brookeshodgeswrites

[brookeshodgeswrites]

The Cacophony- Ch7: Dominance Under Guise

Check out below for a preview. See the full chapter here.

***

“Azriel! Rhysand! Cassian!” 

Nesta’s furious voice swam across his shadows, assaulting him in the middle of the night, ripping him from his sleep to a terrified awakening. His eyes darted to the clock-12:07. Nesta must have gone to the dining room and screamed for them through his shadows- the midnight visitor that appeared every night. He was impressed that her voice had carried so clearly and so quickly to him. 

He rose from his bed, grabbing his leathers and weapons as he made his way towards Cassian’s room. Together they would fly to the townhouse to retrieve Rhys and go to the mortal lands. Whatever had Nesta this mad would likely require the three of them to calm, perhaps even Feyre. He ordered his shadows back to check on Elain and provide Nesta with a message- they were coming and to wait for them if they could, but to run if they must. It did them no good to be brave if they did not have the skills to protect themselves and they didn’t have the skills to protect themselves. Not if other fae had come for them. 

Boom. Boom. Boom. He took a step away from the door as he pulled on his leathers and shoved his feet into boots, snatching the laces tight. He heard Cassian’s curses and moved out of his reach as he lunged out into the hall- ready to strike. Azriel held out a second set of leathers and Cassian took them, wordless understanding passing between them. Cassian let out another string of curses as he changed as well, only returning to his room for his preferred weapons. They stalked to the balcony and then took to the sky, their aim set for the townhouse. 

[brookeshodgeswrites]

✨🌸 For the last day of @azrielappreciationweek , we’re celebrating a moment so rare and beautiful—laughter. In this piece, Elain and Azriel share a genuine, joyous laugh that seems to light up every shadow.

Then Azriel tipped his head back and laughed. I’d never heard such a sound, deep and joyous. Cassian and Rhys joined him, the former grabbing the glass bottle from Azriel’s hand and examining it. “Brilliant,” Cassian said. Elain smiled again, ducking her head. Azriel mastered himself enough to say, “Thank you.” I’d never seen his hazel eyes so bright, the hues of green amid the brown and gray like veins of emerald. “This will be invaluable.”

🦇🌸Elain and Azriel’s relationship is already woven with these small, joyful moments, hints of a deeper connection that’s growing. I can’t wait for their story to unfold even more, to see them discover new sides of each other.

Thank you @windbyfire for capturing this rare happiness between them so beautifully. 🖤🌸

⊱❊⊰⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⤞ Art by @windbyfire - windbyfire on IG

⁣⁣⁣⤞ Commissioned by me

⁣⁣⁣⤞ Please do not repost without permission

⁣⁣⁣⤞ Instagram

⊱❊⊰⁣⁣⁣

[brookeshodgeswrites]

✨𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒚💫

Art by the talented @zolyna_

Commissioned by me!

Thank you so much to Zoe for bringing to life this wonderful piece! It was original intended for @elriel-month but I missed the prompt date but it's okay because we had more than enough pieces for that prompt

I just love the interact that guilty as sin represents and how it's just so them, this two people who cannot be together but just the touch of each other is enough to make them keep going!!! Elriel book come home the kids miss you

Anyways! Let me know your theories of what the Elriel book will be about de

[brookeshodgeswrites]

The Cacophony- Ch6- Nymph

Check out the full chapter here.

***

Preview

“You ‘misplaced’ a siphon…two siphons actually. How?” 

Azriel rubbed his face, trying to figure out how he could explain this. He was normally careful, but he was stretched extra thin with his tasks lately. When he returned from stitching Elain’s hand, he had realized he’d left his bracers- and siphons- next to the sink. He had spare bracers- most fae would not notice his siphons were gone- so he donned the spares and hoped it would be good enough. He had planned to go back that night and retrieve the siphons, however, Rhysand had sent him on another mission. In the past two weeks, he had had to discharge his energy at an alarming rate to not overwhelm his remaining siphons. 

