#the whole time I was like Feyre girl Lucien is RIGHT THERE

[elvhendis]

SJM really wrote a book where she introduced a rakish flirt with a mechanical eye and facial scars, who is clever and sarcastic and has an impeccable sense of style, is skilled in courtly matters but is also catches fish with his bare hands, is a noble but doesn't care about his title and features a tragic backstory on top of it all and she really expected me to care about that blonde guy?????

[praetorqueenreyna]

Hi-res version of the frostbite.studios & atouchofmagicdesigns ACOTAR dust covers! Bless them for making Lucien and Tamlin look SO FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDD!!!

[velarisnightsky444]

Insufferable

Angstober Day 3: Miscommunication with Lucien

CW: Tamlin, angst with a happy ending, miscommunication, implied SA(not super obvious, but if you know, you know)

AN: So sorry this is late! Today I'm catching up with my October fics! This takes place during ACOMAF, when Feyre would be in the Night Court. I tried to make YN tomboyish without making her a pick me, but sorry if she gives pick me vibes.

Summary: YN has lived in the Spring Court her entire life. When Lucien arrived, the two became fast friends. YN fell in love with him. But when she overhears a conversation between him and Tamlin, her heart is broken.

Word Count: 1.5k

October Masterlist

☼☽⋆｡°✧ ✧⋆°｡☾☼

You watched Lucien as he pulled back the string of his bow, his russet eye unwavering and focused on the target.

His long, fiery hair was pulled back, secured to keep it out of his face. His tan skin was golden under the setting sun.

And his face. His beautiful face. You had missed being able to see his whole face.

Once Tamlin got Feyre back from the Night Court, you would need to thank her for setting everyone free from Amarantha, simply because you could see Lucien's face again.

He let the string go, and you watched in anticipation, your eyes following the arrow until it buried itself right in the center of the target.

"I win," Lucien grinned, turning his smug attention towards you.

"It was close," you grumbled, crossing your arms.

"It was," he agreed with a nod. "But not close enough. I win."

You rolled your eyes, but had to bite your lip to keep back a smile. You watched his muscled form as he walked toward the target, collecting the arrows and placing them back in his quiver.

"It's getting dark, Y/N/N" he observed as he neared you again. "Your father will be waiting for you."

"Yes, I'm aware," you sighed.

Your father would be waiting at the manor, getting his horse ready to take the two of you back to the village. He would likely scold you for participating in such an unbecoming activity, but he knew very well what to expect from you, by now. A part of him would always secretly love you for it.

It wasn't that you refused to be a proper lady. You loved wearing dresses and spending your time with other females. You enjoyed cooking, didn't even mind taking over the house chores. And you had surprisingly proper etiquette for a poor village girl.

You could act like a lady with no complaints when the occasion called for it. But you needed a balance.

You needed adventure, and excitement. And you did not want to act like a proper lady all of the time.

The Fae in your village had always sneered about you when you were a child, gossiping when they saw you coming home covered in mud, climbing a tree, or playing with the other boys.

"It's because she doesn't have a mother," they would say. "A male cannot raise a lady on his own."

But your mother had died in childbirth. That wasn't your father's fault. Nor was it yours, as he always insisted.

☼☽⋆｡°✧ ✧⋆°｡☾☼

You woke bright and early the next morning to go back to the manor with your father. You rode on horseback together, every morning since you were a child.

Your father worked as one of Tamlin's sentries. Since you had no mother to watch you, he began taking you with him since he first got the job, when you were just a toddler.

Once you were old enough to watch yourself, you realized you loved going with him so much, you didn't want to stop.

It wasn't until two centuries ago that Lucien arrived. The second your eyes met, you had fallen head over heels for him. But he hadn't shown any interest in you, not like that. So you settled for being his friend.

He was the closest friend you'd ever had. He was only a decade older than you, and he had a dry sense of humor that you loved. He let you hunt with him, and challenged you to competitions of all sorts. He didn't care that you were a lady, and he didn't expect you to act like one.

When you arrived to the manor, you were informed that Tamlin and Lucien were taking care of business. You ignored the disappointment that settled in your gut.

Before Lucien, you had spent a lot of your days in the library of the manor. One of the Lesser Fae servants had even taught you to read there.

You settled in by the fireplace, reading an adventure novel you had loved when you were young. Every now and then, you reread it to remind yourself of the simple innocence of childhood.

When you had finished the short book, you sighed, stretching out your limbs, and getting to your feet.

You decided to venture out into the manor, just to see if Lucien had returned from the business he was attending to.

Your shoes clacked against the marble floors of the manor, until you found Lucien sitting alone in the dining room. He was not eating; he was just sitting there, staring at the table.

"Lu?" you asked, frowning as you approached him. "Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine, Y/N," he murmured, the words unconvincing. Your brows furrowed. He very rarely called you by your full name.

"You don't seem fine," you said, sitting in the chair next to him.

"Just leave me alone," he nearly whispered, not even glancing up to meet your eyes.

"Lu--" you began, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't touch me," he snapped, snarling and shaking your hand off of him.

You flinched, eyes going wide. He had never raised his voice at you, nor had he ever spoken to you in such a disrespectful manner.

"I'm sorry," you said quietly.

"Just leave," he repeated, voice breaking.

☼☽⋆｡°✧ ✧⋆°｡☾☼

You couldn't sleep that night. You tossed and turned, wracking your brain to try and figure out what you had done wrong. But you could think of nothing.

You were hesitant to return to the manor the next day, but you did. You made to decision to seek out Tamlin, and ask if Lucien had mentioned anything to him.

You and Tamlin had never been close, but he'd known you since you were a toddler. He had a soft spot for you. He had made sure to buy more children's books for the library, and he always let you eat whatever you wanted from the kitchens. When you were young, he made sure to assign a servant to watch you everyday.

As you neared his study, the sound of voices inside carried out to you. You stepped closely warily, pressing your ear to the door.

"You'll have to put up with her for a bit longer," Tamlin was saying.

"I can't fucking stand her. Don't you think I've had to put up with her for long enough?" was Lucien's harsh reply.

You flinched, the words cutting deep. Did he mean you? You always thought he enjoyed your time together.

"She is our guest," Tamlin snarled. "We have offered her hospitality, and you will be civil to her."

"You have no idea just how insufferable she is!" Lucien snapped. "She never leaves me alone. She's always right there. I fucking hate it, Tamlin."

You had heard enough. You felt sick to your stomach. You pulled away from the door, tears lining your eyes as you quietly walked away.

☼☽⋆｡°✧ ✧⋆°｡☾☼

You went back to next day, only because you wouldn't give him the satisfaction of avoiding him. Not after everything he had said about you.

Your father had questioned you when your tears had begun to fall on the ride over. But you insisted that you were okay. He was still concerned, but he knew better than to push.

You spent the day in the library again, reading something new, this time. You wiped your tears and sniffled through the entire book.

"Y/N/N?" you heard. The first sound you'd heard in hours.

You glanced up, meeting Lucien's russet eye. Your shoulders slumped, your lip trembling pathetically at the mere sight of him.

"I wanted to apologize for the other day," he said calmly. "I was cold to you, and I shouldn't have raised my voice. I'm sorry."

"Are you apologizing because you're sorry, or because Tamlin is making you?" you challenged, eyes welling with tears of hurt and fury.

"What?" he asked, his face twisting in an expression of genuine confusion.

"I heard you talking to him yesterday," you scoffed. "You said you didn't want to put up with me anymore, and that I was insufferable."

His brows furrowed for a moment, then clarity fell upon his face. He sighed, shaking his head and approaching the couch you were sitting on.

"I wasn't talking about you, Y/N/N," he assured you.

"Who else could you have possibly been talking about?" you demanded.

"Ianthe," he explained. "She doesn't leave me alone. And she's very pushy. I can't stand her."

You frowned, recalling the words that were said. Yes, it did make sense for them to be about Ianthe.

"Oh," you said weakly, cheeks heating.

"I would never say or think such things about you," he promised, placing a hand on your warm cheek. "You mean everything to me."

"Really?" you whispered, meeting his eye.

"Yes," he nodded. "The other day, I was upset because of Ianthe, not you. I took it out on you, and that wasn't fair. I'm sorry."

"I forgive you," you said. "I'm sorry for the way Ianthe is treating you."

He shrugged, though something skin to pain flashed in his eyes. You reached out, cupping his face like he was doing to you.

He smiled softly, leaning in a planting a kiss on your lips. Surprise rendered you frozen at first, but then, you relaxed against his lips. And you kissed him back.

☼☽⋆｡°✧ ✧⋆°｡☾☼

Kink/Fluff/Angstober Taglist: @serxndipity-ipity-blog @danikamariemain @book-obsessed124 @winchesterbbygrl @kissesfrommads @binnieonabike @fourthwing4ever @ghostslittlegf @mollygetssherlockcoffee @hawke1917 @nesta-houseofwindfantasy @wirdbeimaufhebengebunden @honk4emoboys @rogerbarnesxx @a-courtof-azriel @kodokunarisu-blog @dxjaaaa @secretsicanthideanymore @littlepippilongstocking

Lucien Taglist: @roxan1930

General Taglist: @lilah-asteria @anneas11 @andreperez11 @isnotwhatyourethinking @effervescentbutterfly

comment to be added to any of the taglists!

☼☽⋆｡°✧ ✧⋆°｡☾☼

[violetasteracademic]

I saw someone say they don't like Elriel simply because Azriel and Elain don't do it for them as a couple. They just aren't into the emo boy/flower girl dynamic. And truth be told? That's the most respectable anti take I've ever heard. Because there is no right or wrong, there's no points to argue. It's just like, hey, I see it, and I don't like it. Which is kind of how I feel about G*wynriel and E*lucien as well. So it's genuinely just a really fair and uncomplicated take.

I simply *don't like* forced proximity with the person that has already been assigned to you and eventually falling in love with them, then realizing it's for the best anyways because it will solve a bunch of conflicts as much as I *like* fuck fate and fuck politics and fuck the Gods, you are the person I want and I will burn the whole world down to be with you. If it goes against every rule, if it puts us in the front line of every danger, and tears at the very fabric of society, it still will be you for me and I'll do whatever it takes.

And that's just vibes, there's really not much more to say!

I *don't like* I was completely obsessed with two different women, but after being rejected by both of them I finally realized, thank goodness! I've had a mate this whole time! And I saved her from being r*ped by a bunch more men than just one years ago and then trained with her every day and now that I'm finally free of being in love with other women, I finally have noticed what is right in front of me as much as I *like* your mate is sleeping upstairs and if he catches us he will have every right to demand I fight to the death over you but I literally can't stop wanting you and needing you and questioning fate because I don't understand how we aren't meant to be together.

I know for a fact I won't like a G*wynriel or E*lucien book *as much* as Elriel because I have read those sorts of similar vibes or comparable plot points before, and it's just like, meh. Not for me. My least favorite trope is the guy who suddenly realizes his best gal pal is the one he should have been into all along after only going for beautiful women he thought were way out of his league. That's not romantic to me at all. But I respect that it is to others. I think it's perfectly okay to simply vibe with different things.

Do I think the books are quite clearly headed towards Elriel? Absolutely. But I think even if they weren't, I'd be crack shipping them anyways because I absolutely love what they have to offer plot, story, tone, aesthetic, style, and romance wise. They are the full package for me. Feysand was a full package for me. Nessian isn't my usual style or favorite trope or vibe, but I still enjoyed the hell out of it.

I think Sarah has given the sisters really distinct personalities and completely individual storylines. I personally still love every book. I adored ACOSF. Buuuuut I don't really need it rewritten a second time in a different font, which is what I think G*wynriel would be. Minus all of the "it's been you since the moment I laid eyes on you" swoon worthiness that I loved for Nesta and Cassian and introducing the "I can't believe I didn't notice my own mate standing right next to me and being harmed and put in mortal danger repeatedly for three years because I was in love with other women" element.

