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yesimwriting · 3 years

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Dying Starlight

A/n: i dont think an audience for this exists?? ik it’s not shadow and bone related, but ive been reading red queen and i wanted to try writing maven and ive been playing with this idea. umm...on the off-chance that there is an audience for this i do think of this as more of a series but i’ll probably end up deleting this lol

(Series?) Summary: reader is a childhood friend of Mare’s who isn’t officially part of the Scarlet Guard but gets captured by Maven. As a prisoner, she feels like her mind is being messed with as she begins to see a more human side of Maven. The new King tells himself the only thing he sees in her is that she’s a way to get to Mare, but something about her genuiness is infectious.

Irony twists things. Right now, the irony that my last thoughts might be about how I wish I had been trusted with a suicide pill twist my impending doom into something almost comical. I’d laugh, but I’d rather not startle the rats in my cell. This has been their home for presumably years, but I’ve only been down here a few hours.

I scratch the back of my wrist, staring at tired stone walls like they’ve done something to me. I wish I knew what time it was. How long have I been down here? How long has it been since I was separated from Mare? An hour? Three?Each passing minute strikes me like a bullet, but I can’t count them. I’ve never had a talent for accurately feeling the passage of time.

My head aches, frustration and dread tangling themselves in the pit of my stomach. Mare told me the Queen can search through someone’s mind, seeing memories even they can’t remember. What will they do when they see I know virtually nothing? What will happen when they see how close Mare and I truly are? i can’t do anything and the unknown hurts more than my bruised rib.

The sound of the heavy door that divides the luxury of the castle from the wasteland of the cells creaks. I only let my arms flinch, moving from my side to wrap defensively around my stomach. Dull footsteps echo down the pathway that lead to the cell I’m in. I don’t cringe, not even when the sound of walking stops.

I was not born into a rich family, but I was born into a proud one. Fear was practically a criminal act in my household. I’ve been trained to suppress all signs of weakness. My eyes don’t leave the stone wall, I mentally trace the pattern of a long crack in a specific rock. It reminds me of the slope of the Big Dipper.

Will I ever see stars again? The answer leaves a sharp pain in my chest.

“Mare told me about you.”

The words jar me, my stomach dropping in revulsion. Mare had trusted him, and here he stands--successful because he’s a traitor. I know what it’s like to be the most overlooked sibling and to crave to change that. I know what it’s like to want to succeed more than you want air in your lungs, but I don’t think I’d ever betray someone. I like to think that there’s a line even the monster in me won’t cross.

I don’t look at him, partially out of an attempt to protest and partially because I’m afraid of what I’ll see. “She might have mentioned you in passing.”

His scoff is ridiculous. “She didn’t lie about your sense of humor.”

That almost makes me wince. His words are too close, too personal. It’s like he knows me. I turn my. head, ready to cut through the uneasy beginning to get to the miserable middle if it brings me to the end faster.

“You’re here to torment me, not make small talk.” Turning had been a mistake. I regret it instantly. His expression is unforgiving--cold, sharp, and made up of only angles. But that’s not why I stare. I did not expect him to be objectively attractive. The fine slope of his nose, the sharpness of his cheekbones, and the ice blue of his eyes. I need to snap out of this mindset. I’m sure his beauty will not be so distracting when he’s burning me. “Though some might consider that the same thing.”

He scoffs again, the sound dry. The sneer of his lips does not diminish his attractiveness. The fact makes me loathe him. “I wonder if you’ll still be so prone to humor after you’ve been broken--any information of worth extracted from your thoughts.”

“Let me save everyone the trouble and just tell you everything that I know now.” My back straightens despite the pain in my ribs. I look pathetic, dirty and in a torn dress. He’s regal, dressed in fine, all black clothing. “I know that Mare wanted to kill you today, I know that she needed a distraction and that her distraction needed to be expendable, which is why I’m sitting in front of you.” I squeeze my hands together awkwardly, a bit of genuine irritation rolling in my stomach. “That’s literally all I know, I’m not even part of the Guard.” I scratch the back of my wrist. If I were him, I wouldn’t believe that, but I’m being honest. How pitiful can one person be that they’re worth more disconnected from the group they work for than as an actual member? “You don’t take that kind of risk for someone that’s only skill set is in thought.”

I didn’t mean to say that out loud, but I don’t regret it. Maybe he’ll think that my story is so pathetic it has to be true. “You have to know more than that.”

“The Scarlet Guard only reaches out to me on a need-to-know basis, and anything worthwhile to you is something I clearly didn’t need to know.” In a way, I’m glad I can’t give him anything. “So are you going to kill me with a bullet or do you prefer more flamboyant executions?” My death should be plain. I am human completely--I bleed red and I have no powers. “I do think anything more than a simple death is more trouble than I’m worth.”

His lips press together oddly, something beneath his expression tightening. “You don’t think your dearest friend will return for you?”

The sarcasm in his voice sparks something in me I thought only my sister could. “I think she has a lot of responsibilities and I wouldn’t blame her for having priorities.”

His eyebrows draw together. “I think you’re painfully unaware of how attached to you she is.” I press my lips into a thin line. “She’ll come for you.”

Something selfish in me hopes that he’s right. No one has ever wanted me enough to come back for me. My mother wanted perfect daughters that knew how to only think in terms of trapping men with stable careers. My sister did it, but I could never manage, and to my mother that made me useless.

“If you believe it,” I mumble beneath my breath.

I don’t know if he hears me. I can’t bring myself to care if he did. “For your sake, you better not have lied to me.”

My back relaxes against the raspy wall, fighting down a grimace as the motion irritates my rib injury. “Cross my heart, Your Highness.”

I watch him carefully, his expression turning into something much more grim. “A King is referred to as His Majesty.”

“My father was a prominent war general and my mother only wanted daughters she could use to social climb.” I fight down a grin. “I know what I said.”

His expression darkens into something bone chilling. “I am the King and you’ll refer to me as such or deal with even less pleasant circumstances.”

I fight against the urge to cower, picturing Mare’s strength in my veins. There’s weakness in everyone, and if I squint I can see the thin cracks in him. “You have everything--the crown, the power, the support of the people, and it’s still not enough. You won and you still feel like you’re competing.”

“You don’t know anything,” he seethes, practically growling.

I shouldn’t press him, but the more he reacts, the more weaknesses are revealed. “I know what it’s like to have a sibling that’s the sun, and no matter what you do, no matter how hard you try, you’re always trapped in a shadow.”

The lighting makes his eyes look almost glazed over. “My mother will be here soon and the truth will be revealed.”

He can run from me, but not the truth. Cal has nothing, he has everything--the father that never cared for him is dead, and yet he’s still trapped. Our similarities hurt me more than my physical injuries.

Maven turns, his gaze moving off of me feels like the removal of heavy shackles. “It would do you well to not press me. You’re worth as much whole as you are broken.”

There’s the strangest hint of something more to his voice. I wonder if he’s speaking to more than just me. “You haven’t won until that voice in your head telling you that you’re not enough is silenced.”

“You’re a powerless girl who isn’t even wanted by a dying cause and couldn’t find a husband to drag her above the poverty line. You know nothing about me, and if you keep pretending I’ll slaughter you in front of your dear friend.”

He leaves without another word. I fall asleep with my back against the wall and my ribs aching.

#red queen #red queen x reader #maven #maven calore #maven calore x reader #maven calore imagine #red queen imagine #mare barrow #cal calore #bookboyfriend #book boyfriend x reader

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lilyharvord · 3 years

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I saw another anon on king mavens page ask how Cal would react if mare died and they didn’t wanna answer bcuz it’ll make them go into a depressive state. So if u don’t mind how do YOU think Cal would react if Mare died. If u don’t wanna write this u don’t hv too tho

I too saw annie's response, and while it makes me super sad to think about as well.... I've thought about it... I may have started writing a fic about it once (it was like once chapter), and I had an idea. So I'll give you my branched ideas. They're loooong so I have put them under the read more.

idea 1: Mare dies before they are married, before anything.

It's horrific. People are shocked... the little lightning girl? Dead? Impossible. Cal doesn't immediately hear about it, he's so busy he's doesn't know something's happened until he walks into a room and everyone goes quiet and slowly looks at him like he might collapse right then and there. He finds out because Farley pulls him aside. She takes him away from everyone to a quiet little garden with a fountain and tells him what happened. When he hears, he just sort of gives her this confused look, like HE doesn't understand, doesn't believe. Then he sort of sinks down onto one of the benches and just sits there. Doesn't move, doesn't even seem to be breathing. Farley thinks he'll explode in a ball of heat and rage and pain, but instead he just gets really really quiet, and really cold. The air around her gets so cold her breath fogs in front of her. He asks her to leave him alone and she does. He sort of draws into himself after that, doesn't really speak to anyone, spends a lot of time running and sitting at his desk and staring out the window. He attends the funeral but is quiet the whole time, he only speaks to the Barrows and even then, there isn't much to say that wouldn't hurt either party. After that he BURIES himself in his work. He gets so good at it that one day he looks up and ten years have passed. He's still got the stack of letters they wrote to each other, and he even has the letter he had been drafting to send to her on the front where he lost her. It ends with the phrase: I miss you. And god does that ring true. He miss her like a limb he lost. It feels like a part of him was torn away, just like with Maven, just like with his father, just like with Nanabel when she passed a few years back, just like the hole his mother left without him even knowing it was there. He visits her grave that year, just sort of sits under the little tree they planted, looks out at the mountains as the sun sets behind him, and talks to her like he does with Maven, tells her about everything that's happening. After a while, he just falls quiet and sits there, digging his hand into the grass and dirt right above the grave, like he can dig down to her, like it's her skin and he can still feel it's warmth. He swallow really heavily and then says: I never met anyone else that made me feel the way you did... I don't think I ever will. You were it. You were going to be it. And then he gets up and leaves. He runs into Gisa down in the Ascendent, they grab coffee at what was once Mare's favorite coffee shop, now it's Gisa's. They talk about everything, never mentioning Mare. Gisa only asks once if he's seen anyone, and he just shakes his head, and she gives him a tiny smile and says: she wouldn't have minded... well if a random bolt of lightning came from the heaven and struck you, then I guess you would know she minded. They laugh about that, and then he leaves cause he has an early flight home. When he gets back, he puts the letters in a box and then puts that box in a drawer. He never sees anyone else though. Doesn't even really fool around with anyone either. He tries once, and the whole time he just thinks about her, thinks about all the what if's and could be's. He apologizes profusely to the girl and says that it's not going to work. Something in her understands, some weird warmth that she gets that makes her pull him into an extra tight hug before she leaves from his little apartment in Archeon. He doesn't mind being alone as much, he has his friends and a strange little belief/hope that someday, he will see Mare again. And when he does he is going to pull her into the tightest hug and never, ever let go again.

idea 2: Mare dies after they are married and have at least 1 child

This one hurts far more. He knows she's on missions, and they made a pact to never be on missions together so that if the unthinkable happens and one of them does die, Coriane will have the other at least. Its a god awful early hour of the morning when there is knock on the door. Coriane is sleeping in his and Mare's bed, she had a nightmare and immediately came for comforting snuggles. He thinks he's dreaming when the knock comes again, a little more instant this time. He gets up, and Coriane sleepily trails after him, curious as a cat always. When he answers the door, he picks her up and is still sort of half asleep. When he sees the young soldier standing on the porch in uniform and the most pained look on his face, he is suddenly wide awake. The soldier reaches up and removes his hat before pulling out an envelope with the official Montfort seal on it. He holds it out and quietly says, "I'm sorry."

When Cal takes it, he worries that his hand is shaking, but it is perfectly still, Coriane is falling asleep on his shoulder, not even aware of the ramification of what this little envelope means. And he just sort of looks up at the man and asks, "Do the Barrows know?" The man blinks before saying, "Protocol dictates immediate family are informed first... spouses are immediate family along with children. We leave it to them to inform the rest...I'm sorry again sir." Then he gives a little clean military salute and leaves. Cal stands there for a long time looking at empty space, wondering what comes next, what he is even supposed to do. Coriane answers for him: by lightly tapping his cheek and whispering that she's cold. He closes the door, and sets the letter on the little table by the door. There are already four other letters there. One, an invitation to Farley's wedding to Cordelia at the end of the month, and another is a letter from Julian addressed to all of them, most likely about his trip with Sara to see the land north of Montfort. But there is her name in beautiful script on both envelopes. There is her favorite jacket hanging on the peg she always hangs it on. There is the book she left on the table, chaptered at the exact part she was on. There is her favorite mug in the sink because Coriane asked to drink her milk from it last night. She is everywhere in the house, and yet that letter means she will never be in it again. Those were her things. They not longer are. He carries Coriane up the stairs and puts her back in their his bed and then lays next to her, watching her chest rise and fall as she sleeps, a tiny smile creeping to her lips as she dreams, completely and blissfully unaware of how her life has fundamentally changed now. Then he rolls and stares at the ceiling, but the tears come and they don't stop as they fall silently. He gets up and showers at dawn--he didn't sleep-- and cries a little more there. He has to crouch down under the scalding water and bite down on his knuckle to keep from sobbing out loud and waking Cori. It's pitiful, and he knows it. She would be furious with him for not being honest about how he feels and trying to hide it like its some ugly thing. But it feels ugly, a twisted ugly thing in his chest that is screaming and clawing at his insides. He stands, turns the shower off, steps out, shaves, does his morning routine, and then wakes Coriane and gets her ready. She's still sleepy, doesn't understand, asks him when mommy is coming home, when she will be back so they can go to the market and get ice cream. He says they'll go today, but his voice shakes, even as he tries to hide it. Then he takes her to the Barrows, tells Ruth and Daniel to gather all of them together. When they are all sitting before him in the living room, packing it to the brim, he takes out the letter and reads it. There is a horrible silence when he finishes and folds it before putting it back in the envelope. Ruth slowly pulls Coriane toward her and then lifts her into her lap and hugs her so tightly Cori actually whines about it for a second before she sees the look on Cal's face. They all sit in the kitchen after that and Ruth makes tea and she makes hot chocolate for the kids and gives Coriane an extra 4 marshmallows. The kids leave to go play and the adults sit and discuss the logistics, where is the will, was the a will? Do they have to adhere to anything if there isn't one? Would she want to... to be buried on Tuck with Shade? The will would probably say. Should they do that if there isn't one? Ruth offers to take care of Coriane while Cal deals with everything, settling paperwork, etc. etc. Then everyone kinda starts talking about everything again, and he just sits in silence and stares at this knot on the table that Mare pointed out to him because she said it looked like a turtle on its back. He traces it a few times, just sort of thinking about that moment and all the other times they would be in this kitchen doing dishes after family gatherings etc. Farley watches him from across the table

