perfectwrites

[perfectwrites]

Shatter Me Fanfic: In the Absence of Light

Pairing: Aaron Warner x Reader

Warnings: None, just a little kissing

Summary:

It’s been a long day, and exhaustion lulls you into a nightmare where faceless enemies chase you through Sector 45—blades drawn, bloodstained, and relentless. Waking up breathless, you reach for the one comfort that can ground you: Aaron Warner. But his side of the bed is cold and empty. As you search for him—barefoot and shaken—you find him where he always is: buried in paperwork, held upright by willpower alone. In the early hours of morning, when your world still trembles from dreams and his body threatens to collapse from duty, you find each other again. A story about overwork, vulnerability, quiet devotion, and the small hours when love is the only thing keeping both of you standing.

Work Text:

It has been a tiring, grueling, day today. You stretch across the bed before curling up and falling asleep. It was no surprise that Warner wasn’t back yet- it was often for him to stay late at night. His work -as the Chief Commander and Regent of Sector 45- was hard work- him staying late was easily justified- though his habit of overworking annoyed you. You curled up and into yourself, falling asleep. You knew he would be here, and most likely gone by the time you wake. For now, you let yourself lull into the world of your dreams.

They’re chasing you. Sharp shadows all armed, with the swords sharp as a needle, but deadly- and stained with deep crimson blood. They’re chasing you all throughout the building of the sector. They haven’t stated their intentions, but you know they’re going for the kill, you can feel it. You lunge down the corridor, and run into the closet. You breathe hard, trying to make up the oxygen, and lock the closet door. Then you see their shadowed footsteps in front of the door, and you clamp a hand over your mouth- as if the volume of your breath would indicate them knowing where you are. But then the people outside put an ear to the door. You’re still breathing hard. They know you’re there. 

They try the lock, and it fails. Then they wreck it so hard the door handle falls out. It still won’t budge. You’re safe- for now. But not for long. You have never been more scared. Then you hear a kick. Then another. They come in rapid succession, all trying to break down the door. You’re hyperventilating. Then- the door comes down.

You once-over your killers. The muscular men wear deep black, not an inch of their skin showing. Then the one of them closest to you pulls out a blade. A blade- coated with layers of blood from who knows how long. You scream.

You wake up with a gasp. “Good, it was just a nightmare.” you mutter to yourself. You turn to Aaron’s side of the bed, expecting some comfort and balm to your fears, and find that it’s empty. He still hadn’t gone to bed. You turn to glance to the clock, and realise it is 0500. Aaron hadn’t slept all night. So you lightly push back the covers, swing your knees down to the cold, hard, wooden floor, to find him.

Your feet pad against the floor, each footstep leaving a small- barely heard, but somehow still there- creak behind it. You enter the hallway, and the bright white lights momentarily blind you. From the looks you get as you walk to Aaron’s office, you notice that most of your subordinates never expected to see their commander walking barefoot across the hallway, in pajamas and severely tousled hair from sleep. As his office comes into your sight, you feel the sting of your feet from the cold floor, and speed up your pace. 

The automatic door opens for you. You see Aaron- with the light in his eyes faded, and the circles under them more pronounced- holding his head up with his elbow, trying to finish the report. There is no hiding his exhaustion. He doesn’t notice you, too focused on his work- a trait you do admire- or perhaps too exhausted to spare any more excess energy. After you take a few steps closer though, he does finally notice you. 

“Y/N, why aren’t you sleeping?” He motions for you to join him atop his lap. 

“I could ask you the same.” You say, tucking your legs below yourself as you sit, and letting your head bob against his chest. He seems to just now notice that you walked the whole way barefoot, and he tugs you closer, impossibly closer.

“Fine. I’ll go first. I didn’t sleep because I had to finish the report.”

“You can’t put your health on the line like that,” You curl closer to him “besides, the bed was lonely without you.”

He kisses your temple, a slow, steady, sweet kiss, before pulling back just enough to wrap his strong, muscled arms around you. 

“Your turn now, sweetheart.”

“I was having a nightmare. Then I woke up, saw that you weren’t there, and decided to search for you.”

“Oh… I’m so sorry. I should have been there. Are you alright, dear?”

“Yeah”

You tremble from the cold, and he pulls you tighter to himself, his warm body a comfort to yours. You smirk at the gesture and he lights up from it. Then suddenly, his lips are crashing onto yours. You deepen the kiss and melt into the embrace, allowing yourself to feel him fully. You part your lips to allow him entry, and soon, you’re lost in the haze of happiness that comes from him being like this with you- caring, loving, and every other trait-  is why you love him so much- why you married him. You finally pull back, and he pouts when you do, before tightening his already iron grip on you. 

“Come on, Aaron, you need to sleep.”

He reluctantly gets up and sets you down, then picks you right back up. You can hear his heartbeat next to your ear in the bridal style position he is holding you. His heartbeat and his warmth allow you to drift into sleep in his embrace.

[perfectwrites]

I take request fanfics. The inbox is always open!

Here are the conditions:

1. No smut

2. Only one-shots (don't expect a whole 10k multi chapter thing)

3. Only if it's in one of the fandoms listed below

The fandoms I will write for:

- The Powerless Trilogy

- The Folk Of The Air Trilogy

- The Empyrean Series

- A Curse So Dark And Lonely/The Cursebreaker

-Shatter me series

(More added soon!)