But ACOSF is polarizing. I've seen people say it is either objectively the best book Sarah has ever written, or objectively the worst.

Elain is a unique sister, with a personality and powers that could not be more different from Feyre and Nesta. Everything about her book is not going to match what we have seen in the series so far. And I think that's a GOOD thing. ACOSF was a tone shift, and I think Elain's book will be a tone shift. But I think her book is probably going to be polarizing as well. And it will likely be my favorite.

Although the fandom has gotten a bit aggressive, I think it's really cool that people found their favorite in Nesta and ACOSF in a way that is really kind of deep and specific. I think Elain and Elriel will be that for me. That's what books are supposed to do. Humanity is not one size fits all. It makes perfect sense that people locked into Nessian (or just Nesta) in a way they didn't with Feyre/Feysand. And although there's a crop of anti ic people out there now, Feysand will always be a crowd pleaser. So I'm just hoping the girlies who get it will have their chance to connect that deeply with Elriel too!

I love each Archeron sister, and I for one love how different they are. I appreciate their stories for different reasons. But I am ACHING for Elain and Azriel to lean into their vibes and continue on their journey of questioning the system and deconstructing religion and battling the obstacles in their way. That will always be more interesting and way sexier and peak romance to me and will undoubtedly take spot number 1 in my heart.

[emmitaaa4]

“Elriel is too predictable! It’s boring & lazy writing!”

… 🧍‍♂️

My brother in Christ. You call SJM the fated mates author. Through 15+ books and 3 series she hasn’t diverged from that trope. Elain has a “mate”.

If an Elriel outcome is predictable, it’s because the author willed it so and therefore ✨wrote scenes✨ to ✨develop their relationship✨.

and by that i mean…

(long post ahead…. bear with me)

SJM wrote Mr. “I don’t need to resort to poetry” going all Azriel Allan Poe, flustered as he tells Elain “we are born hearing the song of the wind”. She wrote him uncharacteristically open & talkative, while when he 1st met Feyre he deferred all her questions to others.

SJM wrote that despite how different they may look, Elain does not balk from Az. She never has: from their 1st meeting she finds comfort in him, and he in turn notices her—she’s never been afraid of him, he has always seen her.

SJM wrote the 1st coherent thing to come out of Elain’s mouth in WaR to be “beautiful” as she beholds Azriel’s scarred hands. In turn, she wrote our gardener not minding imperfections on hers, for despite her lady-like conditioning, she prefers to get her hands dirty.

SJM wrote Az spending time with her in the sunshine: no forced conversation, no one hEaLinG anyone, just them both doing their own thing as a relaxed Az suns his wings. Just two pals comfortable with one another… which SJM foreshadowed in MaF through Feyre’s “Elain would likely cling to Az for some peace and quiet”.

SJM wrote Az and Cass both stilling at the sight of El & Nes, she wrote Az cutting in to set Elain up in her garden even as Feyre was about to do it, she wrote the mention that Elain was safe after the twin raven’s attack bc Az had stayed with her at the townhouse.

SJM wrote Azriel’s eyes churning as he looks at Elain and her too-thin body, before abruptly winnowing away, and we’re left with Mor looking at the spot where he left. Wonder what that was about (it certainly did not remind me of Rhys in TaR).

You know, Elriels are not just making stuff up and theorizing about the E/ucien bond cause we’re desperately pulling at straws…

SJM had Madja say “a mate would know if something is amiss”, then wrote a scene juxtaposing both Lucien’s and Azriel’s reactions/assessments of what was going on with Elain… and she had Azriel be the one to know nothing was “wrong” with her—no, she just had rare powers and needed to be heard, to be taken seriously. He didn't let her be misunderstood, for he was the ONLY one that listened to her, that took her visions/ramblings seriously right from the get go. And so he gave Elain the understanding she needed to free herself from the dream-like murky realm she was trapped in. Through it all, SJM emphasizes that Azriel also understands what it is like to struggle with rare, strange, prized powers in silence; what it’s like to be othered by them. I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again: she sees everything and he hears everything.

SJM wrote that “Elain had hoped that love would trump even a mating bond” and had her characters question the Cauldron in relation to Elucien *twice* (years apart!).

…

SJM wrote Az being the only one—in a room full of Made beings speaking of being Made—to notice that Elain was missing. A reassuring but empty statement by Cass that they’d get her back….but then it was Azriel that stated, eyes glowing golden, that HE would be getting her back, despite the girl’s own sister discouraging him & telling him he’d die. Hell, Feyre had this whole deliberation on whether she’d join him only after he’d say he’d go. His initiative.

The Hybern scene is too long to add, but this post and this theory break it all down brilliantly.

Yes, Az has sacrificial tendencies. Yes, he’d risk his life for loved ones in general. But we have never seen him this affected, and it is because SJM purposely used language to emphasize Elain and Azriel’s meaningful reactions to the other… despite it being wholly “unnecessary”

It is all intentional… lazy’s antonym.

SJM wrote the Truthteller scene. She emphasized the exchange, which left Cassian gasping and Rhys flabbergasted; it also left Feyre with a significant painting in her mind. It lead to Elain, aka “my God has answered me,” stepping out of a shadow to save her sister. Azriel, aka “God is my help”, indeed helped armed Elain so she could answer her sisters prayers.

SJM ended WaR with Elain’s smile literally lighting up Az’s shadows.

SJM had Elain’s thoughtful gift to him make his eyes the brightest we’ve seen—and by doing so gave us the most beautiful description of his earthy eyes, “the hues of green amid the brown and gray like veins of emerald.” We have never seen Az so joyful & carefree throughout the entire series.

SJM wrote that Azriel beat Feyre to Elain’s side as she was looking out into the night. She wrote Elain stilling at the sight of a dashing Azriel—her throat bobbing—while Az “just moved towards her”.

SJM wrote the potato scene—“sit i’ll take care of it”—Azriel again being the one to respect Elain’s presence & contribution as he makes a room full of his “superiors” wait until Elain finishes tidying herself up (cause girlie wanted to look put together for a certain shadowsinger). Mor gapes, Amren smirks, Rhys talks of Az’s mom… all because of that surprising, singular behaviour from him.

SJM wrote Az making a joke at Amren’s expense upon noticing Elain’s discomfort; our girl’s shoulders indeed relax in relief. THE LIGHT RETURNS IN HER EYES.

SJM has Azriel staying up past 3am with Elain, listening to her speak of something she is passionate of.

SJM wrote Azriel spending an entire convo with his brothers looking out into the garden from the window (SJM mentioned it 4 times yet some still missed it).

SJM wrote Rhys goading Az for a reaction as he quizzes him on Lucien and Grayson; wrote Rhys realizing that Azriel did not want to know what Elain did with Lucien (in the case she did anything). She wrote Azriel nervously stuttering as he asks risks if they need to get the sisters a present… I wonder why.

And Rosehall… SJM wrote ROSEhall: cracktheory this cracktheory that, to the gwonriels I’d say we both know you wouldn’t say it’s irrelevant had SJM chosen to call his estate Tealhall.

~~~~

Keep in mind: SJM could have written those significant scenes and ultimately kept it PG: she could have chosen language that built up a profound platonic relationship.

Yet… in MaF she has Feyre comment that they would be good together—as in make a good *couple*. WaR roles in and they’re both dealing with the very public rejections they went through—but SJM had them build a quiet companionship in the background, while giving them a wealth of scenes of great significance for both their characters, and while using language like “she DEVOURED the sight of him” “he CRADLED her to his chest”. In FaS they are slowly but surely getting over their last loves, and SJM continues developing their connection.

And in ACOSF, in the book that supposedly “ended” Elriel…

SJM wrote Az following the sound of her laugh (😭). “ It’s just lust” PLEASE BFFR.

SJM chose to remind us—THREE times—of the Hybern rescue scene... then had Az tell Cass that he’d know, in his chest, if something happened to Nesta.

SJM had Az longingly stare at the gift Elain gave him every night for a YEAR—mind plagued by thoughts of her—made him so affected by her that he had reactions to every mention of her name in SF, so affected that it took Nes one look at them to notice his feelings, to reach out in comfort upon noticing the pain that keeping himself apart from to her caused him. As SJM said she would, Nes saw through his secret in ACOSF, still it is “his secret to tell, never hers”. After Solstice we are met with a grumpy Azriel, who lost the snowball fight for the 1st time in centuries (i wonder why…).

SJM chose to link his every secret back to his feelings for Elain, as per the bonus . Why does he stay up so late and wake up so early? He longs for Elain so much he can’t sleep. Why is he staying in the HoW? It is too hard to be close to Elain given their circumstances; he must physically distance himself from her. Why has he moved on from Mor after centuries? Elain. Why is he grumpy post Solstice? The argument with Rhys concerning Elain.

~~~~

Ultimately, SJM wrote for Elriel:

- Complementary imagery (flowers and death? light and dark blending together to form something new… DUSK, anyone?)

- AND plot altering scenes

- AND chose to liken them to one another multiple times

- AND genuine moments of companionship that slowly bloomed into something more…

… Is it so insane to believe that maybe SJM spent so much page time and effort building connections & common ground between them because she intends for elain & az to find peace and quiet within one another?

Or idk, maybe it was all for shits and giggles… and if it was i salute her commitment to the shits and the giggles🫡

Either way, it is the opposite of lazy writing…

It’s SJM’s world & words, and we are just reading them.

P.S: This was all just typed on my cell phone from the top of my head… yes remembering all this is probs concerning, yes I am obsessed. Please correct me if I got anything wrong.

[lovemyromance]

Nesta being a Gwynriel because she says "You're the new ribbon, Az" is literally so laughable. Because:

1. Y'all are assuming Nesta is somehow flirting with Az on behalf of Gwyn when she says that??

The ribbon is literally supposed to be symbolic of a challenge. Gwyn cut the ribbon. Now Azriel & Cassian have presented them with a new challenge. They seem unconvinced that the girls will beat the BR qualifier. Azriel even goes as far as to say "there's no chance in hell any of you will finish the course"

Gwyn sees that as a challenge.

Nesta reminds them of how competitive and determined Gwyn was with trying to cut the ribbon (old challenge). Now there is a new challenge. So Nesta says, "You're the new Ribbon, Az". Meaning, Gwyn now sees the BR qualifier (and proving Azriel wrong) as the new challenge.

Don't believe me? Here is the text:

Old challenge: Cut the Ribbon ✅

New challenge: Finish the course (and prove Az/Cass wrong) ⏱️

That's all there is to it 😭 I thought it was a funny scene, how hard the Valkyries tried to prove them wrong. Not a scene where Nesta is flirting with Azriel on behalf of Gwyn.

2. Nesta would never be team Gwynriel because she KNOWS Azriel's secret.

What is his secret? Why does he stay near the doorway the whole time? Azriel tells us that himself in the BC

"Because he couldn't stand the sight of it, the scent of their mating bond and needed to have the option of leaving if it became too much."

That is his secret. Not Mor 🤡 Not he's afraid of fire 🤡

His secret is his feelings for Elain. And Nesta knows that.

Notice, how Nesta isn't jumping in and forbidding Azriel from pursuing Elain. It's almost like... she trusts the Shadowsinger with her sister. She has always trusted Azriel with Elain. Even when she barely knew him.

Not Lucien, her mate who literally should be the most invested in Elain's wellbeing. Azriel.

3. Elain is Nesta's favorite sister. There's no debate here. The bond between sisters always trumps "new friend I just made 5 months ago", btw. Not to compare women, but Nesta will always treasure Elain more than anyone else. Even Cassian, imo.

