#unclean acoaas

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UNCLEAN {tog}

A dark fairytale retelling of Asterin Blackbeak and the Hunter. A Throne of Glass fanfiction.

Asterin Blackbeak is on the hunt on behalf of her Coven leader when she is stopped by a grueling winter storm. Lost, injured, and starving, she is faced with a lone hunter. Brushing her mission aside, Asterin learns what it’s like to love, to be loved, and to lose it all.

10 part installment. Update every Monday.

PART I

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UNCLEAN {tog // part I}}

A {AU dark fairytale} retelling of Asterin Blackbeak and the Hunter. A Throne of Glass fanfiction.

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Summary: Asterin Blackbeak is on the hunt on behalf of her Coven leader when she is stopped by a grueling winter storm. Lost, injured, and starving, she is faced with a lone hunter. Brushing her mission aside, Asterin learns what it’s like to love, to be loved, and to lose it all.

A/N: After reading KoA, I thought Asterin deserved a whole lot of love. I hope you all enjoy it. I’d love to know what you all think! New chapters will be posted every Monday.

Tags (comment if you’d like to be added): @nestasbucket @thewavesofthesea @mariamuses @fireflyangelxx @dirtypixie38 @abimomeopectore @awesomethreedragons @rhysands-highlady @aster-ria @rapunzel1523

Asterin hadn’t prepared for the storm that made it impossible to see where she was headed. The wind was so cold that it made it difficult to breathe, even with her scarf pulled up to the bridge of her nose. Her golden hair was tucked into the hood of her cloak, although her braid had come loose miles ago. She squinted into the white abyss, but it was no use. 

