#lady of autumn x helion

[juulle987]

Anything For You, My Love

⋆ ✶ ★ ☾ ★ ✶ ⋆ Lucien Vanserra x y/n

summary: it’s your birthday and our fox boy has planned something special for you

words: ~2.5k

TW: none. At least I wouldn’t be aware of any. Just lots of fluff 🥰

note: English is not my first language, so please be nice.

🦊

“Lucien, I swear!”

“Yes, my queen? What do you swear?” He says, having a mischievous smile on his face, while looking up from his book.

I just came out of the shower, finding my husband in our shared bedroom. Him sitting on the bed. A book in hand. All naked. Before I went to the shower I had put my dress and underwear, all ready to be put on, onto the bed. Now they were gone. 

“I swear to not let you touch me for at least a month if you don’t tell me where my clothes are.”

Lucien puts his book down on his bedside drawer before slowly climbing out of bed and making his way over to me.

“Not even like this?” He nozzles his nose into the crock of my neck. A shiver running down my spine. I can feel his hardening cook pressing against the low of my stomach. This Fae bastard knows where my weak spots are.

“Especially not like that.” I know that my smell betrays me, yet I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of becoming jelly under his touch.

“You know how much I adore your naked form, y/n. You know how crazy and feral you drive me.”

“I am very well aware of that. But I’m also aware that I am late for work. Thanks to you.”

“I find clothes restrictive.”

“Lucien Vanserra!”

“Yes, y/n Vanserra?” He picks me up and instinctively I wrap my legs around him. My arms going around his neck and grabbing his soft red curls in my hands. Bringing him closer into a kiss. 

In between kisses he speaks: “You are going nowhere today, my love.”

Totally dumbstruck I look at him. “What do you mean?” All I can do is stare at his beautiful face. Trying to figure out what on earth he’s talking about.

He slowly moves over to our bed, still carrying me in his arms. He then lays me down gently before hovering over me. His hair falling like curtains around my head. 

“You are staying home today.” He kisses the top of my nose. “I won’t let you celebrate your 210th birthday at work, wife.” He starts kissing down my neck while taking one of my peaked nipples into his finger and rolling it slowly. Ever so often pinching it slightly.

“Aaand what *moan* have you - oh my - planned?” 

“That’s for me to know and for you to find out.” 

After our very surprising morning and the rather sweaty exercise we indulged in together, Lucien asks me to get dress. Nothing too fancy, something comfortable. He still doesn’t tell me where we’re going or what we’re going to do. So I decide on a blush pink coloured sun dress, some sandals. Light make up, no jewelleries apart from my wedding band. Lucien is wearing a button up shirt, revealing his muscled torso, black pants and normal shoes.

“Like what you see?” It’s that moment I notice I’ve been staring at him. Drool probably coming from my mouth. I clear my throat to speak but he silences me by pressing a kiss on my lips. “I love, that even after all these years, you look at me just the way when we first met in that book store. When I told you it’s you, and only you. When I asked you to marry me. Y/n, you are my everything. That’s why today I intend to make everything about you.”

He presses another kiss to my lips before taking my hand and guiding me out of our house. It is a beautiful day at the Day Court.

Memories

Lucien and I moved around a lot after starting our relationship. He didn’t feel at home in Night. Although Velaris and the Night Court were my home, I had promised him to go wherever he goes. Lucien is my home, and my heart is where my home is. At first I stayed in Velaris, but being separated from him was like torture. For both of us. As often as both of our schedules would allow we met. But it wasn’t the same. It was like having him for a burrowed time. 

After living like that for around two years, I quit my job. Sold my apartment, my furnitures - basically everything that I didn’t need. With one bag full of clothes, another one filled with books and some items close to my memory, I followed Lucien to the Human Lands to live there. Together with Vassa and Jurian. The arrangement was far from ideal. Lucien and I wanted to have some place and peace of our own. I wanted to go back to work, but living in the Human Lands this was impossible. Going back to Autumn wasn’t an option. Not as long as Beron was alive. 

