insidekamsbrain

[insidekamsbrain]

Gwyn Week Day Seven: Free Day

What a fun week celebrating one of our favorite ladies! Gwyn is a little tuckered out after all the excitement, but what better way to relax than with a protective Azriel, snuggly black cat, and Pegasus plushie.

@gwynweekofficial

@kt-reads-things and I love cozy Gwynriel and couldn’t think of a better way to close out Gwyn Week than with this Ranadela_x piece. She captured how at peace these two are with each other in any universe. Sweet dreams, Gwyn! See you all again for Gwyn Week 2026!

Characters belong to Sarah J. Maas

🩵🎶💙🗡🩵🎶💙🗡🩵🎶💙🗡🩵🎶💙🗡🩵

Artist: Rana Dela X

Commissioners: @kt-reads-things and Me!

[insidekamsbrain]

i’d like to formally apologise to anyone i’ve disappointed with my terrible friendship skills

[insidekamsbrain]

𝓖𝔀𝔂𝓷 𝓦𝓮𝓮𝓴 𝓓𝓪𝔂 3: 𝓣𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓼

“… we loved each other dearly. We were all each other had while growing up. She was the only one I could truly rely on. I miss her everyday,” (Gwyn, ACOSF).”

Here is Gwyn and Catrin playing together near a river by the temple at Sangravah. As Gwyn grows and forges new bonds, she’ll always carry memories of Catrin with her.

@kt-reads-things and I were really excited to show you this.

Art by startboii

Commissioned by @kt-reads-things and me for @gwynweekofficial

Characters belong to Sarah J. Maas

[insidekamsbrain]

@gwynweekofficial Day Three: Tethers - Bonds That Heal

Cassian: no way you three will make it without falling on your faces. The Valkyries: alright, bet.

The Valkyries have such a beautiful bond with each other. Their friendship is a true testament of love and support, reminding us that strength isn't just about fighting battles and winning wars. It's about lifting each other up (sometimes literally!😅)

Friendship is so important and these three are such a good example of the power of it. Nesta and Emerie came into Gwyn's life at a perfect time and I can't wait to read more about them in future books! 💪 💕✨

[insidekamsbrain]

Gwyn Week Day 2 Songbird - The Soul of a Singer

Introducing our popstar: Gwyneth Berdara 🎶

@gwynweekofficial

Gwyn's beautiful voice will have your soul connecting to the music that she sings. Expect a spiritual journey like no other as she sings her heart out to the masses.

Maybe if you're lucky (like a certain shadowsinger 😉), she'll write your name on her thigh as she performs her music for all to hear and experience.

🩵🎶🩵🎶🩵🎶🩵🎶🩵🎶🩵🎶🩵🎶🩵🎶🩵🎶

Artist: Kloartz

Commissioner: Me

[insidekamsbrain]

My second entry for @gwynweekofficial

I think Gwyn cutting the Ribbon is such a phoenix moment , the moment she rises and becomes a Valkyrie and the moment that marks the rebirth of the Valkyries.

Given it's Az who helps her with cutting that Ribbon it was only fair he is part of the scene.

Repost Not Allowed

Characters belong to Sarah J Maas

Artist - my dearest friend and the most talented Kloartz

[insidekamsbrain]

" I was broken once before , I survived it - I will not be broken again , not even by this mountain"

The Spirit of a warrior - Gwyneth Berdara

Artist- Muffin_art

Commissioned by @freyjas-musings

Repost Not Allowed

[insidekamsbrain]

" I am the rock against which the surf crashes nothing can break me" - Gwyneth Berdara ACOSF.

This scene marks the rise of the Valkyries and the iconic moment of Gwyn becoming the first Valkyrie Reborn.

