#last solstice he gave you his heart

[acourtofquestions]

My newest CRACK FANON nonsense theory:

If Tamlin has a stone heart, and all High Lords are ✨gems✨ then can Tarquin please have a Ruby Soul?!😂🤣

[serpentandlily]

Last Solstice - Azriel x Reader, Eris x Reader

Last Solstice - Azriel x Reader, Eris x Reader

Summary: Last Solstice you had been ready to give Azriel your heart, only to stumble upon him and Elain in a near kiss. This Solstice, you’re ready to give your heart to someone else, someone special—your mate, Eris Vanserra. 

Warnings: some angst, happy ending

A/n: Based on THIS request !! This was so fun to write !! Hope you guys enjoy this Christmas present 🎄☃️

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Last Christmas I gave you my heart

But the very next day you gave it away

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You had first met Feyre at her art studio, after attending a few lessons. The two of you had been quick friends and it wasn’t long before she started inviting you to her family get togethers. 

Which is where you met Azriel, the Shadowsinger. One drunken night at Rita’s had ended with the two of you tumbling into bed together. What started as a one time drunken decision soon led to another night in the shadowsinger’s bed, sober this time. 

When you and Azriel had started sleeping together, he had made you promise him to keep it between the two of you. You didn’t question it at first. Azriel was a private person; he’d never been forthcoming about his lovers in the past, according to Feyre. You figured eventually, if things lasted, he would want to tell his family, your now friends. You’d want to tell them too.  

But then a few months went by.

A year.

As more time passed, you began to feel deeply for Azriel and wanted to take your relationship to the next step. To be able to loudly proclaim your love to him. To go on dates in public. To finally tell your family. But every time you asked him about it, he always said the same thing. He wasn’t ready, didn’t want the attention that would come with it. So you pushed your own feelings down and tried to pretend you were still okay with the arrangement you two had. 

A secret love, only ever together once night fell. 

It didn’t help that Elain Archeron seemed to be smitten with him, seemed to follow him around like a little puppy. You didn’t miss the looks she sent his way, didn’t miss the way she’d brush up against him at every chance she got. But you couldn’t say anything, not when Azriel wanted to keep things so private. So you sucked it all up for him, no matter how much it bothered you. 

But when Solstice came around, you decided you’d finally confess your feelings for Azriel, would tell him that you loved him and wanted to be with him in all the ways that mattered. You were tired of watching Elain lust after him, tired of not being able to tell your family what was going on. 

The entire night, you were buzzing with nerves. 

You downed one too many glasses of wine, trying to relax. A part of you was worried about what Azriel would say. Did he love you too? Did he also want to take the next step? Was he finally ready? 

You wished you could answer those questions with certainty but there was an ache in your stomach that kept screaming that something was…wrong. 

You tried to convince yourself that you were just being paranoid when you noticed Azriel staring at Elain with longing and desire. Tried to convince yourself that he stayed isolated by the doorway because he hated Lucien and not because he couldn’t stand to be in a room with Elain while Lucien was here.

After all, he was in your bed most nights. Surely if he wanted Elain, he wouldn’t be stringing you along. Azriel wasn’t like that. He was a good male, a respectable male…right?

Later that night, you paced in the guest room you were staying in as you waited for Azriel. He was taking longer than normal and that had you even more on edge. You bit your lip, running a hand through your hair. Everyone else had retired for the night already and usually he would’ve snuck into your room by now. 

You couldn’t sit still, couldn’t take the anticipation so you left the room, heading towards the kitchen for a glass of water to try and deal with your nerves and the alcohol still swirling in your system. You froze at the top of the stairs, blood draining from your face. 

There was Azriel.

And Elain.

Inches from each other as Azriel draped a necklace around her neck. 

She pivoted in his grip, twisting to face him. You saw it then. The look of affection and longing clear as day on Azriel’s face as he gazed down at her. A look he had never given you. Your heart snapped into pieces in your chest, nausea rising in your stomach. A hand flew to your mouth to quiet any noise you might make.

You took a step back.

Another.

And collided with a hard chest. You whirled around, trying to blink away the tears still forming in your eyes, to see Rhys standing there. He stared down at you, his expression melting into one of concern as he noticed your upset face.

“Y/n?” he murmured. “Are you okay?”

“F-fine,” you choked out. “I’m fine.”

And then you brushed past him and nearly ran to your room, quietly shutting the door behind you before taking in quick breaths. Elain and Azriel were just friends, you tried to convince yourself even though your heart and mind were screaming otherwise.

You heard Rhys stop on the landing on the stairs just as you had. A second went by and you heard his retreating footsteps to his office. 

You cracked open your door a bit, against your better judgment, only to see Elain rush by, distraught. Your eyes widened and you waited a breath to see if Azriel was following after her, but no one else came by. 

You wiped the tears on your cheeks and quietly stepped in the hallway.

Every instinct was screaming at you to go to Rhys’s office, as if something inside of you knew what you’d find. The pressure in your head was so strong, your stomach turning over itself again and again, and you knew you couldn’t ignore the gut feeling.

You crept along the wall, silently, just as Azriel had taught you, until you heard voices. You paused in your tracks, listening in. 

“...about to kiss Elain, in the middle of a hall where anyone could see you,” Rhys snarled. “Including her mate.” 

“What if the Cauldron was wrong?”

That was Azriel’s voice. You covered your mouth with a hand, every nerve in your body lit up. You felt stuck in a nightmare, a terrible dream. 

“What of Y/n, Az?”

Your heart froze at the mention of you. 

“What about her?”

The nonchalance in Azriel’s voice caused a new wave of nausea. 

“Don’t play stupid,” Rhys snapped. “I’ve seen the two of you sneaking off together.” 

Silence for a moment. “It’s just sex.”

You weren’t sure your heart could break more, but it had and it did. Ripped and smashed and crumbled into dust. Just sex? Just sex? It had never been just sex to you! It certainly never seemed that way. 

“Does Y/n know that?”

“What are you trying to say?” Azriel growled. “We’re just friends. I don’t care about Y/n…not like that. Not the way I care about Elain.”

You backed away, unable to listen to anymore of it. You felt drunk as you stumbled back to your room, your vision blurry with the tears in your eyes. It felt like the whole world was collapsing, like you had just found out everything in your life had been a lie. In a way, you had. 

Azriel had never once made it seem like this was some friends with benefits situation. Not once had he ever told you he only saw you as a body to use for pleasure and nothing more, nothing deeper. 

You had fallen for him. You thought he had fallen for you.

Gods, you were so stupid. Of course, he wanted Elain. Soft, sweet Elain. His opposite, a proper lady in waiting. You had let yourself be blinded by your feelings for him and now you were paying the price. You stumbled into your room and fell on your bed, erupting into quiet sobs.

Everything made sense now. Keeping it a secret so Elain would never know, so you wouldn’t ruin his chance with her. But why had he pretended to like you? Why would he do that to you? 

He made you feel special but now you realized you had just been a shoulder to cry on and a distraction for what his heart really wanted. 

You had been so ready to give Azriel your heart…you already had. But he didn’t want it. He didn’t want you. 

Azriel never came that night.

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Happy Christmas, I wrapped it up and sent it

With a note saying "I love you", I meant it

Now I know what a fool I've been

But if you kissed me now, I know you'd fool me again

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You wished you could say that is where the story ended. But evidently, you were a fool. Because you let him back into your bed a few days later—didn’t speak a word of your feelings for him or what you had heard. 

You wished you had more dignity, wished you could tell him to get lost. But you loved him. 

Two more months went by before you finally pulled yourself together, tried to muster up the will to leave. You deserved better. You deserved someone who loved you and wanted you. You were tired of being second place to some other girl, tired of being a consolation prize. 

You were worth more than that. 

You reached out to a childhood friend who had moved back to Autumn, asking to move in with her for some time as you got your life together. The next day, your apartment was emptied and you were gone.

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Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away

This year, to save me from tears

I’ll give it to someone special

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“Which ones would you say are your favorite?”

You jumped slightly, clutching a hand to your chest. You looked towards where the deep voice had come from and nearly stumbled back. Eris Vanserra was standing beside you, hands clasped behind his back, a half smirk on his handsome face. 

He was dressed in a fine deep green coat and a white tunic, the top buttons undone to showcase the gold jewelry dangling from his neck. His red hair was tousled, likely from a recent horseback ride and his amber eyes were gleaming with a small flame.

“H-high Lord,” you gasped, starting to courtesy but he shook his head before nodding towards the flower cart you were working at. 

“Which flowers are your favorite?” He asked again, a hint of amusement in his voice at how flustered he had made you. 

You blushed a light pink, turning your gaze back to the many bouquets you had for sale. You figured he was buying some flowers for a lady in his life.

“Well, um, what’s the occasion?” You asked, fiddling nervously in his presence. He smelt like wildfire and cinnamon—it was intoxicating. 

“I am taking a girl out on a first date tonight,” he said, his voice smooth like whiskey. He gave you a charming, fox-like smile. “I wanted to bring her flowers. I figured no one would have better taste than the flower cart girl herself. So which do you recommend?”

You bit your lip, looking at the many flowers. “Well, I’d say roses but that’s a bit cliche. Our orange and red carnations are usually favored by the ladies of this court. Perhaps a bouquet of those?”

“Are those your favorite? The carnations?”

You peered at him. He was focused on the flowers, rubbing a thumb against his bottom lips. You had seen Eris Vanserra at his coronation, but only from afar. He had been striking then. But this close, well, he was stunning, beautiful. 

He glanced down at you, raising an eyebrow and you remembered he had asked you a question. You cleared your throat.

“No,” you answered. “My favorite are the fire lilies but they are not as popular.”

“I’ll take a bouquet of those,” he said with certainty, pulling a pouch of coin from his pocket.

“Are…are you sure?” You stuttered. “Are you certain she will like them?”

“Quite certain, yes,” he answered with another fox-like grin. He set down money on the cart, far more than what they were priced at.

You were quick to bundle up some of the fire lilies, adding a few complimentary flowers to fill in the empty spaces. You rolled them into some brown butcher paper and handed it over to him. “Here you are.”

“So, when and where can I find you tonight?”

“S-sorry, what?”

You looked up at him, eyebrows raised. 

“When and where can I find you tonight,” Eris purred, “for our date.” 

“Are you…being serious?” You asked, incredulously, because this had to be some sort of joke. The High Lord couldn’t possibly be asking you out on a date. 

Eris reached forward with his free hand, grabbing yours and bringing it up to his lips. He pressed a soft kiss on your knuckles. “Indeed, I am.”

Your heart skipped a beat, butterflies swarming your stomach. You hadn’t had such a reaction to a male like this since Azriel. But looking at Eris, you wondered what you ever saw in the dark haired shadowsinger. Perhaps you had never needed shadow. Maybe you had needed…flame.

The next few months were a whirlwind of romance. Despite the reputation Eris had before he had been made High Lord, he had proved himself to be much more soft hearted then his cruel father. You were surprised by his kindness, his devotion and the heart he showed you. 

It had been easy to fall in love with him. 

So when the mating bond between the two of you snapped into place, it was only the cherry on top. 

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A face on a lover with a fire in his heart

A man under cover, but you tore me apart

Oh, oh now I've found a real love

You'll never fool me again

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You were standing on the doorstep of the River House, a place you hadn’t been since that fateful night. You could hear the laughter from the Inner Circle inside. After you had left the Night Court, you had stayed in touch with almost everyone except Azriel. So when Feyre invited you over for Winter Solstice, you couldn’t say no—especially considering it was her birthday.

But you told yourself you wouldn’t stay long. Not when you had a fiance waiting for you back home. You were very eager to get back.

You knocked on the door, listening as the voices quieted down and footsteps approached. The door was pulled open and there was Feyre, dressed in a cozy get-up with a small babe perched on her hip.  

“Y/n!” Feyre lurched forward to give you a side hug. You hugged her back, pressing a small kiss to the top of Nyx’s head before handing over a wrapped present. She took it with a smile.

“Happy Birthday,” you sang. “And Happy Solstice.”

“Thank you! I’m so glad you decided to come,” she stepped back, letting you cross into the house. 

You hung up your coat and followed her towards the sitting room. You paused for a second, noting Azriel who was lingering in the doorway. You waited for the hurt to wash through you but none came. You felt…nothing. No, gone was the heartache and pain. Where an emptiness had lingered before, a new love filled it. A love so bright and fiery, it burned through everything else.

Your shoulders dropped and you breezed past him with a polite greeting. 

You were actually here to make an announcement, before you and Eris were to go public with your engagement to the other courts. You wanted to tell Feyre and Rhys personally before they heard about it from someone else. 

You were given a warm welcome and you ignored the feeling of Azriel’s eyes lingering on you throughout the night. Instead, you were content with sitting with Lucien—the only person in this room who knew about your engagement to his brother. 

You were surprised to see Elain sat next to him, their hands entwined. You peered at Azriel, making eye contact, but his face was completely unreadable.

A wine glass was shoved into your hands and the night went on. It wasn’t until you made your way to the bathroom that you actually spoke to Azriel.

“Y/n,” he called out from behind you. You turned, watching him approach with his hands held behind his back, shadows swirling.

“Azriel,” you greeted, smiling blandly. 

“Feyre told me you moved back to Autumn.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Why did you never say anything before you left? I thought…well—”

He trailed off and you raised an eyebrow at him. “Thought what?”

“Well I thought, maybe, there had been something going on between the two of us,” Azriel said. “But you left so suddenly and without word.”

Why did he care now? Because Elain was with her mate and no longer an option? Regardless, you didn’t care for the reason. You had found a love that transcended the stars and universe. Though you had no ill will towards Azriel, you obviously weren’t going to entertain this conversation.

“Something going on between us?” You questioned. “Az…you know it was only ever just sex, right? I thought…I thought that had been obvious.”

Alright, so maybe you were a bit petty. 

“No, you’re right,” he said, awkwardly. “I just thought… well, nevermind.”

You smiled, playing dumb. “Happy Solstice, Azriel.”

He gave you a dip of the head. “Happy Solstice, Y/n.”

With that, you turned on your heel and continued down the corridor. When you got back from the bathroom, you knew it was time to make the announcement and head back home so you could celebrate Solstice with your new family.

You clanged against your wine glass to get everyone’s attention, standing up from your seat. Lucien gave you an encouraging nod that helped settle your nerves. 

“I have an announcement to make,” you said before taking the glamour off your hand and revealing the large engagement ring on your finger. You heard several happy gasps of air. “I’m engaged! I wanted to tell you all before you heard through court gossip. You’re looking at the soon-to-be High Lady of Autumn.”

Cheers erupted in the room as most of them had already known about your relationship with Eris. You had told Feyre about it in one of your letters. Luckily, Mor and Eris had settled their differences once he became High Lord and there was now peace between the two courts. 

“Oh my Gods! This is so exciting!”

Feyre jumped up and embraced you. You let out a small breath of relief and hugged her back. Once she let you go, some of the others also jumped up to congratulate you. 

“When did he propose?” Mor asked.

“Two weeks ago,” you smiled before dropping another bomb. “Right after the mating bond snapped into place.”

“Mates and he’s going to make you High Lady?! Y/n, this is great news!” 

It took another ten minutes before everyone settled down after congratulating you and pressing you for more details. You kept your lips sealed though, wanting to keep a few things just between you and Eris. 

It was only then you noticed Azriel had disappeared from the room.

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Last Christmas I gave you my heart

But the very next day you gave it away

This year, to save me from tears

I'll give it to someone special, special

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You let out a content sigh as you entered the High Lord and Ladys’ chamber, happy to be home. Eris was there, waiting for you with a smile on his face.

You rushed forward and he caught you in his arms, swinging you around. He held you tight against him.

“Don’t ever leave me again,” he whispered into your ear. “Please.”

You giggled, pulling back to look up at him. “I was only gone for two hours!”

He pressed a kiss to your lips. “Two hours too long.”

You shook your head at him, feeling the love and admiration he was sending down the bond. The joy of having you back in his arms. “Don’t worry, I have no plans on leaving now that I’m home.”

His smile took your breath away. 

“Good,” he said before lifting you into his arms and carrying you to the bed. You laughed as he tossed you onto the fluffy pillows with a wolfish grin. “Because I have to make up for lost time now.”

“You’re insatiable,” you teased as he crawled over you, kissing your neck and jaw. 

“You love it,” he purred, his red hair falling forward to tickle your forehead. 

You wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him down to kiss him.

“I love you,” you mumbled against his lips. 

“And I love you,” Eris said with such honesty, you felt yourself soften underneath him. 

You spent the rest of Winter Solstice wrapped up in his arms, the only place you truly felt at home. 

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[purple-writer8]

Heather - ACOTAR

Azriel x Winter Court Reader

“But I watch your eyes as she walks by. What a sight for sore eyes, brighter than the blue sky… she’s got you mesmerized. While I die.”

warnings: unrequited love, pining, evil thoughts, intrusive thoughts, lesser fae thinks shes not enough, hating on girl, self doubt, oblivious az

1.2k words

Masterlist :)

Crushing on the shadowsinger was a bad idea, you knew that since the moment you joined the Inner Circle centuries ago. It was a family, and familiar dynamics could very well be affected by your stupid little crush, but that didn’t stop your heart from beating for him.

You were a master of lies, Azriel’s second in command as Spymaster— you were good at being a chameleon— at lying. So you’ve spent your entire life in the Inner Circle, lying to everyone, hiding your feelings for Azriel because surely you were not worthy enough for the shadowsinger. 

He was one of the strongest warriors in Prythian, the only current shadowsinger, an Ilyrian. You… you were just a sneaky thief turned spy. A lesser fae from the Winter Court, with eyes so white, you were terrifying to your enemies. Fingertips so cold, that with enough conviction, whatever you touched turned into frost. 

You weren’t enough for Azriel, or anyone really. The High Lord had found you three hundred centuries ago, you had somehow snuck into Hewn City, and then you had stolen heaps of artifacts and sold them in the Winter Court for profit. You were stealthy and quick, something he had appreciated when Cassian and Azriel finally brought you to him.

Rhysand gave you two choices: to be handed over to Kallias as a criminal, or stay in his court and serve him— because he was sure you would excel as a spy. In exchange, you got a family, gold, clothes, and a warm bed. It was a no-brainer for you.

Azriel and you were a dream team and with time, your feelings for the shadowsinger went from admiration to adoration. Who wouldn’t adore him? He was perfection, he was everything, and he was the love of your life— you weren’t his, though. 

You had never expressed your feelings because, frankly, you were not sure that you could handle rejection. So you pined and loved him in silence, hoping that one day a miracle dawned on him, and he would somehow fall for you— a frosty lesser fae. You knew you two were not mates, but cauldron, you could wish and yearn. 

It was more than wishful dreaming, though sometimes you thought that just maybe— maybe he reciprocated your feelings. He was so kind to you, so doting, so careful.

Though, that all stopped when Elain Archeron dropped into all of your lives. You liked Feyre, and loved Nesta— but Elain, you hated her. The middle Archeron was perfection, everything you were not. She was soft, kind, beautiful, High Fae, and… Azriel liked her.

You knew it was bad that you hated her for being of his interest, but you had never once claimed to be a good person. Two years into her arrival and you could not stand the likes of her. 

You were sitting in the River House, playing board games with the Inner Circle, Nesta, and Lucien. Much to your delight, Elain hadn’t joined. It was the beginning of winter in the Night Court, and though you were made of ice— you weren’t immune to the cold. You shivered as you laid down one of your cards, and it caused Cassian to laugh at you.

“You turned my room into ice last winter solstice, and now you shiver?” He teased you, making you roll your white eyes at him. “Should’ve brought a coat,” Feyre taunted you, and you nodded. “Guys, I really thought it wasn’t as cold,” you chuckled, rubbing your cold as ice hands together to get some warmth, which was to no avail because there was no warmth inside you. Frost appeared in your hands at this action, causing you to groan. 

 Your heart stopped, though, when you felt a warm sweater wrapping around your shoulders. Your eyes flickered to Azriel, who gave you a small smile, “thank you,” you said softly.

 “It looks better on you than it does me,” the shadowsinger shrugged, his shadows coiling around your frozen hands, trying to warm you up. You smiled, about to answer, but his eyes snapped away from you, as did his shadows. Your eyes followed his gaze, meeting with Elain as she walked through the living room and into the kitchen. Your heart dropped, she was a sight for sore eyes, a sight for Azriel’s eyes. 

 She had him mesmerized, and you felt like you wanted to die. Inching away from Azriel, you continued your game, dropping his sweater unto the couch behind you. You were an ice fae, you could manage. 

When dinner came around, you were quiet all through the affair. You seethed in silence as you watched him drape the very same sweater he had given you, over Elain’s shoulders. The cold pulsed through your veins, and soon your utensils were turning into ice as you watched the scene unfold.

Elain told some story about her up-and-coming garden, and you got the urge to go and freeze her flowers to death. Obviously you did not. She was an angel, a good person. 

You kind of wished she were dead. You reprimanded your mind for being so evil. How could anyone ever love you? You were terrible… and not even half as pretty as Elain. Your thoughts were dark, and your heart made of stone-cold ice. Love was not something you would ever get. 

After dinner, you seethed outside. The snow that fell over you felt like fire on your skin, and you could feel your fingertips freezing as they created small snowflakes. “Come inside, it’s so cold outside,” that husky voice you worshiped spoke from the from door, causing you to turn to him.

His shadows rushed to you, swirling around your body to shield you from the snow. You turned away from Azriel, not wanting him to see you in your essence. Your veins shone black underneath your pale skin, your eyes glowing white, while ice slipped from your fingers and wrapped itself around you. 

You heard his footsteps crunching in the snow, then large wings wrapped around you in a protective manner as he towered over you. “Don’t look at me,” you mumbled, your eyes casting downward, not wanting him to see your eyes.

“Why?” He asked softly, scarred thumb wiping away frost that had gathered on your cheek. Then it clasped around your chin, tilting it upward so you looked up at him. 

His hazel eyes skimmed over your face slowly, “what’s wrong?” He asked softly, making you tilt your face away from his grasp. “Don’t.” You stated. You wished he knew, wish that you had been obvious enough, because you were so tired of pining for someone who did not love you back. 

“What?” He asked, a puzzled look happening upon his chiseled and devastatingly beautiful face. “You gave her your sweater,” you did not care how preposterous you were being, you couldn’t hold back. You had enough of this. 

"What? It’s just a sweater, does it matter?” Azriel asked, his shadows coiling around his ear to whisper in his ear. Jealous girl, jealous fae. 

 “You like her better.” The jealousy was pouring out of you, manifesting in ice that crawled all over your body. 

 “I can’t keep wishing I was Elain.” 

-

Part Two

Author’s Note:

IK the elain/azriel x pining reader is done a lot butttttt i love this song and i wanted to write my take on the triangle with heather as inspiration!

Taglist: @mybestfriendmademe

[surielstea]

Puppy Love

Eris week day two: Childhood

Pairing: Eris Vanserra x WinterCourt!Reader

Summary: Reader and Eris adventure beyond their courts borders to go hunting in the secluded, evergreen forest.

Warnings: tooth rotting fluff | adolescent Eris is a force to be reckoned with.

2.5k words.

The crisp, cold air fogged in front of my mouth as I let out a relishing breath. Officially winter, the season sacred to my Court. I nearly giggled with delight as my boots crunched in the snow, the sweet sound putting a beaming smile on my face.

I was on my trek towards the Autumn Court border, where I'd meet with Eris. Vanserra, a young lord and the sole heir of the Autumn Throne, though rumor has it that the Lady of Autumn was pregnant with another.

Eris and I met last year when he scared off my prey with his loud steps, I practically growled in his face but he only stared at me wide-eyed with flushed cheeks— and then I realized he had never met a girl who wasn't tripping over themselves in attempt to charm him, a young handsome lord would be any Court Lady's dream. That day he had claimed he didn't know what he was doing, that his father sent him out here with some fancy arrows and told him to bring back dinner. I gave him my harvest that day and he demanded I teach him how to hunt, and we've met every morning since.

"I hate the cold," The young lord grumbled, his reddened nose awfully adorable and destroying his facade of distaste.

"Of course you do, Lordling." I sigh. "Accustomed to a life of warm meals and crackling fireplaces," I drone on as I approach him, my white fur cloak blending in with the blinding snow.

His lip curled. "You're a princess, you're accustomed to that too."

I shrug. "Yes but I, unlike you, don't whine when the weather isn't to my liking," I hum with a snarky smile.

He deadpanned. "If I recall, five months ago you were moaning and groaning about the heat." He retorted and my smile fell.