Even if they may be fighting, Nesta has always protected Elain to the point of smothering. She has always favored Elain, and she hasn't been shy about it. When Elain seemed to spend more time with Feyre, this hurt Nesta. She considered Elain to be hers, always saw them as a team.

Not saying that was right, but just saying that Nesta will always side with Elain. She went toe to toe with Hybern to protect Elain. She would do anything for her sisters, especially Elain.

And that has been demonstrated time and time again.

[fauxdette]

The Procurist pt. 4

Azriel x Elain

Summary: In Dawn Court, Elain encounters a beautiful stranger who offers to help her. Azriel and Lucien receive news of Elain.

Warnings: None

Word count: 1.4k

•••

They landed in the middle of a green meadow, bathed in the glow of the dawning sun. Thesan's court stretched away to their right, with his spiral palace at its center. Though most of the palace was hidden by clouds, Elain could still see glimpses of its purple and blue hued towers. To their left were fields of wildflowers, scattered between red tiled rooftops. That's where she would be heading.

Rhys gave her a hard look. “30 minutes. That direction,” he instructed, following her line of sight. “Your objective?”

"Make contact with The Procurist and figure out his location. Gather as much information about the missing girls as I can, but do not get caught."

The High Lord looked like he was trying not to laugh. “I know this is meant to be serious but you do realise you’ve gone full spy nerd.”

Elain scowled. “I’m dedicated.”

“Mm—“

He was smiling, humouring her, but his eyes looked sad.

“You don’t have to worry about me, Rhys.”

A shake of his head. “I think he’d like this,” he said quietly. “The spy nerd thing.”

Elain froze but he didn’t wait for a reply. Maybe he didn’t expect one. Instead, he turned toward her, placing both hands on her shoulders.

“Extra objective: you come home. No matter the cost.”

Elain sighed. “I can do this. Plus Feyre will kill you if I don’t come back. Then find me and kill me.”

He grinned. “That is, if Nesta has left anything of us behind.”

She joined him then, their laughter swallowed by the morning mists.

“Just come home, El. There are too many people you didn’t get to say goodbye to. And strangely, your sisters are the ones I’m least afraid of.”

She understood.

Rhys took a step back, his hands returning to the pockets of his trousers.

He tapped his head. “I’ll be here the whole time.” And without another word he winnowed away.

•••

With the sun now high in the sky, the walk had been rather pleasant. Occasionally, Elain would pass a little cottage and spot a fae airing their washing out the window, or approach a cart whose rider would greet her with a polite smile. But for the most part, she was undisturbed, wandering through endless blooming meadows with only the hum of bees and the crunch of her boots to steady her. It was so peaceful that she almost forgot her reason for being out in the first place—

*Crack*

Elain twisted toward the sound, cursing herself for not paying attention. But instead of the threat she expected to see, she met the eyes of a small, brown, doe.

The way it stood, head high, neck extended, dark eyes unblinking, she found herself struck by its utter boldness as much as its beauty.

“Hi honey,” she kept her voice soft. “What are you doing out here?”

The doe tilted its head.

“It’s not safe for you so close to the path.”

Although studying her, Elain didn’t think any hunter would bother with such small game.

The doe shifted its front hooves, taking a tentative step forward.

“Such a brave little thing. You really should be more careful—“

Suddenly, the deers head snapped to the side and Elain felt it, the immediate drop in temperature, before she heard—

“Now what is such a pretty little thing doing out here all alone?”

-

Rhys.

Instantly, he was at the iron gates of her mind, brushing against it in a silent request. It swung open slightly and he was there, sharing her eyes, seeing what she was seeing. Dawn court still, the grass and flowers familiar, but in front of her— Rhys knew him even though he appeared as a stranger. The Procurist had found her.

-

He was beautiful. It was the first thing Elain noted about him. This male, this stranger. Which was odd because physical beauty wasn’t typically something she noticed in people.

“That’s because you’re beautiful,” Nesta used to tell her after they’d dissected the marriage potential of all the eligible bachelors in their village.

“Greysen is cute.”

“Is he?”

Then her older sister would roll her eyes and say something to the effect of, “beautiful people just don’t get it.”

The irony, of course, being that Elain had fallen for Greysen eventually anyway.

I’m here, Elain. Rhys’ voice re-centred her.

“I’m meeting somebody.”

He was ageless, like all fae, but there was something about his movements, his confidence, that made her think he was a few centuries older than her friends. Bar Amren, of course.

His hair was blonde, with darker roots, stylishly swept away from his face. Someone who cared about his appearance.

He had sharp features, including a straight nose and a strong jaw, but what caught her attention were his eyes. Not because they were currently roaming her body but because they were the most unusual grey colour, more steel than blue. He exuded beauty and ego, and danger.

“I might be able to help you with that,” he said, smirking at her. She smiled back. It was the smile she’d used on Greysen after their first date. The smile she used when her family had been desperate for food and Feyre hadn’t managed to catch anything that day.

“Can you?” her voice sounded smooth, but her heart was racing.

He didn't seem to notice her nervousness as he closed the distance between them, a step at a time. "Mmhm. You see, I'm meeting somebody too."

“How fortunate for the both of us then.”

He took another step towards her, now only an arm's length away. "I am feeling very, very fortunate at the moment, yes."

"And why is that?" This was usually the part where they complimented her. Her hair, her eyes, her lips, her waist. Her gentleness, her softness, her passiveness.

He grinned. "Because I think you are going to make all my dreams come true."

And before she could react, he grabbed her wrist and winnowed them away.

-

Rhys.

I’m here, I’m here.

I don’t know where I am. I couldn’t see anything.

Shit. I know. He winnowed Elain, so we don’t know where you are right now, but we are going figure this out, okay?

Okay.

I need you to open your eyes. Can you do that?

•••

Somehow, they managed to have an entire debrief without throwing a single punch. After the initial tension, which Azriel admitted was partially because of his own poor attitude, he and Lucien traded information with civility and ease.

Vassa was doing well, as Koschei hadn't claimed her yet. However, they had yet to locate the Death God's lake, and it pained the Queen to know that some women were still trapped there. And Lucien too, Azriel’s shadows noted, curling around his ear. Interesting.

Jurien was traveling and speaking to different villages about the new treaty, trying to ensure coexistence between humans and immortals. He was due back in four days, which coincided with Mor's return from Vallahan. Rhys wanted another High Lords meeting to discuss their findings, and Azriel wondered if Lucien had spoken to Tamlin about it. He didn't feel sorry for Tamlin, especially when he thought of Feyre being locked in that perpetually blossoming castle. He was sure Tamlin got what he deserved. But he did worry about the courts inhabitants and what might happen if someone decided to extend their territory while Spring was vulnerable, possibly even Lucien's own father. The prospect unsettled him but he didn’t mention it. Not when this was almost over and he could put all the Vanserra’s far from his mind—

Suddenly, Azriel's shadows shuddered, and inky tendrils poured out from his feet, sliding along the floor and pooling underneath the nearby window just before Rhysand appeared within them.

Lucien furrowed his eyebrows. "Rhys? I wasn't expecting—"

“I’m sorry for the interruption, Lucien, but we need your help.”

Azriel was already on his feet, his shadows returning and swarming around him, as if they knew something was wrong.

“It’s Elain.”

“What happened to Elain?”

He kept his tone even, but his pulse quickened beneath his skin, and the muscles in his wings tensed. Lucien remained silent, his eyes darting between the Illyrians.

“Rhysand—”

The High Lord turned and held his brother’s gaze.

“She’s been taken.”

Guess I’m committing to this fic now so if you’re enjoying it and/or wanna be tagged in the next part let me know!

Read part 5

[the-darkestminds]

A Dying Flame

Eris POV — my first fic

Heyyyyy friends. I decided to write the two scenes UTM from Eris’s POV where Lucien is being tormented and Eris is forced to watch. It can also be found here. I’ve never written anything before so be nice to me 😭 I took a few lines directly from ACOTAR to set the scene and make it as canon as possible, but the rest came from me. I tried to channel SJM's writing style as best I could. I am trash for Eris so I couldn’t resist. I hope you guys like it 🥲 title is dumb so I might change it. I am eternally grateful for any of you who choose to read the whole thing, I promise it’s not too long! 🙏

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

Eris

I stood at the edge of the gathered crowd, struggling to keep the cool mask of indifference on my face as Amarantha once again had Lucien bound and on his knees before her. Would his torment never cease? He had never quite mastered the ability to keep his mouth shut, to leash his tongue until the moment it would best serve him. Lucien’s loud mouth had already cost him his left eye, plucked right from his head by Amarantha herself. Rage coursed through me at the role I was forced to play each day under this cursed mountain. How useless I’d become at protecting those I held most dear. 

Lucien and I had not exchanged honest words in over 30 years. I longed for the chance to speak to him alone, to beg him to hold his tongue so as not to draw Amarantha’s ire more than he already had. Not for the first time, I desperately wished for the daemati abilities the High Lord of Night possessed so that I might speak to Lucien privately. Abilities he was about to unleash upon my brother.  

Beside Lucien stood a small and ordinary mortal girl, likely Amarantha’s newest plaything to torture and discard.

“Her name?” Amarantha asked Tamlin, who didn’t reply. “I don’t suppose your handsome brothers know, Lucien,” she purred.

Give up her name! I nearly begged him. To hell with the girl. Instead I heard myself say, “If we did, Lady, we would be the first to tell you.” The words tasted like poison on my tongue. My brothers chuckled from behind me.

Amarantha only smiled and nodded at Rhysand. He cocked his head, his eyes narrowing slightly on Lucien, who hissed in pain.

I tensed as Rhysand began smiling faintly. Bastard. He was a loathsome, foul bastard. And though I knew he played a role and wore a mask as much as the rest of us, it didn’t stop me from hating him as he held Lucien’s mind in his clutches.

Lucien stiffened in pain. A groan slipped out of him, and– 

“Feyre!” the girl shouted. “My name is Feyre.” 

Lucien sagged on the ground, trembling. Relief shuttered through me, and I bared my teeth and snarled quietly at the girl to disguise the trembling in my hands, my legs. He was safe, for now. And no thanks to me. 

The conversation continued, but I let my mind drift far away. Tried to feel nothing as I attempted to calm my racing heart. I clenched my sweaty palms at my sides and allowed myself a quick glance at Lucien’s prone form. Alive–for now. 

I slipped back into the crowd as they dragged Feyre away. He was alive. I repeated this to myself as the cruelty continued through the night, as it did every night in this miserable place. Alive–as I sipped wine and smiled at the punishment the Attor was inflicting on the poor faeries Amarantha had singled out this evening. Alive, alive, alive a steady chant in my blood as the night wore on.

Alive.

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

“Well, Feyre, your second trial has come.” I heard Amarantha smugly announce from her throne at the front of the room. A gnawing dread had been pooling in my gut for the last hour. I could only guess at what new horror she had in store for the girl, but I grew increasingly anxious when I did not see Lucien amongst the revelers. He tended to lurk in the shadows of the room, one eye on Tamlin, ever the loyal sentry. I couldn’t help the low snarl that escaped me at the thought. That Lucien was willing to risk his own life for the Spring Court brute. The faerie next to me skittered away at the sound.

I slowly made my way towards the gathered crowd. Faeries averted their eyes as I passed. It was a relief that I still commanded a modicum of fear from these leeches. Their fear of me was a weapon I wielded frequently.

Amarantha sat proudly on her throne. The Attor at her left, Tamlin braced stiffly behind her on her right. 

“Here, Feyre darling, you shall find your task. Simply answer the question by selecting the correct lever, and you’ll win. Select the wrong one to your doom. As there are only three options, I think I have given you an unfair advantage.” Something metallic groaned at the snap of her fingers. “That is,” she added with a snake-like smile, “if you can solve the puzzle in time.”

