#wip: The Princess in the Forest Clearing

[cryoculus]

little wip bc it's phainon season :3c

the word count is like around 1.2k words though JSHSJDFHSJSHF it's just an opening scene to smth i've been meaning to write for a while now

tags: fantasy, bounty hunter flame reaver, runaway princess reader, au where magic is forbidden and she's the last of her bloodline who still harbors it, eventual enemies to lovers amnesiac fic lol

There’s a fire in the hearth, burning low and smoky—more ember than flame with each quiet crackle. Inside the tavern, the air hangs heavy with old heat and even older breath, thick with the scent of stale drinks, pine soot, and damp wool. Somewhere near the door, a dog lies curled against its master’s boot, half-asleep and steaming faintly from the snowmelt clinging to its fur.

The village is nameless to most, forgotten by the empire’s maps, remembered only by the ones who stay behind. Farmers. Blacksmiths. Widows. Hunters with crooked teeth and mouths full of tales. In a place like this, stories have more weight than anything else. They settle in your bones and linger in the corners of the room like smoke that will not lift.

“I heard he leaves no ashes behind,” an old man near the hearth says, his voice like something clawed from the bottom of a chimney. “Nothing but shadow scorched into the ground, like even the fire doesn’t want to remember what it touched.”

“And I heard,” adds the woman beside him, cradling a mug between hands reddened by years of cold, “that he once burned through a storm somewhere in Thalara. The wind howled, the rain fell in sheets, and still the roof caught his flames anyway. An entire manor, gone before the lightning did the sky in.”

You lift your cup to your lips, slow and unhurried as you nod along. A few seats away, a boy too young to drink but too proud to admit it leans forward with his elbows on the splintered table.

“Do you all think it’s true? That he doesn’t speak, only kills,” the boy says, as though the thought thrills him. “Like a wolf who just can’t sate its own bloodlust?”

“A wolf?”

You haven’t spoken since you sat down in your creaky little barstool, but the scoff leaves your lips before you mean it to—equal parts dry and amused. Eyes flick toward your form, but no one looks too closely. After all, you’ve always played your part startlingly well. The traveler, the wanderer, the woman who’s stopped in from the road.

You tip your head slightly, fingers idly tracing the rim of your cup. “Wolves don’t burn their prey.”

The boy frowns. His cheeks flush, but it’s the kind of irritation that passes quickly—youth making him pliable. “Alright, so what is he, then? A ghost?”

“Worse,” says the old man again, voice rasping through the low thrum of the fire. He doesn’t look at you, but you feel the weight of him all the same, heavy as soot. “Ghosts don’t chase you past the veil. This one does.”

The woman nods, slow. “You can at least banish a ghost if you know its name. But no one’s ever gotten his. Not the real one, at least.”

You lower your gaze to your drink, letting the steam curl against your face. 

The conversation drifts, as it always does. Talk of the weather. Of soldiers moving through the southern pass. Of beasts in the highwoods, and girls gone missing near the old mines. But the name lingers in the smoke above their heads like something taboo:

The Flame Reaver.

You’ve heard it whispered in places colder than this. In border towns and outlaw dens, in forest clearings where old women still leave sprigs of sage on their doorsteps come nightfall. You’ve heard it enough times to know when to lower your eyes, when to tuck your hands out of sight, when to vanish before the smell of ash returns.

But tonight, in this nowhere town with its poor ale and quieter mouths, you stay a little longer.

Just to see if the stories have changed.

The snow falls softly by the time you leave the tavern. Flakes catch in your cloak, melting in your hair before the cold can find your skin. No one stops you. No one calls your name. To them, you were just another woman walking into the woods with her hood pulled low, a bundle of kindling in one hand, and nothing in the other.

Snow is a rare thing in Ashkarra.

This is a land born from fire—a continent carved from the mouth of an ancient caldera, its mountains black with cooled lava, its rivers warm even in winter. Most villages know only ashfall, soot storms, and the red heat that sleeps just beneath their soil. Cold is unwelcome here. The empire has long cultivated warmth as both weapon and law.

But here, in the highwoods near the province’s forgotten edge, something in the land resists. The altitude, perhaps, or the stubbornness of old trees that refuse to die. Whatever the reason, snow sometimes falls here. Quiet and thin, like it never meant to exist in such a place at all. 

You take the old trails. Not the well-known roads or the paths still marked with hunter’s flags. Your steps curve where the trees grow closer together, and the light doesn’t quite reach. Where memory clings thick beneath the bark and stone. The woods here breathe differently; older than conquest, older than the empire itself. It feels closer to home than any place you’ve found in months.

You walk for what feels like hours before you find the hollow you’ve been searching for. 

Here, at last, you breathe.

Your campsite is nothing more than a fold in the earth—sheltered between the roots of a gnarled tree and the lip of an old stone ledge, where wind seldom reaches and moonlight scatters like dust. There is no fire to betray you, no canvas to catch a wandering scout’s eye. Only your cloak, thick and travel-worn, and the quiet comfort of distance.

You kneel in the snow and lay your palms flat against the ground.

The soil is cold, but not dead. Beneath the frost, something stirs—slow, ancient, drowsing deep in the roots and marrow of the land. You close your eyes and reach gently. Not to take, but to ask.

Without hesitation, the earth listens.

Magic rises from the soil in a patient breath. Faint warmth seeps into your fingers as the Thread stirs—verdant and veined with gold like secrets passed from leaf to leaf. It winds between your knuckles like something alive, something that remembers you, and you guide it outward with unyielding grace. It takes shape in mere seconds: the curve of your back, the dip of the hollow, the uneven scatter of pine needles across the snow. You weave light into shadow and presence into absence, until the world no longer sees you the way it should.

You aren’t invisible. That isn’t what the Thread does. It persuades. Distracts. Bends the gaze elsewhere, toward things that make more sense—a boulder, a trick of dusk, a patch of overgrown moss. Something forgettable.

Someone unremarkable.

If a traveler passed within a hand’s breadth of where you lie now, they would pause only for a moment and keep walking. Not out of ignorance, but because their mind would simply choose not to look too closely. You’ve done this before. The spell hums in your chest like a heartbeat; long enough to know the cost of living as you are. 

But it still works, and that is enough.

notes from kai: you made it!!!! hi :3c i'm too lazy to flesh out the reader's background at the moment, but she does get chased by the flame reaver here LMFAO lemme know if you vibe w this or if i should just delete this from my brain forever JSHJDFGJDFGJS the way i literally have another royalty + fantasy series i need to finish on my sideblog but i'm writing another one now....

[mika-no-sekai-blog]

Heya love,

Thank you for taking my request! I hardly think you can ever disappoint!

So, Autumn Court is a rather traditional court, and we know how discriminating against females it is.

Picture Rhys and the IC being invited to Autumn for whatever reason may it be. There, he decides to wander through the grounds. Somewhere in a secured area within the forest, he finds a female sitting by herself—too gentle and demure to belong to Autumn.

She’s shy in her discourse and neglects to tell him who she is. Eris pops up suddenly and pries the female away from him in a manner that’s too protective and possessive to be friendly.

Later on, Rhys realizes that this young female is Beron’s only, and youngest daughter. Secluded from prying eyes, Beron has made sure no one knew who she is until he was ready to marry her off.

But when Rhys finds out, and the mating bond snaps for him, he’s ready to fight for her. Going as far as to ask for Eris’ help, who happens to be extremely close and protective of his baby sister.

I hope that was clear enough and not at all confusing. Take your time with it, love! And feel free to change any detail you deem necessary.

Thanks again🩷

This

Is

Perfect!!!!

Thank you so much🤩💕I love it so much that the story started to play in my head on its own and continued even in the dream. Hopefully, you'll like it

Moon princess

Word count: 9600+ (oops)

Warnings: mentions of Beron, court machinations, swear words, but no fights and no blood this time

I'm thinking about writing another part where they are slowly getting to know each other. Which I originaly wanted to add into this one, but tumblr stopped cooperating somewhere around 5k words in, messes up with saved text and takes forever to respond. Message is clear, I guess I have again too many WIPs in drafts. It happens all the time 🙄 Dividers by @tsunami-of-tears

Rhysand threw the pen on the desk and sighing leaned back in his big leather chair. Since early morning he was sitting in the office, writing letters, reading reports and sorting out complaints according to the urgency. It was already past lunchtime, but he didn't get even half through all the documents. He needed some distraction at least for few minutes.

In the very nick of time, the doors flew open and Cassian casually strode in, a massive sandwich in one hand, a piece of paper in the other one. He held only the corner of it between index finger and thumb, glaring at it as if someone had used it as a tissue.

"So.. What are we going to do with the invitation?" he asked with a full mouth.

"What invitation?" Rhys looked up, tired. This was hardly the kind of distraction he wished for.

"This one," general waved the paper. He flopped down to the chair on the opposite side of the desk. "From the Autumn Court."

Rhysand frowned. "I got invitation?" he asked with feigned calm.

"Yup," Cassian took another bite from his sandwich, a bit of dressing dripped on his shirt, but he didn't seem to even notice it. Rhys' mouth twitched.

"Oh, really? And remind me, when exactly did I get it?"

"Few weeks ago. Helion also got one. He wants to know what we assume about it and whether we will accept or no. He's still waiting for the answer by the way."

Rhysand raised brows at him. "So you wrote to Helion."

"Nope, he wrote to you right after getting it."

That was the last drop. Closing eyes, he pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply. "I think that we already talked about this at least a million times before, Cass. You can't take my mail, open it, read it and then keep it in your room."

Cassian threw up his hands and the dressing and slice of tomato flew out of the sandwich, landing on Rhys' expensive carpet. Rhysand eyed the stain, blood boiling in his veins.

"I don't do anything like that, bro! You know me. Plus, I don't remember that we've ever talked about such rule."

"That isn't rule I made up. It's called postal secret and privacy. Now bring all my mail! Immediately!"

"Fine, fine," Cassian fumed and rolled his eyes, but at last he stood up, throwing the invitation on the desk and left.

When the doors closed behind him, Rhys flicked his wrist and stain from the carpet disappeared. Then he reached for the invitation and cursed because it was smeared with dressing, too. Rhys licked his dirty fingers, commendably humming and wiped the rest of the dirt with tissue. His stomach loudly rumbled, reminding him that he should head out for some food soon.

He unfolded the paper, quickly scanning the text. Beron was inviting him and his family to a week of festivities on the occasion of a significant announcement. There wasn't written anything else, no more details. Rhysand sighed heavily, drumming with the fingers. His brain coils were working at full speed.

'Significant announcement'

What could it be? Considering that it was Beron, it couldn't be anything good. Because of Cassian, they had last two days left to prepare. He needed to know at least what to expect, so he could work up some plan later.

Azriel?

Claws of his power knocked on Azriel's mental shields. He answered right away, letting him in.

What?

Where are you now? Are you busy?

I'm preparing for the mission we talked about yesterday.

Rhysand considered it for moment, biting on his lower lip. Forget that thing for now or entrust it to someone else. This is urgent.

Azriel answered without hesitation. Fine. Are you in your office?

Rhysand loved how pragmatic Shadowsinger was. No questions. All he needed to hear to drop current job was that it was urgent. He didn't question him. Yes.

I'll be there in a minute.

When Az arrived, half hidden in his shadows as usual, he showed him the invitation and explained the situation. Azriel actually laughed when he heard how Cassian came, asking what was the plan. After that, he immediately disappeared in his shadows, heading to contact the spies they had in Autumn Court.

As expected, Azriel returned shorty before they were supposed to leave for the party. His spies didn't know much, only that Beron was secretly planning something big, the wards around his castle were strengthened and that the frequency of the correspondence between him and Spring Court increased in last two months. There was no time to contact spies in Spring whether they knew something more. Azriel planned to use the time they would spend in the Forest House to spy on Beron and learn more.

It was decided that only Rhys, Az and Cass would go. He didn't even try to ask Mor because he already knew the answer. However, he asked Amren and she clearly refused. She literally said that she would rather give up all her jewellery than listen to a single word of that old, pathetic excuse of a male.

Rhysand winnowed them to the Autumn Court close to the borders of the High Lord's estate. As soon as the world around them stilled, the brisk smell of autumn hit their noses. At gates, a dozen of soldiers stood on guard, armed to the teeth. They eyed them suspiciously, but let them pass. The three of them exchanged look as they stepped in, feeling the strong pressure.

"Putting up so strong wards and then inviting guests, one would think that your High Lord is planning something evil or he got himself a gem of size of his head," Rhys purred, but none of the soldiers even as much as blinked. Pursing lips he nodded. "Sharp guys. I wonder if they would stay still even if we started cutting off their limbs."

"I'm sure they would scream like females," Cassian grinned, folding arms on his chest.

"Are you trying to terrorise our guards, Rhysand?" a sly, bored voice spoke from somewhere behind them. They slowly turned around, arrogant as ever.

"Eris," Rhysand flashed his best cocky smile and shoved hands into pockets. "We are just merely testing them. Since when are heirs on the duty to come to the gates and welcome guests?"

"Ever since the so-called guests are mutts from Night Court," he snarled back, picking non-existent dirt from under fingernails.

Azriel was as always calm and composed, avoiding any attention, but Cassian was his opposite. He straightened up to his full height, squaring his shoulders and gritting teeth. "It's a good custom for the host to respect the guests, especially if they were invited, not to insult them. In Autumn, good manners seem not to be taught though."

Eris didn't react, only scoffed. He turned on the heel and started to walk towards the castle surrounded by reds and yellows. He showed them to their chambers connected by private sitting room, briefly informing them about the time of the evening party and that someone would come to show them the way later.

With a free access to the castle, Azriel didn't waste a minute and as soon as Eris left, he disappeared into the shadows to snoop around.

The party took place in a fancy ballroom. Rhys snorted at the sight of pure opulence, shoving hands into his pockets. Everything in this huge room was made of white marble with gold details, including a high vault ceiling. It was so polished that it looked like a mirror.

Autumn aristocracy and several of the High Lords were already here, so Rhys made a show of checking his appearance, keeping his mask of ruthless arrogance.

