the corner of his mouth ticked up. “Okay.”

“And we tell no one.”

“Embarrassed to be seen with me?”

“Of course.” she said with a snort and Eris had the nerve to laugh softly. “Besides, I like privacy. People in this town are always in each other’s business. I know way too much about people’s bedroom habits.”

“Nesta and Cassian?” he asked with a snicker.

“Yes. Holy shit, do they have stamina.” Iris muttered, causing Eris to grin.

“They aren’t the only ones with stamina like that.” he said, nearly purring and Iris shot him a murderous look.

“Don’t.”

He held up a hand in mock surrender. “And your second condition?” he said then took another lick of his ice cream.

And this time Iris had finally had enough. She leaned over and yanked his cone from his hands, dropping it into her bowl. “You aren’t allowed to eat ice cream in front of me ever again.”

Eris blinked then burst out laughing. “Why?” he said incredulously. “I thought the choice of strawberry ice cream suited our date theme.”

“We’re not on a date,” she said flatly. “And the way you eat ice cream is obscene and you should be fined for public indecency.”

Iris watched him laugh again and hated how it made her pulse race faster. Eris lit up when he laughed. It made him more youthful, and at ease, versus the usual expression that made a person want to punch him in the face.

“Ah.” he finally said with a smirk that Iris didn’t trust one bit. “I see you caught on to my tactic.”

Iris narrowed her eyes, willing herself not to flush. “And what tactic is that?” she asked, already regretting the question as his expression.

“I wanted to make sure you knew that ice cream wasn’t the only thing I could eat obscenely,” Eris said, his voice dropping low and Iris felt her body heating. “I hope my display was to your liking.”

This motherfucker. Iris took a breath and closed her eyes, slowly counting to ten before opening her eyes again to find Eris still smirking obnoxiously at her from across the table. Had she been paying extra attention to the way he ate his stupid ice cream? Yes. Would she ever admit it? No.

Jerking her chin towards her bowl of ruined dessert. “Do you want me to dump it on your head or do you want to do it yourself?”

“I’d rather you watched me eat it again.”

“I’d rather you choked.”

Eris chuckled and the sound made goosebumps erupt on her flesh as he stood. She watched him wipe his hands with a napkin on the table and then adjust his dress shirt, his eyes never leaving her face. Tossing the napkin into her melting bowl of dessert, Eris placed a hand on the back of her chair, his other balanced on the table, and leaned in close.

“I’d be more inclined to believe you if you weren’t devouring me with your eyes, sweetheart.” he whispered and Iris scowled with a flush. Eris paused for a breath as she turned her head to look at him and the two watched each other silently, the world suddenly silent around them.

She wondered if his heart was beating as wildly as hers. If he could see her pulse racing.

Almost as if in a trance, Eris couldn’t help but lean in to gently kiss her cheek, before meeting her gaze again. “I had fun on our date.” he murmured.

“Not a date.” she whispered but Eris only hummed.

“Agree to disagree,” he said with a slight smile. “I knew you’d be my Valentine the moment you poured that drink on me months ago.”

Her face heated. She would not think about what that meant. “I doubt you expected your Valentine to want to choke you out.”

“Oh, I absolutely would want my valentine to choke me out. You can choke me all you want on our next date.” Eris said and finally pulled back with a wink, sliding a small gift bag she hadn’t even noticed across the table to her. “This was bought prior to your conditions so our agreement still stands.”

Iris blinked and gazed up at him. “You…bought me a gift?”

“Of course. I’m not one to show up to a date empty-handed.” Eris said with a pointed look.

“It’s not a date.” she repeated but knew, this time, her refusal sounded weak enough that Eris chuckled.

“You look adorable when you’re in denial.” he cooed and couldn’t help his grin as Iris scowled up at him, running a finger down her cheek before stepping back. “I’ll pick you up at 6, Friday evening. Wear something that’ll rip my poor heart out, little valentine.”

Iris sat in the silence that followed his smug exit, stunned at the turn of events and how fast her heart was beating. She wasn’t sure what exactly she had agreed to with Eris but felt dazed. Excited. Turned on. Slightly annoyed.

Most importantly, she needed to go shopping.

Iris would not think about the kiss on her cheek. Or about his promises. She certainly would not think about his tongue and what that stupid mouth of his could do.

She would only think about finding a dress that would give him the bluest of balls possible.

Her eyes fell on the gift bag again and Iris slowly pulled it closer to peek in. A note sat atop the tissue paper, hiding whatever it was that he’d gotten her. Biting the inside of her cheek, Iris pulled out the note, trying not to think about her mixed emotions having Eris of all people getting her a Valentine’s Day gift. She opened it and read,

Happy Valentine’s Day, little gazelle. Use it and think of me. Know I could do it better.

