#marecal not so much in this chapter

[king-maven-calore]

or forever hold your peace 💐 (Marecal - Modern AU - rated M)

Chapter 7: I wanna dance with somebody

“What do we have here? The Calores! Just married and looking like a dream.”   Goddammit Davidson. Cal waved and raised his hand, politely acknowledging the round of applause after the singer's introduction.   “A little birdy told me you didn’t have your first dance yet.” Tonya winked. “The floor is all yours, honeymooners.”   Ouch! Five fingernails dug into his thigh under the table.   Mare leaned into him so he partially hid her panicked face from the world.   “We can’t,” she whispered furiously. “We never practiced. Do you know how much I trampled over your brother’s feet practicing? We’ll look stupid as shit.”   Cal found her sudden insecurity surprisingly endearing. He lowered his palm pressing it over the back of her hand, so tiny and delicate it made him lightheaded. Her nails dug deeper. Fine, maybe not so delicate.

[seraphseye]

glass sword , chapters one thru seventeen thoughts n highlights. ( spoilers under cut )

starting off strong ok ! ! the trust issues this has given them both is so insane bc maven really said if i can't have her i will make sure she doesn't trust another soul ever again but especially u

it is all hers now , just like he always was . . ouch. u didn't have to say all that but u did. no matter how many times i read this i will always be devasted by mare realizing the boy she loved was never real and never hers

she's in her believing she is unworthy of literally anything era and it makes me so sad like

i rly do feel like sometimes ppl be forgetting just how Bad this was on cal , too , and on such a deeper level than Just maven betraying him. plus mare betraying him too. it's that ofc paired with elara forcing him to kill his father w his own hands , and made him still be present in his mind while he did so. like the way he later has to remind himself that she Forced Him ? ? that he had no control over it ? ? ? plus learning that she was responsible for his mother’s death all along bc he had never wanted to believe it. everyone he has ever known , cared for , grew up w , etc. turns on him all bc maven plays this forgotten son act. everything he has ever been trained and taught is ripped away from him , his future that he has spent his entire life preparing for just gone like that. his world is in ruins in like thirty different ways and the only thing keeping him alive is his desire for vengeance

" letting her tuck me in like she never has before " bitch i'll cry about it tf ? ? ?

the trust issues going CRAZY ! ! not that i blame her but damn girl

cal is so funny for dragging her taste in men i cannot lie. but also me forgetting so much of what happened in this series was extra bad bc the way i forgot kilorn's betrayal was like fake ? shit had me seething i was abt to be a menace in the worst way possible

touches pool.

mare barrow u will always mean the world to me ( this made me so mfin sad god bless )

" he is real again " girl no he isn't ! ! but her just wanting back the maven she thought she knew . . cal just wanting his brother back from before elara ruined him. i will literally cry

" and i said i would save you " , " he will save me , in his own twisted way " . stares at wall

i am so sorry for not appreciating marecal as much when i first read these books but damn y'all got me in a chokehold tn

HIS MOTHER HOLDS HIS LEASH BUT NOT HIS HEART ! ! i am absolutely not prepared for king's cage w this shit gyat damn i am so emotionally devastated

these lines absolutely eat every time but perhaps this is also a fitting place for me to leave off for the night

[lilyharvord]

The Chain (Part 7)

Main concept: Two love struck idiots get sent back to a pretty UGH time period in their lives (that required me to reread all the books again) and have to hide the fact that they know everything.  

Find Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6  

tag list: @delilahlbard, @king-maven-calore, @thatoddgirl777, @elliekratzzz, @evangelineartemiasamos, @evangeline-of-montfort, @scxrletguardsdawn, @freaky-freiday, @petergrantkavinsky, @kuwei, @whatsup-gorls, @katiemoore (here ya go ((: thank you for your interest),  @redqueenetwork(let me know if you want a tag and I’ll add you to the list ((: )

I wake to watery blue sunlight. The sun has just finished peaking over the horizon, making me grumble immediately. There was no reason I should be up this early. I didn’t schedule training, and I didn’t promise Gisa breakfast. Besides, I’m exhausted and my head is foggy, which is a very unwelcome combination. 

Sighing loud enough that Cal should hear me, I bring my arm up to cover my eyes. “Cal, close the curtains.” I murmur, before smacking what would normally be his back. I only hit empty sheets though. My eyes fly open as I sit bolt upright. 

This isn’t Montfort. 

The buzzing in my head is from the cameras trained on me, and the fogginess is from the alcohol last night. The alcohol I drank to keep from grabbing the knife next to my hand and stabbing it through the top of Maven’s when he reached across to offer me a glass of water. Even with that moment, I had made it through the night. I had given him a smile, one that I almost thought was real. I’d forgotten that he had been funny, that he had a good sense of humor. He was kind to me last night. I know he had been the first time around too. Deep down in a place that Elara had never touched, he had protected that kernel of love that made him fall in love with a Red boy in Corvium. I wonder if Thomas knew that he was one of the few things that kept Maven from completely losing his mind. So odd how two Reds made two princes question everything. 

I rub at my forehead to try and alleviate the ache there before giving up and throwing the comforter back to swing my legs to the side. The marble floor is freezing, especially after the warmth of my bedding. I wish Cal was here, just so I could throw myself back under the blankets and I stick my feet against his legs to warm them. He always hissed at the feeling when I did it, but let me anyway, only to leach the warmth from one of his hands and press it against my thigh to make me squeal. 

I have half a mind to crawl back into bed, bury myself in pillows and blankets, and pretend I’m in Paradise Valley during a snow storm. A light knock on my door startles me though, and wipes away the remaining fog in my mind. No rest for the wicked apparently. 

Standing quickly and ignoring the gooseflesh that erupts on my skin, I hurry over to the chair where I unceremoniously tossed my robe from last night. I blindly shove one arm into a sleeve and call for another second from the maids waiting outside, hoping they at least give me that time to look semi-decent. 

The three of them hurry in though, the one at the front carrying my dreaded schedule. I’d almost forgotten about it, and honestly wish that I had. Lessons that will bore me to tears, and then tense lunches and dinners with the ladies of the court are going to haunt my days while Elara stalks my nightmares. More acting, more games within games, I think I’d rather run head first into a wall than do all of that. 

The girl, who can’t be much older than me, dips her head as she offers the thin piece of paper, drawing a sigh from me as I take it and sink reluctantly into the vanity chair. I know exactly what it will say, but that doesn’t stop me from scanning it to check for discrepancies. Nothing seems out of place. Then again, Elara was too smart to give herself away on something like this.

Protocol lessons will be miserable. I can remember most of what I learned, but I can’t exactly show up and claim that. Maybe I can tell Cal to put me in training earlier. There was no harm in that right? 

I know that the best part of my day will be Julian. I hadn’t seen him at the feast last night, not that he would show up to something like that. He probably spent the night surrounded by his books, sipping whatever bitter alcohol he was willing to stomach for the night. If he’s on my schedule, Elara can’t possibly know anything. She wouldn’t dare put us together. He’d been a major collaborator with me, and we posed a serious threat because of that.

I read the schedule over and over again as the maids arrange my hair and pick out my outfit. When I glance over my shoulder at the tight leggings on the bed that have been laid out, I grimace. “Anything more… practical?” 

The maid brushing out the skirts of the gown to go with them glances at my closet hesitantly, only to disappear inside again. Another maid turns my head forward to the mirror as she begins painting my neck, chest and face with the silver paint. Her hands are delicate. With the work she does, and how well she does it, she must be an artist of some sort. 

Pants and a jacket appear in my peripheral vision, a silent question from the maid holding. I nod in agreement, and she hurries away to press and prepare them. My skin crawls in the growing silence. I can’t even hear the birds that are probably singing as they wake up outside. 

I don’t remember it being this awkward. Then again, I had been so focused on avoiding mistakes that I didn’t have time to think about the people around me. It had been that selfish part of me that fed the character of Mareena. She had died years ago though, and I plan to keep her dead and buried after what I did as her. 

I glance at myself in the mirror again, looking over the paint as the maid finishes and begins lining my eyes. It has been a long time since I let someone put this heavy of makeup on me. I look wicked and lovely. Beautiful, like a knife Evangeline would twirl between her fingers. 

Today will be the first chance to truly observe Elara since our encounter in the cells. Nothing appeared amiss last night, but I wasn’t going to put anything to chance in this den of wolves. Too much rides on my success to fail at this point. 

Stepping carefully into the pants, I let one of the maids help me into the jacket. Her fingers dance along my skin quicker than my lightning, careful to avoid touching the paint and smearing it. I feel like a china doll that might shatter if they handle me too roughly. 

Still, I’m ready earlier than I anticipate. Lucas and I might be able to simply stroll through the palace instead of the sprinting walk I remember from my first day. Even if I had arrived late before, arriving early this time around won’t change anything. In fact, it might even make Elara over look me more. I could use that to my advantage when I start poking my nose in places it doesn’t belong. 

The maids bow away from me when they finish, their hands tucked into the sides of their skirts. I raise my chin at the girl looking back at me in the mirrors. She looks cold, colder than I remember. I won’t let her take over again though. I won’t let her get the foothold she got during my initial time here. She had been armor then, but she’d still almost drowned me before I threw her to the side to save myself. 

Swallowing I turn away from the mirror and whisper my thanks to the maids before crossing the room for the doors. One rushes to open it for me, her eyes downcast. I glance her over, taking in her delicate features. She reminds me of Gisa so much, my stomach turns thinking about it. What is Gisa doing now besides bemoaning a lost future along with her broken hand? She heals, I remind myself, even if a part of her will never forget that phantom pain. 

I want to reach out and set my hand on this girl’s shoulder though. I want to comfort her, if only to reassure myself that everything will be fine. I squeeze my hand in a fist though and thank her before stepping into the hallway. I shouldn’t be thanking them so much, but the words leave my lips so easily. 

Lucas waits across the hall, his expression carefully schooled into neutrality. But the minute I step out and smirk at him, his lips quirk up in that grin that sometimes haunts my nightmares. He would have continued giving that smile to world if it wasn’t for me. 

“Babysitting duty again?” I tease lightly, hiding the hitch in my breath by adjusting my jacket and pulling it closed too tightly. Nodding in the direction of the breakfast room and starting at a comfortable pace for my short legs, he says, “Do you want an honest answer?”

With a shrug, I glance at him out of the corner of my eye. He gives me another smile and I give him a weak one in reply. “Here’s to us having a good friendship, Officer Samos.” I can’t bring myself to wish for it to be long. The pang I’d felt when I saw him for the first time again was not as bad as I thought it would be. It still ached, but at least I didn’t feel like I was swallowing nails when I looked at him. Maven was another matter entirely. The only positive was that I didn’t have to see him much around here. Not yet that is. 

“Likewise, my lady.” 

I chuckle at the title, both disgusted and amused by it. 

The breakfast room is empty when Lucas ushers me in ahead of him though. And when he enters on my heels, he glances around for a moment before whispering that the queen should be on her way. With a quick, practiced bow, he departs from the room. 

I’m earlier than I expected. I had hoped Elara was here already, that way she wouldn’t have the chance to surprise me. Lucas’s quick departure means Elara cannot be far away though, and I wonder if she scares him as much as she does everyone else. It’s odd to think everyone sneered at Cal’s mother just because there was a possibility that she had sung his father into marrying her, yet no one dared to whisper about the possibility that Elara might have done the same thing. I think if anyone tried they would end up dead though. I want to believe I would have said something. 