He had to admit that Beron knew how to show off his wealth. Massive golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling, flooding room with bright light. In the vases next to each marble pillar around the perimeter of the room were big bouquets of flowers made out of gold and copper. The start of the party was planned for the sunset, so the whole room looked like made of gold. Amren would love this for sure.

Rhysand wouldn't let it show on his face, but inside he felt sick. It was overdone and suffocating. And he wasn't the only one who felt that way. Cassian was openly showing his disgust, Azriel scanned the surrounding from under his frowning brows, arms crossed on his chest.

"Finally some friendly faces and my favourite ones," a rich playful voice boomed on their left. Azriel rolled his eyes, not bothering to even look at the coming person and murmuring something about the need of a strong drink, he left. Rhysand with a cocky smile turned in time to see Helion, the High Lord of Day Court, giving a hug to Cassian.

"Good to see you, friend," he purred.

Helion hooked a muscular arm around his shoulders and winked. "What do you say about the host's taste?" he pointed with his chin to the ballroom, speaking lowly only for his ears.

"I say you must feel like home here," Rhys snorted.

Helion pursed his full lips, thinking about it. "Not really. But the drinks are good here," he swirled the golden liquid in his glass and waved them, already heading to the crowd. "I hope to see you later in the privacy of your room, so we can catch up."

Rhysand gave him just nod and his eyes turned to the dais in the same moment as High Lord of Autumn with his wife and sons appeared. Rhysand tried to keep his face emotionless as his eyes fell to the Lady of Autumn. He hated to see the visibly mistreated female, something about her reminding him of his late mother even though unlike Lady of Autumn she was strong and wild and didn't let his father to treat her badly. Maybe it was the motherly vibes they both shared.

He rather averted his gaze to the gathered crowd and half listening to Beron's speech, let his powers lurk around, looking for any useful information he could get from these people. His violet-blue eyes searched for Tamlin, the High Lord of Spring, between the High Lords. Maybe if he played it off well, he could find out more about the business Autumn and Spring were cooking up, but his golden hair and tall figure were nowhere to be seen.

Meanwhile, Beron finished his boring speech with a promise of the big announcement on the end of this week of festivities. Rhysand despised the idea of waiting for the whole week. He needed to know what was going on in order the prepare for it, eventually come up with plan to sabotage it. The sooner he knew, the better.

He tried to find Azriel's mind in the crowd to give him orders, but with satisfaction he realized that Shadowsinger wasn't anywhere nearby, most likely already snooping around High Lord's quarters where he intended to send him. That male was a real workaholic.

As the evening progressed, Rhysand got even more bored. Chat with other invited High Lords led to nothing as none of them wanted to discuss anything of real importance at place where they could be easily heard by wrong persons. Cassian was cleaning plates, Azriel was who-knows-where and even Eris seemed to slip out to the night.

In need of fresh, cool air he moved to the terrace and then down to the gardens, looking for a quiet, dark corner where he could blow out the steam. The sounds of party slowly grew distant, number of guests on an evening stroll decreased. Rhysand didn't want to be disturbed, so he walked more deeper into the dark gardens. Thinking that he found the secluded place he needed, he looked around, noticing guards pacing on the edge where gardens turned into a forest. That piqued his interest. What could possibly be worth of guarding in the forest?

He merged with the night, getting pass the guards unnoticed. It was too easy and thus it was no fun. He hoped for at least a small hitch to make tonight interesting. Hopefully, whatever was hidden there, would be worth of the effort and provide him with some sort of excitement.

He dragged through the forest looking right and left, searching for something that didn't fit in. After half an hour he was ready to call it off, marking it as a great waste of time, when he noticed a soft light behind the thick bush. Carefully stalking closer, he stayed hidden in the darkness of autumn forest and took a look around.

There, hidden behind bushes and trees, spread out a clearing bathing in the cool silver light of full moon and in the middle of that on a fallen tree trunk sat the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen. Her petite figure with soft features and porcelain skin glowed in the night. Dark brown silky hair fell in waves to her tiny waist. Dressed up in light, white dress that reflected the moonlight, surrounded by hundreds of fireflies, the small female looked like being of another world. Devouring that fragile beauty, he suddenly remembered the bedtime story mother used to tell him, his most favourite one. How could he forget it?

The story was about Moon Princess who spent her entire life, night after night watching Fae live, dance, laugh and love. Her desire to spend at least one day with them and experience the same things they did, grew so strong that she got sick, slowly fading away. When her father, Moon King, learnt about her desire, he decided to grant her her wish in order to save life of his only daughter. And so Moon Princess descended from the moon to the clearing in the deep forest, instantly feeling better.

At that time, young prince happened to be in the forest on his way back home, witnessing her descent. He immediately fell in love with her and took her to his castle. Gradually, she fell in love with the prince, but when the month her father granted her was coming to its end, she became sad and again fell ill. Her father couldn't stand to see his daughter suffer so much and allowed her to stay with her prince. After some time they got married, had a lot of children and grew old together.

When Rhys was younger, he dreamt about finding his own Moon Princess and having his happily ever after with her. Seeing this gentle creature in the woods now, he felt like he was witness of descent of Moon Princess he waited for. She took the air from his lungs and captivated his heart. Before he knew what he was doing, he stepped out from the shadows. Not wanting to scare her off, he cleared his throat, making as much noise as possible on his way to the fallen trunk.

Despite his efforts, she winced, covering lips like petal of rose flower with her delicate hands with elegant long fingers. Her doe eyes of colour of deepest sea gazed up at him. Recovering from the initial shock, she blushed, readying to run away.

"Don't! Please, stay. I mean no harm," he raised both of his hands, trying to calm her down. She was like a frightened animal. Rhysand assumed it would be for the best if he introduced himself.

"I'm Rhysand and I'm guest of the High Lord of Autumn. I was just on a walk when I noticed you sitting here alone. Are you lost?"

She shook her head, avoiding his gaze.

"What Court are you from? I happen to know all High Lords. I can help you get to the right one."

"I'm.. from here," she spoke shyly, her voice sounded to him like the sweetest melody. He swallowed hard, his palms sweating. What was wrong with him? He was feared High Lord who had more lovers in his life than he could count, yet he felt like inexperienced youngling.

"Can.. can I sit down here with you?" he asked out of breath.

How pathetic, Rhysand, he scolded himself. You finally found female of your dreams and you behave like total idiot. Bravo! She will certainly fall for you and agree to meet you again. You need to come with something better than this.

She bit on her lower lip, considering it, but at last she nodded, moving as far from him as she could. Rhys put on his most dazzling and kindest smile and sat down next to her. She blushed even more.

"The moon tonight is beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes, my lord, I suppose it is."

Rhysand snorted. "I'm not your lord. Please, call me Rhysand or just Rhys if you want. How should I call you?"

Female nervously fidgeted her fingers. "I think I should go." She was about to stand up.

Rhys' hand shot up instinctively, his fingers firmly but gently wrapped around her wrist. Mother above, she was so small and fragile like a porcelain doll. "Please, stay. I understand. No names."

She weakly twisted her wrist in his grasp and he let her go. She sat back down and Rhys sighed with relief, licking his lips. He wanted to make her speak more, yearning to listen to her voice from now until the end of his life.

"Do you come out here often?"

"I'm not allowed to go out much," she whispered hardly audibly, her shoulders slumped.

"How so?" Rhys asked with concern, his gaze again roaming over her petite body. However, he didn't get the answer.

Eris emerged from between the trees, his features twisted in anger.

"What are you doing here?" he hissed and taking female's hand yanked her to his chest. He looked her up and down, checking her for any injury quite roughly.

"Hey! Stop treating her like that! You are hurting her, asshole," Rhysand couldn't stop himself, his mask naturally slid down to its place and he was again fearsome High Lord. He stood up baring his teeth, ready to fight him off if necessary. He wouldn't mind to even kill him to protect this Moon Princess, as he decided to call her until she told him her name, and maybe even after that.

Female's eyes widened at him, but she didn't dare to say a word.

"How did you get here, Rhysand?! This is a private place where guests aren't allowed. If anything, the fact that guards stand at entrance to the forest, should make it more than clear."

"And you," he turned to the female. "What did you do here with this bastard? Why didn't you immediately leave when he appeared? If he finds out what happened here, we both will have a serious problem! Do you even understand that?"

"I'm so sorry. I wanted to leave, but.." she mumbled, cringing, her face pale.

"But what?! Return to your room! Now!"

"I don't know and don't even care who she is to you, but I won't allow you to talk like that with her," Rhys grabbed front of Eris's shirt, staring him down. He was only a few inches taller than the Autumn heir, though the effect was the same.

Female gaped at him in shock, but as soon as Eris let go of her arm, she backed few steps, then turned around and ran away. Rhys wanted to ran after her to make sure she wasn't hurt, but he banned himself to even move. His outburst was bad enough, giving out too much.

They stared at each other, heaving.

"Back off, Rhysand!" Eris snarled lowly.

"No!" he growled back. "Who is she?"

"That's none of your business," Eris glared at him, unmoved.

"Now when I met her, it is my business. I won't just stand by and watch someone hurt females for absolutely no reason."

Pushing him away, Eris burst into fit of laughter. "Good joke, Rhysand, really. Maybe you should clean up your own yard before you start poking your nose into other people's affairs." With that he left, heading in the same direction as the female.

Rhys just stood there, taken aback, gazing after his receding back. He didn't want to admit it, but Eris was right. There was still too much to improve in his Court, but that didn't mean Eris had any right to point it out. In this regard, Autumn wasn't any better than Night.

Later that night Rhysand was pacing in their sitting room, while Azriel and Cassian watched him from couch with concern.

"Don't you want to finally tell us where you disappeared?" Cassian groaned, sipping his drink.

"Did you find anything out?" Azriel added. Ever since he returned he was frowning, angry that he not only couldn't find anything useful, but also that Beron's office and chambers were so warded that he wouldn't be able to get in even if he had a whole month for it.

"Nothing like that," Rhysand growled. The thought of the female and her scared gaze where eating him up. He needed to see her, to make sure she was all right. But where to look for her? Then his gaze fell to his brother, half hidden in his shadows. If anyone was able to find her, then only he.

"Fine, so listen up," he groaned. While still pacing back and forth, he told them everything about his encounter with her and described every detail he remembered.

Azriel listened him attentively, nodding at last. "I will look for her while spying around. But I have to warn you - don't keep high hopes. There's an entire part of castle where I nor my spies couldn't infiltrate no matter how many times we tried it. And we work on that for years. If she is held captive in this castle, they can keep her there."

Rhysand sighed and ran hand through his hair. Eris knew her, but he wouldn't tell him anything. Could she be his lover? Or some secret fiancée? Wife? Or she belonged to another Vanserra? Just imagining that such fragile, young female was here to satisfy Beron's needs made him feel sick.

He needed to calm down, to do something to change the flow of thoughts, so he stepped to the bar and poured a glass of whiskey. He emptied the glass in one gulp, the liquor burning his throat. He grimaced and poured himself another glass. He sat down.

Cassian and Azriel started to discuss something, but he couldn't focus on their words even if he wanted. He could still see her in front of him, surrounded by silver moonlight, beautiful and so unearthly. He was only snapped out of the memory when Cassian put his big hand on his knee.

"Stop it," he muttered in amusement. "It's nerve-wracking when you nonstop tap your foot. Even Azriel here is getting nervous because of you."

"I don't-"

"You do," Azriel nodded, corners of his mouth twitching. With raised brow he looked at Cassian. "What do you think? Finally?"

"Finally," general agreed.

Rhys was confused. "Finally what?" he snapped.

"You are in love," Cassian howled with laughter and Azriel joined him shortly.

"I'm not in love. I'm just worried," Rhysand retorted, crossing hands on his chest and almost tipped the drink on his expensive shirt.

"And now he's even blushing like an innocent schoolgirl," Cassian was laughing so hard that tears were rolling down his cheeks.

"What's so funny?" Helion appeared on the threshold, light smile playing on his lips.

"Nothing. They are just two bored idiots," Rhysand groaned. Helion was the last person he wanted to find out about his encounter. High Lord of Day was the worst gossiper in entire Prythian.

"Oh, c'mon. I want to laugh, too. I'm bored here. This is the worst Court to be in."

"Because you would like to make out with a certain lady who is out of your reach?" Rhysand grinned. This lifted his spirit a bit.

Helion groaned, flopping onto other couch. "Don't even remind me of that matter."

To that Cassian started to laugh even harder.

Helion frowned at him. "Is he okay?" Rhysand only shook his head.

"Two lovesick birds," Cassian tried to calm down, Azriel next to him was massaging his hurting cheeks. He hadn't laughed so much in ages.

Helion watched them with wolfish grin and shiny eyes. "Idiots or no, I'd love to see them worn out in my bed anyway."

Azriel stopped smiling immediately, the idea had never been to his taste. Cassian just shrugged. "Maybe some other time, but thanks," he playfully winked at Lord of Day who obscenely ran teeth over his lower lip.

"I'm already waiting for the day."

Rhysand cleared his throat, grinning. "So.. Did you come for something specific or just to make obscene proposal to my brothers?"

"Actually, yes," Helion smiled, still undressing his long-term targets with eyes. "I and other High Lords are worried. You certainly already heard about something going on between Autumn and Spring."

"Sure, I did."

"I didn't see Tamlin at party tonight. I have quite bad feeling about this."

"Me too, friend," Rhysand swirled the golden liquor in the glass. "Me too."

"I guess that you don't have more detailed information on this matter that you could share with me."

"Unfortunately, I know just as much as you and the others. Azriel here is trying to find out something while we are here and his spies are snooping around in Spring, but we haven't heard anything new from them, have we?" He turned to Shadowsinger who only shook his head.

"But if you find out something, you will share it with us, right?"

"Of course I will. I can imagine only one scenario in which Beron is after the access to the Wall and human lands. We both know very well what it would mean."

"Do you think that Tamlin would allow such thing?" Cassian asked seriously.

"We can only hope that he has enough common sense to not allow it," Rhysand emptied his second glass.

The room fell into a heavy silence.

The week of festivities passed quickly. Beron prepared all kinds of activities to keep his guests entertained. Rhysand had stopped counting the number of hunts, competitions and banquets he absolved right after the first day.