Bye :-)

[perfectwrites]

Empyrean Series Fanfiction: Jealousy

Pairing: Violet Sorrengail x Xaden Riorson

Summary and A/N: This is day 4 of 2025 riorgail. Prompt: Jealousy

I entered the sparring room chatting with Rhiannon. We had become sparring partners these days, to help us both improve technique. To my left, Garrick and Bodhi practiced, their bodies slick with sweat. To my right- something caught my eye. Xaden and Imogen were practicing. They usually never practiced together. I thought they were a good pair, both of them ideal for the job. Me and Rhiannon- both our interests peaked- stood to the side- watching them fight. But this was different then usual. Usually, Imogen and Xaden were well matched, but now, Imogen kept losing. It only took Xaden about half a minute to pin her down each time. After a few rounds, we started wondering even more what was going on. As I took a step forward, my eyes still hooked onto their forms, Imogen started crying, collapsing down to the matted floor. And Xaden, he hugged her. Full on hugged her, with no hesitation. He kept her close in the embrace while escorting her, keeping her face in his chest to stop others from witnessing the weakness. I don’t know why I felt jealous. Imogen was one of my best friends, and I knew that she and Xaden weren't involved. Yet every time I looked at them like that, I tensed. I followed them out, Rhiannon at my heels. I gave a telepathic “What’s going on” to Xaden. But he didn't answer, too wrapped up in taking care of his friend. I understood, he was making the best choice, but it still made a pit in my stomach and made me grow more jealous by the second. My emotions took control of me, and soon, I was on my way to my room- locking the door promptly when I entered. I sat there for hours, finding solace by nothing, not even the folklore book gifted by my father to me. I kept replaying the moment in my head; his arms around her, her crying into his chest- the pit in my stomach growing and my Jealousy igniting. Soon, I was restless. I paced around. I couldn't even find solace in facts, like I did on the parapet.

I lost track of time, only attuned to the swirl of thoughts in my head. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. I flinched, turning but stilling, as if debating whether to open it, who it is, would it be the best time to have a conversation, etcetera. I walked into a haze, only broken by a second knock and a soft voice.

“Violence, are you alright?”

I was startled, broken out of my haze, but quickly regained composure and opened the door. There stood Xaden, as expected by the nickname. His sentence was bland, but I knew he cared more than his tone of voice let on.

“You didn’t come to dinner.”

“Yeah I know.”

I didn't motion for him to come in, but he did anyways, making himself comfortably seated against my armchair.

He motioned for me to join him- hesitantly, and after I did- he wrapped his arm around my waist, letting his head rest against my shoulder.

“Why?”

“Why, what.”

“Why didn't you come to dinner, Violence? Is everything alright?”

“I was fine. Just- thinking.”

“About what?”

“I don't want to. It's embarrassing. But if I do, you have to promise not to judge.”

“I promise, Violence, I won't. Just tell me, please.”

“Fine. It's about you. And Imogen. ”

“What about us?”

“Practicing with her, when she fell, when you comforted her, her face in your chest..

It seemed a little too close”

“Jealous, are we?”

He smirked, then quickly composed himself, realizing my feeling ring true.

“I'm sorry, Violence. I promise there's nothing between us.”

“I know”

And that was it. He let himself in, gently closing the door behind himself. As soon as the door was closed, I was pinned against him. And all feelings of jealousy went as soon as they came.

[perfectwrites]

Empyrean Series Fanfiction: Promise

Pairing: Violet Sorrengail x Xaden Riorson

Summary: In the aftermath of a hard-won strategic success, Violence finds herself face to face with a side of Xaden no one else seems to see—exhausted, fraying at the edges, and still pushing forward for everyone but himself. As old tension simmers beneath fresh worries, she breaks past his stubborn façade in the only way he’ll let her—in silence, in touch, in a kiss that speaks the truths neither dared voice until now. But even in the quiet warmth of stolen intimacy, the weight of the rebellion lingers. Fear of loss, of death, of the price they’ll pay to win freedom, haunts them both. In this moment of tenderness and truth, promises are made—not just to survive the rebellion, but to protect each other at all costs.

A/N: Hope you enjoy my early Riorgail Week 2025 entry! It's the day 7 prompt: Free day

Work Text:

The smile that lit up my face when my strategy was taken in with the rebellion leaders- Brennan and Xaden- quickly evaporated when I saw Xaden. He didn’t look well. When he took me to Aretia, I was fainted- I had no idea what was going on- but even when I was recovering, I never took to check his condition. I curse myself for that now.

He looks tired, the dark bags under his eyes more pronounced with every time he blinks- every second. Only when I start to pay attention do I see the way he sags forward in his chair, and how his eyes strain to see every comment or figure moved on the strategy board. I got myself together and decided to approach him. I walked slowly- I didn’t want to startle him and push him off further.

As I descended toward him, I started to turn into my own haze of worry. How much rest did he get? How much did he worry? Oh gods, he must have worried. A lot. Certainly.

As I continued in this haze, I didn’t realise that the meeting has ended. I was snapped back to the present when Xaden stood up. He swayed slightly- something nobody except those closest to him could identify- before continuing his path, seeming healthy and perfectly still.

I rushed back to him, so did Garrick, Bodhi, and Imogen. If Brennan hadn’t come to Xaden, that meant he didn’t know him too long, and that Brennan wasn’t here so long. It’s better that Brennan was here for less than six years, than six- since the presumed death started.

As I approached Xaden, he was waving off the others, muttering something that sounded like ”I’m fine”, but so quiet- showing exactly how deep his exhaustion ran. The others knew of his exhaustion, and the fact that he wouldn’t let up, so they promptly left the meeting room.

I stayed by him. Now that we were the only two people in the room, we could talk more honestly and freely. He hid from them, but he had nothing to hide from me, not after how I reacted to all of his.

I stilled and momentarily tensed- at the touch of his arm wrapping around my waist- before relaxing against him- and feeling the tenseness of his toned muscles.

“You’re exhausted, you need to rest”

“No, Violence, don't you dare worry about me.”

I knew I couldn’t win this way, but I had to keep trying. If he wanted to keep being stubborn, I would let him. But I cared too much to not get him into bed- when he’s clearly this tired.

“Fine then.”

I say, and I kiss him. Hard. He only stilled and froze up- his shoulders momentarily tensing, his breathing turning shallow for only a moment, his heartbeat growing faster- for about a moment before he reciprocated in equal measure. The kiss was hard, making up for all the mistrust we bore for each other these last few days. His lips were soft, yet the feeling when they crashed into mine…

Something I wanted to remember for every second of this difficult life, and carry to my grave if the rebellion were to take me. The very thought of dying made me tear up, the weakness showing through, even in those moments. I only shed two tears, but as they slid down, I was scared. How he’d react, what he’d think. The second he felt the first tear transfer to his face, he immediately pulled back.