I walk by the wall of windows that overlook one of the numerous gardens, watching the way the rising sun’s rays catch on the dewy grass below. Reaching my hand out, I let the light play on the rings decorating my fingers. I miss my engagement ring, as silly as that is. I never thought I would miss a piece of jewelry. Still, I missed tracing the braided bands with my thumb and spinning it on my finger. It had become a habit during meetings while I was thinking. I miss that blood red stone the most though. 

The door from the other side of the room opens, and I tilt my head to see who it might be in the glass. Too bright to be Elara. My lips curl up in a smile as I spot Evangeline’s curtain of platinum hair cut across my peripheral vision. 

“Good morning, Lady Samos,” I tell her, not bothering to look at her as I do. Just the fact that I am not remotely surprised by her appearance will make her blood boil. I’m sure she spent countless hours perfecting her hair and outfit to make me feel inferior. The fact that I haven’t even deigned to give her the response she wants will send her reeling. I know it will. She’s too calculating to let it show when she replies though. 

“Such a change of costume for you Lady Titanos. Where are the pretty dresses?”

“I figured today called for practicality. Don’t you agree?” I finally turn to look at her, my smile rapier sharp. She returns the smile, her fingers dancing at her side.

Turning toward the table to sit down, I catch Elara sliding into the room like a wraith. Our eyes meet and I drop mine quickly, building up the mirrors I did when she first tried to invade my mind. It’s a maze in there, one that even I wouldn’t be able to find my way through. I trust it to hold, but only for a short time. My brain might be jelly by the end of this breakfast and I’ll have to go through the rest of my day with a headache if I’m not careful. 

Even during the long, grueling interrogation I had been terrified that she would find a crack in my armor, that she would slip through and find everything. I didn’t want to think about how pathetic I had felt, locked up in that silent stone cell, panic lacing my blood like a drug. There had been no way out, no way out if anything went horribly wrong. I guess I should be thankful that nothing did go wrong. 

She walks to the head of the table, where a neat placement is waiting for her. “You should eat quickly, Lady Blonos does not tolerate tardiness.” She drops into her chair with cat like grace, and without another word. One of the servants that came in with her hurries forward with a bowl of fruit. 

I edge toward the table, but not before Evangeline cuts by me, one of the rings on her finger elongating to a point that she tries to swipe at my hand with. I yank my hand away to grab the chair and pull it back, hiding the dodge expertly. My eyes dart to her, and although she tries to hide her surprise at my agility, some of it still slips out. 

“You’re still taking Protocol?” She asks as she slides into her chair, trying to hide her discomfort as I do the same. 

Raising a brow at her, I smoother my confusion. “You mean you aren’t?” 

A servant places a bowl in front of me, but I don’t tear my eyes from Evangeline. What possessed her to try and snap at me like she did? I know she wants the truth, and I know she’ll eventually try to get it in the training arena, but I didn’t think she’d be bold enough to try here. Maybe she thinks Elara isn’t in on it, and she’d get away with exposing me? I doubt it. Evangeline is not stupid. She knows a puppeteer when she sees one. 

I pick up my fork and spear a melon before taking my knife and spinning it just enough that it catches the light. With a graceful flick of my wrist I slice of the extra green rim that must have been missed. Evangeline eyes the fluidity of the movement though, her cheek twitching imperceptibly at the silent threat.

(///////)

I hate Protocol. 

That is all I think as I stalk with Lucas toward the Glass Terrace for luncheon. I hate Lady Blonos and I can’t wait until I never have to see her again. Cranky, nasty old woman, with fingers like spiders grabbing my shoulders. A heartbeat after the thought crosses my mind though, I grimace. She dies a quick death at least. My hand twitches towards my own throat, imaging the blade that severed her head from her shoulders. There will be one at my throat too soon enough, when Evangeline faces me in the Bowl of Bones. 

In my distraction, I almost miss when we step out into the warm sunlight. My first inhale of fresh air settles my nerves though. What I wouldn’t give to be outside all day. But as I step under the glass canopy, I end up just hoping I don’t sweat my paint off. It’s hotter out here than I remember, and the humidity is miserable. At least in Montfort when it got warm there was a breeze. A bead of sweat rolls down my neck, and I tense as it rolls between my shoulders blades. Shimmying to get rid of it, I feel a few more beads pop up on my hairline. Cursing, I try to stand as still as possible. 

Elane appears in front of me so suddenly I feel like she purposefully cloaked herself to surprise me. Sonya is not far behind her either. Two parts of Evangeline’s little trio. I wonder if she kept Sonya around to hide her affair with Elane. I doubt it. Sonya would have figured out the truth before anyone else. 

“Lady Mareena,” they coo in unison, before bowing stiffly. I incline my head in response, playing the game they have started. 

“I’m Sonya of House Iral.” Soyna tosses her hair gracefully. I can see the way she shifts to make sure that movement is perfect. I would smirk at the posturing if I wasn’t focusing on locating Elara in the crowd of ladies. “And I’m Elane of House Haven.” 

Oh, I know. I’ve had far too many awkward walk-ins on you and Evangeline in her office for my liking. Then again, she had snuck up on me and Cal plenty of times too. A perfect little spy. Her lips curl up in a delicate smile as I look her up and down. Flirt, I want to tease, and have to almost swallow my tongue to keep from saying just that. 

“We wanted to welcome you.” Elane says as she looks me over as well. A few weeks ago in Montfort, she had looked me up and down under the outdoor lights of a restaurant too. Smiling after I had thrown my head back to laugh at something Carmadon had said, she remarked that I was glowing. I had turned a pointed glare on her, and she had turned away to sip her wine with a smirk. I’d waved her away saying it was just a trick of the light. Now, I can feel the same stare as she observes me, looking for the most minute details to hold against me. 

“Thank you.” I clear my throat after that, letting her know she’s stared just a little too long. Her lips purse just a hint, and her cheeks flush white under her makeup. 

“You also participated in Queenstrial?” I ask quickly, giving her a chance to recover. She may be a pain in the ass now, but she is my friend in the future and I don’t need Sonya getting any ideas about anything.  

Still, Sonya almost sneers at my words. “We did. Obviously we were not so lucky as you or Evangeline.” 

Luck really had nothing to do with it. I would never consider myself lucky. I dip my head in understanding. “My intentions—”

“Your intentions remain to be seen,” Sonya purrs, before turning about quickly and snapping her fingers. “Grandmother, come meet Lady Mareena.” 

I scan the crowd of older women that Ara departs from, looking for a familiar orange gown. Anabel is nowhere to be seen though. I don’t know why I thought she would be here. How had she managed to slip back into the court during Maven’s reign though? 

Ara eyes me even as she walks over, making me stand a little taller to try and appear like I’m uncomfortable with her presence. It doesn’t take much to do that though. All I have to think about it how Ptolemus severed her head from her body. 

Sonya yaps away, trying to make me uncomfortable, and for a moment she probably thinks she’s succeeding. It’s Shade’s face flashing through my mind at the same time that I remember the light leaving his eyes that really drives me to shake slowly though. I can almost taste the smoke of Corros on my tongue when I inhale. I can hear the airship engines screaming behind me, calling me like a siren song. All I had to do was turn and keep running for them. But Shade, Shade had to come back for me because I had to get my revenge. 

My stomach drops and I know my face pales. Not right now, I can’t fall apart right now. I squeeze my hands into fists, focusing on my nails dig into my palms. 

Sonya finally stops speaking and I almost jump before dipping my head. “Apologies for my absent… thoughts. It’s a pleasure to meet you my lady.”  

“I knew your father, Mareena. And your mother.” Ara observes coolly, her eyes looking me over like a butcher would their next slaughter. 

“I wish I could have known them like you do.” I reply, my mind still trying to keep up with the conversation while also trying to prevent a barrage of Samson’s carefully concocted memories from taking over. It’s a losing battle. My stomach turns as the Blackrun going down plays at an inhuman speed. Metal tears around me, and wind whips at my hair. I’m falling so fast that I can’t even draw enough air to scream. Am I falling into a cage or am I standing in a garden full of pretty women with fangs and claws? Am I wrapped in Cal’s arms or am I suffocating in the heat of this glass gazebo? 

“Your father had blue eyes, as did your mother.” Ara tests, her expression cold. 

I drag my eyes up and dare to meet hers. I tilt my head to the side, the sound of the gardens fading back into focus as by sheer willpower I force the memories back so that I can gather enough air to breathe. There is no way out of the corner I am in, and I can’t even begin to think of something to say to fill the silence. A whisper of skirts on stone distracts Ara as Elara cuts behind us to ask everyone to sit. I hide the twist of relief in my stomach by dipping my head again and excusing myself.

(/////////)

I’m so deep in my own thoughts, planning responses for any future Iral interrogations that I almost miss Maven appearing around the corner on my way to Julian’s. 

“Still alive?” His words make my back snap to ram rod straightness as I come to an abrupt stop that makes even Lucas stumble. My toes curl in my shoes and I can almost feel my lightning begging to come to the fore as Maven closes the distance. Why does he have to look so kind and young? How could I not have seen the honey coated trap for what it was? I’d needed a friend though, and he had been the perfect map to mirror all my insecurities onto. Elara probably didn’t even need to read my mind to know that. 

Play the game. I remind myself to smile sheepishly at him. I’m a good actress now, and I will make sure he believes every second of my performance. 

“Unfortunately for the other Queenstrial girls, yes.” The joke is a weak one, but he still chuckles at it. Next to me, I can feel Lucas’s presence still. He’ll usher me along so that we’re not late for Julian. His presence actually eases my tension. I don’t know if I’m ready to be alone with Maven just yet. The temptation to end all my suffering before it can begin might be too great. I need Lucas to get us moving again. I’d rather be early for Julian. The more time I spend with him, the happier I think I’ll be. And I’d rather be as far from Maven as physically possible right now. 

“They’re a slippery sort.” He admits, looking me over. I squeeze my hand into a fist, pushing my nail into my thumb to avoid lashing out at him. The silence gets so heavy his skin tinges silver and he looks down to avoid my unwavering glare.

“Where are you off to?” I finally mange to get out, forcing my fingers to unfurl. His eyes snap up and he blushes hard for a heartbeat. I caught him off guard. Good, slip up and give me a reason to hate you more in this moment. 

“I was actually on my way to walk in the garden. Cal was—” his lips draw tight for a moment before continuing “—supposed to meet me. He got caught up in a meeting.” 

I don’t want you around him either. I want to sneer and dig my nails into his neck when he shrugs in disinterest. I don’t want you hurting him more than you already have.

“How unfortunate,” I admit instead. He actually looks like he feels bad for Cal when he replies, “I don’t envy him his schedule.” 

Lucas clears his throat, and my eyes snap to him as he nods in the direction we should be going. “Someone told me she didn’t want to be late to anything today. And we’re going to be late now.” 

Maven’s eyes dart to him as if he just realized he was standing there. Tilting his head to the side like a little puppy, he says, “I was actually wondering if you were done for the day and wanted to join me in the garden.” 

“I have Lessons.” I want to smirk at the way his smile falls. He recovers marvelously though, and reaches out to take my hand. His skin is warm, the perfect temperature. He’d been icy last night. I wonder if Elara told him to find the perfect temperature, one to match Cal’s. 

