siderealxmelody

[siderealxmelody]

Muse inspiration has been really low lately so I think I'm going to go on hiatus till they return.

I'm still here to plot and chat!!

[siderealxmelody]

Neverra woke feeling someone else in the room. She sat up, rubbing at her eyes. She blinked, trying to wipe them clean when she finally was able to focus and see her.

"Hi Mera."

Maybe she should be afraid, maybe she should be tired and feel betrayed. She felt none of those things, more and more she was beginning to think this continued war wasn't the answer to any of it. Had it solved anything? Changed anything?

She looked to her sister, running her fingers through her hair, she bit her lip her fingers trembling.

"She - she was ready to - I didn't -"

She couldn't loose her. She pushed Nephry away, feeling his more focused awareness down the bond. Not now, she couldn't do this now. It was one thing to for her to choose them, to choose really her family against people who'd become like family to her. It was another thing entirely to ask Nephry to make such a choice. She wouldn't be the one to make him do so, she couldn't.

She looked to Mera, blinking back tears. She wasn't usually this emotional, she'd learned to control that. She'd -

"I can't loose another sister Mera. I can't - I can't."

------

Kertayan sighed and slid his hands into his pockets. He leaned against a pillar watching her.

"Elianna and Kaden are mates, wouldn't know it by how they act now but.....when we got free from the prison he rejected her. She - she didn't take it well clearly."

He slid his eyes to her, his mouth quirked up.

"Isaiah -"

"Immi!"

He flinched as the doors burst open. Anaxia ran to her. How she was barefoot and in a fucking dress in this place was beyond him.

Anaxia hugged her waste tightly.

"Vincent says you're staying. Are you? Is it true about Isaiah? He's nice you know, got me cake once and -"

Kertayan looked to the doors as Creon stepped through and closed it. He should be happy to see his little brother, to know he was fine. But why he didn't pursue Anaxia was behind him - they were both insane enough for it. Just because he couldn't have his mate didn't mean Creon couldn't have his.

"Can't do anything useful Creon? Imogen doesn't need -"

Isaiah shoved him back from the door, getting in his face.

"Watch me."

He shoved the door open, eyes landing first on Imogen. He exhaled, fingers running down her arm and tugging her away from Vincent and Kertayan.

He bit back the words, to whisper in awe she'd stayed. That she'd waited for him.

Kertayan snorted and looked past Isaiah to Kaden.

"So no one died. That's -"

"Call them."

The bubble vanish, Isaiah's grip on her tightened and he dragged his eyes to Kertayan. Those eyes gold flecked watching him.

"Call them, the entire Council. We nearly lost our loremaster and warmaster, Elianna hasn't woken yet has she?"

He turned to Kaden, his magic pushing up against his skin, demanding to snap and break his heart.

"You've become a liability. I'm letting Mera deal with you. But I'm telling them, Mama hasn't survived this long to have you cost us the war."

------

Einar stopped pacing by the door, briefly looking his sister over. Ember only rose an eyebrow at him, hair pulled back in a war braid. She didn't show the turmoil, the hours she'd probably spent in panic as the news swept through the ranks.

Einar dragged his eyes to their aunt Nismera, his hands clenched and he pointed down the hall. His voice ice.

"He was going to let her die. He was going to let Ma die because -"

------

Enva rubbed at her temples. Why couldn't Kaden and Elianna do one thing properly? They couldn't be around each other, okay, so don't be around each other! Was it that hard for them? If she and Dacre had to part ways she'd bury her emotions and keep going.

Sotoria desvered that at the bare minimum. She looked up from the maps, not acknowledging Vincent as she met Dacre's eyes.

"Am I asking for a miracle? They can't be around each other so they shouldn't be. Why can't they do one fucking thing correctly."

Dacre shrugged, focusing on whittling the dragon in his palm.

"No you're not. They're clearly unable to follow basic commands. It -"

"Imogen is here."

Enva swallowed the urge to snap at Vincent. Dacre stiffened though, and maybe she did. Enva eyes narrowed at him.

"As a prisoner? Did you kill the guards holding her? I can open the back passages for -"

"She's here because she chose Isaiah."

Vincent looked ill saying the words, his jaw clenching tight. Enva frowned and looked toward her parents.

"Doesn't Isaiah have Malcolm's blood? Should I kill him? Is he manipulating Immi?"

She knew Autumn would crush her for it, but no one manipulated one of her dearest friends. Even an ally.

------

Kertayan sat on the edge of the windowsill watching Imogen flit around the room. He was counting down the minutes before Anaxia burst into the room.

She'd probably found out by now.

But no use sitting in silence.

Isaiah hadn't asked him to watch her, she probably didn't need it. But Vanir instincts died hard for him. Vanir worked on a kin system, Isaiah wasn't his King but in a different world maybe he would have been.

Malcolm had been a King once, gold eyes he'd seen in his mother's portrait hall. Gold eyes that demanded you Knelt and Obeyed. To Vanir everything revolved around blood.

Blood feuds.

Blood honor.

Blood ties.

"He says you liked wisteria and lilies. He lamented there wasn't any flowers in the prison to pick to make you things."