When he had returned moments ago- Cassian had immediately noticed the missing siphons. At this point, he was ready to crawl inside of a hole instead of face the interrogation that was coming his way. How did he explain that he had left them with Feyre’s sister when he flew off to stitch up her hand? How did he explain the number of times in the last few weeks that he had forced himself to stay at his post instead of attend to her? 

“You find someone worth taking everything off for?” 

“Not…exactly.” 

Their missions for the Night Court differed greatly. He had to go into places and get out- completely unseen. There was little time for a covert love affair when he was on Night Court business. Cassian was allowed- no expected- to declare that he was in a territory. Oftentimes he was the distraction that allowed Azriel to slip in unnoticed and Cassian took his job very seriously. 

“Az- c’mon- live a little.” 

“Every time I try to live- I get reminded of my place.” 

Cassian froze. He had managed to shift this conversation away from his missing siphons, but he was not sure that this topic was any better. He was offering to discuss the few times that he had tried to do something for himself- instead of in duty for the Night Court. Instead of being self-sacrificing. Those rare moments when he was selfish and did something because he wanted to do it. 

“You deserve more, Az and sometimes that means you have to go against all your training and conditioning. Sometimes that means telling Rhys off and drawing a line. And if there’s something out there you want that bad- that’s worth it to you…I’ll have your back.” 

“Can you start by covering for me while I go to get my siphons back?” 

[brookeshodgeswrites]

And then I was sobbing through my clenched teeth, the tears washing away that infected wound, and I didn’t care that Cassian was there. And then my fists connected with bare skin, and I realized I’d punched through the sparring pads—no, burned through them, and— And I stopped, too. The wrappings around my hands were now mere smudges of soot. Cassian’s upraised palms remained before me—ready to take the blow, if I needed to make it. “I’m all right,” he said quietly. Gently. And maybe I was exhausted and broken, but I breathed, “I killed them.” I hadn’t said the words aloud since it had happened. Cassian’s lips tightened. “I know.” Not condemnation, not praise. But grim understanding. My hands slackened as another shuddering sob worked its way through me. “It should have been me.” ~~~ A Court of Mist and Fury ~ ch. 30

🎨: andreaaguirresart on Instagram

[brookeshodgeswrites]

I want something like the roses starting to talk to Elain while she's tending them, whispering to her about the shadow boy who's in love with her who can't sleep because he had hurt her. At first she thinks she's just imagining things, but one time she asks them Who? and they just answer, Azriel.

He watches you. He dreams of you. He longs to touch your hand, your throat, your lips.

They tell her about how his shadows come to curl around her roses at night, brushing the petals, whispering to them about his deepest dreams and fears, about how he's too scared of ruining her, but he's already hers.

[brookeshodgeswrites]

Kept Secrets- An I'm Gonna Cry Story

Story three of the I'm Gonna Cry series is now being posted on AO3.

Fandom: Power Rangers

Pairing: Kimberly Hart/Tommy Oliver

Genre: Angst/Hurt/Comfort

Rating: M (for now- may become E)

Full First Chapter Below the Cut (Previews/Snippets for future chapters will be the norm)

***

Chapter 1- She Had Help

Streaks of light crossed the sky, heralding the newest team of Power Rangers returning to Angel Grove. A final streak, brighter than the others, shot across the sky and landed with a boom in front of the old, abandoned Command Center. The newest team spun around at the sound, prepared for fight, but unsure of what the enemy even was. A green ranger emerged and surveyed the scene around him, this was not how he had expected this week to end. 

“Dad.” 

“Tommy.” 

“Dr. Oliver?” 

“Sensei?” 

“Thomas this…” 

“Tommy,” Kim forced out through sobs as he de-morphed, ignoring everyone else and heading straight for her. His hands trembled as they ran over her body and she frantically nodded to try to comfort him. She could feel the powers radiating off of him and knew that he was fully tapped into his ranger senses and she needed to get him back with her. “We’re okay. We’re okay. We’re all here and we’re fine.” 