“I won’t keep you then.” He murmurs before he passes us and continues down the hall. I feel like I’m going to be sick. That was how she did it. That was how she molded him into the perfect little shadow for me to love. She’d picked my brain for everything I liked about his brother from our first meeting and whispered it in his ear. Warm smiles and warm hands, she had probably told him, ooze sympathy and kindness, you’re the sibling that is unloved, the one to match my longing for something greater. Then she had molded his words and his ideals to match mine, the perfect counter to Cal’s abrasive thoughts of wanting to keep the world the way it was. I hadn’t even realized it, but Maven had put his foot in the door with this moment, and I had held it open for him. Sneaky son of a bitch. 

“You know, we’d get there much faster if you actually moved.” Lucas teases, making me almost jump. I glare at him before starting down the hallway so fast that he jogs his first few steps to catch up. 

“Shut up Lucas.” I growl under my breath.

(////////)

The minute I’m in Julian’s rooms I shrug off every bit of protocol, every nasty thought and let myself sag in relief. It smells just like his Montfort apartment in here. My heart aches even more when I remember the teas Sara used to put in my hands with her gentle smile as she sank down into one of the massive fluffy chairs they kept in their sitting room. It was always warm there too. Sara liked it cozy, and Julian let her have whatever it was she wanted, even if he melted into a puddle of sweat in every sweater he owned. 

Married for four years and Sara still acted as chaste as a young girl when he was around. I want them to have that happiness here too. I know I won’t see Julian smile the way he does when she walks behind him and trails her hand along his shoulders for a long time though. Every moment in Montfort was like she feared he’d disappear if she didn’t touch him continuously throughout the day.

I run my fingers along the faded covers of the books he keeps stacked around these rooms like columns holding up the weight of the world. I wish I could grab and carry stacks of them back to my room. I could bury myself in them and pretend I was curled up on my couch with my head in Cal’s lap while he ran his fingers through my hair and tried not to fall asleep. I could pretend I’m hundreds of miles and years away from this horrible place. 

I stop before the map I remember so well. I’d seen it so many times in this room that it had become a staple. I tilt my head as I look at the mess of lines and colors. The old world, before people tore it to shreds. We put it back together, or at least we had been trying to. I drag my eyes west from Archeon to find Ascendent buried deep in the mountains. It’s not even marked on this map. It never seemed so far away than in this moment. Even when I had looked at this map for the first time those mountains had only seemed a few hand lengths away. 

“It’s strange to look at the world as it once was,” Julian’s quiet voice makes me glance over my shoulder in his direction. In the silence of these rooms, he is a faint ember of life. He appears out of an aisle of his books, the afternoon sun cutting across his face like bars in a prison. His yellow robes whisper along the floor as he approaches me. I’d forgotten how this place had drained him. He looks like old, cracked paper. It’s fitting I suppose, but it’s not right. 

I can’t help but grin at him, unable to hide how happy I am to see him. He takes it in stride though, even giving me a little smile as he gestures to the map. “Can you find where we are?”

Don’t go so fast, I want to beg him. Let me stay here as long as physically possible. Let me be here in this sanctuary as long as possible. “I’ll try.” I whisper as I pull my eyes away from him to look at the map. He waits while I pretend to read. I could pick us out as easily as I can call lightning these days, but I go slow on purpose. Reaching up with a finger, I point to the inlet that is the Stilts. “There.” 

He nods, pleased. “Do you recognize anything else?” 

I bring my eyes back to the map. For a moment, I contemplate pointing out Montfort. Julian would be an impossibly useful ally here. The wisdom he could give us, the advice, it would be priceless. That’s a conversation to have with Cal though. He’ll probably refuse to bring Julian into this mess any earlier than we have to though. He can be so damn protective over the few people he has left. Julian would be able to handle himself though. Better than me and Cal probably. 

In the end, I point out Harbor Bay. His smile deeps and I relish in the warmth that floods through me by simply being in his presence. Even if he’s oblivious to our future relationship, I trust him more than anyone else here. 

“This is Delphie now,” he points out the city, and I nod as he traces the river to point out Archeon. We’ll be there soon enough, and Julian will not make it further than the gates of this city before Elara catches him and Sara. 

When he finishes, he looks at me expectantly and waits to hear anything else. Instead I turn to him and say, “The cameras are off in here.” 

His brows shoot up toward his hairline comically, and I have to stifle a laugh. I haven’t seen that look in a long time. There wasn’t much I could do to surprise him after our years together. The news I was planning on sharing might have been the last time I saw that look. 

“So there is a difference,” he mutters. 

“How did you get them to turn them off?” I want to know so that I can turn them off in my own room without people noticing. Cal and I could meet then, discuss our next moves without people noticing. We could meet to determine if things were proceeding correctly too. It would make all of this so much easier. 

“Mare, I’m here to teach you your histories, to teach you how to be Silver and how to be, ah, useful.” 

His lips pull into a disgusted expression, and I raise a brow as he changes the subject quickly. The way he looks at me though, makes me swallow the next words I am about to tell him. Instead, I tilt my head to the side and ask the same question I had asked before.

“How do you plan to do that Lord Jacos?” 

His eyes narrow for a moment, and I tense as I realize he never did tell me who he was. It’s not on my schedule, and there is no way Elara would tell me his name. She can barely spit out the name Jacos anyway. I have a feeling she thought Coriane’s spirit would be able to haunt her if she did utter it. 

“Your colors, yellow, house Jacos. Lady Blonos taught me the colors this morning. Your sister was Queen wasn’t she? Cal’s mother. You two even look a little similar.” I stumble over the words, trying to cover my tracks. It’s a pathetic attempt, one I know he can see right through. 

He at least has the grace and mercy to laugh outright at my last comment. The light returns to his eyes as he says, “your flattery will get you nowhere with me, Mare Barrow. But yes, I am the late Queen’s brother and Tiberias the Seventh, otherwise known as Cal, is my nephew.” He drops into a comically low bow. I chuckle at it. Even though I feel like I’m playing a game with him, it still feels like we are sharing a secret truth with each other. Forgotten gods, I just want to tell him the truth so that he can know and help me. I wonder if he would actually believe me if I did. Julian had seen plenty of crazy things in his life. What was one more?

“So you and I are supposed to stop a rebellion?” I ask as he rises. He tilts his head to the side, considering my words before saying, “yes, I suppose. My dear brother-in-law and his queen believe you can do so, if we use you properly.” 

“It’s idiotic,” I admit before turning back to look at the map. He watches my side profile carefully while I look over the map, and try to keep my eyes from snagging on Montfort. “They’re wrong if they think the riots will stop, and the people will stand down. The Scarlet Guard is marching, and they are not afraid. Change will come someday, whether that’s tomorrow or in a year, it will come. The world won’t stay the same, I won’t let it.” 

For a moment, the ragged inhale he takes makes me think I’ve said too much. But when he steps up next to me to look at the map he says, “I have waited a long time to hear someone say that. What my people are doing to you and yours is wrong to the deepest levels of humanity. You are right, change is coming, because the continuous cycle we put you through will end poorly.”

I look at him, seeing a different type of warrior. Julian had never been one for violence and destruction like me and Cal. He was built for manipulation and careful chess games. But he had spent just as much time if not more shaping the world alongside us. He would do it all over again too. I know he would. If he were in my shoes right now, he would suffer the hell, the torture, and any agony just to get us all to that shining future. “So what do we do?” 

He grins at me, a tiny hopeful smile that makes me square my shoulders proudly. 

“We start by figuring out exactly what you are.”

[evangelineartemiasamos]

Do you think Victoria should have wrote Cal's perspective instead of Cameron's in King's Cage? I mean I like Cameron, but I would have loved to see Cal's thoughts and angst about missing Mare. Was there anything about the Red Queen series you felt were unnecessary ( I thought World Behind was pretty pointless and I skipped it). Aslo do you think that Aveyard should write the first book in Cal's perspective? Cause I'm curious about what he was thinking in Red Queen.

No. I think it was a brave decision to have Cameron’s POV. She questions the other characters which also challenges the readers; while Cal questions not much at all. Cameron subverts expectations. I also enjoyed her character arc. She accepts her power, finds out what she wants and what she doesn’t support and she stands by that, no matter who orders otherwise. It’s also beautifully written how she slowly becomes friends with Farley and Kilorn and Mare. It bothers me more that we see to little of her in WS. After her strong impact on KC, that feels somewhat unbalanced.

There’s something in not writing the most angsty characters, like Farley and Cal in KC. We’re curious about their feelings and we see glimpses of them from Cameron’s POV (who’s the third party observer here, similar to the reader) but the book is already sufficently angsty just from Mare’s POV.

I’d liked to see more from Cal’s POV though, I’m not sure at which moments. But his three POV chapters in WS only do the bare minimum of showing his character development. There was space for a lot more (also, Maven*s POV chapters seem much more on point of showing Maven’s character). While I’m not a fan of Marecal, I realized I’d quite like him as a friend and see him as a friend to Farley, Kilorn, the Barrows etc could’ve been an impactful moment where he EG could’ve wondered about his choices being the right way while he interacts with his Red friends.

I’ve nothing against World Behind but you all know I wanted and still want another Farley novella.

I found the Mare vs Eve sparring fight in WS pretty pointless, also the afterward flirting of Mare and Cal where Mare mentions how everything smells like sweat - yikes! Too much information, please stop! Seriously? Their desire for each other was obvious without that scene. Also, Iris’s POV. I had hopes for this woman after KC and all of them were shattered! I was shocked, to say the least. Her machinations were intriguing and her reports on the Lakelands interesting but why spend so many pages of a YA novel on an unlikeable character?

I don’t think Cal’s POV from RQ would add anything to the story. For the other books, I could make arguments, but not for the first. He’s just clueless like Mare and regarding his crown prince situation, he talks about that in WS already. Although if you want more interaction between Cal and Maven before the coup, I guess a novella before RQ would work better.

[choosemarecal]

Won’t Say I’m In Love- Marecal Modern Paris AU

Note: why hello yes i know it’s been a month but here it is!! i am very sorry for not posting much this past month, but i just gotta have something to commemorate the first day of march!! enjoy ! :) 

Chapter 1: Mare

Chapter 2: Mare

//Wattpad

Chapter 3: Cal

I didn’t remember when I fell asleep, only that Mare was sleeping on my shoulder. If I was being truthful, I thought that was a thing that only happened in movies, but her soft snoring proved wrong.

I awoke when I felt Mare stiffen and quickly shift away from me. When she realized she woke me up, her face looked flushed.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to… I just—”

I gave her a small smile. “Hey, it’s fine. You were tired, and I just happened to have the perfect shoulder to use as a pillow.”

She grinned at that, at least, but I could tell she was still startled from it.

“So, uh,” I checked my phone. “Looks like we’ll be landing soon.”

She widened her eyes. “Wait, I slept for basically the entire fight?”

“We slept for the entire time, yes. Quite refreshing, don’t you think?”

She nodded and turned her attention to the window. There were only clouds in sight, but she didn’t look away. Minutes of silence passed through us and I began to worry. Did I do something wrong? Damn it, Cal, talk to her.

I cleared my throat. “So, are you going straight to your sister’s shop after this?”

She still didn’t turn to me. “Yeah. She’s actually picking me up at the airport.” We fell back into an uncomfortable quiet.

“I’m sorry, but did I do something wrong? You seem a bit alarmed.”

Mare immediately faced me. “No! No, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s only that I haven’t seen my sister in… well, let’s just say not recently. The last time I did…,” she hesitated. I was about to say she didn’t have to share it, but she gave in and started again. “She was recovering from an accident that I was part of. She broke her hand.” Her voice cracked and I had to stop myself from reaching out.