Azriel spent most of the time in the shadows, spying all around the castle, following Beron like hound, but there were no news about the female nor the plans Lord of Autumn had.

Rhys started to have very bad feeling about this all and grew nervous with every passing day in dark. He kept his eyes on Eris who was obviously ignoring him, hoping he would make a mistake and take him to the female. However, Eris, the cunning fox, after the first ball never left the room, participating on every event from the beginning to the very end.

When it was finally time for the last ball, Rhysand was so nervous and irritated that even his brothers were avoiding the conversation with him. And he wasn't the only one. All gathered High Lords seemed to have enough of this shit show and masquerade, waiting only for the big announcement.

That evening, the atmosphere in the ballroom was suffocating, none of the Lords bothered to tune off their powers anymore. When Beron with his family appeared on the dais, five pairs of hostile eyes gazed at him from the crowd, waiting.

Thank you for coming and blah blah blah, Rhysand didn't really listen that old asshole, not until Tamlin appeared on the dais next to Beron who announced that they were intending to make an alliance together. Tamlin seemed to be taken aback to see everyone and to hear that they spent the whole week here, so apparently he wasn't invited for the shit show nor Beron bothered to notify him about the recent events.

"And to confirm my good intentions, my only daughter, Selene, will marry Tamlin," Beron declared.

The wave of shock ran through the crowd. As it seemed, even Autumn aristocracy didn't know about the existence of the mentioned daughter. High Lords looked at each other. Their worst fears had come true. Beron was after free access to the Wall.

However, right at that moment, it was the last thing Rhysand cared about. The doors behind Beron again opened and from the dark of the hallway a small figure emerged. Dressed in dress of moonlight colour with dark brown waves styled into a complicated hairstyle, his Moon Princess walked into the room. She looked up and their eyes locked. Exactly as that night in the forest, her beauty took all the air from his lungs, but it wasn't the only thing that happened at that moment.

Something inside him broke, the crack so loud everyone in the room had to hear it. And in that hole in the middle of his chest, a shimmering gold thread formed, blooming like a flower. The thread shot out, bridging over the entire room. Gently touching his Moon Princess, it wrapped around her and bound their souls together.

Rhysand watched it all with wide eyes and slightly opened mouth. As understanding hit him, he wavered and took a small step back, shocked. Beron's daughter was his mate. The Mother had a strange sense of humor, but in certain way it made sense. The feeling he had when he saw her on the clearing, the pull, the need to make sure she was safe. Of course she was his mate.

"What's going on?" Azriel, always the most attentive, as the only one noticed his moment of weakness.

Rhys couldn't take eyes off of her, barely managing to force his lungs to work again. "She's.. she's my.." He didn't need to finish the sentence.

Azriel's eyes also widened, jumping between him and the female. Even Cassian who overheard them, gaped at him.

"Are you sure?" Rhysand gave him a look and Azriel shook his head. "Of course, you are. Whatever you decide to do now, you can count on me," he said darkly, tendrils of shadows dancing around him.

"And on me," Cassian pat him on the back.

After the shocking announcement, the party was naturally over or at least for High Lords certainly, as they all left right away.

Helion stopped briefly at the doors of their chambers with grave expression to tell them that all the High Lords agreed that the wedding must not take place. For some reason they expected that the Night Court would take care of that, but they were ready to assist them if needed.

Honestly, Rhysand didn't remember much from what had happened after the bond snapped for him, not even how he got back home and to his bed. He lay there in the dark, unable to sleep, all the satin sheets suddenly too scratchy and insufferably hot. His mind was nonstop returning to the only thought - he had a mate and she needed his help.

He tried to analyse the moment when it snapped for him. He was curious whether she felt it too. Though, no matter how many times he replayed the scene in his head, he couldn't find a proof she felt it. Her eyes were sad, her expression shy and guarded. She walked into the room, stopped at Tamlin's side and accepted his waiting hand without a single wobble. She was shivering like leaf in the cold breeze, but all for the different reasons. At dawn he finally came to conclusion that she didn't know about the bond.

He kicked off the blanket and changed. He was determined to solve this problem as soon as possible. He wouldn't leave his mate in hands of any other male.

The Town House was completely silent when he ran down the stairs taking two at a time. The wedding was supposed to take place on the day of the autumnal equinox. That left him only a month to solve this. He didn't have much time and had to start right away. He rushed into his office, almost breaking the doors, and took a sheet of paper and a pen. Quickly he scratched letter and without reading it again sent it. He waited for the reply whole day, without leaving his office. He didn't even eat nor sleep. When there was no answer, next morning he wrote another letter.

Nobody came asking him what to do. His family already knew where they were needed the most. Azriel took all his spies and dividing them into two groups, he sent one group to Spring, the other one under his lead headed to Autumn.

Cassian collected all information and maps they had of the Forest House and looking for places where wedding could take place, he began preparing plans from kidnapping the bride before the ceremony to snatching her from groom's hands before they could say their yes.

Amren shut herself up in her apartment, searching old books with ancient magic for the ways how to break through wards.

For Mor, this was hard. She couldn't be much of help in this case, so she took it upon herself to take care of her cousin and made sure that he ate three times a day, took shower and tried to rest. She gladly accepted the role of an emotional support, listening to all his worries and self-loathing whenever he was in mood to talk.

On the fifth day when there was still no answer, Rhysand decided that he wouldn't wait any longer. He only had a limited amount of time and it was inexorably running out.

Without invitation he winnowed to the clearing near Tamlin's manor in Spring. As expected, it took only mere seconds and Tamlin appeared in his beast form, ready to turn the intruder into shreds. When he saw Rhysand waiting for him, he slowed down.

"What are you doing here?" he growled angrily. "I thought that not sending a reply is quite a clear answer."

"So you read the letters. I need to speak with you. You are doing enormous mistake-"

"That is not your business!"

"The problem is that it is my business. It's all High Lords' business, for the fuck's sake! You are going to open for Beron a way to the Wall!"

Tamlin snorted. "No, I'm not. I would do no such thing!"

"But yes, you are. Why else would Beron want to make an alliance with Spring?!"

"I can assure you that he won't get to the Wall."

"You are wrong and you know it. Whatever is going on, it won't take long and he will get what he wants."

Tamlin just gazed at him, muscles in his jaw ticking.

"What is it what you need so much that you are willing to work even with that old bastard, Tam?"

The beast's gaze wavered, but he wouldn't give in so easily.

"Tam, talk to me. We used to be friends and damn good friends. If it is a help you are looking for, I'll send you any kind of help. Do you need more soldier? You can have them. Money? Bride? Skilled officials to help you rule the Court? You can have it all, you just need to tell me. But don't go into alliance with Beron.."

Tamlin seemed to consider his offer. "I-.. I have tied hands.. I'm trying, but I shouldn't have been ruler.. I'm not built for state affairs. Everything is falling apart and now.. my advisers gave me an ultimatum.. They ask for heir otherwise they will leave me alone in this mess.."

Rhysand blinked in surprise at sudden honesty. With Tamlin, they had a lot of bad blood standing between them like a wall. Ever since Rhys' mother and sister were killed and he and his father killed Tamlin's family in return, they had hardly spoken. This was definitely progress or so he thought.

"I don't need your help, Rhysand," Tamlin murmured, "return to your Court before I make you." Tamlin pivoted, heading back into the forest.

Rhysand planned to solve this without mentioning Selene and the bond, but now there was no other way. Tamlin didn't want to listen and wouldn't accept his offer. This was the last thing that could change his mind.

"You can't marry her!" he called after Lord of Spring.

The beast stopped and looked back at him. "Why can't I?"

"Because.. she is mine."

Tamlin snorted, again moving.

"She's my mate." Rhys only whispered it, but the sweet spring breeze carried the words to his former friend. The beast halted in the middle of the step and fully turned to him. He searched him for any hint of lie, but when he found none, the emerald eyes widened.

"It snapped for me the moment she stepped into the ballroom and our eyes met. I think she doesn't know though," Rhysand continued quietly, hoping he would understand and cancel the wedding. All he needed, was more time to find a way to get her out of Autumn. He didn't ask for anything more. She didn't need to find out right away that he was her mate. He would be completely fine with only a friendship as long as he knew where she was and that she was safe.

Tamlin's eyes narrowed and darkened, one corner of his mouth lifted in a half grin. "Don't worry," he said lowly. "I'll take good care of her. She will have anything she wants and I will protect her. I promise you."

"But will she be happy? Without her mate?"

"If she doesn't know about that, I see no reason why she shouldn't be. One can't mourn something they don't even know that exists."

"Tamlin, you don't understand-"

"But I do understand," he interrupted him. "See you at the wedding. Or rather not. Now we don't want to try our luck, do we."

"Tamlin!"

"Get lost!"

Rhysand fought against the magic of wards that after the dismissal was forcing him to leave. He wasn't done here yet. However, not even a High Lord could stay in other Court if the Lord there expelled them. Unwillingly he winnowed back to his house.

He stood in the middle of his office, heaving heavily. Tears gathered in his eyes. He ran hand through his dark hair and then dragged it down his face. He looked around, searching for something that could ground him, finding nothing. He fell to his knees and yelled so loud that walls shook.

In a blink of eye Cassian appeared at his side and clumsily held him, checking him for injuries. He seemed to be relieved to find none.

"He refused," Rhys sobbed. "I told him and he refused.."

"I'm so sorry, Rhys," Cass spoke kindly. "But.. We will solve this. Don't worry. We all will do our best to get her out of there."

Next week Rhysand's mood was switching between being furious, coldly calculating and falling into depression. At the end of the week, Azriel returned and whole Inner Circle gathered to share all facts they knew and come with some solution. As far as they knew, Selene lived in warded part of the castle where only family members and chosen maids could enter. Azriel spent the whole two weeks trying to break in but to no avail. Amren also had no luck with her research. Wards were a complicated ancient magic and to break through so strong ones, they would need a very powerful and dangerous magical object like Cauldron that was lost for centuries and they didn't have time to look for it anyway.

Rhys only sat there, gloomy, listening. He was again falling into depression.

"What if we got help from the inside?" Cassian suggested, looking around the table.

"From Vanserras?" Azriel looked up. His hazel eyes lit up with idea and he turned to Rhys. "I think that it's quite good idea."

"Thanks," Cassian grinned.

"And who would you ask for help?" Mor rolled eyes. "Beron? His wife? Or his rogue sons?"

Azriel didn't pay any attention to her insults and continued. "I think that the heir would be willing to help us if we convinced him."

Rhysand finally looked up, frowning. "He told me that he doesn't want to see me anywhere near her."

"Exactly! Don't you see it? Who let her out during the party when Beron was too busy to notice it? Eris. Who was out there protecting her? Eris. Who is often visiting the warded quarters despite having chambers in a completely different part of the castle? The answer is again Eris. I'll bet that he goes there only to visit her. Several times a day actually."

"Why should he want to help us to kidnap her?" Rhys shook his head.

"Because he cares for her," Azriel answered simply, tilting head to the side in disbelieve that Rhysand didn't get it yet. "I heard that he isn't thrilled for the coming wedding."

Rhysand clenched hands into fists, thinking. During the last two weeks they had tried everything and nothing worked, even Tamlin laughed him out. There was nothing else they could do except of waiting until the wedding day and then try one of the risky plans Cassian had prepared for that case.

At last, he nodded. "Fine then. Can you deliver message to him?"

Azriel smiled. "Gladly. If you write it right now, he can get it tonight."

Two days later, Rhysand winnowed to the river bend on the border of his Court and hid into the shadows under the trees, waiting. He didn't have high expectations, he was avoiding the hope so as not to be disappointed in the end. The time ticked by while he watched flowing river, but in his mind he saw only her, his Moon Princess bathing in the silver moonlight with shiny big eyes and soft smile on her lips. He could keep watching her lovely profile forever. If that was all he was allowed in this lifetime, he would die a happy male.

Thirty minutes later another male winnowed to the same bend of the river, his red hair looked like blazing flames in the setting sun. He eyed the empty river bank and nearby tree line with arrogant, bored expression. He crossed hands on his chest, glaring into the waters.

Rhysand stepped from his hideaway, casually walking with hands in the pockets to the place where the other male waited at. "I already started to think that you won't come," he tried his usual cocky tone, but even to him it sounded fake.

"You are the one who wanted to meet up at this.. where are we actually?" Eris raised a brow, disgusted.

Rhysand shrugged. "Just old campsite. Nobody is coming here anymore, not after what happened here. Old story. The most important is that we can talk here without being overheard."

Eris clasped hands behind his back. "So? What is so urgent? I'm busy with wedding preparations as you know."

"That's the reason why I need to speak with you." Rhys swallowed hard. He was preparing for this discussion ever since Azriel left with his letter in the pocket. Despite everything he decided to be honest for once instead of making up lies. "That wedding must not take place."

Eris raised brows at him. "Why?"

"Because..," he tried to say it aloud, but couldn't, "it can't happen."

"Good try, but I don't have time for this. So if you don't have any good reason for this, I'm leaving." He pivoted.

"She's my mate."

"What?!" Eris turned back to him so fast that he almost slipped on the stones.

"You heard me. Selene, your sister, is my mate."

Eris just gaped at him, eyes wide, but at least he wasn't about to leave anymore.

"The wedding is the biggest mistake. I don't think she knows about the bond, but she won't be happy. You have to help me stop it."

Eris's mask slipped down for a moment and Rhysand noticed pain hidden beneath. "I can't. It's too late."

"It isn't. They aren't wed yet, there's still time."

"And what do you expect me to do? Do you want me to go to my father and tell him: hey, forget about the alliance with Spring, her mate resides on the other side of Prythian? That would 100% work."

Rhys rolled eyes. "No, just help me get her out of there. If there is no bride, there won't be wedding nor alliance. This will solve all the problems at once and nobody gets hurt."

Eris snorted. "And what about her? What will happen to my sister?"

"She can live here, in my Court. I'll protect her, give her home and take good care of her. You will be welcome to come visit her anytime you want."