“What the fuck was that?” Jason asked as he watched Janice and Allen immediately place their hands over Sean and Opal’s ears. Tommy rested his forehead against Kimberly’s and he then gave her a quick kiss before moving to check on their children, completely ignoring his best friend as he moved between them. He needed to make sure his family was alright before he could take on the latest ranger disaster. “Tommy!” 

“I don’t know, but I think we know that Hayley wasn’t working on her own like we hoped. That Mesogog and Zeltrax had no influence on her- it was someone else. This was a much longer end game. I went to the hospital, she’s gone. Amber was a simple human diversion for whatever this is. She used Amber and this thing…it owed her enough to do this,” Tommy said as he thoroughly examined his parents, Landon, Sean, and Opal in turn. He rose to his feet as Opal jumped into his arms and he looked back at the team of rangers. “Ol…Ollie.” 

“My parents are going to kill me. I’m supposed to be home in an hour,” Autumn rambled as Tommy stopped staring between the red and the white ranger, sure that one of them was his son, and his eyes went straight to the yellow ranger. She started clawing at the helmet and Tommy quickly moved over to her to help her remove it safely. The red ranger started towards her as well and he knew then it must be Ollie.

“We’ll call them and explain what we can,” Kimberly reassured as she looked around and then back at the building that was partially buried in the sand. They hadn’t come back here in years. “Here? Why here?” 

“It was the first place I thought of that wasn’t our home where we could keep everyone safe,” Tommy whispered as Ollie pulled off his helmet and locked eyes with him for the first time.  He closed his eyes as he pushed back the fear he felt for his son and forced himself to go into mentor mode. He would be able to be a father later, this new team needed him to be a mentor now. “Let’s get inside. We can find somewhere for the littles to sleep and review…I guess, I guess review whatever footage there is.” 

The group followed him as they made their way around the building. Tommy’s hand found Kimberly’s and they fell into step. The last he had seen- their home was still standing, but he didn’t know how long that would last when whatever it was figured out that they had evaded them. He hoped for his wife and children that they would have no interest in the house now that it was abandoned. 

“How did you do that?” Autumn asked as she jogged up to Kimberly and Tommy gave her a confused look. “How did you hold them back without…” 

“You used your powers?” Tommy asked and Kim barely nodded as she wiped her nose and saw the blood on the back of her hand. He moved behind her as she started to faint, barely catching her in his free arm. He realized adrenaline must have been the only thing keeping her going up until now and was grateful when someone took Opal out of his arms. “Jase.” 

“Got it!” Jason yelled as he ran his hand down a seam in the steel and it slowly warped and then curled apart, allowing them entrance. The rangers and the Olivers disappeared into the building before Jason sealed it behind them. “We need anyone else?” 

“I don’t think so. If anything…if she…if we…I think we’re at the point where what happens, happens,” Tommy choked out as they walked out into the familiar power chamber and he saw a cot waiting for them. He placed Kim on the cot and then motioned for the rest of his family to follow him to the back rooms. “Get the footage- from everywhere.” 

“I know we found out that your parents were Power Rangers with the trial and everything, but I thought that was like a long ago, in the past thing,” Seth said as Ollie looked over at him and saw that he was clothed in white. Ollie shrugged as Jason moved between them and started hacking away on a console, lights flickered before the overhead lights came on and they stared around the room. ��Wow.” 

The teens slowly spun around, taking the large chamber in. While the other chamber had been dusty and unused, the titanium gleamed in the light. One wall was filled with columns of color, which mirrored their ranger powers. They slowly dispersed as each of them went to look at things that they were curious about. Except for Ollie. Ollie stood rooted to the spot as he stared at a large mural staring back at him. A mural that was clearly of his family. 