“She was already amazing at sewing and knew that she wanted to pursue a career in that area. I messed it all up. But she was committed.” Mare paused and closed her eyes before continuing. “She was determined to heal her hand and train it again. I wasn’t there, though. I knew she could still use sewing machines, but her hand never fully recovered. And I just know that some of her spirit didn’t recover either.” She drew in a breath and finally looked me in the eye.

For a second, I felt everything in me freeze. The amount of emotion gleaming in her eyes could fuel a storm. When she blinked, the feelings seemed to dim, but I understood that her mind was still a raging war, a whirlwind of pain and regret colliding with the unending battle.

I found my voice. “Mare… I don’t know much about who you are. But I am certain Gisa has forgiven you for what happened. Didn’t you guys talk last night?”

“She didn’t mention it. Just rambled on about her shop and the gala. Gisa seemed happy, Cal. Now she wants me to visit her, but I know I’m going to ruin that happiness she found for herself,” Mare said shakily, clenching her fists.

I didn’t stop myself this time when I placed a hand on her shoulder. “Mare, listen to me when I say Gisa wants you to be there. And by the sound of it, she’s going to be thrilled you’re here. You can’t ruin her happiness because you’re a part of it. The only way to ruin it is to not meet her.”

She stared at her hands, twitching with what could be anxiety or remorse. She was still for a long moment before responding.

“I’m going to be honest, I don’t know why I told you any of that. But… thank you,” she added quietly.

My mouth was shaped into an answer when the captain cut me off. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are beginning our landing in a few moments, so please buckle your seat belts and put your backseat trays up. Oh, and if you look out your row window, the clouds have cleared and the city of love is in view.”

Mare shifted her eyes to the window and I followed her gaze.

Countless buildings and roads were visible, but the main attraction was the Eiffel Tower. I’ve been to Paris a few times before, but only for business meetings. I hadn’t felt the need to explore the city, seeing as I was constantly on my own. My eyes moved to the right and landed on the girl next to me, transfixed on the city below.

A thought came rushing to me, although it was as if it had already been there.

I don’t have to spend my time here alone anymore. This is the city of love, after all.

oops another note: *characters are not mine; from RQ series by Victoria Aveyard* heyhey how’d you like it? i don’t know what to think about this chapter... what do you think about it? is it okay? or did i just fail at writing this? new chapter up soon hopefully

tag list: @bookworm0123​, @sophi2222, @i-hate-the-waves​, @cal--zone​, @maremollytitanos, @2460-so-done-with-you, @same-white-light, @famousdreamlandpainter, @scxrletguardsdawn, @ifyoudieillkillyou, @kindnzss, @kenz-dalt, @queeniriscygnet, @redqueenfandom, @nightmarebarrow, @lilyharvord, @feeoly, @morebooks-pls, @clarafarleybarrow, @delilahlbard, @wishes-of-fire (ask me if you want to be removed or added from this list) (also if u changed urls, tell me if u wanna have ur new one added)

[wingsofanillyrian]

Kingdoms and Crowns (Marecal)

@spegetty asked “ hey could you use the prompt “There’s no future for me without you.” for marecal PLeASe “ and OFC I SAID YES so please enjoy and send me more Red Queen prompts!

I should also mention that at this point in time I have not finished WS, so I apologize for any plot inconsistency :)

ACOTAR/TOG Masterlists

Cruel Prince Masterlist

Red Queen Masterlist (more to come!)

If I had it my way, I wouldn’t be here right now.

I hate these endless council sessions. They’ve become hunting grounds, each side out for the others blood. Its pointless. Dredging up past grievances does nothing to further anyone’s cause; it only adds fuel to the fire.

The weight of Silver gazes are nearly as oppressive as Silent Stone. They refuse to accept that Red blooded people sit at the same table they do, that our decisions have sway with the king. I sit straighter in my seat, meeting each House’s stare in turn. I refuse to let my unease show.

I watch the clock, its hands ticking merrily away. Two minutes until the battle begins.

“Why am I not surprised that his Majesty and House Samos are late yet again?”

I glance up at Farley, grateful for her arrival. The lack of Reds in the gathering hall had every one of my nerves on end. Farley and I are the only Red-blooded representatives that have a permanent seat at the negotiations table. The Scarlet Guard uniform she wears dares the king’s council to forget who sits among them.

“Probably because this happens every time.”

As soon as I’ve finished speaking, the arched wooden doors at the end of the room swing open, allowing Evangeline Samos to stride in. The sharp smile she cuts the Silver side of the table is more than enough to make them squirm. The armor she’s clothed herself in is as magnificent as it is deadly. Metallic scales flash across her torso as she stalks for me, giving a sly wave.

“Hello Mare,” she drawls, sliding into the empty seat beside me.

“You certainly enjoy making grand entrances, don’t you?” Although our alliance is uneasy, I’m glad it’s her next to me instead of a member of any other House. Evangeline I can tolerate for a little while at least.

A low, innocent laugh as she brushes her silver hair off her shoulder. “You know me so well.”

“Where’s the rest of your House?”

She smiles, letting everyone wait for her answer. Flicking her eyes around the table she says, “Father sends his regrets, but he won’t be able to attend. You’re stuck with little old me.” She shrugs, reclining with feline grace.

“I can’t say that upsets me.”

Attention snaps to the head of the table. Tiberias has managed to sneak in without anyone noticing. I curse myself for letting him catch me off guard.

Anabel Lerolan is a step behind her grandson, surveying those assembled with predatory intent. Tiberias’ black hair is shaggy and unkempt as if he couldn’t be bothered to comb it. The fitted suit he wears, black with red trim around the cuffs, does little to offset the shadows lingering under his eyes. I wonder if he’s been sleeping well.

Not that I care, I remind myself sharply.

The others fall over themselves, standing and offering a greeting to their king. Everyone except Farley and I, that is. We remain seated, a decision that Anabel notes with a glare.

“Now then, let’s get this underway, shall we?” Tiberias gives a tight smile before taking his seat. My eyes dip to where the top button of his shirt is undone, revealing a sliver of the toned chest I know lies beneath. Once, I was free to run my fingertips over his warm skin whenever I pleased. The memory of knobby white scars and hard muscle makes my hands tingle.

Farley elbows my side, giving me a hard look. I tear my eyes away from the king and pull my thoughts back to this room. I brace myself for another endless day filled with talks of taxes and basic human rights for Reds- something that should already be accepted.

My head fills with static as soon as Anabel begins reading through the day’s agenda. Usually I can focus enough to participate, but today I’m lost in the way Tiberias’ mouth curves when he speaks. I don’t tune back into the conversation until Farley slams her hand on the table.

“Our goal isn’t to overthrow the entire Silver monarchy.” I stifle a cough at the boldfaced lie. She cuts a glare at me before continuing, “We want Reds and Silvers to live peacefully as equals. We’ve already seen it work in Piedmont-“

The hall erupts as everyone speaks at once. My gaze flicks to where Cal- no, Tiberias- sits at the head of the long, narrow table. His eyes are locked on me, waiting for my reaction. Instinct demands I look anywhere but at him. I do the opposite, standing my ground until he eventually breaks the stare.

One voice rises above the others, commanding attention. “I think I’ve found a solution that suits all our interests,” the king says, rising from his seat. The noise Evangeline makes informs me that Tiberias is speaking directly at me, whether he realizes it or not.

“I always keep the needs of my people close to my heart.” This time, I don’t hold in my noise of disgust. Farley nods in agreement. Tiberias continues as if he hasn’t heard me. “Which is why I’ve decided that, effective immediately, my betrothal to Evangeline will end immediately.”

“Finally,” Evangeline mutters, grinning wickedly. No one spares her a glance; they all know how much she loathed the decision. Her heart lies elsewhere, anyway. For perhaps the first time, I truly envy the magnetron. With any luck, she may be able to follow her wishes and be with the one she loves.

Anabel’s bronze eyes flash with fury. Clearly, she was not included in his plotting. “And whom, pray tell, do you suggest you wed?”

Dread fills my stomach. I already know what he’ll say, but I pray he has the good sense not to. My pulse hammers as Tiberias looks around the room, the picture of confidence. He meets everyone’s eyes—except mine.

“Mare will be my queen.”

The world falls out from under my feet.

No one says a single word, not even his wicked grandmother. They must think it’s some sick joke. I think it is too.

A long time ago, I wouldn’t have hesitated to agree. Back when I was foolish and blind, nothing but a lovesick puppy. I would have followed Cal to the ends of the earth if he’d asked.

But that was then.  This is now.

I hone the sparks of my anger into a single bolt, internally directing it at him. Slowly, I turn to him, eyes blazing. He fidgets nervously with the thin metal bracelet at his wrist. I let the uneasy quiet seep into his bones before murmuring, “You want to repeat that, Calore?”

He clears his throat, squirming like an ant under my magnifying glass. “It would be a much better match politically-“

The dagger leaves my hand faster than anyone can process, slicing along his cheekbone. Tiberias’ startled cry echoes in the silent room, hand jerking to the shallow wound. Electricity crackles on my skin as the royal guard rushes me.

They are instantly stopped by the hand their king holds up. “Wait.”

My eyes track the thin line of silver trailing down his jaw. It drips onto the table, nearly in sync with my pulse. I absently remember a time years ago, when Kilorn fell and cut his chin open on a stone by the river. He’d bled buckets, and I had panicked. Don’t worry, he’d told me. Facial wounds bleed a lot.

“Mare?”

Tiberias’ confused whisper jerks me from the memory. My chair scrapes against the white marble as I push back from the table. “How’s that for politics?”

Anabel’s demands for my head follow me out of the room and into the hall beyond. My abrupt departure seems to have pierced her shock.

How dare he?

A political match. That’s what he called a potential marriage between us, in front of all those people. Though he cast me aside months ago, the pain of this most recent betrayal festers like an infected wound. How he has the audacity to act like I mean absolutely nothing to him, I have no idea.

And to completely blindside me with the announcement. He hadn’t even posed it as a question; he just assumed I’d agree. Assumed I was still young and naïve.

He was dead wrong.

I quicken my pace as footsteps echo behind me. “Mare, wait! Please, let me speak.”

I whirl around, nearly causing him to crash into me. “I have no interest in anything you have to say,” I spit out, lip curling. “You have no right to speak to me anymore, Tiberias.”

“I thought it’s what you would have wanted-“

“So you thought it would be perfectly okay to decide my entire life for me?” My voice rises, along with my emotions. “Who gave you the damned right? In what world did you ever think that I would agree to a betrothal to you without ever discussing it? After all I’ve suffered, everything I’ve endured, why would I want that choice ripped from my hands?”

His face sags. “There was a time you would’ve leapt for joy if I proposed.”

“We said never again, Tiberias. That night was to be the last of it.” My stomach flips as the memory of that stolen night comes flooding back. I do my best to reign in my temper, steadying my voice. “You’re just a spoiled child and I’m the shiny toy you just can’t live without.”

He flinches, my insult cutting deep. “That’s not true,” he whispers, but the pain etched in the lines of his face says otherwise. “I love you.”

My hands tremble as I curl them into fists so tight my knuckles turn white. “Liar. I gave you a choice. Me or the crown. I think you’ve made your decision quite clear. It’s as simple as that.”

“It’s not that simple, can’t you see?” The temperature rises a few degrees as he draws nearer, tears pricking his eyes. I almost believe they’re real. “There’s no future for me without you.”