Kertayan eyed the door. Did Kaden understand yet?

Did he understand the axis had turned from he and Elianna?

If this was Vanaheim the colony would have knelt for her already. She'd be deep in royal chambers, bathed and anointed with blood wards.

Like so many of his own sisters, driving his mother's colony forward, giving them endless soldiers and bodies for this neverending fucking war. A path Melinoe hadn't wanted, she'd been too free, too curious. And as much as it has felt like tearing his own heart out, he'd not acknowledged or claimed her, let her fly off.

Kertayan pushed off the windowsill prowling closer. He poured her some water, looking her over.

"You should sit, drink, rest."

Old habits died hard.

He was bred to serve.

His mother wasn't here, he was a Prince with no king yet.

Maybe it would be Isaiah and Imogen, maybe he could finally get away from his parents and have a different colony, a different legacy to forge.

Maybe he could finally see past the blood he was drenched in.

[siderealxmelody]

Elianna huffed, leaned back into his arms. She turned to Neverra, smirking.

"You should give him a hideous color too."

"No! Eli please -"

Neverra suddenly went still and she stood. Beaming at Elianna who went pale.

"Neve. Neverra don't you -"

"Mama! Mama Elianna wants a dress!"

She ran out of the room, Sotoria grabbed her binder following after. They had to tell Aunt Oshuna! She always knew the latest fashions! She'd have all the ideas too!

Elianna whined and pressing her face into his neck.

"They're never going to let this go, are they?"

It was very sweet but she could just see the next centuries now. Every beautiful moment punctuated with one of their ideas. She looked to Kaden biting her lip.

"Be honest, do you actually think I'd look nice in Fuschia? And you haven't kissed me in an hour Kaden! You're making my heart sad!"

She frowned at him, eyes narrowing up at him.

"I'm never forgiving you for this. I should make you wear fuschia or something like cyan, or sunshine yellow."

She would, probably within the hour. She bit back a smile and looked to the girls, tugging Kaden closer.

"What about Kaden? Does he get a binder?"

Neverra grinned and nodded, she flipped through the very full binder. How long had this taken them? When had they had time to do this between their lessons and court?

Elianna leaned back against Kaden pouting up at him.

"Kiss me?"

"Eli! Eli look!"

She was yanked forward, a hand bracing against the table to not smash her face in. She glared at Neverra who didn't seem to notice. She had shoved the binder at her. The suit was beautiful, probably from one of the magazines Papa got. She huffed and twisted to look at Kaden.

"No fair, you look good in everything."

[siderealxmelody]

Penelope inhaled but Enva beat her to it.

"Just because his older brother couldn't stay loyal to you, doesn't mean Sebastian will repeat that idiot's mistakes."

Enva shifted her gaze to Penelope, eyes softening.

"No offense."

Penelope just hummed rubbing at her temples.

"I've long stopped trying to get Telemachus to explain. He just snaps at me."

Enva bit her lip hard to keep from responding, that perhaps it was watching his children die. That it broke them in a way a mating bond couldn't fix.

But Kaden was still here and he was a good target as any. For as annoying as she found Deanna, she understood her quiet rage.

"Any insight you want to give Kaden since you seem to have started a cult around not accepting mating bonds? Also Deanna if Sebastian did do what Telemachus did to you... Penelope I hope you know I will rip him to pieces."

Penelope winced and rubbed at her nose.

"I know. He won't. He adores her."

------

Sebastian went still, twisting to look Natalia in the eye.

"That's - that's what they're saying isn't it? That I'd - but why?!"

He didn't look angry when he glanced back to the palace, mostly confused and anguished. He tugged her closer, tighter.

"Aren't I good to you? I make you happy and I love you and -"

He sniffed and shook his head at her, his blue eyes wide.

"Never. I'd never leave you. If - if I do I've been hijacked by a changeling or poisoned. You can kill me if I do okay?"

He pressed his face into her neck, shaking. He sniffed, trying and failing to catch his breath.

"And you - you won't leave me will you? Even - even if I can't - I can't sleep with you? I - even if I can't ever share a bed with you?"

He'd told really no one but her and his sisters of what he'd endured under Seren's tutelage for a year. Last he heard she'd mysteriously disappeared. He couldn't even touch his sisters like he used, or really anyone. Natalia had always met him where he was at, but her patience would eventually run out wouldn't it? She'd grow bored or want things like children or to blow off steam and...

His grip on her tightened as he began to sway.

"Pllease don't leave me. I'll do whatever - I'll be whoever you want me to be. Please don't leave me."

Sebastian beamed, looking to Kaden before winnowing them away. He turned from the waves, his smile turning to confusion.

"Wait this isn't a happy ditching is it?"

His eyes narrowed and looked back up the hill, lighting flickering around his hands.

"What happened?"

He got to his knees, moving to sit next to her. But even that didn't feel enough, he tugged at her arm, wanting to have her sit in his lap, wanting her close.

Sometimes he wondered if he was too clingy, too tightly wound to her. But she would tell him right?

He pressed his face into her neck, inhaling her.

