#like she's basically a blackthorn beside in the eye of the law

[stabbydragon]

Grace/Lucie, Lucie/Jesse, Grace & Jesse

Lucie Herondale had finally become Mrs. Blackthorn, but Grace couldn’t help wishing that that meant something else.

December 1907

“Now, everyone, give it up for Grace Blackthorn!” announced Cordelia Herondale, Lucie Blackthorn’s suggenes, before making her way back to her seat after finishing her speech at her parabatai’s wedding.

As Grace, the groom’s suggenes, made her way up, she felt as though everything was moving in slow motion. She couldn’t tell how badly she was shaking. She hoped it wasn’t too noticeable, or that if it was, everyone would assume it was from stage fright or excitement instead of the dread and heartache she was trying her best to quash.

“A toast to the groom.” She started off with something basic and traditional, hearing echoes of ‘to the groom’ all around. She glanced at her brother, who was positively beaming. Jesse Blackthorn was looking at the speaker, but Grace knew all of his thoughts were with the radiant woman sitting next to him. But Grace would not think about that. Instead, she attempted to match his joyful expression. 

“To the bride,” She did not look at Lucie, not trusting her smile to stay in place. She waited for the echoes to die down again before continuing, “from your sister who is always by your side. To your union, and the hope that you provide. May you always be satisfied.”

She could just barely hear her own voice reciting the rest of the speech she had spent hours memorizing. Internally, she was feeling her mind rewind to all those nights she spent with Lucie years before, attempting to resurrect Jesse.

I remember those nights. I just might regret those nights for the rest of my days. I remember that dreamlike candlelight like a dream that you can’t quite place, but Lucie, I’ll never forget the first time I saw your face. I have never been the same. Intelligent eyes in a beautiful frame, and when you said hi, I forgot my dang name. Set my heart aflame, every part aflame, this is not a game.

Grace had figured out pretty quickly that she and Lucie were more similar than she was comfortable with. Despite being raised in polar opposite environments, they were equal in stubbornness and had similar motives: loyalty and love for their families. She had assumed at first, due to her mother’s indoctrination, that their loyalties made them enemies, but it was exactly that which brought them together to help Jesse.

After working with Lucie for a while, Grace started noticing how adorable it was when Lucie ranted excitedly about practically any subject like nobody else Grace knew. She had a sharp mind and easily formulated plans regarding their endeavours in necromancy. She also took an interest in Grace’s life, which—besides Jesse—only James had done before. The difference between Lucie and her brother was that the former was not being manipulated and genuinely wished to help the Blackthorns. Grace would forever regret coldly shutting down all of the younger girl’s attempts to befriend her, which stopped after a few fruitless weeks. I want to take her far away from this place, but then I turn and see my brother’s face and he is helpless.

And I know he is helpless. 

And his eyes are just helpless. And I realize three fundamental truths at the exact same time. 

Number one: I’m a girl in a world in which my only job is to make a respectable marriage. My mother has no living sons so I’m the one who has to social climb for one. And Tatiana already had one planned: James. Grace wasn’t sure what her mother’s plans were, but she knew that if it dragged on long enough, she would eventually have to marry James and become Lucie’s sister-in-law. Despite this, her mother would absolutely kill her for becoming genuinely fond of a Herondale. Also, Tatiana needed Grace to have a perfect reputation which, she had heard from Charles, would have been ruined if she was known to have been involved with someone of the same sex, and Grace would have been a fool to assume that Tatiana would not have been returning to haunt her.

Number two: Lucie still had had no idea of the wickedness to which Grace had been subjecting her brother. If she had, it would have been unlikely that she still would have worked with her, even for Jesse’s sake. Grace had no right to accept her kindness while hiding what she had been doing to James, much less act as though she was worthy of Lucie’s affection.

Number three: I know my brother like I know my own mind. You will never find anyone as trusting or kind. If I tell him that I love her, he’d be silently resigned. She’d be mine. He would say I’m fine. He’d be lying.

Over time, most of those obstacles had vanished. Tatiana was dead and no longer had control over Grace’s life. Anna Lightwood, Ari Bridgestock, Alastair Carstairs, and Thomas Lightwood were fighting the stigma on same-sex relationships. Most importantly, the truth about James was out, yet Lucie genuinely still seemed to enjoy her company even when Jesse was not around to make them get along. However, by that time, it was too late for the last issue.

Jesse and Lucie had seemingly written their names on every inch of one another’s hearts. Jesse looked happier than Grace had ever seen him in her life, and his lover did as well. It was as if they were both dreaming and never wanted to wake up.

If there was one truth in the world, it was that Grace loved her brother more than anything else in the world, even Lucie. She would never wish to take away such pure happiness and romance from him for her own selfish desires. Since they were young, Jesse was always the one who got the things that he wanted while Grace was content to bask in her brother’s victory. Besides, Herondales only loved once, and Lucie had already given her heart away. There was nothing Grace could do about that if she tried.