The part of me that is still foolishly in love with him strains towards those words, lapping them up like honey. The wiser part of me knows that Calore men have an outstanding track record for hurting the ones they claim to love.

I should walk away. But I am desperate for answers, if only so I can finally let this chapter of my life turn to ash. My resolve weakens, tears blurring my vision. I drop my gaze to the floor, praying he won’t notice.

“Then how could you cast what we have aside so easily?”

Tiberias’ toes edge into my line of sight. “Why did you make me choose, Mare?” When he reaches up to brush his thumb over my jaw, I don’t stop him. I cherish the affection even though I know I should push him away. “Why can’t I have both?”

My eyes rise to the silver streak on his cheek. The blood that divides us. The blood of nobles.

“That’s why,” I whisper, smiling sadly. “No one would ever accept a Red queen and a Silver king. The Scarlet Guard fights for equality, but I think we both know that won’t ever happen- not completely. You could call me your queen, but all it would ever be is a title. I’d never be your true equal. And… I can’t keep living a lie. I won’t waste my entire life pretending to be happy when I’m not.”

Cal’s lip trembles, and I know he’s fighting to keep himself from falling apart. I draw a wavering breath and continue, “So you can’t have both. You have to choose- and whatever you decide will be final. I won’t put myself through this again.”

“And what if I can’t decide?”

Any hope I have is lost. I was a fool to think he still cared for me at all. “Then I’ll decide for you.” He grabs my wrist before I can turn away, a question in his eyes. My breath catches in my throat.

His lips meet mine in a feverous, needy kiss. I fist my hands in the black silk of his shirt, desperate for more. I melt against him, the curves of our bodies fitting together perfectly.

The sweep of his tongue over mine tells me he truly does still love me and he’ll never leave. His fingers digging into the flesh of my hips tell me he never wants to be apart again. The saltwater on my cheeks tells him I never want him to let me go. I thread my fingers in his hair, tugging him closer, closer, closer. For a moment, I lose myself in him. I can imagine that it’s just the two of us and that’s all there will ever be. No war, no blood feud, no one to come between us.

Then the brush of metal against my brow mocks me, jarring me back to reality. It reminds me why I cannot give myself to him. We can never exist in tandem, his crown and I. Our chests heave as I break the kiss, lips tingling. I step from his embrace, watching his hands curl around my ghost. His bronze eyes shimmer with hurt.

“Have you decided?”

The brittle silence fills the space with dread. Each second he doesn’t speak drives another nail into what’s left of my heart. His mouth gapes open, then closes again. I should have known this was coming.

“Give me until tomorrow to think.” His fingers brush my arm. “I need to sort out my thoughts-“

“Save it.” I shove him away, letting the sparks gathering in my palms burn against his chest. Furious with both him and myself, I quickly put as much distance between us as I can.

A thin blue line of flame stretches across the hall, halting me in my tracks. My lightning rises in response to the challenge. “Cal.”

“Always one for drama.” I want to kiss that damned smirk in his voice away. “Can you at least wait to storm off until I’ve finished talking?”

“Fine.” I cross my arms but refuse to look at him.

“What I was going to say,” he starts quietly, extinguishing the flame now that he’s confident I won’t flee, “was that I need time to decide how to tell my council that I want to step down.”

I glance back at him. “Step down?”

Tiberias gently grasps my hand, tugging until I face him fully. “It’s always been you, Mare. I was a fool to let you slip away. Now I know that I can’t live without you. Since you left, I can’t sleep, I barely eat. I wake up reaching for you every morning. When I think about the future, you’re always there.”

“And your crown?”

With light, careful fingers, he takes it from his head and admires the intricate handiwork. It is beautiful, not even I can deny that. Thin ropes of shimmering copper and strong iron twist over each other to form a thick woven band. Much more ornate than the raw iron one he wore when he was first crowned. His lips twitch in the faintest of smiles before he flicks his wrist, igniting a white-hot flame. The crown hisses and pops, turning a searing red.

“What are you doing?” I whisper, watching molten beads of metal drip to the floor, where they sizzle against the plush carpet like eggs in a frying pan.

“It’s just a useless hunk of metal.” He shrugs. “I’d rather have you.”

My mind is a whirlwind. I don’t know what to think. I’ve waited forever to hear him say those exact words, played the scenario out a million times in my head. I’d fold into his arms, sobbing because I was finally enough, he chose me, he chose me, he chose me. I’d kiss him again and again, determined to never let him slip away.

It hits me then. I’ve been using Cal’s betrayal as an excuse to cover up what I know is the truth. I cannot continue to pretend that it was solely his choice that keeps us apart. He alone cannot bear the blame.

“I can’t.”

“What do you mean you can’t?” Hurt and confusion war in Cal’s beautiful face. The face that haunted my dreams for months, just out of reach. My chest feels hollow.

“I can’t do this- us.” I allow myself the small comfort of touching three fingers to the back of his hand. For once, he is cold. “Who will rule if you step down, Cal? Another Silver noble will step up to take your place and we’ll be right back where we started. Or worse, we’ll lose what little progress we’ve made. We can’t be together, no matter how much we want to be.”

He shakes his head, desperately clasping my hand. “No. Please, no. We can figure it out. I don’t have to do it right away, we can dissolve the monarchy and put a real government in place-“

“That could take years. Time we don’t have. My people are suffering- I have to do something tangible to help.” Gently, I remove my hand from his vicelike grip.

“And we aren’t right for each other. We both may burn, but for different reasons. Fire and lighting are made to destroy. They cannot coexist in a peaceful world.” With every word, I shatter a bit more. As much as I want to engulf myself in the warmth of his arms, I know it’s the wrong choice.

I almost lose my nerve when his Majesty, King Tiberias Calore VII, rightful Flame of the North, falls to his knees, tangles his fingers in my pants and begs. “Mare, please. I love you. I’m willing to give up everything I was meant for, turn my life around for you.”

I shake my head, tears splashing to the carpet. I know that there is no coming back from this. Once I walk away, I turn the page on this chapter of my life. I turn my back on the truest love anyone has ever been privileged to receive. If I do this, I leave Cal behind forever.

“Get up, Tiberias. Kings don’t kneel.”

@queenlannisterofthesevenkindoms @allthestarswecansee @drowningarchangel @wolffrising @photofeesh @maddieimhot @sierrakmalian65 @livy1195 @devitameatball @stellalanelovesyou @trashy-not-sassy @sunsummoner @lightword-g @oooohkinky @dressedindustandshadows @tntwme @elide-lochan-salvaterre @dreams-of-feysand @choosemarecal @awesomethreedragons @coolbooklover1234 @nxyatr @charactercreationgirl

[srawesleyghuewrites]

You Don’t Have to Fight Anymore - Chapter 5(Extra)

Series: You don’t have to fight anymore(Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4)

For desktop users: masterlist

For mobile users: mobile masterlist

Pairing: Cal x Mare

Book: Red Queen

Faceclaim: Matthew Daddario as Cal Calore and Lindsey Morgan as Mare Barrow

Word Count: ~ 2,700

Rating: M for language

Prompt:

Maven captured Mare and Cal again, his obsession taking a much darker path when Cal’s fate interferes in his plans. But what if Maven isn’t even the their worst problem? In a crazy night, safety seems like the furthest but still he finds himself at the safest place in the world.

Author’s Note:

HELLO PEOPLE

SOOOOO, here I’m bringing to life the extra angst/fluff PUNtastic extra chapter for the finished series “You don’t have to fight anymore”. It’s a chapter that was incredible to write and I loved every minute of it so I hope you’ll all agree with me(send feedback so that I’ll know)!!!

This officially ends the series and I gotta say it was a pleasure writing about these characters that I love, I might have something else planned for my couple so keep checking because maybe soon I’ll have news about it disclosed on my Tumblr.

Forgive me for any mistakes AND I think the tags are freaking finally working!!!! *yells excitedly* 

Always let me know if you wanna in or out of my tag list and I hope you enjoy it!

@marecalrandomstuff, @darlingod, @war-storm, @samanthaslytherin, @starsabovenewsoulss, @inopinion, @niinazenikk, @calmareforever, @lilyharvord, @queeniriscygnet, @evngelinesmos, @clarafarleybarrow, @aarcherons, @spookymareshmallow, @calorelove, @tiberiascalore, @marecal-trash, @choosemarecal, @quiteliterallyinthis, @nikkiwhitesidesx, @scxrletguardsdawn, @fandxms-uniite, @nxyatr, @daryanavid, @artemishdp, @pinky-saltyocean, @lil-taco-kid, @i-am-the-diana-farley​

Disclaimer: The characters don’t belong to me I just borrow them from Victoria Aveyard!

PUNtastic Adventures

Cal Calore 

Mare.

She is static, her gaze focused on what seems to be recently polished royal heels, the expression on her face is a conundrum. Someone appears next to her and she immediately turns to look at him, from where I’m standing at the gap in the door it’s only possible to see his silhouette but I recognize him as soon as I hear the cold voice.

Maven.

“I still can’t believe that you’re here.”

His arms look pale when compared to hers and he touches her shoulders cautiously, getting closer to her and making it accessible for me to clearly watch his next move, and I wonder if he knows I’m here. The hand that holds her shoulder slips to her rosy cheek and caresses it, Mare doesn’t hesitate like I would expect her to do, if possible she leans her face even closer to his hand.

“I didn’t thought you would find us.”

Mare says with uncertainty in her tone, the hands shaking slightly under his touch and her eyes never leaving his deep blue.

“Mare, don’t be a fool. For you and my traitor brother, I would go until the end of the world.”

“And what are you going to do to him?”

“Are you worried about Cal?”

The sharp way the words leave his mouth shows that they are a clear threat, I try to warn Mare in some way, however nothing comes out of my mouth.

“Of course not! You know that the only person who matters is,” she gets closer to him and puts both of her hands in Maven’s chest, caressing it while she smiles and completes with: “you.”

I close my eyes when she closes the distance between them in a kiss because something inside of me burns, and maybe for the first time the flames don’t feel like power, they feel like pain.

“I’m gonna kill him.”

I quickly open my eyes again, in time to see Mare’s eyes widen as she separates from him and asks: “What?”

“In fact, I think the job was already done this morning.”

Maven speaks naturally, I can see a deep pride inside his cold stare as he says the words words but his expression changes when he notices her panicked face.

“You… killed… Cal?”

Her eyes are filled with tears and her gaze seems more broken than ever, my first instinct is to run in her direction and show her that I’m alive, yet my body stands motionless.

“I thought you didn’t care about him.”

“I…”

She sinks to her knees, landing on her bouffant gown and hiding her face in her hands to muffle her cries.

“Mare.”

I whisper is the only sound I can vocalize and it breaks my heart to see her like that.

“Pull yourself together!”

Mare gets up and stares at him, the tears painting her face when she screams at him.

“YOU COULDN’T DO THAT! YOU COULDN’T KILL HIM! YOU’RE A MONSTER!”

Both of their gaze is fixed in one another,  the anger boiling just below their surface and the next thing I see is Maven slapping strongly Mare’s face.

“MARE!”

I scream even though my voice is gone, trying desperately understand why the hell can’t I do anything. Maybe Maven did kill me and I’m just a ghost?

“Put yourself in your place and learn to respect me, everything I did was for you. For your own good.”

“MY OWN GOOD? YOU LEFT ME AT THE BOWL OF BONES TO DIE AND IF IT WASN’T FOR CAL...”

At the mention of my name another wave of tears falls on her cheeks and I can see the sparks rising on her fingertips.