He rested his forehead against mine as his muscled, callous hands proceeded to wipe my tears away.

“What’s wrong, Violence?”

His demeanor changed drastically in the last minute. He came from strict rebellion leader, to exhausted worker, to -and I won’t lie on this one- the best kisser I had ever seen- and now, a gentle mess- surely devastated.

I snapped out of my self induced haze once again and realised- from the way his head tilted and his jaw twitched inquisitively- he was expecting an answer to his question.

“Nothing. Come on.”

I take his hand and gently pull him towards the couch in the room.

“Not until you tell me what’s going on, Violence, we're not going.”

“I promise I'm fine. ”

“If you were, you wouldn't be crying.”

“Fine” I sigh, “I’m scared. What happens in the rebellion? I'm scared that one of us will die.”

He steps closer, cupping my cheeks with his strong, calloused hands.

“The rebellion is deadly. But we won’t die. I’ll protect you. As always. We protect each other, Violence.”

I relax a little in the conviction of his voice, allowing myself to sag against him a little, before retaking composure and looking up at him.

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

The gentleness in his words completely relaxes me, and I completely lean into him, burying my face into his chest as I feel strong arms wrap around me once again.

“I promise.”

And then I’m being pulled into a kiss.

[perfectwrites]

Fandom:

The Ascendance Series - Jennifer A. Nielsen

Relationship:

Jaron Artolius Eckbert III/Imogen

Shadows Over Carthya

Summary:

Jaron of Carthya wakes on what should be the happiest day of his life—his wedding day—only to watch his kingdom fall before his eyes. When the ruthless Wilta seizes control and threatens Imogen’s life, Jaron makes a desperate sacrifice, pledging Carthya as a tributary to Prozaria. But surrender has never been his style. With Roden at his side, he embarks on a reckless plan to assassinate Jane Strick and reclaim his throne. Betrayal, daring escapes, and last-minute gambits lead to an unexpected victory—and, against all odds, the wedding still happens. Jaron may be king, but adventure never rests.

Notes:

This work is Post Captive Kingdom, disregarding the Shattered Castle.

Work Text:

It was early in the morning when I woke up. It had been a week since I had returned home from Belland. This was the day I was supposed to marry Imogen. The sun streamed through the windows, and today was a beautiful day. But, if I had known what was going to happen today, I wouldn't have said today was a beautiful day, because, it's not.

The very second I noticed the peacefulness and beauty of the day, it dissapeared.

From the gates of the palace, I heard someone yell" Charge", and then swords clanging.

I shot up from bed, and ran toward the stairwell. I ran as fast as I could, but by the time I reached the grand hall, I could see the fighting moved there.

But one sight made me pause. A prozarian held Imogen, his sword pressed against her neck.

He clearly didn't see her as a bargaining chip, but Wilta did, as she yelled" Stop! Don't kill or release!"

Every soldier heard it.

Then, Wilta turned directly to face me and said in the most teasing voice possible" Oh, King Jaron of Carthya, old friend, how have you been?"

For a peculiar reason, I had no remark to tell so I stuck with my usual" Better than you!"

Wilta seemed as though she hadn't heard me and said, her voice as commanding as ever" Surrender Carthya to me and I shall spare Lady Imogen's life. If not, she will die."

" I will never surrender to a ruler as smelly as you!"

" Jaron, you will surrender or she will die. She is worth nothing to me, but a lot to you!"

" Only a stupid ruler would enforce tributary contracts in favor of personal hygiene!"

Wilta turned to her soldiers which were currently holding Imogen" Kill her!"

The soldier withdrew another sword.

"Wait!" I shouted.

" I surrender" I said, but remembered my wordplay- I had not surrendered Carthya, just me.

But Wilta didn't fall for the trick, saying, " Surrender Carthya, not yourself! Surrender the country of Carthya as a tributary to Prozaria or Imogen shall die!"

" I swear Carthya as a tributary of Prozaria, myself as a vassal, and mine and my people's loyalty now belongs to you. And for your information, my previous statement of fealty was sarcasm, you scum!" I said in the quietest voice possible and dropped down, my forehead touching the ground as Lump had pushed it there- they had left me no choice.

I needed a solution and I needed it quick, as now, all I could do was watch as the prozarian let go of Imogen.

I ran toward her and she whispered in my ear" You shouldn't have done that."

She was right, I shouldn't have, but it was the best choice at the moment.

Wilta then threw the tributary contract in from of me, landing with a thud. I had very little time, so I decided to do what was the biggest reckless success I have ever gotten.

I lunged at Wilta with my dagger- even with the injuries from the battle in Belland- and drove it into her chest. She gasped, fell backwards, and collapsed to the floor-dead. From what I saw, nobody made an effort to do anything, even dispose of the corpse, but were all looking at me.

Until the woman I recognised as Jane Strick yelled out, " Get him!"

Guards lunged towards me, but I grabbed Imogen's hand and chose the option of survival that did not preserve my dignity. We ran out the hall, with guards at our tails, ducking behind a sequence of corridors. A dozen soldiers chased us, running at top speed. Strick clearly thought sending more was useless, and boy was she wrong.

I thought she was wrong, but only until we got surrounded. We now stood at the edge of the castle wall, with no place to run, surrounded on all sides.

" Surrender and pledge fealty to the Monarch!" One of the soldiers cried out, one I assumed was the main of the small legion now surrounding me.

So, I did what was the most reckless thing in history. As I already held Imogen's hand in mine, we jumped off the castle wall.

The guards must have assumed us dead and left. When we fell, we must have blacked out, because when we woke up, we weren't in front of the castle. We were at Farthenwood.

I opened my eyes to Tobias gingerly tending to my injuries.

" He is well, but he needs rest. " Tobias said.

"If he does something like that again, I swear I will kill myself!"

Anither voice chimed in, one I'm guessing was Roden's based on what he said and who would have said something like that.

Then, Tobias said" He is not that.

bad. Imogen is worse. She has three broken ribs and a broken ankle. She will not be able to move for months."

That hit me hard. Imogen was all broken like that, because of me.