before getting up and nodding for him to follow her outside. Everyone pretty much doesn't notice them leave, or they pretend not to notice. They sit outside on the back porch in silence, just the two of them. After a little bit, it starts to snow. The first snow of the year. Farley holds her hand out to catch the flakes and says quietly: "I hate that it doesn't rain when these things happen. It always feels like it should be raining." He nods silently in agreement, and then she sets her hand on his shoulder, and he bends forward, letting the weight of it drop his head into his hand. He doesn't cry again, he honestly doesn't understand why he feels nothing now, just emptiness, and numbness from the tips of his fingers all the way to the tips of his toes. Even with Maven he didn't feel this way. He felt something then, something biting and hot like a pan that he touched when it just came off the stove. They sit like that for a long time before Coriane comes outside, and slips underneath his arm to snuggle against him. Farley gets up and leaves then, sensing she's said her peace and he understands she's there if he needs her. He holds Coriane close when the back door closes, and she whispers quietly to him, "Mommy's not coming home, is she?" and he just squeezes her once in answer. She frowns and stares out at the snow for a second and then turns around to face him and cups his cheeks in her little hands like she had seen Mare do a hundred times when Cal was in the middle of an especially hard day. She looks at him with a very serious expression for a child and he can see Mare in her when she does that, in the crease of her brows and the slight squint in her eyes. In the hint of chocolate brown in the curls of her hair. She will be furiously beautiful like her mother, and he had a feeling someday she will break a man's heart like his is breaking now. She looks at him for a good little bit and then says, "don't worry, I will take care of you." And he laughs, knowing that Mare always said the same thing. He pulls her close again and whispers with a thick voice, "it's my job to take care of you. But it's just us now... we have to take care of each other."

The funeral is in the spring. Cal pushed it off. Mare hated the winter. Even though she had happier memories of it now, her childhood and the painful clenching of her empty belly were like a permanent stain on the season. He would not bury her in that time. When the snow thaws and the ground melts, they release her ashes on a hill and leave stone for her on a hill under a tree, with a view of the mountains. There is a long line of epithet underneath her name: beloved daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother. Staring at it, Cal wonders if she knows just how important she had become. If she knew that she wasn't just a captain, or a figurehead that brought a centuries old regime to its knees. Everyone leaves after, the Barrows going last, but Cal and Coriane stay. Cal just sitting in the grass next to the grave, the wind in his hair while he watches the mountains for a little while. Coriane sits on the grave, probably not the nicest thing to do, but she does, and traces Mare's name over and over again on the stone with her little finger. "Mommy had a long name." She says as she traces the four names on the stone. Cal hesitated to put his name on there with hers, but he adopted the Barrow name as much as Mare took the Calore one when they married. And in the very, very short will she had drafted, that he almost didn't read because reading it made everything real, she asked that he put both their names on it (but to put his name before hers and she even made a little quip at him in the will about it which made him laugh, even as it made him cry). He glances at Cori after she says that and nods. She then crawls into his lap and they sit watching the mountains before Coriane says, "Uncle Julian says that when people die, they become the dirt that feeds the trees and the grass... do you think mommy is happy to be tree food?" He laughs and hugs her really close before saying, "She's not tree food. That dust we let go of today was mommy. She's on the winds now, traveling everywhere."

He does not remarry, no matter how many years pass, and how many women try to infer that it might be for the best if Coriane had mother in her life. He thinks its a stupid notion that he can't raise his own child on his own. And its hard, god is it hard. But he does it. He makes Coriane Barrow Calore into a women that Mare Molly Calore Barrow would have been very proud of. And he holds onto the notion that someday, when he dies, and they scatter his ashes, that his will find Mare's and they'll be together again that way.

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king-maven-calore · 3 years

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Do you think Mare and Maven could love each other enough, to have a long lasting relationship, like getting married and getting old together kind of relationship? Even though, you mentioned that they are twin flames not soulmates.

I checked my inbox and I'm legally bound to reply to this first bc of priorities: YES, YES, AND YES. I'm so sorry for doing this to your ask anon but...Welcome to Annie over-analyzing YA episode 100 🤡 First we need to understand the difference with Soulmates. A soulmate is meant to support and help the person grow (Can't get more supportive than "I'll protect you for as long as I can" Cal Calore). A Twin Flame is supposed to bring the person closer to their divine mission and their soul's true purpose. A mirror of the soul where an instant connection is inevitable. The problem with this type of connection comes from the fact that the mirroring also applies to the person's insecurities and worst traits (the soulmate balances these out by being the opposite). And you know, where sparks fly, there's a fire hazard 😬. The concept on itself has the warning that the intensity of this bond is more often than not super unhealthy and ends in separation, but still: the purpose of the mirror has been achieved. To look at oneself reflected in another and learn (or be destroyed, whatever happens first).

I've been looking for the quote but I can't freaking find it 😭, where Mare says that when looking at the monster that Maven is, she sees what she could become.

Basically, the Twin Flames journey goes: Yearning, Glimpsing, Falling, Challenging, Crisis, Chasing, Surrender, Oneness. Here's a link explaining all the stages and a bit more but I'll focus on the stages where Mareven could have been saved 😔✌

After falling in love, when Mare thought she had found her equal and companion, comes the crisis: In the mirroring phase, twin flames begin to see the ‘other’’ side of their partner, the less pretty, less dreamy and less acceptable side, and it is in this phase where perfect love shows its dark side. Since this is fiction, experiences are heightened, and so is Mare's disillusion and horror when presented with the "darkness" in Maven.

We reach then the pivotal point: Runner and Chaser Phase. Pretty self-explanatory since Maven literally chases Mare for the rest of the RQ series🥴, hello Glass Sword my beloved. In this stage we have the opposing forces of change and permanence putting the relationship through the trial of fire. Maven wants the context to remain the same, but to force Mare to be with him. Mare wants the context to change but not only she isn't going to change her mind, she also has a confirmation bias toward Maven's humanity: She is convinced he can't be changed and everything he does only confirms this. This isn't a bad thing in context though! because it protects her from falling into the tricky waters of trying to be his savior, thus betraying herself and her cause.

And here's the only thing that keeps them apart (feel free to argue but I can pull receipts for days) not his lies, not his cruelty, not the fact that she straight up murders Elara: the oppression of Reds. Because as Mare says, it's bigger than her. They get stuck in the Separation stage because Maven's obsessive grip on the crown just as it is (a weak grip honestly) and it's not even something he wants it's that bitch Elara's sjkfnjd damn her.

If the freaking crown issue could have been solved, or Reds liberated sooner, before Maven kept damaging her in his attempt to keep her, they would have reached the Surrender stage; when the twin flames finally accept the negative aspects within themselves, work on them, learn self-love and in turn are ready to love the partner completely. Leading to the Oneness, "creating a healthy, love-based entity – a relationship that serves both individuals equally." Mare soul wouldn't end up as fractured as it ends up in canon, and Maven's soul would still be around the living 🙃. Their ending would have been infinitely softer together, but that's not their story. Because Mareven is not our romance.

Disclaimer: I'm only using the concept of Twin Flames from a literary standpoint. Don't let weird irl cults and gurus lie to you kiddos ❗

#ask #RQ meta #anon #mareven #red queen series #annie over-analyzing YA #I'm behind on two assignments but I couldn't help myself #Now if you'll excuse me #I'll cry while reading about humanized labor #fucking El*ra #long post

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themadauthorshatter · 3 years

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... I just love OTPs, I can't help it.

OTP HEADCANONS: 2020 Edition

These will include the series of Red Queen, Dorothy Must Die, SGE, The Folk of The Air, and Nightmare Before Christmas(I'll throw in the Skellington kids, too, because I love them💙)

MAJOR TW FOR ALL THE EVENTS THAT OCCURED IN 2020, AND THAT INCLUDES QUARANTINE.

RED QUEEN:

At the news of a Pandemic, Mare and Cal are equally confused and scared, but at least they're not on the battlefield.

They hold up in Paradise Valley until the quarantine is lifted.

It starts off fine with them doing puzzles, hiking, and doing some exercises to pass the time. Then 3 weeks pass and both are bored; Mare's bored enough to drink coffee onto of the fridge and Cal's sitting in a chair upside down because fuck court etiquette, he's so bored.

Cal contemplates luring wolves with dinner scraps again.

They had a mini argument that meant nothing because Cal's hair got long and he wanted Mare to cut it, she but only offered to shave his stubble, not cut his hair.

They both get a lot of sleep, and have a lot of nightmares, which they comfort each other from.

They also really enjoy the silence.

Cal gets into poetry and Mare paints. Both are surprised at how good the other is at their new hobbies.

They talk. A lot. It begins awkwardly and ends with the two in each other's arms.

Cal becomes more of a punner, and Mare loves and hates it.

There's tall of getting a dog, but there's one problem: Paradise Valley doesn't have any shelters, and they'll be arrested or forced ro turn back hime, regardless of rank.

Mare grows taller... by 2 inches. She almost killed Cal for how much he laughed.

When they're allowed to go out, Mare often forgets to bring her mask.

Cal's good at remembering their masks.

Mare REFUSES to leave when she hears about the murder hornets.

Cal gets repellent to calm her down.

They also recover some Old Era TV Shows.

ENDLESS quotes from The Office, Friends, and many more shows.

Cal visits Maven's grave more. Mare comes with every now and then, but usually lets him go alone.

They don't usually argue, but those arguments never last.

They tried a bit of ability training, and greed that they should be careful when Mare summoned a bolt of lightning from the sky and Cal almost set fire to everything around them.

They read a lot, too, but Cal reads more than Mare because she falls asleep, usually on him.

DOROTHY MUST DIE:

Nox had no clue what a Pandemic was, or what the big deal was about going outside and not being near people, until Amy explained it.

First day of online school crashed and burned because Nox had NO IDEA what he was doing, which led to Amy 'accompanying' him in classes.

Amy puts her college plans on hold for a little while.

Nox is more emotional and neither of them know how to handle it.

They have more nightmares, since there's nothing to keep their minds busy, but Amy is more reserved about it. Nox prefers to write about what he dreams, anyway.

Nox stays up, from all the nightmares, but Amy sits with him to keep him company.

When Amy heard about the murder hornets, Nox held up a fly swatter and opened all the windows.

Amy does fine, but Nox dies from boredom, when they're done with school. And I don't mean he just sits and groans, he lies face down on the couch as Amy tries to get him up.

They spend A LOT of time in Nox's apartment, and it's literally spotless because Nox is THAT bored.

They binge a lot of TV shows, and Nox falls in love with shows like Peaky Blinders.

They tried watching Game of Thrones. It didn't go well; negative past experiences.

Nox figured out the plot twist to The Umbrella Academy WAY before Amy did.

They watched Heathers and Amy asked Nox what he'd do if she was dealing with trash friends and guys who don't take 'no' for an answer. The look on his face when he asked who it was reminded Amy of who he was before meeting her.

Nox finds YouTube and discovers the guy that makes knives out of anything and makes it his mission to copy each and every video, come Hell or high water.

Amy walked in on him doing this and genuinely wondered if he was okay, and asked if she could help him.

They also binged musicals. Nox isn't a huge music person, but he still loves them; Kansas has its own magic that he finds intriguing.

Amy once found Nox crouching ontop of the fridge while drinking a mug of coffee.

Madison stopped by and dropped off some rhinestones, lash glue, and a tool to apply the stones. Amy spent a lot of time putting the stones on her face while Nox watched, with Madison and Dustin also watching via Facetime, sitting backwards in a chair and wondering what her plan was, even making very Julien Solomita-esque comments, mixed with very 'I used to be a fighter and a spy' comments that made Amy, Madison, and Dustin laugh. Some if those comments:

"I know Glamora told you to lighten up, but I don't she'd expect this."

"If those were real diamonds, you wouldn't need any armor or a weapon. Just headbutt them, and you're good."

"Don't be upset, but it's the beginning of summer, so I don't think winter's coming any time soon."

"Whichever chandelier you made out with, I will find them, damn it."

After a little while, Amy asked if Nox wanted a rhinestone face. He agreed, but only as long as she took out all the red stones. He could handle pink, but no red.

It took them an hour to get the stones off.

Their hair gets long and they agree to cut each other's hair. Nox cuts her hair chin length and Amy tries to be as style his hair. They don't look the best, but they at least look good.

They absolutely watch Unus Annus, and start quoting that.

When they get the news they can go out wearing a mask, Nox got confused and got 3 different masks: a masquerade mask, a normal face mask, and a gas mask, which he wears all the time to annoy Amy.

They do stay in shape as much as possible, but there is evidence that they could have been more active, with their muscles shrinking and both having lost a little weight.

Nox NEVER drops his guard, and quarantine didn't help.

They tried dying their hair, but it didn't work as well as they'd hoped.

SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL:

Tedros worries about Agatha and everyone else, but Agatha keeps him in check.

Crime drops big time, so that's a plus for Tedros and Agatha.

They have more time to breathe, with everyone being inside and avoiding each other.

Tedros hates the quiet at first, but Agatha helps him adjust.

They spend a lot of time wandering the castle and answering whatever call there is, if any.

The SGE is out for a little while, so they don't hear too much from there.