“IT’S ABOUT DAMN TIME THAT YOU PAY FOR EVERYTHING YOU DID.”

Before she can hurt Maven with her lightning he takes two handcuffs from behind his suit, it doesn’t take long for both of us to recognize the Silent Stone cuffs when he locks it on her hands.

“I didn’t intend to use them but you forced me, I’m so sorry dear.”

Maven reaches to cup her cheek but Mare’s quicker and dives from his touch, the anger written on her chipped her lips.

“I WON’T SURRENDER. YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO KILL ME TOO IF YOU THINK AFTER EVERYTHING I’LL ACCEPT ANY AFFECTION FROM YOU!”

He gives her another slap, this time so hard that it makes her face turn red right away. I punch the door in front of me but nothing moves, no sounds are heard and I begin to think it’s all in my head.

“YOU’LL TAKE WHATEVER I WANT MARE.”

Maven grabs her arms strongly, crushing them until they turn bright red and tries to touch her lips. She gives in a little bit, growing closer to his mouth, and just before their lips can touch Mare spits on his face.

“I think you don’t know me well then.”

There’s a hint of a smile on my face as I’m once again surprise by Mare Barrow’s incredible strength. Unlike me, Maven doesn’t appreciate the gesture and squashes her arms again, throwing her body against the cold palace floor. His hand closes into a fist and he punches her face.

“NO!”

The inertia is driving me crazy and I fight with all my strength to help her but every second I feel more and more stuck. Mare’s still laying on the floor, trying to gain her stamina back to get up when he kicks her stomach and slaps her face one more time, leaving a cut on her face that exposes her red blood.

“MARE!”

My screams don’t have any effect and it’s like I’m in a personal hell, seeing him hurt her and not be able to do anything to help her almost kills me.

“YOU… CAN… TRY… AS… HARD… AS… YOU… WA...NT!”

Mare screams as blood drops from her cut and now from her coughing mouth, Maven probably kicked her too hard near her chest. She won’t last long if Maven continues with this and I’m suddenly relieved when someone opens the door and says:

“What’s going on here?”

Relief passes quickly as it came when I realize who the voice belong to. Elara. Yes, this is definitely my personal hell.

“Mother. I was just informing Mare about my brother’s death and she doesn’t seem to be taking the news very well.”

He smirks to the tall blonde that now comes nearer Mare, her silver finger lingers close to the bruise on Mare’s face and she stains her fingertips with red blood.

“Well, as much as I enjoy torturing red blood rats, I don’t believe your information is correct.”

“What do you mean with that, mother?”

Elara rises her gaze from a fallen and now a very shocked Mare to a very angry Maven, who taps his foot nervously on the ground. Her manipulative smile is present as she speaks softly:

“Killing him would not be punishment enough, but watching this might be.”

Something inside of me clicks the minute I hear the words and I painfully understand what’s happening. They stand in silence for a while, probably wondering if Elara is completely crazy, Maven hating her for not killing me and Mare appearing to be relieved until the queen talks again.

“But why don’t we ask him that, shall we? Tiberias you’re allowed to come in.”

The pride is so clear in those ice blue eyes when she stares directly at me and the strings that just a minute ago tied my body force me to enter the room, causing Mare to get up fast and run in my direction.

“Are you o-ok?”

She touches my arm to make sure I’m real and I brush my thumb against her cheek carefully because of the cut, however I know there isn’t time to cuddle her so I pull her in for a hug and whisper: ‘Run’.

“He’s fine dear, for now.”

“Mother, what are you doing?”

Mare holds me tighter, her small hands squeezing me closer to her and separating far too fast, but if that means she’ll run out of the danger I’m actually glad. When my eyes meet hers I know she’s not leaving me, and I’m not the only one because Maven throws a fireball in our direction, luckily I’m able to catch it fast enough so it doesn’t hurt her.

“You’ll see in a minute, child.”

Elara walks slowly in Maven’s direction, standing at his side she finally turns to me, the same evil smirk spread across her face as it did the night she made me kill my own father.

Mare.

“You have to go, now.”

“The star of the show can’t go anywhere.”

I feel a tingle in the back of my mind and I comprehend that it’s her entering my head, that’s why I squeeze Mare’s hand.

“Mare, GO AWAY NOW.”

“Have you ever seen me run from a fight?”

“Oh dear, there won’t be any fights tonight. Tiberias is simply gonna finish what he already started.”

“NO!”

I growl at her because my voice is already chained to her and once again I’m trapped inside my head, fighting like hell to escape her claws.

“Tiberias, I kept the sword you used the last time, thought maybe it would bring a comfort sensation to you. Now, grab it…. and kill Mare.”

“What?”

Maven says and tries to take a step in our direction but his mother holds his shoulder, squeezing in it in order for him to look at her. I don’t know what she tells him because I’m already holding the sword and walking towards Mare, every fiber of my body screaming and fighting but not being much successful.

“MARE. RUN. NOW.”

Her intense gaze meets mine and I can see the tears already forming in our eyes. She runs away from me but ends up in front of a completely locked door, with all her bruises it takes her a while to kick it open and Elara’s voice forces me get even closer to her.

I notice that neither Elara or Maven are following us, still I can feel her presence inside my mind, making me lift the sword in Mare’s direction as she tries to run faster. Mare has always been a good runner, except that this time she’s hurt and almost without strength after kicking over four doors already.

“Son of a bitch.”

The door doesn’t move even as she kicks it several times and Elara’s power is stronger in my mind, I finally reach Mare and the tears start falling from my eyes knowing what happens next. My worst nightmare coming true right in front of my eyes.

“Cal, it’s me. It’s me.”

I press her at the door, locking her between my body and the solid wood as she tries to push me away.

“Please Cal, you have to fight it! Fight her, for me.”

My voice is gone again and I struggle hardly to stop my arm from lifting, she holds my hand and pushes the sword away from her chest. The blood on her face becoming mixed with sweat from running, I try closing my eyes but Elara sends a clear command ‘watch her die’.

When the sword enters her chest and red blood starts pouring out of if, Mare’s face goes pale and she falls into my arms. My tears touch her face and Mare holds my hand strongly, whispering with the last of her strength:

“It’s ok. It’s not your fault. It’s ok. I love you.”

“Ma-a-are. I’m… so-o-orry. I’m so sorry. I love you.”

Something inside of me breaks and I sob when her eyes close before me, the life leaving her body slowly as does mine. One last scream comes out from deep inside my chest: ‘MARE!’

“Cal. Cal. Cal!”

I jolt awake, the sweat and the tears blurring my vision as I feel a body pressed against mine, small hands pressing my chest in a calming way. Her lips are the first thing I see,  slightly parted and as red as her blood, almost to tempting so I shift my gaze to her own. The brown eyes are searching mine with a sentiment that I’ve seen so little times in her, especially about me: worry.

It takes a couple of minutes for me to stop gasping and I take deep breaths, watching her hand rise and fall in sync with my chest. Mare isn’t not used to caressing people and I know that by the way she shakes beside me, the intense gaze never leaving my face and I smile faintly in her direction, glad that she’s here and that the nightmare wasn’t real.

“Are you ok?”

Mare has a sleepy voice, she rubs her eyes and sits straight yet never creating any distance between us. My fingertips brush her cheek, lingering in her smooth and warm skin as she gives into the touch, her movement reminds me of the nightmare and I shut my eyes closed to ignore the flashes in my head.

“Hey, I’m here.”

“You’re here? You... You’re safe?”

Feels like I’m still dreaming as the words leave my mouth, the pain and the life leaving her eyes are too clear for me to focus on anything rational for a while. Mare’s breathing is steady and someway I think she wants to calm me, the brown deep eyes shining in the dim light as her gaze finally finds my confused one.

“We’re safe.”

It’s just a whisper now and she presses her forehead to mine, using her hand to caress the back of my neck and bring me closer. For once in a long time I let myself relax, opening my eyes to find the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen staring back at me, our lips only inches apart and a tiny smile on the corner of her lips.

“I’m right here Cal.”

Her nose touches mine and she stands like that for a while, we both close our eyes and just enjoy being so close after a long time being apart. The room is silent, only the light of a candle illuminates the space and I can feel Mare’s breath over my lips, causing a sentiment I never thought would feel again emerge to the surface: I feel safe.

With her this close to me I lean in and capture her lips in a gentle kiss, remembering how amazing it feels to have them pressed against mine, I can feel safe again and something tells me it’s because I know that she’s safe. At least for now.

“Feeling better?”

There’s a cocky smirk in her face as I open my eyes, giving her peck on the lips before Mare can create distance between us. Her hand’s still on my chest and I enjoy the opportunity to put mine over hers, interlacing our fingers.

“Definitely. But you don’t have to worry because it was just a night-mare.”

I say the last word with a chuckle and Mare sighs, throwing her head back with disbelief but the corner of her mouth twitches in a smile.

“I expected more from you, you know? I’m pretty sure a silver noble shouldn’t talk like a child.”

She chuckles but notices the tension building because of her word choice, since I’m no longer a silver noble, I don’t even know what I’m anymore. Realizing her mistake she squeezes my hand and I decide to give her the proper punishment.

“Are you cal-ling me a child Mare?”

“Will you ever stop?”

“Yes, of course I will. You just have to give me some mare-it for the great puns.”

Mare kisses me again, this time her lips come crashing into mine and her tongue plays with mine in a heated kiss. When we’re out of breath we finally separate, her hungry gaze fitting mine but soon it’s replaced with a sleepy one and I remember that I woke her up in the middle of the night.

“Sorry I woke you.”

“No problem, what was the nightmare about?”

“Elara… made me… hurt…. you.”

My chest burns with the images and the words come out in hoarse whispers, her reaction is to make me lay down again and rest her head against my chest. Her free hand tracing circles on my arm as she closes her eyes and says in a sweet way:

“You would never do that. And you’re safe, we’re safe. Together.”

[caliamyourrightfulkingcalore]

Untitled - a Marecal fic, Chapter 4

It’s here! I had to cut this chapter in half because it was just too long. But the moment we’ve all been waiting for is so, so close! Enjoy!

WAR STORM SPOILERS BELOW

I wake up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window. I don’t have to open my eyes to know I’ve slept in. Still, I lay on my bed for a couple more minutes relishing the aches in my bones as I stretch my already sore body.

I open my eyes and the sky from my window is the first to greet me. It takes a while for them to adjust. I’m not used to waking up to the blindingly, bright blue skies. I sit up, trying to find any hint of what time it is, but even Gisa is not in her bed.

I glance around the room and something in the corner of my eye catches my attention. I look over to the brown nightstand separating our beds. There lay an off white envelope with my name stamped elegantly on it. I hesitate before I reach for the letter. No indication of who it may have come from. I turn it over and notice the wax seal used to enclose the envelope. Ruby red in color with only the letter “N” in bold, cursive lettering stamped on it. My mind tries to unravel who might’ve sent this, but I come up empty. For a long while, I sit on my bed undecided about opening the letter.

Of course I’ve gotten letters before. From Cameron back in New Town, from Ada in south Montfort overlooking the newbloods training program, from Kilorn when he goes for fishing trips, and countless ones from Davidson and Farley. But something about this letter sets me on edge and I find myself unreasonably nervous.

I put the letter down and walk over to our connecting bathroom. I decide taking a hot bath is more important. I am glad for the distraction. I reach over to turn on the faucet, the sound of running water already calming my nerves. I pick up one of Gisa’s many bath bombs, red and purple in color. It smells like musky lavender and vanilla with traces of fruitiness. I throw it in the tub and watch as the water turns into plum red with hints of violet. I take a deep breath as its scent fills the bathroom.