I had just gotten a glimpse of the girl when the floor where she was standing began to sink down, revealing a small chamber split in two by a metal grate.

I went rigid as I beheld the figure chained to the floor, previously hidden from view. A loud roaring began building in my head. My skin felt tight and hot as I saw that it was Lucien–Lucien, who would again be part of the night’s entertainment. Lucien wrenched at the chains binding him to the floor. I nearly puked on the throne room floor at the sight of it.

Only the many years of practice in my long immortal life stopped the cry of anguish from escaping me as burning spikes began to slowly lower towards Lucien from above. I was a fool. A wretched fool to think Amarantha was done torturing him. That she would not use his friendship with the girl again and again until she finally broke, or was dead, Lucien along with her. I made to take a step forward but then jerked to a stop. Nothing. There was nothing I could do to stop this without damning us both further. I would be forced to watch in silent agony as Lucien was slowly and painfully crushed under the weight of those red-hot spikes. 

I stared and stared at Lucien, only vaguely aware of the girl flailing and panicking in the chamber next to him. This was some new level of hell. My nightmare brought to life, one that I could not wake myself up from. 

“Answer it!” Lucien shouted, his voice hitched. My eyes burned, and I felt a cold drop of sweat begin to drip down my spine. Only sheer force of will kept the practiced smirk on my lips. The spikes lowered further.

“Just pick one!” Lucien shouted. He strained against the chains, panting frantically, eyes wide.

My brothers around me laughed gleefully, and I forced myself to join in, the sound a pitiful rasp in my ears. I was grateful that the crowd around me was thoroughly distracted by the horror unfolding before us. That they could not hear my pounding heart or the screaming inside my head as those molten spikes lowered another inch closer to Lucien’s body, helplessly chained to the floor. This was the true torture. Not the painful lashes I’d so often received from my father for disappointing him in one way or another. Not the loneliness and fear that threatened to crush me after so many years navigating the snake pit of my father’s court. But this. Forced to stand idly by as my loved ones were killed. Forced to hear the fear in Lucien’s voice as he begged the girl to just pick a lever and be unable to stop any of it.

“Feyre, please!” Lucien moaned. The terror in his voice nearly brought me to my knees. And yet I stood there like a statue. Maybe this was my punishment for being so useless. So worthless. I desperately wished I could take Lucien’s place. That it was me chained to the floor. I deserved it.

I held my breath and shut my eyes as the girl finally reached for the third lever, bracing myself for what was surely to come. 

Silence. Then–a sigh. From Lucien. 

I opened my eyes at the sound and choked down the sob building in my chest. The girl, Feyre, had actually done it. By dumb luck or fate, she had saved them both.

I did not stay to witness Amarantha’s reaction to the girl besting her once more. Could not stand to be there a minute longer. I turned, not seeing any of the faces around me, desperate to escape the swirl of both panic and relief pressing in on me, threatening to swallow me whole. I could not fall apart, not here.

I stumbled away to the back of the throne room and kept walking until I was alone in a darkened passageway, the sounds of jeering and wicked laughter slowly disappearing. I leaned heavily against the nearest wall and emptied the contents of my stomach onto the floor. My eyes and throat burned and I let out the broken sob I had been holding in. I would allow myself one minute to fall apart, away from prying eyes. Just one minute, and then I would return to join in the merriment of those who had cheered as my brother had nearly been killed again.

I breathed in the damp, cold air of the mountain, my body shaking silently as I sunk to my knees. I listened to the drip, drip, drip of water on the stone floor and used it to slow my quaking heart. When the minute was up, I stood. Tunneled deep down inside until I could barely feel the rage and sorrow. I brought the smirk back to my mouth–it was second nature after all these years. I took one last deep breath, and turned back the way I had come. I had been gone too long, and these caves had eyes and ears that were always watching, always listening–always reporting back to her. And though Autumn Court fire burned in my veins, I forced my heart to freeze over, as cold as Kallias’s ice. I let that ice flow through me as I walked back–as I blocked out the despair that fought to drown me with every step I took. Until I was no one, and nothing. 

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

A small part of me was aware that I was in shock. I drifted through the following day as if underwater, not fully hearing the words spoken to me or how I responded. Through it all, I made sure to keep the haughty mask on my face. Only when I spotted Lucien across the room did I feel as if I had come up briefly for air. Our eyes locked, and Lucien’s mouth tightened in displeasure. He held my gaze, emotion flickering in his right eye–there and then gone before I could decipher it. After a beat he looked away and was promptly swallowed up by the crowd.

I knew Lucien despised me. It was written on his face whenever he deigned to look me in the eyes, and I let him believe I felt the same. As much as it pained me to do so, I treated him as if he were nothing to me, no more than trash to be discarded. I hated myself more with each passing day–was at risk of being consumed by it entirely and slipping deep into the burning pit of fire within me. It was sheer defiance against the bitch queen that prevented me from doing so. The hope that I might one day see Autumn again. So many years trapped down in the dark were wearing heavy on my soul. The steady fear that I would fail those I sought to protect slowly ate away at me. What I’d give to breathe in the crisp, cool air of home, to walk amongst the red and gold leaves that sparkled like jewels in the dawn light. I held on to the hope that I would one day return. Tucked it deep down inside where it flickered softly, the aching pain in my heart its only companion.

[goldenivy0]

A lot of times I find myself wondering why in the world I love Lucien so much but then I remember that every single time this man appears on page it is to either break my heart into a million pieces (in a good way) or to absolutely SLAY!

Chapter 18 from ACOFAS is one of the moments where I got simultaneously the angriest with Feyre but also the most attracted to Lucien I've ever been without even having a physical description of this man in it (or his physical appearence being a focal point in it).

Feyre is basically judging him for having found new friends in Jurian and Vassa and for feeling more comfortable with two humans than with the High Fae. The dialogue after that reads like this:

"If you ask me—"

"I'm not."

Uuuum... 👀🥵 The way I GASPED when he said this.. I love how he has no problem in humbling Feyre, or anyone in the IC for that matter (ok maybe not Amren lol 😂) when they need to be humbled and brought back to reality. As if this wasn't enough this girl proceeds to make fun of the "Band of Exiles" title to which Lucien, slaying again, answers:

"You can be as much of an asshole as that mate of yours, you know that?"

Even though I don't hate Feyre's character (I'm okay with her), she was 100% in the wrong here, and having Lucien saying that to her face just made me like him more. This man is so fine.

Their interaction in this chapter basically ends like this:

《 "Checking in?" Lucien asked quietly.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, my face the portrait of boredom.

He gave me a knowing look, continuing to the door and grabing his heavy overcoat and scarf from the hooks mounted on the wood paneling beside it. "The bigger box is for you. The smaller one is for her." 》

Not only is this man handsome as hell (this is canon), sexy and charismatic, he's also incredibly observant and smart. He knew Feyre was talking mind to mind with Rhys and confronted her with it. And after she lied, being the gentleman he is, he only turned around, told her which present was hers which was Elain's, and left. 🥵🥵 HEEELP

I'm telling you right now, the way I'm in love with this man is NOT okay 😂. I was twirling my hair this whole chapter because of him. Sorry but he could become the villain in the next book and I'd applaud him.

[separatist-apologist]

Hey MB<3 I just keep rereading your fics over and over and they hit everytime (like seriously they itch every scratch in my brain), but just wondering, do u have any elucien fics on your tbr rn, or recent ones that you recommend? I'm mostly looking for canon compliant bc that is crack to me but im not too picky, just looking for recs!

I ANSWERED THE WRONG ASK god kill me right now

You're so sweet. Sorry it took me so long to write this- I wanted to put together a good mix. I hope you like them- these are just one's I've read, there are more on @elucienweekofficials list of multi-chapter fics set in canon, too!

This is long so I put it beneath a cut. I tried to mix on-going fics with completed fics and not recommend the same ones I always do. If anyone finds this list helpful, be better than me and leave a review

I Believe The Word You're Looking For Is Friends by @kingofsummer93

Elain Archeron and Lucien Vanserra are haunted by ghosts of their past, unable to move forward, unsure where they belong.

Together they come to an agreement. He'll teach her everything he knows about Prythian. He'll take her anywhere she wants to go.

In return, maybe she can just stop slapping him so much.

All You Have Is Your Fire by @clockwork-ashes

'I can hear your heart beating through the stone.' For the briefest of moments, Lucien wondered if his mate would know exactly when his heart’s steady rhythm came to a sudden stop.

Elain goes to the Autumn Court demanding an audience with the High Lord to save the mate she can barely stand to be in the same room with. She ends up having to stay much longer than she bargained for.

What If I Told You I'm Back by climbingmountains

Come one, come all, it's happening again…Elain and Azriel have been married for ten years. Koschei is defeated, their family is at peace. And if she feels a hollow ache of something every once in a while, that’s just the price one pays for love and duty.

Until she comes home one day to the news that her husband has a mating bond of his own.

OR: I listened to nothing but The Tortured Poets Department for over a month and had a lot of angst to release.

Mockingbird by @avabrynne

After Lucien reluctantly agrees to meet with Eris, he’s shocked when his brother reveals his biggest secret: he has eight-year-old twin daughters. Unwilling to entrust them to anyone else and with Beron's gaze on him more intense than ever, Eris has Lucien swear to protect the girls and take them with him.

When it becomes clear they can’t stay in the human lands even when glamoured to look human, Lucien turns to the Night Court. While it’s easier to handle outbursts of young magic there, Lucien needs help. Enter Elain, who bonded quickly with the twins after their arrival. On top of everything else, Lucien and Elain start to navigate their bond while also finding out a few more secrets, like who Lucien’s actual father is. It's an Autumn and Day Court family drama Elucien and ErisxOC fic!

ACOWAR (Eluciens edition) by @crazy-ache

One moment. All it takes is one singular moment to change the trajectory of fate. Following the events of Hybern, everything changes when Lucien instinctively grabs his mate—Elain Archeron—and brings her back to the Spring Court with Feyre and Tamlin.

In the midst of war and ruin, Elain and Lucien will have to face the bond that connects them together if they hope to survive the unintended consequences. To do so, they’ll have to prevail through games of deceit, powerful forces of magic, and deadly enemies. And hope their hearts survive the journey.

A retelling of A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR) and a Canon Divergent AU.

A Court of Ash and Sunlight by aturner1205

“I know you’d rather not get help from me. I know you’ve rejected our mating bond and I’ve accepted that. But I still want to make sure you’re safe.”

Her heart twisted in its cage, filling her whole body with icy tears that would not spill.

Tell him. He deserves to know the truth. Tell him.

And because this time the voice inside was hers, because it was strong and clear and right, she did.

“I haven’t rejected the mating bond with you, Lucien,” she said quietly, her chest pounding so loud she could hardly hear the words. “But I think I damaged it, because—because I’ve never felt it.”

The Scenic Route by @bonecarversbestie

Elain grows discontent with her role in the Night Court as she grapples with grief for her human life and powers that she does not fully understand. One evening she accidentally winnows to Lucien's doorstep and he agrees to take her back to Velaris via the scenic route.

Can I Be Close To You by @temperedink

Elain and Lucien have been feeling out their tentative new relationship for a while, and Elain is getting antsy about the slow pace she's set for them. But maybe it's time to take things to the next level.

Set a few years post-ACOSF.