My problems started pilling up. Imogen is being tended to, but she won't be of use in reclaiming the throne. I wish it could have been as simple as challenging Wilta to a duel, but it isn't.

Wilta had taken Carthya, and now her mother believed I was dead. Now, I had another idea, and it would me my whole hope to gain back my kingdom.

It wasn't long before I commissioned my plan. It started in Conner's office.

Roden stood beside me- I had earlier asked him to talk in private in the office-, and asked " Alright Jaron, why did you call me, and what are we doing about Carthya?"

" I have a plan to save Carthya. But I need your help to carry it out."

" What's the plan?"

" The plan is to get in the castle the same way we did the night I was coronated, and kill Jane Strick. "

"Why does killing her do anything? If we kill their current Monarch, they set another one."

" If we do this, we will wipe the whole blood dynasty, we will gain the throne of Prozaria."

" You want us to rule Prozaria?"

" No, Roden, I want you to rule Prozaria. You'll be the one to end the bloodline."

And so it was settled. One hour later, I found myself in the river behind the kitchen by the castle. It was a wonder we had snuck this far without being caught.

I led the way, and Roden followed, to the throne room. We used the tunnels of the palace, the ones I had built when I became king, which now fuel my 'paranoia', if you ask Tobias, Imogen, Roden, Amarinda, Mott, or anyone who knows me for that matter. Before some time, we were in front of the throne room.

" Get your sword, I'll go to the right, you take the left."

We advanced, and Strick, having been turned the opposite direction did not notice us until Roden pressed the edge of his blade to her neck.

Her hand- already resting on something I thought was a sword- surged up, holding a dagger. The dagger was plunged straight into Roden who fell to the ground- he was not dead.

My heart clenched for him as I tightened my grip around my sword and advanced toward Strick. In the light of the new information I had gotten, she was unarmed. It wasn't long before my blade pressed against her neck.

" Release Carthya and you shall live!" I yelled out.

" Never!"

And that was the end of Prozarian Captain, former Monarch, and Monarch's mother, Jane Strick.

Guards came rushing into the room by the dozens.

" What happened here!" One of them yelled out after seeing a corpse and me standing over it.

" Your Monarch is dead. I command you now!" I announced to the groups of soldiers that were now looking right at me.

Slowly, one by one, they yelled" All hail King Jaron of Carthya, the Avenian Pirates, and Prozaria!"

The war had resolved. The grand hall was being repaired, the injured- Imogen and Roden- had been treated, and the threat of Prozaria attacking at our borders was non-existent. One thing still weighed heavily on me.

When Roden woke up after being stabbed by Strick, he told me he didn't want to rule Prozaria- he had sword loyalty to me and would rather stay by my side. Prozaria was a responsibility I could not have, so, I had to delegate it.

That evening, I called Mott into my office.

" Hello Jaron, what brings me here today?" Mott joked politely.

" I have something to ask of you, a favor if you will." I said.

" Go on."

" Mott, you have been nothing but loyal to me ever since Farthenwood, and you have always kept your promise. Because Strick is dead, the responsibility of Prozaria is mine. I already rule Carthya, so, I need you to rule Prozaria. Do you accept?"

He accepted. It was now the evening of the day the attack striked and there was only one thing now missing- Imogen.

I walked to our quarters, where she was resting on the bed. Tobias had disconfirmed what he said earlier about her broken ribs and ankle- he said he must have diagnosed wrong. That brought great relief to me.

The second I walked in, Imogen started" Jaron, do you remember what today was supposed to be?"

I did. Quite vividly. Today was supposed to be mine and her wedding day.

She continued" Do you still want to do it today?"

" Yes, Imogen, more than anything."

Within an hour, the palace was prepared.

Me and her stood in front of the officiator, Tobias, and I started first" I Jaron, take you Imogen, to be my wife. I have loved you ever since I first saw you, and I promise that even though life with me will not be easy, my love for you will never wade."

Soon we were married. And after Imogen said her vows, came the words I had been waiting for, from Tobias, " I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride"

I had no time to respond when, at that same moment, Imogen kissed me fiercely. I melted into her kiss and at that moment, all I knew was, that I could never be happier.

[perfectwrites]

A Curse So Dark And Lonely Fanfiction: Number 326

Pairing: Grey x Reader, Rhen x Harper

Summary: What if Grey fell in love with one of Rhen's curse girls? I present to you the 326th season! Enjoy!

Work Text:

Chapter 1: Grey:

It was the beginning of the 326th season. I stood in front of Ironrose castle, and in my arms, a sedated chance to break the curse. Every time the season starts, I can just hope that my Lord succeeds with this one, but it never happened. Yet this time, a powerful surge of hope hits me. Even unconscious, I know that she has a better chance of getting to him than anyone else in the castle. Yet this time, for the first time, I get nervous carrying her in. I do not know if it’s because this is the first time I’ve brought my Lord an unconscious potential cursebreaker, or if it’s because she seemed less like a person, and more like a memory of beauty—something fragile and untouchable. Those were my words as I made my way down the shimmering castle furniture, and let myself be washed by the music that played over and over. I remembered it as a dream I never wanted to have- and cursed myself for believing that the other world would provide reprieve when I annually passed it to retrieve a girl for Rhen.

Being one of the two people residing in such a place- with sleek glass walls, gold accents, silence wrapped in expensive taste- had its perks, but walking with a limp body in your arms and attempting to knock was definitely a time I wished there were others here, as well as many other times- of course.The knock came sharp and fast—three hard raps that cracked the silence like a warning.

“Come in,” Rhen said, and I came in carrying the girl. I laid her down on the couch, next to Rhen- her golden curls spilled over the edges of the mattress, her peaceful expression enough to soothe even the worst of my worries.

“Is that the girl?”

“Yes, my Lord”

“Sit down, Grey” he motions for me to sit on a chaise across from him.

“You want some?” He offers me wine, and passes a full goblet of wine, the quantity of it threatening to spill over the edge.

I met his gaze and let the silence stretch. Then, with deliberate slowness, I set the untouched glass back on the tray.