But here’s my number so you can tell me all about how you like it.

Iris flushed deeply and immediately eyed the bag again. “Oh god.” she whispered. Those words could mean anything but knowing Eris – knowing the way he thinks…He wouldn’t. Would he?

She could practically see his stupid face and stupid smirk in front of her and with a scowl, Iris reached for the bag again, slowly removing the gift tissue to peek beneath it at the gift. A small groan slipped from her mouth and she immediately covered it again.

Of course, he would.

Of course, Eris Vanserra would think a vibrator would be an appropriate gift for someone he had barely been on a date with. An expensive one at that.

He was outrageous. Outrageous. She didn’t know whether to be flattered or freaked out that he was thinking about her pleasure. How many guys thought about a gift like this? How many guys were this fucken bold?

Then again, every interaction with this man only proved him persistent.

“I knew you’d be my Valentine the moment you poured that drink on me months ago.”

The words replayed in her mind and Iris pursed her lips, glancing down at the bag once more, amusement seeping through the disbelief. Eris hadn’t hesitated from the moment he met her and Iris had to admit, though his methods weren’t great — it, unfortunately, made him come off as very attractive.

Groaning quietly to herself, Iris shoved the note back into the bag and then sighed, knowing whatever resistance she had been building against him would disappear as soon as she tested out this gift of his. The asshole knew exactly what he was doing.

And Iris had to give credit where credit was due — she always did like a man with a plan.

#eris vanserra #eris vanserra fanfic #eris vanserra x oc #smtb #eris x iris #modern au eiris #If I didn't tag you and you wanted to be tagged I'm sorry!#If you didn't reply to the original post I assumed you weren't interested and didn't want to bother you 😆#I hope y'all liked it!

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positivewitch · 1 year ago

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@erisweek2023 Day 6 - Arranged marriage | Modern Au

By @lucienarcheron (love ya <33)

#eris week 2023 #erisweek2023 #eris vanserra #eris x iris #eiris #smtb #eris x oc #acotar #ella edit✨#my edit acotar

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headfulloflettuce · 2 months ago

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The Human Who Fooled All of Prythian

25. An Iris and Her Pine Tree

Note: Viviane and Kallias matching each other’s crazy for 5907 words straight.

“By the Mother Eris is attractive.”

“Attractive? The male is steaming!”

“Did you see how he danced with Lady Noel on the Winter Solstice?”

Viviane sipped her tea as the young ladies of her court gushed over Autumn Court men.

“I am sorry, but I have to disagree. Day Court is where it's at if you want a fling.” another young female jumped into the discussion, “The emissaries Helion brought…I have no words.”

Thank goodness I have Solene and Evelyn here to keep me company.

Viviane glanced at her sister who was nodding at one of the females rambling about the Vanserra brothers, maintaining an air of interest.

“Well, if one is looking at potential partnerships, they must also consider the in-laws.” Evelyn smiled politely behind her tea cup.

Evelyn please do not stir up unnecessary drama.

The younger ladies shared a knowing glance; no High Fae male worth his money would marry his child off to a Vanserra unless the deal being offered was extremely profitable. No one wanted to deal with Beron in a dynamic where they had the disadvantage.

The only exception to this being Eris, the heir, but he would most likely marry someone within Autumn Court.

“Yes, in-laws are an important aspect of marriage.” Olwen nodded in agreement, the cute bow in her light brown hair bouncing as she reached over to take a sweet from the platter, “But so is love!”

Viviane could see Solene restrain a snort.

It was a beautiful take, but a naive one.

“I only hope that my future partner is half of the male Kallias is to our Lady of Winter.”

Viviane smiled, “Thank you dear, me and my mate are truly fortunate to have such a partnership.”

“But what if the male you fell in love with was a nobody? Someone who brought no value to your family or society?” Noel spoke up.

“W-What?”

“What if your mate was from the lowest circles of faeries? A criminal no one wanted to associate with?”

“Well, I am sure that wouldn’t happen…”

“But what if it did?”

Olwen laughed nervously, dropping the cookie she had grabbed, leaving crumbs in her puffy, pale blue dress. Flustered, the lady quickly tried to clean up the mess she had made.

This child had entered society fairly recently - within the past ten years. Perhaps it was the conflict with Amarantha or the war with Hybern that followed soon after but she clearly lacked the elegance required for these events.

Viviane didn’t judge too harshly though, the point was to make friends.

However, Olwen will need to learn to deal with pressure if she wants to do well here.

“I heard you recently got a new pet hare Lady Olwen.” Viviane spoke up, changing the conversation thread.

Noel backed off, crossing her legs, her simpler dark blue dress resting well along her legs.