Both, Lucien and I, had ties to Spring, so after a year with Vassa and Jurian we went there. Surprised to see that the Court was rebuilding itself. Or better said Tamlin and his mate, Nayeli, rebuilding their Court together. It took a while for Tamlin and Lucien to grow back together again as friends. But rest assured, Nayeli and I had our hands in it and didn’t necessarily made it easy for the two males. But when we found both of them drunk, bruised and bloodied (they’ve gotten into a fight with each other while being drunk and the only way to finally end their arguments they decided to see who is the stronger one…) all curled up next to each other telling each other how much they missed and love each other. Nayeli and I knew this is the restart of a wonderful friendship. Nayeli and I had been growing closer to each other, too. Spending girls nights together while the boys did whatever boys do. 

While Lucien still worked for Rhysand, I found a job as a teacher in the town closest to Rosehall. We lived in Spring for about ten years, seeing the court flourishing and growing. Along with Tamlin’s and Nayeli’s family: The twin girls Tana and Meira making their parents the proudest Fae I’ve ever seen.

Our time at Spring came to an end when the news of, lets say, Beron’s death spread like a wildfire through Prythian. Lucien immediately packed our things and we went to Autumn. This was the first time I’ve ever seen his mother. And by the Cauldron, I knew where Lucien had his gorgeous looks from. Beron’s death also brought some secrets up to the day light. This is when my husband learned that his biological father is in fact Helion, High Lord of the Day Court. It all made sense now. His build, his darker skin colour, his abilities. I think it’s needless to say that Lucien was shocked. He didn’t talk to anyone for days. Didn’t even want to be with me. Slept in a different room. Until I finally had enough.

“Love, you can either sit here, in your old room, brooding and tantruming like a toddler, or you get your ass off that bed and face your mother and father. I am not saying that you’re supposed to love Helion with all your heart or to worship the ground is walking on, because that right is exclusively reserved for me. All I’m saying is, give him a chance. Get to know him. Not as a High Lord, but as your father.” 

And so they did. Our visits to Day became more and more regularly and often. Most of the time taking Lucien’s mother with us. Until his mother decided to stay with Helion. Shortly after the now Lady of Day moved in with Helion, Lucien asked me if I would agree to us moving to Day as well. 

“Under one condition.”

“And that is, my love?”

“We finally settle down.”

“I think we can arrange that.”

Our life in Day was amazing. We lived in our own little house, a little outside of the town, in the nature. Lucien started working for his father as an emissary, while I got myself a job at a school. Teaching children is my passion and I never want to do anything else. After everything had calmed down in our lives Lucien asked me to marry him. I didn’t even had to think twice. I knew from the second I saw this male that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. The only thing missing now was a little fox of our own. Unfortunately this far we haven’t been blessed with a child. We do know how rare Fae pregnancies are and we don’t give up our hope.

Lucien leads me away from our house and into town. I smell freshly baked goods and my stomach growls in anticipation. Of course Lucien notices and together we go to a small bakery. I immediately lay my eyes on some deliciously looking cinnamon swirls with icing. 

“Anything for you today, my love.” 

The shop keeper packs two cinnamon swirls for us and we continue our little journey. I still got no idea what my husband has planned. But I can’t deny that I’m excited. 

Our next stop is a flower shop. Lucien picks out a flower bouquet that is made out of roses, solidago, craspedia, sunflowers and statice. I absolutely love it and draw him into a passionate kiss. He wraps his arms around my waist and I can feel all his love radiating from him. I never could’ve thought it possible of being able to love someone as much as I love him. Sometimes I do wish we would be mates. That way we both could feel all the love, passion, affection, lust and desire through the bond.

We continue walking through town and end up on the big market place. 

“I’m hungry.”

“Of course you are. Aren’t those cinnamon swirls enough?”

“They are, but I’d like to sit down somewhere. Relax. Cuddle in your arms.”

Lucien seems to be contemplating for a second before winnowing us somewhere else. As always when we winnow together I press my face into his chest and inhale his calming scent. When I turn my head out of my safe place, we are standing in one of the many gardens at Day. Our favourite one. It’s a bit hidden from all the others. Flowers, plants everywhere. Even a tiny lake in the middle of it. But today that isn’t what catches my eyes. It’s the blanket thrown across the grass. Decorated with fluffy cushions. Food and drinks in a basket next to the blanket. 