Eris shook head in disbelieve. "You will keep her at your side like some sustained lover? No, in such case she's better in Spring with Tamlin. I saw them talking together and he was really kind and respectful to her. That's what she deserves, Rhysand. The respect. There might be no love between them yet, but it can change in the future. He will provide her with the same things you are offering, but he will make her his wife."

Horrified, Rhysand took a step back. "Lover? What? Don't put words into my mouth. She doesn't know about the bond and I won't push her into relationship with me. If she wishes so, we will be friends. She decides what we will be, not me. But if the bond snaps for her and she accepts it, I'll more than gladly marry her right away. In my Court, she will have freedom she never had and in marriage we will be equal. In everything."

He gave him a doubtful look, laughing. "Equal? Mother's tits! I won't believe such empty promises."

"These are no empty promises, I'm serious. Can you see me laughing? I'll make even a bargain with you. If she agrees to marry me, she will be my equal. I'll make her a High Lady."

"There is no such thing as High Lady." Eris stuck out chin, narrowing eyes.

"Then she will be the first one. Do you want to bet?"

"No, but I want that bargain."

"Fine," Rhys smiled for the first time since he learnt that his Moon Princess is doomed to marry another male. "So, what do you want in exchange for your help?"

Eris tilted head to the side, pressing lips into thin line. "Help for help. When the time comes, you will help me get rid of my father."

"We have a deal." After wording their vows, smell of magic filled the air and a small tattoo appeared on their bodies.

"Great that you agreed so easily. I was ready to get down on my knees if necessary," Rhysand grinned.

"That sounds like a lot of fun. Especially, in this awful state you are in. I think I'm going to change my mind."

"Good you can't," Lord of Night patted his shoulder with new tattoo.

Eris barked with laughter.

"Now tell me, just out of curiosity, is Selene really your sister or just half sister? It doesn't really matter to me, I'm asking because-"

"She looks so different?" Eris finished the sentence with fox grin. "She is my sister. Frankly, she looks like clone of father's great grand mother. I would show you her picture, but.."

"No need. I believe you."

Eris raised his brows doubtfully.

"How exactly do you imagine her abduction to take place? If your spymaster can so easily get into my chamber, I'd say you don't need me."

"Believe me when I say that we already tried to get to her. Unfortunately, not even my brilliant spymaster can get through your father's wards. That's why we need your help."

"I see. I'm relieved to hear there are wards that can stop you and your people."

"If we weren't in such time crunch, we would find way in for sure. But we don't have so much time now," he winked. "All I need from you is to get her out of the wards inside the castle. It really doesn't matter whether you take her to your room or to that clearing, as long as she will be somewhere where we can get to her."

Next hour or so they spent discussing the details of the abduction, so the both sides knew the exact meeting place, time and what to do. When Eris left, Rhysand return back home, feeling much better. In good mood he shared the plan with Cassian and Azriel who would go into the action with him. Now he just needed to wait for message from Eris. If he hadn't seen with his own two eyes how much young heir cared for his sister, he would doubt his intentions. This all was possible only thanks to the exceptionally strong sibling love and overprotectiveness. In moments like this Rhys thought about his own baby sister. What would it be like if she was still here?

Days were passing one after another without any news from the Autumn heir until finally four days before the wedding a small piece of paper appeared on Rhysand's desk. He opened it and skimmed a neatly written short message.

Cassian! Azriel! he called in his mind.

Ever since he made the deal, they were staying in their rooms in the Town House instead of the House of Wind, just in case they would need to quickly move on. It took them only a minute to get to his office. As soon as they appeared on threshold, he happily waved the paper in the air.

"Get ready! We leave an hour after sunset."

Exactly one hour after sunset Rhysand winnowed the three of them to the Autumn Court's borders, the rest of the way they had to fly to avoid being detected by the magic of the wards that Eris inconspicuously lifted for several minutes.

Thankfully, wards around the Forest House weren't so hard to get through and Azriel could safely get them in without any help. Under the cover of night, Rhysand led them through the grounds to the clearing where they were supposed to meet with Eris and Selene. They slipped past the patrol on their way, unnoticed. Just to make sure they weren't walking into a trap, they silently landed in the forest and went on foot the rest of the way. Hidden in the dark shadows under the trees, they waited.

Ten minutes later, Eris appeared on the clearing dimly lit by the waxing moon. And he wasn't alone. Holding his hand, a small figure walked behind him.

"Be careful here," Eris kindly warned his sister and she smiled in answer.

When they stopped in the middle of the clearing, Selene looked up on the moon, bathing in the silver light. With her long hair down and in the snow white dress, she was stunning. Meanwhile, Eris intently gazed into the night, his body tense. Rhys nodded to his brothers and moved forward. They assumed she would be less frightened if he went first. He let the dry twig to crack under his boot on purpose, notifying them of his arrival.

Both siblings turned in the same time. Tension in Eris's shoulders melted away, replaced by sadness. Selene seemed to recognize him and shyly hid behind her brother.

The males nodded in greeting. "Everything okay?"

"Nobody saw us."

"And Beron?"

"Some kind of troubles with goods for wedding in the port."

Selene watched their quiet exchange calmly from behind the brother's back, curiously peeking at Lord of Night. She didn't seem to be surprised by the turn of events at all.

Rhys nodded at last and leaning to the side to get a better view, he smiled at her.

"Hey there," he said so softy he surprised even himself. "Do you remember me?"

"Yes, my lord," Selene answered shyly and hid even more into brother's shadow.

Rhysand huffed in amusement. "I thought we already had this conversation, darling. Only Rhys for you."

Eris winced at the way he addressed his sister, but didn't say a word. Instead he took his sister's hand and pulled her from behind him. "It's okay, dear. He's here to take you.. to safety."

She looked up at him with her big bright eyes, waiting. "I'm sorry, Sel," Eris continued, "I can't let you marry Tamlin. I genuinely think that he would be a good husband to you, but you wouldn't be happy with him. That's why you have to.." He couldn't finish the sentence, his voice failed him. Rhys noticed the tears in his eyes and decided to ignore them for now. He understood how hard this must be for him.

"So you allow me to leave with my mate?" Her silent question made them both gape at her in shock. Eris recovered as first and smiled sadly. He reached into the pocket between the words and pulled out a bigger bag.

"I- I packed you some clothes for the start.. and a couple of your favourite things.."

"You know about the bond?" Rhysand's heart stuttered. He didn't expect that.

She met his gaze for a second and quickly shied away, blushing fiercely. "Since the night we met here," she took her brother's sleeve between fingers and stepped closer to him, partly hiding behind him.

Rhysand was so happy that he couldn't find words. He had so many questions that he didn't know where to start. Cassian and Azriel quietly approached them and Selene's eyes widened with fear.

"That's okay, they won't hurt anyone. They are my friends who came to help me get you safely to my Court," Rhys held out hands, explaining. "This is Cassian, General of my armies, and this is Azriel, Spymaster. They are big, clumsy and quite grumpy, but both are very kind-hearted, I assure you. We grew up together like brothers."

When introduced, Cassian grinned widely and waved at her, while Azriel put hand on his chest and slightly bowed.

Eris scoffed, rolling eyes.

"It's time. We should go before someone notices she's gone," Azriel murmured lowly. He was right. It was too risky to stay here for too long.

Rhysand cleared his throat nervously and offered her hand. "Can we?"

She looked up at her brother questioningly. Eris's jaw tightened as he turned to face her. At first he only held her hands, suppressing his feelings, but then he broke and pulled her into a hug. He whispered her something in the ear and tried to wipe his tears away stealthily while pretending to clean some dirt from her shoulder.

They parted and Selene walked over to Rhys' group, her cheeks wet.

Eris sadly watched as Rhysand gently picked her up and handed her bag to Azriel. "Everything is going to be fine. He will take good care of you.. I'll visit you soon," he looked at Rhys who nodded in agreement.

"Anytime you want."

"Oh, and take this," Eris reached into his pocket and handed her a blank sheet of paper. She turned it in fingers, confused. "It's enchanted. If you want to talk with me, just write on the paper and it will teleport to me. When I answer, it will return. If there would be any trouble with it.." His eyes moved to Lord of Night.

"I'll gladly help you with it or you can write a letter and Azriel will deliver it for you."

The mentioned one nodded in agreement and opened the bag so she could put it in.

"I'll miss you, brother," she sobbed.

"I already miss you. Stay safe." Eris stepped away, hardly keeping his tears back. He put on his cool mask of heir, but his amber eyes were giving him away.

"Thank you," Rhysand swallowed hard, hardly suppressing his own emotions. "When you are ready, let me know. I owe you for this. And don't worry. She will be safe and well cared of. I'll write you when we arrive."

Eris only nodded, fists clenched at his sides and retreated a few steps to give them enough space. Rhysand summoned his wings and carefully took off followed by his brothers. Selene watched Eris until trees obscured her view. Then she wiped her tears and rested head on his shoulder. It took him by surprise and for a moment he forgot how to use the wings.

"Sorry," he apologised for the shock and she hummed in answer. He exhaled shakily, again feeling like a youngling on the first date. "A-are you scared? Of flying?"

"No," she whispered between sobs.

Rhys tugged her closer to his body, gently rubbing her shoulder with thumb. "I know it's kind of scary for you. You don't know me nor my family, but I promise I'll do anything to make you happy. And the bond.. I won't pressure you. It's up to you-"

"I want the bond," she said firmly, interrupting him. "I saw that we will be happy."

"You did?" Rhysand raised a brow. Eris probably failed to mention that his baby sister was a seer.

"Sometimes I see little flashes of my future. I knew that you will come for me."

He huffed. "Of course you did. You are the Moon Princess after all."

"Who's Moon Princess?" She seemed to calm down at last and stopped crying, but she stayed hidden in the crook of his neck.

"Well, she's someone my mother used to tell me a story about. Do you want to hear it?"

She nodded and so Rhys started quietly whispering the story into her ear while they were sliding through the peaceful night sky, heading to their own 'happily ever after'.

[jtavington]

Gelphie WIP: Love and Marriage

Elphaba and Glinda get invitations to an old classmate's engagement party.

Oh, those two. They had been perfect copies of Glinda with clothes bought from the same boutiques and their hair styled the same way. Elphaba would have joked they were her body doubles if she had had anyone to joke with. They’d largely faded from Elphaba’s notice after the Ozdust, and she hadn’t thought of the middle in the years since. “Why did she invite me of all people?’ Other half-forgotten memories of walking in on the two girls with their clothes off in a deserted classroom surfaced. She could’ve done without them. “And I thought she only liked women romantically. Why is she marrying this Chaffrey?

“Chuffrey,`” Glinda corrected and leaned against the wall. “She’ll marry him because he’s a baronet and because he’s rich. Not as rich as Popsicle, but a few steps up the financial ladder for her. And he’s old enough to be her grandfather, so fewer wifely duties to worry about.”.

There was a pressure behind her eyes that threatened another headache, but Elphaba wasn’t one to stay confused if she could help it. “But she doesn’t love him. She’s not even attracted to him.”

Glinda and Fiyero exchanged another pained look. “For people like us, marriage isn’t supposed to be about love,” Fiyero said slowly. “It’s about money, connections, and children. My father made it very clear that my job was to land the wealthiest heiress who would have me.” His eyes darkened to something that made her breath catch and her stomach twist. “I would not like the consequences if I failed. There aren’t many families wealthier than the Uplands and I liked Glinda. That’s a better basis for marriage than most of my family had and—” he coughed loudly but not quite loudly enough to cover up his words. “—and I didn’t think I had a chance with you.”

Glinda shot him a pointed look. “Yes, well, if the three of us had been honest about our feelings, maybe we could’ve avoided nearly getting shot or our eyes scratched out. Or humiliated at our engagement party.” She sighed and crossed the room to take both of Elphaba’s. “It all worked out in the end. But there’s a certain expectation that women like Shenshen or me will find our satisfactions outside marriage and wait for our first husband to die before marrying for love.” Her grip tightened and she ran her thumb over Elphaba’s fingertips. “Expectations I’m glad to be free of.”

[later]

“I’m glad it’s you and not me.”

“There’s something else.” Glinda looked up. A crease formed between her eyebrows, and her hands were cool on Elphaba. “Another person I need to flatter will be there as well. Avaric.”

“The boy who dumped paint over your head when you wouldn’t share your toys with him?”

“That’s him. But more relevant is that he’s Margrave Tenmeadows, and I need him to agree with my plans for repatriation.”

“All right.” She narrowed her eyes.. Glinda was avoiding something, something Elphaba wouldn’t like at all. “Why do you look like you’re about to have a heart attack?”

“His mother and my mother were very dear friends. I called Lady Tenmeadows Auntie growing up. They were planning our marriage when we were both in the cradle. Her ladyship took Momsie’s death very hard and hoped very loudly that I would abandon Fiyero for Avaric.. It’s going to be worse now that Fiyero is ‘dead.’” She made a contemptuous noise in the back of her throat. As soon as I so much as smile at Avaric, she’ll have us engaged by the end of the week. And the best I’ll be able to do is deny it, which everyone will take as further confirmation.”

Elphaba stumbled backwards. The room vanished and she stood in the forest outside Shiz watching a still-bleeding Fiyero fled with the Lion cub. This isn’t for you. Princesses belong with princes and you’re not either. “Let me get this straight, you’re going to flirt with someone—”

“—I’m going to smile, nod, and butter him up a bit.”

“—Most people consider that flirting, my sweet.”

“Not the way I do it. Charm and manipulation is how I get these people to do what I need them to do. It’s just the way the world works.”

“And I don’t fit in that world. Just like I won’t fit in the world when everyone can do alchemy.”

“What in Oz are you talking about?” Glinda knelt in front of her as if Elphaba were Saint Aelphaba and her only hope of living through the night. “Everything I’ve done is to make this world for you. None of what they say in going to be real. You’re my choice, always, but this is the only way I know to get them to hand back their property. Tell me what I can do to make this right for you.”

She could never resist Glinda when she was like this. “I don’t fit in that world, or the one where peopler want to make a book out of my past. But I think I’m going to have to learn.” She swallowed. This whole thing felt stupid the flailing of a woman who could never trust that something good was really hers. “I think I need to go to this party.”

“You will hate every second of it.”