"I wish we were adults so I could marry you and not have to ever leave you alone."

------

Penelope frowned turning from the hallway to Kaden.

"Where did my son go?"

"Yours too hmm? Natalia flounced off apparently."

Enva sipped at her tea eyeing Deanna with distaste.

"What did you say to her?"

[siderealxmelody]

[siderealxmelody]

She frowned at him, eyes narrowing up at him.

"I'm never forgiving you for this. I should make you wear fuschia or something like cyan, or sunshine yellow."

She would, probably within the hour. She bit back a smile and looked to the girls, tugging Kaden closer.

"What about Kaden? Does he get a binder?"

Neverra grinned and nodded, she flipped through the very full binder. How long had this taken them? When had they had time to do this between their lessons and court?

Elianna leaned back against Kaden pouting up at him.

"Kiss me?"

"Eli! Eli look!"

She was yanked forward, a hand bracing against the table to not smash her face in. She glared at Neverra who didn't seem to notice. She had shoved the binder at her. The suit was beautiful, probably from one of the magazines Papa got. She huffed and twisted to look at Kaden.

"No fair, you look good in everything."

"Obviously! Neve says Eli can't wear fuschia though -"

"Yeah because she doesn't like it!"

"But she's so pretty! Elli you have to try something in fuschia for your wedding!"

Elianna hid her face in Kaden's shoulder whining softly. Of course the girls ignored her, Sotoria dragged a binder and set it on the table.

"Kade look!! Look we found all the flowers and everything!"

"Yeah! Papa says you marry by the willow trees Eli! Didn't you say you had a dream about -"

Elianna set Kaden a look, gripping his collar.

"Kaden can we leave now? Please?"

Sotoria leaned closer and tapped the binder.

"You should buy her a fuschia dress! Eli looks beautiful in everything!"

[siderealxmelody]

BODYGUARD/PRINCESS AU??

Azriel and Alina??

Maybe Azriel doesn't want his prince stuff or something idk 👀

@starlsssankt

@sankta-alina-s

Okay so was thinking about in MASSVERSE Ruhn & Rhysand are described as twins. 👀

And if we go with that and Einar and Lorin are their parents Ruhn would be groomed to inherit Autumn and Rhysand Night.....

And then Ramiel kinda exists and idk 😐

Part of me wants to give her a different name because she's younger than Rhys and Ruhn?

@sankta-alina-s - Bella, Ramiel = Alina? I mean the big things I have for Ramiel is she's a spy (Ramiel has shadow magic but maybe as Alina she has her light stuff? But still spy stuff?? I remembered once you said Alina x Azriel and now I'm like 👀, Tsarina Verse too if we want to push more politics stuff?

Also Aelin x Rhysand stuff still exist but Alina kinda can do her own thing? And it not really effect her?? Idk 😐

@starlsssankt - if Alina she and Annie could be twins??? Ahhhh

Bella imagine!!! Annie and Alya get their connection back!!!

@luxmaeastra MAEEE THINGSSSS

Lol Jurian is gonna be so annoyed his best friends keep falling for his little sisters

Below: Alina & Anastsiya

[siderealxmelody]

I just love the HC that Anastsiya and Alina are really close and Annie refuses to do anything (political, social etc) that Alina can't be apart of.

And I'm remembering Alina likes to paint and now I'm like does Annie just sit and read while she paints? Awwwww

Does Annie go and pick flowers so Alina can paint them?

Ong do they share a room and Annie keeps having wild ideas, like "paint a dragon here, no actually make it a unicorn, or! No! No make it a pegasuss!!"

Lol 😆

@starlsssankt

@luxmaeastra

@sankta-alina-s - BELLA THE FRIENDSHIP. and lol late when Sasha and Annie get together, I feel Azriel and Alina just kinda awkwardly follow along at first?? 👀 Unless Azriel wants her but doesn't say anything ahh

Okay so was thinking about in MASSVERSE Ruhn & Rhysand are described as twins. 👀

And if we go with that and Einar and Lorin are their parents Ruhn would be groomed to inherit Autumn and Rhysand Night.....

And then Ramiel kinda exists and idk 😐

Part of me wants to give her a different name because she's younger than Rhys and Ruhn?

@sankta-alina-s - Bella, Ramiel = Alina? I mean the big things I have for Ramiel is she's a spy (Ramiel has shadow magic but maybe as Alina she has her light stuff? But still spy stuff?? I remembered once you said Alina x Azriel and now I'm like 👀, Tsarina Verse too if we want to push more politics stuff?

Also Aelin x Rhysand stuff still exist but Alina kinda can do her own thing? And it not really effect her?? Idk 😐

@starlsssankt - if Alina she and Annie could be twins??? Ahhhh

Bella imagine!!! Annie and Alya get their connection back!!!

@luxmaeastra MAEEE THINGSSSS

Lol Jurian is gonna be so annoyed his best friends keep falling for his little sisters

Below: Alina & Anastsiya

[siderealxmelody]

"Obviously! Neve says Eli can't wear fuschia though -"

"Yeah because she doesn't like it!"