Tedros, without normal king business to distract him, has more nightmares and starts losing sleep because he doesn't want to dream about what's happened to him and his friends.

Agatha has nightmares, too, but she's better at hiding it.

They do talk about it and agree to be more open with what's going on in their heads.

They also agree that they'll help each other through these times.

Tedros helps Agatha with swordplay and Agatha both gets him into reading more and tries to help him with his magic.

Whenever there's something they need outside, Agatha gets it because she's not that afraid of getting sick; she grew up eating frog and lizard soup.

Tedros worries about her, but doesn't really stop her because she's taller, and having fun trying to stop Agatha once she's committed to doing something.

Tedros finds a new hobby: origami.

Agatha doesn't join in, per se, she more watches because she's never seen Tedros be so patient with something.

They play around with each other's hair, as it grows longer. Agatha ties Tedros's hair back and Tedros braids her hair.

They write to Sophie or anyone else, like people who have some sort of report of a crime or complaint duch as infertile soil, so their penmanship improves.

Tedros grows a bit of a stubble and, after some prickly kiss attacks, Agatha threatens to shave it off herself, if he doesn't. It's all in good fun, but she sort of did mean it because his face and cheeks were really scratchy.

Tedros REFUSES to let Agatha go out alone, even when she's masked up.

When they go out, Tedros always carries a sword.

Picnics in the woods.

Star gazing at night.

Agatha starts wearing pants, as an experiment, and her "dresser"/dress designer is APPALLED.

There are times they argue, but they stay together and communicate because relationship goals.

THE CRUEL PRINCE:

At the news of a Pandemic/plague, Cardan ordered all the human servants to get as healthy as they could so they'd be able to go outside. He would accompany them, but they could not let Jude go out.

She's not happy, when she finds out

Cardan asks if she can avoid going to the human world, so she doesn't get sick.

She goes anyway and returns unscathed.

Cardan considers glamoring the human servants to keeep Jude healthy, but Jude almost pincushions him for it.

Anxious? Worried? Psh! Don't be silly. Cardan becomes somethimg if a paranoid maniac because he's scared of Jude getting sick and dying because he's Fae and she's Mortal, so she's more susceptible to illnesses and he doesn't know wnoufh about mortals to get her healthy agaun were she to get sick, but there's nothing wroung with him, really.

Whenever they're not ruling, Jude practices her swordplay while Cardan reads, major plus being that he reads full series to not worry about Jude so much.

Jude helps Cardan with sword fighting, using wooden practice swords not metal, and Cardan helps her try to get into reading, reading to her as she rests her head on his chest when she doesn't want to read read.

Cardan discovers manga and graphic novels and is too confused for Jude NOT to laugh; "He's in armor made if IRON. How is he able to fly!?" "I've seen a lot people different people, and none of them have made this face." "... So is Spiderman THIS one or THIS one?"

Sword practice usually ends with Cardan on the ground exhausted while Jude simply stands and chuckles for him to get up.

Cardan doesn't get beat smd scarred, he gets poked and minorly bruised, which he was not ready for because of how he was treated by Balekin.

One day, while Cardan was reading some Sherlock Holmes, Jude slipped hoop bracelets on and tied ribbons to his tail, at least as many as she could before she got caught; she only realized as such when his tail started flicking out of her reach and curling around her wrist, and saw Cardan grinning at her.

They do visit Taryn and Vivi still, but Cardan only wears a mask to remind Jude, who does not forget ever.

Cardan thinks about his 'friendship' Nicasia, Locke, and Valerian and semi-realizes that Valerian and Locke may have been using him while Nicasia was at least a little genuine.

They talk about Locke and equally wish that they had helped Taryn in killing Locke. If not, then they wish that they at least watched. They agreed that if time travel was real, Jude could help Trayn kill Locke and Cardan could watch, as long as he helped dispose of the body.

They laughed at that a couple minutes later.

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS(Featuring the Skellington kids(I'd say Skull Kids, but I feel like Skull Kid(s) was taken)):

Jack knows what a Pandemic is; he lived through one while he was alive.

Sally knew it would happen because she knows one happens about every two hundred years/whenever a year ends in 20.

The triplets know what a plague is, but have never seen one actually happen.

When they explored the human world at night and noticed there were absolutely no humans in sight, Luna reminded her brothers that the humans were told to stay inside to prevent any spreading.

Jacob takes the opportunity to MAKE SURE people actually stay inside.

Pro: he got Instagram famous. Con: Jack and Sally were not happy at all with how reckless he was.

Let's say, for the sake of the story, Halloween had to be cancelled worldwide because regulation and a need for things to get better.

Upon hearing the news of Halloween getting cancelled, Jack was very salty about it; "Why cancel Halloween, if the 4th of July was still allowed to be celebrated?"

All of Halloween Town was very upset; the living are so fragile, it ruins the fun of scaring them.

The Mayor was in deep, DEEP distress, but Jack made it up to him, and the rest of the town, by saying next year's Halloween would be ine no one would ever forget, and it's not because he's 'borrowing' a holiday again, it's because they'll all have a year of scaring shenanigans built up inside them all that will make up for what was missed.

Everyone rejoiced and Jack, once he got back inside his house with his wife and children, sighed and mentally kicked himself for saying no one would forget next year's Halloween; there was one Halloween in particular he sure as hell isn't forgetting any time soon.

Daemon's carving more intricate pumpkins and plans on giving the humans mini-scares so they keep quarantining, hiding a 'surprise' for any entitled Karens he finds.

Luna is the most obedient of the triplets by staying in Halloween Town and instead studying what she calls a 'counter-plague' so there's no need for a Pandemic; she refuses to call it a vaccine because that would imply sje wants to help the humans that shot down and could have killed her dad. She still has a bone to pick.

Jack doesn't spiral out like in the movie, he has Sally to help and the triplets to keep his mind busy.

While Jacob and Daemon keep the humans from leaving their houses, Luna researches the current events and learns of murder hornets that are large, sting like all hell, and cause death to anyone unfortunate enough to get stung.

Jack gets very intrigued and they collect as many as they can and keep them in a jar, but take one out to study it.

They were not impressed; murder hornets? Jack has seen worse.

Since there wasn't a Halloween, Jack decided to walk through the streets, seeing as how Daemon and Jacob already did a lot of the scaring for him(thise little shits). He had to admit, it was nice to walk in the night and only hear the animal sounds and not screams.

Luna did not find a 'counter-plague,' even with Sally's help, but she did discover some poisons she could use against her brothers. Sally made her promise not to do so.

On the Halloween night where nothing happened, Jack took his family out to a picnic/star gazing session. Genuinely one of his favorite Halloweens to date.

HENRY STICKMIM COLLECTION:

Henry and Ellie knew it was going to happen and were more than surprised to also see Charles planning ahead by making a list for what they needed, even admitting he'd been following the news and rumors and stocking up on ADD medicine so he wouldn't have to go out to get them.

The other soldiers weren't worried until they were told to go home and take a break for a little bit.

Triple Threat wasn't really effected until day 24.

On day 1, they just hung out and were relatively calm, working online, doing workouts to stay fit, and just being as normal as possible.

On day 24, all three are more than a little bored. Henry's bored enough to andwer calls from telemarketers and prank them, Ellie's contemplating bleaching her hair with peroxide, and Charles is playing with fidget toys he's bough and collected over the years, though he's doing it more because he's a little stressed than bored.

Henry and Ellie are surprised to this this, but Charles admits he used to bite his nails a lot, but stopped after a LONG while.

Speaking of names, Ellie paints hers and the boys', though while Henry paints his in clear coat, Charles paints one hand black and the other in red, mint, and glittery pink on one nail because try stopping him.

It makes Ellie laugh and pisses off Henry so much.

Ellie gets calls from her family saying they want her to come home, or closer to home, because they're worried and she instead blocks their numbers.

They watch a lot of horror movies as a reason to stay inside.

When they get bored of American horror and try Japanese, Asian, and more western horror movies.

Instant regret.

They watched the movie Audition and Henry looked at a very unimpressed Charles, who said the antagonist was being sloppy, and hid all the kitchen knives, saws, and sharp and blunt objects, including tools(must've remembered Human Piece).

He stopped after a week of Charles being himself and literally shaking at Hannibal Lecter as they watched the Silence of The Lambs series.

All three open up more about their lives. It's ugly, there's yelling, conflicting life philosophies, and even some insults thrown. Henry admits that gotten screwed over by the law enough times while fending for himself to have as little faith in it as possible, Ellie admits she ran away from home and would rather die than go back because of how tight of a leash they kept her on, and Charles admits that while he has thought about quitting on the government and turning to a life of crime, he never did because that would have been to easy of a choice. Training for the military was and still is hard as hell, which Henry and Ellie can tell because Charles can physically do more than them(if they ran a mile, Henry and Ellie would be exhausted and Charles wouldn't even be out of breath), but he's never given up on it because he knew his parents would skin him, if they were still alive.

There were tears at the end, and the team all needing to be alone for a little bit, but they were back together and agreed to be a little more open with each other, since they were a team now.

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galaxydrcaming · 2 years

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@lcnelylcves

Even though he’d accepted Mare’s words as the truth, it had still hurt to remember his father’s betrayal. Everything he’d tried to do, every difference he’d tried to make, and they all meant nothing because of Maven. And Mare - although he trusted her, there was still some anger and hurt at her betrayal too. But Cal wasn’t a cruel man, he knew that she had been in an impossible position. He could forgive her for that, it wasn’t something he’d hold against her. Especially when she talked like that. “We will try work it out together.” But he knew that they’d still both have to take it slow. There was so much weight already, and he didn’t even remember as much as she did. “Just up to being captured. But you’ve been honest to me here, that’s enough of a reason to keep trusting you even now.” If she’d lied again, he wasn’t sure he would have been able to trust her as fast, even if he liked her. But this was a different world. “Maybe I just want to hope things won’t fail here. There’s no war, there’s no court. There’s Maven, but…” A part of him hoped he could get through to him somehow.

Her eyes shift back over to him, still reeling over the fact that he was willing to push past the upset feeling she knew he should feel at remembering everything up until Maven's betrayal, they had still been connected to one another after and whilst it was difficult at first, they got through it together and knew they could again. "Part of me still feels like you deserve better." She blurts out and shakes her head. "I am sorry, Cal...for everything." For what he did know and what he s didn't. "I promised myself I needed to be more honest and been keeping to my word so far." Mare admits as she looks up at the mention of no court. "That sure as hell could have made things easier back then too." She mumbles and nods. "But you still love him and think he can turn around." Mare finishes, getting deja vu from these thoughts.

#c; cal #( && little lightning girl ;; mare says )#( && mac )

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melanated-maddy · 3 years

Text

TYTON

Hey welcome to this fan fiction. I recently finished war storm and I’m in love with Tyton. Couldn’t help but want to right a fic after seeing so little on this guy on tumblr. Don’t know if I’ll write more as got exams but if you like let me know! All characters and world and everything belongs to the queen herself Victoria Aveyard

Chapter 1

“Debark, debark, debark.”

Tyton was snapped out of his musings pale fingers still gripped against the fading cover of his book. They’d finally arrived back in Ascendant after another long plane journey. A year after the kingdom of Norta was officially dissolved with Cal’s abdication there was still unrest with the Silvers. Too many houses had attempted to feel comfortable on the sparkling throne. ‘Osanos says water comes after fire, Rhambos is taking strength and power a little too literally and Merandus is trying hard to distance themselves from the insanity their own brought forth in Maven and actually claim the throne. At least there’s no more Samos worries. That ship sailed or should I say smashed along with Volo’s head with his offspring are safely tucked away in the capital.’ The soldiers on the plane had started their move off some in a rush to get home to worried families and others ready to have a drink. Davidson was the closet family Tyton had after his own lost their lives to a raid. His mother, father and two younger brothers all gone in an instant. That instance was the first time Tyton’s ability was able to properly manifest. Properly surge. Properly show how dangerous he was. It was Davidson who found him when searching the wrecks of homes and families. Still holding his brother’s Aeon’s hand tears in his eyes. Davidson was always quiet even back in those days and knelt to Tyton’s small height hugging him close. After that day Davidson properly set about burying the family well allowing Tyton to grieve and giving him another place to call home. He’d never admit it, but Tyton was lucky...relieved that Davidson and Carmadon took him in. Even if those raiders who had taken his family from him deserved his rage, he was terrified of the lightning under his skin. With a huff, Tyton uncoiled his long body from his seat standing and stretching up to remind his muscles of their function. The suit he wore was dark not one of the traditional Montfort green it just would not do for some missions. Under his seat he pulled free the small bag carrying a bottle of water, bag of nuts and stored the book into it securely. It was the last thing he’d received from his parents and even so he still struggled to get through it properly. As Tyton turned to move out the aircraft door onto the tarmac he spotted Mare struggling to reach an overhead compartment to grab something. He quickly moved forward and grabbed hold of two items: a maroon scarf and backpack.

“Thanks.”

“No worries I’m always available to help the vertically challenged.”

Mare’s face turned into a vivid shade of crimson and she moved as if ready to punch his arm when Cal swung his head back into the cabin. He seemed exasperated which quickly shifted to a swift glare as his eyes settled on how close the two were.

“Tyton.”

“Cal.”

“Mare what's taking so long?”

“Difficulties getting the scarf and backpack you decided to thrust into the overhead bin. As well as being ready to obliterate string bean here.”

Tyton gave a chuckle, although he was slightly leaner than Cal a string bean he was not.

“Don’t worry just helping her out she’s still yours, your highness.”

Cal bristled with the label, but Tyton was already strolling out onto the blinding tarmac doused in bright light.

As he got his bearings about himself, Tyton could not help feeling the pulses of electricity going off in every person around hims body. Just as you could imagine different emotions and thoughts had different electric compositions. As people moved around he recognised stress signals, pulses of joy and shifts of concentration. The signals never went away but with time he’d found away to keep them working in tandem with him so he didn’t get overwhelmed.