“I know, my sweet.” She caressed Glenda’s cheek. “But I was just reminded that charm and manipulation are the only ways to get what you want around here. Which means I need to learn how to deal with charmers and manipulators who aren’t in love with me.” And, though she hated to admit it, she needed to see Glinda’s false charm, to remind herself that it was no more real than the act put on for the masses. And if she saw it often enough, she would make peace with the fact that, for the sake of Oz, she would never have Glinda entirely to herself. But she would have her.

[jlilycorbie]

A brief history of the frustrating evolution of the (still) untitled fantasy WIP

You could probably say it started with a warrior woman on a steppe with her pet monster, surrounded by angry centaurs.

There needed to be a reason why the centaurs (who were part antelope instead of horse, and had single horns) were angry with her.

And there was a book I'd written with a friend back in high school that could maybe provide some sort of plot for her?

She was on the steppe trying to find answers because there was a grave by her home, and she didn't know who it was for, but she suspected it was someone she loved. So who was it, and why couldn't she remember?

Zaya got her name and so far, she's kept it. She has dark skin and straight black hair that's shaved on one side to show off tattoos that identify her as a hero among her people. She's a warrior woman who was a middle child who learned to fight protecting her delicate younger brother. It was a great surprise when her warrior father was going to take his next child to train and chose her over her younger brother.

Aleksani came from that old book with my friend. She had a different name, and she never got a clear motivation in the original book. She was evil, though. Now she looks very different, with hair like a dying fire--black and grey and red--and unsettlingly pale skin and green eyes. She has pointed ears and sharp teeth. And she's a princess, maybe? She's driven to save her kingdom, and she's lost her family, and that drives makes her do terrible things.

Nideszda also came from that old book. She had a different name, and went through a couple before she landed on that one. She looks a lot like Aleksani because they're from the same people, though she's less unsettlingly pale and she had amber eyes. She was adopted by insular forest people, and she never really has any clear adopted family? And she faces harassment and racism for being an outsider. She's got a bond animal that was something different, but now all the bond animals are either black or white.

The forest people are deeply insular and hate outsiders but for some reason they're ruled by a king from outside the forest? But not anymore, because that never made sense.

Tsinte was also from that old book, also had a different name. She was a wanderer, which was apparently a viable career path, and Aleksani wanted her for...reasons? So she got taken in by the forest people and she made friends with Nideszda and got her own bond animal, too. She has undefined powers that include reading minds, and maybe Aleksani wants her because she was somehow involved in what happened to Aleksani's kingdom.

And Miyarki was Zaya's wife, and she was dead at the beginning of the story. But fridging a wife is gross and I don't want to do that, so she and Zaya find each other at the end of the book. But that's still a bummer. What if they find each other in the middle of the book and Miyarki gets to be part of the story? Miyarki's from the same part of the world as Aleksani and Nideszda, but she's got darker skin than Zaya, and her hair grows red in the warm seasons and white in the cold seasons. She has a degenerative condition, so she walked with a cane when she and Zaya last saw each other, and she's now a wheelchair user. She's moved on since she had to start her life fresh, and she's living with someone.

But look, I'm interested in building a world that's very different from ours. I want to see what a world would be like if people met each other and started vibrant trade networks, but the world never had racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, no colonization, no capitalism, no war, no royalty.

Wait, if there's no war, Zaya can't be a warrior. And also it means that her backstory can't be how amazing it is that her dad saw her and trained her. That would be normal.

And I really like the image of that mysterious grave, but it's silly. Got to let go of that.

And if there's no royalty, Aleksani can't be a princess. Maybe she's the child of an academic? Who was involved in whatever endangered her land?

And Nideszda. This is a world where the circumstances that would lead to adoption outside of families or communities would be vanishingly rare, so she definitely has some trauma from being brought into a strange community and not knowing what happened to her family...but she's loved and supported by that community since there's no racism or xenophobia around here.

Also, the bond animals are very different. Hers is now Kysi, a kopaulinok--a giant venomous spider otter with eight legs, six eyes, and markings like a peacock spider. The forest people (it's now called the Nyctine Forest, it's on one side of a range of mountains that border the steppe) are called Padanche, and they know themselves as the Folk. They identify themselves by the animal they most commonly bond with, so Nideszda is from the Kopaulinok Folk.

Zaya's a monster hunter. This is a world with big, dangerous creatures that need to be kept away from people and crops. She's known as a hero because a pair of dragons were hunting passing caravans in a mountain pass, and in an attempt to impress a pretty lady with one of those caravans, she tried to take on both dragons alone. She succeeded, but was gravely injured, and the pretty lady saved her.

The pretty lady, Miyarki, saved her in order to yell at her for killing those poor dragons, couldn't she see one of them had damaged wings, they probably had eggs together, now Zaya has to get herself together because she's going to help Miyarki find and save those eggs. So Zaya crawled through the mountains with a potentially mortal wound to find those eggs, then Miyarki got her back to her house and both nursed Zaya back to health and hatched the eggs. They stayed together until the babies were old enough to release back into the mountains, and Zaya escorted Miyarki to the place where she was originally going.

On her way home, Miyarki stopped to visit Zaya again and ended up staying. Zaya hunted monsters, Miyarki sometimes rescued them, nursed them to health, and released them with Zaya's help. That's how they ended up with a clutch of orphaned unagul eggs. Unagul are dangerous--huge creatures that are a mix of goat or sheep and bird. They're feathered, and they have four legs with long talons, wings that are more useful for gliding than flying, horns, long teeth. They are not considered tameable, let alone domesticatable. No one known had ever successfully hatched their eggs, either.

But one did hatch. He's sort of a bighorn sheep and Brahma chicken. He's got talons on his wings and venomous spurs on his back legs. And whenever Miyarki and Zaya tried to release him, he followed them home. They finally told him if he followed them back again, they'd make him a capon, and he did so...they did. And they named him Scavats, and Zaya rides him when she hunts monsters, and he mostly follows her around like a puppy and wants scritches.

And everything was going great until one day Zaya and Miyarki woke up tangled together in bed and didn't recognize each other. But it was obvious both of them lived there. They figured things out as best they could and tried to rebuild their lives together. And they found a map Miyarki had with a country neither of them could remember, so they went out to figure out what was going on...

And forgot what they were doing and went home.

They did that multiple times, until once Zaya got home alone and didn't even remember that something had gone wrong.

Except she can look around her house and she knows something is missing. And she has this map.

So finally she sets out, and somewhere on the steppe, Scavats hunts and kills and eats a lone yearling unicorn antelope called a zaigen, and that night a group of Huudzairen--unicorn antelope centaurs--find them and are furious that she killed their lost zaigen.

She owes them a blood price, but also she's got a map that shows a country called Djaetyrot, and in their city is Aleksani, who remember Djaetyrot, and needs help saving it. And maybe Zaya can help.

Meanwhile, Aleksani has tracked down Tsinte for the first time since something terrible happened to Djaetyrot, because Tsinte was there a decade before when Aleksani's mother and her mother's mentor tried something foolish that uprooted all the magic in Djaetyrot, and not only wiped it off of their world, but made everyone in the world forget about it and anything that came from it.

People mistake Tsinte for a child, but she's older than she looks. She hasn't aged in that decade, and she claims she remembers nothing, and now she's connected to the world differently from everyone else. Other people draw magic from the world. Tsinte can take magic from people and return it to the world.

Also, the world is sentient and aware of the people on it. Part of why Aleksani's mother and her mentor failed at whatever they were doing is the world swallowed them for what they were doing, and it's trying to mend the wound it left by erasing all memory of it.

And Tsinte doesn't actually speak any languages. She's so highly telepathic that she can skim the native language from anyone she's speaking to. It means she's uncanny and unsettling, and she always speaks like she's making noises without understanding their meaning. And while most people can speak what's known as travel talk, Tsinte can't.

She also doesn't actually bond to an animal while she's with the Padanche. They assume she did because she can communicate directly with them.

And maybe Nideszda should be a side character instead of a main character? She's sort of got her own story to explore, but she's somehow off on some sort of coming of age adventure while everyone else is doing something else.

I still need to smooth out a few more details about WTF Aleksani's mother and her mentor were doing. I know they met Tsinte and used her ability to sort of reverse the natural flow of magic in the area, and Tsinte's trauma from it is what's causing the desolation in the place where it happened and the amnesia through the rest of the world.

And now I realize that means she can't hear or understand Djaetyli people. Which means I need to rewrite her intro and first interaction with Aleksani. And she can understand and interact with Nideszda because she has so little connection left to Djaetyrot and is so thoroughly Padanche now.

And maybe Nidezda needs to lose all her POV chapters because there's nothing for her to do on that level in this story. Which will require yet more rewriting.

And that's where I am now. I already got 40k words into this story and had to drop everything and rewrite it from scratch. Now I'm 45k words in, Miyarki hasn't even made an appearance yet, and I need to make more serious overhauls.

Also, all but the most distant bones from that old story with my friend are now gone, which is just as well. I felt guilty about using it at all, and it probably never really belonged here.

I think this time I can keep writing the story and worry about those major revisions later because they aren't as radical at the first few changes.

But man. This story has been difficult from the beginning.

[killerandhealerqueen]

✨ weekend wip exposure club ✨

rules: post 7 sentences/a snippet of an unfinished work

@hyperbolicgrinch and @theotherwhybietoldmeso (Hi babes! Happy Weekend!)

Another snippet from my Killer and Healer Rebel Moon au "Die Trying" (I was gonna post a snippet from my Killer and Healer rewrite but the inspiration for this fic just kept flowing so I couldn't just up and switch gears...I had to keep going. But I'll get back to working on the rewrite...I miss my baby)

            “Alright, breakfast is ready” he declared before he walked over to Keying and handed her the package, which she took carefully, as she could see the steam coming out of it, before she held it up to her nose and sniffed it.             “What is it?” she asked.  Chen Yuzhi smiled.             “Something quick and easy and full of nutrients.  It’s good” he assured.  Keying hummed, as if she didn’t believe him, before she picked up a spoon and took a bite, her eyes widening a moment later.             “Oh!  It’s actually good!” she exclaimed.  Chen Yuzhi laughed.             “I wouldn’t lie to you about it being yucky” he assured, just as Jiang Yuelou stepped into the clinic and sniffed the air.             “Hmm…haven’t smelled that smell in a while” he murmured before he looked at Chen Yuzhi and smirked.             “I knew it” he declared.  Chen Yuzhi frowned.             “Knew what?” he demanded.  Jiang Yuelou pointed at him.             “You’re a soldier” he declared.  Chen Yuzhi scoffed.             “Me?  A soldier?  Preposterous” he replied, just as Jiang Yuelou raised an eyebrow.             “Is it?” he asked.  Chen Yuzhi snarled.             “Yes” he hissed before he shut his eyes and took a deep breath, almost as if he was trying to calm himself, before he opened his eyes and looked over at Keying.             “You keep eating.  I’m going to get some fresh air” he declared before he turned and headed out of the clinic, Jiang Yuelou and Keying staring after him before Jiang Yuelou quickly rushed out of the clinic after him, only to find that he had practically disappeared.             “What the hell?” he whispered, looking around in confusion, before he noticed a large, wooded area a little ways away from the clinic, causing him to hum softly before he quickly took off in that direction, soon entering the woods to find Chen Yuzhi in the middle of a clearing practicing different sword styles with a krypteian blade.  At the sight of him practicing, Jiang Yuelou paused and watched for a while, a little in awe of his form, fluidity, and grace, before he took a step forward, only to step on a twig, causing Chen Yuzhi to freeze before he spun around, his blade raised, and huffed.             “Oh.  It’s you” he grumbled before he deactivated his blade and crossed his arms.             “Come to gloat?” he inquired.  Jiang Yuelou shook his head.             “No.  Not at all” he replied before he walked over and stood before him.             “You’re quite skilled” he praised.  Chen Yuzhi tsked.             “Well, one has to be if you’re going to be the Princess’ personal bodyguard” he replied, making Jiang Yuelou look at him in shock.             “You…you were Princess Ning’an’s bodyguard?” he asked.  Chen Yuzhi nodded.             “Long ago” he replied.  Jiang Yuelou looked at him in awe.             “So you really were a soldier” he breathed.  Chen Yuzhi nodded.             “Yes, I was” he replied before he shook his head.             “But I was not really given much choice in the matter of becoming one” he admitted, causing Jiang Yuelou to frown in confusion.             “What do you mean?” he asked.  Chen Yuzhi was quiet before he took a deep breath.             “Not here.  Not now.  Tonight, after Keying goes to bed, I’ll tell you” he declared, making Jiang Yuelou look at him before he nodded.             “Alright” he agreed before he motioned with his head towards the entrance of the forest.             “We should probably get back.  Keying’s probably worried about us” he stated, making Chen Yuzhi look at him before he smiled slightly.             “Yeah” he agreed.

Tagging: @clawbehavior @breitweisergallery and anyone else who wants to play

[stardust948]

📝 ❤️❗️⁉️

Behind the Scenes Writing Ask Game

📝"what stages are you currently in your WIPs?"

Would you like to stay forever? - 90% done

Rivers in the desert - 25% done

Counting Stars - 0% done

The Dragon Princess and the Wolf Warrior - 0% done

Zero Eclipse - 50% done

Others I haven't even touched.

❤️"what are your favorite scenes from your WIPs?"

The sky lemur flattened his ears and hissed.

“Better luck next time, rodent.”

He huffed and swished his tail indignantly before flying off. Moments later, Zuko walked out of the forest and sheathed his swords.

“The area’s clear. Not a soul in sight, much less the Fire Army.”

Ozai nodded. “Good.”

Zuko knelt down. “Dad-“

“Ozai!” Sokka yelled while cradling a large fish close to his chest. “Look I caught-“

The fish wiggled out and whacked Sokka’s face with its tail as it escaped. Ozai chuckled.

“Keep at it. You’ll catch one.”

“Right!”

Zuko glanced between Ozai and Sokka as his previous comment died on his lips. He shot up suddenly.

“Dad, I’ll catch you an even bigger fish!”

Ozai raised a brow. “Okay?”

“You’ll see!”