The Matron had given her strict orders: Find them. Kill them. Do not stop until the enemy has perished. Asterin was a great hunter, prized among her people for her talents. She had been given this mission as a reward of sorts, to show her Coven how much the Matron trusted her and her gifts. She snapped the reins, Narene, her black mare, trudging through the snow a few feet more. Then it happened, all in a blur. Narene jumped up on her hind legs and Asterin was caught off guard. She stumbled into the snow, leg hitting an icy rock, Narene’s front hooves toppling over her. Asterin screamed, Narene whinnied. She knew it was not the mare’s fault, knew she could not see in the wintery chaos any more than Asterin could. Narene bent down, nudging Asterin in the shoulder with her nose. “I’m okay,” Asterin mumbled, pulling herself up. “It’s okay, girl. I’m okay.” But as soon as she attempted to put pressure on her left foot, she realized she was far from okay. Not that she was going to admit it to Narene. She would fuss and worry too much. Asterin grabbed the stirrup and hoisted herself up just as she heard a branch snap from behind her. Asterin whirled, all pain forgotten. “Who’s there?” Black eyes narrowed, Asterin scanned the line of the forest. Narene huffed, and Asterin’s eyes followed to where the horse was watching. A figure, clad in black, moved a branch with a gloved hand before revealing themselves in the clearing. They had a bow and arrows slung across their back but held no weapon in defense. “Hello?” they called. A deep voice. A male. “I mean no harm. I heard you scream. Just making sure you’re alright.” Asterin froze, said nothing, but released her grip on the hilt of her sword. A slight accent grazed his words that made Asterin’s cheeks heat beneath her scarf. He was close enough now that Asterin could make out a sliver of tanned skin between his hood and his scarf, green eyes staring at her attentively. He stopped, eyes softening when he saw her watching him suspiciously. “You’re out here alone?” The stranger sounded surprised. She was a woman, after all. At least she appeared mortal. It was rare to see a woman traveling alone, especially in such horrific conditions. If only he knew what she was capable of. “You’re injured,” he said. Not a question, but an observation. “I fell,” Asterin blurted. “I’m fine. I’ll just be getting on my way.” “Not in this storm,” he said, amusement dancing in those bright green eyes. “My cabin is a quarter mile east. It will take a while with the snow, but its closer than the closest village. Let me feed you while the storm passes. I have a warm barn for your mare, as well.” It was a tempting offer. Warmth. She longed for warmth, for food to fill her stomach. But, she declined. “No, thank you. I have business to attend to.” He chuckled. “Don’t we all? Come on. Your journey can wait until morning.” Asterin lifted a brow.  “You could be a murderer. How do I know this is not a trap?” This time, he laughed, and Asterin found herself enjoying the joyful noise. “Do you think so little of humanity?” Yes. “I am a woman alone in the woods. I have heard stories.” And I would hate to have to rip you apart with my nails. “Well, if I am a murderer, I at least give you my word to fill your stomach and warm you by fireside before all goes to hell,” he said, that amusement unfading. Narene huffed again, nudging Asterin once more with her nose. Asterin sighed. Narene, the spoiled brat. “Fine. But only for my horse. She needs to rest.” “Very well,” the hunter agreed. Asterin cringed as she put pressure on her foot in attempt to climb onto Narene’s saddle. The hunter was by her side in an instant. “Can I help?” “I’ve got it,” Astern said through gritted teeth, hauling herself onto Narene’s back, using as much of her upper body strength as possible. The hunter shook his head. “As much as I respect a strong, independent woman, it is not a crime to ask for help, you know.” Ignoring his comment, Asterin said, instead, “Lead the way, woodsman.” He adjusted his scarf and took Narene’s reins, leading her carefully through the woods. As soon as they were covered by the endless stretch of trees, it was easier to see, the snow blocked by the branches above. It would still take time, though, to walk a quarter mile through the brush and winding, rough path. Black, gold-speckled eyes drifted to the man in black, leading her precious mare cautiously through the woods. He seemed harmless enough. Asterin typically had a pretty good feel on people – humans, especially. Humans tended to wear their emotions on their sleeves. He couldn’t have been more than twenty-two, twenty-three. There were no wrinkles yet around his eyes, and they still looked young, wild. Full of light. Whoever this man was, Asterin was positive he had not nearly seen as much life as she. Knew that he wouldn’t want to. Knew that he would run in horror if he knew who she was, what she was. She wouldn’t tell him. Besides, it was only for a night. A night in the warmth with a full stomach, which is more than she could say she had received since her journey began days before. She would take advantage of his kind, but reckless, offer – even if only for a few hours. Although, the walk through the snowy woods seemed to take slow, painful hours all in itself. Narene didn’t seem to mind, though. She actually seemed to be fond of the stranger pulling her reins. Asterin chuckled to herself. Nerene – such a flirt. “It’s just up here,” he announced, voice rough from the cold, after what seemed like an eternity. Through the white blur, Asterin saw a small cabin up ahead, smoke puffing from the chimney. “You leave the fire burning in your fireplace when you’re not home?” Asterin asked. “That’s dangerous, you know. You do not seem to care much for your home.” She couldn’t see him, but she sensed his grin. “You are very outspoken.” “So I’m told,” she said. “My friends like that about me.” “I didn’t say it was such a bad thing,” he agreed. Asterin lifted her chin. “You may as well get used to it if you’re going to allow me into your home.” He shook his head, shoulders gently shaking from laughter. Narene sneezed and Asterin rolled her eyes. “Hopefully your horse isn’t getting sick,” the hunter said. “Oh, no,” Asterin assured him. “She pretends to sneeze when she’s annoyed with me.” “Is she annoyed of you often?” he asked. “Only when I’m annoyed with her, too,” Asterin said, flicking the mare’s ear. Narene sneezed, again. The hunter laughed. Minutes later, they finally exited the woods, landing in the clearing where his home sat, bright and welcoming. He led Narene into his barn – a small shelter with a roof, his own brown horse lying on top of some hay, a blanket over his back. “This is Farrow,” the hunter said. “He’s old. Doesn’t do much.” “He’s beautiful,” Asterin said, admiring the horse’s brown and white-speckled coat. The hunter held his hand to Asterin, who gave him a look. “Let me help,” he laughed. “I promise to let you walk all the way to the door, in pain, alone.” Sighing, she took his hand and leaped down, only to cringe, once more. If the hunter saw, which she knew he did, he said nothing. Instead, he removed Asterin’s bag, slung it over his shoulder, then proceeded to unbuckle Narene’s saddle. He led her inside and removed the