"But she's so pretty! Elli you have to try something in fuschia for your wedding!"

Elianna hid her face in Kaden's shoulder whining softly. Of course the girls ignored her, Sotoria dragged a binder and set it on the table.

"Kade look!! Look we found all the flowers and everything!"

"Yeah! Papa says you marry by the willow trees Eli! Didn't you say you had a dream about -"

Elianna set Kaden a look, gripping his collar.

"Kaden can we leave now? Please?"

Sotoria leaned closer and tapped the binder.

"You should buy her a fuschia dress! Eli looks beautiful in everything!"

Neverra giggled and shoved Sotoria away.

"I'm gonna ask."

"Don't! He won't do it then!"

"Well he has to! We have to be real sisters Ria!"

"We -"

"Kaden! Are you gonna marry Eli one day?"

Elianna went red and looked to Kaden her eyes wide.

"I told her not to ask."

@siderealxmelody

Kaden, his arm draped over Elianna, can't help the grin that splits across his face. Neither can he help the laugh at the way Elianna's face reddens at her sister's question.

❝ Is that what you two have been doing all morning? ❞ He looks between Neverra and Sotoria. ❝ Planning the wedding? ❞

[siderealxmelody]

Anastsiya pointed down the way.

"Can we get new clothes first? I'm cold. Do I look hideous? My mascara must have run now right? Ugh I bet my hair is a tangled mess."

She pouted at him, she turned back to the store leaning more into him.

"The guy was so mean too. He wouldn't even let me buy you anything because it was close to closing."

She brightened, growing warm now that he was there. Not at all feigned by his growing rage.

"Oh! Sasha should we have a cupcake shop? We can make it the next court fad -"

"I'll go find them."

Rigelus really didn't want to keep listening to this, but he might as well do something useful. It didn't take him long to find them.

They were at some outside bar a few blocks away.

"Bryce. What the hell? You just left her -"

"Hey who are you -"

Rigelus side stepped Conner leaning over the table to look at her.

"Seriously?"

Anastsiya bit at her thumbnail, leaning into him. This far from the capital...fates it was awful. And because she could, and because she knew Aleksander would probably do it right then.

She looked back at the shop she'd been in, a sweet shop where the owner hadn't liked her just hanging around. Really he hadn't even told her where they were.

"I want you to buy this shop, the owner is horrid. He - he made me leave because the shop closed. I - I said it was raining and he said that wasn't his problem. Doesn't he know who I am? Papa shouldn't have let him have a permit if he's this cruel."

She sniffed, pressing tighter into him. Rigelus peered at the show window snorting.

"It looks like a bad investment, you'd be loosing money Sash."

Anastsiya rubbed at her eyes, fingers running over Aleksander's shirt, grounding her. It had rained and the owner of the sweet shop hadn't let her stay. Told her they were closed and to get.

Fates, why did Bryce like these seedy places at all?

"Bryce thinks I'm sheltered and vapid. I - she thinks I don't understand how court works."

She sighed, rubbing at her temples, shivering. It hadn't been a big thunderstorm, but it had been fast and hard. She was drenched and cold, and she just wanted to go home.

She tapped at her phone, huffing as it got stuck again from the rain.

"I tried to call Ruhn but I think he's busy. He - he never said anything. He just Brycey was happy and enjoying her university time. I - I'm not vapid right Sasha? I mean it's court, it's all shallow anyway."

Rigelus frowned, watching them out of the corner of his eye. Maybe he should defend Bryce but the female he'd known would have laid waste to the world for Anastasiya. Had loved her deeply, what had happened to her in this last year?

[siderealxmelody]

@starlsssankt Kheto is a random placeholder name, Ascelpina and Kheto is form the same book as Selestra 👀 anyway....

Tharion?? The whole Ketos connection???

LESIA

@luxmaeastra LIRA COULD COME BACK. SHES FROM THE SAME SERIES AS SELESTRA AND ASCELPINA

Okay so was thinking about in MASSVERSE Ruhn & Rhysand are described as twins. 👀

And if we go with that and Einar and Lorin are their parents Ruhn would be groomed to inherit Autumn and Rhysand Night.....

And then Ramiel kinda exists and idk 😐

Part of me wants to give her a different name because she's younger than Rhys and Ruhn?

@sankta-alina-s - Bella, Ramiel = Alina? I mean the big things I have for Ramiel is she's a spy (Ramiel has shadow magic but maybe as Alina she has her light stuff? But still spy stuff?? I remembered once you said Alina x Azriel and now I'm like 👀, Tsarina Verse too if we want to push more politics stuff?

Also Aelin x Rhysand stuff still exist but Alina kinda can do her own thing? And it not really effect her?? Idk 😐

@starlsssankt - if Alina she and Annie could be twins??? Ahhhh

Bella imagine!!! Annie and Alya get their connection back!!!