“Yes, my father got me one as a gift for my birthday. She’s absolutely gorgeous!” Olwen beamed.

“I heard he got you one when you made your debut into society as well.” Evelyn said.

Olwen nodded, “The two of them are so different yet get along so nicely. What about you Lady Noel?” Olwen turned to the white haired fae, “What animal did your family get you when you made your debut?”

Viviane wanted to facepalm.

Did you not get enough the first time?

Noel smiled, “A polar bear.”

“O-Oh.” Olwen tried to smile back, “Aren’t those used for the military mostly? Not the most friendly house pet is it?”

“Who said it was for the house? My father wanted me to be well defended and ready for the world outside our home. Hence, he gifted me a creature that could match me in strength and smarts.” Noel’s voice took on a mocking tone, “Though, I am sure a cute little white hare will strike fear into its enemies.”

Olwen tensed, “You…that hare was expensive and is of the highest quality!”

“So is my bear.”

“But it’s so unlady-like!”

“Ha…Lady Olwen, my family is in the military business, do you really think I am concerned about the ‘lady-like’ nature of a bear?”

“You…but that’s…”

Viviane did not step in to help the recently debuted female.

“Perhaps you think I would like a little canary or another fancy dress?” Noel pushed even more, “Truly, with all the time you’ve spent renewing your wardrobe Lady Olwen, I would have hoped you’d have the decency to study up on the interests of your fellow ladies.”

Olwen looked tearful, her hands made into fists as she stared dejectedly down, unable to come up with any counter argument.

A shame, I had high hopes for Olwen. Her family consisted of quick witted scholars, but this was just embarrassing.

“Ahem…I heard there were quite a few intriguing new vendors during the solstice.” Solene spoke up, returning the conversation flow.

With an older fae having spoken, some of the younger females calmed, smiling once more. Olwen’s expression remained a scowl.

“The new perfumery was there too!”

“What was it called again?”

“Serene Fragrances.”

“Did you get a chance to try out the perfume they released for the solstice?”

“They released a new perfume?!”

“Wow, you’re really out of the loop.”

“I heard the perfumer was spotted walking in the Forge district with Amelio.” one of the other ladies leaned in, whispering.

Not that any secret mentioned here would remain a secret for long.

“Forge district?”

“Why would she go there?”

“Perhaps…you know…she has a thing with him?”

“With whom?”

“Amelio.”

The ladies gasped at such news.

“But he’s with Lady Solene!”

“So?” Olwen spoke up, “Birds of a feather flock together. It only makes sense that two Lesser Fae would date. They can’t understand what an honor it is to be married to a lady like Solene, so they go and pull a stunt like this.”

Viviane smiled.

Olwen smiled back brightly.

Wow, truly not a thought in that pretty head of hers.

A couple ladies had the self awareness to be nervous and embarrassed by Olwen’s statement, glancing at Solene to gauge her reaction to the rumors.

Solene however remained calm, elegantly trying one of the cookies dusted with white sugar.

The idea that Amelio would ever cheat was stupid. Is there something wrong with our water supply? How could you even have such a thought?

“On the topic of the Forge district,” Noel spoke, her voice overpowering the general chatter, “What is the administration's progress regarding the food shortages, Lady of Winter?”

There it was.

“We are currently working on programs to ensure improvements to our internal food supply.”

“What of external food sources?” Noel tilted her head, “How are negotiations with Autumn?”

“I am afraid I cannot disclose a state secret like that.”

Not even to Kallias’s close family.

“I see, however I am still curious,” Noel continued, “If negotiations are taking so long do you require additional help?”

“I can assure you that we can handle it. The best thing you can do to help us is do what you do best and continue helping your family’s business.”

The ladies present watched the two as if it were a duel in a Day Court stadium - who would win?

“I would but even there you have given us orders that some would argue to be counterintuitive.”

“Are you questioning the instructions we have given you?” Viviane leaned back in her armchair.

“Of course not Lady of Winter.” Noel’s tone was serious, “I would never think of doing such a wretched thing, but I must ask how much longer things will go on like this?”

Viviane had to admit Kallias’s cousin was a master of pissing her off and walking the border of respect - just like his uncle.

“We are working towards resolving all these issues.”

Noel nodded, but looked unsatisfied with that answer.

I wish I could tell you that eventually we will stop letting Night Court pass through with no consequences, or that I have a definitive solution for the food shortage, but I can’t.

A grandfather clock sounded as it struck 2pm..

“Well, it seems our time here together is over unfortunately.” Evelyn pipped in, cutting through the tension that had settled over the group.

Everyone began getting up, curtseying before Viviane as they left.

“Thank you for the invitation.” Noel bowed.

