#luxmaestra

[siderealxmelody]

Usually he didn't do repeats, especially for the younger females. But this one seemed to know exactly what she wanted.

He hummed, fingers finally moving to touch her hair, twisting the ends around his fingers.

"Anything specific in mind?"

Everyone always teased her for being perfect for never taking risks. It was true she liked plans, she liked to know what the parameters were.

But she was growing frustrated with all the jokes, the teasing.

She stared at the inn, the music, the pull heating her blood. She stepped up to the doors, slipping inside.

She'd left campus and far into the city limits, she didn't want to deal her friends and siblings.

She needed to do this herself.

She felt the Valg magic instantly, scraping at her mental sheilds, tugging at her emotions, her senses. But she ignored them, moving through the crowd.

Her eyes locking onto one male in the corner. His eyes blazed and he tipped his glass to her.

She walked up to him, her heart racing. She didn't do this, not like this.

Not with males she didn't know how to deal with.

She didn't -

"Not going to get in my head?"

He slid his eyes down her body, leaning close so she could hear him.

"Where's the fun in that? If I wanted to know what you thought of me, I rather coax out of you layer by layer."

Her blood grew warm, and she nearly reached for his collar. There were rooms here weren't there?

He tipped his chin to the bar.

"Order whatever you want my dark mare, I'll pay for you tonight."

Sarai tipped her head back to keep the eye contact.

"You won't ask for my name or age?"

The male grinned, and put his lips to her ear.

"Sweetheart, you walked into here, I'm taking you to my bed. You looking fucking gorgeous in that dress - that's all I need to know about you tonight."

//he says his name is Zimri//

He didn’t mince his words, he didn’t try and charm her with lies. He was forward, he was blunt. He made it clear what his intentions was, and honestly it was damn refreshing after those she had dealt with over the last few years.

Sarai smiled as she nodded, looking towards the bar briefly. “Something strong, but not too strong. If you plan on taking me to your bed I want to remember…I need to know whether or not I’ll be coming back.”

It was a tease, but something told her that this was not going to be just a one night kind of arrangement and the idea excited her.

[ofthornsandfury]

@luxmaeastra || Continued from [x]

Nyx’s command might have been the opposite of what she wanted, but it was ten thousand percent what she expected. “Why would they leave? It’s early still...” Or so she guessed. Time was occasionally hard to gage below the mountain. “Would you command our sister or cousins to leave Rita’s at this hour?”

More like cousin. Singular. As Cassandra was not always the best with crowds. She tended to prefer the company of the wraiths. Sons of the handmaidens that had befriended her Aunt Elain. Ava was the social one. And it seemed she had inherited her mother’s love of music. But that was besides the point. Who was at Rita’s was not important. What was important was whether or not Nyx would be ordering them home the same way he was ordering her home.

Not that the two places were AT ALL comparable.

[ofthornsandfury]

@luxmaeastra || Continued from [x]

Her mother was not exactly who Ava expected to greet them at the Townhouse. Elain and Azriel, yes, but not... She supposed the pair were still out hunting for them. Her father as well. Had word reached them of their safe return?

Using the towel handed to her, Ava began drying her hair. “I’m sorry...” the words were as much to her mother as her cousin. “But I thought...something needs to be done about the war camps. The way they treat their females. I wanted to go up, observe, maybe talk to some of them...” The females, not the males. If they could inspire them to rise up against the ways of the camp... “And since Dad has always made it clear we weren’t to go alone...”

Not that Cassandra was who Cassian meant when he told the girls not to go alone. The two of them going without an escort of any kind (whether it be him and Azriel or the Valkyries) was still going alone.

“I’ll go grab her a change of clothes...” And get some for herself. They all kept spare clothes at each of the houses. As one never knew when an emergency would arise.

“We need to go back...” Cassandra’s eyes remained fixed on the mountains in the distance. “We have to follow the song...”

[ofthornsandfury]

@luxmaeastra || Continued from [x]

For a moment, Lyra was tempted to ask just how her sister knew that Sienna was currently in the Spring Court. Lucien and Roisin had left there years before Sienna was even born -- originally due to Ianthe and her...behaviour, then later due to Tamlin’s decree that they were banned. Exiled. A decree only lifted once Sienna’s older brother was born. Had Reid and her never come along...their mother might still find herself unwelcome at her father’s court.