@luxmaeastra MAEEE THINGSSSS

Lol Jurian is gonna be so annoyed his best friends keep falling for his little sisters

Below: Alina & Anastsiya

[siderealxmelody]

@starlsssankt

@luxmaeastra

@sankta-alina-s

Now I'm remembering my original parents for Rhysand are Aphaeleon and Selestra and now I wonder if Selestra was the sole heir of Night vs Aphaeleon one of the sons of Einar/Lorin, the eldest, heir to Dusk/Hewn) ie

Ruhn, Rhysand, Jurian (Clythia? And/or Amarantha?? Idk), Alina & Anastasiya are heirs to Lunar Court (all of Night & Dusk/Hewn) and Autumn

Lorin - Dusk Bloodline

Einar - Autumn Bloodline

Selestra - Night Bloodline

THE DRAMA

Ahhhhh

I hc that Alina is like the spitting image of Selestra 👀 and also Bella, as Rhysand's sister was it Alina that was nearly killed??? THE DRAMA AHHHHH

Ie

Autumn Princess Sotoria

Sotoria - Attes

Einar & Ember

Dusk Princess Lara

Lara - Crevan

Lorin

Einar - Lorin

Aphaeleon

Gewyrnon

Haldnunen

Ittshare

Night Prince Damien (Sotoria age)

Damien - Ammalie

Ascelpina

Ascelpina* - Kheto*

Selestra

Isolda*

Eldara*

Theola*

Selestra - Aphaeleon

Rhysand & Ruhn

Jurian (maybe Clythia and or Amarantha???)

Alina & Anastsiya

*I just added these muses

Okay so was thinking about in MASSVERSE Ruhn & Rhysand are described as twins. 👀

And if we go with that and Einar and Lorin are their parents Ruhn would be groomed to inherit Autumn and Rhysand Night.....

And then Ramiel kinda exists and idk 😐

Part of me wants to give her a different name because she's younger than Rhys and Ruhn?

@sankta-alina-s - Bella, Ramiel = Alina? I mean the big things I have for Ramiel is she's a spy (Ramiel has shadow magic but maybe as Alina she has her light stuff? But still spy stuff?? I remembered once you said Alina x Azriel and now I'm like 👀, Tsarina Verse too if we want to push more politics stuff?

Also Aelin x Rhysand stuff still exist but Alina kinda can do her own thing? And it not really effect her?? Idk 😐

@starlsssankt - if Alina she and Annie could be twins??? Ahhhh

Bella imagine!!! Annie and Alya get their connection back!!!

@luxmaeastra MAEEE THINGSSSS

Lol Jurian is gonna be so annoyed his best friends keep falling for his little sisters

Below: Alina & Anastsiya

[siderealxmelody]

Okay so was thinking about in MASSVERSE Ruhn & Rhysand are described as twins. 👀

And if we go with that and Einar and Lorin are their parents Ruhn would be groomed to inherit Autumn and Rhysand Night.....

And then Ramiel kinda exists and idk 😐

Part of me wants to give her a different name because she's younger than Rhys and Ruhn?

@sankta-alina-s - Bella, Ramiel = Alina? I mean the big things I have for Ramiel is she's a spy (Ramiel has shadow magic but maybe as Alina she has her light stuff? But still spy stuff?? I remembered once you said Alina x Azriel and now I'm like 👀, Tsarina Verse too if we want to push more politics stuff?

Also Aelin x Rhysand stuff still exist but Alina kinda can do her own thing? And it not really effect her?? Idk 😐

@starlsssankt - if Alina she and Annie could be twins??? Ahhhh

Bella imagine!!! Annie and Alya get their connection back!!!

@luxmaeastra MAEEE THINGSSSS

Lol Jurian is gonna be so annoyed his best friends keep falling for his little sisters

Below: Alina & Anastsiya

[siderealxmelody]

Sebastian beamed, looking to Kaden before winnowing them away. He turned from the waves, his smile turning to confusion.

"Wait this isn't a happy ditching is it?"

His eyes narrowed and looked back up the hill, lighting flickering around his hands.

"What happened?"

He got to his knees, moving to sit next to her. But even that didn't feel enough, he tugged at her arm, wanting to have her sit in his lap, wanting her close.

Sometimes he wondered if he was too clingy, too tightly wound to her. But she would tell him right?

He pressed his face into her neck, inhaling her.

"I wish we were adults so I could marry you and not have to ever leave you alone."

------

Penelope frowned turning from the hallway to Kaden.

"Where did my son go?"

"Yours too hmm? Natalia flounced off apparently."

Enva sipped at her tea eyeing Deanna with distaste.

"What did you say to her?"

Natalia swallowed a sigh as she watched Sebastian follow Kaden to another part of the island to train. Apparently they distracted each other too much.

Deanna snorted softly twirling a dagger in her hand.

"He's gonna break your heart. I'm sure he's fun but he's really only good for warming your bed."

Natalia stiffened turning to Deanna. She should be calm, composed and icy like Rhiannon and her mother.

She only felt rage. Deanna was the second person to say this nonsense she was getting sick of it.

She focused on the weapons behind Deanna, calling on her magic to Cut them in half. She didn't bother waiting for Deanna's reaction.

"Not sure why you're a bitter old hag, but Sebastian would never."

She winnowed to where Sebastian was. He was still stretching, drinking water as Kaden got his targets ready. His eyes light up and he glanced at Kaden's back before moving toward her.