“Dad…Mom…Jason…” Ollie stammered as Jason looked back over his shoulder and then moved to stand next to Ollie. “Uncle Jason- what is…” 

“I don’t know. This place has been abandoned for over a decade. I don’t know who, or what, would keep this place up or make something like that. Are you up for looking at some footage with me?” Jason asked as Ollie glanced over to the side to see his dad emerging from whatever was further back in this chamber. Tommy stopped by Kim’s side and seemed to check something again. “What’s going on? Kim fainting at her own blood isn’t anything new.” 

“I’m just trying to decide if we should call in Billy,” Tommy said as Jason froze and he glanced back at Ollie and then locked eyes with Tommy. “Just don’t, okay?” 

“He’s eighteen. Seriously?” Jason asked as Tommy glared at him but Kim let out a groan which saved Jason from whatever Tommy was about to say to him. “Footage.” 

A large screen illuminated with a series of videos and Jason clicked through to the one labeled ‘Oliver Residence’. He heard feet shuffle behind him and glanced back to see Kim, Tommy, and Ollie had moved closer to the screen and the rangers were keeping their distance. They watched as what appeared to be a general blew the front door of the hinges, moments after Autumn and Ollie ducked down into the basement. Jason switched the view and they watched as the group progressed through the house and eventually into the final chamber. 

“She said they’ll go to the lab. This power chamber is dormant, we should intercept them when they pop up. Having Tommy Oliver’s entire family is exactly what we want,” the general with the dragon-like face said as they teleported out. Jason pulled up the footage from the lab and they saw that beings were still swarming it, but were unable to breach the doors. 

“What are those made of?” Autumn whispered as Ollie just shrugged. He had no idea, but he could guess that his father had added something to them after this fall. He was not going to let that part of their property be used against them again. “And who is the ‘she’ they’re talking about?” 

“Fury, why don’t you have them?” a new being growled as he landed and Tommy let out a groan. He recognized the name, but it had been forever since he had heard it. The last time he had heard it, had been during his MIT days. 

“You try getting in, Sledge,” Fury reacted and Kim froze. There was something about the name Sledge that was familiar. It was a nickname. A nickname of someone that she had lost track of years ago, about the time she had gotten pregnant with Ollie. 

“It looks like they beat on the doors for about thirty minutes before they gave up. The power chamber sealed itself after they left. It also looks like other than a couple of destroyed doors- your house is fine,” Jason said as he looked back over at them and saw the horror on Kim and Tommy’s faces. “You recognize those names?” 

“Fury was the nickname for one of my college friends. Actually a friend of Hayley and me. He always took a bit too much of an interest in my past. I don’t know…it’s a gut feeling. I know Sledge is who the last group was battling, but that means nothing to me,” Tommy said as he looked over at Kim and she let out a sigh. “Not, not you too.” 

“One of the coaches…for the Pan Global Games. His nickname was Sledge, I remember you telling me that was the primary evil right now, but it didn’t click that it might be…I lost contact with almost all of them after I got pregnant with Ollie. He was…he was more pissed about it than anyone else. It never made sense to me though, he primarily coached the boys team,” Kim explained as she shook her head. “It’s too much of a coincidence that we have connections to people that could…that they maybe became. Do they say anything about there being a team?” 

“I can listen. Do any of you need to get home?” Jason asked as he turned to the team and several of the teens nodded. “I can teleport all of you back home in that case.” 

“Uncle Jason- she…her car is at our house,” Ollie said as he pointed towards Autumn and Jason whipped his head between the two of them before snapping it over to Kim and Tommy. No one had mentioned that the oldest Oliver was seeing someone, this was news that they all were excited for and he expected it would have been dropped in the group chat. “I can go back with her and then you can just teleport me back.” 

“I’ll escort them- this once,” Tommy said as Jason teleported out the rest of the team first and he then teleported Tommy, Ollie, and Autumn back to their home. 