“Tyton come on rides here.” Rafe called his hair in the sun giving the appearance of green flames.

Tyton walked to the transport, long legs eating up the distance in a few moments to be face to face with Rafe. Ella must’ve caught a different one as the storm addict’s blue hair was no where to be seen. Together the two walked towards Davidson who was speaking to Arezzo in hushed tones. With a nod she was dismissed walking instead of jumping to wherever she needed to go. Davidson turned to the two a smooth smile on his face and opened his mouth, but was interrupted by a quick trill.

“Rafe!”

A blur of orange smashed into Rafe’s chest holding him tightly as he clutched her back.

Laughing Rafe greeted her, “Iz, nice to see you too, but you’re crushing me.”

With one last tug, Izelle released her older brother a wide grin tugging on her lips as she looked up at him. Izelle, was Rafe’s little sister by a year who shared his dark brown skin smooth and even and bright smile. In her orange dress that spun around her knees and black combat boots, she giggled letting her hair of tight curls circling her head move slightly held back with an orange band.

“Is it wrong for me to have missed my dumb big brother? Am I wrong Tyton?”

Tyton smiled and shook his head as Rafe glared at him.

“So nice to know that it won’t be a strongarm that gets me but my sister’s choke hold.”

Iz shoved Rafe as he rolled his eyes and moved to put his bags in the transport while Iz turned to greet Tyton.

“Hey.”

“Hi.”

And with that Tyton opened his arms and Izelle moved into them giving him a tight hug.

‘Her hugs are always great.’

“Thanks for looking out for Rafe. I’m one hundred percent sure he’s not dead somewhere because of you.”

A deep rumble erupted from Tyton as he shook his head. They walked to the transport as Tyton asked how she’d been.

“All good here finally ready to move onto the fourth arc only two more to go before I’m a qualified teacher of education.”

“That’s excellent. You’ve worked hard for it.”

“Yeah it’s been so long definitely the hardest thing I’ve faced, but it’ll be so worth it once I’m in a class with little guys.”

“Do you know what specialism you’ll take yet Izzy?”

In Montfort, classes were not segregated at all with children of all blood types getting the same education to the best standard they could. Those who were Ardent or Silver has supplementary classes to help in coming into their abilities. However, it was courtesy for teachers at normal school to specialise in understanding one blood type well so that support chains could be used in school for any student struggling.

“I’m not sure yet to be honest. I’ve still got to think, might swing for Ardent or Red they’ve already got lots of silver specialists.”

Tyton liked listening to Izzy speak. Her mind although more hyperactive than most was one he enjoyed feeling the thrum of. She would be an excellent teacher one who was fun and silly, but able to understand and be serious when needed. For all her loudness Rafe often called her the thunder to his lightning. As Izzy spoke she tended to often get enthralled by her words and lost her bearings of where she was. So much so she didn’t see a smaller transport squealing into her path. In seconds Tyron had pulled her back allowing the small buggy to rush past on its was.

“Izzy.”

“Ha sorry about that. Forgive me.”

And with a smile, all was forgiven.

“Come on Rafe is definitely going to start a mood if we don’t hurry up,” and with that she pulled his arm to the transport releasing him to clamber up and take a seat next to Rafe. For all the bickering and teasing they did the two siblings loved each other dearly. They had sought refuge in Montfort from the Piedmont principalities with their mother. The two remembered little about their original home as they had left so young, but the happiness Montfort gave them was all they needed. Forgetting all about her conversation with Tyton, Izzy poked Rafe to tell her all about Norta and what things they’d encountered. Izzy had never left Montfort. She was definitely not a soldier, barely remembering to tuck in her thumbs properly when punching Rafe and the Ardent abilities had only passed to him so a useful electricon on the battlefield she was not. The ride to Ascendant was bumpy, Davidson muttering about looking into the concrete and upkeep of the infrastructure when back home. The air rushed in as they sped across the landscapes moving closer to the capital with every second until the transport stopped in a quick halt. The stop was so fast Izzy almost span out of her seat if not for Rafe and Tyton’s arms coming to forth to stop her fall.

“What’s going-“

Davidson was cut off when a terrible crunch sounded off. Leaning forward, he could see one of the transports being crushed the metal casings crumbling against each other. Without a thought Davidson threw out a shield glowing blue in the setting sun surrounding the two vehicles.

“Raiders already?” Rafe hit his head against the seat in frustration before moving out of the car to help passengers in the afflicted vehicle. Tyton quickly went about feeling how many Raiders were out there without being told.

“10, all seems to be magnetron. 3 females, 7 males. Wait they’re leaving?”

“Leaving?”

“Yeah moving away.”

Davidson heaved a sigh, “Radio in for some teleporters for the wounded.”

“They’re already here.” Tyton looked out seeing that those badly injured were being jumped back. Being so close to Ascendant meant the teleporters could make the jump.

“Alright then, destroy that transport don’t leave anything of use behind for them.”

With that, Tyton moved to the transport now empty and absentmindedly called forth a storm preparing for a powerful bolt. The skies darkened as his storm came into existence. Davidson let the shield down for a moment to let the bolt come through. In a fraction of a second, a burning bolt of lighting came down from the sky smashing against the transport reducing it to dust and scorched earth. The air singed with crackle as the fire wreck obliterated. Tyton surveyed the scene inspecting the damage to see if it was at a high enough level to not be useful to a magnetron. Being happy with it he turned and started to walk back to Davidson and Izzy, Rafe already sitting in his seat. He was laughing at Izzy as she covered her ears wincing at the terrible sound of the lightning on metal. It was a sound not comfortable for most ears, but Tyton’s power was unheard of in an Ardent. He was different to the other electricons being able to handle electricity more naturally than even them. It didn’t take much for him to call a storm bolt of that magnitude. As he was within a few metres of the transport he suddenly felt a barrage of electrical energy moving towards them. Recognising it as the previous magnetrons he turned to quickly release brain lightning on them being able to drop 4 of them before one let off a spike. Moving out of the way he could do, but the spike still got him in the side forcing him to the ground. Davidson’s shields again went up and Tyton was pulled into the transport as it began to drive away with Davidson’s shields still up. Izzy clambered towards him pulling apart his suit to get a better look at the cut. Her hand pressed down hard as she told Rafe to get the medical kit under the seat. Tyton grasped onto her had holding it down as he grimaced from the pain. “You’re fine it’s only a scratch.” Izzy nervously laughed.

“Of course because scratches produce this much blood.”

“Shut up big baby. I’ve met toddlers tougher than you,” she grinned and Tyton smiled back focusing on her electricity and letting it calm him down in the transport racing back to Ascendant.

#red queen #tyton jesper #rafe #mare barrow #cal calore #montfort #silver #war storm #fanfiction #electricon #black girl #oc

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leapyearkisses · 4 years

Text

O Captain, My Captain 2/2 - (m/m) Salem/Faughn

Part two of the soldier setting.

Lil’ bit of mess. Hair brushing. Yearning. Etc.

---

The bar was dim and full of smoke from the spitting of the fire in the grate. Despite the proprietor’s efforts to shield against the storm, it was raining down the chimney, and the logs were hissing like hecklers at a bad variety show. The haze collected in the ceiling joists with the smoke from the soldiers’ cigarettes. It was crowded and loud inside and stank of wet wool and spilled ale. Could definitely have smelled of worse, though; Salem wasn’t complaining. He tapped his lips against his empty mug, gaze lingering in the shadowed corner of the room.

“Another round for you, sir?”

He looked up, saw Maisie Harpe looking down her nose at him, serving tray under her arm. Her expression was condescending. Salem remembered it fondly.

“You don’t have to call me ‘sir,’” he said, but pushed his mug toward her. “I’m still the same as I was.”

Maisie sniffed dismissively, picking it up. “Gone off and joined the war. Too good for a potter’s life. You think you’re going to come out the other end of it?” Her blonde curls shimmered around her round face with a flash of lightning. “Pa says it’s like watching sausages get made.”

“Hold your tongue, girl!” John Hadditch, the blacksmith of Yens Hollow, came up behind her and shooed her off. “Bad luck talking of that over beer. Go and bring us something better than this swill your Pa’s set aside for soldiers.” He sat down across from Salem and lifted his wooden leg around the bench with a grunt. “She still wants you to be pullin’ her pigtails, Sammy.” He chuckled.

Salem cleared his throat, hiding a smile. “She’s got better prospects than me.”

“Aye, maybe an officer? I heard they’re keeping the brass nice and polished at Maven Broadmoor’s place.” John leaned in. “You got a roof over your head, Sam, or are you out with the poor suckers in the mud?”

“Well, I’m not really brass. Maybe copper,” Salem said, accepting a new tankard from Maisie. “Mrs. Broadmoor is letting me sleep in the horse loft with the other lieutenants. Better than the back pasture.” He tapped his fingers on the table. When Maisie had walked away to another group, he leaned in. “I need to know if it’s safe to talk.”

“Not in here,” said John, taking a long draught of beer. “Come to my shop on the morrow, or I’ll come down to the farm if the bloody sky hasn’t fallen.” Thunder shook the double-paned windows. “My leg’s not as it used to be, though, and riding is a trial.”

“We can come to you.” Salem had been given a small company of men solely for this purpose of meeting with the trustworthy locals�� or at least those they hoped were trustworthy. “On the morrow, if, as you say, we’re all still here.”

—

It was still raining when he finished the night, snapping the neck of his raincoat closed at the door, as if that would help. Maisie Harpe moved in the fallen darkness of the banked fire, turning out the oil lamps on the walls and drawing blankets over the men who had passed out at their benches from either drunkenness or exhaustion. Salem kept his tongue to himself, just tipped his hat to her on his way out.

His horse was none too keen to be drawn out of the stable, digging her heels in while he tacked her up. “I know,” he murmured, securing the saddle girth. “But you’ll be home soon enough.”

The streets were the same as he remembered them, and he rode confidently toward the edge of town even in the storm. He’d gone to school here as a boy, every morning hitching a ride on a wagon into town from the neighboring village. His father had been a cooper, building barrels for beer, whiskey, fish, pickles… whatever the fur traders needed, and then when that started drying up, whatever anyone else needed. His mother had been a potter. Technically, he still owned the house and the workshops, but he’d given the plot to a cousin to manage. He wondered absently, focused on the echoing of his horse’s hooves on the cobbles, whether he should go by the place while he was stationed here. Surely no one would begrudge him the chance to see family. …Although they weren’t close.

His mare moved faster on the dirt roads despite the muddy furrows, picking up her pace going out to the farmlands. Salem hunched against the rain. Water was running down his neck and his face, and an ill-timed breath sent a drip up his nose, too. He ducked to the side with a loud sneeze. “Hruuscht!” His horse laid her ears back.

“Sorry, girl.” He wiped his face on his wet sleeve and sighed. It was very late, but he thought, maybe, he should try to meet with the Captain before he went to sleep. To update him on the idea of meeting with Hadditch tomorrow, to tell him what Salem had overheard while drinking, …to inspect the state of him. Salem sighed.

—

There was a lamp still burning at the Broadmoor farm. Salem put his horse away and then slogged up to the main house, shivering on the back stoop. Martha, the maid, let him in to the kitchen and took his jacket, scolding him for coming back so late. She probably thought him a souse. He let her chide him as she brought him a towel and a heel of bread. He ate it after she’d returned to her bed, then left his boots on the hearth, hoping that the fire would dry them somewhat, before going upstairs. He trod carefully. Major General Wallace was staying here as well, and he was said to be a rough character when untimely roused.

Light flickered beneath the door of the yellow bedroom. Salem tapped lightly against the paneling and waited for an acknowledgement.

“Yes?” The Captain’s voice was hoarse. “I don’t need another of your bitter infusions, Doctor.” He coughed. “I’ve had more than enough of them.”

“It’s Lieutenant Desidero, sir.”

“Come in.”

Salem stepped into the room. The Captain had a candle burning and was writing at the desk, quill scratching over the parchment at a steady pace that was uninterrupted by Salem’s visit. Captain Faughn was wearing his hair down for once. It spilled down his back like blood, the same shade, tangled and damp with rain or sweat. Hardly regulation, Salem could hear in his mind, the voice of his long-ago trainer barking away in memory. His gaze followed the length of it to the Captain’s trim waist. He was in his shirtsleeves.

“I have a report,” he forced himself to say. “A short one. I went to the village tavern tonight.”

“Tell me about it,” said Faughn, without looking up.

So Salem did, describing the state of the place, the bearing of the owner, Maisie Harpe, the blacksmith. He talked about the bar’s stable, which had a new roof, and the men who had worked on it and dined there that night. The church had burned two years ago and been rebuilt a little bigger, with a new back room, by the same men. Men from trapper families with nothing to trap anymore, back in town since a few months ago.

Faughn listened to the report without commenting, though he did lay his quill down sometime in the middle. By the candlelight, his eyes were heavy-lidded and thoughtful. His cheeks were flushed high with fever.

“Nice job,” he said when Salem had finished, rubbing his hands together. “I knew I was right to trust this to you. If all goes well here, I will be sure to give you a commendation.” He sniffed hard and Salem heard a liquid shift of congestion in his sinuses. “Is there anything else?”

Salem swallowed. “Your hair, sir?”

“My hair?” Faughn frowned.

“I’d like to brush it for you.”

—

The Captain’s comb was made of whale ivory. Salem sat on the bed behind him and drew the fine teeth carefully down through the Captain’s hair, trying to untangle it without pain. The Captain’s hair was soft despite the rigors of the war. Salem supposed he must keep it oiled under his hat, or some other way protected from the elements. “I’m not hurting you, am I?” he asked.

Faughn had made a small noise, but now he lifted a hand to dismiss concerns. “No. No, you’re fine.” His fingers were slender and strong, but he curled them now under his nose. “I’m going to hh-”

Salem slipped the comb free as the Captain bent forward, crushing his nose to his knuckles.