“I appreciate your attendance.” Viviane nodded in acknowledgement, watching the fae disappear down the hallway.

Viviane relaxed in her armchair as all the guests left, leaving just her sister and Solene.

“Well Your Majesty, any of the new ladies catch your eye? Olwen seems like such a joy, no?”

“Please save your tone Solene.” Viviane ran a hand down her face, “Did etiquette tutors die out, or has gossip always been this bad?”

I am not about to bring someone into my close circle of supporters who actively wants to belittle those who keep our economy running.

“Gossip always has been this bad,” Evelyn said, setting down her teacup, “You’ve just been so busy with Kallias’s duties that you haven’t gotten to see it as much as us. Welcome to the club sister.”

“That is concerning.”

“In their defense, most kept their mouths shut during Amarantha’s rule of fifty years,” Evelyn muttered.

“It’s because nobody wanted their head on a spike, or worse.” Solene retorted.

Or worse - the fate that befell those younglings.

“Noel did well, as always.” Viviane said.

Regardless of her feelings towards the fae Viviane had to acknowledge her prowess in the social circles; since, that was exactly what made her so dangerous to their rule.

Granted, I’d rather deal with Noel than her uncle or any other members of Kallias’s distant family.

Solene nodded in agreement, “Surprising none of us of course. What about the others, any thoughts?”

“Well, I wasn’t particularly impressed by the rest, but we’ll make do. We’ll reach out to those who were staying quiet during the major disputes.”

Their silence could be an indicator of smarts. Not every fae can remain quiet in such an environment after all.

“Later I’ll look over in more detail again who came and select a few of the gossipers for closer observation.”

Even if I don’t like faeries that needlessly spout nonsense, that ‘nonsense’ is what keeps our social circles busy and defines family relations or even a faerie’s status for centuries to come.

“Sounds good.” Evelyn said.

“How is Cosette’s project coming along?” Viviane looked at Solene.

We need to get Noel off our back as soon as possible.

“It’s coming along well. According to Amelio they sent out the first shipment of prototypes to be tested yesterday.”

“Good.” Viviane played lazily with the fur of the blanket on the armchair, “Say Solene, what do you make of Cosette?”

“Smart girl.”

“Anything else?”

We’re not having you and Amelio watch her to only get ‘smart’ as feedback.

Solene smirked, “The girl undersells herself. I honestly don’t know if she does it on purpose or if she’s really that naive. She claims to ‘have little experience with business management’ and that she has ‘a minimal understanding of the inner workings of the Winter Court’, while her actions scream otherwise.”

Unless she just got extremely lucky, however, that fae’s idea to improve our farming system didn’t seem like a mindless attempt at striking gold. It was planned and well thought out.

“How is her relationship with Amelio?”

“Wary, but you know my husband.” Solene smiled darkly, “He has the ability to calm even the jumpiest of fae. They’re getting along just fine.”

Good, I do not need her acting up right now.

To put it frankly, at the moment, Cosette was a wild card. Either one that turned out to be a golden goose, or one that could cause more problems than good later down the line if not taken care of.

Viviane was hoping it was the former.

“Amelio would adopt the girl if he could.” Solene confessed.

“Really? Adoption? Forgive me, your husband never struck me as the type for such noble acts.” Evelyn, just like Viviane, was surprised.

The male who was the star example of a vicious and cruel Winter Fae? The one who would throw an innocent to Autumn’s notorious hounds and smile as they were torn to shreds? That male wanted to adopt a complete stranger?

“Oh trust me I reacted the same way as you’re looking at me now.” Solene laughed dryly, “He says she has the drive and instincts he wished he saw more of in his students or fellow entrepreneurs. He’s practically itching to mold her into the perfect little business fae. Claims it would be easier to accomplish such a task if the female was within the family. Makes it easier to manipulate and control her.”

That sounded more like the Amelio we know and love.

Seeing Viviane’s tense expression Solene raised her hands placatingly, “Don’t worry Viv, he hasn’t done anything yet. Amelio is waiting patiently for yours and Kallias’s command.”

Viviane nodded.

“Are you still trying?” Evelyn looked at Solene, her eyes soft.

“Casually, it would be nice to have an heir eventually. Additional layer of security, you know?” Solene answered, standing up, “But we’re not holding our breaths.”

Evelyn followed suit, helping Viviane stand up.

“When is your due date?” Solene looked at the Lady of Winter.

“It should be any day now.” Viviane smiled, patting her stomach.

“It’s best that you have the healers on site, just in case.” Solene noted.

“We have already summoned a team to stay in the palace.”

“Good.”

“How long until we get a response from the farms about the prototype?”

“A couple weeks.”

Not horribly long.

“Thank you for your work, both of you.”