“Congratulations,” Jason whispered as Kim gave him a confused look and he then pointedly glanced at her stomach. “Tommy freaked with you passing out and there’s only one reason why he’d do that. But um…I thought…” 

“So did we. Tommy had a pretty angry call with his urologist and when they went and checked- everything is back…again,” Kim stated as Jason just shook his head. Tommy had an ability to heal that was great for being a ranger, but apparently was horrible for any sort of family planning. “Don’t tell anyone else…we’re…we were going to tell everyone…” 

“Go rest. I don’t think you’re going home tonight,” Jason said as he gave her a hug and he felt her settling and gathering herself. They had always feared that this day would come. They had thought they had gotten Ollie to the other side and now their home had been attacked and their son was in the hot seat.

*****

AN- If you're interested in starting from the beginning- here are the links to I'm Gonna Cry and Just Desserts. Hope you enjoy!

[brookeshodgeswrites]

Definitely recommend.

The Wedding

Chapter 7: Lucky Us

Preview

Something in him melted. He kissed her nose, her cheek, her temple, then nudged her thighs apart and settled between them. The weight of his body grounded her, sparked something fierce and warm deep in her chest.

She guided him to her. The head of his cock slid through her slick folds, and then he pushed in-slowly, carefully-until he was fully seated inside her.

The stretch made her gasp, not from pain, but from the perfect fullness of him.

Azriel stilled, gaze locked on hers. "Okay?"

She nodded, pulling him into another kiss. "Move.

Please."

His hips obeyed, beginning a slow, steady rhythm that sent stars flaring behind her eyes. Every thrust was deliberate, each one filled with aching reverence. Her body rose to meet him, legs wrapping around his waist, urging him closer.

Deeper.

"You feel like heaven," he breathed. "Like I'm home."

Emotion swelled so fast and sharp it caught in her throat. "I missed you so much."

[brookeshodgeswrites]

Guys, this fan art of Feyre and Tamlin in ACOMAF, when he could have really hurt her if she didn’t have her powers is making me want to cry.

The fear in her eyes, the way her entire body is rigid, her sadness and anxiety—this is so so well done and it’s breaking meee.

"Feyre, please," he breathed.

He dropped to his knees, taking my face in his hands. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

I couldn't stop trembling.

"I'll try," he breathed. "I'll try to be better. I don't.... I can't control it sometimes. The rage. Today was just ... today was bad... Today-let's forget it, let's just move past it. Please."

🎨 Art is by tangerine.eileen

[brookeshodgeswrites]

The Cacophony- Ch 5- Just An Appendage (Excerpt)

Chapter 5 snippet below:

Azriel stood at the edge of the garden, out of the rain and also away from the drama of this visit. Explaining to the Archeron sisters what their plan was had been difficult, especially as Rhys excluded some key details- like exactly how dangerous this was. He wanted for Nesta and Elain to be prepared, but Rhys had stopped him- claiming that if they were ever captured they would not be able to hold up to torture. He thought that if their was a chance that the sisters would be captured and tortured that they needed to insist that come to Velaris instead of continuing to live in the mortal lands. His protests were soundly ignored. 

Soft footsteps joined him and he smiled to himself. In all his visits, Elain was the one that always found him- that always sought him out for company. It didn’t make sense to him at first, but after time, he had accepted that she might…enjoy spending time with him. Then she had gotten married and he assumed their stolen time together had come to an end. At that time, he never thought there would be a day where he hid in a carriage to make sure she escaped. Where he dropped everything if he heard something might be amiss here. His Night Court duties taking a backseat to something else, something he would not dare name. 

He didn’t deserve to think about the woman next to him the way that he did- to dream of a life where his imaginings would come true. That was not his life. That was not his path. He had known it since he was a small boy, begging for food and water- a bath to clean himself. The words still rang true ‘you’re only good for living in the scrap heaps, for digging out the trash of society- it’s what you deserve’ . His father, ever the cruel male, had made sure he understood those words and his brothers had made sure he believed them. 

*****

Want to get the full chapter? It's over here on AO3.