So while they no longer resided there, they did visit. Like now.

“I was thinking about it. You know how bored she and Reid get there.” Tamlin might have “chilled” some since his grandchildren were born but he was still Tamlin...an over protective traditionalist. “Come on...it’ll be fun....”

[ofthornsandfury]

an-endless-saga​:

Opinion

@ofthornsandfury/@luxmaeastra

Keir crossed his arms and looked from Morrigan to Lyra and Maeve.

“It’s my court that is being overseen. Why doesn’t my opinion matter Morrigan. I mean I had to put up with you strutting around and demonizing my people. At least Lyra is actually liked by my people. Well I should amend that, at least Lyra is known on her merit. Maeve will you do things differently than Morrigan? Or will you be like her?”

He sipped at his wine looking at the sisters.

“Because I am thinking of stepping down. Iris wishes to spend time with her family in The Old Kingdoms. Silas’s boy is around their age - he should be fine.”

Fine for a child Keir hadn’t anticipated. Why had Silas not only married a bastard royal but had a child with her?

Silas was the heir to Stewardship of Hewn. He was the son of Cato and Cora, Keir’s younger sister and mate. He held the position of Keir’s eldest, a son died tragically post The War. It’s what lead to Morrigan’s trauma.

Silas hadn’t come home in centuries but now he’d be forced to. Keir wanted to see how soft he’d become and if this boy of his would be good enough to be given the mantle.

Listening as Keir spoke, Lyra found herself smirking. She told Nyx that the people of Hewn City preferred her. That if it came down to it they would back her. But did anyone want to listen to her? Noooooo. They just wanted to act like she didn’t know what she was talking about. But Keir saw it. The denizens of the Court of Nightmares saw it. She knew more than they ever could imagine.

As Keir mentioned Silas’s son, Lyra found herself intrigued. She had never met the boy...but she supposed she should. Seeing as how they would very soon be working together. 

Her gaze drifted to her sister, smile widening. That settled that, then. Hewn City would be hers. Time for Maeve to find another hobby. Maybe even date one of those many suitors.

Nodding to Keir, the youngest daughter of the High Lord spoke. “I look forward to meeting him.”

[ofthornsandfury]

@luxmaeastra liked this for a Dusk Court starter

It had been years since her parents left the Night Court. Since her mother freed the fae trapped within the stone of the prison and went with them to rebuild the Dusk Court...and act as their High Lady. Cassandra, herself, had been born within this new court, not just it’s sole heir...but the first new life brought forth within its borders.

Because of this, and because of the abilities she inherited from her mother, she was seen as a true gift from the Mother. Revered by their people the same as her parents were. Which meant that come reception days (the days when Elain and Azriel received their people)...they wanted to see her, as much as they wanted to see their High Lord and Lady. 

It could be a bit...overwhelming...for the young seer. But these were her people and so...

Fidgeting slightly beside her parents, Cassandra toyed with the ring on her right hand. 

[ofthornsandfury]

@luxmaeastra || Continued from [x]

Were circumstances not so dire, Lyra might have had something to say about how fast Nyx took off after the redhead. About the look of grim determination in his eyes. But as this was kind of a matter of life and death (Sienna’s more than anything else), she let it go and went off to her room to wait. Wait for word that everything was okay.

***

She was, thankfully, not all that hard to find -- her mission to find a pub having gotten waylaid when she stumbled across some market stalls. Rows and rows of them, all stuffed full of human wares.

Drifting towards one selling jewlery, she conversed with the old woman sitting there, listening as she took her on a tour of all she had offered. Pointing to one of the bracelets, she asked if she can try it on before offering her wrist. It’s simple. Much simpler than anything sold in the shops of Velaris, but there’s also something...charming about it. Almost...rustic. Or was that rude? Was it rude to call human things rustic?

She had so much to learn...