But when I fantasize at night it’s Lucie’s eyes as I romanticize what might have been if I hadn’t sized her up so quickly. At least my dear Lucie’s his wife. At least I keep her eyes in my life.

She was so lost in her thoughts and memories that she did not notice the footsteps behind her until there was a deathly pale hand with a fresh marriage rune on her shoulder and a whisper of, “Grace” in her ear. She turned sharply to be met with a pair of familiar jade green eyes, and a beryl blue pair slightly further back. Grace looked around, only then realizing that she was standing near the wall of the Institute ballroom, holding a champagne flute, while all of the wedding guests mingled around her. How did I get here, she wondered, and how long ago did the speeches finish?

“You all right, little sister?” Jesse asked fondly, dragging her back to the present.

“Of course.” She raised her brows. “It’s the happiest day of your life. Why would anyone be anything less that euphoric?”

“You just seemed slightly troubled, is all,” he said with brotherly concern.

Of course. Tatiana had trained her to be able to perfectly mask her emotions, and she was sure she was succeeding, but this was Jesse. He had known her for thirteen years and had held her as she cried countless times in her youth. If anyone could tell when something was wrong with her, it was him.

Still, he and Lucie had just gotten married. It was far too late for her to voice her troubles now. Besides, she would never forgive herself for ruining their night.

“Well,” she sighed with a small smile, “you can hardly blame a sister for feeling protective of her brother. Besides, I know you and I haven’t dwelled in the same building in a while, and the two of you have, but now you’re officially man and wife. It’s an enormous change, and it will take some time to get used to. But I am happy for you.

“I meant what I said earlier,” she continued, recalling a piece of her speech, “about how I know that you two will always be happy so long as you have one another.” This was true, though she was not as elated as she sounded. Still, it seemed to appease the happy couple, who, on that day, were incapable of focusing on much except for their own delight. “Besides, I like this Mrs. Blackthorn much better than the old one,” she added, earning a small chuckle from the newlyweds.

“Thank you, Grace.” Lucie put her hand on her sister-in-law’s shoulder and squeezed it slightly, beaming. “It means a lot.”

Grace attempted to kill off the butterflies growing restless in her stomach. She mustered up all of her energy and used it to grin and raise her champagne glass. “To the groom!” She repeated her words from earlier. “To the bride, from your sister who is always by your side. To your union, and the hope that you provide. May you always be satisfied.” And I know she’ll be happy as his bride. And I know I will never be satisfied.

[livsoulsecrets]

Good to be home

This is my first time writing Kierarktina, hope you enjoy it! Missing them more than never. The story is located at the LA Institue.

--

Kieran feels like he can finally breath when he sees Cristina and Mark waiting for him in the Sanctuary’s doors. All the stress he had been feeling ever since he left the kingdom goes away when they run to him. They quickly become a mess of hugs and kisses, so many Kieran loses count.

— You’re here. You’re really here. — Mark whispers, his forehead touching Kieran’s.

— Just like I told you. — Kieran answers, Cristina’s hand resting in his heart.

The truth is that nothing would stop him from coming there, even if only for a few stolen hours while Winter took care of everything in the Unseelie Court. Helen and Aline were out for some well-deserved time off, leaving Mark and Cristina responsible for taking care of Dru and Tavvy for the weekend, with Julian, Emma and Ty away. It was a rare opportunity for them to be together without nothing else worrying them, just like in their cottage.

— Come on, let’s get inside, Dru and Tavvy are waiting for you. — Cristina says, offering her hand to guide him inside. He takes it.

They don’t let go of each other while entering the Institute, Cristina gladly leading the way to the kitchen, where she said the kids would be.

— Hey, guess who is finally here! — She announces once they enter the room, Dru and Tavvy sat down at the table, sharing a chocolate bar. Tavvy drops the candy immediately. Kieran laughs when Tavvy runs to entangle himself around his legs.

— Hello, Tavvy. — He kisses his head and the boy laughs, running back to Dru shortly after.

— Kier is back! — Tavvy says. Mark smiles down at his little brother and Cristina buries her face in Kieran’s shoulder, barely handling how much she had missed Kieran and his smile.

— Yeah, he finally is. — Mark adds.

— Hey, Kier. Seems like you have a fan. — Dru jokes. — Nice to see you, those two were going crazy waiting for you. They made us clean everywhere.

— Dru! Don’t be a snitch! — Mark called out, his checks growing red. Cristina barely suppressed a laugh.

— Well, we just wanted to make you feel welcome. — She defended herself.

— I really appreciate that. — Kieran said, his heart content. He had one arm resting against Cristina’s shoulder. He reached out for Mark’s hand and he held on tight.