[brookeshodgeswrites]

Elain Archeron Week 2025🌸🌹🪻🌷🌻

Welcome to Elain's Garden Club! 🌹🌸🌻🌷🪻

We are so excited to be back for another year and cannot wait to celebrate our favourite flower fairy! Below you'll find the rules and guidelines for the week as well as details of our prompts. 🌸

Please tag this account - @elainarcheronweek - when posting your art, fics, and theories, etc., so that we don't miss anything and use the #elainarcheronweek2025 hashtag.

Find us on Instagram.

Rules:

Disclaimer: We do not control or forbid anyone from participating in this week; however, we are doing our best to ensure this event is a safe and positive space. To achieve this, these rules serve as conditions for contributions to be reposted, shared, or accepted as a collaboration.

🌸 We ask that you do not use Al. We try our best to avoid resharing AI, but if something does get through, please send us a message or ask so we can address it.

🌸 Please properly tag all ship-related posts and use available filtering systems to block content you do not wish to see.

🌸 If you share something that is missed, please know that this was an accident. Tumblr’s tagging system is faulty at best, and even direct tagging doesn’t always work. We also had issues with posts randomly un-collaborating on insta unprompted last year. Try retagging us or send us an ask with the link and we’ll reblog it asap. To resend a collab invite on insta once posted, using desktop is required.

🌸 This is an Elain-positive event. No anti-Elain sentiments in content or captions will be accepted.

🌸 Most importantly, we ask that we all engage with each other with kindness and respect.

Thank you, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions

View prompts below the break.

🎨: humming_leaff (IG) | Comm: lazydaisyreads (IG)

Prompts:

From The Same Soil: Much like different plants growing in the same garden bed, Elain shares origins, similarities, and connections with many of those around her. Their roots intertwine, much like their destinies, but still blossom into uniquely different journeys, personalitities, and individual growth. Use this prompt to explore Elain's meaningful relationships or connections you make between her and others.

🎨: star.speckle (IG) | Comm: cassianfanclub (IG)

Seeds Planted: There is no doubt that SJM started laying the foundation for Elain's story long ago - leaving breadcrumbs and planting seeds. This prompt is for the many amazing theories for Elain's future journey, and how they have been set up.

🎨: jadedbugart (IG)

Sunrays: A nod to her own namesake, Elain embodies the light and warmth of sunshine. This prompt is dedicated to everything beautiful about her character - from her radiance, kindness, and ability to maintain hope, to her witty quips and surprising humor.

🎨: pinkykei.art (IG) | Comm: morgansecretgarden (IG)

In Full Bloom: Elain's potential is limitless. We can't help but wonder how she will come into her full self and what it will look like when she defies all expectations. This prompt embodies Elain's flourishing transformation. Use this prompt to highlight Elain embracing her full power, identity, and agency.

🎨: artby.amara (IG)

Secret Garden: Elain's guarded nature is reflected in her hidden feelings and desires; and her heart, much like a walled garden, is not easily accessed. To be invited in is to be granted something rare and sacred. Use this prompt to explore more romantically themed ideas. How would her love bloom? And with whom?

🎨: aseriaart (IG) | Comm: oceanfairym (IG)

Nightshade's Kiss: While beautiful and alluring, Elain has also proven to be deadly. She possesses hidden depths and lethality. Much like the flower, Nightshade's Kiss, our Kingslayer is dangerously underestimated. This prompt is for Elain's darker side.

🎨: biloart (IG) | Comm: elain_kingslayer (IG)

Free Day: Anything and everything you did not get to post for any of the other prompts!!!

🎨: morwenaert (IG) | Comm: bookish.biologist (IG)

[brookeshodgeswrites]

Generations Rise- Excerpt- Ch. 50

I'm not only an ACOTAR write- I also have a LOT of Power Rangers fanfics under my belt. So I am going to post excerpts from those stories from time to time.