[ofthornsandfury]

@luxmaeastra || Continued from [x]

Watching the various fae depart, Sienna wondered if she shouldn’t feel a bit guilty. Clearly she had interrupted something. But then, she hadn’t been the one to order them to clear out; Nyx had done that all on his own.

Returning the smile, she stepped farther into the room. She was dressed casually -- in leggings and a large oversized sweater. Boots. While the weather in Velaris was starting to warm, it was not yet so warm that her look was overdoing it. 

“I stayed the night last night.” She could have gone back after the theater. And Rita’s. But it had been late and she had been tipsy. So... “And since I don’t see any need to hurry back I didn’t know if...maybe I could convince you to leave this office and join me for lunch. Lyra’s still completely passed out, Maeve has plans with a potential suitor, Ava’s in training, and Cassandra...” Well she didn’t know where Cassandra was. But that was okay. She liked the idea of lunch with Nyx.

[siderealxmelody]

Connor flinched, Randall stood in the doorway. His eyes meeting Rigelus, as the other male sighed and dissapered.

Randall turned, flying out the window, finding Rigelus in the meadow.

"Protect her."

Randall rose an eyebrow stalking closer. The wind pulling at their clothes.

"What do you think Hawke and I do?"

Rigelus gritted his teeth, stepping backward as Hawke and he began to pen him in. Hawke looked to him, raising an eyebrow.

"Bryce has agreed to Connor advances to keep the wolves loyal to Poppy."

Randall stiffened, Rigelus hands clenched at his sides. He turned to Hawke.

"Why are you telling me this Hawke?"

"What's your secret?"

Randall asked picking up Hawke's thread. They knew Rigelus probably better than any of the others did. Rigelus gazed past Randall, the wolves fanning out, Bryce speaking with Connor and the way he gripped her elbow.

Rigelus looked to them, his hands lowered to his sides. Tears filled his eyes and he watched her pull away and stalk toward them. They were still yards away, enough time for him to speak.

"I Dreamed of her. Well I dreamed of a female with a specific mark on her shoulder..."

Randall glanced back to Bryce, her sisters falling in step with her.

Stall her Ember.

Randall looked back to Rigelus.

"Does she?"

Rigelus just smiled, a heartbreaking smile.

"Of course she does."

Hawke stepped closer.

"Create a base for us in Day. The wolves are growing too powerful. They are begining to push Randall and I away from them. We'll get the girls out."

Rigelus stared before he sneered, they'd gotten close enough to hear. Randall lunged, Rigelus magic aimed for his leg.

Make it believable.

Hawke dove for Randall as Rigelus dissapered.

He slammed onto the ground, winded. He stiffened feeling the wolves here too. But he ignored their stares, looking to Estelle.

"I need to speak to you and your mother. It's urgent."

------

Leesan turned from the window, walking to closet and the secret room he'd fashioned. He lit the candle, feeding his blood to the mirror.

It flared, Haron glanced up from his work. Blue-silver eyes dancing in the dim light. They narrowed at Leesan.

"You aren't due for a checkin what happened?"

"Connor lost Rigelus, I think he's going to pull Day toward this war."

Haron frowned and turned away to speak to someone else. He turned back to Leesan, shuffling papers.

"Stall. Does Connor still hold Bryce?"

"Yes."

Haron nodded and exhaled. His eyes glittered.

"We just need to be patience, watch the Daglan. Surely his kin won't just trust him implicitly? Freya's work with Eosphorous should have seen to that. Anything else?"

Leesan bit his lip and looked past him.

"Is Jona on call? Or no?"

Haron rolled his eyes and pushed away from his bench. He left and came back holding a little girl.

"Leesan!"

Leesan beamed and waved.

"I've stockpiled sweets for you!"

Haron scoffed and knelt to meet his eyes in the mirror.

"Give some to Dante. We don't need sweets."

Jona began to protest but Leesan cut it. He closed the door, resealing it and stepping back to through the closet. He turned from his clothes as the door opened.

"Was that Rigelus in the courtyard? What is he doing here?"

Estelle knew, he'd never hid what he was from her. But...would she understand? Would she agree to mate him if she understood exactly the state his kin were in?

They didn't have palaces like this.