“Nkktsch! Ngktschx!” His breath caught again. “Hah- hahktschiu!” Moisture shone against the smooth curve of Faughn’s nostrils in the candlelight. He sniffed thickly and reached to the bedside table for a handkerchief.

“Bless you,” murmured Salem, gaze lingering. He looked away when the Captain raised an eyebrow. “How are you feeling?”

Faughn cleared his throat, low and irritated. “I do wish people would stop asking me that.” He dabbed at his nose but seemed hesitant to blow. The corners of his dark eyes creased in uncertainty.

Salem traced his fingers over the comb, thumb pressed along the smooth edge from end to end. The bedroom was warm from the farmhouse’s central fireplace. Heat blossomed also in his belly. He looked at his nail, snagged earlier on his horse’s reins, instead of at the Captain. He could hear from the Captain’s breathing that he would sneeze again. “My apologies.”

“Ngktschiu!” Wet again, but this time enveloped by the folds of the handkerchief. Salem could imagine how it might feel instead against his skin. His arousal swelled. Faughn groaned softly, a private sound. Salem rose to his feet.

“I will report to you again tomorrow night,” he said, placing the comb on the clothes chest by the foot of the bed. He could feel himself blushing. Part of him wanted the Captain to turn and see it, too, but most of him knew to keep it close and hidden. “Good night, sir.”

“Good night, Desidero.”

Salem closed the door behind him and then stood for a long moment in the empty hallway, listening to the rain.

#lyk writes #snz #first lieutenant salem desidero #captain gwalchmai faughn #salemai #*stares adoringly at faughn*#I haven't reread this in ages #it's tender isn't it #hmmmmmm should i write a third part

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flamereigns · 4 years

Text

@fatestaken: ❛ everything i have ever done was for you. ❜ (from islene!)

❝ EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE, you have done in interest of becoming queen. ❞ he scoffs, as if he’s any better. as if he didn’t know who she is, who they are together, when he dangled the crown in front of her face. what was he expecting, for her not to bite? maven crosses his arms over his chest, building up another wall between them. ❝ do you even want to be with me? ❞ maybe that was the mistake, he wonders. offering her his heart and the crown. could she truly ever love both? . . . could she truly ever love him? has he been fooling himself?

❝ well, congratulations, you have the crown. you’re queen. ❞ maybe he just doesn’t get to be loved. maybe he is too broken for anyone to ever love him. thomas tried to love him, and he died. mare tried to love him, but she only loved the man she thought he was, and she was devastated when she learned the truth about him. and islene? well, he’s starting to doubt if she ever had any kind of feelings for him, aside from their sexual compatibility.

PROMPT: ACCEPTING

#this came from a shippy meme and i made angst #ooops #fatestaken #♛ islene gliacon. » fatestaken.#♛ pv. some say the world will end in fire‚ some say in ice. » verses.#♛ his expression is unreadable‚ but his meaning is clear. » answers.#♛ the truth is what i make it. » interactions.#♛ you think i can’t lie through pain‚ like i haven’t done it a thousand times? » meme replies.#♛ he is a monster still‚ a monster always. » post - series.

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welcometothebookreport · 4 years

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Weekly Wrap up: 12/20/2020 - 12/27/2020

It’s the end of the first week here at this blog, though technically it’s only the second day that we’ve been live. On Sundays, I’ll be posting weekly wrap-ups with what I’ve been reading all week, my thoughts, and hopefully a graphic that I’ve spent too much time on. At least that’s the idea. School may not allow for blogging much, but I’ll wing it when I get there.

In case the graphic doesn’t load, everything is mentioned down here again so there’s nothing to miss! Keep in mind, there will be spoilers for titles mentioned below the line, and also please do not spoil me if I’ve mentioned that I’ve not finished it yet. :)

This week I read...

In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren

This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (in progress)

In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Rating: 5/5

Warnings: no hard warnings. This is a very light read.

Thoughts about this book

I picked this book as part of my December box for Book of the Month Club and I almost didn’t read it this month at all. After finishing Serpent & Dove though, I decided that I really wanted some holiday cheer since I didn’t have any. It’s a good thing I did because this ended up being my favorite read of the year, and right at the final buzzer too.

Our protagonist, Mae, ends up in a time loop when she makes a stray wish to the universe: Show me what will make me happy. I had my doubts about whether I would like the plot since it seems a little silly, and I wanted something with some substance. Pleased to admit that I was wrong about all of my thoughts at the beginning. Thing is, this book is silly. In fact, it’s downright hilarious and I laughed out loud so many times I lost track. It’s also serious in the right spots, but really it’s a tender story about getting your one true love. However, it’s not only a love story.

It takes a while for Mae to throw caution to the wind. Approximately two return trips to the plane (with a courtesy whack to her brother’s face, actually) in, Maelyn Jones decides that none of this matters because she’s just going to start over anyway. In a fantastic outburst, she barks at her dad not to eat the cookie (he’s going to break his tooth on it), and a slew of other orders because she’s so fed up with it all. Then we see this woman start living when she hasn’t been, and to be completely honest, you don’t even realize it’s happening at first.

She doesn’t realize it either.

Andrew Hollis is the older brother of Theo (and Theo’s been carrying a torch for Mae, it seems) and also the brother Mae has spent years of her life pining after. They’re wicked close, wondrously hilarious together, and by the end of the book - No. By the time I was a quarter of the way through, I was pretty sure I was going to be in love with him too. Half-way in, I knew I was.

I could go on and on about this book, but I’m going to spare you because a) I need to learn to be more concise with reviews and b) I really want you to read it and see if you love it as much as I did.

The Funniest Moment for Me:

I simply cannot pick one moment, but if I have to, I plucked the one out of my head that I thought of first.

When they were kids, Mae painted their initials on the bottom of a mug. The full thing of MJ + AH and it’s adorable. Later, Mae admits it to Andrew, and he holds it up to the light in an equally adorable way and realizes that he can still see it, even though it’s been painted over.

Favorite Scenes

I’d like to say the entire book, just for the record, but I can’t. Or can I? I kind of make the rules for my own posts, don’t I?

Every single moment spent in the boathouse, even the ones that made my eyes water. They’re so perfect together, and I just love this couple, and this story so much I can hardly begin to explain it.

What I learned from this story:

Mae is stuck in a rut. In a job she doesn’t love, living with her parents, and without the love life that she wants. The shift in her is a dramatic one, and you have to root for her. I know I did because I saw too much of my own traits in her. A job I don’t love anymore, a position in life I don’t want anymore, the list goes on.

Mae didn’t need the great love of her life to change everything, but she starts knocking down walls, and starts taking everything she wants. She tells the truth (that she has feelings for this man, that she hates her job,) and she tells Andrew. She quits her job in the twenty seconds of bravery that she’s always had, but has just unlocked.

So, if there is something to take away from this, it’s that you’ve just gotta go for it.

This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens

Rating: 3/5

Warnings: Therapist Sessions, Mention of Miscarriage, A Garbage Parent, Depression, and Anxiety. Please mind that these warnings are for mentions inside the novel as well, and not necessarily something that happens to either of the leads.

Thoughts:

This one was part of my November box for Book of the Month Club! I decided to read this since NYE is right around the corner, and bam, this one happens to open on NYE.

I enjoyed this book. It was a fun romance, but it was more than that too. Minnie Cooper believes in a New Years jinx that started the night she was born, when her mother helps another woman through labor and delivery, and this woman wins a prize for the first baby born. Not only that, this woman takes what was meant to be Minnie’s name: Quinn.

Listen, the joke Minnie Cooper was funny for about twenty pages before I really began to hate it. The book is over 300 pages. It’s one of those things I could deal with, but never really got past because it annoyed me so much. Moving on!

A chance encounter leads to the meeting of Quinn and Minnie at a birthday party on NYE. As you can guess, it’s a party for Quinn. There are several encounters between these two through the book, and each one of them left me wanting to get to the next one.

The main storyline is told in a linear fashion, but there are flashbacks from both characters too. At first, you may not realize that these two have met before. Or maybe you do realize it and I’m just so oblivious it hurts. Probably that one.

I liked the romance, but what really caught my eye was the issues raised within the book. One character regularly attends therapist sessions in an effort to help themselves, in an effort to get better. The terrible issue of miscarriage is brought up (but this does not happen to either of our leads, but is still important!) and then we are living through a year in the life of these characters as they try to find what makes them happy.

I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. It ranked as a ⅗ for me for a few reasons. I wanted more development. The romance felt a little lacking in some spaces, and I’m not sure if that’s because I had just finished In A Holidaze the day before, but it felt lukewarm to me.

I appreciated the issues raised, and mostly enjoyed the way they were handled, but I wish some of them had been expanded on. I wasn’t a fan of brief time skips (where they could be a few months at a time) because it felt like a hole in the plot.

Minnie Cooper. It’s hard to get into a story where I dislike the name so much.

I just did not enjoy a part of the book that involved Minnie, her best friend Leila, and the proposal for Leila from her boyfriend that Minnie helped plan. It was meant to be funny, but it was more cheesy and it fell flat for me.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Rating: 5/5

Warnings: Misogyny, violence in parts, religious zealots (in case that’s something that makes you uncomfortable like it did me), derogatory slurs toward women.

This one has been on my TBR for a long time, and I finally dug into it. From the first day of reading, I was not sure I was going to finish it. Religion plays a central focal point to the plot of the first book, and one of my friends told me to press on, because it’s not as prevalent in book two. I don’t know about that yet, because I haven’t read it.

I have so many pages marked in this book for how much I loved it. Truly. Lou is witty, quick to snap, and Reid’s character development is something I’ve marveled at. Going in, I knew there would be a forced marriage, but I wasn’t at all sure how it would come into play. I have to admit, it was a pretty creative way to go about it.

Watching these two characters orbit each other, with each of their harsher exteriors beginning to come down has to be my favorite part, and the main reason I pressed through the parts that creeped me out.

Reading Reid say the word fuck was a highlight for me. I have so much to say about this one, but I’m planning to write a proper review, and to show my annotations, so I’ll save that for another day!

Red Queen (Red Queen #1) by Victoria Aveyard

Warnings: None that I’ve seen yet.

Rating: too soon to tell

This is a book club read for my friends and I. It’s taken a bit for me to get into, but these are some of my notes up to where I was last night at page 93.

It’s quite interesting, and books set in a dystopian world have never held my attention well. So, I’ve been struggling to really sink into it versus how well I fell into Caraval.

The main character is beginning to grow on me more, and I’m curious to learn more about Cal and Maven. I’m certain that Cal is going to break my heart (don’t tell me if he’s going to) and also what will happen with Kilorn now that Mare will no longer be living in Stilts.

I’ll finish it in the next couple of days, so hopefully I’ll have really grown to like it by next week’s post.

What about you? What have you been reading this week? Sorry this is so long too. Eventually I’ll learn how to be more the point because nearly two thousand words is kind of embarrassing.

#kelseyreads #weekly wrap up #red queen #serpent and dove #in a holidaze #young adult reads #adult romance #this time next year #christina lauren #sophie cousens #shelby mahurin #victoria aveyard

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elliemarchetti · 4 years

Note

Would write a fanfic about cal and mare going on first date and accidentally see elane and Evangeline

A Ray of Sunshine

Words: 1262

In the first photo they had together, Ptolemus was only three years old and sitting on a black designer armchair in which he seemed to be sinking, trying to hold both Cal and his sister Evangeline in his arms. In the next, the two peers were still wearing diapers and they were all sitting on a shiny white marble floor trying to build a crooked brick tower that was destined to fall ruinously. The third was the first where Maven appeared: he was just two years old and struggled to keep up as they all played in the Samos estate’s garden. Shortly after the photo was taken, Maven fell, scratching his knee, and all four did their best to keep it hidden from his overprotective mother. From that moment on, as tied by a blood pact, the four children backed up each other for every mischief, and while growing up, as they saw their families fall apart, they went on certain they still had someone who would always be there to support them, so Cal didn't ask too many questions when Ptolemus went to his house asking him if he could pretend he started dating his sister Evangeline.

"I wouldn't ask if it wasn't really important," said the older one, and Cal agreed to go with them for a month to the country estate together with Volo and Larentia, who although were still married, it was evident they couldn't stand each other anymore. The news brought a semblance of joy to the family, and the three almost forgot about that little lie as they spent their time divided between elegant brunches, long horse rides and provincial pubs. It was in one of these that things started to get complicated. As soon as they had entered the tavern, Cal had noticed her: surrounded by boys hanging from her lips, she looked like a small Aphrodite with brown hair and shrewd eyes. He hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her all evening and had carefully studied her movements and those of her companions, to understand if one of them was her boyfriend. Two were undoubtedly her brothers and he had a doubt about the third guy with darker complexion since his hair were red, while the fourth, a blond boy, a little younger than the others, could definitely not be her relative but she seemed to treat him just like everyone else. He took advantage of the opportunity when she went to the counter to order drinks. The place was full, so she had sat down at one of the high stools to wait for her turn, her slender legs dangling.

"You really are very small to find yourself in such a place," he had said, and when she had turned and their eyes had crossed, he understood that he was screwed. They talked for a long time, but on the way back Evangeline told him that they had to establish rules.

"In places like this people talk, and I don't want my parents to start hating you just because they are convinced that you’re cheating on me with the first peasant passing by. So, until the end of the month, it's better if we don't see anyone."

Cal accepted, but within a couple of days he realized that he would absolutely not resist the temptation to go out with Mare at least once, especially when she texted him constantly and seemed definitely interested in him. So one night, after everyone had fallen asleep, Cal slipped out of bed, put on something comfortable and walked to her door. Mare was waiting for him curled up on the rocking chair on the porch and gave him a radiant smile when she saw him beyond the gate.

“It’s like I’m in high school again,” she whispered, with a chuckle, climbing over the metal that divided them, silent as a cat.

“You used to do it often?” he asked, amused, as they walked in the opposite direction from which he had come.