*************

“I’m fine with my tattoos, I just thought…” Tommy trailed off as he looked down at Kim and she gave him a confused look. “You don’t care.” 

“Nope, so if you want to roll up your sleeves…” Kim trailed off as he immediately started rolling the cuffs and unbuttoned a couple of buttons. “Have you always…for me?” 

“Can I have my glasses? My allergies are horrible today and I’d really like to ditch the contacts,” Tommy said as Kim nodded and she turned to go grab the things from his office. When he looked back at Janine and Carrie, they both had knowing smiles on their faces. “What?” 

“I knew she loved you, but I’ve never seen her give up control like that,” Janine said as Tommy gulped and she let out a laugh. “No, it’s a really good thing. She needs someone like you.” 

“Thanks,” Tommy said as he took in a deep breath. “So, how is this going to go?” 

“There’s a general format to interviews like this. We’ll shoot most of it in here, but they like to do some walk and talk shots to break things up or show at other air times. We’ll probably keep the lighter questions for that portion. And honestly, we probably will not use all of the footage, but we’d rather have more than we need than not enough,” Janine said as Kim walked back up to him and handed him his contact case and glasses. He quietly walked off and Kim stared around her studio again. “Hey, I’m going to treat your guy well and he’ll be fine on the other side of this.” 

“I know. I also know how hard this is going to be for him and how vulnerable he’s going to feel,” Kim whispered as she wiped her eyes and Janine wrapped an arm around her. “I never thought that his secrets would need to come out like this. When he asked me to not do this, I thought I’d be able to do enough- I’d be able to tell enough about myself to save him from this.” 

“It keeps you and your babies safe. We all know he’d do anything to do that,” Carrie said as she gave Kim a hug and quickly wiped her face. “And if he sees you crying, we’re fucked.” 

“Thanks for reminding me.” 

*******

Interested in seeing this entire series? You can find it over on AO3 here.

[brookeshodgeswrites]

The Cacophony: Chapter 4- Maid

Chapter 4 (and maybe a few others) are up over on AO3

Preview of the chapter below:

Jasmine and honey notes floated through the air, causing Azriel to look up from his reports. Elain stood in the doorway of the study, wearing a cranberry dressing ground that turned her luminous skin sallow, but holding two cups of tea. He felt some of the tension in his shoulders ease as she placed a cup in front of him and then continued on to the window seat, where she settled with a well worn book. 

Rhysand’s short order had arrived moments ago- protect them until additional guards could be posted. He was momentarily surprised that he had not been ordered back to Velaris, Rhysand must have had the same gut feeling he did. Whatever was building around the Archeron sisters could have tragic results and Feyre had endured too much, had lost too much to lose her sisters. Even if they had stood by and done nothing while their younger sister fought to keep them alive, even if they did not see the error of their ways. Feyre would mourn them and she had done enough mourning in her life already. 

His other reports were mundane. Small shifts in alliances, a whisper of Illyrian disquiet, a rumor that Tamlin was still furiously searching for Feyre. Nothing that required his immediate attention, especially since his Hybern spies were not due to send reports for another four days. There were extra precautions around their communications, but it was worth it to keep the same spies in play longer. Their information was far more reliable when they were able to earn trust and his shadows still worked on infiltrating the more difficult areas- the queens’ safe hold, Hybern’s castle. Before their plan solidified- Rhysand required as many details from him as possible. 

Mist turned to steady rain as he finished the last report and glanced at his now empty tea cup. He looked over at Elain and realized she had not turned a page in her book since she settled in the window seat, instead staring out at the rain. His life was full of bleak moments, living in the spaces where no one would look too closely, learning to hide what he felt as his feelings were used against him. Even through poverty, it seemed Elain had kept her beautiful, trusting soul and then Graysen had done this to her. Graysen broke her. 