Viviane dragged herself out of the room, bidding goodbye to Solene and Evelyn, making her way to the private area of the palace reserved for herself, Kallias and Briar.

The Lady of Winter took her duties seriously. From the smallest details in how plates were set up during official dinners, to the big picture of where trade routes were located and their subsequent impacts on their economy and relations with other courts.

This tea party was just another one of those duties. Listening to her fellow noble ladies' plights and concerns. Their dramas and intrigues. It might seem trivial, but it was vital in order to maintain an image and an understanding of their court’s current ongoings. No matter how…annoying the conversations could get.

Looking out the window overlooking the training ground she could see Briar chatting with a few soldiers, all of them dressed in training gear.

Viviane smiled.

It’s nice to see her happy.

She knocked on a large oak door, painted in various shades of blues, with little detailed ice shards and crystals decorating the edge of it.

“Come in.”

Viviane entered, making her way over to Kallias who was pouring over paperwork, as always.

“Love?” Kallias frowned upon seeing his wife, “Are you alright?”

She groaned, collapsing into his arms.

Kallias gently hummed, holding his mate close, “Did the tea party not go well?”

“It went how it always does.”

“Which member of the family did my uncle send now?”

“Noel.”

“Seems like she’s becoming more and more active within society recently.”

“She’s always been active.”

“So you’re used to dealing with her then.”

“Ehh…more desensitized and overly prepared.” Viviane smiled.

“What’s the most recent drama that is plaguing our dear court now?” Kallias gently stroked her hair, lowering his voice.

“They were gossiping about how Cosette is stealing Amelio away from Solene.”

Kallias snorted, “Not a brain shared between half of them I see.”

“That or they are all pretending to be stupid.”

“Are they smart enough to do that though?”

Viviane giggled, “Probably not the younger ones.”

“How are the older ladies?”

“I have a separate tea party with them planned later this week. Though, I suspect we’ll all spend more time looking over business contracts rather than drinking tea and chatting.”

Kallias nodded, tracing patterns on Viviane’s shoulder with a finger, “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

Viviane giggled, a comfortable silence settling over them as they enjoyed each other’s company.

“Was my family really that bad when I was gone?”

“Absolutely. They’re practically angels now that you’re here.”

“Well, I wouldn’t call them angelic…”

“By comparison Kallias, they absolutely are.”

Kallias admitted defeat by giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“My uncle is loyal though.”

“I know, that’s why I didn’t get rid of them like I did with some of the other families who were acting up. Your close relatives at least played nice and were willing to work together during Amarantha’s rule, instead of being hell-bent on destroying the court from the inside.” she exhaled, leaning against his chest, “How much longer do you think they’ll wait for results?”

Kallias sighed, “Until the problems we’re dealing with start impacting the flow of money into their pockets.”

“It already is.”

“Then we’re beginning to run out of time.” Kallias gently stroked Viviane’s stomach, trying to feel for the kicking babe, “Speaking of time, aren’t you due already?”

Everyone was asking the same questions.

“The healers said that the baby might come a bit late but we don’t have reason to worry yet.”

Kallias hummed, his worries not soothed.

“Perhaps you should be resting then.” Kallias bit his tongue upon seeing his mate’s thunderous expression.

“Resting? With all the issues our court is facing?”

“Forgive me my lady for even suggesting such a bizarre notion.”

Viviane huffed.

“Please consider it Viv. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you or the child.” he kissed her neck, cupping her face carefully, holding his whole word in the palms of his hands, “You have looked more tired lately.”

She looked away from her mate, knowing he spoke the truth, “Fine, I’ll clear out the rest of my schedule for the evening.”

“Thank you.”

“However, I am not skipping Cosette’s visit.”

“Guess I cannot make you sit that out.”

“We both ordered a perfume, I want to receive my purchase in person too.”

“Of course.” Kallias kissed her hair.

This male has been desperate since they made their agreement to hold off on anything since the middle of her pregnancy.

Viviane got off his lap before they made any decisions they would regret.

“Cosette is going to be here at around 3. We should get going.”

Kallias nodded, standing up and taking Viviane's hand, beginning to lead them to the throne room when Viviane gently pulled on his arm, stopping him.

“Love?” he looked at her with a confused expression.

“We should meet her somewhere more casual.”

Kallias raised an eyebrow, following his mate to one of the rooms they used for meeting with emissaries or important guests, “Any particular reason?”

“Do you want to spook her by sitting on your throne?”

“No.”

“Then we meet her here.”

“Fair enough.” Kallias smirked, following Viviane’s lead he ordered one of the nearby guards to bring Cosette here instead of the throne room.

Viviane sat down on the couch, wrapping a blanket around herself.

This was much more comfortable than a throne.