"Well then," I click my tongue. He looks down at the basket in my hands, his brow raised.

"This is a gift for you, for our one-year friend anniversary." I hum and hold the wicker basket out to him, the blanket over it shifting with movement. He looked at it curiously, as if whatever was inside might bite his hand off.

"Friend zoned? After all my efforts of attempting to enchant you?" He says, taking the basket from me. I give him an incredulous look. He knew it'd never work, that the Prince with fire in his veins and Princess of ice and snow could never be together, forever opposing courts. No matter how badly I wished for that fact to change.

"Just, open it." I push the basket into his hand and he takes it, a sniffling snout peaking out from beneath the blanket. Eris looked at me slightly alarmed but I only gave him an encouraging smile. He sighs and flips back the rest of the blanket, revealing a pup with a gray coat, his tail wagging excitedly at the sight of his new owner.

"Where did you get this?" He looked at me with alarmed confusion and I rolled my eyes.

"My uncle gifted him to me on solstice, but we don't have the right environment to train and take care of him," I took the pup from his basket and cradled him in my arms, he chuffed and attempted to lick my cheek.

"He's a hunting dog, a smoke hound to be exact," I explain and hand him to Eris, who holds the dog like he was an alien.

"I know what he is. Do you understand what you're giving away?" He raises a brow. Smokehounds were the best breed in Prythian, not only that but this was a pure breed, so rare that even one was extremely difficult to come by. I knew the Autumn Court had prized them, and I could think of no one more deserving than the young lord who had snuck his way into my frozen heart this past year.

"Yes, very aware." I smile.

"I can't accept him, any of this," He shakes his head and puts the dog back into the basket, and attempts to hand it back to me.

"But look, he's already so attached to you,"  I argue with adoring eyes as the pup licks at Eris's ringed fingers.

"Let him hunt with us today, and then we'll decide who he goes home with." I place the basket down and watch as the hound spills out of it, trotting through the deep snow. His thick coat kept him warm, and his tongue lolling out was enough to say he was happy to be outside rather than trapped in my castle, to be doing what he was born to.

"Fine," Eris sighed, then grabbed his bow from his back. I did the same with mine. We followed the dog through the forest, allowing him to lead us as he tracked an invisible scent that even our fae senses couldn't pick up. His long ears nearly dragged through the snow as he trudged forward.

"What will you name him?" I ask softly, my voice quiet in fear of scaring off any prey.

"You can name him," Eris grumbled, showing only disinterest in the dog. I'd find it rude if I didn't know him better than that. He was trying to let it not get to him, he had never received such a meaningful gift for no real reason. He didn't like the warm feeling in his chest that he had never quite been able to control.

"Come on," I groan. "At least bounce ideas with me?" I suggest but he ignores me and I stop in my tracks, staring at him and sheathing my arrow back in its quiver.

He halted too after realizing I had stopped and turned to me with a raised brow.

"Why do you do this," I sigh.

"Do what?" He slings his bow over his shoulder.

"Deny any form of admiration I try to give you?" I stride closer, only a pace but enough to send him a message.

He stayed silent, only swallowing thickly as a reply. "It's a hound, Princess. I appreciate it but it's too grand of a gesture—" He begins to argue after a moment but I cut him off.

"This isn't about the dog." I shake my head. "Why do you refuse to let me you let me love you?" My brows crease and he bristles at my wording, but that is what it was, isn't it? That warm feeling he couldn't control that twisted him into knots, it was love, and he was terrified of it.

"Because I don't feel the same." He wills himself to say and a twinge of pain cracks through my heart but I remain strong.

"Liar," I snarl. "What are you so afraid of?" I take another step forward, so close that if I reached out, I could grab his hand in mine.

He shrugs and looks to the side, at the long line of evergreen trees that were more free than him, rooted into the frozen soil but still, alive and thriving. Far more than he'd ever be while chained to a throne. "Eris," I whisper and he shudders at the way I say his name. It was too intimate, it held none of the malice it often did when his father spat it, only heavy with adoration and guilt. "Eris look at me," I say and he steels his features, because my eyes were too much for him to bear, the eyes of the female he loves, and that horrifies him, because he cannot fool or trick me when I stare at him with those all-seeing eyes, cannot attempt to plot or ensnare when I look at him like that.

"I'm afraid of my father finding out," He confesses. "Terrified that if he discovers that something other than power makes me happy, he'd destroy it." His voice was as pure and raw as the fresh snow beneath our feet.

"We're seventeen, we shouldn't have to worry about that—" I begin but it was his turn to cut me off.

"But we're not normal kids, we will never be normal kids." He reached out and cupped my cheeks, and despite the negative temperatures, his palms were warm and soothing against my icy skin. "And I can't risk you."

"I'm a princess of my court, sole heir to the Winter Throne. To hurt me would be an act of war, he cannot touch me." I claim.

"No, but he will find a way. He will cleave us and tear us apart until you hate me." He claims and I frown.

"That will never happen." I shake my head, refusing the idea of ever hating the male that stood in front of me.

"Won't it?" His hands on my face press firmer, stressing his point. "We're heirs of opposing courts, inevitably we will become enemies." He explains.

"But we could be the ones to form an alliance," A fool's dream. The autumn court was too prideful to accept any other court, and the winter court would never ally with fire bringers. "Can't we just be stupid and reckless and young, for once?" I plead. "Even for only a few moments?" I say and reach forward, gripping his tunic in my fist.

"Is that too much to ask for?" I murmur and his eyes soften.

"Far too much," He replies, his warm breath mingling with mine. "But I'm willing to give it to you," He says, his voice steady and warm like crackling embers to a recently put-out fire.

"As a friend-anniversary present?" I taunt him with a teasing smirk and he shakes his head.

"You don't know how to shut up do you?" He drawls and I smile.

"I can think of one way," I suggest, stumbling forward and his breath hitched as I rose onto my toes and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. I pulled back with a soft smile and that was enough to send him reeling. He advanced forward, his fingers singing with heat against my cheeks as his lips, finally, met mine.

It was innocent and gentle, and a little awkward, but gods was it perfect. The kiss alone heated my entire body, all the way down to my fingertips which were still clutching his green tunic. Realizing I was still gripping him I relaxed my hands and allowed them to slip up his chest, around to the nape of his neck so I could pull him closer and encase myself in his warmth while he deepened our kiss.

My stomach clenched when he pulled away, it was quick, only a moment— exactly what I had asked for. I hadn't realized I was now going to crave those moments until the end of me.

He looked at me, his cheeks flushed and I knew it wasn't the cold that tinged them. "You ruined my makeup," I say, reaching up and wiping away the smear of cosmetics on his bottom lip.

"But you look beautiful," He mumbled, too caught up in the action of me so casually touching his lips. I lift my eyes up to his gold-flecked ones and smile wickedly.

"That kiss really did a number on you," I taunt because it was the only way to stop myself from being greedy and kissing him again, and again, and again until I could recall the exact feel of his lips from memory.

He looked to the side, attempting to get rid of his blush, forget about how perfectly he slotted against you.

Then his brows bunch in concern and my spine stiffens with alarm. "What is it?" I ask, looking out towards the empty forest.

"Your dog already got lost." He grumbled and I relaxed, my shoulders slumping.

"He's your dog," I stress. "And he's not lost. He's hunting." I say proudly and Eris casts me an unbelieving glance. I smile at him and press a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"Come on," I take his hand in mine and drag him through the frosted-over forest. "We have to catch at least a few squirrels before leaving," I say and he mumbles a string of curses but follows me anyway.

We had been crouched behind a bush for so long now that my legs began to ache from my position. Eris was fletching an arrow leaning back against a tree, his auburn hair blending in with the trunk of the redwood. I admire his pale features, his sharp nose, and high cheekbones. His amber eyes that were flecked with gold if you were close enough to notice. I was just about to blurt something foolish about how handsome he was, when the crunch of snow sent my ears peeking up.

Eris froze too, becoming alert and peering over the side of the tree as I drew my arrow from its quiver and nocked it against my bowstring. The sound of steps comes from behind, straight at us, growing faster.

I whirl around and aim at the grey creature bounding towards Eris.

The smokehound pup trotted towards him with a limp rabbit in his maw. The hound chuffs then drops it at Eris' feet as an offering. "Aw, he's brought you a gift," I beam wildly. "You should turn the rabbit into jerky and treat him with it. He'd love that," I say while patting the pup's dark coat.

His gaze lingers on you for a long moment, analyzing your gentle features when you look at the dog. "Maybe I will," He mutters and I look over to him with a soft smile. "I think we're done for the day," I say and stand upright, stretching my legs as I do so. He does the same, the pup looking up at him with his tail wagging excitedly. Eris bent down and patted the dog's head and the hound began running circles around the both of us.

Eris shakes his head with feigned annoyance. I grabbed him by his collar and pulled him forward, right into me. His arms wrapped around my waist on instinct, stabilizing himself with his hands planted on my torso— and even through all the layers of clothing, I could feel the warmth emanating from him. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, right?" I tilt my head up at him and he nods with a soft smile.

"Mhm, bring Flynt," I say and he raises his brows.

"Is that his name, now?" He asks, looking down at the dog weaving between us happily.

"You said I could pick," I shrug innocently and his smile grows.

"Flynt it is," He nods, then leans forward and places a soft, precious kiss on my forehead. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, Princess." He whispers against my frosty skin and I nod, taking a wobbly step back and turning away towards my Court before I got the idea in my head that I could find us an empty cabin to live in until we were old and rotting.

I don't bother with goodbyes and continue my march towards the Mountain Home. But I did look back, just once, to see Eris and his new obedient pet walking alongside each other back towards the realm of crackling bonfires and falling leaves.

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[azrielslightintheshadows]

Failed proposal

Azriel x f!Reader

Masterlist.

Summary; Azriel finally gathers the courage to propose, but what happens when the ring gets mixed with the earrings Cassian got for Nesta?

I was inspired by the movie "something from Tiffany's"

Warnings; a bit of angst and swearing. Mentions of violence.

Winter solstice was coming and everyone was rushing around trying to find the perfect gift for their loved ones. You, Feyre, and Nesta had already shopped for gifts and hid them around the house so the males wouldn’t find them. They were way too impatient and you knew that the moment they would spot a present they would open it to see what it is. Even your mate Azriel who seemed strict and a sucker for rules would cave. 

You and Azriel met 50 years ago and the bond snapped instantly, you spent the next years going out on dates and taking things slow and about 20 years ago you moved in the house of wind and accepted the bond. You didn’t have a ceremony so you recently discussed about getting married, he seemed nervous and wrapped the conversation quite abruptly making you wonder if he really wanted this. You couldn’t understand what was holding him back, you had accepted the bond so getting married was actually something meant to happen. Your insecurities resurfaced and the jealousy consumed you as you thought about the time he spent with Elain in order to help her adjust, but after overhearing that he had a big plan for this winter solstice, you decided to wait until then to confront him. The girls were all convinced that he will give you the ring you yearned for and you couldn’t hide your excitement.

Azriel 

“I don’t know Rhys… none of the rings feels right” Azriel said as they walked around in the store.  

“What about this one?” Rhys exclaimed and held a ring in Azriel’s face. The shadowsinger took a step back and examined the ring, it was indeed a beautiful gold ring with a blue marquise cut stone the same shade as his siphons. Azriel took the ring from Rhysand’s hand and moved it to the light, it was just as shiny as your eyes, he thought and smiled. 

“Okay I’ll take this” he informed the salesman and followed him to the register. After the ring was packed he took the bag and hurried off hoping to get home before you so he could hide it.

He entered the library and removed one stone from the wall leaving the present inside and placing the stone back into place. He was in such a hurry that he didn’t notice the same bag that Cassian had hidden there too.

Winter solstice.

Azriel’s behavior was completely odd the past days and this morning he jumped off the bed like you burned him. You were really confused but also excited because these were telltale signs of an upcoming proposal -or at least that’s what the girls had been telling you.

The night came rather quickly and you all gathered in the main room of the house of wind with all the presents. 

Feyre gave Rhysand a painting of Nyx and him flying around, then she gave Cassian a book about war strategies. For Nesta she had bought a book series and for Elain some gardening supplies. Then she moved to Azriel for whom she got a new dagger, and finally you… you opened the velvet box and gasped, she got you the necklace you had been checking out for months. You hugged her and then it was Rhysand’s turn, he bought Feyre an art gallery and jewellery and weapons for the rest of you. 

Azriel’s turn came, and he gave Feyre a sketchbook, then gave Rhysand a new pair of Illyrian leathers, and a new sword to Cassian. He had bought Nesta a book and then he moved to Elain, you almost growled when she gasped and held a bracelet with a pink rose charm. Then it was your turn, he looked nervous as he grabbed the last bag and gave it to you. 

At the same time Cassian pushed a similar bag in Nesta’s hands whispering “I can’t wait anymore open it please” 

You opened the bag and saw a small velvet box, your heart stopped and you glanced at Azriel. It’s happening. You thought and opened the box with a huge smile on your face.

“Oh Az… uhm thank you” your smile fluttered.

He furrowed his eyebrows and asked “what?” 

“I love them” you smiled and showed him the box, a pair of earrings was inside and he frowned. 

Nesta squealed and jumped on her feet 

“Yes yes yes a million times yes” she screamed and hugged a very confused Cassian. 

Your eyes watered as you stared at them.

Cassian gulped as he saw the ring. He was sweating but seeing Nesta’s reaction he smiled and placed it on her finger. You couldn’t take it anymore so you congratulated them and excused yourself. Azriel was speechless… he glared at Cassian and hurried off to find you. 

You were in your shared room, sitting on the bed and crying. Azriel felt a pang in his chest but he couldn’t tell you, he didn’t want to do this without the ring. Rage filled him and he thought about all the ways he would beat Cassian. 

“What’s wrong angel?” He asked and sat next to you. 

“Do you even love me anymore?” You asked him, your voice breaking. 

“Of course, more than anything… where is this coming from?” 

You just shrugged and laid back. You didn’t mind that he didn’t propose as much as the fact that he gave Elain something that reminded of her while he gave to you a pair of simple earrings…and he knew that you didn’t even wear earrings. 

He opened his mouth to speak again but quickly shut it as you turned your back on him and tried to sleep. 

Azriel was confused because he didn’t feel any disappointment down the bond, just jealousy. He thought about it and then it hit him…he gave Elain -with whom you had a problem- a thoughtful gift while he gave you something that you didn’t even use. He felt even worse and with a groan he fell back and stared at the ceiling.

The morning came and you woke up alone in bed…

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

“Why didn’t you tell her?” Rhysand exclaimed.

“Because I don’t want to ruin this too.” Azriel sighed. “I met her a few days before you were trapped under the mountain so our first years as mates were not easy, then she moved to the house of wind where everyone was mourning you and we didn’t even have a ceremony for accepting the bond, she just brought a piece of apple pie in our room and offered it to me…. The next days I was busy helping Mor, Cassian and Amren rule Velaris and  we didn’t even celebrate our bond. I can’t let anything destroy the proposal too.” 

Cassian walked into Rhysand’s office and Azriel immediately pounced on him.

“You fucking idiot” -punch

“Why didn’t you say something?” -punch 

“You fucking stole my ring” -punch 

“You stole my moment" -punch, punch 

The warlord was accepting the punishment knowing that he messed up, only when the high lord pulled Azriel back he dared to speak. 

“I’m so sorry brother… I was shocked I didn’t know what to do…and Nesta was so excited… I couldn’t find it in my heart to destroy the moment” he avoided Azriel’s gaze, the shame consuming him. 

“I. Want. My. Ring. Back.” The shadowsinger growled, pausing between each word. 

“Okay…” Cassian mumbled and left. 

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

You were sitting in your room staring out the window… you wondered if Elain came here sooner would Azriel still want you to accept the mating bond? You doubted that and pain filled your heart. 

A knock on the door pulled you out of your thoughts and Nesta walked in.

“Heyyyy, I was wondering if you would like to come with me to the store where Cassian got me the ring, I want to ask them how to maintain it clean” she said and stretched her hand out staring at the ring.

“Sure” you shrugged and got up. 

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Feyre came and winnowed the three of you to the store, you walked in gaping at all the jewels there… the store was really expensive. 

“Hello, I recently got engaged and I wanted to ask how to clean this” Nesta asked the salesman and showed him the ring.

“Ooh yeah, you must be y/n” he smiled, you glanced up but he wasn’t looking at you, he was talking to Nesta. 

“The shadowsinger was so excited when he found this ring, he kept saying how shiny it was  just like your eyes” he continued and Nesta gulped. You were staring wide-eyed, your jaw almost touched the floor but thankfully Feyre pushed it back in place. 

“Azriel bought this?” Feyre asked. 

“Yes my lady, your husband was here too, he was helping the shadowsinger choose.” 

“What about Cassian?” Nesta asked and the salesman gave her a questioning look. 

“The warlord, the general of the armies… the brute with the red siphons” she explained and you and Feyre snorted at the last remark. 

“Oh yes. He was here first he got a beautiful set of earrings” 

And then it hit you, somehow the two idiots mixed their presents. Nesta growled and turned around marching out.

“Thank you” Feyre smiled and pulled you out.

 Nesta was pacing…

“Y/n I’m so sorry” she said when she saw you. 

“It’s okay Ness” you smiled.

“Why didn’t the idiot say something? Oh he is sleeping outside today” she growled.

“I think he just didn’t want to ruin the moment, you were really excited” your voice was soft as you spoke.

“Yeah but we ruined your moment” she pushed 

“It’s okay I’m used to it” you shrugged with a sad smile. 

She gave you the ring.

“I think this belongs to you” 

You placed it on your finger and stared.

“The stone is the same color as Azriel’s siphons” Feyre noted.

“Yeah I was confused about that too” Nesta shrugged. 

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Dinner was served and you and the girls walked inside the dining room taking your usual seats. Azriel glanced at you with a worried look and Cassian whispered something to Nesta… she shook her head and smirked.

The room buzzed with conversation and everything felt normal again, you reached for the wine bottle in front of Azriel, the ring on display. Azriel was taking a sip from his wine and the moment his eyes fell on the ring he choked, spraying the wine all over the table making everyone stop and look at you. 

You giggled while Nesta and Feyre smiled.

“Where… how…when?” Azriel was blurting out questions. 

“We went to the shop today and the salesman called Nesta by my name so we figured” you shrugged and smiled. 

Cassian’s eyes widened and he pushed his chair back, he glanced at Nesta and with a quick “oh shit” he jumped up and ran away, Nesta following suit.

Azriel smiled softly and took your hand in his own, pressing a small kiss on the back of your palm. 

“I didn’t want this to happen like this…. We deserve one good moment” he whispered.

“Being in the dining room with all our family is a pretty good moment…” you smiled “and maybe we can lock Cassian in a cell on our wedding day” 

Azriel burst into laughter and pulled you in his arms. 

“I promise to give you the most amazing wedding day” he smiled and kissed you. 

Requests are open!

[thatsmzbitchtoyou]

The Gorgon Chapter 1

Summary:  The village nearest the mountain by the sea has a generations-old tradition of offering sacrifices to the monster in the mountain to gain favor and keep its wrath away from the people.  Every person starting from the age of 15 has to take a turn in making the journey up the mountain to the mouth of the cave once a year to drop off the gifts…and it’s a journey that some never come back from.  Y/N took her turn when she was 15, and now the rotation has come back to her again.  If the gift isn’t given by the autumn solstice, there’s no telling what harm the creature will wreak onto the people.  With a seemingly insurmountable obstacle in her way, will she make it to save her and her people?  Can a monster have a heart? Warnings:  language, violence, attempted sexual assault (not from Bucky), gore, eventual smut *monster!bucky barnes

Next chapter

“This year’s sacrifice giver is…” Master Stark, the village magistrate, dug into the basket filled with names written on ribbons.  The crowd held a collective breath as he slowly rummaged through, grasping a ribbon and holding it up high before unfurling it between his fingers and reading it to himself before sighing and looking back up.  “Y/N Y/L/N.”

Everyone’s heads turned to Y/N and she inhaled sharply but nodded solemnly.  It had been 18 years since her last journey.  She knew that her time was coming again soon, but had always hoped to push it off as long as possible.  Multiple people walked up to her, expressing their sympathies before walking over to the sacrificial table and placing things on it, the apprentices from the local witchery packing them up carefully.  Y/N grimly shook hands and accepted their words as Master Stark approached her.  “You remember how to get there?” he asked quietly.  Y/N nodded as he gave her the scarf that was passed around to each sacrifice giver every year to identify themselves.  It was a bright red color, striking against the everyday beige and darker colored linens the people normally wore.  It was an indicator to the monster in the mountain that they meant no harm.  But that didn’t always save them.  She wrapped it around her neck tightly as the sacrifices of food, mead, wine, coins, and trinkets were gathered into a pack.  One of the boys at the table brought it to her and she hefted it onto her back over her shoulders.  It was heavy and she grunted as she adjusted to the added weight.   

A trio of people approached her then: The Seers.  They were considered the high spiritual ones in the village who ran the witchery, and they each had an ailment.  The oldest, Agatha, was blind, but had visions.  The second oldest, Wanda, was mute, but would hand-sign great prophecies in rhyme to the youngest, her brother, Pietro, who was deaf, but whispered clearly all she saw, while also being able to feel things that were coming.  They each laid a hand on her head, Agatha on the top of her head with Wanda and Pietro on either side of her face.

“This journey will be difficult,” Agatha said, her glazed eyes seeming to still be able to see her.  “You will have a betraying obstacle others have not had to overcome–”

“But do not stop,” Pietro whispered, his eyes boring into Y/N’s eyes.  “Deliver it before the setting of the first Autumn sun–” Wanda’s free hand signed something against Y/N’s chest and Pietro watched her hand for a moment before saying, “or he will keep you ‘til your life is done.”

Y/N recoiled from their hands.  “What do you mean, keep me?  What is this obstacle?”

“We can only See so much, dear,” Agatha smiled.  “The betrayal, while painful, will bring a peace otherwise unknown.”

Y/N shook her head.  “None of this makes any sense.”

“Rarely does,” Agatha said, and Wanda laughed, catching them all off guard.  She wasn’t always completely mute, but hearing something so jovial come from her was strange.  Wanda signed to Pietro and he smirked.

“Have fun,” he breathed before taking Wanda’s hand then Agatha’s and leading them away.  Y/N scoffed and rubbed her face harshly before Master Stark came up to her again with a water pouch and a small pack of food.

“Take care,” he said, giving her a curt nod.

Y/N sighed and turned to the road that led toward the mountain.  If she could make good headway she’d make it to the cave by mid afternoon and could get far enough back down by nightfall to sleep somewhere safely.  The village people all watched her start her long walk, calling out words of encouragement until she was out of sight.

***

Y/N had made it a good way up the trail and decided to take a break.  She sat on a large rock, catching her breath as she took off the red scarf and pack and laid out the scant amount of food. She ate quickly, drinking some water then relieving herself behind some bushes.  She looked up the mountain.  The cave wasn’t far, and she could see the mouth of it just a few hundred feet further up.  She shuddered, and as she was adjusting her skirts she heard a rustle not far down the trail.  She froze, looking through the trees and bushes intently as she slowly bent down to retrieve the small dagger hidden in her boot.  The rustling intensified and she backed up until three men walked out.

“Gods Almighty, Zemo, you scared the shit out of me,” Y/N panted as she straightened up, hiding the knife in her skirt pocket.  She recognized the three men from the village as Zemo, Strucker and Zola, all returned soldiers from the war that ended a few years earlier.  They had become restless after returning home, unable to make peace with their troubled minds.  Zemo had taken a particular liking to Y/N, vying for her hand multiple times, but she had always refused him.  She knew that he wasn’t well in the head, and although she was older and should have married by now, she had been content with being the village baker, not caring to marry anyone at any time soon.  He walked toward her as the other two flanked her on either side.

“Hello, my lady,” Zemo said, an eerie smile spreading across his face.  “You’ve made it up here fast.”

“Yes, well, mustn't keep the creature waiting,” Y/N tried to joke, watching Strucker and Zola circle behind her and stepping slightly closer.   “Why are you all up here?  Did I forget a part of the offering?”

“Just one thing,” Zemo said, taking another step closer to her.  “You can’t come to near certain death without giving me what you owe me.”

“Owe you?” Y/N scoffed.  “I owe you nothing.”

“Oh but you do,” Zemo scowled, and suddenly Strucker and Zola grabbed her by the arms.  

Y/N grunted and tried to twist out of their grasps.  “What are you doing?” she yelled.  “I have to bring the offering!”