“Zuko, you don’t have to…” he sighed as the boy ignored him and rushed to the river.

-Rivers in the desert

❗"how many WIPs do you have?"

Way too many.

⁉️"what do you do when stuck on a scene?"

Cry. I take a break then go back after some time.

[chris-continues]

As you wish

A Princess Bride inspired drabble

Livio the DoubleFang x GN! Reader

NOTES: sorry for the slow posting, school has been hounding on my ass and this week has been hard. Thankfully I was able to finish one of my WIP’s!

TAGS: @millionsvash @linkdedruid @lune010 @captaintweet @vashfantasy @h4venpha @beanibon

The brush in the forest that is past the fields is where you explore. 

It’s where the farmhand, stable boy, resides. The fencing there is long left alone by the horses, however due to the shade it’s a spot most preferable for summer. Where the air doesn’t hurt to inhale like it does in the winter months, fresh and warm, Familiar. 

“Farm boy, give this one some water. I want to go riding later.” You gesture to the water trough just a few feet from yourself, leaning against the sturdy stables. His hair, pulled back in its usual fashion sways in the light breeze. He doesn’t need to even look to notice your presence before you speak- he’s always been observant, you suppose. Perhaps it’s in something someone of such quiet nature picks up.  “As you wish.” He towers before you, yet one thing you notice that forever remains unchanging about him is his innate gentleness. Even as he collects two hefty pails that he will lug like an ox once they’re filled to the brim with water from the well, he remains demure as ever. You’d admit to yourself that you tended to pick on him often- he was the only company you really had, that was around your age anyway.  You wonder if you ever annoyed him. Day in, day out, lounging beside him as he worked, frequently visiting him. “I’m not a nuisance, am I, farmer boy?” His head snaps up from his hunched over position to grab the pails, instantaneously shaking his head. Sweat drops from his brow as he places the pails down on one of the stable walls with a slight clang.  Cute.

You found yourself outside more often, safe to say. Busying yourself with menial work, as most of the farm duties he handles while you have your own share of chores, which you complete in record time. It’s routine hammered into your very being, and it’s not like you have proper incentive.. well, alright, you suppose you do.  His amber eyes match the buttercups that you use to make makeshift bouquets, plucking at the weeds. They’re pretty, like him, you note to yourself. Padding footsteps make their way to you on the grass, and it doesn’t occur to you that someone else is there until you’re blocked from the sun’s rays once more by his looming stature.  “I see.. “ he pauses to clear his throat, “I see you getting them for yourself. So I thought you’d like to receive them for once.”  And to your surprise, in his large hands lay a bundle of bright buttercups. It’s paradoxical- how a man as strong and capable of lugging around cargo triple your weight is imbued with such devoted nature. It makes your stomach do flips, churning with uneasiness and.. something else.  You outstretch your hand to take the flowers, carefully observing them. With your appraisal, you miss how his throat bobs anxiously.  “...thank you.” The wind breezes past, offering reprieve from the blistering that arrives with summer.  He appears almost sheepish, hand retracting back as he seems to curl into himself. “Ah, yeah. ‘course,” You don’t wish for him to run back to work like usual. His company, it’s endearing. Comforting.  “Ah- care to join me, farm boy?” He perks up at that, eyes wide. If you were on the cobblestone roads of the city, you’d be able to hear how he he almost trips over himself due to his eagerness. Perhaps alike a baby deer- and just as cute as one. All you can do is pat the spot beside you, gazing up at him as he shifts beside you, plopping down as he studies how you pluck the plants.  Making a split second decision, you turn to face him, holding your pickings in one hand while you squint at him.  “...Is there, ahem, something on my face?” Oh no, not at all. If anything you were admiring his visage.

“Not in the slightest. I just thought your eyes were comparable to the buttercups.” Ah, and now his face blooms to the shade of a red geranium. “A-ah..” He clears his throat, “Thank you.”  Your smile is brighter than the beaming sun to him, the heat causing a few stray strands of hair to cling to his forehead. You shyly reach a hand towards his face- hankerchief from the pocket of your apron dabbing at his face gently.  He sputtered silently, throat tightening as he indulged in your touch silently without complaint. You gently moved the hair out of his face, tender in each stroke of your hands along his forehead- that is, until you got the best of ideas, pulling away to his dismay. His eyelashes fluttered open in surprise at your lack of contact, only to be pleasantly shocked upon you tucking a buttercup behind his ear.  “You look pretty,” He melts at your palm to his cheek, moving to cradle his face with both hands. The compliment makes his cheeks go aflame once more- his devotion to you was apparent before, and it most certainly is now as he awaits patiently for any crumb of your affections you have to offer.  He cannot blubber out anything else besides a meek thanks, eyes moving down the expanse of your face to your lips. Alas, he’s far too reserved to ask for such things- but you notice, nonetheless.  “Farm boy...” You lean in closer, his hands moving to cover your own that cup his face.  “Yes..?” He licks his own plump lips, eyes breaking from your own to look up at you.  “..Kiss me.” Then, as an afterthought- as if he’d pull away, you added: “..please.” It felt absurd, leaving your mouth, but from the way he’d eagerly nodded you didn’t regret it. He was more than happy to comply, it seemed.  Leaning in, your lips grazed his. The grass tickled at your knees, a grin on your face breaking the kiss. Here you were, kissing the cute farm boy. Who’d do anything for you. He alone was more beautiful than the field of flowers, the fine countryside, and any beauty imaginable. He tilted his head to kiss you deeper, hands clasping tighter over yours. Everything about him was so sweet, intoxicating, practically saccharine.  Your thumbs brush his cheekbones, humming against his lips in content. You’ve never been happier, that’s for sure.

[wings-of-sapphire]

Snow White rewrite

Hello loves, so I’ve been procrastinating this for a WHILE but I was like fuck it I’ll post what I have so far

Remember like fifteen years ago when I said I’d post my Snow White rewrite? Well, I want to get at least some of it out to get some traction going, especially since Disney’s live-action Snow White is coming out soon and I’m… intrigued to see how it goes.

Anyways, here’s my WIP rewrite— not finished, may be subject to edits later, I have reasons for what I’m doing trust me

Red as the Rose

A Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs rewrite (revamp? Idk)

Meet Snow Dysni.

Her stepmother is not the nicest person.

She’s never met her mother, as she died shortly after Snow was born, so she wasn’t exactly well-versed in motherhood knowledge. But she was pretty sure stepmothers aren’t supposed to kill you.

Some backstory.

Snow is the princess of the kingdom of Grimm. Grimmians are a wonderful people. At least, Snow assumes so. She hasn’t interacted with them much.

Her birth mother was allegedly murdered by an enchantress, and then her father sort of freaked out and banned all magic. All the neighboring kingdoms started to follow his rule, forcing all the magical creatures to go into hiding. Most fled to the Twists, a cursed forest full of the Wrathborne– nightmares come to life. Yeah. Magic, from what Snow has learned, isn’t the greatest.

But still, being cooped up in this castle all day isn’t really the life. Snow knew all the staff’s names by heart. But there’s no teens in the palace, and her only friend is this cat that roams the castle grounds sometimes. Snow named her Shanks. She brings Snow flower snacks sometimes.

It’s just meetings and being locked up in her room. Her stepmother says it’s unbecoming for a princess with such little social awareness to be among the people. Snow’s only meeting royals and nobles. Like today, a meeting with Isel, the eastern kingdom, and their prince, Florian White.

Snow talks with Florian. When he laughs, it makes something inside her bubble. Maybe he poisoned her.

Oh, no. He poisoned her!

The royal nurse clears Snow, though. I guess Florian can pass for now.

There’s also Huntsman, whose real name Snow doesn’t know. She tries to talk with him sometimes. He doesn’t really talk otherwise.

But one day, Huntsman tells Snow that he can sneak her out of the castle for a night. She agrees. Because obviously!

Huntsman takes Snow out to see the Grimmians. To see her people! Away from her stepmother. Queen Isla Grimhilde. Snow doesn’t know why her father puts up with her. She really doesn’t.

They end up in the Twists.

Snow asks Huntsman what they’re doing here.

He pulls out a knife and stabs her. Snow screams, blood splattering the floor. She hears a Wrathborne near, then something tackles the Huntsman. Probably. She can’t see anything, too blind from pain. White, searing pain. All she can think of is blood. Her blood.

Snow sees the Wrathborne fighting with the Huntsman. Snow gasps out in pain and starts to stumble away. She sees a cottage in the distance. She falls to the floor. She hears voices above her.

She passes out.

Snow awakens up to grumbling. Something about red on the sheets. She blearily opens her eyes. She see six noses poking out on top of the bedframe.

She tries to scramble up. Someone cries out. It took Snow a moment to realize it was her. Red-hot pain shoots up her back.

“Woah, woah, steady there!”

Snow stares at the man beside her. Er… child? Man the size of a child?

Oh. Dwarves!

“You’re dwarves!” she croaks out.

The dwarf laughs. He introduces himself as Doc, the eldest brother. He explains how their nephew found me outside, bleeding, and had to go, but notified Doc and his brothers about her. They treated her.

Snow tries to scream, but a hand claps over her mouth. Snow sees another dwarf in front of her. He looks like he wants her head.

“Quiet, lass! You’ll attract Grimhilde’s soldiers!”

“The heck I will! You’re illegal magicals! You should be arrested!”

“We saved your royal life! Show some gratefulness!”

Aaaanyways. The seven introduce themself. There’s Doc, the oldest and the kindest. Happy, who’s… happy all the time. Snow has a suspicion he may be on drugs. Grumpy doesn’t like her at all. Dopey— at least she thinks that’s his name… maybe it’s Mopey but that doesn’t seem right— is mute and signs. Snow unfortunately doesn’t know sign, so his brothers have to translate.

Uhhh there’s Sleepy. Mate, same. Sneezy… please stay away. Bashful Snow doesn't know much about, as he tends to stay away.

Apparently there was an eighth named Raspulstin or whatever… Snow wasn’t really paying attention. She’s too busy analyzing everything.

Magic was evil. Magic killed her mother. Magic is what creates the Wrathborne, the evil spirits of the Twists.

But these magicals… saved her.

[aquaticpal]

WIP Wednesday - Chrysalis

So the other day I promised to share something related to this post 🙂 This is a random OoT idea that popped up a few weeks ago, and I managed to nurse it into a full-blown comic script (thanks @aegon-targaryen for listening to my blabs). Now, I have a buuuunnnch of things to do before I have anywhere near the time to draw such a lengthy comic, so it's going to sit in this script form for a long time maybe forever. Still, I wanted to put it out here so that it at least exists in this form 😌

Chrysalis

Rating: G Word count: ~2000 Tags: canon divergence, fix-it fic, healing, let's pretend this is an AU where uhhh Navi doesn't exist

[desert sand dunes - night, around a campfire]

"Hahhh... Sheik, you saved me again..."

"A couple pieces of bread and dried meat was all it took, and you went traipsing across the desert without even that?"

"I had them! It just... didn't last as long as I thought...!

I used to stay out all night in the forest and got by fine just picking a few berries... dunno what happened..."

"You have a body twice the size to feed now. Idiot." "Oh... yeah..."

"Aren't you gonna have some, Sheik? (I feel weird eating by myself...)"

"I ate earlier. No need." "Pff, I know you're just trying to avoid taking down your mask, right? (It's fine, I get it)"

"My hands are occupied."

[Link stretches out under the wide, endlessly vast desert sky, full of stars]

"Thanks for the music. It's a real treat for the last night before the Spirit Temple tomorrow."

"After I clear the last temple... that'll be it, right? Then I'll be able to see Princess Zelda?"

"...Presumably."

"I wonder what she'll be like, after seven years... Hey Sheik, you know where she is, right? Do you talk with her? Have you met her?"

"As if I would divulge that information." "I guess I'll just have to find out tomorrow~"

"What if when you meet her,

she's not the perfect person that you imagine? What if she's actually selfish, or cowardly, or cruel?"

"What if she has blood on her hands?"

"Sheik."

[Link's hand has moved to the Master Sword.]

"You don't like Princess Zelda very much, do you."

"..."

"She is using you."

"She's my friend! She's not that kind of person. And I want to help her."

"Aren't the Sheikah supposed to be loyal to the Royal Family? Are you?"

"That is where my loyalty lies. The Princess can trust me to work for her goal, as can you. I have no obligation to like her as a person.

But perhaps you shouldn't trust me fully, either."

"You don't seem like a bad person. You've been helping me get to all the temples. And you've never tried to do anything bad to me even though you could sneak up on me anytime."

Besides, we're friends, aren't we?"

[plink] "You are far too quick to open your heart to others. You may have missed the past seven years, but in a world like this, there are many who would take the opportunity to strike at that openness."

"It's okay, I'm the Hero. I can take it." "You can't treat your own well-being so frivolously like that!"

"All of Hyrule's fate is dependent on you!"

"In a world like this... people need someone who opens their heart more than ever, don't they?

I'm lucky. I slept through all these years, and I woke up strong - strong enough to fight the evils in this world. Strong enough to help all the people who's been hurt and worn down by years of darkness.

So, I don't mind taking a few nicks or hits if it means giving a bit of hope to someone who needs it. It's what I'm made for.

I don't know where Zelda is, but... I hope she can see it, too. That all over Hyrule things are getting a little better, so wherever she is, hopefully things are a little brighter too."

[His optimism makes his face glow in the firelight. Sheik is silent.]

"She doesn't deserve you."

"You sound jealous." ("Don't be absurd!")

"I-I have to go." "Wait, hold--"

[behind a nearby rock formation, Sheik re-materializes, hands clenched]

===

[shot of clasped, gloved hands - Temple of Time] "...It was I, Zelda. Princess of Hyrule."

"I'm sorry for deceiving you all this time..." [Link steps forward, reaching out, hopeful]

!! [The room shakes, a crystal forms around Zelda]

[her vision blacks out, the last sight being Link inaudibly banging on the crystal]

"...Ganondorf... pitiful man..."

"Six Sages... now!"

"...the road between times... will be closed..."

"Link, give the ocarina to me.

As a Sage, I can return you to your original time with it."