“You know…you’re quite the manipulator when you want to be.”

“Whatever do you mean my love?” Viviane’s eyes narrowed mischievously.

“Easing the poor girl into a sense of security? Permitting Briar to be friends with her?”

“Oh please, Briar wanted to be friends with her long before we had a vested interest in that fae.”

“Yet you’re actively encouraging her to meet up with Cosette.”

“Just like you do too! Kal, don't call me out when you have tightened security around the streets that perfumer frequents.”

“Well I can’t have a visiting emissary try to steal a new talent away, can I?”

Viviane rolled her eyes.

An upbeat knock sounded on the door.

“Come in.” Kallias permitted.

Cosette stepped in, bowing “I greet the High Lord and Lady of Winter.”

“Please sit down.” Viviane gestured to the couch across them.

Neither ruler missed the way the fae’s eye scanned the room, taking in its icy opulence. Cosette quickly caught herself staring at the scenic paintings on the walls, and ornate furniture along the sides.

She walked over to the couch Viviane had pointed to and sat down, the large window to their right made her blonde hair shine slightly. The fae wasn’t beautiful like many individuals Viviane had to interact with on a daily basis. Not that she wasn’t pretty. The term ‘cute’ might be a better way to describe her.

Cosette pulled off her cloak and sweaters before placing, and unwrapping before them a small, neatly packaged box,

“I finished your custom orders. I apologize for the wait but I wanted to make sure that the scents were perfect before I presented them to you.”

Viviane’s eyes widened, the bottles were gorgeous. The first was a round bottle with the top designed like an iris flower, its petals curving outward, a few melting into the bottle’s body. The second bottle was taller, with the top being a pine tree, the branches of which were designed to look like ice shards.

If Viviane wasn’t confident in Cosette’s perfumery skills she would have been nervous. The perfumery street’s expensive stores were notorious for their gorgeous bottles and designs. It was a nice way of distracting the viewer from the atrocious smell for enough seconds to get them to make a purchase.

Noticing the presence of only two bottles, Viviane spoke up, “Will you be giving Briar’s perfume in person?”

“I am sorry, I haven't quite completed Briar’s perfume yet. I want to spend a bit more time with her before I decide what perfume would fit her best.”

Viviane was satisfied with that answer.

As long as Briar was happy and Cosette kept visiting them, this arrangement was acceptable.

“Did you commission a glassmaker for these?” Kallias picked up the pine tree bottle, examining it closely.

“Yes, there is this one glassworks shop in the center of the city. The first time I explored the capital I was enamored by the demonstrations they were doing in the window.”

“I assume the iris flower is for me?” Viviane picked up the other bottle.

“It is.” Cosette confirmed.

Viviane spritzed the perfume on her wrist. The scent was gentle, the primary note being iris but she could smell the subtle presence of the aster flower.

Kallias leaned over to take a small whiff, a smile spreading across his face.

��It smells good.”

Viviane hummed in agreement, “Cosette, may I ask why you selected the scents you did for this perfume?”

Kallias made eye contact with Viviane for a split second as he sat up straight again.

“Well, I wanted something that would compliment you visually, and the purple iris is perfect due to its regality. I also believe you to be a wise ruler that strikes hope and trust into the hearts of the Winter Court’s citizens. Hence, the usage of iris as the primary scent note.” Cosette spoke, “You are also the image of elegance and patience within Winter Court society that many ladies strive to learn from, so I included aster as an additional scent flavor.”

Viviane smiled.

Perfect answer.

Kallias tried his own cologne - a fresh musky, pine-like scent filling the air, with an undertone of rosemary. He nodded in approval, looking to Cosette for an explanation.

“During your visit you mentioned liking the smell of forests so I thought of Winter Court’s infamous snowy forests for inspiration, which led to me selecting cypress as the perfume’s primary scent due to its smell being reminiscent of a pine or cedar. I included rosemary for a eucalyptus undertone that contrasts the cypress's sweetness. With cypress representing eternity or specifically everlasting life, combined with rosemary being a symbol for remembrance, I believed them to be a good fit for the High Lord of eternal winter.”

Kallias hummed appreciatively, “You put a lot of thought into your work.”

“I want to deliver the best product I can.” Cosette smiled.

“We can see that.” Viviane said, “Your efforts are not going unnoticed.”

Whether they are in perfumery or other things. If the goal was to remain discreet you have failed. But, that’s okay, discretion is a skill we can teach you.

“Cosette, how is the farming project coming along?” Kallias set down his perfume bottle, leaning back on the couch.

“It’s going well. We sent out the first round of prototypes for testing to a farm yesterday.”

As we were told.

“Do you have enough people working on production? We have good artisans within the palace, and others that we can recommend inside the Forge district.” Kallias questioned.