Oceans Apart (Never) by angryramen

Living in the Day-Court with her mate seemed like a damning at first. But slowly Elain started to enjoy Lucien’s company. They conversed together in the Day-Court gardens and slowly became friends. He even promised to charter a ship to take her to the continent, somewhere she’d always wanted to go. But when the time comes to say goodbye…

The Heirs of Fall and Flame by arosebetweenthorns

Eris Vanserra has always been a complicated male. Born as the first son to a tyrant of a High Lord, he was raised on cruelty, learning never to reveal weaknesses. But as Eris' allegiances to his father's court are questioned, his loyalties forming with those across borders, he realises enemies in his own court - especially his father - may be too difficult for him to keep at bay, especially when he inadvertently sets his father's sights onto his youngest brother. Then there's Rhysand's Inner Circle to contend with - one particular shadowsinger that Eris can't seem to avoid... but does he even want to? --- Lucien Vanserra always thought his suffering at the Autumn Court's hands was behind him. But when his father shows a vested interest in him years after banishing him, it's clear he will have to fight to keep the fragile peace he's built himself. All Lucien wants is to be with Elain and begin a life of his own, but when Elain's life is threatened by his father, Lucien learns just how much he has to learn before life can truly begin.

This is a direct continuation of the events of ACOSF. Joint POV of Eris and Lucien.

A Court of Breaking by @aldbooks

A year after the events of A Breaking, Elain feels a tug on the bond and realizes her estranged mate is in danger. Lucien, now returned to the Night Court, wonders if he might have been too hasty in his decision to leave, and if there might still be a chance for him with his mate

Summer Heat by @zenkindoflove

Lucien nodded his head, looking for any cue that he was dismissed. “Got it. Keep everyone in line and try not to make an ass of myself in front of my mate. I’ll see what I can do.”

Summer Court is hosting the Summer Solstice Summit and the Night Court is sending their best emissaries to attend. It will be Elain's first time mingling in another court, and it's a good thing she has an expert guiding her: the mate she's been ignoring for the last two years.

Meanwhile, Eris has been sent to the summit to spy on Summer's developments. What he doesn't anticipate is entangling in a steamy, forbidden romance.

Post-ACOSF, Elucien, Eris x OC, Multi-chapter.

Healer In The Night by @infinitefolklore

Lucien has been away on the continent on a mission. No one has heard from him in over two months. Elain is worried. On a dark and stromy night, he shows up bloody on her doorstep. Elain nurses him back to health.

The Luck Of The Draw by @sad-scarred-sassy

Elain Archeron is determined to end her unwanted mating bond with Lucien Vanserra. She has resigned herself to a loveless life, convinced she will never be able to experience true love without the fabricated weight of an assigned mate.

Her plans take a sharp turn when her mate arrives with a proposition to accompany him on a mission to a foreign court. When no one else believes her capable of succeeding Elain decides to prove to herself and others that she is not as hopeless as everyone else thought.

Only this will mean she will have to face him, and with that all that she has sworn off, battling between not knowing where the mating bond's influence ends and where her true feelings begin.

[loonylooly]

at this point i'm wondering what sarah is thinking when writing her love interests, like ok it's clear she finds them hot but like....are they good people

Rhys:

UTM lap dance shenanigans

throwing Feyre into danger constantly (Weaver, destroying cauldron, getting the book from Adriata, etc etc)

Still not doing jack shit about wing clippings in Illyria?? Emerie is right there, Rhysand, go enforce your damn laws

Insulting his wife's sister constantly

Almost killed his wife's sister cause she dared give her important medical information

Locked Lucien (MY BOY!!) in the house of wind

Locked Nesta in the house of wind

Didn't give Mor any warning that time he made her face her abusers and she cried i think (ngl i forgot most of it)

Ignoring Hewn City even tho...Kier is like the only bad guy we've seen from there?? Surely there's decent people in Hewn City, don't gotta make everyone suffer

Nesta windhaven kidnapping intervention so she stops spending Rhys' money (if it was really about her own sake, they would've put a stop to it much earlier)

Seemingly alienates everyone in Feyre's life that could and would stand up to Rhys for Feyre's sake. Lucien? Nah, shoo. Nesta? Nah, shoo. Weird thought but Tarquin? Yeah, makes her steal his book.

And last but DEFINITELY not least; demon baby wife death

HE COULD'VE TOLD FEYRE... OR ATLEAST NOT THREATENED TO KILL HER SISTER FOR TELLING HER WHEN HE HOULD'VE TOLD HER IN THE FIRST PLACE??

THERE'S PROBABLY MORE BUT MOVING ON

Cassian:

Barely ever stands up for Nesta in the IC

Aids in kidnapping Nesta to Windhaven so she stops spending whysand's money

Laughs at Nesta when she falls down the stairs

Aids in punishing Nesta for daring to tell Feyre important medical info

Constantly going agaisnt Nesta's wishes and trying to "save her" when she doesn't want him to

That one time Azriel asked Nesta if Cass had pushed her down the stairs...Like are we gonna ignore that?? Personally I'd have a quarter life crisis if my closest friend, who is like my sibling and has known me most of our lives, seriously entertained the idea that i would physically assault the girl I like

general aggressiveness all of ACOSF

aids in bulldozing Nesta's apartment

Rowan goddamn Whitehorn (Who I've yet to see people bashing him somehow,,, HoF rowan was like if ACOSF cassian had a horrific murder baby

Left his pregnant mate alone during a war cause he wanted to prove himself....like..idk man if i had the choice between war and taking care of my pregnant wife i'd pick the wife (did he know she was pregnant? i've kind of forgotten by now)

Rowan's kid would've been hundreds of years older than Aelin.....just think abt that

Literally everything he did to Aelin during training in HoF

Their argument where he PUNCHED HER IN THE FACE

Threatened to whip Aelin...I repeat....Threatened to whip Aelin, an ex-slave....

Told Aelin it'd be better if she died 10 years ago (unprovoked?? bitch you met her like 2 weeks ago just cause she's getting on your nerves doesn't mean you gotta wish DEATH upon her)

Literally was relieved to find out she was only 19 because if she was a few years older she could've been THE CHILD OF HIS BEST FRIEND.

No issue with marrying the cousin of his best friend's child....Imagine if he hadn't met Aelin first.. If he'd met Aedion first, Aelin would've always been the relative of his friend's son to him

FOR THE RECORD i hate all of the SJM age gaps but rowan and aelin's specifically irks me because Aelin LITERALLY CALLS HIM OLD throughout the WHOLE SERIES

Literally tells Aelin he doesn't care about what she's been through and that she is nothing to him after she confronts him for leaving her

Puts Luca in danger by sticking him on to a frozen lake with a monster inside where he'll DIE if Aelin can't save him

Funnily enough, some of the only seemingly decent person guys in SJM 1. Are completely forgotten about in the books or 2. SJM had to make them violently unlikeable

Like we've got:

Tarquin, seemed like a pretty good guy, rightfully pissed that the IC stole his family heirloom, shows up like twice in the books (LET HIM COME BACK SARAH I LOVE HIM)

Tamlin, was pretty decent in book 1, was made violently unlikeable in book 2 onwards

Chaol, very strong morals, generally a good person, loves his wife, made violently unlikeable and boring in late CoM, HoF, and QoS (ToD is one of my favorite books in the series, will praise ToD till the day I die, my boy EARNED his own book)

Aedion, seemed like a good person, strong morals, spent years trading his dignity for the sake of Terrasen, loved his cousin above all else, made violently unlikable in KoA (even tho I think he was justified in being angry about it, i'd be SO pissed)

Sartaq, good guy, strong morals, Nesryn's chapters were some of my favorites in ToD, Sartaq is one of my favorite SJM love interests, i'll never forgive author lady for forgetting about him in KoA (tho i guess she forgot about everyone from ToD? Yrene and Chaol are the only important ones, she barely even mentions Nesryn even though Nesryn's BEEN an integral part of the gang since QoS, giving her the Suki from ATLA treatment)

[iocaisaint]

Random ACOTAR takes

cw*: my unsolicited opinions

I agree with #that woman that canon Lucien and Nesta (and I mean pre-ACOSF) would've been terrible for each other sorry

As of right now Nesta is the only Archeron sister with direct connection to the Dusk Court, like her and her alone 🤷🏾‍♀️

Out of the love square (?) Lucien is lowkey the only one with a storyline that isn't made out of paper mache and hope. There's so many angles you could go: Beron, Eris, LOA, The Autumn Court or Spring Court, Tamlin, or Day Court, Helion, being an heir, or helping Vassa with Koschei + his overall friendship with Jurian + Vassa + humans as a whole and that's without touching on the mating bond even once. Real set-up wished she'd done that with everyone else

That being said, I disagree with a bunch of Lucien's stans when it comes to his characters, y'all have a power fantasy for him that's in direct contradiction to how he's actually written (I mean I get it the books treat him like trash)

If Nesta is pregnant I'll have a crash out to end all crash outs.

Everybody in this fandom bar maybe Feysands are shipping fanon, the scenes that y'all talk about and the ones that exist on page are either not the same or straight up don't exist.

I hate the HK/HQ plot even for Nesta, like is blatant colonialism.

Everybody here is a hypocrite when it comes to their faves we'd all be happier admitting then bending over backwards.

I do not care for Elain, simply because fanon Elain is so far removed from what's on page, that most her pro arguments simply don't make sense to me.

There's no reason for Helion to give up his Pegasi but I know HOFAS was a mess but when the place was revitalised after the Asteri were murdered they came back, my guess is that place and the prison are mirror worlds so the same will happen once the Prison is liberated

Azriel isn't boring but he also isn't extremely interesting. If he was a girl no one would gaf about him, but there are enough concepts of an idea where I could see his book not being awful.

Neither the pro or the anti side gives a fuck about Emerie, double points if you're engaging in that ship war. No I won't expand on this, I'm right.

Nessian sucks, that's all.

Actually no I'm expanding on that point, the fact that people defend no "I love you" from the MMC is crazy, that fact that people defend Nesta being threatened without Cass stepping in even worse, the fact that Rhys knows he can berate Nesta in Cassian's presence....like they had an 800+ page book and I'm still having to hear about how they need to "grow as characters" y'all aren't serious people

I've become more neutral-positive to Feyre because some of the arguments against her are just crazy but on that note she'd be deeply more entertaining if the narrative wrote her refusal for self reflection as a flaw

Gwyn cannot be a evil light singer and irrelevant at the same time please pick one.

Also I don't hate the light singer theory, sorry. Monsters not actually being monsters is this series's bread and butter. It'd be great if a woman finally got that treatment

I can already tell Eris is about to be retconned to hell because SJM hates a character not being vindicated by the narrative to redeem them (she already started by implying Eris wants his father dead for #feminism). Let it be known I like/d him as is

I don't get into arguments about Rhys cause I find him boring. Y'all are fighting day in day out about faerie Ronald Reagan

Nesta should've been bi, how tf did we get stuck with Mor

I have more but that's it for now.

[lanitalay]

Before I Say Goodnight

Chapter 4

a/n: sorry this is a bit late, Halloweekend got very busy. Enjoy!!

Other chapters

Warnings: none

Word count: 2k

“I suggest someone else take her back, she did not have a good time during the flight” Cassian says and flashes you a mischievous grin. His face drops when he sees the far away look in your eyes and the wet streaks on your cheeks “seriously though, can someone winnow her?” “I need to speak with Lucien so I can take her, but I have a few meetings until later in the afternoon” she looks to Mor “do you mind giving her a tour of the house and finding her a room in the meantime?” Mor adjusts her hair and says “of course, we can have a little girls day and get to know each other a bit. I’ll fill you in on all of our juicy gossip” she winks at you. You wipe your tears away and put on a poor excuse of a smile “that sounds great, I love to gossip”. You laugh, kind of, trying to ignore the pang in your chest. Memories of long gossip sessions with friends flashing through your mind. At coffee shops, during phone calls, at sleep-overs before you fall asleep. Amren gets up from her chair “I assume this meeting is over. I’ll see if I can find something in my personal library” and walks out. “Meeting adjourned '' Rhysand announces and the group stands to go their own ways. “I’ll be back as soon as I can, y/n” Feyre smiles and walks out of the room. Mor is waiting for you by the doorway “Come on, girl, there’s a lot to see”. 