“What? Going out with boys already taken or sneaking out in the middle of the night?” she teased him, and even though Cal knew she was only joking, he wanted to specify that Evangeline wasn’t his girlfriend.

“So why are you spending a month with her family?” she asked, genuinely curious.

“It’s complicated,” he replied, determined to remain vague, but a single sideways glance was enough for the stranger to manage to bring out of him even that little secret.

"And you really didn't ask questions?"

She seemed appalled at the idea.

“The blond guy at the tavern is your best friend, right?” he asked, even though he already knew the answer. “If he asked you to lie for him and tell his family you’re his girlfriend, wouldn’t you do it without asking questions?”

Mare shook her head, a mischievous smile slowly opening on her face: "Are you kidding? I would like to know everything! I would probably also ask him for money to be in it, too."

It had to be nice, to have such a simple life.

"It's different between us," Cal explained. "When you have families like ours, you need someone to support you without asking questions."

It was evident that the girl wanted to know more but she must’ve realized that he wasn’t really in the mood to talk about death mothers, bad marriages and painful memories in general, so she stood silent and Cal asked where she was taking him.

"For clandestine encounters like ours, there is only one perfect place here," she replied, vaguely, and unexpectedly, a couple of traverses further on, turned left, in a narrow street that people who didn’t know of it would’ve never noticed.

“Don’t you find it a little disturbing?” he asked, looking sideways at a crumbling building, too little to be a house.

“Is it fear I hear in your voice, little prince?” she teased him, pricking his ribs with her index. Indeed, having grown up in a wealthy family, he had never had the chance to do things like that, and the trees around him, whose luxuriant branches hid the moon in the sky, seemed vaguely threatening to him, but he carried on, which led him to slam against Mare’s back when she stopped abruptly.

“Apparently, the place’s already taken,” she whispered, stepping back a little. Sitting with their legs dangling over what looked like an old power plant, there were two girls, one with long, red hair and skin as white as porcelain and the other… the other one was Evangeline!

“I cannot believe it!” Mare exclaimed, hiding in the thick. “The major’s daughter is kissing you fake girlfriend!”

Cal looked at the girls, stunned. Why hadn't he thought of this before? And above all, why hadn't they told him the truth? Did they really though Cal could judge her? He wasn't that kind of person and he didn't care who Evangeline chose as a partner, as long as they treated her right, and it was difficult not to do so, given her temper and her scary brother.

"I hope you're not too disappointed," Mare teased him on the way back, when silence lasted too long.

“Just by the fact we can’t have the place for ourselves, but the rest makes sense, especially given the Samos are a very conservative family.”

"Oh, but don't worry, I'm always full of crazy ideas!" she exclaimed, hopping on the sidewalk. Cal smiled. She was perfect, a ray of sunshine after a long rain, exactly what he needed to end his teenager years.

#ask #rq #ray of sunshine #marecal #mare barrow #cal calore #evane #evangeline samos #elane haven #ptolemus samos #maven calore #tiberias vi calore #elara merandus #volo samos #larentia viper

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thegiver---ofbookreviews · 5 years

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The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

If you have not read this book, I recommend you do not continue to read. If you have, you may continue. If you have not read it but don’t care enough, go right on ahead I don't care lol

For those of you who don’t know or haven’t read the book in a while, here’s a synopsis:

Throughout the book, we follow a 17-year old girl, Mare Barrow, in a society divided into two, people with silver blood and people with red blood. The silvers are an elite and high class who also have abilities. These abilities differ from person to person but people can have the same abilities as another. The red have no such abilities and are on the poorer side. They are treated like garbage by the silvers and are forced to slave away all day while the silvers sit back and enjoy their easy life. If the reds do not find a job by the age of 18 they will be sent to war. Mare does not have a real job and steals in order to provide for her family. She ends up meeting a man on the street, Cal, who helps her get a job so she does not have to be sent to war. It ends up she started working as a servant for the King and Cal is the King’s oldest son, the heir to the throne. While working, she reveals she has her own sort of power, one that has never been seen before, in front of the King and high-class silvers. The thing is though, she has red blood. Long story short, the king hid her away, made her seem like she was a lost silver, and betrothed her to his youngest son, Maven. Now she must become something she has hated her entire life to protect herself and her family.

Ok. Wow, that was long. Now comes the review. Keep in mind, this is my opinion! ... But I’m right either way.

*SPOILER ALERT* DO NOT KEEP READING IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE SPOILED!

So first and foremost, I love a strong female lead. And I know what most of you are going to say, “Almost all teen books have female leads!” Good! We already live in a male-dominated world, it’s nice to have a change in pace for once. Women are going to save the world someday and these books will help us through it! If they can do it, so can we! Also, she understands first hand how corrupt their society is. She’s lived in it and steals because she wants better for her family. When she is caught by the King and taken into their life, she stayed strong. So many times I wanted to cry for her, for the situation she landed herself in but yet she stayed strong and did not show them how they affected her. That is a very strong-willed character and that’s important in books like these because they need those kinds of people to fix the problem, to speak up against what’s wrong.

Meeting Cal in town and having him save Mare was very cliche. If you are into that, then we're good. If you’re not, then this isn't the book for you. Throughout most of the book, they're fighting their feelings for each other since they are both betrothed to someone else. I didn’t mind this part too much, I expected it since this is considered a teen romance book. However, I feel as though these feelings came out of nowhere. I understand they met before and felt some kind of “connection” then but they didn’t spend much time together after that. She was mostly with Maven. It wasn’t until Cal started to teach Mare how to dance that they had some alone time to really understand each other. If you are going based on those times, then I can understand their feelings to each other.

Now we talk about Maven. Maven, Maven, Maven. He was by far, my favorite character. UNTIL HE BETRAYED ME AND MY FEELINGS!!!! Ugh just typing this makes me want to cry and scream and throw my computer away! Maven was the sweetest person and understood the horrors of this world. OR I THOUGHT HE DID! He was by Mare’s side throughout the entire book, helping her understand his world and just giving her someone to talk to. He even joined a revolutionary group to overthrow the silvers with Mare because he didn’t believe his father was doing the right thing. BUT apparently, that was all a lie! He just wanted to overthrow his father and become King himself! It was the ultimate betrayal. Unfortunately, that’s what makes the book so good. I don’t think anyone saw that coming; I sure didn’t! I screamed when I found out! Almost threw the book too! Even though this happened, it helped Mare learn to not trust anyone. She even described it as being a part of a game she didn’t know how to play. She thought she did but in reality, she didn’t. I think everyone thinks that way. we believe we understand the game we're playing or not, but there are so many factors we haven’t even considered. It makes this book so much more relatable. Surprises like these, are always a great thing to add to a book too and really pull at your heartstrings. If a book can make me do that, you know it’s good!

*SPOILER ALERT FINISHED*

Now I can go on and on about supporting characters but I think I’m going to end it here. Maybe in another post, I can talk about the supporting characters that really help keep the book together but I won’t. I can also keep going for another hour on other important parts of the book but for a “just scraping the surface of this book review” this should suffice lol

If I could rate this book from a 1 to a throw the book, I would say almost threw the book but did not. So it’s a very good book and I definitely think that it’s worth the read. I’m reading the second book now and I’m really hoping that it doesn’t dive off the deep end and go down the drain because sometimes that happens. I have high hopes though so only time will tell.

Final rating: 7/10

#books #booksarelove #booksarelife #booksaremyfriends #reading #readingislife #readingismysuperpower #womenrule #queen #women run the world #emotions are dumb

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king-maven-calore · 4 years

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Happy Christmas Eve Eve from your SS!! I'm guessing Tumblr didn't send through my other asks rip😅😅 so, what is your Top 5 favorite Maven quotes and/or moments??

What?? Freaking tumblr 😭😭

So, these moments are the ones I think about the most, because of their relevance in building and stripping layers from Maven. Also, because of the ironic tragedy some of them carry once his story comes to an end.

5- In RQ, when he finds Mare in the rain. It made me feel for him, thinking he was a baby who needed to be protected at all costs 🥺:

“That’s something you should know about us Silvers. We’re always alone. In here, and here,” he says, pointing between his head and his heart. “It keeps you strong.”

Lightning cracks overhead, illuminating his blue eyes until they seem to glow. “That’s just stupid,” I tell him, and he chuckles darkly.

“You better hide that heart of yours, Lady Titanos. It won’t lead you anywhere you want to go.”

4- RQ again. When I first started to sense what a conniving little snake he was, and GOLD to re-read:

“You think I want to do this?” he breathes, his face inches from mine. “I know them all and it hurts me to betray them, but it must be done. Think what their lives will buy, what their deaths will accomplish. How many of your people could be saved? I thought you understood this!”

He stops himself, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment. When he collects himself, he raises a hand to my face, tracing the outline of my cheek with shaking fingers. “I’m sorry, I just—” His voice falters. “You might not be able to see where tonight will lead, but I can. And I know this will change things.”

3- War Storm, when he’s a prisoner in Montfort. You can feel the claustrophobia increasing. The end is near and the corruption of his mind has narrowed it into this:

To see Mare Barrow for who she is right now. Not who I remember. And not who I wish she could be.

Mine.

But she doesn’t belong to anyone, not even my brother. I take comfort in such a small consolation. We’re alone together, she and I. Our paths may be horrible, but they’re the paths we made for ourselves.

2- Glass sword. Boii if there ever was a vile scene written for a villain. The contrast of his words spoken in a moment of vulnerability when Mare was in love with his lie, used again as he inflicts the worst pain of her life. This shit is haunting:

“I said I would find you.”

Click.

His hand moves from my jaw to my throat, squeezing. Enough to keep me silent, but not enough to stop me from breathing. His touch burns. I gasp, unable to summon enough air to scream.

Maven. You’re hurting me. Maven, stop.

He is not his mother. He cannot read my thoughts. My vision spots again, darkening. Pinpoints of black swim before my eyes, expanding and contracting with every awful click.

“And I said I would save you.”

I expect his grip to tighten. Instead, it remains constant. And his free hand reaches for my collarbone, one blazing palm against my skin. He is scorching me, branding me. I try to scream again, and barely get out a whimper.

“I am a man of my word.” He tips his head again. “When I want to be.”

1- KING’S CAGE BATHTUB SCENE. (You saw this one coming) BECAUSE HE COULD’VE BEEN SAVED OK? Don’t @ me. Maven had the capacity to fantasize about alternatives and feel regret to some measure. No, it wasn’t Mare’s job to fix him (good riddance) but the mere fact that story pushes the “What could have been” agenda, means you’re supposed to look into it as a reader:

“Jon would not tell me about the dead futures—the ones no longer possible. I think about them, though,” he mumbles. “A Silver king, a Red queen. How would things have changed? How many would still be alive?”

#Secret Santa I'm sorry you have to read this essay lmao #I can't hold back once I start talking about Mavey #Maven Calore #ask #red queen #RQSS20 #RQ #GS #KC #WS #RQ meta #Anonymous

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themadauthorshatter · 3 years

Text

I seriously need to write this part, for fans and stans of Cal.

If Cal had to marry Iris PART 5!

They catch the spy and have Elara and Samson mentally tear him to pieces.

He's not from Norta or the Lakelanders.

Turns out Piedmont isn't exactly happy with the alliance between Norta and the Lakelands, so the spy was sent to poison one of the kings so the two sides would battle again. It would've worked, too, had it not been for Coriane Jacos's idiot son.

That's when Tibe leaves the spy to Elara and her cousin.

Now that I bring up Cal, he's in the infirmary with Maven and Iris at his side, watchung him as he sleeps. Yes, he's breathing, he's still alive, don't worry.

Tibe and Orrec walk in and ask how he's doing.

The healer said he should wake up any minute now, as he threw up a lot of the poison and has been resting for a while now.

Orrec watches Cal and admits that he was brave in taking the poison for him, and probably owes him his life.

Tibe agrees, and asks Iris and Maven how Cal's doing.

He shouldn't have because Cal wakes up and says he feels terrible, like he just learned he was swishing hydrogen peroxide in his mouth at the dentist's office(don't ask why that's so specific).

Cal tries to sit up, but Tibe and Maven tell him to stat down and not push himself.

Iris almost hugs him, because she's glad he's alive, but fights the urge to smack him for being stupid enough to willingly drink poison.

All the same, Orrec does remark that Cal knew and asks why he did it and how he knew.

He saw the spy put in the poison with his own eyes while dancing with Iris, that's how he knew. As for why, he didn't want the war to start over, not after everything that's happened between Norta and the Lakelands.

Tibe informs him about the spy and how Piedmont's reacted, so now they have that on their plates.

Cal's about to get up to see the spy, but Maven stops him, saying that he should get some rest, unless he wants to make the healer mad. He'll even chain Cal to his bed and lock him in his room, if he has to.

Tibe tells him to cut it out and tells Cal to stay and rest, so a healer can fix him, should any new symptoms arise.

They talk a little more and leave Cal to recover, though Iris stays behind, watching as Cal lies back down and fights a grunt; guess that poison hit harder than expected.

Here is their conversation:

(Neither talk. That's the whole conversation. They just stare at each other until Cal stares at the ceiling instead.)

(Just kidding😁)

(Iris glares/scowls at Cal as he coughs in his mouth, looking back at Iris with very tired eyes.)

"What were you thinking?"

"I saw the servant poison your father's wine. I couldn't let him sleep with the fishes."

(While Cal smirks at his own joke, Iris swats him on the arm, not at all amused.)

"You almost died, you fool!"

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry."

(Iris calms down and takes a breath.) "Are you feeling alright?"

(Cal, somewhat loopy, only chuckles.) "Look who's the fool now."

(Iris smacks him again.) "Is this how you always are when you almost die!? What if a healer doesn't save you next time!?"

(Cal stops trying to alleviate the situation and sees just how serious Iris is being.)

"You were really that scared?"

(Iris takes Cal's hand and holds it in hers, holding on for dear life.) "Of course I was. And I still am."

After a moment of silence between the two, Cal slides over and lets Iris lie next to him, though they're both awkward and a little uneasy because of reasons I'm not explaining.