“You still have plenty of time until sunset,” Zemo waved off her concern.  “Until then, you’re going to satisfy me and my friends here.”

Y/N’s eyes widened as Strucker and Zola started pulling her backwards towards a grassy patch just off the trail further up the mountain, next to the pack she’d laid down earlier.  She jerked and pulled against them as Zemo followed them up, watching her with a threatening smirk on his face.  “You…motherfuckers!” she screamed.  “Pathetic…disgusting… get off of me!”

They held her against a tree, keeping her arms spread apart and then each of them using one of their legs to keep her legs parted so that she was splayed open like a star.  Zemo stepped in between her legs and set his knee at her core, reaching his hands up and starting to rip at her blouse.  Y/N yelped as he tore open the buttons and her shirt ripped down to her stomach, hanging loosely around her chest that was heaving with effort.  Zemo groaned at the sight of her cleavage, reaching up and pulling down her undergarment so that her breasts spilled over the top of it.  Y/N squirmed and started to cry as he palmed her breasts roughly.

“Just relax and enjoy, Y/N,” Zemo instructed her.  “At least you’ll have had pleasure before you possibly die.  And if the creature doesn’t take you, then you’ll have a ready and awaiting husband in the village when you come back,” he sneered as the other two chuckled darkly.

“No,” Y/N cried, twisting her arms just enough to reposition herself.  “Please, Zemo, not like this…”

Zemo merely smirked at her before starting to lower his head to her chest.  Y/N’s brow furrowed.  Her anger overrode her fear, and she twisted her arms again then reached down to Strucker and Zola’s groins and grabbed them both with a vicious grip.  They both wailed and released their holds on her arms and legs as they clutched at their cocks in pain.  Y/N slapped Zemo as hard as she could, making him fall backwards with a cry.  She ran toward the pack with the offerings, heaving it onto her back holding the scarf tight as she made a run for it up the trail.

“Damned whore!” Zemo yelled.  “Get her!”

Y/N hadn’t been up the mountain in years and yet she moved as if she knew every dip and curve of the earth beneath her.  Her fear was helping her, pushing her faster up the mountain and closer to the cave.  She felt some stings of pain as she ripped through the underbrush and slid over rocks, but her nerves wouldn’t let her falter.  She had no plan as to what she would do once she made it to the cave, she just had to get the offering inside and then figure it out from there.  Zemo and the others struggled to keep up, even with the heavy pack on her back slowing her down.  Y/N was panting as she made the final turn up the rock face and came to the mouth of the cave.  The large, flat rock where she would normally set the sacrifice was just inside, but it wouldn’t be far enough for her to hide.

“Y/N!” Zemo screamed as they got closer.  Behind her was a cliff that led to a long drop to jagged rocks and the sea below.  There was no way out.  She let out an exasperated grunt before running into the cave.  She kept the pack on her back as she ran inside until there was no more light and her steps started to fumble over the rocks and dips in the ground.  Y/N kept moving as she heard the men behind her try to follow, with some grumbles of disapproval echoing through the cavern.  The further in she went the more it opened up and there were pillars of light falling through the cracks in the mountain face, trickling in the afternoon sun.  She used the light to guide her to a large stalagmite next to the outer wall to hide.  Y/N made herself as small as possible, huddling down to catch her breath and listen.  She adjusted her breasts back into her undergarment, wrapped her hair up with the scarf and pulled the knife out of her pocket, holding it steady in front of her.  

The men all stumbled into the larger cavern, their own labored breathing echoing through the space.  “Stupid bitch,” Zemo said.  “Come out, Y/N!”  She heard their steps as they walked further in, trying to spread out like before.  “Would you really rather get caught by the monster than me?”  Y/N rolled her eyes.  Surely the monster would be an improvement.  One of the men fell and made a loud noise, and a heavy silence fell over the cavern.  Y/N felt a sense of dread ooze into her every pore.  Something was wrong.  She flattened herself against the wall, trying to even out her breathing so they couldn’t hear her.  Then she heard it…

It sounded like something smooth dragging over the ground, barely making noise over the rocks, dirt, and mud forming from some water dripping nearby, followed by a gravelly hissing noise.  It seemed to be coming from everywhere, as she was unable to pinpoint the source as her head whipped every which way.  There was a splash of water and hurried, panicked breaths from one of the men as they ran forward.  He fell again and Y/N took the opportunity of his noisy fall to skirt along the wall and around a corner.  The wall slanted inward and she was able to burrow into an alcove, keeping the knife at the ready in front of her.  She heard the men talking to each other quietly as she tried to see into the darkness around her.  She tried to shift the pack on her back so she could hide better, but the jostling made a rock slide out of place and tumble to the ground.  Y/N froze again as the men’s voice suddenly stopped.  She heard their footsteps echo as they moved inward again.  She panicked and was about to try to make a run for it when something slammed against her, pinning her into the alcove.  Y/N gasped to try to let out a scream but a heavy hand covered her mouth.  She tried to wrench her face out of the hand’s grasp.

“Ssstop,” a voice hissed.

Y/N stopped, stiffening against the wall.  She could barely see in the dark, but as she tried to take an inventory of who could be in front of her she felt…multiple hands.  There was one over her mouth, the other pushing her arm holding the knife up between her neck and their’s, and two on her hips.  She could see the outline of a man.  He was too tall to be the other three that chased her in here, and he was big, his hulking frame engulfing her in the alcove.  She hesitantly looked up to where his face would be and instantly regretted it.  Two glowing white eyes stared down at her, the glow highlighting the bridge of his nose, and then the split of his wide mouth, long locks of hair hanging into the space between them.  His lips were curled over his teeth that looked like normal human teeth except for the two pairs of fangs on top and bottom that protruded where his canines would normally be.  Y/N once again gasped against his hand and the growling hiss she heard earlier rippled from his throat, making his lips and nose twitch.  

“Why are they chasssing you?” he whispered.  She looked at the man in shock.  He had spoken before but it still surprised her as he asked her a full question.  He moved forward and she heard the dragging noise again, looking down as best as she could to see that where his legs would normally be was a large snake-like body holding him up that tapered into two torsos stacked on top of each other.  The other two hands holding her hips were his hands from two more arms jutting out from the lower torso, with his upper hands holding her mouth and arm.  She shuddered again as she realized this man was the monster in the mountain.  He was a Gorgon.

“Don’t ssscream,” he said and Y/N quickly nodded her head.  She swallowed harshly as he pulled his hand away slowly, inhaling shakily as she stared at his face.  “Why are they chasing you?” he asked again.

Y/N licked her lips and he seemed to watch her mouth intently before looking back up to her eyes.  “They attacked me, just down the mountain,” she said, trying not to cry again.  The Gorgon’s face twisted into a deep scowl, his eyes sliding down her body to where her shirt was ripped open, then to the side as he heard them fumble beyond the wall, his lips curling over his teeth again.  “I…I’m the sacrifice giver,” she whispered quickly, and he looked back at her again.  She hoped that maybe it would gain her favor, that he wouldn’t kill her.  His scowl slightly fell as his gaze flicked across her face then up to the bright red scarf in her hair.  His hand holding her arm with the knife between them slid along her forearm until his fingers wrapped around the hilt and over her fingers.  He pried it from her gently and held it away from her.

“Ssstay here,” he instructed.  Y/N blinked and nodded.  He slid away from her, turning away but looking back at her again, raising his hand up and gesturing for her to stay.  She nodded more fervently, and that seemed to pacify him.  He looked away and she could see him bend forward onto his hands, one of them still raised with the knife, and the snake part of him slithered as he pulled himself forward with his hands.  Y/N watched on in shock as his tail kept going and going until it finally tapered off and slipped beyond her view of the wall.  She kept herself hidden, unsure of what the Gorgon had in store for her, but at least he seemed to be worried about her safety.  She listened, straining to hear anything, then an ear piercing scream was heard just around the corner from one of the men.  There was a sickening crunch and a thud and the screaming immediately stopped.  Y/N covered her mouth with her hand to stop herself from making any noise, trying to breath through the horrifying noises she heard.  She could hear the other men start whispering to each other and hurried footsteps start heading toward the cave opening.  The footsteps halted suddenly, and another, louder hissing growl rippled through the air.  A chorus of yells and splashing water echoed through the cavern as they ran back the way they’d come.

“WHAT IS THAT?!” Zemo screamed.  

Y/N heard one of them yelp and then another deafening crunch, wails of agony reverberating through the cave.  The wails turned into gurgles like he was choking and she could hear the thundering footsteps of the last man coming toward her.  It was Zemo who rounded the wall, looking around for anywhere to hide.  He didn’t see her or the alcove, trying desperately to climb up toward one of the holes in the wall that filtered in a small ray of sunlight.  The deep growl rippled the air again next to Y/N and she cowered into the alcove, peeking just enough to see the Gorgon cornering Zemo.  The slithering sound of his long tail and the padded thuds of his hands against the ground as he crawled with his growl turning into a hiss made him look menacing.  His glowing eyes did not leave Zemo, and he was covered in blood from his wide mouth down his upper torso.  He still held her dagger in his hand, and it was also covered in blood.  

“No, no please!” Zemo cried out as he slipped down the wall and tried to crawl away.

“You dare to harm the sssacrifice giver,” the Gorgon accused.

Zemo stiffened at the mention of Y/N.  “I…please, it was a mistake–”

“A mistake?” the Gorgon asked loudly.  “Your very existence is a misssstake.”

Zemo was sniffling, cowering away as far as he could, but the Gorgon was looming over him now.  “Please, have mercy, creature,” he begged one last time.

“You don’t deserve mercy,” the Gorgon sneered.  With the same speed of a viper he whipped around Zemo, circling Zemo’s torso into a crushing embrace with the scaly part of his body.  He was perfectly silhouetted by the ray of light as his lower arms split Zemo’s legs apart, then raised the dagger and sliced it in between his legs.  Zemo screamed and Y/N looked away, covering her face.  She heard another sickening crunch and Zemo’s screams died, then finally there was silence.  Y/N didn’t dare move, didn’t dare look, as she heard the Gorgon unfurl his hold on Zemo’s body, another thud echoing through the alcove.  He slithered his way back toward her.  She felt the tickle of his fingers on her ankle and she gasped as she slowly peered through her fingers at him.  He looked ghastly with the blood covering his face, upper torso and hands, but she was met with kind eyes as he wiped some of the blood off his hand in the trickling water and held it out to her.  “Come, giver,” his voice rumbled.

Y/N exhaled sharply, looking at his outstretched hand.  She hesitantly took it, surprised by how gentle he was being.  She swore she could almost see a small smile on his face before he started to pull her out of the alcove.  He made sure to keep her in front of him, facing her away from the carnage as his clean hand released hers and then laid on the small of her back, guiding her where he wanted to go.  Y/N wasn’t sure what was going on, but decided the best way to get through this was to go along with the Gorgon’s desires if she wanted to live.  He helped her through the pitfalls and slippery areas until they reached another side of the cave and around another corner that opened up to what looked like a large room carved into the mountainside.  There was what could be considered a window that faced the sea, the sun starting to set and cast brilliant pinks, oranges and purples into the room.  Y/N’s eyes flitted along the walls where she saw some of the trinkets that had been given as sacrifices in years passed, and in one corner a wide array of furs that made a makeshift bed.  

“Ssstay,” the Gorgon instructed quietly behind her.  

Y/N didn’t look at him but nodded.  She heard him slither away and back down the hallway they’d come.  When he was out of sight she slipped the pack off her back and sighed at finally being free from the heavyweight.  She rolled her shoulders and stretched as her body felt strung up in knots of anxiety.  To distract herself she walked along the wall, looking at the trinkets such as little pieces of art, a mobile made of colored shards of glass that created a rainbow against the opposite wall he had somehow mounted into the ceiling, a collection of coins in a jar that once upon a time must have held some kind of food offering, some jewelry, and then in the corner she recognized something.  It was a book, and not just any book, but a copy of Beowulf that she had put into the sacrifice pack herself when she was a child.  Y/N had been laughed at when she put the book onto the sacrifice table.  “Monsters can’t read!” “What kind of demon needs literature?”  But she had thought surely the monster in the mountain must get bored, and maybe it did read.  She stooped down and picked up the book gingerly.  It was well worn, the pages with paintings frayed and some ripped, like he’d thumbed through it many times.  She felt herself smiling as she heard his telltale slithering back through the hallway.

Y/N turned to see him just entering the room.  It looked like he’d gone out and washed himself off from all the blood and gore, his long hair wet and pushed back.  His eyes were no longer glowing in the natural lighting, but instead were a light blue color that matched the sea below.  Now that she could see him better she could see he was incredibly handsome for a monster.  A stern brow that had small patches of scales just above his eyebrows that disappeared into his dark hair, a good shaped nose, and even though the wide set of his mouth made him look monstrous, he smiled an easy, lopsided smile at her.  His two torsos were naked, chiseled, and made him a good two heads taller than her.  The skin near his lower torso’s navel warped into multicolored scales, a pattern of emerald greens, browns, black and hints of navy blue down the snake part of his body.  He slowly approached her until he was a few feet in front of her and held out the dagger.  

It had been cleaned as well, and Y/N huffed a short laugh as she slowly reached out and took it from his hand.  “Thank you,” she said quietly.

“You’re welcome,” he said.  “Are you hurt?”

Y/N looked down at herself.  Her fear had been running through her body so much that she hadn’t felt anything else, but as she started to relax she could feel a throbbing high up on her left thigh.  She grimaced and glanced at him.  “I didn’t notice until now…”

The Gorgon looked concerned and slid toward the bed of furs.  “Show me,” he said, gesturing for her to follow him.  

Y/N hobbled over to the furs and sat carefully, setting down the dagger and the book beside her.  The throbbing was getting worse and she tried to breathe evenly as she started to hike up her skirts.  After a moment she revealed small cuts and scrapes from her running through the underbrush, then a long gash on her upper thigh.   She gasped at the dried blood that had dripped down her leg.  “Shit,” she breathed, her fingers hovering over the cut.

The Gorgon drug himself forward to inspect it.  His head dipped down close to her leg and she held her breath at how close he was to her again.  After a moment he looked up at her.  “May I?” he asked, his fingers on one of his hands hovering over her injury.  Y/N nodded and he focused back on her leg.  His fingers were cold against her skin but she tried not to flinch.  They traced the edges of the gash carefully before he pulled away.  “I can heal it,” he murmured.  “But it will hurt at first.”

Y/N looked at him warily.  “What…what will you do?”

“Bite it,” he said simply.

Y/N’s eyes widened.  “You want to…bite…my leg?”  He nodded like it was the simplest thing in the world.  Y/N glanced at his mouth, remembering the sharp fangs and the blood dripping from them.  She shivered but shrugged.  “Whatever you say,” she shook her head in disbelief.  

The Gorgon’s half smile returned and he moved closer to her.  He leaned down and then looked up at her.  “It’s going to hurt, then it will ssstart to numb,” he explained as one of his hands steadied her leg.  Y/N leaned back on her elbows, her other leg bent beneath her as she nodded again, her hands tightening into fists.  The Gorgon slowly leaned his head down until she could feel his lips skim her skin, making her inhale shakily.  He opened his mouth wide and then bit into her thigh just below the gash.  Y/N yelped and tried to squirm away but his hold on her leg was like a vice.  She fell back off her elbows and one of her hands instinctively rushed to his head, pulling at his hair to try to pull him off.  His eyes flashed as he looked up at her and another deep rumble vibrated from his mouth into her leg, making her grip on his hair loosen but not quite let go.  Within a minute she could feel the numbing sensation flood through her leg from the bite mark down to her toes and then up into her hip.  He released her and licked his lips from the blood staining them, swallowing it quickly before he moved his face to hover over the gash.  “Now this part will be…ssstrange,” he warned her.  Y/N wasn’t even fully listening, her head swimming with relief as well as an unfamiliar fluttering in her gut.  He looked back down at her leg and then stuck his tongue out and started licking at the wound.  His tongue was like a snake’s in that it was forked and came out long, but otherwise it looked like a normal man’s tongue.  She watched him with a sense of awe as the saliva from his tongue started to close up the wound, healing it quickly and leaving a slight burning sensation behind that wasn’t unpleasant.  

When he finished he wiped his mouth with the back of one of his hands and then sat up, inspecting her leg once more then looking pleased with himself and looking back up at her face.  Y/N gaped at him.  “That was…strange,” she scoffed.

He gave her a full toothy smile, which was weirdly endearing while also looking terrifying.  “But it feels better?” he asked.

“Very,” Y/N nodded.  She pushed her skirts back down as he leaned back against the wall, watching her.  “I’m sorry to stare,” she started, “and I’m sorry if it’s rude of me to ask, but, what are you?  A gorgon?”

“Yesss,” he answered, his head tilting.

Y/N nodded.  “What is your name?”

“Bucky,” he replied.  Y/N looked at him strangely.  “Yesss, it’s a strange name,” he smiled.

“For a gorgon, yes,” Y/N agreed, her own smile starting.  “I would think you would be named something like in Beowulf,” she mused, picking up the book again.  

Bucky looked confused.  “Beo…what?”

Y/N gaped at him.  “This book, it’s called Beowulf,” she explained.  Bucky blinked at her and she realized.  “Oh, you can’t read.”

Bucky shook his head sadly.  “No.  But I’ve alwaysss liked this offering,” he said, reaching over and briefly touching the edge of the book.  

Y/N smiled.  “I gave this years ago,” she said quietly.

Bucky brightened at that, a boyish grin on his face.  “It’s my favorite,” he said.  Y/N traced the edge of the book as well.  “What is your name?” he asked.

“Y/N, Y/N Y/L/N,” she replied.  Bucky’s face softened, looking her over like he was studying her.  “Are you…” she paused, fear rippling through her again, “are you going to kill me?”

Bucky’s brow furrowed.  “Why would I heal you just to kill you?”

“True,” Y/N said.  “I’ve just…there’s been stories of sacrifice givers who never make it back.”

Bucky scoffed.  “Sssome are not as agile going down the mountain.”

She didn’t know why, but his statement was said in such a dead-panned tone that she laughed.  Bucky’s eyes widened at the sound, his own smile stretching his face as she laughed loudly.  He leaned in while her eyes were closed, so when she felt his fingers against her throat she suddenly stopped and flinched at how close to her face he was.  He looked sad at the loss of the sound.  “What was that?” he asked, looking at her like she was a world marvel.

Y/N’s brow furrowed.  “What…my laugh?”

“Laugh,” Bucky repeated, the word sounding strange in his mouth at first.  

Y/N nodded.  “It’s a noise people make when they find something funny,” she explained.  “What you said just struck me as funny.  There’s been such a fear that the monster in the mountain is angry at some offerings, so those givers never make it home.”

Bucky’s face morphed into a scowl again and he moved away from her to lean back against the wall again.  “I’ve never killed any givers,” he said, looking down at his hands.  “The only villagers I’ve ever killed were those who intruded and tried to hurt me.  But that was…long ago,” he mused, looking off into the sunset that was nearly gone.  “And then today.”  Y/N felt sad for him then.  How long had he been up here?  Alone?  He appreciated the sacrifices and gifts, and from what she could tell he was generally very gentle and kind other than when provoked.  

“You never demanded sacrifices, did you?” she asked quietly.

Bucky looked back at her with tired eyes and shook his head.  She nodded.  “Do you think I’m a monster?” he suddenly asked.

Y/N’s eyes slightly widened as he looked at her intently.  She paused as she looked him over.  Technically speaking, yes, she considered him a monster, in that he wasn’t fully human and large and in some ways terrifying.  But his mannerisms were soft, and he had recognized her as someone who needed help rather than someone trying to encroach on his home or hurt him.  She couldn’t stop staring at his handsome face as her smile returned.  “No,” she replied honestly.

Bucky reciprocated her smile, an appreciative hum coming from him.  The sun set and his eyes started to glow again.  “Well,” he sighed.  “You should rest.”  He started to move away from the furs and Y/N frowned.

“Isn’t this your bed?” she asked.  “You should sleep here.  I can find somewhere else–”

“Rest, Y/N,” he said, giving her a stern look.  It was the first time he’d said her name, and it made her feel strangely giddy.  “I’ll sleep soon.”  He dragged himself over to the pack she’d left on the floor, starting to open it and dig inside to see what there was.  He stopped and turned to look at her again.  “Will you…read some of it to me?” he asked, glancing at the book.

Y/N picked up the book again.  “I can try, but it’s getting hard to see,” she said, turning the first few pages.

Bucky hummed again, then slithered back to her.  He settled behind her and leaned against the other wall, snuggling into the furs.  The scene made her smile at how preposterous it was for such a being to look so domesticated.  He patted the spot beside him.  “My eyes can help you see,” he offered.

Y/N stifled a giggle and scooted back to sit next to him.  Unfortunately it wasn’t enough and so she looked up at him with a slight grimace.  “I’m sorry, I still can’t see.”  Bucky huffed and shuffled himself lower, his upper arm closest to her wrapping around her shoulders and angling himself so that his face was near her shoulder.  The glow of his eyes was close enough that she could make out the words and she smiled at him.  “That works, thank you,” she said and focused on the book.  “Lo! The Spear-Danes’ glory…”

She read well into the night, pausing whenever Bucky had to blink, then picking right up where she left off.  At one point she had snuggled into his side, and during a lull in the story started to drift off.  She would jerk herself awake and keep going repeatedly until at one point she felt Bucky pry the book from her hands.  “Sleep, pretty thing,” his voice murmured near her face, the deep timbre making her sigh contentedly as she leaned further into him, his warm body easing her into her dreams.

*Drawings from TikTok @zesketches *info about Gorgons found @seananmcguire.com 

[thesassypadawan]

So Warm (Padawan Anakin x RealWorldFemReader)

Summary: It’s barely the first day of winter and already you’re tired of being lonely and cold. So, your tipsy behind decides to take matters into your own hands by following some silly, old kids’ story and burying your poor padawan Ani figure in the snow. Better be ready, your not so ‘little dude’ is going to be in need of some warming up of his own once he comes to life.

Warnings: 18+. Padawan Ani and reader are of age. Some good old-fashioned fun from behind. Smut, smut, and more smut.

‘They say that if you wish with all your heart and bury the possession you hold the dearest deep into the fresh winter solstice snow. Then, when the clock strikes upon the witching hour, your desire will become a reality.’

It was amazing. After all these years, you still remembered that silly, old story from your childhood. Even more surprising, you were able to do so while thoroughly kicked in the ass.

What could you say? It had been a long year and, despite only being a few hours in, an even longer winter.

You hated being lonely and absolutely loathed being cold. You had hoped a drink or two or more would have remedied all of this, but, at about halfway through the bottle, you knew that a crazier approach was necessary.

At least, that’s what tipsy you thought.

So, there you were. Knee-deep in the snow. Shivering your ass off. Padawan Anakin figure clutched to your chest.

“All right, little dude, I need you to be real and Imma gonna need you to do it fast,” You slurred. “Gotta makes that bed toasty. We can warm each other up nice and good. Have lots of fun doin it, promise.”

You gave your ‘little dude’ a kiss on the head and shoved him into a pile of snow.

With the deed done, you stumbled back inside. Where, once undressed, you crawled into your cold, lonely bed and instantly passed – fell asleep.

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

You didn’t wake until 3am. Well, you guessed it was three; since that’s normally when you would be in need of a glass of water. But, this time around, it wasn’t your thirst that got you up.

A very large and very cold someone was pressed firmly against your back. And, they were pushing something very big and even colder inside of you.

“So warm. You’re so warm, angel.” That someone mewled cutely once he was fully sheathed.

‘This is a dream,’ you thought groggily, involuntarily clenching down. ‘I know that voice and there is no way in hell that-'

Willing your eyes to open, you peered over your shoulder and was met by the sight of… A huge grin wearing and extremely naked, Anakin Skywalker. “Yup, definitely dreaming.”

“Not a dream,” Ani chuckled, nuzzling his icy nose into the crook of your neck. “I’m a real not so ‘little dude’ who’s here to help make the bed toasty.”

He emphasized the word ‘little’ with a hard thrust. Eliciting a small moan from you. “Ain’t nothing little about that.”

“Now, how about we warm each other up nice and good?” He muttered, nipping at your sensitive flesh. “We’ll have lots of fun doing it, promise.”

You felt your breath hitch in your throat. ‘100% a dream…fuck it, might as well enjoy it while it lasts.’

“Okay,” you purred, rubbing your ass teasingly against him. “Let’s heat things up then.”

“That’s, my girl,” he groaned.