— Okay, I already got it, we’re being the fourth wheel here! We will go watch some TV, since Julian is not here to regulate it.

— I’m here to do that. — Mark said, trying to be though, but his eyes didn’t leave Kieran’s for one second.

— None of us believes that, Mark. — Dru answered, taking Tavvy by the hand and disappearing through the door.

— Well, she is right about that. — Cristina says, grinning.

— Nobody believes me in here, thank the Angel you’re back to defend my honor, Kier. — He is still smiling, but Kieran just looks at him in confusion.

— What honor? I don’t think you have had that ever since you were sixteen...

Cristina laughs so much she needs to reach for the wall in order not to fall down. Mark just rolls his eyes, which confuses Kieran even further.

— Oh, Kier, I missed you so much. — Cristina finally says and Kieran forgets all about mortal’s strange wording to focus on her.

— I missed you too. I know I can only be here for some hours, but I’m glad I could come.

— Me too. — Mark agrees, his arm circling Kieran’s waist. Cristina recomposes herself at the same time Kieran reaches for her, pulling Cristina to them.

— It is good you’re home. — Cristina says, her voice cracking. Kieran never thought he would actually hear those words coming out of her mouth, but he is not surprised by how genuine they are. He finally is home, the two people he loves the most in the world in his arms, his heart more whole than it has ever been.

Home is the only word that could possibly fit what he is feeling right now.

Kieran bends down and kiss her lips, but the sound of her phone ringing startles them a second after.

— By the angel. — She says over her breath, taking a step back. She looks at the phone and her eyebrows raise. — Oh, it’s my mom. I’ll be just back. — She says, laying a quick kiss in Kieran’s cheek before picking up the call.

— Hola, mamá. Si, todo bien. Yo también te extraño. — Cristina says, walking out to talk with her mom. Mark holds on to Kieran a bit longer and smiles down at him.

— Can’t believe I really have you right here. — Mark whispers. — Life is good.

— It can be. — Kieran answers and Mark kisses him, calmly, like they have all the time in the world.

— Come on, let’s find something to do until she gets back. — Mark offers when they break apart.

Then, Kieran and Mark occupy themselves with setting the table and picking up some ingredients to what they decided would be a chocolate cake. Cristina would probably regret leaving them alone, but it was too late for that now. She comes back after a few minutes, a worried look on her face. Kieran and Mark stare at her in confusion.

— Is everything okay with your mom, Tina? — Mark asks.

— Yes- I mean, I think so. Well, the thing is... She’s coming here. — Cristina finally manages to say. Kieran’s hair changes into a deep red color as soon as the words come out of her mouth.

— Oh. — Mark says.

— Oh. — Kieran repeats, not knowing what else to do. Mark had met Carmen once since they started dating, it was brief, but it was still more experience than Kieran had in that field. If he didn’t know what to do, then Kieran was damned.

— Boys, “oh” is not really helping right now. — Cristina falls down at a chair and puts her head in her hands.

— Sorry, it is just unexpected. — Kieran justifies.

— She said she came to New York to surprise me and Jace told her I was here. So, Magnus offered to make a portal for her and, basically, she is on her way.

— On her way? — Mark stuttered, staring at the kitchen door as if he is expecting Carmen to pop up at any given moment.

— I guess it is a good thing you guys cleaned everything up. — Kieran offers, hoping it helps.

By the sound Cristina makes, it doesn’t.

— Hey, it is going to be okay. — Kieran sits down by her side, trying to calm her down.

— Yes, it is. Look, why don’t we go wait for her outside? To welcome her. — Mark suggests. That makes Cristina looks up.

— I’ll go. You can wait here. It is better this way. — With that, she leaves the kitchen.

Kieran wishes he could say something that would free Mark from his worries, but he doesn’t think he can do it. So, they just wait in silence until Cristina returns to the kitchen, her mom following after her.

Carmen was a short woman with black hair and a firm posture that looked so much like Cristina that made Kieran a bit uncomfortable looking at her for too long. She seemed tense and so serious that being a king didn’t do much to dissipate Kieran’s nervousness when Cristina shyly introduced him to her.

— Nice to meet you properly, King Kieran. — She says, her face so neutral Kieran wonders if she is putting an effort into looking calm.

— Just Kieran is fine. It is really nice to meet you too. — He shakes the hand she offers and hopes for the best. Mark is nervously fidgeting beside him and Kieran wishes to reach for his hand to calm him down, but he doesn’t feel really comfortable doing that in front of Cristina’s mom.

— Mark, good to see you too. — The boy nods with a small smile that Kieran knows he is faking. He was about to answer when Tavvy stormed into the kitchen with Dru right behind him.