“His father is assisting whenever he can but he’s currently ill, so no, not really.” Cosette hurriedly added, “I do plan on hiring more people personally once we get results back from this first test run.”

Solene was right, she is a smart girl. If she were to agree to our, or Amelio’s offers of assistance she would risk losing the extent of ownership she currently has over her little project. However, there is only so far she will get on her own.

Eventually, she will require the help of High Fae more and more. Something akin to a patron. I wonder when she will realize this?

Viviane brushed that question off.

She won’t need to realize anything if we’re smart about this.

“Would you like to stay for tea?” Viviane offered.

“I am afraid I can’t. I left the perfumery in Ophelia’s hands and I am worried about her having to handle everything by herself.” Cosette pulled on one of her sweaters, “Not that Ophelia isn’t competent, it’s just that it’s hard to handle a bunch of customers all by yourself.”

“Didn’t you have a male working for you as well?” Kallias raised an eyebrow.

“Theo? Yeah, but he’s currently working on the farming project, so he has no time to help us out at the moment.” Cosette smiled awkwardly, “I really need to hire more workers but I haven’t had the time to.”

“Well, good luck at the perfumery then.” Viviane didn’t pressure. They would be seeing more of each other soon anyways.

“Here is the payment for the perfumes.” Kallias pushed forward an envelope.

“Thank you.” Cosette said, pocketing the money.

“Are you cold?” Viviane tilted her head, watching Cosette as she pulled on yet another sweater.

The poor thing is as bundled up as Day or Summer Court emissaries whenever they visited.

“Yeah, I have a weak constitution so I dress warmly.” the blonde explained, putting on her hat and scarf.

“I presume you’re not from Winter Court then?” Viviane asked.

Solene had mentioned that the girl was from a village in the Faerie Lands.

“No, I am from a village in a central forest of the Faerie Lands.”

“What’s the weather like there?” Kallias smiled.

“Warmer.” Cosette smiled, the expression slightly stiff, “It’s not snowing all year round.”

Kallias chuckled, “Well, don’t freeze on us.”

“Yes, please take care of your health.” Viviane agreed.

“I am trying to Your Majesties.”

Cosette bowed, leaving the meeting room, with one of the guards escorting her away.

“Well, thoughts?” Viviane leaned back as well, matching her husband’s energy.

Kallias responded after a minute of thinking, a hand resting on his chin, “She has the behavior of a business fae that I would like on our side. Not only does she have good ideas, but she’s calm and collected when questioned. Many fae would get too nervous before giving as eloquent an explanation as she gave.”

Well, let’s give our faeries some credit here. It’s not that they don’t know things, they just have stage fright before their literal rulers. Cosette wasn’t from Winter Court and thus didn’t feel the same way towards us. It hardly seemed fair to be so harsh in the assessment.

“She’s adamant on refusing help or relying on resources from others though.”

“Not adamant enough. She hasn’t pushed Amelio, or us away.” Kallias argued, “Cosette is keeping a respectable distance but that’s just because she’s wary. Wariness is a good thing in business. It keeps a fae smart. Wouldn’t you be disappointed if she was a pushover?”

“I guess that’s true.” Viviane agreed.

“Sooner or later she will need to accept our help, or one of our close supporter’s help as otherwise she won’t be able to grow.” Kallias stood up, pacing the room, “Alliances are key to success within such work. We offer her the perfect connections to expand her business.”

Viviane let her husband ramble, her eyes tracking his fluid movements.

“I shall invite her to the palace personally. If we are planning on truly bringing her into High Fae society we will need to prepare her not only to handle the conniving words of politicians but the behavior of business fae.” Kallias thought aloud, “We have quarterly meetings with the trades faeries of our court. I can teach her the basics of our economy and commerce over lunch. Then, invite her to said meeting which gives her the opportunity to create new connections due to our help.”

“Who’s the manipulator now?”

“Oh hush, you’re scheming just as much as I am.”

“Of course I am.” Viviane confirmed, sitting up, the blanket previously wrapped around her falling down slightly, “I will invite her over for tea with my close friends, but before that she will need to be taught etiquette. I am sure Briar will not mind having a friend join her in her studies.”

Kallias walked back over to Viviane, kissing her, “I love your mind.”

“And I love yours.”

Viviane found her appetite lacking as she stared down at the delicious spread before her. Kallias kept casting glances at her as he ate the pork on his plate, and Briar nearly devoured the plate as well, hungry from all the training earlier that day.

“Viv,” he stared gently, “Can you try to eat at least a couple bites?”