“Azriel…” her voice was soft, timid even, as if she thought that she might be a nuisance to him. He heard Nesta trying to convince her to talk about what happened within the wall’s of Lord Nolan’s fortress. Elain’s polite refusals had also reached his ears, which likely led to Nesta storming out of the manor bound for the market as his reports started to flutter in. “How did you know? Why would you come after everything…after Nesta and I…I don’t understand.” 

[brookeshodgeswrites]

It's interesting how Nesta said TWICE that Elain is not Lucien's mate.

Not 'she doesn't want to be your mate' or 'she doesn't need a mate'.

She was very firm: she is not Lucien's mate.

Which makes me wonder about what Nesta knows or feels, considering her own bond with Cassian and her connection to the Cauldron.

With Feyre it's different: she also ponders the ways of the Cauldron and mentions how she sees Elain with Azriel vs Lucien.

"Why not make them mates? What if that (Azriel) is what she needs?"

Elain would cling to Azriel.

And then when it comes to Lucien, she, like Nesta, mentions something twice:

Why Lucien? (Is there no choice?)

I wasn't sure if I wanted Elain to be exposed to that fire.

So it's interesting:

Feyre questions the Elucien bond. Then she questions Elain's and Lucien's sexual compatibility. Whilst she acknowledges that Lucien is 'a good male' she also feels that he and Elain don't match well.

Nesta denies their bond twice.

Feyre then proposes an alternative for Elain, which is Azriel. She feels that Azriel has something in him that would benefit Elain and that they would find harmony with each other, and that a better match for sister would be Azriel.

So we have Nesta, who has a special connection to the Cauldron and who was Made the same way as Elain, and who is mated to Cassian, outright denying the Elucien bond.

And then we have Feyre, who wasn't Made the same way and doesn't have a connection to the Cauldron, but who has a human/ emotional connection to all three people involved, and she also denies the Elucien bond.

yeah...interesting.

But probably means nothing.

[brookeshodgeswrites]

the look of love (for writers)

"it's all in the eyes i was once told"

catching the stare of someone across a crowded room

subtle furrowing of eyebrows beyond a blank facade

coldness easing into warmth

a fond mothering gaze

corner of the lip nudged upward

forced glower/glare as they break underneath

batting their lashes, playful

a boisterous laugh

intrigue piercing the stoic

proud smugness at the other's success

lingering glances

a childish joy bursting through

pupils dilate

eyelids shut in a look of peace, calm and trust

look of longing/betrayal

"there was once a time when they were mine"

terseness

features fold into a scowl

an urgent flinching back

coldness returns (as though the warmth had never come)

lips part then purse

invasion of shock

slow stare at the floor

the ripple effect of a swallow

frustrated breath/sigh

bitter laugh in reminiscence

dread tearing through the seams of their composure

look of hatred

"darkness"

mean smirk- teeth bared grimace- scowl

dismissive gaze

gaze of contempt/impatience

threat lowering the voice

sardonic goading grins verging on manic

rolling one's eyes

flicker of irritation in the eyes

stares stubbornly ahead despite distraction

gritted teeth, clenched jaw

fierce biting remarks

even measured complexions betraying no thought

strangling oneself back from violence

utter apathy

murderous silence hanging in the stare

snobbish laughter

smiling at another's downfall

[brookeshodgeswrites]

reblog if you’ve read fanfictions that are more professional, better written than some actual novels. I’m trying to see something

[brookeshodgeswrites]

REVERSE TROPE WRITING PROMPTS

Too many beds

Accidentally kidnapping a mafia boss

Really nice guy who hates only you

Academic rivals except it’s two teachers who compete to have the best class

Divorce of convenience

Too much communication

True hate’s kiss (only kissing your enemy can break a curse)

Dating your enemy’s sibling

Lovers to enemies

Hate at first sight

Love triangle where the two love interests get together instead

Fake amnesia

Soulmates who are fated to kill each other

Strangers to enemies

Instead of fake dating, everyone is convinced that you aren’t actually dating

Too hot to cuddle

Love interest CEO is a himbo/bimbo who runs their company into the ground

Nursing home au