Anakin ground his hips into you. His cock absolutely splitting you open in the most delicious way. His chilled hand gripped your hip, the other toying with your pert nipples.

Inhaling sharply from his cool touch, you let out a small whimper. “Faster. Please, go faster.”

“As you wish,” he growled. Ani began to speed up, bottoming out over and over again. His hand now snaking between your legs to rub your throbbing clit. His thrusts becoming sloppy.

You could feel the tension building up inside of you. It was all so wonderfully overwhelming. His hands exploring the curves of your body. His lips marking up your neck. His cock perfectly hitting that right spot each time.

“Ani…Ani, I’m…I’m…”

“Go on. Let go. Cum all over my cock so prettily,” he whispered huskily.

All it took was his encouraging words. A wave of raw pleasure came crashing over you. Your body spasming in bliss. Stars filling your vision.

Not far behind. With a heavy groan, Anakin pumped his hot cum inside of you.

“That was one hell of a dream,” you panted, slowly coming down from your high.

Wrapping his arms around you, Ani let out a yawn. “Again, not a dream.”

“Whatever you say, Skyguy,” you said, trying to stifle your own yawn.

Snuggling further into his hold, you then asked drowsily. “So…you going to pull out anytime soon?”

“Nope, too warm and comfy,” Anakin mumbled, his breathing growing soft and even.

"Yeah, me too," you hummed before drifting off to sleep.

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

You didn’t wake again until early afternoon. Well, you guessed it was early afternoon; since that’s normally when the sun shone brightly in your room. But, this time around, it wasn’t the blinding light that got you up.

A very large and very warm someone was pressed firmly against your back. And, they had something very big and even warmer buried deep inside of you.

“So warm. You’re so warm, hatari.” That someone cutely mewled, content to already be fully sheathed.

‘I guess it wasn’t a dream,’ you thought happily, purposely clenching down. Making that someone groan into your ear.

Willing your eyes open, you peered over your shoulder and was met by…a pair of soft lips. “Yup, definitely not dreaming.”

“Told you,” Ani chuckled, nuzzling his warm nose into the crook of your neck. “I’m a real not so ‘little dude’ who’s here to help make the bed toasty.”

He emphasized the word ‘little’ once more with a hard thrust. Eliciting a small moan from you. “Again, ain’t nothing little about that.”

“Now, that weird comlink of yours went off a bit ago. Said there’s an ‘extreme low temperature warning’ all day,” he muttered, giving your breast a gentle squeeze. “So, I say, let’s stay in all day. Keep each other nice and good and warm. We’ll have lots of fun doing it, promise.”

You felt your breath hitch in your throat as you melted under his touch. ‘A girl could get used to waking up like this. Thank you, silly, old childhood story. Thank you winter solstice.’

“Okay,” your giggle, playfully tugging on his braid. “Let’s heat things up then.”

“That’s, my girl,” Anakin growled, already grinding his hips against your ass.

[ninthcircleofprythian]

Unbound

Part 3 - We're Going To Solstice Dinner --- And We're Gonna Get Married

Series Summary - Not having a mating bond didn't stop the love Azriel and Celeste have for each other or their commitment. When an unknown magic lingering from Celeste's past causes her to lose all memories of the last century, will they be able to rebuild their life without a bond tethering them together?

Word Count - 3.7k

Warnings - light swearing

Author's Notes - Last of the background chapters before we head into present time. This is just pure sweet fluff.

Part 1 Part 2

Azriel winnowed to the doorstep of the River House at exactly the time they had planned. Taking a moment to adjust the collar of his dark suit and checking his inner jacket pocket for the small box once more. He gathered a deep breath of chilled winter air into his lungs and exhaled, attempting to steady his frazzled nerves. The exhale escaped him in more of a stutter than he intended, but before his galloping heartbeat could get the best of him, he swung open the door without even bothering to knock. 

“Well, well, well,” came Cassian’s voice from the dining room as Az made his appearance in the foyer. “Look who decided to finally grace us with his presence.” 

Az joined the gathered group scattered around the dining room, sidling over to the bar where Rhys was pouring. “Thought you might need this,” he chuckled, handing Az a half filled glass. “The speculation is in full force already.” Rhys clapped a hand on Azriel’s shoulder. With a low whisper he leaned closer to Az’s ear, where the shadows' own speculation was also in full force. “You alright brother?”

Azriel swallowed slowly, savoring the oaky blend and allowing the burn in his throat to ground him somewhat. “Yeah.”

“Was she free tonight?” Feyre questioned from her seat on the bar sofa. “Is she coming?”

“She had dinner plans already,” Az watched Feyre’s face fall with disappointment. “But she’s coming for gifts after.”

Feyre’s face switched quickly to joy as she clapped her hands and squealed. 

“Honestly, you all act like Shadowsinger has never had a lover before.” Amren posited dryly from her seat next to Mor on the opposite loveseat. 

“He’s never brought one around to meet us before,” Mor stated as she lounged, legs crossed in her silvery gown, her own glass of whiskey in hand. 

“This isn’t just any lover. This is the lover,” Nesta’s slitted eyes met Azriel’s as she joined the conversation from behind Mor. “Isn’t that right Az?”

Azriel felt the sweat crop up along his palms and he readjusted his tenuous hold on the whiskey glass. Before he could gather enough brainpower to respond, Rhys cut in. “Please, let’s not torture the poor guy all night. We will meet her soon enough, she’s coming after dinner.” Rhys’s hand squeezed on Az’s shoulder before vacating. “So let’s eat.”

“Finally,” Cassian sighed, already claiming his seat and rubbing his hands together over the tabletop.

“Is that all your brain thinks about Cassian? Food?” Amren asked with a grimace. 

“Not the only thing dear Amren. As a matter of fact it’s the three F’s,” Cassian beamed a sly smile in Amren’s direction. “Fighting, Food and Fuc—”

“Cassian.” Rhys warned with a snap as Mor guffawed loudly and Feyre cracked out a laugh. Mor ambled over to sit in the seat next to Nesta, Amren having already taken the one to her other side.

“No, slide down Mor.” Nesta instructed, waving her hand. “Celeste is coming too.” 

At the sound of her name Azriel felt his heart pause before slamming back into rhythm with a start. The color had fled from his face a bit causing a reaction from Cassian next to him. 

“Feeling alright there Azzy boy?” Cassian elbowed him harshly. “Having second thoughts?”

Once again Rhys stepped in. “I said enough, Cas.” This time the look wasn’t as lighthearted in Cassian’s direction. His violet eyes darkening, Rhys took his seat at the other end of the table next to his mate. 

Azriel gave an appreciative nod in Rhys' direction. “No. No second thoughts,” he began as he drained the last of his whiskey. “I’m just starving. Kicking your ass earlier today really worked up an appetite.”

A pattering wave of laughter spread around the table as Elain took her seat at the end, right between Amren and Azriel. “I made something special for dessert, aside from Feyre’s cake of course.” She smiled sweetly towards her sister. “For the special occasion.” She swiveled her sweet smile towards Azriel. 

He returned the gesture with a soft countenance. “Thank you Elain. That was very kind.”

A knock rang through the entryway, feeling almost as loud as Azriel’s heartbeat.

“That’s probably Celeste.” Nesta declared as she rose to answer the door. Azriel glanced at his empty glass and silently wished he had brought the bottle to the table with him. 

“I’m so sorry I’m late.” her lustrous voice carried like a song. “I hope you weren’t waiting on my account.”

“No no, we just sat down. You haven’t missed anything.” Nesta leaned into Celeste’s ear with a conspiratorial grin as she whispered, “His secret lover won’t be coming until after dinner.” Celeste bit down a little too hard on her lip in a smirk as Nesta led her to the seat next to herself.

Settling herself into her seat, Celeste ran a smoothing hand over her silver dress, drawing Azriel’s attention to the flare of her hips. “Great minds think alike,” she commented toward Mor with a nod. 

Noticing the similarly colored dresses they both wore, Mor gave a giggle. “They do! You look stunning Celeste, that’s definitely your color.” Turning to face the rest of the table, “Ok let’s dig in. I’m ready for presents.”

The food made its rotation around the table, passed from plate to plate. The conversations picked up immediately and the buzz filled the room. Azriel sat quietly in observance, his brain also buzzing with no room to think up small talk.

“Wine?” Elain offered as she tipped the bottle toward his empty glass. 

With a flick of his wrist he waved, the shadows covering the opening to his glass before he could answer. “No thank you. I’m fine.” The last thing he needed tonight was to allow his nerves to get the best of him and end up drunk before the grand reveal. 

He risked a quick peek across the table, catching sight of Celeste’s stately profile. The smile that graced her face, crinkling the scar across her nose, was true and bright. Suddenly, her eyes popped open wide as her brows shot up nearly to her hairline. Whatever piece of gossip Nesta was whispering between them must have been piping hot. A few supremely salacious words made their way to Azriel’s ears between the hum of other conversations, color rising along his cheeks at the scene they painted.

“If you think that’s spicy,” Cassian leaned to Az’s shoulder. “You should hear what possibilities Nes has been spinning about you and your lady friend.” Cas winked at his brother with a nudge. Luckily Rhys was far enough down the table to not hear the teasing and give Cassian yet another warning, but Nes did shoot him an icy glare from across the table. A swift bang echoed from under the table just as Cassian yelped, reaching down to rub at his shin with a laugh.

The exclamations and occasional laughs eventually died down around the table to barely a droll as they all sat around satiated on rich food and wine.

Right on schedule, a slip of paper fluttered down from thin air directly above Celeste’s place setting. Reading it with a studied brow, she apologized. “Oh no. I’m so sorry. I have to head out,” she flipped the note pointedly in her hand. “Duty calls.”

Azriel’s heart ramped back up to a gallop as he consciously slipped into his mask of indifference. The smooth execution of her act almost caused a nervous noise to escape him.

“Nothing too serious I hope?” Rhys said with slight concern. 

“Oh no. Nothing terribly urgent. I actually have a moment or two before I need to leave.” She rose swiftly from the table, her hand slipping casually into her anxious tell that Az recognized immediately. “Actually Rhysand, would you mind if I passed along my gifts before I left?”

“Not at all,” he gestured widely with an arm toward the living room. “We were about to head there ourselves.”

At his cue the scrape of chairs sounded, the chatter rising to a hum again. Feyre stepped from Rhys’s side as he headed across the foyer and she held back her steps to fall in line with Az.

“I’m about to burst with anticipation, I can’t imagine how you must be feeling. I’m just so excited to meet her Az,” she panted out in a rush. Azriel extended his elbow in a request to escort Feyre across the short distance.

“Soon,” he said richly. “Very soon.”

Knowing that Celeste hadn’t brought gifts for everyone since she was really only close with Nesta and Mor, they all milled about in preparation to wait for their impending guest.

Nesta and Mor had seated themselves next to each other on the sofa. Az directed Feyre into the third seat on the cushions, as he took a leaning seat on the arm of the furniture. Cas and Rhys were chatting casually next to the armchair where Elain sat placidly, tiny Amren nearly being engulfed in the one next to her. Celeste swept over to the window where the pile of presents had materialized with Rhys’ magic as soon as they had entered the room.

Plucking an armful from the top of the stack she deftly turned to pass them out.

“To our gracious hosts for gathering us all here tonight,” two packages were handed out to the mates. Feyre carefully opened the petite package, thanking Celeste gratefully for the shimmering paint additive to create glimmering paints.

“It’s wonderful, Celeste. Thank you.” Rhys’ thanks carried as he held up a dark amber liquid in a beautiful crystal cut bottle.

Azriels attention was elsewhere as his shadows pulled against the mental leash he was holding them on, wanting to reach out and gather around Celeste as she stood so close. She watched Nesta and Mor open equally thoughtful gifts, but his eye caught the movement of her hand. Thumb tucked between her fingers worrying at the webbing between them. Until tonight, it was something he hadn’t seen her do in months.

This is it. This is it. This is it.

His heart and his shadows pulsed to the thoughts. At just the right moment, a small thump sounded in the quiet and another small package fell onto the large pile by the window.

“Is that my birthday present?” Feyre asked her mate with glee in her eye. Rhys just shrugged, corners of his mouth pulled down as he answered. “That wasn’t me.”

Nesta had already leaned down and held the positively tiny box in her palm. “It has your name on it.” She passed the package off to Celeste with a quizzical look crossing her brow. 

“Whose it from?” asked Mor, with an equally puzzled quirk.

“I don’t know,” a cautious smile blooming across her face. “It doesn’t say.” Without waiting for any prompting, she tore off the scrap of paper and revealed a small cobalt velvet box. By this point, the mention of a mysterious gifter had gained interest of the entire party as they turned their attention to the tiny package as well.

This is it. This is it. This is it. 

Celeste’s hands shook slightly as she touched the soft crush of the fabric exterior. Even though this plan had been mostly her idea and she knew what was happening, she still felt like she was about to jump out of her skin. 

Rocking the top of the box back on smooth hinges, she gasped. A truly shocked and surprised gasp. What she had expected to be nestled in the tiny ring box were the simple gold bands that Azriel had rushed off to buy at the very last minute in preparation for this plan. 

Instead what she saw glittering next to the gold band meant for Az, was a twined band of beautiful obsidian and pristine white gold. Set between the intersecting waves of each color, seven flecks of sapphire blue shimmered around the entire ring. Unbeknownst to Celeste, he had switched out the ring with the one he had been secretly stashing in his top dresser drawer for the last six months. 

“What is it?” asked Elain, her hand laid on her chest in anticipation at Celeste’s shock.

“Who. Is. It. From?” Mor practically shouted, the suspense nearly killing her. 

All the bodies in the room had collectively begun holding their breath without even realizing it.

Instead of the racing heart and pounding chest he had expected to feel in this moment, the only thing Azriel felt was peace and the pull of his shadows trying to rush to Celeste’s frame. Holding them back for just a moment longer he righted himself from his perch on the sofa arm and with a flare of his wings he stepped forward to meet her in the middle of the room.

“It’s from me,” his deep voice rang clear. His scarred hand swiftly plucked the box from Celeste’s open palm and he removed the ring, setting the box on the low table to his right. Grasping her left hand he carefully slipped the ring over her thumb, following the tradition of her birthplace. The shadows now released from their leash, they swept furiously over their joined hands. “To my sweetheart on her first Solstice – as my wife .” 

Everyone watched the scene playing out, their racing thoughts still catching up to the moment they had just witnessed. Before anyone could utter a single noise, Az had slipped one arm around Celeste’s waist, the other reaching into her hair along her neck and swooped in for a burning kiss. 

He felt her knees go weak as he deepened into the kiss, supporting her body with the arm encircling around her back. Drawing back, he pressed his forehead against hers. Gasps and voices erupted around them, but he just stood there gazing into Celeste’s eyes, tears cresting over her lashes.  

“Breathe,” Az whispered against her temple.

Drawing in a shuddering breath, Celeste leaned briefly from his grasp. Her knees still a little shaky as she grabbed the box and pulled out the band. Turning back into Az’s hold, she slipped it over his own thumb.

“Happy Solstice Az – my husband.” The last two words came out in a trembling whisper as her tears flowed in earnest now. 

“Ok. I’ll admit, I didn’t know it this time,” Mor threw up her hands in defeat. 

Nesta, forgoing her normally severe resting face, held a mirthful smile. “Oh this is too good. I need to know everything,” she laughed. “Pronto.” 

Feyre had jumped from her seat, bouncing on the balls of her feet, hands clasped by her throat and tears in her eyes. “You two? The whole time?! Oh gods. Oh Az—Celeste. I can't believe it–I–I.”

“What she’s trying to say,” Rhys said, ringing the room to face the happy couple. “Is we are thrilled for you both. Congratulations.” His eyes met Az’s with loving words that needn’t be spoken. “What a reveal,” he chuffed out. 

“How wonderful!” Elain exclaimed breathily as she clutched onto Amren’s arm from her seat.

“Nicely done, Shadowsinger.” Amren piped up from her seat, still sitting primly with no sign of surprise upon her face, but a shimmering silver could be seen glinting from her lower lashes. “Very nicely done.”

“It was all her idea really,” Az credited as he turned his eyes back to Celeste’s face where she held a smile big enough to make her cheeks ache. 

“I never knew you were such a romantic, Amren.” Rhys teased.

“Enough out of you, boy.” She glared, attempting to swipe away the wetness before anyone else noticed. 

The only one who hadn’t said anything, still standing to the side in open mouth surprise, was Cassian. Finally jump-starting his brain into working, he rounded a path around Rhys and approached the couple. With arms spread wide, he practically jerked Azriel into a bone crushing hug. 

“Congrats brother,” he whispered tearfully into Az’s ear. “I am so very happy for you.” 

Azriel’s hold on Celeste fell as he returned his brother’s affection. Cassian held on a few moments more before pulling back promptly and switching his attention to Celeste. Before Azriel could react, Cas had grabbed her by the shoulders and yanked her in, planting a loud smacking kiss to her cheek. “Welcome to the family, Celeste. It’s a hell of a ride.” 

A low growl left Azriel’s chest but it was quickly dissipated by the astonishingly luminous laugh that burst out of Celeste. 

“Thank you, Cassian. I look forward to spending more time in your company,” she managed to get out through her laughter. 

“Ha!” Cas shot out, roughly clapping a hand on Celeste’s shoulder. “I knew I liked you.”

Hours passed and the mood in the room had mellowed into a comfortably tired rhythm of twilight. Wrapping paper littered the floor and various surfaces and open gifts piled in front of their receivers. Amren, Mor and Elain had already called it a night, leaving just the couples gathered in the heat emanating from the fireplace. Celeste was tucked into Azriel's side on the sofa next to him and engaged in a lively conversation with Nesta who was perched on Cassian’s lap in the armchair next to them. Feyre and Rhys just listened intently, an occasional word between them as their hands hung joined between their two seats. 

Azriel very much wanted to call it a night as well considering it was technically their wedding night but as he watched the happiness on his wife’s face in the firelight he decided he could wait just a bit longer. They had forever after all. As he watched the light reflected in Celeste’s eyes, he was flooded with a sudden and intense pull from the depths of the chasm inside him. A feeling of happiness and contentment and a twinge of melancholy. 

Trying to hide the burn that welled up in his throat and threatened to reach his eyes, Az used the pause in conversation to whisper against Celeste’s hair.

“And where is this other part of my present?”

She shot upright exclaiming, “I forgot all about it!” Leaning toward the low table, she snatched her tiny purse and rummaged inside, pulling out a package about the length of her hand. “Here,” she smiled wickedly as she plopped it in his hand.

Az pulled the twine bow and ran his thick finger through the paper, tearing it in one large rip. He tipped the contents of the box into his palm to reveal a heavily weighted, golden cup. Rotating it around, he read the inscription written across the platformed stand attached to the bottom. 

“I heard it's tradition to give the trophy away every year,” Celeste said mellowly. “So I thought you might want one to keep. It seemed like too lucky a number to not commemorate.”

The burn had already breached past his throat and into his eyes and he no longer tried to rein it in. He pushed out a small choked laugh between the tears. 

Swiveling to look at Celeste directly, Az met her gaze. “Yeah. Turns out it was very lucky.”

Leaning in, Celeste brushed a soft kiss to his lips before he deepened it with fervor. 

“Aw Az, it looks like someone did bet on you after all!” Cassian crooned from beside him as the sisters released pattering giggles. Azriel’s lips still pressed to hers, Celeste joined in with a giggle of her own. 

“Well, actually–” she pulled away sheepishly. “I waited until I knew you won before I had them finish the engraving.”

Jerking back slightly in surprise, Az’s eyebrows shot up in amusement before he twisted them into theatrical pain and clutched at his chest.

“Solidarity brother!” Cas shouted with a barking laugh.

This time it was Azriel’s booming laugh that rang loud, joining in the resounding ones of his brothers. Celeste felt her own twinge low in her gut as she basked in the sound, tucking it away in her memory for keeps.

Taglist - @mybestfriendmademe @lilah-asteria @chairofchaos

[bubybubsters]

A Distressing Solstice

a/n: For my lovely @icey--stars I hope you have a wonderful holiday and thank you to the amazing people at @acotargiftexchange for making this a thing!

w/c: 2000+

warnings: 🐱

masterlist

*****

Eris’s POV

Eris glanced in the full-body mirror one last time before taking a deep breath and praying to the Cauldron that nothing would go wrong. He was in a dark red vest that had black patterns covering a black shirt paired with black dress pants. It was the Winter Solstice and Azriel had invited him over to meet his family on good terms and to come clean about their not-so-secret secret relationship. Rhysand and Feyre had found out when catching the two lovers making out 30 minutes before a meeting. Surprisingly the High Lord and Lady had already suspected and was willing to hear them out. Lucien had also found out in a similar way, accidentally walking in on something he definitely never wanted to see again. Eris also knew Morrigan suspected because Azriel had dragged him halfway through Velaris to apologize and explain why he’d left her in the woods that day. If Mor knew, then all the females in the night court probably did as well. Really this was only for Cassian (because Amren always knows everything), the ‘poor oblivious Illyrian baby’ as Azriel liked to call him. Still, Eris’s nerves jangled nervously as he winnowed to the River House. Sparing a look at his watch, Eris realized he was fifteen minutes early. Oh well, couldn’t very well go back now… well he technically could…. Shaking the thought from his head he scanned his surroundings. Although he would deny it to the grave, the River House was as incredible as Az had told him. As he approached the house mansion, he glanced at the windows. Two silhouettes were too close to be casual. He smiled, happy for their love. Then, suddenly realizing one had giant wings, Eris froze, fearing what he was seeing. Creeping closer, he peered through the window focusing intently on the figure with wings. That same jet black hair. Oh no. It couldn’t be. Azriel would never. Eris’s face drained of all color as he saw his lover against the counter with Elain Archeron leaning forward to kiss him. Fire roared through his veins as his own heart broke at the sight and he thought of how devastated Lucien would be. Using every scrap of self control to not smash through the window and beat both Azriel and Elain up for their betrayal, Eris backed up. Indifferent mask falling into place as he watched their lips meet. He turned down the pathway and started the walk back to the unwarded areas. All while slamming up those steel walls in his heart and mind. Pushing his feelings into a teeny tiny box and once more becoming the High Lord. The High Lord that showed no mercy, no compassion, no joy, no love, nothing except cruelty. The High Lord he’d been before Azriel. When Eris reached the end of the wards, he looked back at the River House and without a single trace of emotion winnowed out.

***

Bright light greeted him along with the shocked face of his little brother. The day court. “Eris! I thought you were with Az?” Lucien’s slightly worried voice broke Eris’ facade of indifference. His body gave out and he dropped to his knees in the middle of Lucien’s cabin. “Eris?! What happened? What’d he do?” Eris chuckled. He loved his brother. In a weak voice he asked, “Why do you assume he did something?” “Because you’d never hurt him.” Lucien’s arms encircled him and Eris felt himself being lifted off the ground. “You love him. You would do anything for that shadowsinger. He doesn’t deserve it, but you’d still do it.” “I loved him.” The words were another stab into Eris’ heart as Lucien sat him down in an armchair. “No, you love him. You, of all people, can’t unlove in twenty minutes. I know you Eris. You’re blocking your feelings, making yourself feel nothing. It’s not healthy, you’ve got to at least have closure if you’re going to end it with Az.” Eris glared, hating that Lucien was right. His damned emissary training made him absurdly good with words. “So, I ask you again. What happened?” “Luci… Ela- Elain kissed him. Your mate kissed my mate.”