— Octavian Blackthorn, get your ass back here! It is my turn to watch TV! Give the damn remote back! — She screams after him, furious. Cristina puts a hand on the kitchen counter, a look of distress on her face. Tavvy doesn’t seem to care about Dru’s request and just hides behind Mark, hoping his brother takes his side. Only then, Dru notices Carmen is standing right there and a shade of red covers her cheeks.

— Hello, Mrs. Rosales. Sorry for bursting in. — Dru apologizes, embarassed.

— Hello, Dru. — Carmen says, a small smile on her lips. Kieran assumes that is a good sign.

— I should solve this. Excuse me. — Mark half drags Tavvy away, Dru close behind him. Kieran watches him, envious that his boyfriend got to flee the scene while he stayed behind. Still, it is not like he could leave Cristina alone, it was clear by the panic on her face that she needed him around. He smiles lightly at her and a bit of the color seems to come back to her face.

— Why don’t you sit down, mama? I was going to make some coffe for us, do you want some? — Cristina offered and Kieran never thought he would be so relieved to hear about coffe in all his life as he did when Carmen nodded, accepting her daughter’s offer.

Kieran and Carmen sat down at the Institute’s table, that seemed especially huge today because of the absence of the Blackthorns, the two of them in complete silence. Kieran had once watched a movie with Dru where the father-in-law questioned his daughter’s boyfriend about his intentions. It seemed unlikely that Carmen would do the same, but Kieran was still a bit terrified of her. Turns out being king doesn’t solve the nerve-wracking experience of facing your super awesome girlfriend’s mother when you are totally sure you do not deserve her daughter.

Still, Cristina had chosen him. She loved him just as much as he loved her and they loved Mark. Against all odds, Kieran was happier than he had ever been. Surprising himself, hiding beneath all his fear was his unshakable faith that the three of them belonged together. Not even Carmen Rosales herself could tear that apart, as scary as she could be.

— So... How has the Unseelie Court been treating you? — Carmen asked while Cristina put down the coffe mug in front of her and went to sit by Kieran’s side, the three other mugs barely fitting her hands.

The answer was obvious: once he was the king, he had been treated extraordinarily well. But Cristina had explained to him that sometimes mortal people asked obvious questions just to sparkle conversations. That and the forced smile on Cristina’s face while she stared at him pushed Kieran to answer the question with all the grace he could gather.

— It has been incredibly difficult to be their king, but I believe I’m the leader my people need. I hope I can be half as good to them as they are to me. — Kieran assumed he had done well because Cristina’s smile became more honest and she pressed her hand against his, resting both of them in his tight.

— I’m sure they are in good hands. — It is all she says, but it sounds honest, so Kieran takes it as a win.

— It is what I hope.

— And you, Cristina? Everything okay in New York? — Cristina straightened herself in the chair and went on a tangent about her work, excitedly telling details about the alliance she had been dedicating so much time to. Kieran had heard all about it already, but he found himself paying attention to every word Cristina said, his heart warm by how happy she was while talking about her job. He couldn’t be prouder of her.

Mark makes it back to the kitchen, still looking stressed. He sits down next to Carmen, Kieran supposes because it would be weird to have the three of them facing her as if they were being questioned by Cristina’s mom. He picks up the coffe mug, taking a sip, seeming glad he could focus on something else other than the unexpected family meeting they had being pulled into.

— Mark! I was just telling my mom about New York. — Despite his uneasiness, Mark grins at Cristina, the soft, honest expression that Kieran fell in love with taking over his face.

— Cristina is doing some wonderful work there. Alec himself said he is impressed with her. — Mark says, putting a smile on Carmen’s face.

— I never doubted you would achieve great things, Cristina. Estoy muy orgullosa de ti. — She says the last words looking right at her daughter. Mark's eyes darted to Kieran, the two of them knowing how important that was to Cristina.

Kieran remembered that Cristina would sometimes talk about how her mom had always pushed her to be the best version of herself, which helped building the amazing woman she was, but what also made Cristina constantly terrified of letting her down. Over time, she had learned to balance those feelings, being more dedicated to being who she wanted to be rather than who her mother expected her to be.

What Cristina never said, but Kieran still noticed, was that part of her still cared about making her mom proud. By the look of surprise in Cristina’s face, she had assumed her chances of doing so had ended when she decided to be with Mark and Kieran and moved to New York instead of going back to Mexico.

— Thank you, mom. It really means a lot to me. — Cristina answered, her brightest smile on her lips.

Kieran decided he didn’t care if Carmen Rosales hated him or not, as long as she kept Cristina happy like that, he would endure anything that came his way.

Eventually, they fell into an pleasant conversation, Carmen talking about how things were in Mexico, with Mark and Cristina occasionally mentioning New York and the new Clave. Kieran also talked about the Unseelie court and the challenges he was facing. Carmen was paying a lot of attention, her eyes following the three of them with a softer expression. She seemed more relaxed, her false calm posture long gone. Kieran was starting to think maybe he panicked for no reason at all.