“I am really not hungry, Kallias.” she sighed, putting her head in her hands. She felt so tired, wanting nothing more than to collapse into bed and hopefully sleep. The baby in her stomach had decided that his mother did not require sleep as he kept kicking her awake in the middle of the night yesterday.

“What about some juice then?” he offered her a glass of apple juice, which she reluctantly took and began sipping.

Briar nodded, her expression concerned, “Are you okay Viviane?”

“Yeah I am fine, just need to rest.” Viviane gave the human a smile, following Kallias’s lead out of their private dining room.

Her mate carefully supported her as they walked to their shared bedroom, the walk taking a lot more out of Viviane then she would have liked to admit.

Seeing her exhaustion, Kallias winnowed them straight onto the bed.

“Kal, you didn’t have to.” Viviane sighed, tugging off her dress.

“You look like you were about to collapse if you walked another step.” Kallias murmured, giving her a nightgown and helping her change into it, “What kind of male do you take me for? To allow my partner to walk in that state?”

Viviane rolled her eyes, snuggling up to him, “You should save your energy.”

“Ha, for what?” Kallias chuckled, “For paperwork?”

“Exactly, or a number of other courtly duties.”

“Well, if I am banned from using my magic, then I shall have to carry my beautiful lady like I did on the night of our mating ceremony.”

“You’re impossible.”

“No, I am persistent.” Kallias smiled, leaning over and capturing Viaine’s lips, “Let me take care of you love, please.”

“But I am okay.” she kissed back, sighing as his hands wrapped around her, playing with her hair, his body hovering inches above hers.

“You ran this court all by yourself for fifty years, let me be here for you now.” Kallias moved his kisses down her neck to her collarbone.

Viviane wrapped her hands around his neck, pulling him closer so they were now touching.

“We agreed to not do anything until the baby was born.” Kallias whispered, moving his kisses back up her neck.

“Well the baby has decided to stick around for longer, so why do-” Viviane gasped.

“Viv? What is it? What’s wrong?” Kallias immediately sat up, trying to see what caused her reaction.

“My water broke.” she stared at her mate, “The baby is coming.”

“Holy shit.” Kallias quickly got off the bed, before rushing back into bed to fix the blankets and pillows around Viviane to make her more comfortable, “I am going to call for the healers, I will be right back. Alright?”

Viviane simply nodded, countless thoughts racing through her mind. Kallias winnowed away leaving her alone.

Was the baby going to be healthy? Was it a boy or girl? Was her not eating that evening going to be bad? Who was going to change the sheets?

Wait, Kallias. I want him here.

Why was he not here?

As soon as the thoughts of panic had begun to creep up the familiar presence returned along with a couple others.

She grabbed for the familiar hand that gently squeezed hers. Soft lips pressing against her fingers.

“I am back. I am here.” Kallias reassured her as the healers busied themselves around her, checking her vitals.

“Everything seems in order.” the older healer spoke, looking at his rulers, “Now we just wait.”

“How long?” Viviane asked.

“A while.”

As soon as Viviane heard the baby’s cries she relaxed against the pillows, Kallias wiping away her tears.

“You did it. You’re okay.” he murmured softly, not letting go of her hand.

Viviane nodded, unable to stop smiling at the small body that was being carried away to be wrapped up.

“Congratulations, it’s a girl.” the head healer smiled, taking the child to a changing table.

Viviane tensed when the child disappeared from view.

Where did she go?

She gripped the sheets of the bed, ice covering the top slightly.

“Bring her back!” she cried.

“Love, they’re just putting her in a blanket.” Kallias tried to calm his mate through gritted teeth. It didn’t help that he himself was restraining the urge to deck the healer for taking the child away but he knew it was necessary.

The two only relaxed when the doctor returned with the child in his arms.

Viviane snatched the baby back, practically growling at the healer who took a step back for his own safety. Kallias waved a hand dismissively, the healer and his assistants getting the message and disappearing out the door.

The babe sniffled as Viviane shushed and soothed her, gently rocking her back and forth.

“Hi little one.” Viviane felt tears in her eyes, “It’s me. Do you recognize me?”

The baby cried.

“Please don’t cry, or I’ll cry too.”

Kallias wiped Viviane’s tears away, settling in on the bed beside his mate.

“You’re so beautiful.” Viviane gently stroked the child’s cheek as she slowly calmed.

The fireplace crackled, while the wintry winds howled outside, beginning to paint the large windows of their bedroom.

“Her name is Lumi.” Viviane stated, brooking no argument.

Kallias reached out to gently stroke the child’s head, “Hello Lumi. Welcome home.”

That night the winds in Winter Court picked up, and snow covered every inch of open space; celebrating the arrival of a new fae child.

Next: Chapter 26 - Toxic Tea

Back: Chapter 24 - Pointy Stick of Doom

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