*****

Azriel’s POV

It was eleven, Eris was four hours late. He probably wasn’t even coming at this point. Azriel drained his wine, glancing towards the door once more before Feyre drew his attention. “Do you know where Elain is?” It was the fifth time the question had come up, all directed at him. “No.” He’d rejected Elain again after she’d forced herself on him. She’d pinned him between the kitchen counter and not willing to hurt her, he’d been helpless. But she’d kissed him and he knew he had to do something but his body froze. He’d shoved her off after a moment and harshly told her he didn’t want her. He’d never wanted her. She’d just been a placeholder while he tried to find someone who was right for him. And he’d found that someone. She’d run off crying. He glanced outside again and still no fiery red head. “Az?” Rhysand placed a present in front of him as he looked down and Azriel with a worried gaze. “You alright?” Azriel nodded at his brother before taking the present. Carefully unwrapping the squirrel and acorn wrapping paper, Az pulled out the present. It was a small box. When opened it was a heart locket the color of autumn leaves. Upon closer inspection Azriel noticed that the locket was broken in two. He opened one side; it had a picture of Eris staring at someone not shown with a heated, loving expression. Frowning, Azriel opened the other locket to fine a picture of him staring with the same expression at someone else. He smiled slightly, putting the lockets together to show a picture of the couple locked in a heated gaze. Looking up at Rhys, his eyes watered at the incredibly thoughtful present. “It’s lovely Rhys. I love it and I’m sure Eris would if he’d bothered to show up.” His voice turned bitter and he let a little bit of his pain show. Anger shown in his brothers eyes. “I can’t believe he stood us up. I thought he was good. Do you want to go find him?” “He is good. I’m not sure. Give it another hour, if he’s not here by then we’ll go see what happened.” Rhys nodded, smiling at his brother before moving back to Feyre’s side and tucking her into his side. Azriel’s heart clenched at the love his High Lord and Lady had. He wished for it, especially the mating bond. But it seemed the Mother had deemed him unworthy of even that. Barely minutes later, Rhysand was once again standing in front of him. “Screw it Az, let’s find that asshole.” His brother had that look on his face that said he wasn’t going to back down on this front. “Fine… just let him explain before murdering anyone.” Rhys’ grin was a slash of white, “I make no promises.” He grabbed Azriel by the shoulder and winnowed them out. The scent of fresh fallen leaves hit him and Az relaxed slightly. He opened the cabin door and stepped in, Rhys a step behind him. “Er?” No answer. “He’s not here Az. Hasn’t been for hours.” Azriel nodded, stepping back into his shadows and winnowing away. There was only one more place Eris could possibly be. Az felt a knock against his mental shields. “I wish to do this alone, Rhys.” “Then best of luck, brother.”

*****

Lucien’s POV

Lucien heard a light knock against his cabin door and sighed, already knowing who stood outside. He couldn’t believe Azriel had cheated on Eris with Elain. Of all people. He wanted to give up on Elain, to find someone who wanted him and cared enough to accept and use his damn gifts. But she was his mate and that string connecting them wasn’t so easy to block. Lucien disentangled himself from his sleeping brothers arms and silently crept toward the door. “He won’t want to see you.” Meeting Azriel’s hazel eyes he felt a surge of anger, especially at the very faint smell of jasmine and honey. The shadowsinger looked confused at Lucien’s words. “Why? What did I do?” Lucien’s brows pulled together slightly, was it possible that Eris had gotten it wrong? That the situation he’d seen wasn’t what it’d looked like? An unwanted flare of hope ran through his body. “You… where were you fifteen minutes before 7:00?” “Umm.” Realization dawned on Azriel’s face. “Kitchens. Oh. So, Eris was early and saw through the window when Elain kissed me and assumed that I was cheating on him?” Damn. He’d gotten it right away. “Yep. And now you can come in, explain you hopefully weren’t cheating on him and make it so I don’t have a brooding high lord in my getaway cabin?” “If you’d step out of the doorway.” His voice lowered to a whisper. “Do you think he’ll hear me out?” Fear and sadness laced his tone. Lucien shrugged elegantly, “good luck!” He needed wine, maybe he’d stop by the River House and take a few of Rhysand’s good bottles and be back in time to kick his brother out before he had sex with the shadowsinger in his bedroom, again.

*****

Eris’ POV

A hand shook him out of his sleep and he groaned, batting the hand away. Said hand grabbed his hand and pinned it to the bed. Said hand wasn’t just calloused like Lucien’s but also had scars. Burn scars. Eris shot up, suddenly wide awake as he looked to his side and was met with a pair of hazel eyes. “Azriel.” He jumped off the bed as the memories of why he was at his brothers cabin came back. Azriel had cheated on him! With Elain. His brothers mate! “Eris, please. Let me explain.” A hint of desperation sparked in his eyes. “No! You kissed her! You-“ “Eris!” Azriel cut him off, rounding the bed to stand in front of him. “She kissed me! I-“ “You kissed her back! You know how much she means to Lucien and you still kissed her back!” “Lordling.” Azriel pushed him onto the bed and hovered above him, pinning his wrists to the mattress. “She kissed me and it took me by surprise so I froze. If you’d only stayed and watched another five fucking seconds you would have seen me push her away and tell her I don’t want her.” Eris’ emotions spiked, “Of course I didn’t stay to watch my mate kiss another! It’d tear me apart!” Azriel stilled above him. “Mate?” That’s when the bond snapped for him and Eris felt the mating bond go taunt. Rushes of desperation, surprise and love flooded his side of the bond. “Mate.” The confirmation alone made the bond glow with life. He leaned up, even as Azriel still pinned him to the bed, placing a gentle kiss on his mates lips. “I’m sorry I ever doubted your loyalty to me… I just assumed the worst and I shouldn’t have.” Azriel’s eyes softened and his body relaxed as he let got of Eris’s wrists and collapsed on top of him. “I love you, lordling.” Azriel’s hands cupped his face and he kissed him passionately, letting the bond between them come to life with shared love. “I’m the high lord. Not a lordling.” Eris grumbled into Azriel’s chest. “But I love you too, shadow boy. A waterfall of ice cold water hit the couple and they both yelped jumping up and out of bed. Eris glowered at his grinning brother as he magically dried himself and Azriel. “You’ll pay for that, Luci.” He grabbed Azriel’s hand and started to drag him out of the cabin. “At least I won’t have the scent of your sex in my cabin for weeks again!” Azriel glanced at Eris, “That long?” Eris grinned nodding, “Longer.” He winnowed them to his own getaway cabin. “Now mate, where were we?”

*****

A/n: Thank you for making it through that… hopefully without any cringing!

taglist:

@thelov3lybookworm @stargirl1714

thank you @artists-ally for keeping me sane with promises of that one thing and suggesting a name for Az.

[shadowsingers-mate]

Healing (Elucien Week Day 7: AU or Tention / Healing)

A/N: Thank you very much for showing such love on my first ever fic and submission for Day 5 Masks. Here is another piece I've written! Happy Elucien Week!!

Pairing: Lucien Vanserra x Elain Archeron

Lucien stood on the balcony, the cold night air biting at his skin. The solstice celebrations echoed through the Night Court, laughter and music weaving through the night. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. Tonight, he would do something he had long avoided. Tonight, he would approach Elain.

He adjusted his coat, a deep green that complimented his red hair and mismatched eyes, trying to suppress the nervous flutter in his stomach. His fingers brushed against the small, intricately wrapped box in his pocket. The bracelet inside was a symbol, a token of his feelings, of his devotion, a gift for Elain.

With one last look at the revelry below, he turned and walked through the halls. The thread that joined him to Elain no matter the distance, tugged him in the right direction. He didn't need to seek out Elain or ask anyone where she was. He just followed the bond.

He found Elain in a secluded corner of the garden, away from the noise and lights. She stood by a fountain, the soft glow of the moon highlighting her delicate features. She looked ethereal. She was beautiful, so incredibly beautiful

Lucien's heart ached at the sight of her, the bond between them pulling him closer. But he tread carefully, not wanting to startle her.

"Elain," he called softly.

She turned, surprise flickering across her face before it settled into a guarded expression. Lucien approached slowly, his hands in his pockets to show he meant no harm.

"I hope I’m not intruding," he said, stopping a few feet away from her. "I have something for you."

Elain's eyes flicked to the box in his hand, then back to his face. She didn't speak, but her silence was nothing new to him. He offered her a tentative smile and held out the box.

"Happy Solstice," he said, his voice gentle.

She paused, then hesitantly took the box, her fingers brushing against his briefly. The touch sent a jolt through him, but he kept his composure. As she unwrapped the gift, he watched her, noting every subtle shift in her expression.

"It's a bracelet," she said quietly, holding it up to the moonlight.

"Yes," Lucien replied. "It's a token of my loyalty to you. A reminder that I'm here, always."

Elain looked at him then, really looked at him, and he felt exposed under her gaze. The silence stretched between them, heavy with things unsaid.

"Thank you," she replied, her voice short and guarded.

Lucien nodded, taking a steadying breath, his heart hammering in his chest as he met Elain's guarded gaze. "Elain," he began, his voice low and earnest, "I know this is unexpected, but I have something important to say. Something about...us." The last word sounded both foreign and comforting to him.

She hesitated, then gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. Lucien took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts, his feelings. This was it. The moment he had dreaded and longed for in equal measure.

"From the moment our bond snapped into place, my world shifted," he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I was bewildered and overwhelmed, yet there was a profound sense of rightness. My instinct was to protect you, to be by your side no matter the circumstances."

Elain's eyes softened, and Lucien pressed on, encouraged by her attention.

"You are the embodiment of grace and beauty, Elain. Your strength and resilience inspire me every day. I see how you navigate through your own struggles, and it humbles me." He stepped closer to her. "My heart aches to be closer to you, to offer you the support and comfort you deserve, but I understand that it may not be what you need right now."

He paused, searching her face for any sign of rejection, but she remained silent, her expression unreadable.

"Please know that my feelings for you are genuine and profound. I love you with a depth that words can barely convey. This love is not a demand but a gift," he took another careful step closer to her. "Your happiness and well-being are paramount to me, and if keeping my distance is what ensures your comfort, then I will gladly do so. Your peace of mind is worth any sacrifice on my part."

Elain's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and Lucien's heart broke a little more at the sight.

"The bracelet is not meant to bind you but to remind you that I am here, always. Whenever you feel alone or uncertain, I hope you can look at it and know that someone cares for you deeply, without conditions or expectations."

Lucien swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words. "Life has taken so much from both of us, and I do not want to add to your burdens. Instead, I want to be a source of solace and strength for you, even from far away. I want you to thrive, to find joy in every moment, to feel safe and loved. And if I have to remain unspoken and distant to ensure that, then I will accept that with grace."

Elain looked down at the bracelet, her fingers tracing the delicate design. Lucien's heart pounded in his chest, the silence between them stretching on.

"You are more precious to me than anything I have ever known," he continued, his voice thick with emotion. "I will continue to hope for a future where you might see me as more than just a distant presence. But until then, I remain your steadfast admirer, your silent guardian, and your devoted mate."

Elain's gaze lifted to his, tears now freely flowing down her cheeks. Lucien stepped closer, gently wiping a tear from her face.

"Thank you, Lucien," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I... I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," he replied softly. "Just know that I'm here for you, always."

She nodded, and Lucien felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of healing for both of them.

As they stood there, the moonlight casting a gentle glow around them, Lucien felt a sense of peace wash over him. He had bared his soul, and while the future was uncertain, he knew one thing for sure: his love for Elain would never waver.

With a final, lingering look, Lucien turned to walk away, leaving Elain with his gift and his heart.

"Lucien."

He stopped in his tracks, turning slowly to face her. Her expression was softer now, her eyes shining with something he couldn't quite place.

"Would you... stay and join me for the solstice celebration?" she asked, her voice gentle and inviting.

For a moment, Lucien could only stare, his heart pounding with a mixture of relief and hope. Then he smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile, and nodded. "I'd like that very much."

Together, they walked back inside, a silent understanding forming between them. It was a small step, but for Lucien, it was everything. Tonight, for the first time in a long while, he felt a glimmer of hope. And as they entered the warmth and light of the celebration, he felt that the tension that had long lingered between them might begin to ease, and perhaps they could start to heal, together

----

@elucienweekofficial Thank you for all the support and an amazing platform for us to show our love and appreciation for these characters.

Thank you lovely @sad-scarred-sassy for all the love and encouragement. I'll never forget your kind words.

[moonlightazriel]

Bright as the Stars /// A Feysand Fic

Summary: Solstice comes around the corner and Rhysand has a special night planned for his mate.

Warnings: Fluffy and Smut

Word Count: 3,2K

Notes: My second year doing this and it's just as nice and funny as the first time. This is my gift for the @acotargiftexchange made especially for @itsthedoodle, i really hope you enjoy it, cuz i certainly did writing this piece.

Main Masterlist

Feyre took a deep breath, the city smelled like cinnamon, freshly cut trees, and mint. The winter solstice was just two days away and she had some last-minute shopping to do, Morrigan happily chatted with a fae behind the counter, trying to get a discount on a pair of emerald earrings for Amren. 

She had gotten gifts for everyone, but she still needed to find the perfect piece for Rhysand, her mate. After the events of Under the Mountain, she felt the mating bond snapping into place as she was ready to leave for Spring Court with Tamlin, when they got back home, she knew that it wouldn’t be fair to neither of them to keep pursuing a relationship with Tamlin. She wanted to explore the bond and he understood, thanking her for showing him love and compassion and telling her that he wanted her to be happy, even if that meant they wouldn’t be together anymore.

He had helped her reach out to Rhysand, and as the bond had snapped for him at the same time, Rhys immediately made sure to bring his mate home, wanting to know her, to be with her, he needed her, and now that he had her, he would never let her go again.

She sighed, looking around at the kids running from their parents, and the snow falling from the skies, everything felt magical in Velaris, she would never get used to it, a tiny snowflake fell on her open hand and she admired the intricate pattern it had. A warm hand squeezed her shoulders and she turned, to see Mor with the biggest grin and a box with the earrings in between her fingers. 

“We need to have hot chocolate, I’m freezing.” Mor said, walking towards one of the many coffee shops, filled with clients enjoying their meals. “This is the best one in the city, go have a seat, I’ll order for us.” 

Conversations filled her ears, and she just enjoyed the smell of fresh coffee beans, and cherry from a pretty pastry a few tables away. Feyre then thought of her sisters, Rhys was sending them money every month, and she wanted to visit but would her sisters welcome her? Years of sadness and loneliness filled her chest but she tried to shake the feelings away, they were doing just fine. And Feyre now had people who cared about her, people who would never leave her alone again. 

“Here.” Morrigan placed a plate with a chocolate chip cookie in it, and a steaming mug of hot chocolate, Feyre reached for the mug, the nice warmth spread on her hands even through the glove and she took a sip, the creamy texture melted in her tongue, her tastebuds almost hummed in delight with the flavor.

“This is the best thing I’ve ever had.” Feyre hummed and Morrigan giggled, taking a bite of her cookie. 

“Are you excited for your first solstice? With your new life and everything.” Her intense brown eyes scanned the freckles that peppered her nose. 

“It feels weird to be getting gifts for everyone when I couldn’t even afford to feed myself a few years back.” Morrigan silently nodded, feeling her heart squeeze in her chest whenever she thought about how much Feyre had to fight to survive, proud filled her then, as she looked at her friend, stronger than ever and still gentle and kind. “But it also feels nice feeling that I belong somewhere.” Feyre gave her a small smile, to which Morrigan replied with a gentle squeeze on her hand. 

“You’re home now, Fey.” Her heart clenched in her chest, she hadn’t felt at home in a long time. She was thankful for all the sacrifices she had to make to be in this very moment right now. The hollowness and loneliness that filled her to the point of suffocating for so many years, is now gone and replaced by unconditional love for the family that chose her. 

⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆

Colorful balls hung from the ceiling, decorated with glitter, a very sticky one that glued to Feyre’s fingers and hair, Rhys watched as the light would sometimes refract on the sparkly substance, making the female glow in front of his eyes. 

“Cassian, if you drop those damned lights again, I’ll hang you instead.” Azriel hissed, making the room burst into laughter, but Rhys could only watch the little dimples in the corners of her mouth and the slight scrunch of her blue eyes, as she curled forward, laughing with joy at Azriel's annoyed stance. He playfully rolled his eyes and kept trying to hang the lights that pooled at his feet. 

Feyre scanned the room, the inner circle helping set the decorations in the House of Wind. She was excited for the Winter Solstice, for the first time since she could remember, she would have a proper celebration, Elain would always braid her hair and place a flower behind her ear, claiming that Feyre’s special day should always be celebrated despite the conditions they had. 

Mor offered her another glass filled with wine and she took a sip, the sweet grapery taste filled her mouth and she shook her head a bit, she was never the strongest for alcohol, and with the few sips she already had, she felt her cheeks getting warmer. 

“Having fun, pretty girl?” Rhysand purred into her mind and her eyes darted toward him, the blush getting more intense as she noticed how he was already looking at her, she didn’t know why, but whenever he looked at her like that, like she was the only female he could ever love, she would get shy under his gaze, but she loved it anyway. 

“Are you?” She replied in his mind, wiggling her eyebrows at him. He smiled at her, shaking his head as he approached her, cradling her pretty face, stroking her cheek to wipe some of the glitter, and placing a stubborn strand of hair behind her pointy ear again. 

“I know you’re excited about the solstice tomorrow night, but I think it’s a nice time to let you know I have different plans.” Those big blue eyes blinked at him in confusion.

“I thought we were going to be spending here, with our family.” Rhysand almost dropped to his knees, hearing her calling his family, her family, made his heart melt, and he sent a wave of love down the bond.

“We will, we’re having lunch with them, but I have a surprise for you.” Feyre almost started to clap like a happy kid, the thought of having a surprise made just for her made her slightly drunk brain fill with happiness, she couldn’t wait for it.

“What is it?” She tried, knowing very well that Rhysand wouldn’t tell her, she even went as far as to try to see it by herself but his mental shields were held high up. 

“Easy, pretty girl. You’re going to know what it is at the right time.” He lowered his head, and the tip of his nose brushed against hers, Feyre closed her eyes, waiting for him to close the gap between their lips, but she felt his warm lips on her forehead instead, and Cassian cleared his throat, forcing her to remember they weren’t alone in the room.

She playfully groaned, opening her eyes and starting to get away from Rhys, reaching for more decorative balls so she could go back to decorating the house for tomorrow night. 

⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆

Her belly hurt from how much she had laughed today, the lunch with the inner circle was just like it always was, filled with funny stories from their past and lots of food. Feyre was still thinking about Morrigan’s jokes as she rubbed her skin, the strawberry scent filled the room as she rubbed the pink foam on her legs. 

She scrubbed her scalp until she was happy with the results, climbing out of the tub and wrapping a towel around her hair and her body. The fog from the hot water still filled her room as she stepped out, and a cold breeze made her shiver. She eyed her dress, a long black dress glued to her body with a slit on one leg and tiny sleeves that fell just above her shoulders. 

She sat on her desk, removed the towel, and started to style it in loose blonde curls, a shade of brown coated her eyelids, and some eyeliner and mascara highlighted her eyes, a nude shade of lipstick was applied to perfect her plump lips. Feyre stared at herself for a minute, happy with the result, feeling pretty. She finished her look with some ruby earrings and went to put her dress on. 

The dress was spectacular, making her feel like a goddess of the night, Feyre strapped her heels just in time to hear a knock on her door. Dressed in fancy clothing, Azriel and Cassian stood by the other side of the door, bowing to her and Cass offered her his hand.

“We’re here to escort you, my lady.” He said in a posh tone, making the three of them laugh. She took his hand, and he guided the way, with Azriel following close behind. They walked down the stairs of the Townhouse, Mor was facing Rhys, fixing his bow tie before she turned to her with the biggest grin. 

Rhysand was absolutely perfect, hair slicked back, and in formal clothes. Feyre almost gasped at how handsome he looked, she couldn’t believe that such a male was her mate, she was so lucky. In three quick steps, he was in front of her, taking her hand away from Cassian and pulling her with him. 

“I don’t believe that there’s anyone as beautiful as you, and I don’t think there will ever be.” Feyre hid her face in his chest, feeling her cheeks getting hot at the compliment, Rhysand was always so good with his words. 

“You don’t look bad either.” She said and he ran a hand over his smooth hair. 

“I always look good, Feyre darling.” He pulled her closer by the waist. “Are you ready to go?” The female happily shook her head and Rhys winnowed the two of them, the cold winds and the strong smell of mist and night stars filled her senses as Rhys did his thing. 

The Moonstone Palace was decorated with little lights floating in the space above their heads, tiny snowflakes fell and the winds roared outside, but with the power around the space, they couldn't feel a thing, Rhysand’s power warming the place on a comfortable level. 

They headed to the balcony where a table was set with various foods and champagne, the stars shone on a veil of black in the sky, making the whole atmosphere even more magical. Feyre gasped, petals of white roses coated the floor, and Feyre almost cried at it, Rhysand still remembered how red made her feel even months after the events of Under the Mountain. 

“I have no words to express how much I love this.” She started, using her pinky fingers to wipe the tears that gathered in the corners of her eyes. “No one has ever done something like this for me before.” Rhysand pulled a chair for her.

“Glad to be the first, then.” He sat in front of her, flicking his hands and a soft melody started to play, Feyre looked around trying to spot where the sound was coming from but to no avail. 

The food served was a combination of green salad, mashed potatoes with sautéed carrots, roasted chicken with green sauce, and a little sweet bread accompanied the food. The flavors flooded her mouth and they ate looking at the stars, casually exchanging some words. 

“You have some sauce right here.” Rhysand licked his thumb, reaching to wipe the sauce from the corner of her mouth, and applying gentle pressure on her skin, he took the thumb back to his own mouth, licking it clean as he kept eye contact with her, making Feyre swallow harshly. 

“I was always a messy eater.” She joked, remembering the times Nesta would scold her for eating like “a wild animal”. Rhys got up, extending a hand to her. 

“Would you like to dance?” The soft music was still playing in the background, Feyre allowed herself to be conducted by him, dancing under the stars, the slow dance made her heart swell with happiness and love, flooding the bond and Rhysand responded with his own feelings, such an intimate moment just for the two of them to appreciate.

Rhysand felt that he could be his true self around her, without judgment, that she would love all the parts of him despite how ugly they were. And all he could do was to love her in return, with every fiber of his being, he would love her until their time on this earth was over, and even then, people would still talk about the High Lord who loved his mate so much that he captured the stars, just for her. 

He slowly reached for his back pocket, hands grabbing the small box that was safely tucked away in his suit ever since he got ready later that evening. He pulled the box out, lifting it to the level of her eyes. The song slowly stopped and the eyes that had been closed during the whole dance started to slowly open until Feyre spotted the box.

Curiosity filled her being and she slowly reached for the box, opening it she found the most beautiful gift in the world. A crystal ball, held by a silver chain, glowing like a thousand suns. 

“You loved Starfall so much, that I thought that maybe you would want to have a star for yourself.” Rhys motioned for her to turn around, the crystal was cold against her skin as he clasped the piece together, turning Feyre again by her waist, he watched in awe as the star glowed against her skin, absolutely beautiful. 

“Rhys, this is…” She couldn’t finish as a sob parted through her open lips, tears of joy streamed down her face and she tried to control herself, but as she held the gift in her hands, it was almost impossible to stop crying. 

“I know.” He said, pulling her close. No words were needed when he could see the happiness that filled her eyes, how thankful she was for such a thoughtful gift. Feyre had never received something so perfect in her entire life, she would remember this for the rest of her life, and she would keep it around her neck, cradled near her heart for eternity. 

Feyre slowly lifted her head, lips quivering as she reached for him, closing the gap between their lips, his hands held her close as they kissed, a gentle brush of her lips against his at first, then slowly deepening the kiss, he guided them to a pile of covers and pillows resting at a corner, Rhys had intended that they would watch the stars and talk but if Feyre wanted to do something else, he was down for it. 

Laying her down, his hands slowly traveled down to her feet, strapping the heels off one after the other, then coming back up as he kissed her again, kicking his own shoes off. Her hands pulled the coat of his attire off, leaving him in just a white linen shirt. They kissed until their lungs begged to be filled with air. 

The smell of her arousal was driving him insane, he reached for the zipper at her side, brushing his hands over her right breast before he pulled it down, bringing the whole dress along. Her breasts spilled and he wetted his lips at the sight of her, Feyre was magnificent. 

“It’s unfair that I’m naked and you’re all covered.” Feyre pouted as Rhys finished removing her dress and underwear.

“Your wish is my command.” He replied, getting up and removing his clothes as quickly as he could. He looked down at her, where she lay with nothing but the star necklace illuminating her skin, and those mesmerizing eyes focused on him, Rhysand knew he was the luckiest male that ever walked on this planet. 

Feyre was ready for him as he got on top of her again, his finger easily sliding in with the wetness that pooled around her core, his thumb circled the bundle of nerves and she moaned, a beautiful little moan that hunted him ever since he heard it for the first time. 

“I need you Rhys.” She begged, her breath ragged as she looked at him. He nodded, grabbing his throbbing cock in his hands, pumping it two times before he slid inside her all the way down. She hugged him, preventing him from moving, just feeling him inside her for a while, the fullness she felt would always warm her body.  

“You are absolutely perfect, Feyre darling.” He purred, starting to slowly move his hips against her. Feyre cupped his face, thumb tracing his eyebrows, eyes, nose, cheekbones, and lips, Rhys melted with her touch, feeling the warmth that spread through his chest. 