Kieran should have known then that things were too good to be true. Cristina’s phone rang, making all conversation stop.

— I’m so sorry, I really need to take this. It is Lily, there must be some trouble with the Hotel. — She picks up the phone. — Hey, what- Wait, I can’t hear you. Can't you call Clary for that? Okay, fine, I'll go take a look at the Codex and get back to you. — She puts the phone down for a moment and says: — Lily needs my help with something, I’ll be back in a moment.

Her tone is clearly apologetic, but Kieran just nodded, signaling she should go. Mark looks as if he wants to follow after her with an excuse just to get rid of being alone with Carmen, but Kieran is facing him, which does make him sit very still, incapable of leaving him behind. They are doing this together.

They fall into an uncomfortable silence, the only thing keeping Kieran steady is Mark’s eyes on him. His hair stays blue through it all, Mark’s presence grounding him.

— I can tell the two of you are terrified. — Carmen finally says. Kieran doesn’t know what to answer, especially because it’s true.

— I’m not saying this is what I pictured for my daughter. It definitely isn’t. When Cristina first told me, I said all that mattered is that she was happy and I meant it. Still, part of me didn’t think it would last, but, here you are, months after that. As surprised as I am, I need to admit that I was wrong. I guess you are not going anywhere. — She doesn’t say it like that is a terrible thing, so Kieran assumes it is safe to speak.

— We definitely aren’t. I love your daughter and, for some miracle, she loves me back. I will never do anything to ruin that. — Kieran assures Carmen, that nods, not seeming surprised by how serious he sounds.

— I understand why you were confused at first, we’re still figuring everything out ourselves... But, just like Kieran, I love Cristina. I promise you we’ll keep her safe no matter what. — Mark promises.

— My daughter doesn’t really need anybody to keep her safe. — Carmen answers, a playful smile on her lips. She never looked so much like Cristina as now. — But I appreciate the sentiment. It means a lot to me.

— It is only the truth. — Kieran adds, feeling like tons of weight got off his shoulders.

— I hope we can see each other more times, it would be great to get to know the two of you better. — Carmen offers. Kieran and Mark share a look and the answer is clear.

— We would love that. — Mark says at the same time Cristina comes back. She walks towards Kieran, putting a lock of hair behind her ear.

— Did I miss much? — Cristina asks, sitting down, her hand finding the way to Kieran’s arm easily.

— I was just saying we should do this more often. I need to know better who my daughter is going to marry. — Carmen teases. Cristina blushes, her hand tightening around Kieran’s.

— Mamá! — She grunts, embarrassed. — You’re unbelievable! — She is getting even more red, but her mom refrains for saying anything else when Dru and Tavvy come barging in once again.

— We’re hungry! — Tavvy announces, making Carmen laugh.

— Tavvy! We already messed up once, say hi to Cristina’s mom this time first. — Dru tells him, holding him close. — It is really good to see you!

— It is great to see you too, Dru. — Carmen gets up and walks to them. — I love cooking, you know? Come on, I’ll teach you how to make buñuelos. — She leads them to the kitchen cabinet, Tavvy clapping his hands in excitement.

— Mark, Kieran, get ready to eat the best afternoon snack you ever had. — Cristina excitedly tells the boys.

— Can’t wait! — Mark says, getting up. He sits by Cristina’s side, a lot more relaxed than he had been just minutes ago.

— This went so much better than I thought it would go. — Cristina blurts out, shocked.

— It totally did. Your mother is pretty nice. Scary, for sure, but nice. — Kieran ponders, watching as Carmen picks up the ingredients around the kitchen with Dru and Tavvy carefully paying attention.

— And she is not wrong, you know about us... Marrying someday. — Mark whispers. — We’ll make it. I don’t know how or when, but I know we will. — Kieran knows it'll be hard and the idea still sounds insane, but Mark is so sure that he can't help but believe it as well.

— Someday. — Cristina repeats and it sounds like a promise, so Kieran says it too.

— Someday.

Then, Cristina lays her head in his shoulder and pulls Mark’s hand to rest on her lap entangled to Kieran’s. Their warmth grounds Kieran, just like it always does.

It is really good to be home.

[feralandqueer]

Renarin was having a bad day.

Darerah had showed up unexpectedly, saying she needed to talk to him. Turns out her family was pressuring her to move up the wedding. If she had just said this in front of Renarin, he could have ignored it for a while, but no, she had to tell him in front of Dalinar and Navani. Long story short, now he had to deal with a wedding at the end of the week instead of years away.

So of course he was hiding in a coffee shop, burying his worries in a quadruple mocha.

Kaladin was having a bad day.