[instead of giving the ocarina, Link reaches out and cradles her outstretched hand, like a wounded thing.]

"Are you all right?" "What... I..."

"You look so sad.

Back then, that time when you were talking as Sheik. You said you didn't like the Princess very much."

"It was my childish whims that threw Hyrule into ruin. I have to make amends for all the souls that suffered the price for my mistake. Most of all, you."

"Can I talk to Sheik?" "I..."

"That's just me, Link." "No"

"Even though Sheik was always behind a mask, It seemed like you could talk more truthfully then."

"Link, this isn't the time..." "This is the time! If you're going to send me back, if you want me to give you the ocarina... then at least I want to hear it from Sheik. I want to hear your true words."

"I..."

[Zelda turns away, huddled into herself]

[but silently and motionlessly, she Shifts]

"Can we go somewhere else?"

===

[Lake Hylia - the island with the warp pedestal]

"It's nice to be here without having to worry you'll run off again."

"You're not gonna run off, right?" "Link, please."

[they sit silently for a moment, looking out over the water]

"Is this what you really want? Will it make you happy?"

"This isn't about that. The people of Hyrule--" "That's not what I asked."

"...It doesn't matter." "I'm asking how you feel--" "It doesn't matter!"

[a silent moment.]

"Why do you hate Princess Zelda so much?"

"She was weak. All she could do was cower and hide. All she could do was wait while others fought and bled for her mistake."

"She befriended a brave, pure-hearted boy, only to take advantage of his kindness. She stole so much from him. From everyone."

"How can you even look at her? After what she's done?"

"..."

"After I woke up from the Sacred Realm, I met a lot of people who needed help. People who were beaten down and tired, and lost their hope and will. It was all they could do to hang on and get through each day, and some of them didn't make it."

"But not Zelda. She survived for seven years, and not only that, she traveled all across the land, even through all the dangers - all to make sure that her people were protected, and her hero could succeed."

"There would've been no hope in this land if she hadn't worked to keep it alive for seven years. And she kept this idiot hero alive, too."

"I think she's very strong. Even stronger than me. And she deserves to smile, too."

[Smiling - it's something she hasn't tried to do in a long time. Behind the mask, she is worn down, but tries feebly to mount one more defense]

"What about you? You deserve to be rewarded for your efforts and sacrifice, more than anyone."

"Wouldn't you rather go back to a world without turmoil? Wouldn't it ease your mind, knowing that you saved the lives of so many?"

"Yeah, but I'll know there's one person I haven't saved."

"The one person I most wanted to save." "Don't"

"I'll go back if you want me to. I'll do it if that's what you think is best, Zelda. But don't do it because you think hurting yourself is the only right thing to do, okay?"

"I swore, when I met you, that I would protect you, no matter what. Don't make me do something that would hurt you."

[Link takes her hand, and places the ocarina in it.]

"Please, promise me that whatever you choose... you'll do it with a smile."

[Cradling the ocarina, Sheik tries to gather her composure, but she cannot muster a smile. She looks down, defeated]

"...Will you forgive me, if I choose to be selfish?"

"You know what my answer would be. But I think I'm not the one you need to ask that to. Am I right?"

[A vision - Sheik stands looking down at a young Princess Zelda from seven years ago, bloodied and dirtied as if she had just escaped from the castle]

[Slowly, Sheik approaches and stoops to the young girl's level, and reaches out to pull her into an embrace.]

[In the real world, Sheik is wiping at her eyes]

"I'm sorry. Please stay"

[Perhaps, she's saying it to someone else, too. Link holds her, for a long time]

"Look, the sun's coming up."

[still leaning into each other, they look to the brightening horizon]

"This is a lot nicer than last time."

"When I threw a Deku Nut at you and ran away?" "Heh"

[Looking into the light, Sheik reaches up to her mask, and lowers it. She faces the sun for a moment, then looks up to face Link]

"Hi."

"It's good to meet you... at last."

[their faces are so close. She's moved to lean in and kiss him, just a little.]

"Sorry, I..." "Don't be sorry! That was nice. You're... nice."

"Can I kiss you too?" "Link, I..."

"This body... It's a male body." "So?"

"I thought you might not... like..."

"I like you. The real you. Without hiding. Without holding back."

[Blushing but touched, Sheik tucks her hair behind her ear, finally showing her full face.]

"All right, then."

[they do not hold back.]

===

[partially restored castle - Princess Zelda steps out of a political meeting, looking tired. Out of nowhere, Link tugs her around a corner for a kiss]

"L-Link! You can't just--I'm still Zelda!"

"What? Don't worry, no one's gonna see. (Promise)"

"It's not that, I... I thought you just liked... Sheik."

"I told you, I like you. Did you think I wouldn't want to kiss a beautiful princess?

Zel. You're no less kind, or brave, or hardworking, just because you're in a different body."

[she looks down for a moment, emotional, tempted to refuse. But then she looks up, with a smile.] 

"Okay."

[She steps into his arms, and kisses him fully for the first time]

===

[Fishing Hole - golden hour. Link is struggling to reel in a fish]

[Zelda's POV - Link turns, and drops his rod in excitement] "Zel! You made it!"

[full shot - Zelda is dressed in a plain, androgynous tunic and leggings, carrying a small picnic basket. Her hair is free and loosely pulled back, without a crown, without a mask.] "And you brought food!! You're the best person in the world."

"Man, I didn't realize I was starving" "You have to take better care of your own needs, Hero." "I don't have to, I've got you~"

"Here, you should have some too--"

"Oh crud - there's no more?" "I'm sorry. Supplies are still low--" ("No I'm the one who should be sorry!!")

"Well, here - I've got something for you too."

[Link pulls out a glass bottle, filled with strawberries. They're a deep, ripe red - the first splash of color in this black & white comic] "I picked them from the Lost Woods. They've just started growing back recently."

[He holds one up to her lips. A little tentatively, Zelda bites into it - and bursts into tears]

"Zel!? You okay?" "Y-Yes, I just..."

"It's been... a long time since I've had anything so sweet."

"You deserve it."

[Wide shot - she has a little emotional fit in his arms. Color is gradually seeping into the comic.]

[But eventually, the berries get finished.]

"Link - there's one more thing. I..."

[Zelda takes out the Ocarina of Time, and places it into his hands.]

"Zel, this..."

[She gives him a genuine smile, fond and peaceful.] "Keep it. I've made my decision."

[She touches her forehead to his, as they share a moment of joy] "It suits you better, anyway."

[Zelda pulls out her harp, and begins playing a tune.]

[Link raises the ocarina, and joins her in a duet.]

[The musical notes drift into the sky, intertwined over a lush, colorful world.]

[time-to-write-and-suffer]

WIP Intros

Here’s a list of all my current writing works-in-progress, under a cut so I can change the post as I inevitably drop some things and start others. If you don’t see a particular WIP here that you’ve seen me talk about, it’s probably because I either abandoned it for now/for good or I haven’t worked on it enough -- in general or recently -- to justify mentioning it.

All of my current projects are intended for adult audiences even though they’re rarely explicit.

Feel free to send me asks if you want to know more!

Faery WIP / The Overgrowth / These Dark and Lovely Woods

After her mother’s passing, Sidra Carver has become a shell of a person, living alone in the woods away from society. Her remaining joy is her stepsister, the kind and bright Sinéad, whose love keeps Sidra from losing herself to the forest. That changes when Sinéad is violently stolen by her own fiancé, the mysterious Lord Thorne. A spell forces everyone but Sidra to forget Sinéad’s very existence, making Sidra the only one willing and capable of traveling beyond the iron wall and into the dangerous lands of the fae. But two axes and a brutal temper won’t be enough to help Sidra deal with the prideful and vindictive fae without falling prey to their ruthless politics.To navigate their machinations without losing her life, Sidra needs help from one of their own. Enter Valerien, a gorgeous but unpleasant fae who binds Sidra with an oath in exchange for his aid. But what this promise entails, and why he’s forced to live isolated in a crumbling manor, remains a mystery. One thing is clear: Sidra and Valerien cannot stand each other. As they struggle to reconcile their differences — and similarities — their animosity threatens to tear the alliance apart, and doom Sinéad to a life of slavery in a court of beautiful vultures.

Genre: Dark fantasy, romance

Status: First book finished, outlining/drafting second book

Word count: 119k words (first book)

Style: Single first person POV, past tense

Inspiration/vibe: Howl’s Moving Castle but it has depression

Keywords: Slow-Burn, Teeth-Clenched Teamwork, Mayfly-December Romance, Belligirent Sexual Tension, Forbidden Romance, Fae, Loneliness, Curses, Interspecies Romance

Tag / Dedicated blog / Art / Masterpost / PowerPoint / Inspiration tag / Pinterest board

Elf Marriage WIP / Nettle and Song

To strengthen the new alliance between the nations of elves and humans, the elven prince Androel and the human not-quite-princess Theodosia are reluctantly convinced to marry. But their begrudging acceptance of their circumstances is not enough to make them like each other. Trust is difficult when they both carry a secret the other cannot know: Teddy is the champion of a goddess, made to suppress her magic lest she threaten her stepfather's rule, while Roel struggles with a desperate thirst for Teddy's blood.

Genre: High fantasy, romance, drama

Status: 1st draft in progress

Current word count: 38k

Style: Dual third person limited POV, past tense

Inspiration/vibe: If Pride and Prejudice was set in Middle Earth, and also there's sexy vampire elves

Keywords: Arranged Marriage, Marriage Before Romance, Slow-Burn, Elves, Interspecies Romance, Defrosting Ice King, Garden of Love, There Was Only One Bed, Royals Who Actually Do Something, Fluff, Angst, Healing from Trauma, Low Stakes

Tag

I also write a canon rewrite fic for The W@yhaven Chr0nicles, and a Tavstarion fic for BG3. If you want a link to those, send me a DM<3

[dungeonsanddoormats]

WIP Wednesday!

I was tagged by @queer-boo-radley Thanks!

Here’s a little piece from the sequel to The Valley (Keeping Me From You)

The exasperated breath that Regina released was loud enough to be heard across the Enchanted Forest. “Emma, please.”

“I’m coming with you.”

Regina continued packing a rucksack.It had been two weeks of running since they left the King by the river. They’re hunt for the magic beans they needed hadn’t been going well. The only option left was to climb the beanstalk themselves and try to get one from the giants.

“No, it’s far too dangerous for us both to go.”

“Then you stay here!”

“I have magic. It makes more sense that I go.”

“I would have magic too if you would have taught me! I am not a child that needs to be protected.”

Regina turned, “Emma I -”

“No! I will make my own choices Regina. I will not be coddled and forced to stay back. I won’t do that anymore.”

Regina hated this. How was she supposed to protect Emma if Emma didn’t want to be protected? How was she supposed to make the stubborn blonde see her way? The simple answer is she won’t be able to accomplish either of those goals. Emma doesn’t want to be protected, Emma doesn’t want to see her way. And just like every time over the last few weeks Regina will give in.

She is the Godsdamned Evil Queen. There is no reason she shouldn’t be able to stand up to a princess, but then she turns around, and Emma is standing there looking like some sort of kicked puppy.

“Fine but you must listen to me once we get there.”

Emma beamed and Regina’s heart swelled.

“I'm serious, Emma.”

“I will! I swear.”

When they reached the top of the beanstalk Emma was in awe. Everything was so big. She looked over to see if Regina was anywhere near as amazed as she was.

She wasn’t. Regina was focused and alert. Suddenly Emma remembered just how dangerous this situation was. Her mother, no, Snow, had told her tales of how ruthless Giants could be. Then again she had said the same thing about Regina. The Evil Queen was cruel and ruthless, not Regina. Maybe the giants were the same way.

But now was not the time to find out.

Emma followed Regina’s steps and silent directions to the letter. Their necklaces were proving to be useful for more than stolen moments now. They reached the bean field without encountering a single giant. Emma felt that was a good sign. It was the middle of the night after all, maybe they were all asleep.

No one could ever be so lucky.

As soon as Regina grabbed the beans the giants descended upon them. Naturally Regina was faster and poofed them away.

Or at least that is what Emma thought happened. But when the smoke cleared she was alone with a pouch of beans in her hands.

Emma paced around the small room waiting for Regina to show up. She had to believe Regina was safe. She didn’t have any idea where she was or how to get back to the beanstalk.

“Why Regina?” Why would she leave Emma? Why would she poof Emma away and not herself? Was there something else she needed from the giants? No. That couldn’t be it. Was Regina in danger? Did the giants capture her?

Emma slumped to the ground and rested her arms on her knees. She looked at the pouch holding the beans. Their way out. Their way to freedom. Their way to be together. “Regina.”

I’m tagging @sansanichnsfw and @1attheedge

[angelosearch]

Word Search Tag Game

Rules: In a new post use the words below (or choose your own) to find where they appear in your WIP/s and share those parts.

Tagged by - @summonerluna who gave me the words rough, yellow and glass

(@irishais tagged me too but I had none of your words in anything! Need to use charisma more in my writing, especially when talking about Laguna haha)

Tagging - @highlordofkrypton @quiettekiyet (in your comic, perhaps???) @siobhann and giving you the words longing, ocean and warm

Starting off with glass. Here's an excerpt of my ongoing timeloop fic Minute Hand. This is I think three "loops" (chapters) from the last one I published (20).

Rinoa pushed her way into Timber’s oldest bar, which was noisy and fragrant with hops. There was an empty table, but Rinoa ignored it and made a beeline for the dark-stained wooden counter and sat on a barstool. Squall took the one beside her and she waved at the man behind the counter to summon him to their end. The bartender, Squall already knew, wasn’t too concerned about their ages. “Ah, if it isn’t the Princess of the Forest Owls,” the mustached man teased. “Haha, very funny Fred,” Rinoa said, rolling her eyes. “Can you get us a round? And keep them coming. I’ve had a long day.” Squall was surprised when the man brought them not only a pint of beer each, but also shots of something clear. Rinoa lifted her shot glass and smiled ruefully. “A toast—thank Hyne this day is over.” He must have made some kind of face when she said it, because she shrugged and threw it back before he could respond. Then she took his shot, too.