My breath hitches in my throat. This is absolutely stunning. 

Lucien and I walk towards the picnic area and sit down. I put the bouquet of flowers in a safe distance away from us. 

“Lucien… This, this is amazing.”

He pulls me into his lap, my legs straddling him. We are sitting face to face, our noses touching. None of us says a word. Just enjoying the moment.

“Happy Birthday, my love.” A kiss on my forehead. “I hope you like what I’ve prepared for you.”

“Oh Luci, you could never do something I don’t like.” Now it’s my turn to kiss his forehead. I clung unto him as if being afraid he would just vanish. He is the only thing I need. Although the cinnamon swirls are a nice addition. 

After being like this for another several minutes of cuddling and kissing, we detangle from each other and Lucien grabs the basket with food. It’s filled with bread, cheese, fruits and a bottle of wine. He fills each of us a glass of the red liquid and hands me mine.

We start drinking and eating. Talking about everything. The latest books we read. How things are going at work. Things we have to do at our house. Where he needs to go next due to his work and for how long. After our bellies are filled we lie down next to each other on the blanket. Both holding each other in their arms. 

“Y/n, I know we’ve spent many years together already and I hope we’re going to spend the rest of our days with each other. That we’ll be able to have a family of our own at some point.” He takes a deep breathe and fishes something out of his pocket. It’s a small velvet box.

“Lucien, we already are married.”

“Thanks for the reminder. I’ve nearly forgotten. But this is not a ring, y/n. Open it.” 

We both sit up again, next to each other. My legs thrown over his. As he hands me the small box all I do is look into his eyes for any signs of what this could be.

“I know what you’re doing. You will not be able to trick my golden eye.” He kisses me on the temple and I just want to melt into it. Did I by any chance already mention how much I love this male?

Slowly I open the box. Inside I find a necklace and a bracelet, both adorned with a small compass. Questioning I look up at my husband.

“My father and his scholars made this. After my request. It imitates a mating bond. As soon as we both wear it, the spell will be activated and we both will be connected to each other. We will be able to feel what the other one feels. We will be able to communicate through it. It basically will do everything a mating bond does, too.”

“Luci…” My voice hitches in my throat and I’m unable to bring out another word. “This… this is the most amazing gift I’ve ever received.” Before even taking the necklace and bracelet out of the box, my hands find Lucien cheeks and I stroke my thumbs over his cheekbones. My forehead resting on his as I merely whisper “Thank you.”

“Do you want the necklace or the bracelet, my love.”

I contemplate for a second and decide that the necklace will be the one I go with. Lucien is already wearing a few leather bracelets or better said strings, which he mostly uses for tying up his red locks. He takes the necklace out of the box and puts it around my neck. It has the perfect length for me and I can’t stop playing with it. Now it’s my time to put the bracelet on him. As soon as both of our ‘mating bond pendants’ are connected with us, both pendants radiate a small yellow-orange and light green light. And faster than the blink of an eye, I am a bit overwhelmed with all of Lucien’s emotions. So much love. I know that he loves me but this…

“I think we’re thinking the same.” He takes my hands into his. Drawing small circles on my skin with his thumb.

“I think we do.” Looking into his eyes I’ve got the feeling they are sparkling even more than before. Which is a bit funny to say as one of his eyes is made out of gold anyway. But I could swear that even the gold eye lightens up.

In one swift move Lucien pulls me over onto my back, him resting on top of me. He wipes away a stray strand of hair from my face and tucks it behind my ear.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Needles to say that this was the best birthday I’ve ever had. It’s not like Lucien didn’t always make my birthdays as special day. It’s just this time his gift added a speciality to it. A day I will cherish forever.

Little did y/n and Lucien knew at this point, that someday they’ll tell their children and grandchildren about this day.