His roommate woke him up at fuck o’ clock in the morning knocking at the window because she forgot her keys. Early on during his shift at the coffee shop, he heard on the news that the Blackthorn’s son was getting married, and all he could think about for the next hour was how it was unfair that Tien hadn’t survived long enough to consider getting married and this spoiled brat had.

And then the spoiled brat had shown up in his coffee shop, ordered a quadruple mocha, and sat in the corner for five hours.

It was midnight now, two hours after he should have closed up, but it wasn’t like he was going to kick the son of Dalinar Kholin out.

He did have to sleep eventually, though, because who knew when Shallan would wake him up—today, now. Fuck.

Kaladin walked over to the table and cleared his throat quietly.

There was no response.

He cleared his throat louder.

No response.

Fuck, was he asleep?

He tapped Renarin on the shoulder.

Renarin jolted awake in his seat. “Gah!”

“Sorry, sir,” said Kaladin, “but it’s past midnight and I should have closed up two hours ago. Would you mind?”

Renarin nodded, gathering up his coat. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I don’t generally go falling asleep in coffee shops, but it’s been a long day.” He paused and added, “And please, never call me ‘sir.’”

“Noted,” said Kaladin, picking up the empty cup that had been cooling for hours now. “Congratulations on the wedding, by the way.”

Renarin snorted. “You know, I’d expected a wedding at some indeterminate, far-off time in the future, but have to deal with it? Never thought it would happen. I was brainstorming ways to get out of it before I fell asleep on your table here.”

Kaladin looked at him curiously. “Why are you trying to get out of it?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Take a seat, then. I’ll get my whiskey from the back.”

—

“Don’t get me wrong, if I had to marry a woman, I’d probably pick Darerah. She’s...aesthetically pleasing and she’d be inclined to let me have a boyfriend as long as I wouldn’t come between her and her girlfriend. But…” Renarin hesitated. “It feels more like it’s just to get me out of the way than anything else. Besides, I’d have to deal with Amaram as my father-in-law.”

Kaladin flinched at the name, splattering some of the whiskey he’d been pouring for Renarin across the table. He eyed what was left in the bottle and took a swig. “Go on.”

“Darerah showed up today demanding the wedding be moved up. Now, if she’d just told me, I could have ignored it for a while, but she told Dalinar and Navani as well. So, for obvious reasons, I took the first chance I got to run off and hide in a coffeehouse somewhere.”

Kaladin winced. “Did she say why?” He took another pull from the bottle.

Renarin sighed. “Her family was pressuring her, apparently.”

“Worst kind of pressure, family pressure.”

He laughed bitterly. “Yeah, and the worst bit is I don’t even have a way out of it, other than being married already, but where am I going to find someone willing to marry me and wait until this all blows over, especially at this hour?”

Kaladin hummed and emptied the whiskey bottle. “Hell, I’d marry you just to spite your family and Darerah’s. Her father basically sacrificed my sibling for a brief tactical advantage that didn’t even win anything, and Dalinar just turned a blind eye to a kid barely old enough to enlist being killed for nothing.”

Renarin winced. “I’m sorry to hear that. For what it’s worth, I’d marry you to spite my family as well.”

“You know, there’s a courthouse right around the corner.”

Renarin froze. “You were serious?”

He grinned. “Never mind, then.”

Renarin got up and swung his coat around himself. “No, if you’re serious, come on then. I can’t believe I’m saying this to a barista I met just a few hours ago, but let’s go get married.”

—

Kaladin blearily opened his apartment door, marriage certificate rolled carefully into a tube and held under one arm. He stumbled in, dropped the certificate on the kitchen counter, and turned around to go get some sleep.

Shallan was standing behind him, fire and death in her eyes. “Where the fuck were you?” she demanded. “It’s one in the fucking morning and you were supposed to close three hours ago! I was worried! What if you’d gotten stabbed or something?”

He sighed, rubbing his head. “It’s a long story.”

“Try me.”

“Renarin Kholin turned up in my coffee shop, fell asleep at a table, and I only ended up waking him up at midnight. We talked, had a few drinks. Turns out he was trying to figure out how to get out of this upcoming wedding. So we got married.”

She froze. “Kaladin, you got married to Renarin Kholin on a whim?”

He smiled tiredly, pushed past her, and collapsed on the couch.

She sighed. “Kaladin, what the fuck.”

[hortascountrysidenotes]

Reasons to be cheerful part 4

Lots of reasons - first of all Maigold is coming out and she is a tonic.  She has been here for 30 years, never fails to disappoint, and when the sad day comes that she no longer feels inclined to live, she will be missed like a dear old lab for the joy she brings.

Second, I finished my painting of the lovely Primula Guinevere and got what I think would be the equivalent of an A from my teacher with best composition yet, red ink gold star - so it is being sent to my sister for her birthday next month.