“I think this should be your room” Mor opens the door and lets you walk in first. The tour had been… a lot to take in. The house is huge and it’s beautiful but it has about a hundred floors and a million rooms. When you step through the door, you’re not shocked to see a beautifully decorated room with an incredible view to match. Velaris, the city of starlight, Mor had told you. “It’s close to the stairs, has its own bathing room and if you pull this back” she goes towards the curtains and reveals a glass door that blends in perfectly with the wall of windows “a balcony! I think no one has claimed this one because it is a little on the smaller side but if all goes well you’ll be on your way home soon” she smiles as you look around. This room is twice the size of my room back home. The bed looks divine, it is made with expensive looking linens, it has about ten decorative pillows that take up half of the mattress. You sit on it and lay back. Good god, I’m never leaving this bed. “This is the most extravagant bed and room I’ve ever seen, let alone stayed in” months of traveling on a budget had gotten you accustomed to thin mattresses at crowded hostels or questionable spare bedrooms from online listings. This was luxury. From what you had gathered last night, a High Lord is someone akin to a king and by the looks of this “house” Rhysand has the taste and wallet of true royalty. “I can’t disagree, it is beautiful” she sits next to you “so… I was serious about the gossip. There are some things you might want to know about the whole dynamic within the Court of Dreams” you can’t help the genuine smile that comes on “tell me everything”. “I knew there was something about you that I liked” she giggles “ok so since you’ve met Lucien I guess we can start with him and Elain. This is crazy, the poor male has terrible luck. Anyways Elain is Feyre’s sister and quick backstory, Feyre and her sisters were humans but for different reasons got turned Fae a while back. Elain and Nesta got dunked in the Cauldron and that turned them. The thing is that all of us were there when it happened and when Elain came out of the Cauldron, the mating bond snapped between her and Lucien-” Oh this is good. “Mating bond?” “Oh right, a mating bond is something that happens between two people destined by the Mother, as I was saying Lucien just says it in front of everyone and Elain is there like totally in shock. Flash forward to a few weeks later her mortal fiance hates Fae and wants nothing to do with her now and she wants nothing to do with Lucien and then Azriel kind of likes Elain now” she goes on to tell you about how Feyre and Rhysand met and Cassian and Nesta. You noticed that she didn’t tell you anything about her own drama but chose to not acknowledge it. It was comforting in a way that these magical beings had personal dramas and gossiped about it like you and your friends did “those stories are wild, Mor” she nods “we’ve been alive so long that we really have to work hard to keep things interesting” you snort and there's a knock on the door. “I’m sorry to interrupt but y/n, I’m ready to go when you are” Feyre says and you quickly get up from where you’ve made yourself comfortable on the bed. “Yeah, let’s go. Thanks for everything Mor” you quickly hug her and go towards Feyre. “How are we getting there?” you ask, not sure what to expect  “I’ll winnow us, you’ll see” you walk until you reach the terrace where you had landed with Cassian earlier and look at her wearily “this place is warded against winnowing so I’ll fly us out until we pass the wards and then I’ll winnow to the Manor”. As she speaks, wings appear on her back and she holds out her hands for you “it’ll be quick. I promise” you gulp. 

Feyre did not lie when she said it would be quick but left out that it would feel like the world is slipping from your grasp. You feel sick as she puts you down. You rest your hands on your knees in an attempt to steady yourself. “It takes a bit of getting used to” she lets you take a breath and you say “It beats going through TSA”. Feyre nods and when you’ve gathered yourself begins the short walk to the manor. 

Packing up your belongings was incredibly underwhelming. You had folded the tunic you’d been using as pajamas and the dress Vassa had given you and stuffed it in your bag. Feyre and Lucien had gone to the library to talk about whatever it was they had to discuss. You had a feeling they were talking about you and if you posed a threat of some kind, feeling that the offer of staying in the House of Wind came from the Court of Dreams wanting to keep a close eye on you. You zip everything up and descend the stairs to find your hosts and thank them for everything. Walking to the kitchen you find Jurian making dinner “they really take advantage of your talents here”. He turns from where he is chopping up produce and lets out a chuckle “it’s the price I pay for pissing Vassa off”. “What did you do?” you ask but before he can answer a lovely feminine voice interjects “he was being an idiot as usual” Jurian rolls his eyes but does not defend himself. “On that note,” you try to diffuse the tension “I’ll be staying at the Night Court while they research how to get me back home, thank you so much for everything. I think I would’ve been dead days ago if it weren’t for you” Vassa pouts “I’ll be sad to see you go, it was such a relief to have some feminine energy around here, but I understand” she walks over and hugs you tightly “please come say goodbye once you’ve figured it all out” you hug her back. Jurian stays by his vegetables as he says “you have to eat dinner here though, I’m making enough for the four of us and Lucien brought pie for dessert”. Your chest warms. He really got the pie. “In that case Feyre, will have to wait” you beam. 

After dinner and dessert with the exiles Feyre lets you know she’ll be waiting outside while you say your goodbyes. You hug Vassa and kiss Jurian on the cheek. Lucien offers to walk you to the door and you take the chance to say “thank you for the pie, it was delicious”. He offers you a half smile “you’ve had a rough few days, it’s the least I can do”. “Will you come visit?” you ask hoping the answer is yes. Everyone in the Night Court seems nice enough but Lucien, Jurian and Vassa have a special place in your heart. “I’m due to go there for a meeting in a few weeks. You’re always welcome to use your room here as well” nodding you hug him and without letting go say “I’m nervous”. He hugs you back “you’re in good hands, the House of Wind is safer and you’ll have everything you need”. You let go and walk out the door. 

Feyre walks with you until you reach your room “Mor showed you the kitchen and the common areas?” you walk in and set your bag down. “Yes, she was very thorough with her tour” you felt heavy. Maybe it was the flying and winnowing or saying goodbye or the weight of your reality crashing down on you. “Alright, try to sleep, if you need anything ask the house and if there’s an emergency you can wake up Azriel, his room is across the hall”. You remember him from earlier, tall, wings and devastatingly handsome. Historically, you had never figured out how to act around attractive men and during the meeting it was incredibly difficult to focus on retelling your story. “Thank you, Feyre” she goes to walk out and says “I’ll let you know tomorrow when the priestesses begin their research so you can join them if you like”. 

Wait, did she say ask the house if I need anything? You go to ask her but she’s gone. “House? Can I have water?” you ask to see if you had heard correctly. You are shocked when you see a tray with a jug of water and a glass appear on the bedside table. That is the best thing I’ve ever seen. You do your night routine: you bathe, brush your teeth and hair and put on your tunic. You pull the covers from the bed and get cozy. The house turns off the lights and the curtains are open, letting through the shine of the city and the stars. During the day it’s easier to ignore the ever growing helplessness. It feels like you’re drowning in it. Trapped in a glass coffin in between space and time. You feel your throat get tighter and your chest feels hollow and- Breathe. In. Out. In. Out. Count the stars, do something. Your mind screams. One, two, three, four, this isn’t working. You get an idea. Getting out of bed and walking towards your bag you pull out your phone. You haven’t used it since… well, since everything. It should be charged. Your heart skips when the screen lights up and you scroll to your photos as quickly as you can. Forty-five percent. You see a picture of your dog that your mom had sent you on your last day on Earth and tears well up. It hurts but it brings you comfort to know that they have each other. Committing the picture to memory, you shut it off and get in bed again. They have each other. They are not alone. Eventually sleep takes over. Mercifully, you have no dreams.

The house had closed the curtains after you fell asleep. When you woke up to a dark room you almost thought you had slept through an entire day. Sensing you had awoken, the curtains flew open and you see the sun above the city. It looks like it’s still early. You put on your dress and go have breakfast in the dining room. Azriel is the only one there. “Good morning” he greets. You fiddle with your dress, suddenly aware of the dirt that’s staining the hem and the way it falls off your shoulder. “Good morning”.

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

chapter x - gust & flame

Eris Vanserra x Reader

Eris Vanserra has been a prisoner in his own home since the day he was born. He has done what he had to in order to survive and protect the few he loves. And he is playing the long game. Waiting, waiting, and waiting for the right time to make his move, to usurp his wicked father and become High Lord of Autumn Court. But things become even more complicated when a human girl drops into his life. Perhaps Eris can wait no longer to take his throne.

Word Count: 3,800+

Warnings: negative reflections on sexual relationships, spoilers for entire ACOTAR series

masterlist

All of the servants and guards in the Forest House avoided any eye contact as Eris stomped down the halls. They could sense his foul mood. On days like this, Eris wondered if he was any better than his father with the way people feared him in this court. 

Eris had gone hunting with his hounds in an attempt to cure his current disposition. But it had done very little to help him. 

Even his mother had caught onto it this morning when they had tea and coffee. 

“It’s her,” she had told him. 

“What do you mean?” Eris bit back without meaning to. 

But his mother had only smirked at him. “When one already feels the bond, being away from one’s mate for long periods of time can have…negative consequences.” She’d cleared her throat slightly. “Foul moods, easily irritated.” 

“I’m fine,” Eris had tried to argue. 

But now, as he glared at anyone and everyone in the Forest House, he knew his mother had probably been onto something.  

The sun had just set, making the sky a glowing orange that only Autumn Court could manifest. When he walked into his bedchambers, the light from the window made it seem like the whole place was on fire. In a way, it always had been. 

Eris ripped his leather riding gloves off and chucked them on the nearest table. 

He poured himself some wine, already knowing it wouldn’t making him feel any better. 

Eris poured himself a second glass already. He turned to the fireplace and snapped his finger, setting it alight instantly. 

Just as he sat down, a piece of paper fell into his lap. 

Eris’ stomach dropped for a moment, immediately imagining the worst. Had Y/N been hurt again? No, surely she hadn’t. He would’ve felt it. 

Lucien wishes to meet with you tomorrow at dusk. The manor where the exiles reside. He’s met her. I think he knows who she is to you.

Eris swore at Rhysand’s meaning. Of all the days to receive such a letter…

The obvious instinct was to blow off his youngest brother’s request. Who did Lucien think he was, demanding such things from him? 

But Eris knew that Lucien wouldn’t give up so easily. And if he ignored the meeting, it would most likely only answer his brother’s suspicions of who Y/N was. 

Eris sighed and rubbed his face. Now he had to find a way to sneak out of Autumn Court without notice. 

––––––––

Cassian and Nesta met at Y/N’s shop just as she was finished closing up. 

“Hello!” Y/N greeted them cheerfully. 

Nesta gave her a subtle smirk, while her mate beamed at her. 

“Ready for some drinking and dancing?” Cassian asked. 

Y/N nodded enthusiastically as she grabbed her coat. The keys to the store jingled in her hand as she practically skipped to the door.

The couple followed her outside, waiting patiently as she looked up the door of the shop. 

When they got to pleasure hall, it was already bustling with people. And the energy was contagious. 

Y/N smiled with delight. 

Parties with such strangers was not something she’d ever really experienced. Yes, her coven would have seances and celebrate holidays. However, it never included anyone outside her coven. There was always drinking and dancing. But there was never the allure that you could meet a stranger at any moment. 

“What will ya be havin’, Y/N?” Cassian asked just as she spotted their friends.

Feyre, Rhysand, Morrigan, and Azriel were tucked away at a corner booth, somewhat hidden in the darkest part of the pleasure hall. 

Y/N still found it shocking that the High Lord and Lady of this court could live almost normally. Most people at Rita’s didn’t even acknowledge them. Some would do a double take, but then move on with their night. 