He tells Iris not to worry because he's probably not going to do this again, though he leaves out the 'probably' to keep her from getting worked up again.

Iris warns him that he'd better not or else she'll actually end him. Cal only chuckles and remarks that she had at least 6 montha to do that and never did, so he isn't worried.

Iris still tells him to watch his back, if he ever pulls a stunt like this again.

Cal agrees and holds on to her as he drifts off, falling asleep so his body can rest.

The next morning, Cal is well enough to leave the infirmary and let everyone know he's still alive.

Formalities be damned, Iris stays by his side in case he gets sick again and needs to be healed again.

Everyone's glad he's alright, especially Tibe and Julian, who tell him he should stay in bed to get some more rest.

Maven was extremely glad his brother didn't die in the night, honestly because he really didn't want him to die, though all he says is that Cal owed him a rematch in the game they were playing the other night, the game part he leaves out, but Cal gets it anyway.

Cal asks what happened to the would-be assassina and Orrec tells him that he died, having taken himself out, so to speak, an admittedly coward's move, but an understandable one because he would've been executed and put through much worse, which is more than what he deserves.

Cal tries not to show a reaction, but admits that Piedmont's going to be pissed that their attempt not only failed, but they're just going to have to deal with the newly formed alliance between Norta and the Lakelands.

Easier said than done because the spy was a Red from that was born in Piedmont, but worked for the Scarlet Guard, who also worked in the nation of Montfort, a so-called democratic republic where Silvers and Reds live as equals.

Guess they weren't pleased with two angry kings allying together.

Tibe admits he's heard of this Montfort, but never thought it was anything more than a rumor.

Orrec politely stares that Montfort's real, and they left a letter for the Kings.

The note is extremely diplomatic, congratulating the Kings in ending a war, but asking that they end another war as well, one that's going to begin between the Silver powers of Norta and the Lakelands anf Montfort and the Scarlet Guard. The writer admits he'd rather not slip more blood, but if it ends the forced labor, poverty, and death Reds are put through generation after generation, then so be it. Who's written this note? None other than Premier Dane Davidson, the leader of Montfort.

Just to clarify, Davidson had nothing to do with the assassination attempt on Orrec, but a Lakelander with a grudge sure as hell did. He sent a spy ordered to slip Orrec the note and this Lakelander sent a spy ordered to kill Orrec and let Norta and the Lakelands tear each other apart while the Scarlet Guard watches with snacks and beverages.

Back on track, evryone wonders what to do, though Elara heavily suggests that they send a bomb to Montfort, but Maven disagrees because they don't know how strong Montfort is, and this Davidson seems docile, at least.

Tibe has just about nothing of that because these Red bastards almost killed his son.

Orrec ignores the fact Tibe didn't bring up how the attempt actually wasn't on Cal's life, but agrees with what he's saying. Regardless of who sent the assassin, they shouldn't get cozy with someone who wants them all dead. And there's always going to be a need for Red labor.

Cal, who's been quiet this whole time this whole time, speaks up. Why shouldn't they, seeing how the new alliance between Norta and the Lakelands has developed?

Everyone's quiet, even Iris, but Cal doesn't change his mind.

Thought I forgot about Mare in all this? Think again. Cal still met her and asked for her to be hired as a servant. The difference here is that Shade, who was in the Guard and near Summerton, heard that the Crown Prince was marrying the younger of the two Lakelander princesses and pulled a seriously risky move in getting his family out of Norta and into Montfort as fast as he could, including Kilorn and even going to the front for Bree and Tramy. By the time Sentinels arrived to collect Mare, she and her entire family were gone with the wind. He got in a lot of trouble for it, but it was worth it for the huge family reunion they all had.

And that's part 5! This is probably going on a hiatus for a little bit until I can come up with anything new for it, but for now just know that Cal and Iris are in love(as terrible as that is).

Sorry to any fans of this AU. I'll pick up and finish this some day, when I have an idea or two on how to end this.

I hope you guys enjoyed this, and sorry again

#red queen #tiberias calore vii #cal calore #iris cygnet #maven calore #tiberias calore vi #orrec cygnet #elara merandus #mare barrow mention #shade barrow mention #attempted assassination tw #au #ua #hiatus

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elane-in-the-shadows · 6 years

Text

Red Queen Fan Fiction - In The Meantime Chapter 6

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Find this on wattpad and on AO3

Whitefire

“Captain.”

The insistence of the word drew her out of her thoughts. They were focused on the way ahead, through the tunnels of Archeon leading under the Caesar Square and into the Whitefire Palace. Already her soldiers had parted into groups, some keeping watch just outside of Archeon, while others were preparing the detonations of the bridge. Farley, of course, was going right into Whitefire with her team, to where Mare Barrow and Maven Calore were expecting her and where Shade was waiting to reunite.

“Captain,” the call was repeated – by Grace Winters – and Farley finally glanced over her shoulder at Grace and her sullen face.

“We can’t afford to have loud and long discussions here,” Farley said sharply.

“We haven’t covered this yet,” Grace insisted. “Do we kill the little Tibe if he says no to Barrow?”

Farley sighed. “No,” she snapped, quietly. “No.”

Grace frowned. “But – “

“I know the idea’s tempting, but it wouldn’t help us at all. We’d only take the blame so Maven can wash his hands clean to become the new heir. He’d have to blame the Guard for an assassination, he has no other option to save himself.” Farley turned her gaze ahead again, no need to ascertain Grace’s probably still gloomy expression. She had considered this scenario before, and calculated the risks. They were legion, and every one of them needled her. This whole operation was incredibly rash, yet she, the other officers, and even the Colonel at Tuck, had decided it was worth it. Now her mind always went back to eventual escape plans. It was what she was used to do after all. Hit and run. Take what you can get and bring everyone – as many as you can – away to safety.

Yet in this moment, they walked straight toward a confrontation that could cost them everything, but that was the point: If Tiberias Calore VII agreed to the coup, the Scarlet Guard would stay and become his equal partner. Farley would shake his hand and start to sign treaties; she’d be the representative and the face of the Scarlet Guard in Norta – or the one to lose her head in the attempt.

She didn’t know if she was elated or frightened to her bones.

“Does the same apply to the king and queen?” Grace asked in addition.

“Yes.” Farley paused. “We run if Calore objects, you know which way. If he agrees and all goes to plan, the king and queen will be arrested, and awaiting trial if they don’t comply. The same goes for every noble Silver.” She clicked her tongue. “We’ve talked about that.” Grace bit her lip. “Opposing Silvers will be fought,” she went on, “and hopefully Calore will do that for us. So they do have the choice to follow his new orders.”

Her soldiers nodded readily although their doubts and fears were visible beneath the expectant concentration. As long as they maintained the latter, Farley couldn’t blame them. Was siding with the royal house and their would-be Red Queen the right option? Even if this coup succeeded, the arrangement had something tenuous. But which kind of diplomacy and negotiating wasn’t like that?

Tiberias was an ally, a shining hope for change, Mare had insisted, and so had Maven. Although Tiberias had looked on as Farley had been tortured. But Farley had also witnessed the Maven’s love and awe for his brother when he’d proposed the scheme, and they were another reason why she didn’t intent to kill Tiberias: Maven didn’t want him dead, and keeping him alive became a condition for their cooperation. That was acceptable, but she chewed on it too, that they had to rely on keeping Maven, his brother, and who knew how many other Silvers happy to get this started. Diplomacy is a bitch, she cursed inwardly. But at least negotiating was less life-threatening than fighting.

The way Maven talked about his brother, how his expression changed when it came to him, touched Farley still, had woken her buried memories. Madeline had looked at her like that. Her little sister, only fourteen, had cheered her on four years ago, proud and excited on her behalf when Diana would run point during an operation – together with their father – for the first time. Madeline was too young to participate in that manner, they’d all agreed, but she was enthusiastic as the whole family, as every Scarlet Guard member in their village.

Her mother had always encouraged Diana, too. Clara Farley had run point before, then she’d switched to organize and run operation in the base and at home. Before Diana and her father left, her mother hugged her, gave her advice and said she loved her.

It was the last time they talked. When she returned to the village, it was gone, flooded and destroyed, and Farley family was dead, leaving only two golden necklaces behind.

Damn.

Farley kicked debris in lieu of cussing aloud. Not that that was any quieter. Last night I told Shade I didn’t want to think about my family, now the bloody princes remind me of them! She couldn’t afford this kind of distraction, no matter her doubts regarding the Calores.

They were almost at the palace now and slowed to access only the correct tunnels. It was a matter of minutes and her heartbeat accelerated. Will I escape the whisper queen’s claws again? she wondered. At least, her mother and sister had been spared that. They were murdered in retaliation, but they hadn’t been forced to betray the Guard, their comrades, their family. That’s never been a comfort, she thought as she led the way up to the highest underground floor.

How did Maven deal with that, living so close to a whisper, who was his own mother? Being interrogated by a whisper was Farley’s greatest fear, always had been. Ignorance increased it. Mare had endured the queen’s whispers, but she hadn’t told anyone how it was.

Faint grey light fell through the drain, and marked their destination. The garrison of Whitefire. Farley opened the hatch, accessed the ground, and revealed herself.

She counted the seconds until the detonation, staring at the doomed bridge with Mare and Maven next to her. Excitement filled her, making it easier to hide the awkwardness of standing in the open, an invitation to get shot. Mare had to be used to it, but she exuded nervousness, too. She’s worried, Farley realized. Probably about Kilorn, yet there was no time to tell her he was with the bombing unit, visibly in action but impossible to reach. He’d apprenticed as a fisher, but he had a hand for bombs – like the one to blow up in three, two – BOOM!

The silence of the early morning ended in a blink. Sirens wailed, floodlights went on. People shouted and heavy steps stomped over concrete. Her instincts screamed at her to run run run. But she balled her firsts and straightened her spine. Stay and claim your place, she reminded herself as the crown prince arrived. Uncertain smiles began to bloom on Mare and Maven’s faces, full of expectation. Tiberias stepped nearer, stunned, soldiers flanking him.

Mare stumbled forward, almost falling into his arms. Farley held her breath, and made herself release it. Instead she held on to her rifle and almost gave in to the urge to smile, too. Just one moment and everything changed –

Until –

The prince said –

No.

The army that was supposed to fight for their cause turned their guns at the Scarlet Guard. On her. Despite the orders she’d given, her finger landed on the trigger of her rifle. She almost did it, but Maven screamed at her to run and her senses returned. She scrambled behind a pillar, searching for cover and another drain as she pulled out her communicators, then frantically typed the commands to abort mission and evacuate, before smashing the gadgets to pieces so they couldn’t be used to trace the Guard. Even’s Shade. I can’t call him to save me now.

She rose and gave the leftovers a last kick and jumped into a drain. She heard the shouts and gunshots trailing her, but she ran on, as she always did.

Farley couldn’t see her comrades, to her relief, which meant they had to be escaping. She couldn’t say the same about her pursuers. She ran and rushed behind corners to evade them while still trying to give off shots at them, hoping for random hits.

She used a chance for taking a deep breath when it presented itself. She could flee, like – hopefully – the rest of the guard. Or she didn’t. The tunnels forked here, out of the city or deeper into the palace area. She chose the latter. It was where Mare Barrow had to be.

No matter how fast she was, how many times she shot, how many turns she took, she didn’t lose the Silvers trailing her. Obviously, they knew the palace better than her, especially the side corridors she tried to hide in. All she could do was attack when she had the chance while she went further into Whitefire Palace, but that was a game with bad odds that would only work until she met a magnetron who was as good as impervious to bullets and blades. She could only trust her reflexes to warn her of her tails and those palace security officers she happened to run into. So when a door opened, she slid into a dim entryway and aimed – until a shot come out of the door and smashed a camera on the ceiling.

Her muscles tightened, but the man exiting the room wasn’t a Silver officer, but a Red servant, already slipping his pistol into his jacket again. She recognized him. “Mark,” she whispered, identifying him as one of their spies at court.

“Captain, what are you doing here?” he asked quietly.

“Barrow,” she said merely, and cleared her throat. “Any idea where she is?”

He shook his head. “I’ve heard she and the prince are brought to the king and queen, but I don’t know where.”

“Good, thanks.” That had to be enough.

“Wait,” Mark, said, doubtful. “Can I help you?”

Her face fell. He saw, didn’t he? That this wasn’t really about Mare, but a distraction. A suicide mission. She couldn’t expect to actually find Mare and free her. She could only lure the Silvers away from her fleeing comrades. She hadn’t even paid attention to the cameras, because there’d been no point in avoiding them. She’d raised their flag and given her face to the cause, knowing it made her a target. Now she had become one literally.

He understood that. “I’ll remain in the other wing,” he said.

“Keep your cover,” she said, aware she could hardly tell him to protect himself when she didn’t do the same.

Farley believed to be getting closer; the richer furniture gave her that hint. But she was also tiring and bleeding from several lesser wounds. It was mere luck she’d come so far and was still alive, yet she grinded her teeth and went on. She jumped down stairs and dashed to the right, just as a bullet brushed the corner. Not yet, assholes, she thought, and ran down the most lavish corridor so far, filled with paintings and porcelain displayed on shiny wood. Her heart beat faster as she saw only a wall at the end of the corridor. No. Against all odds, she hoped for another branch-off, not believing such a pretty place led into nothing. There were even chairs. Who’d sit down at a dead end?

And still she reached a wall, and only a wall. Her fingers brushed its tapestry as she had to stop, and she wished to drill through it and the stone behind. What if Mare is just on the other side?

It was futile. There was no way to run.

At least they died for something, her father had said about her mother and Madeline once. His words still made her angry, so incredibly angry. This isn’t the point, she thought. Would they apply to her too now?

All that was left to her was taking as many enemies as she was able to with her. She had enough ammunition, at least. She never lacked it after it had run out on her one time, years ago, when it hadn’t even been vital.