I force my muscles to relax under the soothing hot water. It is much easier than trying to quiet my brain. I close my eyes, evening my breaths as I try to sway my mind away from the letter awaiting my return.

I don’t succeed.

I quickly drain the tub of its water and finish washing up. Careful to stand, I grab my towel from the rack holding it.

I walk towards the sink. My things scattered along the counter. Such a contrast to the neat and orderly of Gisa’s side. I make a mental note to organize my side later.

Wiping the haze from the mirror, I stare at my reflection. The difference a sufficient amount of sleep and food makes is astounding. My cheeks are fuller. My skin beginning to tan into a golden brown. My hair longer, still with hints of faded purple covering its lower half. And my eyes, the most drastic of all. No longer haunted by the hollows of war and terror.

The memories remain though. No matter how hard I try to keep it away, it always finds a way to emerge. This is what war does to people, I tell myself. It happened to dad, my brothers, Farley, Cal. I guess I’ll just have to keep finding ways to tolerate it.

“It never gets easier,” I hear Cal’s voice in mind, however faint it may be. Still, it comforts me. He warned me of the implications war brings, tried to protect me from it. But I remained loyal to my cause, no matter the cost. I learned to fight. To survive. And if anything, I am glad for that.

I begin to braid my hair as my mind fights off the lingering memories of my past. I focus on the purple of my hair. A constant reminder of who I am. What I am capable of. Both a gift and a curse. A comfort and a fright.

-

I make my way back to our bedchamber. Back to the piece of parchment sitting on my bed. I tell myself there’s nothing to be afraid of. It is just a letter after all. And after minutes of contemplation, I finally open the envelope.

I am met with achingly familiar cursive, words so delicately written. My heart quickens and I am suddenly so aware of its every beat, it’s almost unbearable.

I am afraid to touch it.

But my fingertips brush over the words knowing it’s his.

Mare,

           When I envisioned my first words to you in almost a year, this was not it. And quite frankly, I am still very much contemplating sending this. But I’ve ran out of excuses after today.

          Norta is officially announcing its democratic innovations in the upcoming weeks and it’s meant to be a celebration of sorts. To display unity, commitment, and promise.

           I am lost in all this. More than I care to admit. But you are the answer to all my questions, the reasoning behind my judgment. You continue to change my being from a thousand miles away. It is times like these that I ache for your presence.

           I would be grateful for your company.

Yours faithfully,                                                                                                    Cal

P.S.: The mountains of Montfort suit you.                                                          You look wonderful.

I can’t hear myself think over the thunderous beat of my heart. Treacherous thing, I think to myself as it refuses to ease.

I read the letter once again, and then thrice more until I’ve memorized every word in it. The latter part of it sending my stomach fluttering in the way only he can. My cheeks are fuming red; I can tell by the way they feel. They also start to ache, because I’m smiling like I’ve never smiled before.

Yours faithfully. I shiver at the implication but I don’t let myself hope. I haven’t heard from him in nearly a year. Who knows what else has changed.

Lost in his words, I almost forget the second letter beneath his. A formal invitation to Norta. Instead of the Burning Crown adorning its letterhead, it is the “N” that stands out, similar to the one on the wax seal. N for Norta. A small change, albeit an important one. A statement.

I had decided last night that I would go back. But I didn’t expect it to be so soon. Of course I’m not obligated to say yes. But half of me has a hard time believing this is all a coincidence.

I sit on the edge of my bed for much longer than I anticipated. Gisa walks in with rolls of fabric in her hands. She stops short when she sees me. I can see her wondering eyes, but my sister doesn’t ask any questions. She simply nods my way, letting me know she’s there to listen if I want to speak.

“What time is it?” I ask her to break the silence.

“An hour past noon” she replies as she makes her way to her bed.

“You let me sleep for that long?”

“No one wanted to wake you” my sister explains, “you’re always up before dawn, we figured you were tired if you didn’t wake up on time.”

My family, ever so considerate. I let the last of her sentence hang in the air before I whisper so softly Gisa barely hears. “I’m going back to Norta”.

“I’m sorry, did you just say you were going somewhere” she asks, her brows beginning to furrow as she tries to understand what I said.

“To Norta” I say, louder this time. It makes it more real when I say it aloud.

I expected my sister to be surprised, a little angry even but she just stares at me knowingly. My sister was always mature for her age, but I can’t help but think something else makes her understand – someone else rather.

“I’m not going to stop you if that’s what you’re thinking” Gisa says. She can read me like an open book. “It’s something you need to do, Mare. I’m actually glad you’re coming to terms with it.”

“You are?” I ask.

“Yes. Maybe then you’d stop moping over him” she teases.

My jaw drops in shock, but I start to laugh “I do not” I yell back at her.

“You do” she smiles, the corners of her eyes beginning to wrinkle.

“You’re old enough to make your own decisions. Just be careful,” she says more seriously this time.

“Will you come with me?” I ask walking towards her. “You can even bring what’s-her-name” I give her a nudge.

She laughs noisily this time “her name is none of your business, and I would’ve said yes even without her company” my sister says. “I’ve been wanting to go back home for a while now.”

Home. My mind lingers on the word.

But isn’t this her home? I think to myself.

Then I remember someone once told me that home is not a place, but a feeling. Of belonging, of security, of unconditional love. I wonder, is there still a home for me in Norta?

Marecal reunion coming up y’all. I apologize if it takes longer than usual. I want the moment to be perfect so I’m being really meticulous with it. Let me know your thoughts!

[ladymacbeths]

cool tag

tagged by @matthiashelvar thank youuuu

rules: choose any three fandoms (in random order) and answer the questions, then tag 10 people you want to know better!

i choose:

six of crows

red queen

hamilton (wrong blog but fuck it)

the first character you loved:

kaz brekker (first two chapters i was like “this dude is my husband now ok”)

cal (he wasnt a bitch at first)

angelicAAAA

the character you never expected to love so much:

wylan van sunshine

mare

listen i don’t really like the characters that much bc first of all they actually existed(and were bitches) and second of all because idk about them

but eliza

the character you relate to the most:

i guess jesper bc i to am a bisexual mess

mare personality-wise and cal in his situation

i don’t really relate to anyone?? or like relate a little to some of them, i kinda relate to burr, alexander and laurens and peggy too sorta kinda

the character you’d slap:

jan fucking van eck

the calores

alexander hamilton like i wILL go back in time to the 1790s and bitch slap him

also jefferson but angelica already did that so...

three favorite characters (in order of preference):

i love them all so much ok??

mare barrow, maven calore, diana farley

angelica schuyler, eliza schuyler, john laurens(aka the wholesome trio of ppl who were in loe with hamilton)

a character you liked at first but don’t anymore:

uhh no one

cal fucking calore and his birthright

idek i watched the thing in like 2 hours

a character you did not like at first but now do:

no one??

mare

ELIZAAAA

three otps:

kanej, wesper, helnik

marecal, fade, mare x some fucking mental stability

LAMS, hamliza, burrdosia?? (is that the ship name bc idk this fandom has werid ass ships i mean where tf did jamilton come from)

i tag whoever wants to do this 

[petergrantkavinsky]

I love…

how Graveyard doesn’t give direct answers to asks whether she supports Marecal and how she constantly reminds her readers to not read into things so much, because she doesn’t want us to expect too much, and honestly, the books are enough proof (hello, KING’S CAGE Chapter 22). But you know what I love more? That she low key burns demanding fans who rudely tell her that Marecal has no passion and demand for a Mareven ending―look at her replies to those asks! 

VA is my aesthetic.

[king-maven-calore]

ahhh i've been waiting for the new update!!!🤗 i was dying to know why tf are my babies gonna have a divorce, and honestly annie i LOVE how you just laid out the drama while calling back to canon😌 you really know the rq and its characters well, and it shows in your fics hehe. i love your writing sm💕 i feel like i've watched this fic grow up in a way, which kinda makes me a proud mom lmaooo. i listened to afterglow unironically after reading the chapter, and omg it just got me thinking that it could be from cal to mare in the fic. argh everything in this chapter was SO GOOD. anyways, did i mention that i love your writing? 😂🥰

thank you so much darling!!! I love adapting the storylines to different contexts 💕 and istg when I first read the RQ series I kept listening to Afterglow, Talk me down by Troye Sivan, and Come on Eileen on a loop. I don't think any other songs can describe Marecal as perfectly as these 3 (plus Evermore after that album came out)

[redqueenfandom]

Top 6 Marecal scenes?

Oh my god where do I even begin - is there even a “top 6” for this?! Like all Marecal moments just make my heart EXPLODE. But if I have to say….1.) Chapter 22 of KC.. like c'mon what did u expect.2.) “That’s my Girl”3.) “Thief”4.) Cal literally throwing his shirt off for an “advantage” in KC ;) 5.) TBH I loved the battle between Mare and Cal and Samson controlling them - as much as I was thinking “WTF JUST KISS ALREADY AND FRY SAMSON’S ASS” , it also just made me so happy that they finally got to see each other 6.) Every single kiss or look or touch or talk or any thing between them (their reunion in KC, Mare shoving Cal off the bed with his crazy bed head, Cal picking Mare up in his snazzy shades, pretty much everything)

[lilyharvord]

Of the Haunted and the Holy

PART 1: The Love, The Dark, The Light, The Flame 

Hidden in plain sight, the creatures of myth and legend live in all corners of the world alongside humans. Vampires, ancient and older than most of the ruins long forgotten, rule with an iron fist at the crown of the great Council. Headed by the oldest family of vampires, it has maintained order for over 500 years. But a storm is brewing, whispers of usurpation float from the shadows. When a powerful member of the council is murdered and other creatures begin falling, a mystery opens. Dark, old magic, dormant for years rises through the cracks of the earth and threatens the fragile balance between species. Peace sits on the shattering point, the scales tipping toward chaos, as someone puts their finger on the scale. Defining Council doctrine, a witch and a vampire hunt the killer from the haunting shadows together. While they hunt the greatest threat the council has seen, they hide burning desire and need from each other—and those that would see them fall from grace—making them a threat to the Council’s fragile foundation as well…………..  

Part 1 on AO3

Well folks, it’s official, here she is in all her glory. (((: Please enjoy responsibly, mind the E rating and as always, comments, kudos, reblogs and likes are appreciated. So, without further ado, I welcome you into yet another marecal fanfic. Also much thanks to @nikyjaimes19​ for beta reading this first chapter (: 

[nomattertheoceans]

Staying Afloat - chapter 17

Thank you to my best girl @danieldesario, for beta reading but also for being an amazing person! Go check her writing here! I love you Lilly :)

Writing masterlist | Fic masterlist

Chapter 16 | Chapter 18

Her wrists started bruising a few hours into the morning. Or that was when she realized  they were bruising, anyway. Rhys had left the apartment for work, ‘just for an hour’ he’d told her, and she had been chilling on his bed, brainstorming about how to write to Tamlin that she had left him for good.

Thinking of different ways to tell the man who’d wanted to marry her that she wasn’t coming back, she took off the hoodie to get more comfortable in the summer weather. That’s when she saw it. Her wrists had been hurting since the day before, but she hadn’t wanted to focus on it much. But now, seeing the skin of her arms laid bare, she understood why it pained her so much.