“No, my Lord”

“You know Grey, you don’t make a good drinking partner if I have to order you to each time. ”

“Is that an order?”

“No, I’ve learned from my mistakes.”

I chuckle as Rhen refers to a time from the beginning of the curse. He ordered me to drink, and let’s say the day afterward, we were happy that Ironrose cleans itself.

“Cards then?”

“Of course”

Rhen started to deal. Just then I noticed the girl stir.

“This isn’t my home!” She exclaimed “What’s going on here!”

This was going to be a long day.

Chapter 2: Y/N:

You jump upright and take in your surroundings. You woke to the scent of spiced wine and old smoke. The ceiling above you was carved in gold-leaf arches, too ornate to be real. Silk covers whispered against your skin as you shifted—and that was when you saw them. Two men sat at a low marble table, cards in hand, glasses half-full. Their game had stalled. One leaned back lazily, but still somehow tense, studying you over the rim of his glass. He wore what looked like a military uniform on, and bore a long sword at his side, so you assumed he was some kind of soldier. You noticed a hair in your blonde hair color, which meant he carried you, and therefore brought you here. The other man set his cards down, expression unreadable. He wore what you assumed was a royal insignia- making him a royal- based on the palace you were in and the lion and rose embossed in gold- his insignia, that rested on the right of his chest. They hadn’t spoken yet, but you knew: they’d been watching you long before your eyes opened. The palace gleamed around you—too quiet, too perfect. Every instinct screamed that something wasn’t right.

“This isn’t my home!” You exclaimed “What’s going on here!”

The “royal” one looked at you like you had spoken too loudly. The “sword bearing” one, unlike the other, looked at you with indescribable compassion. His eyes found yours and softened, like a storm settling into still water. There was no judgment in his gaze—only understanding, patient and quiet.

Then the compassionate one turned to the other man.

“I’ll leave you to it”

He turned to leave. You wished he hadn’t.

In even the few seconds he looked at you, he reassured you louder than words ever could, and he somehow- despite all odds- made you believe that everything would be alright.

The other one turned to look at you, and his gaze softened. But it felt fake. Practiced. The way he softened, the way his eyes gazed at you, felt like he wanted to win your favor. Little did you know, that was exactly what he wanted to do.You were too wrapped up in your own thoughts to say anything to him. He decided to start. He parted his lips to start, but you snapped out of your own mind and beat him to it.

“Where am I! Where did he take me? I need answers!”

“He, how do you even know who took you?” He muttered to himself, but you heard it all. With renewed vigor, he turned to you, ready to answer your questions.

“You are in Emberfall. That is a place in an alternate world to the one you live in. Yes, it is real. I promise.”

You turn for a moment, and see a map of Emberfall hung up on the wall. It is real. He isn’t lying.

“I guarantee you, my lady, I have no reason to lie to you.”

You abruptly turn back.

“My name is Rhen. The other man is Grey. I am the Crown Prince of Emberfall and Grey is my Guard Commander.”

“So I was right about the royal thing. And the military thing at that.” You muttered to yourself, but by the way Rhen looks at you, you know he heard you.

“What?”

“Nevermind that” You say, and just now remember to act confident. You straighten up and continue, now exuding falsified confidence from every breath.

“Let’s continue. I am here because- the part you never told me.”

"You are here because I am cursed," Rhen says quietly.

"The curse can only be broken if a girl falls in love with me."

“You seem practiced at this. What number am I?”

“How do you mean that?”

“How many girls have had a chance to break the curse before me?”

Rhen breathes in deeply, as if preparing to relay somber information.“325. That makes you 326th.”

“How do you expect me to fall in love with you if you haven’t asked me my name since I came here?”

“You distracted me with your beauty and your questions.”

You can’t help but blush at that, even though you feel no attraction for the man in front of you.

“But very well, my lady. What is your name?”

“Y/N L/N”

“Well, nice meeting you, Rhen. And thanks for the hospitality.”

It will be reciprocated.

Chapter 3: Rhen:

It has been three days since Y/N has came here. She hasn’t exited her room even once. Each hour she stayed hidden twisted inside him. He should’ve said more, done more—three days, and she hadn’t forgiven him. And the worst part- he wasn’t even the one that took her there. But he wondered how long she would avoid him. The hopes he might have had earlier had all evaporated into thin air on the first day. He just stood there, contemplating everything, every action, every word that could have led to such avoidance. And now, he paced outside the door, heart tight. Three days inside. No light, no talking, just empty chances that crippled into pieces and caught on fire.

All those thoughts disappeared when he heard a knock on the door.

“Hello, anyone there?”

But it was too late. The hopes were too lost. If she was ready to trust now, she has clearly forgotten the merits she’s here on. And even if she were willing to let go of the merits, three months wasn’t enough for her to fall in love with him.

She would say he lost hopes too fast. It was too bad she never knew him for long enough to say something like that with certainty it’s true.

“Hello!”

Her melodic voice snapped him back into reality. Even while yelling, her voice wrapped around him like silk in candlelight—low, melodic, and dangerous in the way only something beautiful could be.

“Yes, I’m here.”

The sound of a door creaking open, slowly and gingerly, revealed her standing there. She looked radiant, even for someone who had spent the last 3 days in the same room. Her beauty wasn’t soft. It cut like glass—sharp, strange, unforgettable.

“So, you are here”

“My lady, will you step out of the room over the course of this conversation?”

“Yes- Prince- I don’t plan on standing in the doorway forever, if that’s what you mean.”

“You know very well what I mean, my Lady”

“If you wish to ask me do I wish to confine myself to my room, no I will not. The time I gave myself was enough to think over whether I wanted this, did I want to return, what I wished to bargain for, etc.”

“And your conclusion.”

Her voice dropped an octave.

“I’m willing to give this a chance. You, Emberfall, all of it.”

“I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed, my Lady”

He placed his palm to rest atop the small of her back. She flinched away from the gesture, then visibly relaxed. He moved his hand off of her, but entwined it with her own fingers, and she hadn’t said a word about it. As the two of them walked into the dining room, a comfortable Grey straightened, his eyes slightly widened as in shock that she would even leave. He must be thinking one word right now; progress.