🦊🦊

[shallyne]

Sun and Flame Week Day 7: Free Day

The Lord of Light and the Lady of Flame

My Crackshipmonth fic for Helion x LoA, digged out for @sunandflameweek enjoy!

It was a beautiful day in the Day Court. It was the beginning of summer, the sky was clear and the sun was shining down on the citizens of the Court. People left their homes to enjoy the nice weather, meeting their friends, families and acquaintances and see what the Day Court has to offer in the summer months. Many citizens went to the various temples throughout the beautiful Day Court to leave little offerings to the Mother, praying and thanking her for the wondrous sunshine they were blessed with. In the Day Court, there was a tiny, unassuming city with a house that outsiders would think abandoned if it wasn't for the cleanliness of the building. They didn't know that this was the home where the High Lord hid his one and only true love, the Lady of the Autumn Court. He was careful to not get caught, not leave any traces of the affair he had with the beautiful lady of autumn, for her safety. The lady was married to the cruel High Lord of the Autumn Court, who she was married off to many years ago. It wasn't a happy marriage, both the Lady of the Autumn Court and the High Lord of the Day Court were aware of that, but they didn't touch this vulnerable subject. The High Lord of the Day Court was aware of the bruises that were hidden where no one could see them, except him. It made him furious and he had to fight every instinct from winnowing into the Forest House and rip Beron Vanserra into shreds. The Lady of the Autumn Court trusted the Lord of Day with this secret. She didn't need words to convey to him how important it was for him to hold himself back, she didn't need words to remind him that she would not, could not, ever separate from the High Lord of the Autumn Court. Even if she had a choice, the Lady wouldn't leave, wouldn't leave her six children behind. 

It was the Lady of Autumn's idea to meet Helion in his house in the little village, bearing heart shattering news that she couldn't just bring on paper. This was a personal matter. So they found themselves there as the Lady of Autumn announced that their affair would come to an end, from this moment on. She kept a distance away to not get tempted. She ignored all the memories from the days they spent there, when the High Lord of the Day Court worshipped her and made her forget about the cruelty of the Autumn Court for only a few hours. The lord of Day was so heartbroken that he didn't realize that something about the lady's scent was different. Helion didn't realize that the Lady of the Autumn Court was carrying his child. 

"Beron is suspecting." she told her lover, careful that she would not let her hand rest above her stomach. 

Helion understood that this affair wouldn't go on forever, of course the rational side of him knew that. But heartbreak wasn't rational. It was messy. 

When the Lady of Autumn arrived in the Forest House that very evening, she was glad that Beron Vanserra was away for Court business. She let herself weep for the love she lost. The love that was so pure and unconditional. The love that kept that tiny spark inside of her alive. She cried for hours, the only hope that sparkled in her was that a spark of the very being that Helion is their child would carry on. 

That very same night, the High Lord of the Day Court roared at the stars, mourning the love that he had lost. 

[nestarg]

For years I’ve envisioned her as The Lady Of Autumn Court… (LoA)

[rainingriversofyou]

Helion x Lady Autumn

A Court Of Thorns And Roses

Artist: hancorinne_

[brielyasmin]

𝕾𝖚𝖓 & 𝕱𝖑𝖆𝖒𝖊

@sunandflameweek

I've been wanting to draw these two for a while, and since the Sun and Flame week is happening, I thought it would be the perfect time to do this.

This piece was inspired by "The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche" by Antonio Giovanni Lanzirotti.

Find my art on Instagram.

That's it, hope y'all like it!

~♡

[acourtofthought]

Enough of the NC!

Give me that Autumn Court drama! 😂🔥

(Beron with the LoA ⬆️)

Give me that Elucien drama!

[dimalry]

Helion, the lady of autumn and baby Lucien 🥲

Yk.. I’d be very interested in reading a fic of just them.

Do NOT credit without credit!