Artist - @dimaarly

Commissioned by krssyreads

[insidekamsbrain]

"Julian had come up and was standing with his longsword in his hand, gazing at Dane with a frightening coldness. “You do know,” he said quietly, “that if you ever touched Dru, I would kill you?” [...] “He means the Inquisitor sent him to kill us,” said Julian. “He’s wearing one of the medallions Horace gave us. The ones that prevent time slippage. (...) and then he’d tell everyone we were murdered by the Fair Folk,” said Julian. “Extra bonus for him.” A flicker of fear crossed Dane’s face. “How did you guess that?” “I’m smarter than you,” said Julian. “But I wouldn’t give myself big props. So is sawdust.”

[...] “The Cohort has a long reach and we don’t need traitors like you. The fewer of you there are in the world, the better—we got a good start with Livvy, but—” Julian’s sword flashed like lightning as he drove the blade into Dane’s heart. Emma knew it was Dane’s heart, because Dane’s body spasmed and arched, like a fish caught with a hook through its body. He coughed out blood in a red spray, his eyes fixed on Julian with a look of incredulity. Julian jerked his sword free. Dane slid to the ground, his mouth half-open, his expression glassy and flat."

[insidekamsbrain]

Dain’s Arc was like:

Fourth Wing: Fuck Dain.

Iron Flame: Fuck! Dain,

Onyx Storm: Fuck Dain

[insidekamsbrain]

Pov: When your card declines at therapy so they pull out this trio-

“His eyes were green.”

“Livia.” Julian’s voice rose, cracking and tumbling over itself like a wave breaking far out to sea. “Livvy, my baby, please, sweetheart, open your eyes, it’s Jules, I’m here for you, I’m always here for you, please, please—”

The worst moments, when, sitting alone at breakfast, she had realized that she had forgotten the precise blue of his eyes or the depth of his laugh; that like the sound of Jem's violin, they had faded into the distance where memories are silent.

(the fact that I almost cried again while posting this tho)

[insidekamsbrain]

"“You’re thinking of Shadowhunters the way they used to be,” said Julian. “I came of age in the Dark War. I was baptized in blood and fire.” “You are soft,” said the King, “gentle as angels are gentle.” Julian settled the knife more firmly into the curve of Erec’s throat. The faerie prince smelled like fear and blood. “I killed my own father,” he said. “You think I won’t kill your son?”"

[insidekamsbrain]

You belong with me. 💚💛💜❤️🩵🖤

Letter on my site :)

[insidekamsbrain]

Head Bigger Than My Body

Pairing: Azriel x Gwyneth Berdara

Synopsis: It's Gwyn's birthday!

This is a continuation of this story. But it can be read as a standalone. Wrote this after having a few drinks so it might not be as good. But, here is a fluffy piece. Hope you enjoy this :)

________________________________________

It’s been almost a month since Solstice night. A month since Azriel decided to let Gwyn in. And to be completely honest, he has never felt better.

On the surface, nothing’s changed. Every day, they train with the other priestesses, then have breakfast with Cassian, Nesta, and Emerie. After that, Gwyn heads to the library while Azriel works in his room. He even started attending the evening service, thanks to Nesta dragging him to it. Then it’s back to work before dinner with his family. At midnight, he trains with Gwyn.

The routine is the same, but something has changed.

It’s in the quiet moments. Their hands brushing when they pass each other, their faces leaning a little too close when they talk. It’s in how Gwyn instinctively grabs his hands and massages them after every sparring session, and in how he tucks her hair behind her ears when she tells him about her day.

It’s the littlest things but they mean the most to him.

Today is Gwyn’s birthday, and Azriel has been planning for it for months. He knew exactly what he wanted to give her. But ever since Solstice, a part of him worries it might not be enough.

Last night, Gwyn stayed over at the House of Wind with Nesta and Emerie. Meanwhile, Azriel, already on edge about the gift, woke up in a foul mood. Cassian, once again, had refused to sleep alone.

Throughout the night, Azriel had to keep pushing Cassian off him. The idiot kept mistaking him for Nesta and pulling him in for a cuddle.

After the hundredth shove, Azriel gave up. Sleep wasn’t going to happen. He decided to start his day early. At precisely 3:54 a.m. Great.