Both her wrists were completely red, some parts even starting to turn a darker shade of crimson. And the bruises were big, too, covering nearly half of her forearms. But what really scared her wasn’t their color, or their size. It was their shape. Because here, in the midst of reddish marks, you could clearly distinguish the places where strong, large fingers had held her.

She was so absorbed by her discovery that she didn’t hear the key turn in the lock, or Rhys come inside the apartment. So she jumped when he said:

“We need to put ice on those.”

“Rhys. You’re back.”

He took off his leather jacket and went to his fridge. “I am. We need to put something cold on your arms if we want to help with the healing.” He grabbed a pack of frozen peas from the freezer and wrapped it inside a dishcloth. “Sorry, I only have one, we’ll have to switch from one wrist to the other.”

He sat beside her, gently took her left hand to rest it on his knees, and laid the pack on top of it. Feyre winced for a second at the sudden cold, but then she smiled at him.

“Sorry for wasting your peas.”

“You’re not, these are my bruises-and-swellings peas, it’s not their first day on the battlefield.”

“Do I want to know why you would have something lying around in case of violent fights and black eyes?”

“Maybe I’m just using it after intense workouts.”

“You’re not, though.”

It wasn’t a question, and he looked up from her arms to look her in the eyes. “No, I’m not.” But he quickly changed the subject, his tone changing. “Feyre, we should take pictures of these.”

She wasn’t sure she had understood him well. Did he want to… “What?”

“We should take pictures of the bruises, now, and maybe every couple of days as long as they’re apparent.”

“Why?”

He seemed to think about his answer for a while before saying: “I know this must be the least of your concerns right now, but it could be useful in the future to have proof of what he did to you.”

“Proof? You mean… like for a trial?”

“Not necessarily. But if it ever were to come to that, or a similar situation, it could be useful. We don’t have to if you don’t want to, it’s just… I know how these things work, and it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t tell you my professional opinion on this.”

His tone was so solemn, so much like the way he talked to her when they were working, that she couldn’t help but take him seriously. She agreed to the photos, and they spent the next ten minutes taking pictures of both her forearms at every angle. All the while, he was talking to her about some art show he’d gone to the week before, and even though she was only half listening, she was grateful for the casual tone of their conversation.

***

She wrote to Tamlin just before noon. A short message, because she couldn’t handle to write more to him, and she didn’t want to keep seeing his calls and messages on her phone.

I don’t want to see you or talk to you right now. Don’t try to contact me.

She felt awful the second she sent the message, but she also felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

He didn’t stop calling.

***

“I’m going to do something,” Rhys told her around three o'clock, “and it’s going to be something very stupid, and you will have to keep it a secret, but it’s important. Okay?”

She nodded, and she watched him as he went to his dresser, took out an old pair of socks from the middle drawer, and unfolded it to reveal a crumpled piece of paper. He then grabbed his phone, copied the info from the piece of paper, and waited. After a few seconds, she heard an unintelligible female voice answer him.

“Mor, it’s me.” A pause, during which she could hear the voice getting frantic. “Yeah, this is for real. Mor, Mor, stop talking.” And suddenly, Feyre remembered Morrigan, Cassian’s cousin she had met at the wedding, the short blonde woman with a tendency to hug anyone she liked, and a memorably cheesy speech.

But Rhys continued speaking. “Mor, I’m going to need you to listen to me very carefully, and do exactly what I say. No questions asked. Can you do that?”

A muffled sound that she imagined to be a ‘yes,’ as Rhys’ lips split into a smile. “Good. I’m going to need you to go to the house in The Rainbow - Mor, stop talking and listen to me. You’re going to go into the library, open the third drawer of my mom’s dresser, and take out the credit card you find there. With the card, you’re going to buy women clothes.” Feyre started to protest silently beside him, shaking her head, but he covered the phone and whispered “this is just for now, Darling. You can pay me back, okay?” before speaking into the phone again. “I need you to buy at least two or three pairs of pants, about ten tee-shirts, and maybe one or two dresses. In M size. Oh, and some underwear, too. What size? Errr…” He looked awkwardly at her, and heat invaded her cheeks as she whispered her bra size to him “... 34D. Once you have all of this, I want you to bring it back to the house. Okay?” Another pause. “Good, thanks, Mor. Oh, and Mor? The clothes, try to buy average, not something you would wear, alright?” He chuckled at the answer. “Talk to you soon. I love you too.”

He hung up, and spent a few seconds staring at his phone with a faint smile, before sighing heavily and glancing at her. She could see he was still somewhat lost in the call to his cousin, so she asked:

“Is it the first time you’ve talked to her since the beginning of your assignment?”

“It is. It feels strange to hear her voice, it feels so… real.”

“I’m sorry.”

He turned to her. “For what?”

“For having your first call to your cousin in years be about buying me clothes.”

“Don’t apologize. If anything, I wouldn’t even have talked to her if it hadn’t been for you. Plus, Mor loves buying clothes, I'm sure she's thrilled at the idea of an unlimited credit card to spend with.”

She chuckled. "I met her at the wedding, you know."

"Oh, that's right! What did you think of her?"

"I liked her. I wasn't in a very good place back then," she decided to gloss over the fact that her situation hadn't changed much since, "but she was very friendly, it felt good."

He smiled, in a lost sort of way that she had never seen on his face before. She tried to imagine how lonely he felt, unable to contact his friends and folks for more than two years, but she found that she couldn't fathom it.

Rhys shook himself and said: "We'll wait an hour and then we'll go."

"Go where?"

He answered with a large grin. "To a house I know you're definitely going to like."

Current tag list (please send me an ask if you want to be tagged):

@summernightskyy​

@illyrian-bookworm​

@amren-courtofdreams​

@vanilla28​

@philosophorumaurum02​

@illyrianbeauty​

@kybaeza​

@sincerely-unidentified​

@highladyofthesith​

@the-regal-warrior​

@inrealliampain​

@kiss-my-maas​

@highlady-of-dusk​

@amusedowl​

@highladyofelfhame​

@fucking-winchester-trash​

@sleeping-and-books​

@l0sts0uls1128​

@secret-lil-rendez-vous​

@everything-that-i-love​

@kingdomofbrokenhearts​

@fourshizzle149​

@musicmaam​

@voiceoftheroses​

@avenrebekah​

@queenofdorkville​

@outofstyles13​

@bow-dawn​

@iliveforfandoms226​

@city-of-fae​

@welcometothespeaknowworldtour​

@notyourclassicshadowhunter​

@ellenoftroy​

@danieldesario

@propagandaprincess​

@thelaughingzeebra​

@ame233​

@hopelesslyinlovewithbooks​

@shadowstar2313​

@eve-of-the-night-court​

@quakeriders​

@fireheart-of-your-dreams​

@feeoly​

@yikesitsmaddie​

@alifletcher2012​

@faefromthenorth​

@emmejo26​

@lowhangingtreebranches​

@mynewdreamwasyou​

@goldfishh20​

@feyrearcherons​

@ttakeitbacknoww​

@rtheinkqueen​

@thereaderandfangirl​

@the-last-apprentice​

@whilma-warfstache​

@julemmaes​

@meltalgel-ig​

@wifeofchrishemsworth​

@worldoffae​

@thesurielships​

@chemicha​

@kindofawalkingpoem​

@rowaelinforeverworld​

@booksstorm​

@empress-ofbloodshed​

@awkward-avocado-s​

@thesirenwashere​

@tswaney17​

@belamoonbeam​

@faequeenaelin​

@hedwig1751​

@booksatteatime​

@over300books​

@keshavomit​

@redqueen-marecal-lover​

@musicalfae​

@girl-who-reads-the-books​

@thehuntersmoon-haven​

@joyceortiz13​

@rainy-bookish-days​

@tonvstarktrash​

@thestarwhowishes​

@kindofawalkingpoem​

@nitrot150​

@randomtogacotar22​

@greatwombatblaze​

@heroesofterrasen​

@worldoffae​

@lovemollywho​

@waves-and-dust-in-the-wind​

@blackjacks-donuts​

@faellyrian-warriors​

@becarefuloflove

@m-like-magic

@blueeyes425

@szklanydwormaas

@becky8110

@lemon-check

@bamchickawowow

@flora-and-fae

[king-maven-calore]

i was thinking about the last chapter of fdh, and you mentioned how mare was more akin to red-gold sunsets...

i thought to myself "hm i actually don't remember why mare fell in love with cal...and i definitely don't know exactly why he fell in love with her."

lol if you don't mind, is it alright if you could discuss why my fav idiots love each other?

oh and adding on to my ask - it's obvious why mare was attracted to cal (does anyone need to explain more? just look at him! 😂), and vice versa since mare was definitely prettier than what evangeline ever gave her credit for (3 guys pining for her, like cmon!)

anyways...i'm just a tad more interested in the emotional aspects of their relationship hehe

damn right my girl was beautiful! Eve is really into high femmes though... so she was annoyed at Mare for not reaching her true potential lol

And bestie, I love you for coming to my inbox with this as it happens to be 👀 I was having a Marecal meltdown on Friday night, only my wifi dying saved you guys from my ramblings... but now you're here so let's go

I'll mention a few possible answers, then I'll give you my definitive answer.

A) looks, as in, they're both sexc mfs😏. I've read people say "their relationship was only physical", and I would agree that during RQ that's partly (70%) what kept drawing them closer and going to that dark room for the dance lessons.

B) Insta love. If there's a trope that makes readers all over the globe collectively roll their eyes, it's this one. Victoria even "admitted" on an Insta live last year that Marecal was a bit of an insta love and here is when I pull out my knife and tears fall from my eyes as I K-word VA for such a weird, mistaken interpretation of her own work. If Marecal was insta love, Cal would've chosen Mare at the end of RQ, Elara would have been fucked, and I would have DNFd the series on the spot. By the end of RQ they still weren't in love.

C) Their good qualities! Easy, reductive, a neat list, pretty for fanfic (I'm guilty of these types of 'virtues I love about you uwu' lists whoops) but ultimately unrealistic because nobody runs around falling in love with every virtuous person they meet.

D) All of the above. 🥴 well of course a romantic relationship told across 4.5 books is going to have a variety of reasons! we all knew that. that's not why I've been making you read this manifesto, pls don't boo me off the stage yet (yet)

My answer: They did not fall in love. they built their love by self-destruction and rebirth around each other. In other words, their respective character arcs pushed them together, and that's why as their arcs progress, so does their relationship and romance. It's not a point in the story you can randomly pick and say "here's the Oh moment" or a virtue Mare sees in Cal she likes and vice-versa. Mare did not fall in love with Cal because he was kind by giving her a few coins, or for protecting her in the Bowl of Bones. Cal didn't fall in love with Mare because she was a smartass when she tried to steal from him (we do love that joke tho), or for being so resilient when forced into the Mareena shoes. Did it all contribute to it? as I said, yes.

Most coming-of-age stories are about reaching the Truest self. And it is only within each other Mare and Cal can reach it. THE SOULMATISM. If I could pinpoint a single, ultimate reason for why they 💕fell in love💕, I could also create an AU, or a 5th book where it is possible to write a plausible reason for why they 💀fell out of it💀 and thank god I can't. Marecal remains superior.

I'll spare you the play-by-play of how their journeys are vitally connected bc this thing got out of hand. I hope I didn't bore you too much 💜✌

[king-maven-calore]

marecal beach fic please

🤔🤔 does the last chapter of HTF count?? if not, then I have nothing for you in my wips anon. so sorry. must be because I don't like the beach very much?