bridle from her mouth. “Eat,” he told Narene. “I will come with more blankets soon.” He brushed her nose and she whinnied, forcing Asterin to shoot her a look. Narene sneezed. “Come on,” the hunter said, gesturing to his front door, which was nearly blocked by snow. The hunter pushed it away with his boot and pushed the door open, revealing the simple beauty within. Asterin followed – limping, cringing – until she was inside, the door shut behind her. “Sit,” the hunter ordered, not unkindly. Asterin removed her hood, then her scarf, her gloves, before sitting on a chair near the warm fire. After removing her wet boots, she looked behind her. And started. The hunter had done the same as she, removed his outerwear. He stood in a thick tunic and pants, his dark brown hair askew from the hood of his cloak. He smiled, bright and wide. “Stew?” Asterin raised a brow. “To eat,” he chuckled. “Hungry?” “Yes,” Asterin said. Moments later, he appeared with a bowl full of beef stew in which Asterin devoured. “Thank you.” The hunter nodded and kneeled before her. That familiar brow rose. “May I ask what you’re doing, woodsman?” “My mother was a healer,” he said. “I know a few things.” “I’m perfectly fine,” she said, but allowed him to remove the sock on her injured foot. It was swollen, throbbing. “You cannot ride on this,” he said, after a moment. “You need to let it heal.” “I must continue,” was all she said. He fled into his kitchen then reappeared with a salve. “This will help the pain.” Asterin closed her eyes as his calloused, warm hands rubbed the salve over her tender foot, up her ankle. Once he was finished, she found him peering up at her, green eyes lit. “What is your name?” “Asterin,” she breathed. “And yours?” “Devlan,” he said. “You look too young to be traveling alone through the woods.” “You look too young to be living alone so far from the village,” she shot back. He chuckled. “Fair enough. I’m twenty-eight. Practically an old man.” Asterin laughed, quietly. The same age as she, although she would never age. She would look twenty-eight forever, until the darkness took her. “You are very kind,” Asterin said. “Thank you. Truly. For your hospitality.” “I would never neglect a woman’s needs,” he said, then stopped. “That came out horribly wrong.” Asterin howled, laughed until her sides hurt. Perhaps it was because she finally was eating and warm, or perhaps it was because the man in front of her was absurdly handsome. “I promise my intentions were not to get you into bed,” he promised. Asterin’s laughter faded, but her smile remained. “Would that be so bad?” Devlan looked up, caught her eye, scarlet brushed along his tanned cheeks. He swallowed, jaw held firm. “You are not like other girls, Asterin…” “Blackbeak,” she finished, and he froze. “Witch,” he whispered, but Asterin did not falter. “Yes,” she said, chin held high. His hands still cradled her foot. To Asterin’s surprise, he did not look afraid. Instead, those green eyes filled with awe and wonder. “I have heard of your coven. Stories, tales passed down through the generations, just like the rest of the villagers.” “I am young,” Asterin said. “Born into the coven, my mother among the elders before her death. I have only been on this earth for twenty-eight years, just as you have. I have not spent many years in the coven.” “But you are one of them,” he said. Not a question, but a statement – a curious, curious statement. “Yes,” she said. Devlan’s scent was not of fear. He simply asked, “Don’t you use brooms?” Asterin blinked. “Pardon?” “For transportation. Your horse.” Asterin chuckled. “My broom broke days before I left. It split in half, unable to be repaired. During a battle among covens.” “You didn’t have a spare?” “Do you know how long it takes to properly create a broom that is good enough to ride high into the skies?” she asked, laughing humorlessly. “It is not a simple task. It takes weeks. Months.” “What of the horse, then?” he asked. Asterin laughed, becoming amused with his questions. “Her name is Narene. She has been my horse for years. If she could fly, she would be my only means of transportation. She is more than just an animal. She is a friend. When I ride her, when a treacherous storm is not raging outside, I almost feel like I’m flying even though she never leaves the ground.” “Do you prefer riding her? As opposed to your broom?” he asked, sitting back, finally letting go of her foot, leaving it cold. Asterin chuckled. “These are the questions you wish to ask? You’ve just met a witch, and you care to know about her broken broom?” He grinned, head tilting to the side. “You are not like other girls, Asterin Blackbeak.” “How are other girls?” she asked. “Human girls. The girls in the village down the road.” He took a long moment to reply, to think of a word that accurately described what he was trying to say. “Careful,” he said at last. “Afraid.” Asterin nodded, solemnly. “I could live a few weeks or a hundred years. Either way, I intend to have no regrets when the darkness claims me. Fear ignites regret. I will not fear.” He shook his head, green eyes shining. “I am in awe of you.” “You are not afraid?” she asked, voice quieter than she wished. Of me. Of who I am. What I am. He shook his head. “I do not fear, either.” He was sincere. She sensed it, smelled it. He meant no harm. The way he was looking at her matched his heart. Devlan, the fearless woodsman. “Tell me what it’s like,” he said. So she did. She told him of her mother, how she knew nothing of her father, how interacting with men was frowned upon amongst the Blackbeaks, unless they were intending to kill them. He did not even balk at that. She told him of her training, of her life with her cousin, Manon. She told him of her love for flying, how free she felt flying through the Ferian Gap. She told him of her kills, of the people she had been sent to hunt and bring back to her Matron. And she told him of her, of her Matron, whom she loved and loathed and feared and worshipped. “Tell me what it’s like for you,” she said when she was done, in which he’d listened diligently. So he told her of his life in the village. Of his younger years, when his mother, the healer, would take people into their home ill and near death and have them leaving well and alive. She was a saint, he said. The most amazing woman I had ever known. I was lucky to have her. He told her of how he began to hunt, that after his mother passed, he was alone, he had to provide for himself. He loved the woods. Found peace in the woods. Found his home there. “That is beautiful,” Asterin said. “That you have found your home here. Your peace. It is beautiful.” “I remember seeing this piece of land for the first time and knowing,” he began, pridefully. “I knew as soon as I saw it that I wanted to build my home here. The woods beyond it called to me.” “How old were you when you built this cabin?” “Fifteen,” he said. And they went on like that, talking for hours and hours until the sun had long ago set, and the stars sparkled high in the sky. She wanted to know everything about him, wanted to hear him speak until he couldn’t speak anymore. And he was interested in her. He wanted to know about her, too, and he was not afraid.   He never smelled of fear, never shrieked or looked anything but truly in awe.