"Don't you have practice too? Are we ditching -"

@siderealxmelody

Natalia grabs Sebastian's wrist, pulling him closer. The anger that floods through her at Deanna's words hasn't exactly disappeared, and she needs a stronger distraction to make it do so.

She needs something more than tearing things to pieces, Cutting things to ash--

❝ Forget about practice. ❞ Natalia shakes her head, a glance over Sebastian's shoulder to make sure Kaden's back is still turned. ❝ I don't want to practice anymore today... ❞

Trailing off, Natalia stares pointedly at Sebastian, the answer obvious.

Yes, yes. We're ditching. They'll deal with it.

❝ Come with me? ❞

[siderealxmelody]

Anastsiya bit at her thumbnail, leaning into him. This far from the capital...fates it was awful. And because she could, and because she knew Aleksander would probably do it right then.

She looked back at the shop she'd been in, a sweet shop where the owner hadn't liked her just hanging around. Really he hadn't even told her where they were.

"I want you to buy this shop, the owner is horrid. He - he made me leave because the shop closed. I - I said it was raining and he said that wasn't his problem. Doesn't he know who I am? Papa shouldn't have let him have a permit if he's this cruel."

She sniffed, pressing tighter into him. Rigelus peered at the show window snorting.

"It looks like a bad investment, you'd be loosing money Sash."

Anastsiya rubbed at her eyes, fingers running over Aleksander's shirt, grounding her. It had rained and the owner of the sweet shop hadn't let her stay. Told her they were closed and to get.

Fates, why did Bryce like these seedy places at all?

"Bryce thinks I'm sheltered and vapid. I - she thinks I don't understand how court works."

She sighed, rubbing at her temples, shivering. It hadn't been a big thunderstorm, but it had been fast and hard. She was drenched and cold, and she just wanted to go home.

She tapped at her phone, huffing as it got stuck again from the rain.

"I tried to call Ruhn but I think he's busy. He - he never said anything. He just Brycey was happy and enjoying her university time. I - I'm not vapid right Sasha? I mean it's court, it's all shallow anyway."

Rigelus frowned, watching them out of the corner of his eye. Maybe he should defend Bryce but the female he'd known would have laid waste to the world for Anastasiya. Had loved her deeply, what had happened to her in this last year?

:: ANSWERED ASK ::

Bryce swallowed her urge to cringe, Anastasiya walked through her dorm dressed down for her. Jeans, a knitted white sweater and leather boots with tiny heels. The small drop pearl earrings and moonstone locket caught the light as she moved around the room.

It was tiny compared to their quarters in the eternal palace, even in her home in Citrine Hall.

"Well? Thoughts?"

Anastsiya bit her lip looking to Bryce with a short shrug.

"It's cozy?"

"You hate it."

"No! No. I don't! I just - I don't know why you insisted on coming here instead of the academy that's all."

They'd been over this, the academy was filled with people who she had known, who only cared for power and the next bit of gossip.

She had wanted more for her life, especially when she and Rigelus got together. It had been a short lived intense relationship but everyone acted she was going to marry him. People she'd never talked to had gone out of their way to talk to her. As if she finally mattered.

It was disgusting.

She didn't understand why Anastsiya didn't see it...or worse accepted it.

"Let's get some food yeah? I can show you around -"

"But there's nothing good. It's all -"

Bryce grabbed her hand dragging her from the room. Anatasiya and her were blood through their mothers, they'd always joked with their red hair they were closer as sisters.

Right now Bryce felt she was more a stranger, she and Aleksander had gotten together around the time she and Rigelus had parted ways. The last thing she needed was see how everyone flocked to Anatasiya like they had her.

That she was surrounded by fake relationships.

Bryce shoved her thoughts down, making her sit in the hole in the wall restaurant and shoved some food at her. Anastsiya poked at it with one manicured nail. Had she ever had some food?

"So...how is Aleksander?"

Had it really been a year since she last talked to her.

Anastsiya brightened considerably and touched the locket around her neck. She opened it, showing a forget me not flower pressed into one side of the locket. The other had a bit of shadows that twisted like smoke. She smiled at the shadows, petting it before she shut her locket and leaned back.

"Isn't it pretty! He made it for me before I came here. He insisted on coming but I said it would be fine without him. Do you actually eat this food?"

"That's great! I - yes! Annie will you just try it?"

Anastsiya pouted it.

"But it looks disgusting. Besides I told my parents I'd be coming to see them for dinner. I'll wait till then, I think Mama is getting seafood -"

"Why did you come here if you weren't going to at least try to be supportive?"

Anastsiya blinked at her in surprise but Bryce was done. She was so fucking tired of her veiled judgment. Of thinking she was better than her. Bryce stood and grabbed her things.

"Bryce? Where are we -"

"We aren't going anywhere, I can't - just leave Annie okay. Clearly we've gone out separate ways okay? Let's just call it and stop now."

Anatasiya played with her locket.

"Is this about Aleksander? Do you still he's just not serious about me? Because he was an asshole in the beginning but he's been very sweet and supportive over the -"

"I don't care about your damn love life Anastsiya!"