He lowered his head, capturing her lips again, kissing her as his life depended on it, hips snapping against hers, the sound of skin slapping against skin and the whimpers she left, muffled by his lips, were the only things that filled the room at the moment. He kept moving, Feyre’s nails scratching his back as he made love to her. 

Rhysand caressed the bond, sending all of his love down the golden thread between them. Feyre felt the knot in her belly growing until it was ready to snap. He slid in and out, fast and hard, again and again until Feyre was clenching around him. Caging his cock inside her as she moaned his name, her walls milking him, making him spill his seed inside her, coating her walls in the white slick. 

He rested his forehead against hers, the two of them catching their breaths, chests moving up and down at a rapid pace. He kissed her forehead, meeting her blue eyes. 

“I love you.” He watched as Feyre moved her fingers, a velvety box appearing in between her hands, he smiled at her, he had shown her this little trick a few months ago. She popped the box up, revealing two identical rings inside. 

“Marry me!” She blurted and he felt all the strength of his body vanish, his knees almost buckling at the question, he expected any gift from her, but not the only thing he’d wanted the most.

“Of course, I’ll marry you.” He replied, feeling the tears in his eyes, kissing her on the lips, then he kissed her, on different spots of her face as she giggled. He got out of her, laying down by her side, pulling her to his chest. With the box in his hands, he reached for the smaller ring, sliding in her finger. Feyre copied his movements, sliding the bigger ring on his finger.

“Always and forever.” She whispered, his violet eyes met her. 

“Always and forever.” The two of them lay there, watching the stars. A shooting star passed in the sky and Feyre gasped.

“Quick, make a wish.” Rhys turned to his side, kissing her forehead.

“I already have everything that I need, right by my side.”

[dottielovegood]

Anything. Everything.

@elriel-month : Happy Solstice

This fic is based on the following prompt from @freepandahugs:

elriel with secret messages, where elain keeps sending little dirty messages to azriel while he is away in the cabin for the snowball fight 🤭 bonus points if smut ensues once azriel gets back

(I obviously went for the bonus points) Warnings: Explicit. NSFW. See tags on AO3 Word count: 6738

Azriel 

When Rhys told Azriel to stay away from Elain, he really did try to follow the order. He didn’t do so gladly, but he did it nonetheless. He might have filled a few snowballs with rocks during their annual snowball fight, but if Rhys understood why he did that, he didn’t let it show. And later that same day, he gave away the necklace he had bought for Elain, even though he regretted doing so just moments later. He just couldn’t keep it. He just couldn’t have one more thing reminding him of her. The vial of headache powder on his bedside table was enough of a reminder of what, and who, he so desperately wanted. 

It took him one week to grow resentful and one more week to question why Elain couldn’t choose her own fate. He didn’t really care much about himself – he never had, but Elain deserved better. She deserved a choice. It took a few more weeks to gather the courage he needed to talk to her about that night. He had behaved like an idiot and was fully expecting Elain to tell him so, but she didn’t. Of course, she didn’t. Because she knew. She had seen it. She had seen that he would come back to her. 

“I see many things, Azriel,” she had told him when he came to her room that night. “I just never know exactly when they will happen, so I’ve been waiting.”

“Waiting for me to beg your forgiveness?”

“There is nothing to forgive. Even though I am angry at Rhys for taking away my voice, I do understand him. He is afraid, and he needs to know that we will be here if anything were to happen to him. I don’t know Lucien very well, but I do not think that he would ever do anything to harm me or anyone in this court because of tradition, especially not an Autumn Court tradition. But if it will lessen the burden that Rhys has to carry at this moment, I am fine with keeping us a secret. For now.”

“You are a much kinder soul than I will ever be,” Azriel had murmured as he took her face in his scarred hands. “I might have filled my snowballs with rocks during our Solstice snowball fight.” 

Elain rolled her eyes and placed a hand over his heart. “Now I understand why Feyre calls you Illyrian babies.” 

Ever since that night, they had spent as much time together as possible. It wasn’t easy, seeing that they had to hide their relationship. After a few months, Elain moved into the Town House under the disguise of wanting more independence. In reality, it was the only way they could see each other without risking anyone finding out about them.

It was now one year later. One year, and no one knew about them. Well, the twins knew, and Azriel was quite certain that Cassian was getting suspicious, but apart from them, they had managed to keep their relationship hidden. 

This Solstice, they hadn’t been able to spend the night together either. Everyone had stayed at the River House and they had been forced to resort to stolen glances and careful touches all night, something so familiar yet foreign to them now. Azriel couldn’t wait to have Elain in his arms again. He had been away on a mission and had arrived home in Velaris just in time for Solstice dinner and even though it had only been little over a week since they last spent a night together, it felt like a small lifetime. Every single moment without Elain felt like an eternity. His life was better, brighter, with her in his life. So yes, he was aching to go to her, but first, he had a snowball fight to win. 

Azriel hadn’t thought much about that first message. 

When he woke up in the guest room in the River House, he found a small handwritten note on his bedside table. It smelled like jasmine and honey and he was quite impressed that she had managed to get it into his room without him noticing. During the last couple of months, she had been training with him and the twins and she often joked that she would steal the title of spymaster from him soon. Azriel had never felt more proud. 

I can’t wait for you to come home to me. My bed feels so cold when you’re not there. I miss you. 

He smiled at the note. Home. She was his home now and there was no place he’d rather be than with her. His entire soul was begging him to go to her room and take her away so they could be together. If it had been any other day, he would have done just that. It might seem silly that a Snowball fight was one of the most important days to three Illyrian males, but it wasn’t just a snowball fight. It was tradition. It was family. When Rhys had gone under the mountain all those years ago, Azriel and Cassian hadn’t been able to keep the tradition alive. They had gone to the cabin once, but it had felt all wrong without Rhys there. Everything had felt wrong when their brother had sacrificed himself for his court. Azriel and Cassian had left the cabin after just a few minutes and promised each other that they would stay away until Rhys came back, and that’s what they did. For almost fifty years, they waited for him to return, and when he did, Azriel promised himself to never miss a single snowball fight ever. What had once started as a silly game between friends, had now become one of his most cherished traditions. Even when Rhys pulled rank and meddled in other people’s lives, Azriel still showed up, and this year would not be different. Yes, he wanted to spend time with Elain and yes, he was aching to feel her soft body against his, but he also wanted to spend time with his brothers. 

And, in all honesty, he wanted to win. No, he needed to win. 

He couldn’t imagine a greater feeling than returning home to Elain after winning the game. 

It should be easy to win, Azriel thought. Rhys has a small baby and Cassian can’t spend more than ten minutes away from Nesta. Part of Azriel’s strategy this year was to play to their weaknesses - they would surely be tired and distracted. 

However, Azriel hadn’t accounted for Elain and how distracting she could be, even when she wasn’t there. 

The second message was not as subtle. 

Somehow, Elain had managed to put a small package in his bag that contained a cinnamon roll (his favorite) and another note. Luckily, he found it when he was alone in his room. 

I hope this tastes as sweet as I do. 

There he stood, next to the bed he had slept in so many times over the centuries, holding a cinnamon roll, thinking about the taste of Elain. He wanted to send her a message back telling her that nothing could ever come close to being as sweet as her. As so many times before, he wished that he had daemati powers, even though he probably wouldn’t be able to reach her when she was so far away. And once again, he hoped that the day would go by quickly. He was already planning on tasting her thoroughly once he made it back home. 

The third message wasn’t really a message, unless you knew what to look for. 

Elain had been given a book on the language of flowers for her birthday that year and, after reading it, she’d decided to teach him about how people used to send secret messages through flowers once upon a time. It had started out as a sweet way for them to send each other secret messages - a pink camellia to express longing when they hadn’t been able to see each other for a while, a white tulip to ask forgiveness when he had done something stupid, a bouquet of yellow flowers to show how happy he was that she was in his life. It was sweet and innocent most of the time. 

This flower was not innocent though. 

As he crouched down behind the wall of snow he had built to cover himself, a small, white flower fell out from somewhere in his clothes. He had no idea where it came from, but there was no question about whom it came from. 

Jasmine. The scent of her. The scent of home. 

In the snow, the small flower was almost impossible to see, but Azriel saw. He noticed. He knew. Not only was Jasmine the one flower that reminded him of Elain - of home. It was also the flower that represented love and desire. It was the flower Elain would give him when she wanted him to take her to bed. 

The small flower made him lose his concentration for just a moment, but a moment was all it took for Cassian to sneak up and hit him square in the face with a massive snowball. Roaring with laughter, he ran away just as Azriel bent down and crushed the flower into a giant snowball of his own. It was only fitting to aim for Rhys.

–-

Azriel lost the snowball fight. He hadn’t been able to get Elain out of his mind. He really should have insisted on them spending the previous night together because now he was not only aching for her, but he was also in a pretty bad mood since Cassian had won the snowball fight twice in a row now. Last year, he only had himself to blame but this time, Elain was definitely to blame. At least a little. 

He couldn’t wait to get home and take his frustrations out on her. 

Only a few more hours, he thought to himself as he undressed and reached for a towel. 

Once again, he was very happy that he had decided to go to his room before joining the others in the birchin. Cassian had shouted something about being a sore loser and licking his wounds, but in all honesty, Azriel just needed a moment to himself in order to try to get Elain out of his thoughts. He couldn’t very well sit in the birchin while thinking about the fact that Elain desired him and wanted him to come home and taste her. He couldn’t sit there, naked, while imagining how he would get down on his knees and worship her body for hours as soon as he got the chance. 

The fourth message, if one could even call it a message, was everything but subtle. 

When Azriel unfolded his towel and a small piece of lilac fabric fell to the floor, he knew that he wasn’t joining his brothers anytime soon. He bent down to pick up the lacy underwear Elain had somehow managed to sneak into his bag. It was the underwear he had bought her a few weeks ago on a trip to the continent. The underwear she had worn for approximately five minutes before he ripped them off her body and fucked her on the bedroom dresser. And against the wall. And on the bed. 

It had been a great night. 

Azriel curled his hand into a fist around the lace. “That little tease,” he muttered under his breath as he promptly started to dress again. Elain had him wrapped around her finger, and even though Azriel would never admit it, he loved it. 

She had sent him a very clear message, and Azriel was not going to make her wait for a response. So without saying goodbye, he stepped into a shadow and winnowed back to Velaris. Back to Elain. Back to his heart. Back to his home.

Elain

Elain was curled up in her green velvet armchair in what had once been her bedroom at the Town House. She now shared this room with Azriel, even though no one knew about it. They usually kept to this room, just to make sure that his scent didn’t linger if someone came to visit. She was reading one of Nesta’s books - the ones no one thought a good girl like her would ever enjoy. Except for Azriel, that is. He knew what she liked. He might have even known her preferences better than she did. Ever since that night when he had come to her to beg her forgiveness, he had shown her that she had no idea how good she could feel. Had shown her just how attuned to him her body was. Just thinking back on that night had her toes curling. 

She missed him. She hadn’t spent a night with him in far too long and her body was aching for him. She missed his touch, his tongue, and all the wicked things he did to her. She missed the way he could make her forget about all her troubles and the way he took care of her - not only sexually. When he was gone, she felt like a piece of her was missing. She knew that he felt the same, which is why she had left a few messages for him to find. Just the thought of him finding all of her little notes and gifts had her grinning to herself. Gods, she couldn’t wait for him to get home.

Little did she know that she was about to him sooner than she thought. 

She felt him before she saw him. There was something tickling her foot and when she looked down, a single shadow had curled itself around her ankle. She smiled at the unmistakable proof that he was nearby, though she didn’t move. She didn’t greet him. No, she only continued reading. Or she tried to, at least. It was a bit difficult to concentrate on the words when her entire body was suddenly more awake than it had been in days. She had to resist the urge to drop the book and look to the balcony where she was certain she would find him watching her. 

She could almost feel his eyes on her and when he sent another shadow to caress her hand, she couldn’t hide her smile any longer. “You’re home,” she said without lowering the book. She knew that he could tell that she wasn’t reading. She hadn’t turned the page since the first shadow had curled itself around her. Elain heard him come into her room, but he stayed by the balcony door. When she finally lifted her gaze to meet his, he was leaning against the door frame, his eyes set intently on her. She tried to ignore the fact that a lacy piece of fabric hung from his fingers. 

“I just came to return these,” he purred and lifted his hand. Elain had to bite back a grin. 

She eyed the underwear that she had put in his bag a few hours earlier. “I’m glad you received my messages,” she said sweetly. 

His eyes were burning into her and she could almost feel the heat as he dragged his eyes over her body. “And what message was it you were trying to send?” 

“I thought it was obvious.” She tried to play it cool, even though she felt everything but. Her entire body screamed at her to go to him. To press herself against his body and beg him to touch her. She needed his hands on her more than she needed oxygen. 

“Was it now?” he asked, his voice dangerously low. “I would say that the messages were somewhat conflicting. So please, indulge me.” 

“I just wanted you to know that I missed you.” It was the truth, even though she had wanted to tell him so much more. 

“Uh, huh.” His shadows seemed to vibrate around him. He closed his hand into a fist around her panties. 

Elain swallowed, “And that I was waiting for you to come back,” she continued. 

“And?” Azriel took one step toward her and sent another shadow to slide along her body until it came to rest around her neck. Suddenly, she forgot how to breathe. She had to press her thighs together to relieve the ache building there. 

“And that I wasn’t wearing any underwear.” She smiled at him, but he didn’t smile back. He held her gaze as he stalked over to her. She had to crane her neck to look at him when he stopped in front of her. 

“Did you win the snowball fight?” she asked with feigned innocence. 

He regarded her for a moment, his arms crossed over his chest. When he spoke, his voice carried a tone of warning. “I did not.” Elain could feel her smile waver. “In fact,” Azriel continued, “I received one of your messages during the fight.”

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. That hadn’t been her plan. “Oh?” 

“Don’t act all innocent.” Azriel bent down and put one hand on the armrest. His face was so close to hers she could taste his breath. “You made me lose the fight, Elain,” he whispered and Elain could feel a shiver run down her spine. 

She had no idea why he cared so much about a snowball fight. Where she came from, only children played in the snow. But she knew that he was competitive, almost to the point of obsession. No matter the game - Azriel needed to win. He needed to be in control. Elain hadn’t imagined him losing the fight. When she prepared her gifts for him, she had counted on him winning. She was so certain that he was going to win, and that he would want to celebrate his victory with her. In bed. She had imagined that he would find her messages sweet, if maybe a bit cheeky. But if she had made him lose the fight - she was quite certain that he didn’t find them endearing. 

“And these,” Azriel continued and held up her panties in front of her. “They made it quite impossible for me to join the others in the birchin.” For just a second, Elain let her gaze drop. In the darkness, she couldn’t see if he was hard, but she knew that he had been. That just the thought of her had made him leave his brothers and come back to her hours earlier than planned. She had made him lose control. 

Azriel didn’t like it when things didn’t go according to plan. Suddenly, Elain didn’t feel as confident. She had known exactly how this would play out if he won – but now, when she knew that he lost because of her – all bets were off. She felt nervous, although part of her felt excited. There was a thrill in not knowing what Azriel would do with her. To her. 

Azriel had never been a gentle lover. Ever since their first time together, it had been obvious that he needed to be in control even in the bedroom. Elain didn’t mind. Gentleness was not something she needed. People had always been gentle with her; her sisters, her parents, Graysen – they had all treated her like a flower made of glass. Too delicate, too fragile – that’s all she was to them. Azriel was the first to truly see her. He was the only one who understood her needs, even before she understood them herself. She had come to crave his control – his darkness. The way he would devour her with his eyes and then worship her body until she was begging him for more or mercy – it was better than anything she could have asked for. Outside the bedroom, Azriel was a gentleman. The same could not be said when they closed that bedroom door though. 

“My eyes are up here, angel,” he mused and Elain felt herself blush. He put a finger under her chin and forced her to look at him again. “Always so desperate for me to touch you. Couldn’t even wait until tomorrow.” His lips ghosted over hers. “Do you think you deserve to be touched? You did make me lose the snowball fight, after all.”

Elain wanted to roll her eyes, but she also wanted to come tonight. Sometimes, when Azriel had his wicked way with her, he could keep her on edge for hours and she definitely wasn’t in the mood for that tonight. Instead, she decided to play along. 

“Are you going to punish me because you lost a snowball fight?” she tried to make her voice a bit breathy – hoping to sound innocent. 

There was a hint of a smirk playing on Azriel’s lips. He knew what she was doing. “Do you think you should be punished?” he asked, his lips just out of reach. She wanted him to kiss her. She needed him to devour every part of her. 

“If that’s what it takes to get you to touch me.”

When she finally felt his lips against hers she wanted to sigh in relief. She wanted to throw her arms around his neck and pull him down to her. She could feel him smile and she parted her lips for him, but he never kissed her. He just kept his lips on hers, barely even touching. It was maddening. 

“Please,” she breathed. She didn’t know what she was asking for, she just knew that she might die if he didn’t kiss her. 

“Please what?” he teased. He always did this. Always made her use her words to ask for what she wanted. 

“Please, anything just– I’ve missed you. I need you.”

“Need me to do what?”

Frustrated, she put her hand over his heart and fisted the black fabric of his shirt. “Anything. Everything.”

Azriel chuckled and grabbed her wrist. “Dangerous words, love.”

“Please,” she begged again. She licked his lower lip, hoping to finally get a reaction from him. 

“So desperate for me,” Azriel teased. With a firm grip on her wrist, he loosened her hold on his shirt. “Always begging for more.”

Elain just nodded. Yes, she wanted more. So much more. She was going crazy. How could he be so calm when she was burning up? 

“Go stand by the bed.”

Before the words even had a chance to register, he had pushed himself off the chair and was once again standing over her, his arms crossed and his expression serious. She knew that they were playing - that this was part of the game. Yet, when he looked at her like that, she wanted nothing more than to please him. When he looked at her like that, she would do anything just to try to get him to lose control. Anything. Everything. 

Elain stood up on shaky legs and walked over to the bed. When she turned around, she found Azriel leaning against the wall again. He still had her panties in his hand. 

“What now?” she asked. 

“Strip.”

Elain started sliding the straps of her nightgown down her arms. Slowly, enticingly. Her eyes never leaving his. When she let the fabric fall to the floor, Azriel lost his control for just a split second. His nostrils flared as he took in the scent of her and his eyes burned a path down her naked body. 

“Well, you weren’t lying,” he murmured, his eyes focused between her legs. Elain fought the instinct to wrap her arms around her body. 

“Get on the bed.”

Elain quickly did as she was told. She lay down on top of the covers and kept her eyes on him the entire time. She felt exposed. She needed him to cover her. “And now?”

A smirk played on Azriel’s lips as he watched her. Her heart was beating fast and the anticipation of what was to come made her even more desperate. She kept her legs pressed together and her arms lay stiff at her sides. She expected him to come to her now, but he stayed exactly where he was. He did nothing, said nothing. Elain could do nothing but wait. 

Azriel’s was covered in shadows and Elain could see a dark tendril slithering over the floor. She shivered when it reached the bed and started to make its way up her body. The feeling of his shadows on her skin was foreign yet familiar at the same time. They were neither warm nor cold, neither smoke nor solid. Yet she could feel them twist and curl around her legs, her arms. Her neck. One shadow came to rest around her neck and Elain arched into the feeling, letting her head fall back into the soft pillow. Azriel had always loved her neck. Always made sure to give it extra attention whenever they were together. On more than one occasion had she been forced to wear a scarf to hide the marks he so lovingly left on her skin. 

Elain tore her eyes away from Azriel for just a moment and looked down at her body. She was covered in shadows. When she tried to move her arm, she was surprised to find that she couldn’t. “Azriel,” she gasped when she realized that the shadows were pinning her to the bed. 

“You look beautiful like this,” he said, his voice low and full of wicked promises. “Covered in my darkness.” 

Elain whimpered when she felt one of his shadows move up her inner thigh. She had no idea what his shadows were made of, but they seemed to be vibrating against her already sensitive skin. They had never done this before. His shadows were usually nowhere to be seen when they were together like this. She didn’t know what to make of it, she just knew that her body was begging for more. 

“Please,” she breathed, her eyes pleading with him. This was the sweetest form of torture. 

Azriel’s eyes darkened and she could see him reach for something on her dresser. “Already begging?” 

“Yes.” If it pleased him, she would get down on her knees to beg him to touch her. She would do anything if he just made her feel good. Azriel walked over to the bed and Elain breathed a sigh of relief. He was finally giving in. Finally giving her what she needed. 

“Open your mouth,” he ordered. She turned her head to the side and opened her mouth, expecting him to unfasten his trousers and put his cock between her lips. She held his gaze as he stroked a finger over her jaw and caressed her lower lip with his thumb. “So eager,” he murmured.  “So beautiful.”

A shadow slipped over her eyes just as Azriel’s fingers left her skin. She didn’t have time to feel surprised before something was pushed into her mouth. It was soft. Some sort of fabric. Maybe…

Elain could feel herself blush when she realized what Azriel had done. 

Her panties. He had put her panties in her mouth. She couldn’t speak. He had gagged her with her own underwear. If she hadn’t been so turned on, it would have been humiliating. 

At the same moment, he put something cold in her hand. She wasn’t sure, but she thought that it felt like her hairbrush. “If it’s too much and you can’t speak, just let go of the brush and we’ll stop.” 

Azriel removed the shadow over her eyes and Elain found comfort in the warm brown eyes looking down at her. “Nod if you understand.”

Elain nodded and hummed. 

“Do you want to stop?” 

She shook her head. 

“Good girl,” he purred, and Elain almost moaned at the praise. If someone would have told her a year ago that Azriel had the dirtiest mouth in Velaris, she wouldn’t have believed them. Nor would she have believed that she would melt like butter every time he praised her. 

Azriel took a step back again, his eyes ravenous as they took in the way his shadows slithered over her body. When his eyes found hers again, he smiled at her. It was a wicked smile and Elain loved the promise behind those dark eyes of his. He was giving her exactly what she asked for.

The shadow between her legs started to move again and Elain pressed her head back into the pillow and closed her eyes, trying to savor the sensation. 

“Eyes on me,” Azriel commanded. “I want to see what I do to you.”

Elain whimpered as she met his gaze again. “Don’t forget, drop the brush if you want to stop.” 

That was all the warning she got before she felt another shadow at her entrance. She was so wet, so needy. When the shadow pushed inside of her, Elain gasped in surprise. She had no idea how this was happening. She didn’t understand. All she knew was that she was covered in Azriel’s darkness and that she was, quite literally, fucking a shadow. The shadow filled her slowly and the sensation of being so full while the other shadows caressed her body had her moaning. She couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, couldn’t think. All she could was feel. She felt the shadow move inside her while another shadow tightened its grip around her throat. The sensations were both too much and not enough. She wanted to beg again but she had no words. He had taken her words and her body and all that was left was him. His shadows. His darkness. His eyes staring right into her very soul. 

She had no idea how much time had passed when Azriel finally spoke again. It could have been minutes or hours - she didn’t know. Didn’t care. 

“Do you enjoy getting fucked by my darkness?” his voice was dark, almost sinister. 

She nodded and tried to answer but all she could manage was a muffled sound. 

He chuckled and reached into the shadows. She felt his fingertips on her knee. It almost burned her skin. “I was going to come to you tomorrow,” he said and moved his finger slowly up her thigh. “I was going to bring you breakfast in bed and fuck you slowly for hours.”

Elain moaned again when she felt his fingers tease between her folds. “But you couldn’t wait, could you?” Azriel stroked her clit with two fingers. “You had to send me that flower.” His fingers traveled lower. “You just had to put your panties in my bag.” She tensed when his fingers circled her entrance. “Were you trying to get me to come home early?”

Again, Elain tried to answer but the words never made it out of her mouth. 

Agonizingly slowly, Azriel pushed one finger inside. The shadow that had filled her disappeared and she whimpered at the loss and the new sensation. The shadows spread her legs to give him more access and Elain wanted nothing more than to move into his touch. 

Azriel’s finger stilled and he slid one knee between her thighs. His other other hand came to rest beside her head and Elain reveled in feeling his weight on her. She breathed in his scent of night-chilled mist and cedar. He smelled like home. Azriel dipped his head and she could feel his breath on her ear. “Message received,” he whispered just as he pressed another finger into her aching core. She moaned around the lace. The way he curled his fingers just right had her seeing stars. Azriel groaned and lifted his head again. His hazel eyes focused on her for just a moment before he leaned in and took the lacy fabric that hung out of her mouth between his own teeth. He held her gaze as he slowly pulled them out of her mouth. He dropped them beside her head and Elain managed to take one single breath before his mouth was on hers. She could feel him growl as he deepened the kiss and started fucking her with his fingers. She moaned into his mouth and felt herself clench around him. She wanted more. Wanted all of him. 