Thirdly, I have come late to the story of Captain Tom, but was fully alerted to him during a moment of intense scrutiny of the BBC website, when I saw his tie - Hello I thought, that looks like a Duke of Wellington’s Regimental tie - Blood and Steel - and sure enough on further investigation it turned out to be so.  Not only that but he fought in Burma and India and my brother who commanded the Dukes, is now investigating to see if he could have fought alongside our father during the same campaign.  Further investigations into the story have brought information as to the difficulty the Yorkshire Regiment (as they are now called) are having, with the logistics in Covid time of providing the guard of honour and dealing with all the unexpected media!  I gather Captain Tom quite rightly has politely told some of the media to buzz off as he wants to talk to the soldiers! Great chap.

Fourthly - well lots of small reasons really, the continuing quietness in the countryside and the time to watch the birds and natural world.  Each morning whilst doing my PT down the bottom of the common I have been watching a delightful pair of Bullfinches in the blackthorn bush beside me - picking off the buds and chatting to each other.  His red shirt looks so smart against white blossom and azure sky.  This morning a chiff chaff, swaying on a high stem dishing out Chiff Chaff Chiff Chaff with the energy of an opera singer. 

Asparagus is coming on and we have had two very small helpings.  The roses are recovering from their deer attack and new shoots are forming up.  Peonies that have been blank for years have got fat buds so I am continuing to water them. Even the disease ridden Pyracantha outside the back door which normally looks like its got measles looks better - could it be because I watered it prolifically three weeks ago with a tonic of iron and seaweed - maybe it has a stay of execution.

I have also given a bucketful of the same to the Star Jasmine - Trachelospermum jasminoides under and around the sitting room windows. I find this plant, despite being Mediterranean, needs a decent amount of water which being against a house wall it does not get.  It also gets attacked by scale insect which leaves a horrible black sticky secretion on the upside of the leaves.  I have therefore sprayed it with soft soap - actually Savon du Fer which comes from Marseilles - is black and treacly, but when mixed with hot water and dissolved, forms a brilliantly organic (semi) spray against all kinds of insects such as aphids.  It has also been used this time on the sage against capsid bugs who leave those horrible little holes in the leaves of all the salvia family and indeed dahlias.  Another fellow being pursued currently is our smartly turned out visitor THE LILY BEETLE - they are a real pain but jolly sporting - they sense you coming and leap off, falling upside down so as not to be seen with their undercarriage being black.  But years of practice have taught me how to creep up on them.  As an experiment I have squirted the last drops of the soft soap on the plants - today I shall go a hunting, and see if I can see any.  I am particularly protecting my martagon lilies which are doing so well at the top of the garden.

Swallows are settled and one of the nests duly repaired and got ready. A pair of jays are hunting too hard for my liking but I am trying to be tolerant - at the top of the garden I did see a blackbird chasing them off - no doubt its nest has been discovered.  The Shellduck are back nesting on the farm.  In the meadows and on the common Ladysmock is now out and the bluebells in the woods a delight.

The only reason not to be cheerful is the continued lack of rain - a very very little came our way on Friday night and early Saturday, not enough to even make the tiles run.  So I must continue watering the new young plants and the veg.  Next big job will be preparing the greenhouse for the tomato plants which I am going to do slightly differently this year.  I am going to dig out the little planting strip in the greenhouse removing the old soil and refill it with some of the pond silt and fresh compost - I have 40 bags of Dalesfoot Compost coming on a pallet on Monday, as I am beginning to think grobags are not very nutritious - our tomato cropping rate compared to my genius brother in law is very low.  He grows his in the special little gadgets as do I, which you fill the outer part of, with water, but allows them to root directly into the soil underneath in his greenhouse . 

Once my compost arrives I can also sow the leeks in the root trainers and next spring’s brassicas.  Last year’s leeks were a complete disaster as I was lazy and tried growing them direct into the soil - clearly they were gobbled up by ants or someone as we got the princely number of 2 out of 100 which is not a good rate of return!

Lastly the girls - they are so happy - Inca lies in her favoured position in front of the Holm Oaks whenever the sun is hot enough.  Mavis bustles about from compost heap to bonfire and basically wherever she might find the butt end of a piece of brassica.  She absolutely ADORES them, so much so, that as we walk the lanes she grazes gently on oil seed rape as she goes along - quite bizarre - she loves the fresh flower heads and comes out covered in yellow pollen!  Scouty is in her dotage now - she still loves a good walk, but only once a day and makes it clear that her place is now outside the front door in the morning sun - please put my bed there - outside the back door in the afternoon and then as it gets chilly around 6 she moves to her favoured position on the sofa waiting for the evening’s entertainment to start.  She looks wonderful,  the fur is nearly fully back and I think she is a very happy dog with her beloved Miss Horta at home all the time. We are doing a little training most days - Mavis is loving it - yesterday we should have been doing a Novice Test at Sandringham - a shame these things have had to be cancelled, but it may get rescheduled for the autumn - Mavis might be in pup by then, not counting my chickens at all on that one, in which case we will be a non runner, but we wait and see - it is impossible to make any plans.