They didn't have plates of gold and walkways made of silver and crystal.

What would his people do if they could live like this?

Would they finally have won their home?

"Jona says hi by the way."

//Dusk Verse//

How could Eosphorous betray him so? How could she destroy him the way she did?

Why did she do that?

He saw Sarai's face again, blurred through his own tesrs. The knife at his neck he'd forgotten.

Eosphorous had demanded he be let to leave and she'd relented when he'd asked as well.

He remembered the memory now, the one he must have hidden and buried deep.

The way Sarai has brushed his tears away and cupped his face.

"You'll always have a home here Rigelus. Never forget that."

Rigelus slammed his magic outward overloading the wards till they shattered.

He met Bryce's eyes, as the doors slammed open. Did she understand Danika and Connor were using her in different ways?

Did she understand what they were doing to her?

The metal bars froze, shattered outward. They slammed around her, pushing the others away. Her hands clenched, meeting his eyes.

"Rigelus. You think Eosphorous will take you back? You pathetic peice of -"

He stepped toward her, cupping her cheek. He ignored the way Connor snarled at him. The ice pinning him back. His fingers slid down her cheek to her neck, fingers grazing her shoulder.

His voice was low, quiet.

"People who love you don't try to keep you Bryce. I understand that, I see that now. Eosphorous never loved me, she used me. How many marks have they given you that your sisters don't see?"

He stepped back holding his hand out to her.

"Come with me."

He would save himself, he would always save himself. But maybe he could save her too.

Another cage for someone who thought they owed her. Her eyes regarded the bars, the way she was kept away from the ones she had called friends at this time.

Did he think that by whispering some pretty words and trying to open her eyes was really going to win her over? He had made his choice all those years again and had left her. Left, hurt, abandoned.

Her jaw tightened as she looked to his hand, his question hung in the air for a few moments.

“And would should I trust you? You already turn your back on me, you have made your marks,” she hissed as she began to pace, eyeing any opening that he gave her. “Is it not better to stay with the devil you know than the devil you don’t?”

[ofthornsandfury]

The blade clattered upon the floor; her hand was risen as she held her elder sister in a stayed position. It was so tedious when they fought back, when they thought they had the upper hand in the situation they had no control in. All she had to do was stay quiet and not fight against the chains, yet here they were. “I thought you learnt your place, at heel,” As those words came from her lips she watched as Maeve crumbled to her knees, her fingers gripping at the invisible chains that held her mind. “Now, where were we.”

Dark eyes finally returned to Lyra, staring out from under her hood as the carefully constructed smile fell so easily back into place as she looked upon the youngest child of the High Lord and High Lady of the Night Court. The one who was pushed aside, the one who was not getting the respect she deserved. “I believe I was remarking on how your family seem to just put you aside and forget the promise you have,” she almost purred. “They fail to see the relationships you have formed with your people. Oh, and it is much more than just Hewn City.”

She extended her hand towards Lyra, her head tilting slightly. “You deserve so much more than what they are giving you, you deserve so much more respect.”

[Hekate for Lyra]

At first Lyra wanted to scream, to rush forward...save her sister. But as Hekate kept talking, Lyra found that desire disappating. Like something had slipped past her shields, assured her that all of this was fine. Like it was what had to happen. It was the only way to get people to see her. Listen to her.

Maeve had to be subdued in order for her to shine.

Nodding, she approached Hekate, gave her hand to the elder fae. She did deserve more. Deserved to be something other than an afterthought. Her people loved her. Her friends in the other courts loved her. So why didn't her family?

Why did they constantly overlook her? Pass her over? It wasn't fair and she was no longer going to stand for it...

[ofthornsandfury]

Thirteen, that was the age he was the day the attacked happened. Thirteen, sitting in the living room with their mother. His sisters were playing on the floor with their toys, the young boy pacing beside the window waiting for his father to return. They were meant to be spending some time together once he got back, it was a promise he made after the last time he had been dragged away by a court matter.

He was thirteen when he heard the sound of his sister calling for their mother, thirteen when he turned around to see the ashened look upon her face. The High Lady of the Night Court had clutched her chest, her eyes wide. The pencil that had been in her hand tumbled to the floor, the name of their father tumbled from her lips. Everything else when so fast, everything else became a blur.