Chapter 4: Y/N

As Rhen led you into the dinner room, you felt a wave of anxiety seep over you. Today was the first day you tried to fall for Rhen, and even in the hallway passage here, that was proving to be hard. As throughout dinner you continued to lean into his touch, but whereas instead of attraction, you found a sense of friendship. You couldn’t say that Rhen wasn’t trying either. He did all the right things; he brought you flowers, had you with him everywhere, made sure you were comfortable and spent quality time with you. But there still was something holding you back.

You knew he was practiced at this- he had 325 tries before you came along! But it never seemed to be as big of a problem in your days of contemplation. Every gesture he beheld made you feel like this was routine, like he had a plan, and like he didn’t actually like you. If he were anyone else, you would have been over the moon for him, but in this context, it was hard to believe. Rhen knew your doubts. He had tried comforting you for it many times. But sometimes it felt like it was easier if he had just not told you the truth- the true reason of why you were here.

But if he had waited so long to tell you the truth, all the love you had for him would instantly shatter. You wondered if he knew that from experience, if he had personally made that mistake before. It was mostly that, but a part of it too was his Guard Commander. You glanced at him, then looked away, biting the inside of your cheek. God, he looked good. Too good. The kind of good that made thinking difficult and breathing feel like effort. Just standing there—sleeves rolled, jaw set, eyes distant—he made the air feel heavier. He wasn’t even trying. That was the worst part. Hair a mess, shirt half-buttoned, that smug little grin—he looked sinfully good, and he knew it. He looked good in a way that made you feel seen, even when he wasn’t looking.

You felt your cheeks redden and turned back to Rhen, who was watching you with a smirk on his face. Your gaze fled to your food, as if you suddenly deemed it very interesting.

You felt Rhen shift, so you did the same in his arms, now turning to face him. You didn’t realise until it was too late, but that same position put your reddened face into Grey’s view. He must have realised it, because he just smirked, and didn’t break his gaze away.

Chapter 5: Y/N

After dinner, Rhen escorted you upstairs to your room. But you didn’t feel like sleeping. You didn’t tell him. The thing was, you just weren’t ready for his own company. You needed to take a walk. Being trapped in this castle took that right away, and you were ready to retake. So, after Rhen said goodnight and left you in the luxurious room, you gingerly opened the door with a creek, as if checking if anyone was there. You then remembered there were only 3 people in the castle, including you- so of course there wouldn’t be any guards- why would there?

You padded down the hallway. You now remembered how helpless you were navigating around this huge castle without Rhen and Grey. You were soon sure that you had walked a circle, until you saw the stairs leading to the third floor. At the time, the stairs seemed like a saviour- a show that you weren’t completely clueless finding your way in this other world. The stairs didn’t show any indication of leading to a haunting part of Rhen’s past. But then, when only 2 people resided in the castle, it made sense not to have a sign saying ’do not go this way’ here. Today, you were blissfully ignorant. A lesson you would learn not to repeat this evening- or beyond for that matter- in the human world or this own.

The stairs didn’t just lead to the third floor. After you arrived at the third floor, curiosity got the better of you. You decided to go up one more floor, just to see how big the palace was. You thought the same when you reached the fourth floor. When you approached the last 3 steps to the fifth floor, you froze. The fifth floor was different from the rest of the castle — darker, colder. The walls were lined with iron bars, holding cages that rattled when she stepped close. Shadows twisted across the stone, and the air smelled faintly of rust and old blood.

You ran down, ignorance and curiosity replaced with fear, of the monster, of everything. The royals were dead. Dead by the monster. Rhen was the king.

That leads you to a terrible conclusion.

Rhen was the monster.

Rhen cursed himself to become a monster. He killed his family. He’d kill you too. You needed to get out of here.

You sprinted to the stairs, tripping when you approached them because of your dress. You fell and cursed under your breath, getting up and continuing your run. You would have escaped if strong arms caught you and pressed your back to his chest.

“Shh… You’re fine… You’re safe…”

You recognised that was Grey, the only person- who even if he had never proven this by act or by deed- made you feel safe. You couldn’t help but melt into him. He held you close.

“So now you know.”

“Did you know- that Rhen is a magesmith? -that he cursed himself to kill his parents? -that he’ll kill us too?”

Chapter 6: Grey

By my expression, I knew she knew she was wrong.

“No, my lady, ” I said” Prince Rhen was cursed by enchantress Lilith after he declined her attempt at courtship. A fault of mine that led to a lifelong torment for the both of us.”

“But I don’t understand. How is it your fault- Grey- if she cursed him because he refused to date her?”

“I guarded Rhen’s door the night he was cursed. I allowed Lilith to wait in Rhen’s quarters the day he was cursed. When she exited, he was cursed.”

“I’m so sorry, Grey- I didn’t know.”

“Grey” She takes a deep breath, “Have you ever wondered about your magic?”

I don’t have magic. “No, I didn’t, my Lady, because I don’t have it.”

“Well Grey, you do. So do I. We and LIlith are the only three people with magic.”

We are suddenly interrupted by a big clang in the door, and both run to see what’s going on. We understand now. Rhen’s transformation has started. And this time, it was different than any other. The monster started breaking all the walls as we ran as far as him as possible. Our legs were carrying us on pure adrenaline and hope- hope to survive, not to be the victims of the monster. Until the monster doubled its running pace. Catching up to me. I withdrew my sword, ready to end the season, but it was too late. Before I could strike, I felt white, hot, searing pain down my side, as blood trickled from my legs to the floor. I had been caught. This would be my death. I started to see black spots, and out of nowhere, Y/N runs into my vision. I understand now why she said she was a magesmith.

She holds telepathically a whirl of objects, striking at the monster before she sees my body on the ground. The objects fall where they were as she launches to her knees in front of me.

“Shh. I’m going to heal you, ok? Don’t move.”

I have never felt her voice more soothing than now- so calming I almost forgot our situation. If this was a different life, or if we survived, I had to show her how much I loved her. I should have. Before she had a chance to do anything, I pulled her down into a kiss. She eagerly responded, melting down into me, our injuries and monster momentarily forgotten.