Still, if there was a silver lining, it was time. Now he had more of it to prepare Gwyn’s gift. Maybe, just maybe, he could even bake her a cake.

Determined, he marched into the kitchen with a mission. To his surprise, the House had already laid out all the ingredients he’d need.

He grabbed the flour and started making the batter.

________________________________________

Several hours and three failed attempts later, Azriel had completely lost track of time.

The first cake? A disaster. He’d accidentally used salt instead of sugar. He only realized his mistake after the House hurled a pan at his head, knocking him straight into the bowl. One taste confirmed it. It is going straight to the trash.

The second? Too dry. There’s no saving it. Attempt after attempt failed. But this time, finally, it felt right. All that was left was the decoration.

With shaky hands, he picked up the piping bag. He knew exactly what he wanted to draw. He wasn’t Feyre, but he was sure Gwyn would love it only if he didn’t mess it up.

Slowly, carefully, he began decorating the cake. He was so focused, he didn’t hear the soft footsteps behind him.

“What are you doing, Az?” a voice whispered, just behind his ear.

“Mother, save me!” he yelped, clutching his chest in mock horror. His shadows rushed towards Gwyn in a playful greeting. Those little traitors, once again, forget to warn him about Gwyn.

Gwyn stood wrapped in a blanket, her hair a wild tangle. She wore Pegasus pajamas the House had conjured for her, paired with bunny slippers Azriel was fairly certain were cursed.

She looked ridiculous.

She looked absolutely breathtaking.

He had to pause just to take her in.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, a crease forming between her brows.

“You’ve got drool on your face,” he said, deadpan.

She yelped and scrubbed at her cheek. Azriel just smiled, soft and unbothered, which, of course, only made her glare at him.

“Well, not everyone can look as pretty as you do when they’re sleeping, Shadowsinger,” she snapped.

“You think I’m pretty?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes. “You didn’t answer my question. What are you doing here?”

That’s when it hit him. He’d forgotten about the cake. If she saw it now, the surprise would be ruined.

But it was already too late—she was walking toward it.

He squeezed his eyes shut as she approached. A second later, he heard it—a gasp.

Fuck. He’d messed it up.

When he opened his eyes, Gwyn was standing over the cake, her hands covering her mouth, eyes wide. She wasn’t breathing.

Azriel panicked. “Gwyn?”

She didn’t respond. Didn’t even blink. Her face had turned pink, and her shoulders started to shake.

Then he realized, she was trying not to laugh.

This little devil, he thought to himself.

“Is that supposed to be me?” she managed between gasps.

Azriel glanced at the cake. He’d tried to draw Gwyn slicing a ribbon. But… yeah. It hadn’t exactly turned out like the image in his head.

“You might be a little disproportioned—”

“A little?” she wheezed. “Azriel, my head is bigger than my body!”

She wasn’t wrong. He’d spent so long perfecting her face that it took up half the cake. The body? Basically, a stick figure. With some very muscular arms that he’d just started before she interrupted him.

“Well, I—” he sighed. “I think you look good.”

She burst out laughing again, and Azriel couldn’t help but join her. They leaned into each other, laughing so hard they could barely breathe.

“I really do appreciate the effort,” she said between breaths. “But you should probably sign up for Feyre’s art classes.”

“I will. But only if you promise to be my muse.”

“I promise,” she whispered.

And then, with a wicked grin, she swiped frosting from the counter and smeared it on his nose.

Azriel’s eyes lit up. Right now, in this moment, he had never felt happier.

________________________________________

“So… is the cake my only gift, or is there more?” she asked, tracing the scars on his hands as they sat on the kitchen counter eating the cake he had just baked.

“Greedy little thing,” he whispered, kissing her forehead and pulling her along with him.

“I do have something else for you. I was planning to give it later, but since you asked so nicely…”

They reached his room. He opened the door and let her inside. It looked just as one would expect from Azriel, dark, clean, bed neatly arranged. Azriel guided her to sit on the bed, then disappeared into his closet.