And now, yellow. This is the beginning of an unpublished oneshot I will probably never finish, PaintNite 😂 Eh, maybe I will finish it, now that I've gotten some of my headcanons out... Maybe it lessened my impulse to shove lore into something that is supposed to be lighthearted...

“Selphie, I really appreciate this but…” Rinoa said as she pushed her finger under the seal of the envelope. “There’s no such thing as a 7-month dating anniversary. You really didn’t have to get me anything.” Selphie beamed.  “You and Squall are two of my favorite people!” she exclaimed. “I just wanted to celebrate you! And look at the card! Isn’t it cute?”  Rinoa pulled out the white piece of cardstock. In elegant cursive, shiny black debossed letters spelled out, “There’s been buzz about your love!” The text sat beneath two cartoonish and happy bumble bees, along with yellow loopy flight lines and tiny hearts.  “Your bumble was meant to bee,” Rinoa read the inscription inside. “Okay, I have to admit, that is adorable.”

And rough. First off, looking for this word in my writing made me realize... I overuse "through" haha...

BUT! But, but, but!! This excerpt comes from my NEW yet unpublished multichapter project, where Laguna is working with a ghostwriter to write his autobiography. It's about Laguna's upbringing, his time in the army, his relationship with Raine, his work in Esthar... It's part headcanon with elements of the cut content of FFVIII. And it's scenes from Laguna's life interspersed with his first-person narrations - think The Princess Bride. The working title is The Luckiest Man in the World.

This excerpt, according to my (complete!) outline, is from Chapter 7, but I haven't written all the way to here yet. I was just really excited to think through Raine's life, so I wrote this chapter after writing the prologue haha

…And the next thing I remember is waking up in Winhill! “Wait… I thought you said you were stationed at the Centra Excavation Site. Isn’t Winhill on the Galbadian continent?” Oh, yeah, but it’s pretty much the closest place to Centra. Kiros and Ward kinda landed near the rocks, but I might have gotten caught in the surf or somethin’… Oh, is that a map? “Yes… President Loire, how long was your body out to sea?” Who knows! I know I was in pretty rough shape when I was found, I spent a couple of months barely conscious, a couple more recovering… What’s the face for? “I’m just surprised that… you survived.” Oh, yeah, it’s all Raine, really. She was amazing. She basically brought me back from the dead. “Well, okay… so you woke up in—” Wait, wait, wait, I gotta tell you about Raine, she’s really important! I think certain readers would prolly want to learn more about her, ya know? “But this is your autobiography…” Ahh, yeah, I know… Hey, I know we’re fallin’ a bit behind in the project and all, but like I said, she’s really important. I want her story somewhere, too. “Just… try to make it brief.”

[deada55]

(WIP) To Absent Friends

for kloktober day 30 and 31: HALLOWEEN!!! and creator's choice.

synopsis: Ten-year-old William Murderface goes out with Stella for Halloween (Incomplete work.)

tw/cws: none yet

The sun went down orange past the trees of the trailer park behind the misty gusts of wind. The leaves, too wet to flutter, piled up around puddles and slicked up the sparse gravel and gray, sandy dirt that wound through the lots. Groups of parents and little kids sojourned through the misery with as much jubilance as possible. Little princesses holding their dresses up like Cinderella and little superheroes and animals splashed in the shallower puddles.

“William, quit moping! I’m taking you trick-or-treating in just a minute, dammit!”

“Aw, Grandma! I wasn’t!” The knot in his stomach tightened as he pulled his red sweatshirt down and his red sweatpants up over and over, alternating between the two. Neither of them fit right, but they were the only red things he had that made sense to wear with the plastic devil horns Stella had picked up from the grocery store. His fork was a barbeque fork spray-painted red… that was his favorite part, because he was allowed to do it himself, but the paint was already chipping off the thin sides.

He faced the window at an angle, away from the decorative mirror in the corner to his right. His shirt kept riding up, but this time he let his lower be cold. To his left, Stella turned Thunderbolt on his side and brushed the sores on his shoulderblades with iodine with a spare oral sponge.

“Pull your damn shirt down. Don’t leave your fat meat out like that, it’s not polite.”

William reached behind himself and shoved it down.

“Don’t get an attitude with me or I won’t take you nowhere!”

When some kids he recognized from school appeared walking up the road towards his trailer, he ducked away from the window and started towards the bathroom.

“William, wait. Dump the urinal while you’re at it.”

“Jesus Christ…”

He bent down to get the full urinal from under the bed and Stella smacked him on the back of the neck. “Don’t be nasty like that when I ask you to do something! When I ask you to help out, you do it. Don’t run your mouth, you hear me?!”

“Yes ma’am.”

“You need to go back to speech class… Remind me to talk to your principal about that. Go dump that out and do whatever you gotta do.”

He came back with a rinsed urinal and set it back under the bed. Thankfully, his classmates had gone by, and the only people he could see through the window was a girl, her father, and their pit bull with grease paint on his face and body to make him look like a skeleton… at least his front half.

When it was time to leave, Stella slung her heavy, rattling purse over her shoulder and grabbed her cane. Without a word, William unlocked the door and made his way out, holding the outer door so Stella could back down the rickety aluminum stairs without scratching herself on its the sharp corners of the door’s trim. When she was out, she handed him her keys and he ran back up to lock it, and then they went to the car.

Her car was an old Oldsmobile that bled coolant when it was parked downhill. Stella lit a cigarette as they went down the road and the smell slowly steeped into the air in the crumbling, beige cab until it was hot and smoky, not only musty with dry rot. He laid his head against the window though the vibrations made him carsick. His Halloween pillowcase was empty and smooth in his lap napkin at a church banquet. The rusty trailer park became dusty town, the dusty town became the moldy suburb, and the moldy suburb became grassy fields and tracks of land where loggers had cleared the forest naked. The hills faded into black dunes between piney graveyards, full of stumps in place of headstones. Stars poked through the sky. Back at the park, little kids were probably no longer traipsing through the neighborhoods. It was the time for the kids in scary costumes to run amok. Going with Grandma was better than getting a bucket of creek water poured over him, and better than sitting at home. At least Grandma’s friends had candy.

When they got to Denise’s stuffy pink cottage, Stella made him ring her sun-faded doorbell. A little dog barked and howled at the other side of the door. Stella moved off the front step with William and back at the sidewalk so she could lean more comfortably on her cane without teetering backwards. The dog carried on and on.

Denise wore a nursing jacket and an embroidered floral sweatshirt on top of some purple sweatpants and cotton slippers. A spot of canned chili stained her knee.

“Say it,” Stella prodded his heel with the shoe of her cane.

“Trick or Treat?”

“I think you’re too old for that.”

“Denise-“

“Oh, Stella! Hi! I knew you were coming by, but I didn’t remember when.”

“This is my grandson, William.”

“Okay,” Denise glanced at him then held the door open for Stella. William stepped aside and followed her in through the house. Nothing was particularly clean. Dusty candles and overflowing ashtrays lined her hall table, coffee table, dining table, corner tables… The pictures and paintings on the cream wallpaper were bordered by an orange, fumey stain.  The dog’s puppy pads were tucked behind or under almost every piece of furniture and well-decorated with waste. The scratched pink-and-green camelback sofas were reasonably clean, and Denise sat in an impression surrounded by tissues, catalogs, toffee wrappers, generic pill bottles, and Chapstick, with Stella catty-corner on the other sofa, and William on Stella’s other side, by a stack of dingy newspapers.

They talked for a long time. The wedding clock on top of her TV cabinet was stuck somewhere around 3:00 from what William could see. He sat there with his hands on his pillowcase and his pillowcase in his lap, shirt riding up and pants inching down. The longer he looked at the carpet, the hairier it got. Shed fur built around the legs of the sofa like spiderwebs.

His grandmother and Denise began the talking waltz of trying to leave, but Denise was clearly cutting it shorter than usual by the suddenness Stella was compelled to stand. Her knees popped loud enough for William to hear as she picked up her fallen cane and handed it to her… and Denise was already opening her front door! Of course, the plastic outer door wasn’t open yet, so all the wind could do was shake it against its frame.

When they got back into the car, Stella grumbled to herself, burped, and looked into her rearview mirror at William while she shifted out of park.

“That was nice, wasn’t it? What candy did she give you?”

“Nothin’.”

She stopped the car right there and sat quiet. Then, she dug a hand into her purse and pulled out a couple strawberry jelly-filled hard candies.

“Here, sweetheart.”

[lesbianboyfriend]

HI JULES. 25 27 and 50!!!!!

HI CALEB!!! love you forever 🩷

25. favorite middle grade books: i’m the number one middle grade book fan okay!!!! especially fantasy!!! here are some of my most beloveds: howl’s moving castle, dragon slippers series, the lands of elyon series, the mighty heart of sunny st. james, the enchanted forest chronicles, the keeper of the lost cities series, ella enchanted, the wide awake princess series, tales of the frog princess, septimus heap series, the castle glower series, the percy jackson series, the fablehaven series, the mysterious benedict society, princess academy series, the series of unfortunate events, half upon a time series, ruby holler, the girl who could fly, edgar & ellen, beyonders series, the candy shop war, the tapestry series….okay i HAVE to stop somewhere. but there are so many. i love middle grade fiction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

27. first book i remember reading as a kid: okay so i have this really clear memory of reading a picture book about bunnies. they were very cartoon style bunnies and one of them was pink. they might have been racing (?). unfortunately i have no clue what this book is called. honestly i don’t really have very linear memory from that time so idk if that was the memory that comes first chronologically. another book that i know u read very early and a lot was are you my mother? (the picture book not. the alison bechdel comic. but that would be crazy)

50. what book have i never read but always hope to find at some point in the future: can i be honest im not quite sure what this means. i have three interpretations…

1. type of book i have always been looking for but never found a book that fits: in this case the answer is hehe the two wips (<- they say as if they have actually begun working on them) that exist in my head. the terrible lesbian girls in my brain <3 one day i will make you real….

2. book i have never read but want to read: in this case there are. so many answers. but one that has been particularly haunting me (heh) is the haunting of hill house. this summer will be my time okay!!!!!

3. book i have never read but want to find a copy of: i mean this is also a pretty long list. it lines up pretty neatly with the one above. i will say i have been specifically looking for copies of moby dick and the brothers karamazov the last couple times i’ve been to the used bookstore but have not found them yet….alas

anyways hopefully one of those answers the question !!

the ask game 📚

[jlilycorbie]

Hi Jasmine! Happy STS! How do you approach physical descriptions in your writing? Do you try to include it all when they're introduced, lace it through their appearances, or a secret third option? Do you have some snippets of OCs being described that you can share? -- @tisiphonewolfe

Hi Tizzy! Happy STS, and thanks for the ask!

I try to paint a picture of my characters fairly broadly, with details sprinkled through. I try to get basics across: distinguishing features, hair color and maybe length and/or style, eye color, skin tone, loose height, maybe loose weight. Odds are I'll leave out some of that right at the beginning and bring it up later.

From the opening paragraphs of Bad Fences, there's this:

I knew the new neighbors were trouble as soon as the police arrived to collect human bones from their yard. It was move-in day, the street rudely lined with trucks and vans and other cars. They were all loud, like a flock of low-class parrots. The little girl with the big bruise on her face dug around in the raw garden bed, getting her purple princess dress filthy. She solemnly presented her find to the fat one with the Mardi Gras hair, and out came the phone and in came the police. Most of them cleared off before the first patrol car arrived.

And here's Aleksani's introduction in the untitled fantasy WIP:

"Aleksani?" Oyuungah called. "I brought help." A long-nailed hand drew aside a wall, revealing a tall woman with hair like sunset over a forest fire. She swept Zaya with an amber gaze. "You have treated kopaulinok venom?" "Don't think it needs treating," Zaya said. "Just waiting, yeah? It's blood loss and waiting infection for a worry now." The air around Aleksani snapped with power, like the moment before a lightning strike on the mountains. "He screamed until I put him out."

[ganymedesbussy]

WIP: Thanergy Mutants

There was something deeply wrong about the planet. From space, it had looked like many others, a blue and white ball hanging against a backdrop of black, with patches of brown and green denoting landmasses, but as they moved closer, Judith began to grow restless with excitement. “The planet’s been flipped, thank God; we can get some soil for my quarters, and the Blank’s.”

They were leery of allowing the Blank onto the surface of a thanergetic planet, in case she had any necromantic abilities. Since she couldn’t stay on the ship unsupervised, Judith volunteered to stay with her, since she at least would be able to tell if the soul or creature inhabiting Nav’s body tried any theorems while they were in orbit. That left Camilla and Coronabeth to search the planet alone. Aside from having been flipped, it didn’t have any of the signs of a colony world, but the cavaliers would retrieve any resources they could find — ‘food, fuel, and fortification’, as Judith put it — before resuming their long journey.

Once on the planet’s surface, the wrongness was more evident. It had been deeply arboreal once, one of those planets just bursting with vegetation, fat with life, a beacon of thalergy shining in the void, until the Cohort came and sentenced it to a slow and painful death. The process was deceptively simple — the soldiers of the Cohort landed and began to kill. Plants, animals, anything whose death would release power. Then the necromancers would come, gather it all up, and begin a chain reaction that would eventually convert every thalergy-producing cell and microbe into a sterile, thanergetic husk.

It was a simple process, but a long one, long enough for the Empire to colonize the planet and raise generations of humanity there while the native life withered and mutated into strange new shapes.

The forest clearing where they landed was clearly far along in this process. The massive trunks of dead trees were held up by sinewy vines and threads of pale roots. Instead of fruit or flowers, all of the vegetation seemed to be either dull grey-blue specimens trying their best to absorb what light they could, or silver-white parasites slowly draining them dry. Even at midday the shadows were long and gave the air of twilight, and the sight of Coronabeth, so gold and vibrant she almost glowed with health, against such a desaturated background only made Cam think again how impossible it was that anyone had ever mistaken her for a necromancer. She looked much more comfortable, more herself, with a cavalier’s rapier hanging at her side than she ever had hiding in a necro’s robe, even if that sword was severe Ninth work and not the graceful silver of a Third House blade. As she tromped over the rubble that had once been a solid stone landing pad, Camilla could see the Princess of Ida