Jobs to do - time to sow courgettes and french beans etc if not already done. Prick out and pot on seedlings, tomato plants etc.  Keep an eye for bugs and beasties now and if a plague then use the above method if absolutely necessary.  Tie in shoots of climbers and make sure clematis are secure in case of high winds.  Stake and put in supports for herbaceous plants.  Water - if you have containers full of tulips etc - photo attached - remember they have had no significant rain and could be very dry.  Lift hyacinth bulbs from pots as soon as foliage has pretty much died off, store in a sack in a dry place for replanting in autumn.  Sweet peas can be planted out if not already done. Masses of veg to sow.  Potatoes should appear soon so be ready to earth them up. Dont cut lawns too short while they are under stress from lack of rain. Maybe learn to live with them a bit longer - saves fuel and allows a few low growing wildflowers such as ground ivy and clover to flower for the pollinators.

HORTA

[livia-dovehallow]

YES. THANK YOU. I HAVE BEEN SCREAMING THIS INTO THE VOID SINCE THE FIRST TIME I EVER READ THE INFERNAL DEVICES.

Where is the credit to Cecily for being the first EVER person--not just woman--to step through a Portal?? The FIRST PERSON EVER IN THE HISTORY OF HISTORY. IT WAS CECILY MOTHERF**CKING HERONDALE. And yet--we see absolutely ZERO of her in all of TMI and TDA. Don’t you think Isabelle would have gotten an absolute KICK out of finding out one of her female ancestors was the first to step through a Portal? I think she would have. She is basically the modern-day Cecily, after all. Isabelle would idolize Cecily Herondale and it was mad disrepect that Cecily was never mentioned once to the modern Shadowhunters. 

I am also upset that Tessa doesn’t speak more about Cecily. Cecily was Will’s sister, her sister-in-law, and (according to the present version of the family tree), the last of the TID era friends Tessa had. Cecily was the last of them to pass away. Will loved his sister with his whole heart just as he did his own nuclear family of Tessa, James, and Lucie. There’s no way Cecily wasn’t a direct part of their lives until the day she died.

Even in Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, when Tessa tells the story of how it was her, Will, Cecily, and Gabriel who solved the mystery of Jack the Ripper, Cecily is hardly credited and spoken of. Why wouldn’t Tessa tell Jace that the Lightwoods are also descended from a Herondale when he first approached her during The Whitechapel Fiend to find out if he was related to her. He was raised by Lightwoods--it would have been fitting for Tessa to share that the Lightwoods have Herondale blood, too. That that’s where Alec gets his looks from, and Izzy her necklace. Why can’t we get page-time of Izzy finding out that the necklace entered the Lightwood family through Cecily Herondale? We already know that Izzy is well aware of her ancestor Gabriel, so why not his equally good-looking and badass wife?

And Lucie? One of the only two (at the time) people ever born to a half-Warlock, half-Nephilim. A Shadowhunter with Warlock abilities just like her brother and yet James gets all the legacy. Why did Jace ask Kit if he’d heard of James Herondale but not Lucie Herondale? What did James have, genetically, that Lucie didn’t, besides eye color? Nothing. They, quite literally, share the exact same combination of genes and DNA and yet no one knows who Lucie is. A talented writer, friend, and Shadowhunter in her own damn right and deserves some respect on her name. Just because she, supposedly, becomes a Blackthorn, doesn’t mean Lucie wasn’t a Herondale at birth; by blood.

And even IF her legacy is as a Blackthorn, where are the stories of her in the modern Blackthorns? Give me Livvy/Ty learning about the Blackthorn locket and how it came to them. That it was Jesse Blackthorn’s and given to Lucie Herondale to save her brother and remained in her possession, eventually working its way down the Blackthorn line to Livvy and Ty because Lucie married Jesse (again, based on the family tree and what we already know about the modern Blackthorns) and continued the Blackthorn bloodline. 

Give me Julian and Emma digging through over a century of mementos at Blackthorn Hall (formerly Chiswick House) and learning all about their ancestors, and learning that they are distantly related to the Lightwoods. (I still hold out hope for some Lucie Herondale respect through CC’s new Secrets of Blackthorn Hall project in this regard). 

This ended up a lot longer than I intended, but as all my followers know, I am very passionate about giving Cecily and Lucie Herondale the respect they deserve. Herondale women are amazing. The end.

It sometimes annoys me how little attention we pay to the Herondale women — I mean look at Cecily Herondale, she helped save the world!!! Lucie Herondale is an amazing writer, friend and an almost parabatai. We talk about how charming the Herondale men are but please I’d sell my soul for these strong, independent,“I bow to no one” girls.