“Please,” she begged breathlessly against his lips. “Please, I want all of you.”

“You have all of me. Always,” Azriel murmured against her lips. He teased her lower lip with his tongue and she parted her lips to let him in. She melted into his kiss – into his touch. Azriel’s fingers brought her to the edge over and over, but every time she was close, he slowed his movements or changed the angle. She knew he was doing it on purpose. Elain let out a frustrated growl and fisted her hands in the fabric of his shirt. She didn’t even realize that she had moved until she heard the brush she had been holding fall to the floor.

The shadows disappeared and Azriel stopped his movements immediately. He withdrew his fingers from her, which was the opposite of what she wanted. She hadn’t meant to drop the brush, it had just been too much and not enough and she needed him closer. 

“Are you okay, Elain?” He asked, concern painted all over his beautiful face. “Do you want to stop?”

Shaking her head, Elain pulled him down until she could whisper in his ear. “I don’t want to stop. I want more.” Her voice was low and full of desperation. She was quite certain that she would go mad if he didn’t let her come soon. “Please, Azriel. Make me feel good.”

With a growl, Azriel crashed his lips to hers again and moved his body over hers. He was still fully clothed but she could feel just how much she wanted her. Elain reached down and palmed his cock over the leather. Azriel grabbed her wrist and pulled away from her. When their eyes met, she could see both fire and shadows in his. She loved everything about Azriel, but there was something so wonderfully forbidden when he was like this. Here he was, the spymaster, the male who never showed his emotions, burning for her. She had never felt so powerful before. 

“Get on your hands and knees.”

Azriel stood up next to the bed and Elain let out a shaky breath before pushing herself up to a sitting position. She watched as he reached behind him and unfastened the clasps on his shirt. He let the dark fabric fall to the floor and now it was Elain’s turn to devour him with her eyes. Gods, he was gorgeous. She couldn’t believe he was hers. 

“Angel, don’t make me wait,” Azriel said and reached for the fastenings on his trousers. “I really don’t like waiting.”

“Or losing,” Elain muttered under her breath and turned around. She placed her knees on the edge of the bed and leaned forward, balancing herself on her hands. She tried to ignore the fact that Azriel could see everything from his position behind her. She held her breath in anticipation as she waited for him to touch her. 

“Az–” she began, but his name died on her tongue when she felt a sharp pain on her left buttock. She gasped in surprise. He spanked her. He actually spanked her. 

He had never done that before. Elain had no idea why her body seemed to sing from the pain. She couldn’t understand how the feeling was so similar to pleasure. Azriel had always said that there was a fine line between pain and pleasure, but Elain had never experienced that for herself. Now though, she was beginning to understand what he meant. 

“That’s for being a brat,” Azriel said. When his hand came down on her ass a second time, Elain closed her eyes and let herself really feel the sensation of it all. She didn’t dislike it as much as she thought she would. 

In fact, she didn’t dislike it at all. 

“And that’s for making me lose the snowball fight.”

Should she ask for forgiveness? Should she tell him that she was sorry?She had no idea. She just knew that she didn’t want him to stop. 

He spanked her one more time and Elain couldn’t help the moan that left her lips. “And that’s for making it impossible to join my friends in the birchin.”

Elain smiled but kept quiet. 

His hand came down a fourth time and Elain could feel herself get wetter. Gods, she was really disturbed, wasn’t she? Who enjoyed getting spanked? 

As if he could read her mind, Azriel stroked his hand lovingly over her ass. “And that one was just because you seemed to enjoy that.” Elain could hear the smile in his voice. She turned her head so she could look at him over her shoulder. 

“What does that say about me?” She worried her lip between her teeth. 

“That you’re perfect for me.”

Azriel moved his hand over her back until it rested between her shoulder blades. He pushed her down until her breasts were pressed against the bed. She heard him shift behind her and she resisted the urge to look back again. She felt something warm between her legs and Azriel’s hand was once again grabbing her ass, holding her open for him. He stroked his cock between her folds. “So fucking pretty for me,” he said as the head of his cock pushed inside her. With his other hand, he grabbed her hip and without warning, he drove his hard cock into her warmth. She fisted the sheets and moaned as he started to fuck her. Hard. Azriel was not holding back as he drove into her again and again. 

“Such a good girl. Taking everything I give you,” he all but growled. “I’ve missed you so fucking much.”

“I missed you too,” she managed to gasp between moans. She met his thrusts, her body begging her to take him deeper. She felt something wet between her cheeks and then Azriel’s thumb was there, massaging her asshole. She was too lost in pleasure to care about the fact that she should feel mortified. “Tell me if you want me to stop,” Azriel said, his breathing ragged and his voice dripping with lust. 

“Don’t you dare stop.”

Elain moaned when his thumb pushed inside. She had never been this full before. They had spent so many nights together, but it had never been like this. Never this intense, this raw.

“You like being filled like this, don’t you?”

Once again, Elain moaned into the sheets and pushed her body back against his, making his thumb slip in further. “Oh, gods,” she whimpered. “Azriel– oh, fuck…” 

“You’re doing so well, Elain.”

She felt a familiar sensation as he sent one of his shadows to massage her clit again. She had to bite the sheets to keep herself from screaming. “Don’t,” Azriel grunted. “Let me hear how good I make you feel.” 

And Elain did. She had no control of her body and Azriel didn’t let up. He kept fucking her. Filling her. Using her. He gave her everything and she gladly took it all. 

“Az, I’m gonna– Oh, gods, I–”

“Come for me, sweetheart. Go on, come on my cock.” 

She felt herself clench around his cock and his thumb. Her legs started to shake and she was glad Azriel was holding her up because she was falling. She came with a scream and she could feel Azriel fill her just seconds later. He fucked her through her pleasure. “Fuck,” he grunted as he pushed himself into her once last time before he stilled. 

They were both trying to catch their breaths. Azriel pulled out of her and covered her body with his. She could feel his seed run down her thighs. He kissed her shoulders, her neck. Licked that sensitive spot just below her ear. She barely even registered that they had moved until her head was resting on Azriel’s chest, her fingers following the path of his tattoos. Elain had done this so many times, she was certain that she would be able to trace the swirls of his tattoos in her sleep. She had spent every moment they had together memorizing his body and he had done the same with hers. 

“Can we stay like this forever?” She asked and kissed him over his heart. 

Azriel tightened his grip on her and kissed the top of her head. “Anything you want. You are my everything, Elain.”

“Anything and everything,” Elain said. “Dangerous words.”

[queen--of--shadows]

Healing Shadows: Part 9

Azriel x Reader

Summary: Reader is a gifted surgical healer and water bender. Rhysand needs her help when he finds out about Feyre’s risky pregnancy. Azriel finds out reader is his mate.

Warnings: depictions of mild violence

Word Count: 4,329

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11

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Part 9: Predator

You gave your High Lord and Lady the middle finger before grabbing the giant bow you used during practice and the five arrows lined up next to it, all tipped in rugged, sharp steel. You strapped the arrows over your back on the right side, and Rhys’s heavy sword, the beautiful and simple blade sheathed in its leather scabbard, across your left. The first part of training would be on horseback, and after you would battle with Lucien. The thought made you shiver with fear. Lucien was High Fae with extensive training and years of experience, whereas you had a few weeks of training with…

You examined and flexed your gloved hands. Azriel’s Solstice gift was thoughtful and had come in handy during your mornings on the roof as winter remained relentless and temperatures dropped by the day. You weren’t expecting anything from him, so finding his gift at the very bottom of your pile turned your heart an uneven beat, his muted cedar and mist scent still lingering on the wrapping. 

“To Y/N, From Az” 

You could probably trace his handwriting from memory at this point given how many times a day you admired the little signed tag.

You inadvertently shifted your gaze towards the Shadowsinger, who was already watching you intently, his eyes darkening as they met with yours, tendrils of smoky shadows swirling around his shoulders. The morning wind ruffled his dark hair, his face unreadable. You studied him, trying to catch that flicker of emotion behind his eyes that you couldn’t quite place. Was it—anger? His glaring from last night bore into your memory, but Helion’s booming laugh shook you from the staring match. You turned to see him and Cassian joking, and groaned as you remembered the brutal tasks that awaited you.

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

Rhys and Feyre winnowed you and Lucien somewhere deep into a vast forest, still lush and blooming in the thick of winter. Helion flew in with Elektra, Azriel with Nesta, Cassian with Elain. You had no idea where you were, or if you were even still in Velaris. The gloomy gray sky gave no indication of your whereabouts. 

Elektra wouldn’t tolerate any saddle or reins, so you were on your own to ride the beautiful mare through the course that Rhys had set up. Helion helped you climb the massive creature, calm and sturdy, patiently waiting while you adjusted to her height and size. The weapons felt like deadweights against your back as you tried and failed to find a comfortable position, eventually giving up and hoping that you and Elektra would be able to find a smooth rhythm that worked for you both.

“There are five targets on your left,” Rhys said, gesturing towards the long trail ahead, disappearing into the dense forest. “You are to hit every one, and immediately after there will be ten dummies, alternating on each side—decapitate them.” A bead of sweat trickled down your back despite the brisk winter cold. “The final task is a surprise, complete it however you wish,” he finished with a feline grin. You assumed your audience would follow you from the skies, watching you make a fool of yourself. It was necessary, this training, but that didn’t stop you from wishing you could winnow right back into bed and spend the next 48 hours in a deep slumber, last night’s hangover still coursing an ache through your body.

“Alright, girl. Let’s do this,” you whispered to Elektra, kissing her between her ears and brushing a soft hand along the underside of her neck. She stomped the ground in response and started into a slow, steady trot. You looked back to see if your friends were still there, but they had all vanished before you could protest.

Reaching back with your right arm, you grabbed the first arrow as a small target a few hundred feet from your path came into view. But, as if Rhys commanded her, Elektra began to speed up, now headed into a fast jog, kicking up dirt in her wake. Your arms trembled as you nocked the first arrow in place, the bow resisting as you pulled back. The arrow almost missed, but hit the edge of the circular target. 

The second was only a few meters ahead, and Elektra went even faster. “Come on, girl, slow down,” you strained through gritted teeth, sweat collecting on your brow. You struggled to grab and steady the arrow in time, again just skimming the edge of the target. Were they getting smaller?  

Three arrows later, you hit all five targets, which definitely shrunk in size as you advanced down the lengthy trail. Elektra kept a consistently fast pace throughout, but once the dummies came into view, she almost broke out into a full-blown sprint. “Elektra!” you shrieked, grabbing onto her massive neck with one hand as you leaned forward, reaching behind with your left to grab the heavy metal sword. Using both hands to haul it above your shoulder and down, a searing ache burned from your shoulders to your fingertips. 

There was barely enough time to adjust to the weight of the sword when the first dummy came up on your right. Your legs quivered as you flexed them around Elektra’s body, clenching your sore abdomen to keep you steady while lifting the sword and slicing it down through the air to chop the head off, spilling cotton and hay from the tightly wound cloth. 

Angling the sword towards your left, you did the same with the next one on the other side. Your arms screamed and shuddered in pain as you kept going, one after the other.

Lift, angle, slice.

You and Elektra became one as she galloped along at her incredible speed. 

Lift, angle, slice.

Power drummed along your bones, matching the beat of Elektra’s hooves hammering against the ground.

But after the last dummy, there was nothing in the dark woods. You squinted against the sudden drizzle, clutching onto Elektra’s neck as she raced through the forest. How long was this Gods damned practice course? 

Up ahead, the forest cleared out and Elektra halted to a stop, almost unable to keep you from flying off her. “What’s the matter, girl?” you breathed, still catching your breath. Elektra wouldn’t budge and you couldn’t see through the rain, so you jumped off, leading her with soft encouragement as you marched through the clearing. 

Your half-Fae hearing picked up the sound of water roaring below as you approached the edge of a cliff, the trail you were just on leading to the edge, the rest of the cliff face covered in the dense forest. You peered over—thousands of feet below you, a massive gray river churned violently, thrashing against the rocks lining the base at each side of the cliff.

Looking up from the river on the other side of the divide were your friends. 

Your heart sank into your stomach as you realized your final task. 

Come on, we’re all waiting for you, Rhys’s voice echoed in your head. You could barely make out their figures; the colossal gap between the two cliffs daunting. 

How the hell am I supposed to—

You looked back at the glowing mare, still without her wings. 

Of course. 

Of course Rhys wanted you to waterbend. But how? You were absurdly far from the river. You could've probably gotten yourself across with a lot of effort and a little blind faith, but now you had Elektra.  

Fuck you, you sent mentally across the cliff to Rhys, whose only response was a deep, amused chuckle. 

Feeling defeated, you searched for that power again, deep inside, willing it into your being. In turn, it writhed with excitement, demanding to be unleashed. Looking down at the river far, far below, you sent a silent prayer to the Gods for some rain, even a drizzle, which had conveniently stopped just as you had gotten to the cliff face. 

But you knew it wasn’t happening, your only option was to use the river as your source. 

You’d never had to work with water from such a distance and doubted that your power would be strong enough, but you had to try. Willing all your strength into the tips of your fingers, you closed your eyes and let the sounds of the roaring river below become one with your breath. Imagining yourself swimming through the turbulent body, you were melding with the water, casting a net of power as far down as you could. You could feel it answering to you, feel its slipperiness coating your limbs, the churning and thrashing of the river at your core. You yielded to that thrumming power inside your bones and blood and breath—becoming the river. You tuned out the rest of the world, swaying your hands back and forth, the invisible magic became tangible between your fingers, tension growing between you and the river.  

You recited the Valkyrie mantra, hoping the strength and wisdom of the female warriors would subdue your pounding heartbeat. 

I am the rock against which the surf crashes. I can do this.

A thin spiral of water swirled up towards you from down below. 

No—you needed more.

You strained against your power, allowing it to bend the water up from the river, fighting the urge to fall back down and become one with its source. You tugged on the heavy liquid, pulled down by gravity. 

I am the rock against which the surf crashes. I can do this.

The spiral became thicker as more water flowed up and into the space between you and your friends. 

More.

Your entire body swayed as you pulled and pulled on the river, strands of hair whipping against your sweaty face. It took every ounce of energy you had left, your muscles trembling, as you finally pulled up enough water to form a fluid bridge between the two cliffs. Flattening out the surface, your fingertips turned ice-cold as you willed that raging, icy magic into the bridge and with a flick of your wrist, the water turned into solid ice. You tentatively stepped and stomped to ensure its durability, and took a few steps forward before looking back and beckoning to Elektra. 

Your jaw dropped as her gilded wings instantly appeared. 

Beating them with a few strokes, she landed on the opposite side of the bridge.

You ran across and collapsed at the end, releasing the ice, allowing the fluid to freefall into the river. You didn’t care. Didn’t have the energy to yell at Rhys or Helion for not letting you ride Elektra across, or get up off the ground, or fight, resting your head on your outstretched arm. 

Cassian crouched down next to you, rubbing your back. “Rita’s wasn’t the best idea last night, huh?” he said with a soft laugh. You couldn’t be bothered to counter his joking, exhaustion settling deep in every inch of your body. He scooped you up and sat you down at a wooden table which would hopefully be laden with food in a few seconds. Lucien swept over you with an assessing gaze, determining if you were ready to battle. 

“I’ll be fine—just give me a few minutes,” was all you could muster.  

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

It took you two hours before fully recovering from the strain of the first round. You practically inhaled all the food Rhys provided and chugged glass after glass of coffee and water until you felt like your belly was going to explode. Nobody dared to approach with your cranky and snappy attitude. 

Once fed and rested, laying flat on the ground with both arms crossed over your face, Lucien sauntered to you with a wide grin. “Ready to play?” he teased, watching as you stretched out your tender limbs. You glared back in response.

“Come on, let’s go,” he offered with an outstretched hand. You grabbed it and allowed him to pull you up, following him to the central clearing on the cliff.  

“Alright, Y/N. Time to use all of Cassian, Azriel and Amren’s training,” Feyre encouraged. You threw your head back in frustration, wanting to go home but knowing that this day was inevitable. “Lucien, be on your best behavior,” she warned. He winked back. “No promises.”

With a deep sigh, you asked, “How is this going to go?” 

“I’ll give you a head start. You start on the offense. Find your water, take however long you need. Once you’re ready, start attacking me like I’m an enemy. Don’t be scared to get aggressive, I can handle it. But I won’t warn you when I start attacking back, at which point you will have to defend against me. Ready?” Lucien took a few steps back, giving you the time and space to find your weapon. You trudged back to the cliff face, and with a deep breath to steady yourself, began the process of pulling the water back up from the churning river below. 

Swaying back and forth, allowing your magic to take control of your body, you again became one with the river, the violent churning rapids flowing through your veins, and faster than before the water was at your fingertips. You had enough, but would have to be actively yielding it since there was no vessel nearby to store any fluid. Cauldron boil me. The meal you just inhaled turned to lead in your gut. 

Lucien took a defensive stance, awaiting your blow. Wanting to get this over with, you crouched down into a similar position and kicked a shot of freezing cold water toward his head with a quick spin. 

The water splashed onto the ground, and Lucien was gone. 

“Faster, little minx,” his silky voice whispered from behind you. 

You whirled, ready to stab an icy dagger into his thigh, and he was gone again. 

“Stop. Winnowing.” you seethed between gritted teeth. You didn’t have the capacity for his games right now.

“Your enemies will all likely be able to winnow. Get used to it,” he drawled, sounding bored as he studied his nails back across the clearing. 

“I don’t have any enemies,” you hissed, shooting dagger after dagger of ice at him, your blood raging as he jumped side to side, avoiding every single one.  

“You do now,” he said, sending a bolt of fire to the ground just left of where you were standing, scorching the dirt. 

The shock had you moving too slow as he sent another shot to your right, then again to your left. “Fight back,” he scolded. Your lip curled back in anger as you allowed your power to roil against your body. Creating a massive wave using the water surrounding you, you rode it toward him, and with a flick of your fingers, sent freezing ice toward his feet, shackling him to the ground. Lucien looked down with surprise and beamed at you as the ice dissolved under his fiery command. 

Rhys, Helion, Cassian, Feyre, Azriel, Nesta, Elain. They all faded into the background as your focus became centered around Lucien.

You both danced and twirled in battle, fire and ice. Your anger took over and gave you the strength and energy to pull more water from the river. A huge circling mass was now floating around you, moving and bending at its master’s command. You blocked Lucien’s shots with violent splashes of water, while managing to send your own icy attacks at him. You sent powerful waves and cold, frozen shards at him while he winnowed away from your attacks. It didn’t stop you. You channeled the icy wrath that kept growing and willed it into the water, allowing it to become deadlier as you threw long, fast streams at the redhead. 

Until—

You were knocked backward, head slamming against solid ground, the wind knocked out of you. 

Someone let out an unearthly, cold-blooded growl in the distance. 

You couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe—you sat up, trying to suck precious air back into your lungs, when you saw—

A band of fire wrapped around your ankles. And likely a similar one around your hands, now tied behind your back. They were warm, but didn’t burn. 

“Let me go,” you snapped at Lucien as he swaggered across the ring to you.

“What would be the fun in that?” he taunted, kneeling beside you, a wooden blade to your throat. “Find a way to get out.” 

You struggled against the fiery restraints to no avail, grunting as you thrashed and fought against his power. Lucien had a deathly grip on your limbs. You shouted in protest, unable to even stand up. 

Do it.

That same voice again—the growl. Who was that? You looked over at Rhys, but… No, that wasn’t him.

Do. It. The voice commanded, and every inch of your body calmed at the dominance.  

Was that—Azriel? 

Did he have daemati powers you didn’t know of? How the hell was he speaking in your mind?

“I can’t,” you breathed audibly, shutting your teary eyes as exhaustion settled in for the second time this morning. The dark sky rumbled as rain began downpouring. 

Lucien stood up and began to walk away. “If this was anyone else, you’d be dead,” he called over his shoulder, twirling the blade in his hand.

The mocking tone of his voice set off something inside you, some animalistic rage that you suppressed and shoved deep down.

You took a long, steadying breath, searching for that darkness, the one that scraped its ruthless claws in your blood, the one that you ignored since that day with the rabbit. Are you sure? it teased, snaking through your veins. With another breath, you summoned the evil magic at your fingertips, but—no.  

Your hands were tied.

It understood. The power flowed and dispersed throughout your entire body, the magic now beating with every pump of your heart. 

You opened your eyes, now completely blacked out, from your pupil to the sclera—your only focus on Lucien.

You sensed his warm blood gushing through his veins, faster and faster as if it knew what was about to happen. 

With laser precision, your lethal power shot out like a cobra, and within a second, Lucien halted.

The restraints vanished.

Icy wrath crept through you as you stood up, stalking over to him like he was prey. 

You were a predator, and Lucien was about to find out. 

Without lifting a hand, you spun him around and sent him to the ground onto his knees. He smiled as he turned, but a panicked look washed over him as he locked eyes with yours. 

Good. Azriel whispered in your head again.

Rhys appeared next to you. “Lucien, are you in pain?” 

You let up your control just enough to allow Lucien to shake his head no. 

“Y/N, make him stand and move.” And you did just that, making Lucien take two steps forward, swaying his arms at his side. A feral grin spread across Rhysand’s face. 

“That’s enough,” Helion berated from the edge of the ring. 

You let go, your eyes returning to normal. Lucien dropped to his knees and you were suddenly relieved that you hadn’t hurt the male. He nodded and beamed at you in approval.

You fell to the ground next to him, assessing for any injury. “Are you alright?” you asked, gingerly running your hands over his arms. From where she was standing, Elain let out a vicious snarl. 

The confusion must have been apparent on your face since Lucien responded with “I’m alright, but my mate doesn’t seem to be,” as he shook his head in annoyance. “I don’t understand what she wants,” he mumbled to himself.

Mate?

Who was he talking about?

You snapped your head to Elain, then back to Lucien. “She’s my mate, Y/N,” he answered your unspoken question. You recoiled immediately, taking a few steps back. 

His words from last night rang in your ears. 

“First, you woo my mate…”  

Mother above, he was talking about Elain? But—she and Azriel were… 

It became harder to breathe.

Rhysand stepped in, noticing your daze and confusion and shock as you connected the dots. “Let’s go home. That’s enough for today,” he said, grabbing your hand and thanking Helion and Lucien before winnowing you back home. 

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

You and Rhys were alone in your room a second later. “Y/N, well done. I’m impressed. Your training has served you and you will only get stronger from here. I’m sorry to surprise you but I hope you will be open to more sessions like this in the near future,” he said with a comforting hand on your shoulder. 

You ignored his praises. 

“Elain is Lucien’s mate?” 

The stars in his eyes twinkled out. “Yes.”

You stared in confusion, waiting for his explanation.

When he didn’t respond, you blurted, “I thought she and Azriel were…”

Rhys frowned and ran a hand through his raven-black hair. “I know. Elain is…possessive over him. I’ve been asking Azriel to ignore her advances since she’s sensitive and I don’t need any backlash right now. Nyx is still young and I don’t want to stress Feyre out. But I promise you, Elain is a mated female. Feyre and I were talking today about sending her to the Day Court to spend some time getting to know Lucien, and after her reaction just now I think it’s a good idea.” 

You didn’t—couldn’t—reply, still processing his words. 

“Take a bath and relax for the rest of the weekend. Feyre and I will take Elain to the Day Court and help her adjust. Cassian and Nesta will be at the River House, and Mor and Amren are away at the Hewn City overseeing some business for me.” 

Before you could ask about Azriel, Rhys vanished into the shadows.  

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

You took a long, steaming bath, soaking in the various salts and soaps stacked in the bathroom cupboard. You never used them before, but today it felt appropriate to treat yourself. Swirling your glass of wine, you replayed the events of the day: your first time bloodbending on a human, Azriel’s apparent daemati gift, learning that Lucien is the son of the High Lord of the Day Court and also Elain’s mate… 

The exhaustion of the hangover was long gone, now replaced with heavy emotional, physical, and mental fatigue. 

You begrudgingly slipped out of the bath, pulling on a soft robe and slippers, and brushing out your wet hair. Nesta gave you one of her smuttier books to read, encouraging you to “fully indulge this weekend.” You giggled to yourself as you hopped in bed, remembering your conversation from earlier. 