A few moments later, he emerged, hiding something behind his back.

“Close your eyes, Gwyn.”

“Is that really necessary?” she pouted.

“I’m afraid so.”

She groaned but closed her eyes. Azriel stepped closer, cupped her face, brushed his thumb across her cheek, and kissed her nose. Then he gently laid the box on her lap. “Open your eyes, Gwyneth.”

She did and stared at him first, eyes wide. Then she looked down and opened the box. Inside was a necklace. A beautiful, delicate locket with twin constellations etched onto it.

“Azriel… this is beautiful,” she whispered, tracing the stars. “What do these represent?”

“These two constellations are what the stars looked like on the days we were born,” he said.

“It’s to remind us that our paths are always intertwined.”

She smiled, eyes shining. “I like that,” she said. Looking up at him, she whispered, “Put it on me?”

He nodded and took the necklace from her. She turned around, and he gently brushed her hair aside. His fingers grazed the back of her neck, and she shivered. He smiled to himself, clasped the necklace, then leaned in to kiss her nape before turning her to face him again.

“Happy birthday, Gwyn,” he whispered.

They stood there, lost in each other’s gaze. He leaned in pressing little kisses across her face. “I have one more gift for you.” He cupped her cheeks. “Do you want to see it?”

Gwyn nodded.

Azriel walked over to his desk and pulled something from the drawer. When he returned, he looked nervous. His shadows coiled anxiously around him.

“I had Feyre draw this for me,” he said, voice rough. “I’m not sure how accurate it is, but... If you don’t like it, you don’t have to keep it.”

“Azriel, I’m sure I’ll love it,” she said gently, cutting off his nerves. He handed her a painting.

She pulled the cover back and everything stopped.

It was a painting of two girls, arms slung around each other, smiling like the world hadn’t touched them. One had copper hair and teal eyes. The other had black hair, webbed fingers, and those same teal eyes.

Gwyn and Catrin.

Tears filled her eyes as she stared. Feyre had brought Catrin to life. What could have been, what should have been.

Without a word, Gwyn threw her arms around Azriel.

“Thank you, Azriel,” she whispered, her voice shaking. He only hugged her tighter.

After a moment, Azriel broke the silence.

“You know, I could’ve drawn you both,” he said, grinning into her hair. “But let’s be honest, Feyre did a better job than I ever could’ve.”

Gwyn laughed. The sound never failing to make him happy.

“Don’t worry, Shadowsinger. I’ll talk to Feyre. You’re going in her next class.”

Before he could reply, they heard Nesta calling for Gwyn. Azriel pressed one last kiss to her head. “It’s just the beginning of your day, Berdara. Go have fun with Nesta and Emerie. I’ll see you tonight.”

“See you tonight, Shadowsinger,” she said with a smile and disappeared down the hall.

________________________________________

Two days later, Azriel found himself sitting cross-legged among a group of children in Feyre’s art class.

He had never been more serious in his life.

[insidekamsbrain]

I love the Blackthorns so much because they are so morally dubious. Like generally they're good people, right but they're willing to cross ANY line when it comes to family and they will ALWAYS prioritize family first and I love them so much for that (you can tell I'm not quite a big fan of romance lmao).

Like from Grace, Julian to Ty —necromancy, manipulation, murder — it's all the price they'll pay.

[insidekamsbrain]

For May I have this gorgeous artwork I commissioned inspired by the classical painting by Frank Bernard .

Artist Zolyna has the most unique artstyle and I absolutely love this artwork she made for me.

Repost Not Allowed.

[insidekamsbrain]

LIVVY is so funny.

I was rereading some extracts from Lady midnight.

The thing is we know in Thule Livvy ends up with Cameron.

And in Lady Midnight, she says that "Cameron is hot if u like ginger Captain America but not her case..."

She knew what she wanted from an early age.

(Saying all of this under the deadliest stares from Julian)