Then she gasped, breaking the kiss, and crumpled to the floor. The monster had struck her back. She was now dead. Never before had I felt more guilt. How could I have allowed this to happen? A roar struck me out of these thoughts.

Then I turned, to see the monster changing back into Rhen. Thank the silver hell, the season was over.

“What happened? Grey, you’re hurt!”

Then I blacked out.

Epilogue: Grey

I was healed. The curse had only lasted one more season after this one. Rhen found a girl who loved him- I couldn’t be surprised if they were making out now- Harper- unlike me. My relationship buried itself deep into my heart, but before moving on, I swore to never date anyone again in her honor, and to never forget the sacrifices she made, and Y/N.

[perfectwrites]

The Empyrean Series Fanfic: Midnight In Tyrendor

Pairing: Violet Sorrengail x Xaden Riorson

Summary: Just Violet and Xaden fluff, and an annoying Tairn

A/N: Very Early Riorgail 2025 day 6: Domestic Riorgail

Work Text:

It was midnight when the door to the bedroom she shared with Xaden creaked open, and she stepped inside. He wasn’t in bed, as she had expected. Instead, he sat behind the desk, head bowed slightly as he signed document after document with fluid precision. The light from the tall windows caught in his hair—dark, tousled, maddeningly perfect—and cast a golden edge along his golden-flecked eyes. He was all sharp lines and quiet authority, the weight of Tyrendor resting on his shoulders like a tailored coat. She watched him, half-hidden in the doorway, marveling not just at the man he was, but at the way he made responsibility look… beautiful. The furrow in his brow as he read, the way his fingers flexed around the quill, the quiet sigh he gave after sealing yet another letter—it should have been mundane. But to her, it was a kind of poetry. Power wrapped in patience. Control wrapped in grace. And gods help her, he was devastating when he was focused.

And the worst part of it all—he could read her mind. He knew exactly what she was thinking at that moment. She walked over to him slowly, but he didn’t move. By the time she was three steps from his desk, she had given up on the hope that he would acknowledge her with anything more than a smirk directed at his papers. But he did. When she took two more steps, he abruptly stood and swept her off her feet—quite literally—carrying her slowly to the bed, taking his time so he could be lost in the view of her. He lingered like that, dragging out each moment just to savor the feeling of her in his arms. Gods forbid what she must have looked like to him. He looked down at her with a softness that stole the breath from his lungs. Cradled in his arms, she seemed weightless, but the emotion in his gaze was heavy—full of quiet devotion, like she was something precious he’d vowed to never drop.

“Human mates are so dramatic, aren’t they?”

She didn’t even have to check to know who that was, Tairn’s deep voice grumbling in her mind, with the sarcasm he shows her up with daily.

“Shut up”

“Feisty, aren’t we today, Silver One”

“Get out of my head, I don’t want him to know I’m talking to you right now.”

“You're acting like what you humans call a ‘middle schooler’.”

He disappears from her head.

“I’m sorry Tairn.” She pleads, “You can get back into my head if you want, I always want you here.”

She’s overjoyed to have him back now.

“There are times when even dragons don’t want access to a person’s mind, this time being one of them. Your mind is all his now.”

He leaves, letting her continue what she was doing with Xaden. Xaden presses a kiss to her forehead before pulling her against him.

“Where are we going?” She asks him.

“You’ll see” He replies, covering her eyes with his brawny hand. She melts into his touch.

“Come on , Violence, don’t melt now! You’re supposed to do that later.”

“Stop talking, I have a dagger.”

At this exact moment, all you remember is being kissed the hardest you’ve ever been.

[perfectwrites]

Folk Of The Air Series Fanfic: Velvet & Thrones

Pairing: Jude x Cardan

Summary: Jude and Cardan fluff

(With other characters too )

Work Text:

The sun scattered through the blinds of the windowsill of the royal suite at the palace of Elfhame, as Jude awoke to strong arms wrapped around her, that pulled her closer by the second. She pushed off the body that held her in caress off herself, then turned to face him. He looked every bit the title, with the crown resting between his brows and him all disheveled in bed. He pulled her closer again, but failed to keep her in. He held her stare, so much to make her wonder about his occupation before she woke up.

"Somebody's been staring." She commented

"It's not a crime, is it?"

"Then by the powers vested in me as High Queen, I hereby proclaim staring at the High Queen a federal offense"

He just smiled at her.

She turned to face him.

"And the punishment for breaking this federal offense is one full day of taking the High Queen's responsibilities."

Cardan smiled at her. He knew what she was thinking. Two could play in that game. He stared harder.

"And I gladly will." He said.

Jude's face fell.

"Unless the accused is the High King " She playfully added.

"Why, my darling?" He asked, full well knowing the answer. She knew he would demolish everything in her schedule if he had any access.

"I'll do it anyways”

“No you won’t!” Jude exclaimed, already dressed.

_ _ _

Jude remembered this scene from her morning all through court meetings. It was too bad faeries couldn’t lie. This was one of the rare times that was a bad thing at all- considering how many times it had saved Jude’s life- that Cardan couldn’t lie. True to his word- and the decree with little to no witnesses- Cardan had taken Jude’s responsibilities for the day.

“And that is why our dear High Queen believes that the law of trade to the Undersea should be written and enforced before the treaty with the Court of Termites.”

Which of course would be the worst possible thing to happen in Elfhame right now, if only Cardan paid attention.

But he promised. And faerie promises are kept. Always. Poor Jude.

_ _ _

But Jude had worse problems. Especially when the doors of the court opened.

Specifically when the sound echoed through the doors” I demand my exile be terminated!”

Nicassia. Always Nicassia.

The problem wasn’t even her nuisance. It was Cardan.

“Well guests. Look who we have here! Welcome, welcome. Let it not be known that the royals of Elfhame are bad hosts. To guests both invited and uninvited.”

That was the problem. HE was the problem. And with her Queen duties being in his handle, she could just watch the fiasco happen like a comedy.