She slammed her hands on the table, growing more angry as Anatasiya flinched at the sound. Did she not see how sheltered she was? How everyone just coddled and used her?

"How do you not see everyone is using you? That they don't actually want to be your friend -"

"I do? It's court Bryce. That's the whole point."

She stood, tossing her hair behind her shoulder. She titled her head at her.

"Did - did you think I didn't actually know that?"

"I don't know, you're just sheltered and -"

"Yo! Bryce!"

Bryce turned to the window, looking to see Danika and Connor. She swallowed and turned from her.

"I have to go, my actual friends are here."

"I'm not - we're not friends?"

Bryce didn't bother responding walking to where the others were. She grinned hip checking with Danika. Danika nodded to Anastasiya behind her.

"Whose the plastic doll behind you?"

Bryce laughed and grinned.

"Just some old friend. Come on, let's go the club."

"Con you coming?"

She turned at Danika's voice, Bryce gripped her things tighter. Connor hadn't looked away from Anastasiya.

He shook his head and followed her.

"Is everyone in your old life pretty?"

Bryce snickered.

"She's taken."

She ignored how her heart sunk. Why didn't Anastsiya let guys like Connor get a chance? Why did she insist on going for guys like Aleksander?

------

"Sasha your phone is lighting up."

Aleksander turned toward it frowning at seeing Anastsiya had called twice. Wasn't she seeing Bryce around now? He'd told himself to give her some space, to stop checking his phone for messages. She'd be -

"Ana?"

He had walked out on the balcony, thankfully it was just him and Rigelus in his suite. Neither of them felt like socializing with -

"Sasha?"

Aleksander gripped the railing, looking to Rigelus as he straightened.

"What happened? Why do -"

"It's raining and I - I think Bryce and I are aren't friends anymore. Can - can you come get me please? I don't - I'm scared."

Anastsiya sniffed on the phone, her voice wobbling. Rigelus leaned toward him.

"What's she saying? Is everything okay -"

@siderealxmelody

Aleksander had tried his best to do as he promised Anastasiya, so he'd put his phone across the room. Where he wouldn't be tempted to check it. He even put it on silent, hoping that would keep his mind from drifting in that direction too often, keep him from being distracted towards it too much.

Because Ana is fine. She can take care of herself.

And he had no reason to think differently, really; besides, she'd gone to see Bryce.

So why couldn't he focus now--

Her voice on the other end had Aleksander's senses high, the tremble in it making every instinct rear up. Fingers curled hard against the rail, his grip tight. Shadows shifted on the wall, slipping his control for just that brief moment as she spoke to him.

Aleksander waved a hand back when he heard Rigelus, exhaling a breath to (try and) calm the shadows back. To pull the control back within him. He shook his head.

❝ Ana. I'm on my way. ❞

He would figure out exactly what happened (and who he would have to destroy) later, as Aleksander turned and let the darkness settle. The control slip over him as his dark eyes met Rigelus's gaze.

❝ Apparently Bryce decided they weren't friends anymore. ❞ The anger in his tone wasn't exactly something Aleksander could hide (completely), but he didn't try very hard to do so, either. ❝ I'll figure out why later. Right now, I'm going to get Anastasiya... Are you coming with or not? ❞

~

It didn't take nearly as long as it might have under any other normal circumstances for Aleksander to arrive, shadows twisting around his arms. Instantly, he knew where Anastasiya was; every single one of his senses led him straight to her, and fates help anyone who happened to get in his way right then.

Only when he had her in his arms did he want the answer again.

❝ What happened, Ana? ❞ Who do I need to kill?

[siderealxmelody]

Isaiah shoved him back from the door, getting in his face.

"Watch me."

He shoved the door open, eyes landing first on Imogen. He exhaled, fingers running down her arm and tugging her away from Vincent and Kertayan.

He bit back the words, to whisper in awe she'd stayed. That she'd waited for him.

Kertayan snorted and looked past Isaiah to Kaden.

"So no one died. That's -"

"Call them."

The bubble vanish, Isaiah's grip on her tightened and he dragged his eyes to Kertayan. Those eyes gold flecked watching him.

"Call them, the entire Council. We nearly lost our loremaster and warmaster, Elianna hasn't woken yet has she?"

He turned to Kaden, his magic pushing up against his skin, demanding to snap and break his heart.

"You've become a liability. I'm letting Mera deal with you. But I'm telling them, Mama hasn't survived this long to have you cost us the war."

------

Einar stopped pacing by the door, briefly looking his sister over. Ember only rose an eyebrow at him, hair pulled back in a war braid. She didn't show the turmoil, the hours she'd probably spent in panic as the news swept through the ranks.

Einar dragged his eyes to their aunt Nismera, his hands clenched and he pointed down the hall. His voice ice.

"He was going to let her die. He was going to let Ma die because -"

------

Enva rubbed at her temples. Why couldn't Kaden and Elianna do one thing properly? They couldn't be around each other, okay, so don't be around each other! Was it that hard for them? If she and Dacre had to part ways she'd bury her emotions and keep going.