She heard the steps of the approaching Silvers and glanced at the window. It was diamondglass and on the fourth floor, and they might guess she’d go for it and hurt herself with a dodged bullet. Idiots.

Farley turned and immediately shot two times. They never expected that she didn’t hesitate and cave in fear.

Three Silvers were coming for her, in front of a force about twelve farther back. One of the three fell dead, another stumbled after a stray hit. The third one stood frozen. Farley aimed at her, but as her finger touched the trigger, the gun disintegrated in her hands.

A magnetron.

A feeling of doom climbed up her throat, before the magnetron yanked at the rest of her weapons and destroyed Farley’s stance. Several knives flew around the corridor, some stabbing a painting and a pistol crushed a porcelain vase. Then the magnetron pulled Farley of her feet.

She fell hard. Meanwhile, the rest of the force had arrived. Damn damn damn. She forced herself together. One knife remained in her boot, overlooked by the young magnetron girl. Farley rose, threw the knife, and tackled the magnetron, a slight person who went down easily.

Farley gave her a kick as she stood up and straightened her posture. “Can’t decide who to kill me?” she screamed at the strangely immobile soldiers. “Or are you scared – ”

Too fast for her to notice, a blow to her head made her ears ring. She lost her footing and fell backwards, into the chest of another foe.

A swift, she figured, was in front of her, and starting to hit her faster than she was able to anticipate. Not that she had a chance to dodge the blows, as the one behind her pressed hands against her ribcage so hard she was unable to breathe. A strongarm.

“No need to decide,” said the swift with a vile smirk. Yes, she understood that. Silvers didn’t kill just out of necessity. They killed to humiliate.

From the corners of her eyes, she saw a spear taking shape, growing bigger and bigger. The magnetron must’ve recovered, and prepared to finish her.

It’s over.

Next thing she heard were two heavy thumps. Then the gloating swift fell, and the strongarm let go of her, too sudden for her to find her feet.

She fell on her hands and knees and gasped, deeply. She was barely able to lift her head or to make sense of what she saw. The hallway flickered before her swollen, blinking eyes as more and more Silvers dropped. Gunshots thumped through the air that she more felt than heard with her ringing ears.

It took her an eternity to understand, to realize Shade was killing a dozen Silvers by teleporting between them, finishing off each of them with a single stab or bullet. He was too fast to get killed, she’d thought once. Now he showed he was too fast to be kept from being the killer, either. I’ve never considered he could … would do this. And he did it to save her.

Shade swung the knife in his left and slit the throat of the last soldier. The man stumbled, and so did Shade, too stunned to make a second move. But it wasn’t necessary. Instead, Shade teleported behind him and the soldier fell, dead, after all.

Farley got to her knees and stared, as frozen as Shade was. Golden light fell on him from a window in the roof, a strange sight among the horrible scene. He blinked at the carnage he’d created, catching his breath, lowering his hands. The right one held on to a pistol, loosely, until he dropped it and it clanked on the ground. She flinched, expecting a stray bullet, but soon the silence returned as if nothing had happened while they staying unmoving.

Shade still held the knife in his left, tightly, stiffly, as if it was latched onto him. It was the knife she’d thrown in desperation earlier on, and he must’ve found it when he arrived here.

For me, she thought. He came to save me. Killed for me.

She rose with a wince. She staggered toward him and finally felt an inkling of relief when he looked up, into her eyes, with his emotions starting to return. Only that he looked like he was going to be sick, even as he mouthed her name.

She lifted her arms to embrace him, but hesitated when she saw her hands. They were red with her own blood, so different from his. Silver blood stained his clothes, his face, his hands.

As if he was one of them. And wasn’t he more like them than like her? A powerful, deadly, cold-blooded fighter that a Red could never –

His expression changed as he read into her hesitation and understood: He’d scared her.

She gulped and pulled him close to her. She breathed in his smell – now mixed with that of blood and gunpowder – and brushed through his hair. For a moment, she allowed her tears to run, to shut her eyes and be careless.

He hugged her back after a second. The hand on her back was warm and encouraging, reminding her she’d keep going. And so would he.

But, she noticed, his other hand still hadn’t let go of her blade.

“It’s okay,” she muttered. “Thank you. You made it. You saved me.” She hoped that calmed him, unlike her, who was drowning in guilt. All this was her fault, everyone killed today died because of her, who’d fallen so easily into this trap of ambition and rash, dangerous action. Already, the worries blared in her mind once more. Her soldiers, comrades, the refugees in Naercey. And Naercey itself. The city was compromised and even with the messages she’d sent, she didn’t fool herself into believing all would make it out safely.

She could only try her best to protect them after her mistake, and she’d lingered here too long already. She couldn’t lose herself in his arms forever, like she wished to. She didn’t deserve it, so she pulled away. “Come,” she said. It frightened her how small her voice sounded. “There’s more to do.” Shade nodded. “Like Mare,” she added. “We have to get her out.”

“Yes,” he uttered with a choke, and determination flashed in his eyes. He straightened his posture, concentrated again, and Farley pilfered the floor for any usable weapons left. Moving continued to hurt her, and she doubted that would get better once the adrenaline wore off. There would be no Silver healer today. Nor did she look forward to teleporting, but still she touched Shade’s arm to show when she was ready.

He wasn’t. Instead, he seemed panicked. “I can’t find her,” he said, “I don’t know where … ”

“Don’t …” she began, but a new shock went through her, too. They couldn’t leave Mare behind, not now when they had a chance. For the cause, for Mare, for Shade. Farley owed them that.

“We will find her,” she insisted.

He shook his head. “I can’t find her, Diana. I could before, and jump to you and Mare, but today …” he left off, and she wondered if this was why he’d come for her, and not for this sister: She had been easier to find.

That relieved her. At least she didn’t need to feel guilty because Shade chose her over Mare and everyone else, if he’d acted rashly and on instinct.

As if she hadn’t been rash on a thousand times more.

She caressed his arms to reassure him, to encourage him, and he gave her a weak smile. He’s glad he saved me, she thought. She didn’t deserve it, but she would save Mare in return, and the Scarlet Guard with her. The bitter taste of failure and guilt overwhelmed every other of her feelings, including her love for Shade, and urged her to go on.

“Come,” she repeated, more forceful now. “We can’t stay here, but we will get Mare out of this city and we will survive.”

Shade looked way too hopeful, too trusting. “I promise you,” she said, determined to earn off at least part of that trust.

A/N: Finally, I’ve reached this part of the story, the one that was the initial idea of this project. I hope you like it! I’m sorry this got so long, but I believed this is the best point for the cliffhanger ^^°

@clarafarleybarrow @spookymareshmallow @redqueenfandom @inopinion @lilyharvord @sarcasm-and-procastination @elliemarchetti @marecalrandomstuff @selenbean-beany @hannaharies @carstairsjames @eurydicel @thelightning03 @captainwingedstudentllama

#red queen #diana farley #shade barrow #farley x shade #shade x farley #mare barrow #victoria aveyard #red queen fanfiction #in the meantime #in the meantime ch 6 #whitefire #captain farley #fade #action #angst

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inopinion · 6 years

Note

Hey☺️ eeep love your blog🙌🏼😍 I was wondering if you could please write a prompt where Mare never dodge the letter opener and ended up dying?? I really want to see Cals reaction omg 😭😭 ofc you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to tho 💕

War Storm Spoilers… Read the prompt and approach with caution.

Tag list: @lilyharvord, @mareshmallow, @redqueenfandom, @anyone-anything-canbetrayanyone, @runexandra, @tiberias-vii, @mareshmallow, @adraxsteia, @wrenskonos, @scarletguardsource, @clarafarleybarrow, @morebooks-pls, @lucid-shinobi, @cordelnight, @redqueenforever, @naercxy, @juggyandbetty, @mom2reesie, @lamemathpuns, @artemishdp, @feeoly, @psychopath-butterfly, @caloresblood

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Stillness and Silence

Dreading his brother’s body, Cal marches in even steps up to the house his mother loved so much. Briefly, he imagines it a mausoleum, a place he’ll visit to commune with the ghosts of his family. He doesn’t know if he’ll be able to stand living here again. Inside the foyer, he expects Mare to be dazed, waiting for him. Ready to take him to a body he asked her to make. She isn’t there. His spine prickles with unease.

Cal cranes his neck around corners and holds still as a statue hoping for an echo of life to guide him. What little he hears comes through open windows from outside, or at least that’s the impression he has.

Footsteps. Running footsteps. One set. Breathing to go with them. It quiets when the source goes through a doorway. Cal follows stepping past two bodies in the hallway–guards.

“Mare?” Kilorn calls, careening around one door and into the next. He’s searching the rooms one by one, silver blood staining his sleeve, and gun out and ready. “Mare!” He looks in a confused circle getting his bearings in the hall before darting across to the ballroom.

“Kilorn?” Cal shouts, follows, fails to keep up. Kilorn darts into another room.

They collide outside the double doors to the kitchen. Kilorn huffs, swallowing back saliva and bending over as he gulps. His eyes water and his cheeks are red with exertion. He shakes his head, warding off desperation. Kilorn points at himself and then in one direction. He then points at Cal and then in another. They split up.

Cal has fresher legs and makes quick progress of the remainder of the first floor. But Kilorn had fewer doors on his half to check. Kilorn disappears above him. Cal launches himself two stairs at a time to the second floor. The shallow steps slow him down.

“No, no, no, no!” Kilorn devolves into wailing screams that muffle as he charges deeper.

People that had entered to find Cal and Mare rush up the stairs behind him. Kilorn sobs sound like an injured animal. Cal staggers forward. A healer and Farley push past him, following the echos.

He’s not ready, not for this. Not for the source of Kilorn’s shrieking sobs. Kilorn has no love for Maven, only for Mare.

“Fuck,” Farley curses loud enough to re-start his feet.

She stops him at the door. Her shocked face is wet with tears and grime. She shakes her head and pushes him backwards. He lets her. He accepts the delay as quickly as he accepts why she wants to pause his approach.

“Let the healer…” she trails off and Cal feels the lie. It’s punctuated by more guttural weeping.

Cal steps forward. She puts a hand on his shoulder, stopping him for just a moment then lets him pass.

The apartment is as familiar to him as any of the homes they’d stayed at throughout the year. Though it’s clearly marred by Maven’s influence. The furniture, covered in white sheets, seems catawompus–out of place and tilted like a bad dream. The healer slumps in the doorway to the expansive closet. The man shrinks into himself as the crying quiets inside.

Cal knows he will never be able to un-see the scene in the room. His mind flashes through dozens of grotesque exaggerations with blood splattered and her eviscerated. He hopes Maven had been more kind to her body than his own brain seems to expect. His mind has a way that both prepared him and make him sick. Staying upright becomes a struggle as his body weakens.

The medic holds his eye and shakes his head, gripping his elbows and stepping out of the doorway. Clearly there’s no healing that can be offered.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, hoarse, and losing composure.

Cal runs his hand through the tears on his cheek and then through his hair. The grime he pushes around makes his eyes burn and blink more wetness out. He shakes, steps forward, and searches the dark room for the horror of his loss.

Kilorn pushes her blood-filled hand up onto her stomach over and over. He takes measured breaths and then weaves her fingers together with her other hand. Her hands stay. He sits back and looks at Mare, then sets to separating the lock of hair dried to her forehead with blood. Her eyes are closed but her lids don’t fully cover the white.

Kilorn’s grief, and ritual movements hold Cal’s eyes as his mind seeks not to look at Mare’s body. He forces himself back to her face, the eyes he is certain Kilorn has carefully closed. His knees hurt when they strike the floor. His body aches under the pressure of the silent stone. Cal breathes but with a sense that his chest can never be full again. His fingers sweep an arch from where he held them out in front of him down to his side. His left collides with something smooth.

He looks down and follows the supple black leather to the white exposed skin of a lower leg and further up. No one has been there to close Maven’s eyes or to position his arms. No one has posed him into a position of sleep, of peace. Maven’s mouth hangs open, hands gripping at his throat in relaxed claws. Cal shifts up the legs, crawling on hands and knees to his brother’s side.

The ice blue eyes carry none of the burdens bestowed by Elara and in their relaxed clarity look less like eyes than like washed out jewels. Cal hates to close them, to say goodbye to them, and at the same time, feels robbed of a last look at Mare’s. He pulls the thin lids down, holds them like he has on other bodies, and then releases. Maven is cold. Cal tries to heat the room, to warm them back to life. The stone holds him back.

Sheets are stolen from the chairs outside. Farley has cleared more bodies than she has friends left in the world. Cal can see it’s still not easy when they roll Mare and wrap the white cloth around her. They fold the sheet over her face, so that he can pull it back and examine her one last time.

Her pallor reminds him of the way they painted her. The way they made her into Mireena, fake, an imposter. She lacks everything that made her Mare. He stops short of touching her, short of assuring that the body is real. Cal cannot bring himself to touch her. He can’t replace the warmth of her skin and the heat of her heart with the chill of death. The blood drying and seeping into the white is evidence enough.

Maven’s body falls mostly to him, though Kilorn assists in getting the sheet positioned. He carries his brother to the table in the sitting room. Kilorn moves her to the desk, hand lingering on top of her arms.

Kilorn cries on the floor cross-legged and rocking. Farley combs his hair before she disappears. Cal stands and watches as an awkward sentry in the middle of the bodies. He dare not leave Maven to the hands of the victors, and he cannot step away from Mare. Leaving the side of one to join the other splits him until he slides down in the center and joins neither.

Time lapses. It stops moving in stillness and jumps forward to sobs that last twice as long as Cal knows. Someone cares for him. Someone brings water and food. He ignores both. He waits and cries until there are no more tears and he is the only one competing with silence in his ears.

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#Cal Calore #Red Queen #Fanfiction #Major Character Death #Death #TW: Death #bodies #Glass Sword #King's Cage #War Storm #war storm spoilers #hurt #Diana Farley #Kilorn Warren #Mare Barrow #ask #My writing #maven calore

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