“Your demand is denied” Cardan continued, “but surely you’d stay for a few days for old times.”

By then, the guards were confused- wondering whether to escort Nicasia to guest quarters or point weaponry at her torso. That belief changed when Nicasia took a single step forward to the Thrones.

“I said, by the Undersea, I demand my exile be terminated!”

“Bye the same Undersea inferior to Elfhame?”

The guards’ swords were on her torso now.

_ _ _

That evening Jude found herself in Cardan’s embrace once more.

“Today was different.” She mumbled into his embrace, her face buried in the crook of his neck.

“Yes. It was.”

“What ever happened with Nicasia?” Jude asked, shaking off the embrace and pulling back just so much that her face could be seen.

“Who will ever know.” She heard a whispered reply-and only that- before she was kissed.

[perfectwrites]

Empyrean Series Fanfic: Marked By Memory

Summary: On Reunification Day—your birthday—you sneak away from friends to honor your rebel parents’ memory with fellow marked ones, including Xaden. After an emotional night, Brennan comforts you, offering quiet support. Tensions rise among your squad, but laughter breaks the weight. Grief lingers, yet found family softens its edge.

Pairing: Brennan x Female Reader

Work Text:

It was midnight when your alarm rang and you woke. And it wasn't peaceful. Today, as well as your birthday, was Reunification day, and for a marked one like yourself, days like these were always the worst. Especially now that you heard a noise in the hallway, someone's footsteps. You shot up, putting a hand by your dagger by default.

“It's not harm” Came the soothing voice of your dragon telepathically.

Just on que, Violet, Rhiannon and Ridoc burst in and yelled “Happy Birthday, Y/N!”

“Thanks” You muttered, already getting up and putting your clothes on.

“Come on, let's celebrate.” Ridoc yelled out.

“Later, Guys” You quietly replied.

“Why are you even up now- at midnight- if you’re not going to” Ridoc made a point again.

The truth is, you had plans with Xaden and the other rebellion children to visit the hanging location and Tyrrendor and the makeshift grave you had set up years ago.

“Are you sure?” Violet asked.

By then, you had finished getting ready and walked out the door.

“Bye, you replied softly before leaving.”

As soon as you entered the dimly lit hallway, Garrick caught up to you. Neither of you said a word until you approached the clearing where everyone else had already congregated. You mounted your dragons and went airborne. The chill of the wind against your skin worked as a temporary reprieve for the pain you felt. You flew for a short time- about ten minutes- and then disembarked onto the grave. Since the bodies were burned after the hanging, there was nothing there except a hanging post and placard that had explained the day they were hanged.

Xaden took his spot by the placard and started” Dear children of the rebellion,

Today we gather here to mourn the losses of our parents and remember the cause they died for. May the cause be reclaimed and may we finish what they started. ”

The lines ”May we finish what they started” echoed, passing through the 107 mouths of those participating.

After some time, you were back, at Basgiath, only to realise you had spent several hours. It became a fully crowded hallway, as you all rushed to formations, barely making it on time. Everyone was already there and the day – no matter how tired you or they all were– began.

_ _ _

You had just entered your room until you heard the soft rap of the dorm door. You reach out to open it and see your boyfriend Brennan standing there, the usually smug expression he had on every time he saw you, gone.

“Hey” he said softly, then walked to you, wrapping his arms around you and kissing you softly.

“And so I’ve heard” You reply sarcastically, your voice muffled by his chest, his heartbeat ever distracting.

“It’s fine to need the time, I’m here for you, you know.” Softly said, he whispered the words once into your heart till they reverbated in your bones. He wrapped his arms tighter, securing yourself into his arms, face firmly pressed into his chest.

You stayed like that for a few minutes until he felt his chest get wet. He just held you tighter.

No words were said for the rest of the night, you just stayed with him, engulfed in his embrace, and you allowed yourself to show the vulnerability riders like yourself so often had to hide.

He eventually started to pull away, claiming it was time for dinner. You two had sat on that bed-you confessing your thoughts and feelings, him listening like his life depended on it - for hours.

Soon enough, you found yourself wiping away your tears as you approached the hallway leading to the cafeteria, one of Brennan’s arms wrapped firmly around your waist- as to remind you that you were still with him.

The two of you were waved over to the tables where you usually sat with the rest of your squad. Unlike the countless disregarding times you sat here, now, silence reigned over the table like an oppressive monarch addresses his group of subjects.

As soon as you sat down, the silence was broken by Ridoc.

“Would anyone like to explain what’s going on today? First, the birthday party we planned for Y/N miserably failed, and she’s sure as hell been avoiding us this whole day. Three fights have broken out just in this wing in the last 24 hours, Three! And it seems as though the Wingleader is nowhere to be seen, as if he was the one who took people out of campus and back in this whole day. Someone please explain. ”

You all fell silent for a few seconds, no one daring to interrupt his silence- or ignorance for the matter- nor mention the topic of Reunification day and all the odds in behavior that came with it.

After a mere three seconds of silence, Ridoc must have realised that he surely wasn’t getting an answer. Then you started laughing. Actually laughing. Nobody had expected that.

Definitely over half those at the table understood the comment, but when they saw you laughing at his ignorance- and you frolicking at the expense of a friend on this very day- they all started laughing. Everyone did.

Everyone except Ridoc, Rhiannon and Violet, whose confusion seemed to grow- with the answer just out of reach.

“At this point, we don’t even have to tell them,” Garrick commented. You laughed at his absurdities, and so did Xaden, from his position where his arm stood, draped atop Violet’s shoulders. He wasn’t letting it get to him. Neither were you. Neither was anyone else.

Because that was a true family. And even if they did celebrate your parents’ murders and a widely-known massacre with cake, they’d be there to catch you if you fell, and stop you from doing so.

Nevertheless, someone *cough Xaden* would probably explain to everyone else after this dinner made it over. Probably, you would find an apology letter atop your desk the next day. Probably, you’d have three guilt-stricken idiots prancing around you all of tomorrow, trying to undo their mistake with all the marked ones. But as Brennan pressed a kiss to your temple, you realised that it didn’t matter. All that mattered was this.