She was fascinated by him because of it.

“What were your intentions, then?” she asked, at last, only hours before dawn.

“What?” he asked, a smile permanently plastered on his mouth.

“You said your intentions were not to bed me when you found me in the woods. Why help me, then? What is it you want in return?”

“My mother always said that her greatest accomplishment in this life was me,” he said. “I do good, I help others, in her honor. Because it is the right thing to do.”

“I could have easily killed you,” she said, quietly.

“You wouldn’t,” he said. “I may not have known you were not human, but I am a very good judge of character.”

“I am very good at tricking people,” she said.

He shook his head. “Not as good as you think you are, Blackbeak.”

Asterin laughed. “That salve really helps.”

“My mother’s recipe.”

“Your mother was a smart woman.”

“Indeed.”

“Would she have approved of you allowing a witch into your home?” she asked.

“My mother did not hold judgment.”

Asterin was silent then and stared into the dancing flames.

She was fully aware that he was watching her.

“What are you thinking, Asterin Blackbeak?” Devlan asked.

She turned to him, slowly. “Maybe it is this cabin, the peace of the woods, the whirling of the snow outside, the wind howling. Maybe it is the firelight, or because you are the first man that has ever been kind to me, who has not been afraid of me. Who I was not meant to kill.”

He watched her lips move, his chest rising and falling quickly.

She did not have to ask. The air shifted. He rose on his knees before the chair she sat in and rested the palm of his hand against her cheek.

“You are beautiful,” he said.

No man had ever told her as much.

“You have been too kind to me,” she whispered.

He was a breath’s width away when he said, “You deserve kindness, Asterin.”

His lips found hers and she did not reject him.

Heat flooded her body, thoughts of who she was and the mission she was meant to fulfill vanishing.

Her hands found his back and the strong muscles beneath his tunic. Their kiss deepened and Asterin Blackbeak had become completely undone.