Sotoria desvered that at the bare minimum. She looked up from the maps, not acknowledging Vincent as she met Dacre's eyes.

"Am I asking for a miracle? They can't be around each other so they shouldn't be. Why can't they do one fucking thing correctly."

Dacre shrugged, focusing on whittling the dragon in his palm.

"No you're not. They're clearly unable to follow basic commands. It -"

"Imogen is here."

Enva swallowed the urge to snap at Vincent. Dacre stiffened though, and maybe she did. Enva eyes narrowed at him.

"As a prisoner? Did you kill the guards holding her? I can open the back passages for -"

"She's here because she chose Isaiah."

Vincent looked ill saying the words, his jaw clenching tight. Enva frowned and looked toward her parents.

"Doesn't Isaiah have Malcolm's blood? Should I kill him? Is he manipulating Immi?"

She knew Autumn would crush her for it, but no one manipulated one of her dearest friends. Even an ally.

------

Kertayan sat on the edge of the windowsill watching Imogen flit around the room. He was counting down the minutes before Anaxia burst into the room.

She'd probably found out by now.

But no use sitting in silence.

Isaiah hadn't asked him to watch her, she probably didn't need it. But Vanir instincts died hard for him. Vanir worked on a kin system, Isaiah wasn't his King but in a different world maybe he would have been.

Malcolm had been a King once, gold eyes he'd seen in his mother's portrait hall. Gold eyes that demanded you Knelt and Obeyed. To Vanir everything revolved around blood.

Blood feuds.

Blood honor.

Blood ties.

"He says you liked wisteria and lilies. He lamented there wasn't any flowers in the prison to pick to make you things."

Kertayan eyed the door. Did Kaden understand yet?

Did he understand the axis had turned from he and Elianna?

If this was Vanaheim the colony would have knelt for her already. She'd be deep in royal chambers, bathed and anointed with blood wards.

Like so many of his own sisters, driving his mother's colony forward, giving them endless soldiers and bodies for this neverending fucking war. A path Melinoe hadn't wanted, she'd been too free, too curious. And as much as it has felt like tearing his own heart out, he'd not acknowledged or claimed her, let her fly off.

Kertayan pushed off the windowsill prowling closer. He poured her some water, looking her over.

"You should sit, drink, rest."

Old habits died hard.

He was bred to serve.

His mother wasn't here, he was a Prince with no king yet.

Maybe it would be Isaiah and Imogen, maybe he could finally get away from his parents and have a different colony, a different legacy to forge.

Maybe he could finally see past the blood he was drenched in.

"I chose Isaiah."

Kertayan looks to the doors and back to Imogen. Slowly the meaning of the words sink in.

Did she mean like Melinoe had wanted to chose him?

Like Elianna had chosen Kaden?

Like -

He growled stepping toward Xander.

"Step back."

"She's my friend Kerta. I -"

"Step. Back."

Gold flashed in this eyes and Xander finally stepped back. Whatever else they were, Vanir ranks trumped all of it when they were together. Xander didn't have the violet of Damien's eyes, he was a soldier, he was no one among the Ranked Vanir here.

Even if he was a honor guard of Vincent, that didn't matter here. Kertayan dragged his eyes to Imogen and rubbing at his temples.

"You're Vincent and Anaxia's sister right? You're that Imogen?"

Vincent bristled stepping toward Imogen, at her side.

"Anaxia is a shit representative as my sister Kerta -"

"So she's not - you're not certifiably insane?"

He looked past her to the door, tisking under his breath. He gave her nod, crossing his arms.

"In Kertayan I assume you know that give your standing among Samkiel's side, Isaiah's second. I'd offer my hand but if he finally pursuing you enough that you're here....I don't want my arm ripped off."

Vincent stiffened and looked to Imogen, a hand on her elbow. His voice softening.

"Is that it. Is there....is there a bond Imi?"

Xander flinched stepping backward, looking at his feet. Damien rolled his eyes and turned to the hallway. Maybe if he left now Amalie would be awake from her duties in the gardens.

Kertayan snorted leaning against the wall to rub at his neck.

"If there isn't one there will be. He talked about her enough in the prison even if he never gave me a damn name."

------

"I don't give a fuck what you do or don't want to hear. What the fuck is wrong with you?! She could have died! And you were have what - simply stood there like a statue?!"

Isaiah rolled his shoulders back, brushing off Kaden's rage.

"Az says he's going to call them. That Eli needs to be taken out of active duty. I half a mind to tell our parents and Nismera the same thing about you. You're starting to become a fucking liability Kaden -"

------

Neverra curled into her side, gripping her hand. She sniffed, pressing closer.

"It - it's okay, sleep now Eli I won't let them disturb you okay? Go to sleep."

But she was done staying out of this. If Azrael was just going to roll over and pretend it was some boy's club she'd make them see how wrong they were.

[siderealxmelody]

Oh my God, Orion and Shahar's revolution!!!

What if it wasn't 200 years ago but 20??

What if it ended not with Shahar dead but with Thurr and Eospherus dead??

Ahhhhh

@starlsssankt

@luxmaeastra