You were alone with the House, although Rhys hadn’t mentioned where Azriel would be. Likely away on some mission, you thought, pouring yourself another glass from the bottle you snatched out of the cellar. 

Already a few chapters and a half bottle of wine in, you were thoroughly enjoying the graphic novel when a soft knock on your door had you almost spilling your glass. You froze for a second, then grabbed the dagger hidden in your pillowcase as you tiptoed to the door.

You swung it open, ready to pounce on your intruder, only to find Azriel leaning against the doorframe with two cups of tea in his hands, the top buttons of his black cotton shirt undone, revealing the swirls of Illyrian tattoos spanning his chest. 

“A valiant effort,” he said in a low, soft voice, surprise and endearment flashing in his eyes.

“Oh, sorry…I thought I was here alone,” you mumbled, lowering the blade, cheeks heated. 

Azriel didn’t shift his gaze. “I made tea. You had a long day.” 

You forgot to respond, holding your breath as you became lost in his scent, his warmth, those mesmerizing pits of molten gold. 

“Can I come in?” he asked, pushing off the frame. You felt yourself become slightly annoyed, but gestured into the room regardless. Azriel followed as you sat on one of the cream boucle chairs near the fireplace at the end of your room. 

“How are you feeling?” he asked, handing you one of the mugs. Chamomile tea, just like you made for him once, freshly brewed in the mug you gifted him on Solstice. Your heart leaped at the sight.

“Exhausted,” was all you could manage, still shaken from everything you had uncovered today, and irritated at the confusing male sitting across from you. 

“You were incredible today. Cassian and I are very proud.” When you didn’t respond, he continued. “Everyone is gone this weekend. The clouds have cleared up and it’s lovely outside. I was wondering if you’d like to come to the cabin with me. I know how much you love the stars, and they’re really beautiful out there. But it’s okay if you’re too tired,” he said, lifting his gaze from his mug to you. 

The moonlight trickling through the windows illuminated his perfect face, sculpted forearms, strong hands.

Wait—what?

Did he just…ask you out?

“I probably shouldn’t,” you stammered, unable to look at his heartbreakingly handsome face, glowing in the light of the smoldering fire. 

He threw a pleading look your way. 

“You and Elain…” 

You couldn't finish the thought.

“I know…what you’re thinking. Please, Y/N, come with me and let me explain.” The genuine concern lacing his words had you holding back from reaching out your hand, wanting so badly to stroke along his cheek. Azriel shifted forward in his seat as if he was about to leave. 

“Okay,” you breathed. “Okay, I’ll come. Do I need to pack or bring anything?”

Delighted surprise lit Azriel’s eyes as he smiled. You had never seen so much expression from the Spymaster. “No, the cabin has everything. Come on, I’ll fly us out.” He reached for your hand, a bolt of electricity tingling through your fingers. You didn’t pull back, though, as you let him lead you down and out onto the balcony of the House. 

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

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[tantalizingtopi]

Last Solstice I Gave You My Heart

Gortash x Dark Urge (Claret in this one shot)

Word Count: 1658

Disclaimer: characters are not mine, but Larian Studios for Baldur’s Gate 3

A Bhaalist Tradition (I just made up), one gives the person who has impacted them the most in the last year the heart of one who has slighted them or otherwise caused them grief. Claret had done just that last winter solstice, and her business partner had thrown it away, disgusted. She won’t make the same mistake again.

Claret watches the snow fall outside from her position at the Elfsong tavern, having taken the corner table for herself to drown her sorrows. She had nearly forgotten about last solstice and how she had declared her interest in her business partner, only to find her token of adoration in the garbage, and him annoyed at her for bringing him ‘gory tokens’ when she could just tell him who she killed if he needed to know about it.

She takes another long pull of her ale, knowing that trying to drink her sorrows will amount to nothing. She had taken care to carve out the heart of that man who had dared speak ill of the subject of her affection, how carefully she had removed it, cleaned it, and put it in the perfect packaging.

A Bhaalist tradition, one cuts the heart out of someone who has wronged the creature who has most impacted their life since the last solstice. Lovers give them to one another. This year, Claret is going to give her heart to Ghislev, who has agreed to become the undead Farslayer to further protect the temple. Due to the cult's growing influence in the city, more and more people are trying to find the temple, and security needs to be increased. Ghislev has proven himself to be both worthy of Bhaal and worthy of the honor. He only has asked to have one last winter solstice to be with his lover and to slay the one that has caused them the most grief.

If Claret were crueler, she would’ve picked his lover to be the sacrifice for Ghislev, as he is clearly causing Ghislev grief. Instead, she has killed his cousin, who had spoken out against the cult. She has the heart in her satchel, cleaned and fermenting in a jar with a white satin ribbon that had been soaked in the cousin’s blood. Claret finishes her drink, looking out once more to the heavy flakes. She pulls her cloak on and stands, only to feel a small tug at her side.

“Ma’m, this is for you,” the young errand boy says, holding out a folded note. She takes it and slips the child two silvers which he quickly pockets and bows, before rushing away. Claret unfolds the note and see the neat, tight encrypted lettering of the Banite.

‘Will I see you for Solstice? I have something for you.’

She sneers, crumpling the note. She had planned on stopping by his place for a quick romp after giving Ghislev his heart. But now she wonders if she should give him the satisfaction of seeing her. After all, their last meeting had left a bad taste in her mouth. They weren’t exclusive or anything, and they hadn’t ever vowed to be anything more than business partners, but having him cut her off early so he could go whisper sweet nothings in some patriars ear still hurt her. She didn’t like the way he made her feel in those moments, didn’t know how to handle herself. Their non-relationship was the closest she had ever come to anything remotely long term, previous affairs always ended bloody in one way or another and were exceptionally short-lived.

She leaves the tavern, heading to Ghislev’s home, still unsure of what she would do following her visit with the future farslayer. The streets, earlier bustling with people are nearly empty, save for a few souls hurrying through the storm to their destinations and those unlucky enough to have nowhere else to go but the streets. Still, there were fires in alleyways for those undesirables, and perhaps a few would be fortunate enough to breathe their last breath for Bhaal, as was common for those without someone to give a heart to their god instead.

The snow crunches in under her boots as she nears the small home in which Ghislev shared with his lover. Gods, Claret hates his lover, an arrogant sniveling little man who constantly ridicules Ghislev. She reaches the door and knocks, hearing voices inside.

The door swings open and the snooty face of the high elf gazes down at her. “Oh, it’s you.”

“I just need to see Ghislev for a few moments, Daevin,” Claret says, brushing past him. She didn’t make a habit of social calls, but she had visited them many times, taking a special interest in Ghislev, as he was one of her first recruits when she had first arrived in Baldur’s Gate.

Ghislev turns from the fire to look at her, confusion passing on his face. “Is everything okay?”

“No, things aren’t okay,” Daevin scowls, “you’re interrupting our solstice.”

Claret’s eyes flash, and she has to stifle her urge to sacrifice Daevin to her father right now. She grits her teeth and vows to end him once Ghislev is stationed as farslayer. Her voice comes quiet and low, “Care, Daevin.”

Daevin’s face pales and he says nothing more, but still holds his posture. Claret removes the jar from her satchel and presents it to Ghislev, bowing slightly. Ghislev bows as he takes it, “For me!”

“For you on the night of the most shadow. Your cousin shall not cause harm to you again,” Claret says. “I shall leave you to relish yourself in the night, for all too soon the dawn will come.”

“Thank you, my Lady,” Ghislev says, bowing deeply again to her. Claret brings her hood up and steps around Darvin, pausing for just a moment to lock eyes with the elf, watching as he trembles before she whirls out into the night once more.

Claret finds herself in front of Gortash’s workshop, her mind still not made up if she should see him or not. She shifts on her feet, the cold beginning to seep into her boots. She sighs, turning to go when the door swings open to reveal her business partner, “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to come.”

He beckons her inside and she hesitates for a moment before giving in and going inside. The workshop is warm and welcoming, and Enver helps her out of her cloak. He hangs it near the hearth as she takes in the space around her with surprise. The hearth’s fire glows brightly, two glasses and a bottle of wine sit on his cleared off workbench along with some meats and cheeses, there is even a scent of cinnamon and cranberries in the air. She eyes him warily, “are you expecting someone?”

“Only you, my murderous beauty,” Enver purrs. She laughs.

“You cleaned this all for me? How long did that take?”

He grins. “Longer than I’d like to admit, if I’m being honest. I wanted to make the longest night special for you— for us. I know how special it is to you, now.”

“It’s just another night, another silly holiday, Enver.”

The smuggler rolls his eyes. “Don’t be flippant, it’s unbecoming.”

“Much about me is unbecoming, which is why you don’t find me mingling in high society all that often,” Claret replies, a grin on her lips.

“Don’t tell me you still upset about the other night,” Enver replies.

“I came here, didn’t I?”

Enver opens the drawer to his workstation and pulls out two ornately wrapped packages and sets them in front of her. “I was planning on giving these to you later, but perhaps it’s best I do this now.”

Claret eyes the boxes in front of her, hearing a soft metallic sound coming from the smaller one, but makes no move to open them. She occasionally gave small trinkets to her business partner, usually tokens from the people she had eliminated on his behalf as per their agreement, but never had he returned the gesture. His acknowledgment of their dealings have been grander gestures, such as torture racks of her ancestors which were now proudly on display in the temple. “What are these?”

“They’re gifts, Claret. For you,” Gortash’s smile doesn’t meet his anxious gaze. “Just open them.”

Claret’s fingers shake slightly as she pulls at the golden ribbon on the first box, the bow unwinding easily. She lifts off the lid and stares inside. “Enver?”

She pulls the glass case from the box and looks at the organ suspended in the middle. He gives her a small smile. “I wasn’t aware of the custom last year, and didn’t know the significance. This is the heart of the man who hit your little urchin girl last tenday in the park. I only hope it begins to make up for the way I mishandled your gesture.”

Claret’s eyes water as she smiles. She had went to find the man and couldn’t. She often gave coins and baubles to the urchins that hung around the park she frequently busked at for a brief escape from the temple. She was self taught and not particularly good, knowing only a small handful of songs, but the street children would dance and play about when she performed and it made her feel like she was doing something nice for them. “Thank you.”

“Open the other one,” he encourages.

She picks up the smaller box and opens it, pulling out a chain from which hangs a tiny metal heart, the intricate device moving—no, she realizes, beating— as if it were a real heart. Enver steps closer and takes the box from her hand, pulling her palm up to rest on his heart. She feels his heartbeat at the same rhythm of the one on the chain. “What is—“

“Claret,” Enver says quickly, his pulse beginning to race under her touch, “you have my heart. I know that our relationship is unorthodox and far from ideal, and that it may be our downfall in the end, but you are the only person I have ever given my heart to, the only person I will ever give it to.”

She presses her lips to his. “Blessed Solstice, Enver.”

“Blessed Solstice, my love.”

[dent-de-leon]

Thinking about how Lucien wasn't able to sleep for months and months. How night after night, he kept trying to find respite, but the Somnovem never once let him rest. "Oh! You thought you were free! That's pretty cute. That's hilarious, actually...No, you're the Nonagon. That's forever. That lasts well beyond death, my friend."

Molly/Lucien being a dreamer in every life. A romantic. Lucien clinging to the fantasy that, "Once upon a time, there was a happy family." Molly watching all his dreams turn to nightmares of a screaming city, watching him slowly slip away from everything he knew and loved. "You don't dream of her anymore." "No, I only dream of them now."

And then when Molly is finally reborn, when finally he has the chance to sleep, he dreams so deep and vividly. He doesn't even wake until Jester casts Greater Restoration on him, and when she does, he bolts awake still reeling from what he'd seen. Like he's still lost in a dream--a lovely, happy dream.

"Oh...I was having the nicest dream...There was. Oh. There was a circus. And--ah, and this beautiful woman, in a--a red coat. And she was telling me secrets, showing me how to keep secrets. I...And oh, there was a--that sad angel, and--and there were adventures, and I was...we went everywhere, and saw..."

When Caleb asks, "What's your name?" he can't even answer at first, because he's still lingering on the warm memory of a distant dream. "I felt--I felt kingly. I felt very regal. Kingly...Sorry, what?" He sounds like he's still drifting in the memory of it. Like he regrets it when everything starts to slip through his fingertips in the light of day. "These faces aren't meaning anything...They're already fading...Is that me...?"

His first sleep since Lucien took the body, his first dream since Molly closed his eyes for the last time. And at the very least, it's a lovely dream. (It also breaks my heart that Kingsley dreams of Lestera that first night, just like how Lucien used to dream of Brevyn before the Somnovem.) But it seems Kingsley doesn't often have that luxury:

"Every now and then, your mind occasionally begins to recall memories through an occasional nightmare. Flashes of blurred memory, and time spent locked with another--familiar, yet revolving, revolting--place. The shell of loathing inescapable interior, looking out from your prison, pushing against your invisible binds. When your heart found the strength, giving all that you are to help those who gave you purpose in return. It was worth it. It was worth it."

"Yet on a rare occasion, that odd memory continues to return. That moment you gave yourself and broke your prison. The warm catharsis of letting go. And the strange black chains that wove through the city, now broken. The sound of them shattering between worlds, shaking you in that liminal space. The angry, unknowable, primal, ancient cry that you can never forget."

The fact that Kingsley is still tormented by nightmares of the city's end--and that it seems he always will be. The way Taliesin says, "And perhaps those chains will find some quiet in piracy." Like the pirate life is just something he threw himself into as an escape.

How King dreams so peacefully and happily of his life as Molly. How Lucien's folly still haunts him in nightmares over and over.

I really hope we get to see Kingsley in the Apogee Solstice with the rest of the Nein. And I hope he's been having better dreams--

[talkfantasytome]

The Newest Valkyrie

Cassian decides to give Nesta a little surprise for the holidays.

Warnings: None | Word Count: 2,337 | Read on AO3

Nessian Masterist

Happy Holidays, @ignite-me!!! It is I, your Secret Santa! I really hope you enjoy this little drabble! It's not much, but it's soft and fluffy, literally and metaphorically lol. I hope you're having a wonderful holiday season and have a great new year! 💕

"Thank you so much!"

Cassian let out a sigh of relief as he looked into the fully packed bag sitting on the settee at the foot of his and Nesta's bed. He'd honestly had no idea what he would find after asking the House for this favor, but apparently emphasizing that the request was actually for Nesta offered better results. It would make the surprise all the sweeter having everything ready for his wife and mate.

He looked through the bag, checking to make sure there wasn't anything else he needed to add. Cassian was pleasantly surprised at the amount of lingerie - and quality of it - the House had packed. And grateful, of course. There were also a few day dresses, some training clothes, some cozies for lounging, and even a few formal dresses. He hadn't requested that. Guess he'd need to add some formal attire into his own bag and plan out one or two fancier dinners for them.

Then again, did he really need to follow orders like that from the House? It wouldn't be with them to see what happened, thank the Mother. He might finally feel like they have some privacy.

The temperature of the room decreased drastically as if the House could read his thoughts. "Okay, understood, packing some nice shirts," he mumbled, walking over to his closet and pulling out some of his nicest clothes. As he folded them up and placed them in his own bag, he saw the House add three books to Nesta's. "Surely she won't need that many. She's going to be kept quite busy."

The House added three more to the bag to spite him. Maybe it wasn't as on board with his surprise as he thought.

"Fine. This week is about her, if she wants to spend it all reading, she can do that." He rolled his eyes and closed both bags, fastening them shut and bringing them up to the balcony. Luckily, Nesta was out with her sister and Gwyn, doing some Solstice shopping. That gave him the freedom to bring the bags up to where Az was waiting to winnow them to their destination.

His brother took one look at the bags and shook his head, chuckling as he said, "I thought you were only going for a week."

"Yeah, well, the House overpacked, and then made me do the same," he shrugged.

Az nodded in understanding. The last time he'd asked the House for a favor, he'd ended up with a picnic basket filled with enough food for twelve, including ten different chocolate desserts. All because he requested help in preparing a lunch for Gwyn. "I'm sure you'll be glad to be away for a few days."

"And you'll be glad to have the house to yourself." Cassian threw a wink at Az. "I imagine Gwyn will be around quite a lot."

"You know it's not like that."

"What? I just meant for dinner," Cassian hummed, smiling innocently.

Az gave a grunted, "Hmmm," and grabbed the bags. "See you at Solstice."

A quick exchange of nods, and Az was gone, gliding up to beyond the wards and then winnowing the bags away to help Cassian with the surprise. Of course, if he touched anything, Cassian would host a party every week and force Az to give a speech at each one. No mercy.

And that was the last of the tasks. All that was left for Cassian to do was wait for Nesta to get back.

And wait. And wait. And wait.

It was almost three hours before Nesta got back, hand grasping a bag from her favorite bakery, a gentle smile on her face. It still took his breath away. He'd never get bored of seeing Nesta happy, of glimpsing that smile that sent his heart racing.

Her lips spread wider when she saw him. Nesta walked toward him and gave him a kiss on the cheek before asking, "How was your afternoon?"

"Nothing special. How was yours?"

"It was good," she sighed, her steel gaze bright. "Found the last of the gifts I wanted to get. And some extras for a certain someone." She wrapped her arms around his waist, and Cassian instantly had his snaking around her shoulders.

"Oh really?"

"Yes. I do hope Eris likes them." Cassian froze until he saw the glimmer in Nesta's eyes and the way the corner of her lip twitched upward. Not to mention the slight twitch of her arched ear, a dead giveaway.

He laughed softly, kissing her atop her head. "I'm sure he will." Tucking away a loose golden brown strand, Cassian added, "And, speaking of presents, I have a surprise for you." Nesta's eyebrows quirked as she looked back up at him. "But we have to go to it."

"Color me intrigued." Cassian smiled widely down at her and grabbed her hand, leading her to the balcony. "Oh, we're going now?"

"We are," he replied. "But don't worry, you can bring your sweets."

Nesta huffed out a small laugh and rolled her eyes. "Do I need anything else for this trip?"

"Everything is sorted, don't worry about it." He leaned down and kissed her gently on the cheek. "But we are flying, so I'd like to leave while we still have some daylight."

"So needy," Nesta mumbled, just loud enough for Cassian to hear.

He picked her up swiftly in response and gave her no warning as he lunged off the balcony. Her arms snapped around his neck, taking an iron grip around him as she chastised him with a shockingly colorful vocabulary.

After that it was a smooth flight. Chilly, but Cassian used his siphons to create a shield from the wind to minimize that. It was a comfortable silence as they flew. Nesta enjoyed looking at the world around them. She'd gotten used to flying, but still experienced it with wonder and awe. And Cassian enjoyed looking at her as she did.

It was about two hours before Nesta started to get a bit antsy. "Cassian, where are we going?" she asked through a groan, fidgeting to find a new, more comfortable position.

"I told you, it's a surprise," he reminded her.

"Ugh!" She moved around again, and then just seemed to give up. "How close are we?"

"Very, I promise. Just a few more minutes."

Nesta let out a loud sigh and dropped her head. If the trip were any longer, Cassian would've planned to make a stop. He knew that, as much as Nesta enjoyed flying with him, she didn't like to do it for too long. Interesting, considering how easily it was for her to spend a whole day in the same spot when she was reading.

It wasn't even five minutes until their destination came into view.

The small cabin was nestled neatly in the mountains, atop one particular peak that was well guarded. The peak was also elevated enough that the view from the cabin was spectacular, looking out over the entire range.

Cassian held Nesta tighter and whispered in her ear, "Here we are."

"Is that the cabin?" she asked in shock, eyes widening.

"Not exactly," Cassian chuckled. "It's not the one Rhys owns. It's mine. I thought you might appreciate that more, and I wanted to share it with you."

Cassian set Nesta down on the snow carefully and took her hand, leading her to the wooden house. His heart began to pound faster and harder with each step they took. There was no way to turn back now, and yet the deed was not done. It was a horrible position to be in.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped aside, motioning for Nesta to step in first. He was right on her heels, until she gasped and his entire body froze.

Shit.

What did that mean? Was it a good gasp? A bad one? Did she see something terrifying? Had something gone horribly wrong?

Cassian looked around the cabin for anything out of place. The kitchen and living room both seemed to still be intact, as were all the decorations he'd been putting up over the past week. Floating Fae lights and pine garlands, candles on every flat surface and large wreaths hung on each window - everything was there, and it looked pretty damn good, if Cassian said so himself.

There was no fire roaring, but Cassian had managed to convince Helion to place some hospitality enchantments on the cabin, including one that would keep the cabin well heated. And then he found a lovely painting of a fire in a fireplace and put it right where the fire would be - for the aesthetic.

"Did you do all this for me?" she asked gently, eyes scanning the room.

He couldn't help but smile down at her. And then he sidled up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and leaning his head on her shoulder. "Of course. I thought you might like to have a celebration with just us, and a chance to get away from Velaris."

"Cassian," Nesta breathed in that way she only did when she was at a loss for words. Her eyes snagged on the chocolate cake in the middle of the table before she turned in his arms and rested her hands on his chest. "This is amazing. Thank you."

He grinned widely at her before leaning in and pressing his lips to hers. "Happy Anniversary, Nesta."

"Happy Anniversary, Cassian." She pushed herself up onto her toes and kissed him again, snaking her arms around his neck to pull him down and deepen the kiss.

Cassian let her for a moment, all too willing to get carried away in Nesta, but then he heard a soft whine and was brought back to reality. "Ahhh," he sighed as he pulled away. "There is one other surprise. Something I thought you'd enjoy having some time with without the rest of the rabble."

With lifted eyebrows, Nesta tilted her head at him and said, "That now has my full attention."

He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and then disappeared into the bedroom.

Nesta wandered around the cabin as she waited for Cassian to return.

She was truly speechless at what he'd done. The cabin was a Solstice wonderland, incorporating Fae and human decorations perfectly. Stepping into it was like a hug of warmth and comfort, almost like stepping into Cassian's arms after a hard day.

It had been a rough year. Training only intensified after the Blood Rite, and Nesta was spending more time with Gwyn and Emerie, recruiting and planning out what they might do with their new Valkyries. There was also a lot more time spent with family this year, and while Nesta cherished all the nights she spent with her nephew, she could've done with fewer family dinners and other obligations. It was starting to get to the point where she and Cassian had to plan to have a night to themselves at least a week in advance.

Even when Nesta was free, that didn't always guarantee Cassian was. He didn't like to complain about it, but Nesta could tell it was a drain on him, the need to split his time between Velaris and Illyria. She joined him often, especially if he'd be spending more than one night there, but it was a lot of energy, and he missed his family when he was gone.

Nesta was smelling one of the wreaths on the windows, savoring the strong scent of pine, when Cassian returned, his hands full.

The basket he held wasn't very large, but it had a massive red bow on it. And inside, a small, furry head was sticking up, wide eyes practically glowing.

"Cassian…"

"Surprise!" he cheered, holding the basket out to Nesta. Inside, a tiny, long-haired kitten with steel grey fur sat, looking up at Nesta.

She nearly melted at the site of the little animal. Its tiny nose and little, white-booted paws. "What did you do?" she asked in a quiet voice as she reached in and picked up the kitten. Gosh, it was light. And it snuggled close to her as she held it close to her body.

"Do you like her?"

"Her?" Nesta asked.

"Yup! I saw her the other day and just knew. She held her head up high, turning her nose up at a kitten that was clearly trying to annoy her, and I just had to get her."

Nesta could feel a heat building behind her eyes as she hugged the cat close. "She's perfect."

"And very fierce. You should see what she did to the evil towel I left in there," Cassian chuckled. "Your newest Valkyrie."

The kitten yawned and Nesta felt her heart expand as she then rested her head against Nesta's arm and fell quickly asleep. "I love her, thank you."

Cassian beamed down at her. "You have a whole week to get acquainted. From what I've heard and read, that'll bond her to you so you won't have to worry about her loving anyone else quite as much." He lifted his hand and scratched the kitten's head softly.

"What about you?"

"I'll give you two space."

Nesta rolled her eyes and chuckled softly. "No, I mean, I want her to love you, too. She's ours."

"I just thought-"

"No, Cassian," Nesta interrupted, smiling up at her husband, her mate, her life partner. "She's ours. I want to share my life with you, remember? That includes her."

He took her breath away with the smile he gave her, likely thinking back to the vows they shared during their wedding and mating ceremony. "I remember. It's the greatest honor of my life." He kept his hand on the kitten, his fingers meeting where Nesta's rested, and kissed her again. One of many kisses they shared that week. Ending with the first of many nips from the newest addition to their family, and a shared laughter that filled the cabin for their entire trip.

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