“Who’s watching Nyx?” Y/N asked without thinking. 

Since that terrifying day, she was always concerned about the toddler’s safety. Perhaps the boy was still in danger. After all, they still didn’t know who had attacked them. Was it Hybern, still fighting after the war? Another court? 

Nesta answered with, “Elain and Amren…and obviously the twins are always hiding about.” Then she nudged Y/N’s arm. “Don’t worry. There’s a million wards on that River House. Rhys and Feyre would never leave his side if they felt he wasn’t completely safe.” 

“Still, no one has given me their poison for this evening,” Cassian reminded them. 

Y/N laughed as she said, “Wine, please.”

Nesta smirked and nodded. “I shall do the same.” 

Cassian nodded, gave Nesta a kiss, and then went off to the bar. 

As they walked to the table their friends were waiting at, Y/N asked Nesta, “Why didn’t Emerie and Gywn come?”

Nesta shrugged. “Emerie had to restock her store with new shipments. And Gwyn…she still struggles with crowds and new places.” 

Y/N nodded in understanding. When she'd heard Gwyn’s story, her heart had broken. That was unfortunately true for all of the priestesses and others that joined their Valkyrie training. The hardships and heartbreak never ended. 

Cassian returned with giant goblets of wine for both Nesta and Y/N. 

And both of them barely drank half of them before Morrigan was dragging the females onto the dance floor. 

Y/N giggled at the aggressiveness of it all. But it didn’t take much to convince her to dance. She loved it, after all. 

She turned back to their booth to see that Cassian and Rhys were talking amongst themselves. But Azriel…Azriel was subtly watching them. No��not them. Her. 

“He refuses to dance,” Morrigan muttered in her ear, obviously catching the two watching each other. She spun Y/N around and forced them to face one another. “It took me centuries just to get him to start coming here with me.” 

“And Cassian?” Y/N asked Nesta with a laugh. 

Nesta smirked mischievously. “He will make his way over as soon as he catches another male trying to dance with me.”

Y/N’s gaze moved to Feyre, who looked the least happy to be forced onto the dance floor. 

“Rhys will do whatever his High Lady wishes,” Morrigan giggled. 

“He is a better dancer than I ever could be,” Feyre admitted with a subtle blush to her cheeks. 

Morrigan spun Y/N once again, making them both laugh. 

“I need more wine,” Y/N admitted, skipping back to their table. 

She once again shared a look with Azriel. The shadowsinger never failed to confuse her. Even the winds could tell her very little about him. He kept his secrets close, which made his mystery even more alluring to Y/N. 

There was a part of her who wished to dare and ask him to dance with her – just to see what he would say.

But Azriel broke there connection as he looked over her shoulder at someone behind Y/N.

He didn’t exactly glare, because the shadow singer was much more controlled than that. But it was obvious he was watching someone he was not fond of. 

“Who invited him?” Azriel asked evenly, trying to seem unfazed as he took a sip of wine. 

Y/N turned around to discover that it was Lucien. 

“I did,” she answered confidently, turning back around to defy the shadowsinger. Then raised a brow to Azriel, silently daring him to challenge the decision. 

Azriel blinked, somewhat surprised. 

But Y/N had already turned and rushed to Lucien with a welcoming smile. 

“You came!”

Lucien smiled, not expecting her to be genuinely happy that he took her up on the invitation. “I told you I would.” 

“Dance with me?” But Y/N didn’t really give him room to actually answer. Instead, she grabbed his wrist and brought him to the dance floor. 

Y/N jumped and spun on her own. 

It took her a few moments to realize Lucien was simply standing still and smirking at her. 

“What?” She asked. “Don’t dance?” 

The next second, the music slowed down. Everyone around her grabbed a partner and the rest took a break at their tables or went to the bar for more refreshments. 

“I’m much better with a partner,” Lucien admitted, and offered his hand. 

Y/N hesitated before taking it. “I don’t know…umm…f-formal dances.” 

Lucien looked around at the other dancers surrounding them. “I don’t believe you’ll need to in such an establishment.” 

Y/N did the same and realized most partners were just swaying and stepping. 

“Do you like dancing?” Lucien asked her quietly. 

“I do. Though I hadn’t realized how long it’s been since I did it. My…c-coven used to dance around bonfires, under every full moon.” She smirked before adding, “Naked.” 

“You are trouble…” Lucien shook his head, trying to hide his smile. “And where is this coven now?” 

“Dead,” Y/N said lightly, the wine clearly refusing to let the subject bring her down.

She needed to dance after all. 

Lucien's movements stumbled, but his hands were still on her. He gave her a genuine sympathetic look, “I’m so very sorry.”

Y/N shrugged. “I know I’m not the only one who has suffered great loss…”

The song was over and the next one was back to its high energy. And their small moment of vulnerability was over.

In its place, there was a strange tension between the two of them. 

Y/N bowed her head, no longer meeting his gaze. 

“I-I-I’m going to get more wine,” she mumbled before leaving Lucien alone on the dance floor and hurrying to the bar. 

As the night went on, Y/N got drunker and drunker. 

The anxiety of bringing Lucien was forcing her to drink more than she had planned on. But she also couldn’t remember the last time she let herself go and just…have fun. She was always on the run, always in danger. And being drunk was not a way to survive – it was irresponsible. 

If her drunkenness was obvious, none of her friends seemed to mind. Cassian danced with her, and then Mor or Nesta would steal here away.

Late into the night, they were all taking a break at the booth when Morrigan giggled and told Y/N, “Some handsome males have their eyes on you…”

If she was telling the truth, Y/N hadn’t noticed. 

So, she just laughed too and took a quick sip of wine. 

“Will you not talk to any of them?” Nesta asked. 

Y/N was too busy feeling her face get red and staring into her goblet of wine to see that the rest of the table was giving Mor warning looks. She was entering dangerous territory. 

But Y/N just shrugged at the question and became somewhat bashful. 

“Do you not enjoy the company of men?” Mor pushed. 

Clearly, she hadn’t noticed the subtle look from their friends to stop. In fact, for all Mor knew, she and Y/N were having a private conversation. 

Y/N’s face scrunched in honest consideration. “I-I’ve had my fair share of lovers during my travels – with mortal men,” she clarified. 

Then she sputtered, spitting out laughter at herself for using the word ‘lovers’. 

“Lovers,” Y/N repeated her own words in a giggle. “As if they were even worthy of the title.”

Y/N’s face suddenly became somewhat sober, twisting into something almost sad. 

Her eyes grew distant. “It never really ended up feeling how I wanted it to. I was always left feeling…used.” 

She let out a drunken, huff of a laugh. “So I stopped bothering…” 

After a few moments of silence from her friends, Y/N finally lifted her gaze and realized everyone at the table was looking at her. 

Y/N blinked, now realizing what she had just admitted to her friends. 

Feyre, Mor, and Nesta looked back at her with sympathy.

But then Y/N’s gaze shifted to the males.

Cassian appeared sad. Rhysand and Lucien, both disgusted. But Azriel…Azriel looked…almost furious. 

And every second, Y/N regretted saying anything at all. 

Mor saved her as she dragged here away from the table and everyone's reactions, “Come, let us get back to dancing!”

After a few songs, Y/N started to notice the stares of those males Mor had been referencing. They were all handsome. Perhaps all in their own way, but still handsome. 

“I would like to believe that a few centuries of immortality has made male faes much better lovers,” Mor whispered in her ear when she caught Y/N looking. 

The witch smirked, not breaking eye contact with one of them.

He was tall, with blonde hair so light that it was almost white. It was cut shorter on the sides and longer on top. His eyes were an icy blue. He had a strong jaw, a wide mouth, and almost perfect lips. 

He was definitely more beautiful than any man Y/N had ever let touch her. 

Y/N started stepping towards him. 

He seemed pleased with her approach, standing up straighter.  

“Hello,” she cooed, sounding surprisingly sober. 

“Hello,” he greeted in return. Then he tilted his head, slowly looking her up and down. “They tell me you are the witch.”

The witch. Not a witch. Had she already gained some sort of reputation in Velaris? 

“The witch has a name,” she answered with a narrowed gaze. “Y/N.” 

“My apologies, Y/N. I meant no offense. I only bring it up because I started to believe you were casting some sort of spell on all the poor and helpless males in this pleasure hall.” 

Oh, he just had to be charming, too. Didn’t he?

“My names Donton,” he added with a smirk. 

Just as Y/N was about to ask Donton to take her somewhere private, the males gaze darkened and he eyed someone over her shoulder. 

“Y/N, time to go,” a deep voice said behind her. 

Her face dropped with annoyance as she turned to face Azriel. 

“I never said anything about going home,” Y/N curtly told him. 

“Cassian and Nesta just left. I am your only way home.” 

“I don’t believe she had any interest in going home,” Donton cut in. 

Y/N was impressed by his boldness. She had seen how people reacted to Azriel. Most feared him. But really, they just didn’t understand him. 

Azriel ignored the male. 

But he stepped closer to Y/N and lowered his voice as he said, “You are drunk, Y/N. And it is time to go.” 

Y/N squared up with him, but she knew there was no winning. Azriel wouldn’t make a scene, but she could fully expect him to drag her into his shadows and whisk her to the other side of Velaris. And her pride wouldn’t allow such a thing. 

So, she turned back to Donton. 

“Perhaps another night,” she told him gently, trying not to appear embarrassed. 

He gave her a polite bow of his head. “Any night that you wish, Y/N.” 

She was grateful that he wasn’t deterred by the overprotective Illyrian spymaster. 

But as Y/N turned to leave, she shouldered Azriel hard. Even though she knew it hurt her more than it could ever hurt him. 

The rest of the group had left, except Mor, who now talked to a group of females at a different table. 

As soon as they were outside, the brisk night air woke Y/N up a bit.

She turned around and got into Azriel’s face. “Am I a grown woman?” 

Azriel blinked. And his shadows hid behind his shoulders. 

Y/N stepped even closer. “I asked you: Am I a grown woman?”

“Yes,” he finally answered evenly. 

“Then you are not my nanny. I may do as I wish,” Y/N huffed and shoved past him again to march onward. 

He called out, “Where are you going?” 

“Back to the House of Wind,” she growled over her shoulder without stopping. 

But then Y/N was suddenly picked up and launched into the air, yelping with surprise.

“You bastard!” She snapped at him, trying to wiggle out of his hold before they got too high. 

The Illyrian had the audacity to smirk at her outrage and flapped his wings harder, making them launch even higher at a speed she didn’t appreciate. 

As soon as they landed at the House of Wind, Y/N shoved her way out of his arms and started stomping away. 

“Y/N, wait,” Azriel called out to her gently. 

For some reason, she did as he asked and turned to look at him expectantly. 

“I did not mean to embarrass you. After what you said tonight…” his words died out. “You had a lot of wine and I didn’t want you to regret your actions.”

Y/N wanted to still be angry. But Azriel’s eyes were soft and only filled with concern. “Perhaps you are right…about the wine. But I am not yours to publicly claim. I am a free woman – and I’ve spent my whole life making sure it stays that way.”

Azriel gave a final nod. “I understand. I am sorry, Y/N.” 

They stared into each other's eyes for a moment longer before she finally continued on to her bedroom. 

–🍁–🍁–🍁–

Eris knocked on the arched, wooden door of the manor. Surely Lucien would’ve sensed his arrival. But his brother wasn’t the only one who resided here. 

Lucien was swift in answering. 

He took one look at his eldest brother and said, “You look like shit.” 

Eris wanted to bite back even harsher. But he knew his brother was only speaking the truth. His mother was right: staying away from his unbounded mate was starting to take a toll on him. 

But instead, Eris snapped, “You do not understand how much you put at risk, asking for such impromptu meetings.” 