The screams of his sisters as they were all ushered away by Morrigan, the doors suddenly slaming. Hushed meetings, whispers. Whispers that soon became words, that soon became the worst day of his life. Thirteen he stood buring his parents. His father had been attacked and killed, he had fought valiantly but the attacker had somehow overpowered him. The death of his father had triggered the bargin he had made with their mother, to die together.

Die together. Dark eyes opened as he looked upon the court before him, his leg crossed over the other with his elbow propped up upon the arm of his throne. Since that day he couldn't help but hate his parents, the selfishness of taking both of them away from them. He couldn't help the bitterness he felt for the fact that he had had to raise his sisters, while all the time becoming the High Lord of the Night Court.

He had tried his best, though the rumours came the older he got. The cruel High Lord, much worse than his father. The trust that had once been grown was now broken, many courts turning away from the Night Court in fear of what could happen. Three siblings, all with their own strengths and gifts. One High Lord whose anger was well known, always aimed at anyone but the two sisters who he had raised.

His eyes softened when he saw Lyra, his hand reached out to her. "You're late."

[ Meeting High Lord Nyx, AU to their parents dying young. He is a little more...rough and angry. ]

Giving her hand over to her brother, she let him help her up onto the dais -- taking the seat to his left (as Maeve was already seated to his right). "I know. And I'm sorry...training ran late. And since I doubted you'd find it appropriate for me to show up in my leathers..." She had taken the time to bathe and dress properly.

"Aunt Nesta and Uncle Cassian say I'm almost ready...that if I wanted to, I could enter the blood rite with Ava this Spring." She knew the competition had the potential to be a controversial topic. Training was one thing. Learning to defend herself and their people. But intentionally entering a competition designed to kill 90% of the entrants...

Their father and uncles had barely survived. Their aunt even less so. Still, to become a TRUE Valkyrie, Lyra felt it something she needed to do.

Plus, making the mysogynistic assholes up at the camps cry when they lost to a girl...well, that was just going to be icing on the cake.

[siderealxmelody]

Orsus glanced to her, silver fire so bright in their eyes.

"Why? Is he not the enemy? Isn't this how your wars are won? I vowed I'd limit the lives lost. But he's taken thousands now. So why should he live?"

And they simply didn't like Bryce, so it was a win for them too.

//for Sarai and Estelle, Dusk Verse//

Orsus sighed, this war had lost its joy. They slammed their dagger deep into the ground, silver fire rose from the core, reigning destructing around them.

Orsus moved in the ensuing chaos and panic to grab for Rigelus. They held the blade to his neck, their magic expanding outward to force everyone to stop moving, making them kneel.

Rigelus trembled under their blade but didn't speak.

"You told me once that I would get involved before this war was over. You're right, Bryce or your siblings heads will be severed."

They grinned, teeth bloody.

"But I'll take you up on your offer. Your life for them, but you get to choose Rigelus. Bryce or your siblings?"

An uneven field, uneven land. Her gaze rose as she looked across the battlefield as the chaos erupted. The shadows image of her beloved shimmered, his eyes wide as her stared at her before he seemed to disappear in a shadow mist.

Find our Shadow, find our Persephone. We are okay.

It was her one order, her one command to Viren before her attention turned to the scene that was unfolding. She knew her would find their missing daughter within this mess, she knew he would do anything to keep their family safe. Her fingers tightened around the wrist of the other at her side.

Estelle struggled against the magic that pressed against them. Her own wounds from fighting still oozing with blood, the terror of war weighing upon her as she looked to her mother.

Sarai’s stomach twisted, a mother’s guilt, but she knew her daughters were capable. They had ensured of that, they had raised and educated them so when they were no longer around they could stand on their own two feet.

Her attention was only torn from her daughter when she heard Orsus. They were Nat’s, a child that she had loved and cherished. Seeing them stand there, feeling that power. Seeing them hold Rigelus before them, dangling his life for others.

“Orsus,” she hissed as she attempted to push back against the power to stand. “Stop.”