No greeting. No pleasantries. 

Lucien glared. “Would you have preferred that I write a letter inquiring about your mate, one that could easily be intercepted by our father?” 

Eris flexed his right hand, immersing it in dangerous flames. Without any invitation, Eris pushed his way into the manor by grabbing hold of Lucien’s collar and shoving him back. 

Lucien scoffed at such an attack. “So it is true…she is your mate.” 

“I said nothing of the sort,” Eris growled. 

However, Lucien didn’t look victorious from discovery the truth of Y/N. 

Instead, his face dropped as he asked, “Why did you go to the Night Court? Why not come to me?” 

Eris finally let go of his brother and put out his fire. “Last I heard, you were an emissary for the same court…” His eyes looked around the entry hall of the manor. “Or is this your home now, brother? Truly, I can’t keep track of where your loyalties lie any longer.”

Lucien ignored the passive insults directed towards him and brushed off invisible dirt from his outfit. 

“Do you not find it ironic that you call this place home? This manor that was gifted to all of you by your mate’s once-fiancé?”

Eris was bating his brother now, trying to get the attention off himself.

“So this is your plan?” Lucien asked. “To hide her forever?” 

There was no use in pretending Y/N was anything else to Eris. Lucien would not be fooled by any lies. 

Eris’ glare tore into his brother. “You of all people should understand what would happen if I did anything else.” 

“Yes, and I recall being forced to watch as you did nothing,” Lucien hissed. 

Eris surprised them both by bellowing, “I could not save you both!”

Lucien froze as he watched his brother take in quick and heavy breaths. 

“I chose my brother,” Eris declared. “And I would do it again.”

Lucien stared in disbelief. 

Tamlin had never shared if Eris had helped him escape Autumn Court on that dreadful day. And perhaps Lucien just didn’t want to believe it. Maybe he had to convince himself that there was nothing left for him in Autumn Court – except his mother, who remained a prisoner with no chance of escaping. 

“What are you truly mad about, Lucien? That I’m protecting her in a way you failed to so with your lover…or because all of this might be proving that I’m the not the monster you have conjured up in your head?” 

Lucien was speechless. 

“If Beron would torture one of his son’s lovers for merely being Lesser Fae,” Eris paused, feeling sick at the thought. “What do you think he would do to my mortal mate?” 

But Lucien didn’t need to answer, because they both already knew. 

“You were more of a father to me than that bastard ever was,” Lucien pointed out. “Yet, you have hunted me just the same as the others.” 

“I have done what I must,” was all Eris responded with. 

Lucien should’ve known better than to try and get his eldest brother to admit to even slightly caring about him. 

Instead, he decided to truly take his brother in, noting the deep shadows under his eyes and the less than perfect posture. “I’ve seen what happens when two mates are separated…”

“We are not mated. And she is oblivious to the bond,” Eris corrected. 

“Perhaps,” Lucien shrugged. “But you also should not feel the bond so strongly with a mortal. And she is more than that: she is a powerful and gifted witch.” 

Eris had reached his tipping point. “I will take my leave now.” 

“She has opened a store,” Lucien quickly added. “In Velaris. She’s helping them with injuries and ailments, both of the body and mind. Already they have started to adore her.”

Eris tried to control his heart, to stop it from quickening as he heard more about his forbidden mate. 

So, he responded with a harsh, “Good. Night Court will truly become her home.”

But Lucien wasn't done yet. “Cassian tells me that she is training with the Valkyrie now. Apparently, she has quite the talent with the bow,” he added with a smirk. 

Eris stored such information, but said nothing. 

He reached into his inside jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope, slapping it to his brother’s chest as he walked to the door. 

A letter from their mother. 

“Did you read it?” Lucien asked, only somewhat concerned. 

“I don’t have to,” Eris muttered. “I already know you are her favorite.” 

Lucien had followed as his brother walked outside the manor.

“Eris,” he called. 

The eldest Vanserra almost didn’t stop to turn around, almost winnowed away without hearing his brother’s final words. 

But he paused and gave Lucien an impatient look. 

“Whatever your plan is…do not underestimate our father. You may fool everyone else into believing you are equal in evil. But I know you better than you realize. He will not give up his throne without bloodshed.” 

Eris didn’t respond, only winnowing away. 

–––––––

OK. I was really excited about this chapter.

I also have had a terrible past week, so please write nice comment, reblogs, and book report message. 🥺👉🏻👈🏻

chapter xi

[rosanna-writer]

time won't fly (it's like i'm paralyzed by it) (6/?)

Summary: Every day, Rhysand wakes up next to Amarantha in her bed Under the Mountain. A prisoner, a weapon, a High Lord on a leash. He's been down there so long, it's starting to feel like time doesn't matter. Until one day, it doesn't. Feyre's death sends Rhysand back in time, waking up on the same day - over and over. Now, Rhysand must discover how to break the time loop, save his mate, and keep his sanity intact. A "round robin" style fanfiction with different authors. This work is meant to be read from beginning to end, but each chapter is written by a different author with their own spin on the time loop prompt. Warnings: canon-typical sexual violence, canon-typical violence, temporary character death Rating: Explicit

We've had one short Feyre death interlude, yes. But what about SECOND short Feyre death interlude?

I had so much fun giggling with the rest of @feysand-hivemind over silly ways to kill Feyre amid all the actual plot brainstorming we did! Much love to this group of unhinged goofball creative geniuses <3

Read on AO3 or find the chapter under the cut! The tumblr masterlist for the fic is here.

Watching Lucien bring Feyre back to the manor hadn't been enough to ease Rhys's mind. Even as he'd hunted the faeries who'd nearly gotten their hands on her—and enjoyed it—he'd worried.

He slipped back into the manor to check on her. And call it intuition, a gut feeling, or an impossible reason he might sense things about her that Rhys refused to even consider, but Feyre was awake. And creeping down the stairs.

Cloaking himself in shadow, he followed her, footfalls silent. She made her way down to the kitchen, completely alone with all the servants still out celebrating Calanmai. There were still a few hours left until sunrise, and Rhys was sure the denizens of the Spring Court were fully intent on wringing every last bit of merriment out of their very last Fire Night aboveground.

He couldn't blame them. He wanted to savor these rare few hours of freedom, too.

It had been so long since he'd seen the stars.

But more importantly, he wanted to see for himself that Feyre got back to bed safe and sound. Blissfully unaware of the revelry outside, with its undercurrent of frantic desperation, she was busy gobbling down half a loaf of bread.

And an apple. And a lemon tart.

Mother above, the girl could eat.

She grabbed a cookie next and practically inhaled it, so quickly that she began to cough. The coughs became strange gurgling noises. Feyre's face began to turn blue.

Before Rhys could react, she'd keeled over. Her breathing stopped. He stood there in shock, unsure what to make of the fact that Feyre had just choked on a cookie and died.

Right after the mermaid, too. Perhaps everything in the Spring Court was trying to kill her.

The thought made his insides twist as the world faded to darkness and time reset again.

He followed the same steps as before; the sequence of events was becoming painfully familiar. Rhys wondered how long it would be before he could follow them without even having to think about it.

No—he wouldn't let it come to that. He'd break them out of this loop well before that happened. He had to.

After the last disaster with the cookie, he followed her back to the kitchen after Calanmai again. And because Rhysand wasn't in the business of making the same mistakes twice, when she bit into the cookie, he called her name.

Rhys knew their encounter had frightened her, even if he had saved her from the picts. He did the only logical thing and used magic to distort his voice.

Feyre flinched. And coughed again. The whole thing ended again much the way it had in the last loop, and for the life of him, Rhys couldn't decide if seeing Feyre killed by a cookie—not even once but twice —was a message or merely some sort of divine punishment.

At least the mermaid had only deigned to attack once.

He tried again, misting the cookie before Feyre could get her hands on it. She merely choked on the lemon tart instead.

Casting a glamour to conceal the food just resulted in a head injury when Feyre fell off the step stool she'd climbed, utterly determined to find something to eat.

In the next loop, he barred the kitchen door. She managed to injure herself attempting to pry it open.

The High Lord of the Night Court accepted that he'd been bested by a cookie.

The world remade itself again, and Rhys didn't attempt to dissuade her from the kitchen. He kept his distance. She lived.

Perhaps that was the lesson behind all of this—that Feyre was better off without him getting too close. Instead, he set to work hunting the picts, and as Tamlin bit Feyre's neck somewhere in the distance, Rhys tried not to sink further into despair.

[shallyne]

Better Days

Lucien dropped down on a park bench with a sigh, looking up at the sky as he was contemplating what to do. Tamlin was going crazy at home, and if Lucien understood that it all came from the very pressure hos father burdened on him, he was exhausted. Exhausted from endless tantrums and exhausted from always being the mediator. He just needed one break, an hour to contemplate his options going forward. He hadn't prayed since he left home at sixteen, two years ago, but right now he was praying for a path, a clear way he should follow. But it wasn't easy like this, was it? It was always a fight, it would always be one.

As he was deep in thought, he didn't know how much time had passed until something pulled on the leg of his pants. He looked down, expecting some kind of animal but he was surprised when a little girl with braided, golden-brown hair and blue eyes grinned up at him.

"Hi!" she basically yelled at him, showing a missing front tooth. Her hair was messy, strands falling out of her braid and her cheeks were red, probably from running around. "I like your eye."

"Oh?" he asked, surprised that the kid wasn't scared of him. Usually when kids and their parents spotted him, they crossed the road oe kept as much distance as possible. But this kid didn't seem to have these qualms.

"Do you want to play pirates with me and my friends? You can be the captain if you want, Rhys probably wouldn't like it but I don't care, be pulled my braid! Oh, I'm Feyre! Sorry, my mother always said it's rude to not introduce myself. She's dead now. Anyways, do you want to play pirates with us?"

Lucien caught himself halfway through her speech, sitting up straighter. "Not today, kiddo. Who's with you?" She couldn't be alone, that park was huge and leaving a kid here was, simply said, stupid amd dangerous.

As the kid, Feyre, opened her mouth, a female voice yelled, "Feyre!"

Lucien and Feyre both turned toward that voice and the sight stunned him. The most beautiful woman he has ever seen raced towards them and picked Feyre up, looking for any injuries as she did. "You can't just run away! I was worried sick!"

Feyre didn't get a chance to respond as the woman turned around, seemingly his age. Just now could Lucien admire the brown of her eyes and how it looked like amber in the sunlight. He didn't let himself think about her beautiful face or the way her hair, a shade lighter than Feyre's, fell beautifully in slight waves down to her hip. It didn't make sense as she would probably just eye him suspiciously and tell Feyre to stay away from him.

"I'm so sorry," she told him, getting his attention back. "She's quite the whirlwind. I'm Elain and this is my little sister Feyre."

"I already introduced myself!" the girl protested, trying to get away from Elain’s arms.

Lucien chuckled and earned a smile from Elain.

"She will grow up quite sassy," Elain said as she let Feyre back down, telling her to stay close, "But I hope she will keep that kindness." Lucien smiled at that and didn't doubt one moment that Feyre would lose it if she grew up with Elain. "Is that seat taken?"

Lucien scooted to the side and gestured for Elain to sit down as he said, "Maybe you should get her a leash."

Elain laughed as she sat and crossed her legs, the beautiful sound echoing in Lucien's as mind. "Believe me, I considered it." He had to put all his focus into listening as her jasmine scent drifted over. "She's hellbent on getting away as soon as I turn around for a second."

They kept talking for quite a while until Feyre got tired and they had to put an end to their conversation, but they exchanged numbers just before Elain left and when they were gone, Lucien realized that he hadn't thought about Tamlin or any of his other problems the whole time with Elain.

@elucienweekofficial