IG: dimaalry

[helion-ism]

the description of helion … I am so weak

two things:

1. “colder than kallias” — how interesting that his (presumably) love (and mate?) has fire in her blood

2. the fact that one of the day court’s personality traits is knowledge and that lucien paid particular importance to acquiring as much knowledge as possible when he was still young … my heart is just so 💔 like it’s the small things

[lorcandidlucienwill]

Things I want to see in Lucien's book

Autumn court drama

Eris and Lucien making up

Band of Exiles content

Elain finally confronting the bond and chasing tf out of this man

Lucien finally recovering his sass

Tamlin redemption/Lucien makes his peace with Tamlin

Beron finally hitting the damn bucket

Lucien and Eris becoming High Lords

Lucien confronting Helion

Lady of Autumn being a badass SINGLE woman

Angst that will absolutely ruin me

More names of the main characters? Like why has it taken this long

Lucien smiling at any point and finally getting the respect he deserves

[ablogofsapphicpanic]

Y’all Sam better watch her back bc I’m about to marry @velidewrites for the BEAUTIFUL ART SHE’S GIVEN ME 😭😭😭 all I do is simp about these two and she gave me this and regular emojis are not enough to express the emotions I am feeling about these two and how talented Velide is. As I expressed in private last night, this piece is more tender than a perfectly cooked chicken nugget and that’s all I need out of life.

Please do not repost! I have special permission from Velide to post!

[xreaderbooks]

All I Breathe (5)

Pair: Azriel x Vanserra Reader

Word Count: 4.4k

Warnings: mentions of sexual assault, death, violence, ptsd, language

Summary: Y/n recounts her past with her enemy, making a new 'friend', Azriel makes his appearance in the Autumn Court known at the ball. (angst)

Playlist

Available on Wattpad and AO3

Masterlist - Series Masterlist - Previous Chapter - Next Chapter

The sound of the door clicking shut made you stir in your sleep, your eyes were crusted by the tears you shed overnight made it twice as hard to open them. You managed to blink the eye that was not on the side of your face nuzzled into your pillow, a familiar tall dark figure made his way over to you and you were suddenly more interested in being awake than asleep. You rubbed the sleep from your eyes and the next thing you knew he was sitting on the edge of the bed.

You watch him warily as he fully turns his body to face yours with legs crossed, you wordlessly sat up, matching his position. His silent watchful stare made you feel more vulnerable than you had been last night, it was as if he was afraid you would break if he spoke so much as a whisper.

“I’m not fragile,” Your throat was sore as you spoke. “Say something.”

A mellifluous tune resounded with the one word he replied with, “Something.”

“So you’re a jester now?”

His laugh sang to your heart and you straightened at the odd feeling. You ignored it, your eyes traveling to his spy wear and shot him a look that questioned his presence.

“I thought we should have a check-in on how your end was holding up since we never got the chance to do so yesterday.” He alluded to the both of you not speaking for a whole day after the argument where not-so-kind words were said. You got a flashback of the screaming match where his true feelings towards you were shown. That made it much more difficult to comprehend his actions only a couple of hours ago.

With an exhale you recounted what Beron told you, he listened without a single impertinent remark. “He expects the ‘prisoner’ to be brought to him once you’ve caught him.”

“I’ll handle it,” He says.

“I could help,” You offered hesitantly.

His tone held finality, “I said I’ll handle it.”

You didn’t care if he said he’d handle it, if there was one way to prove you could be of use to your new court, to prove your worth; you would formulate a plan so that Azriel’s main focus could be the alchemist. You could deal with your family but for now, you would let Azriel believe you won’t play a part in it.

You cleared your throat, “I suppose if we are to be allies, you deserve an explanation as to what happened last night.”

“There’s no need-” He started.

“It would make me feel better if we share even the tiniest bit of information about our lives, I can’t trust someone to ‘handle’ something if I don’t know the person I’m trusting.” You persuaded, “It is the reason you can’t stand to be near me after all.”

He didn’t move an inch in response, simply watching you in quiet contemplation as you began to tell your story. “Before I was a spy for Tamlin, I worked for my brothers. I was coerced into their plans of entrapping men who owed them money or who had committed crimes, anyone who escaped them. Whether they had conned their way out of my brothers' grasp or if they were imprisoned and pardoned, if my brothers wanted them it was my job to get them. They made me wear the most attractive dress and made certain my face was painted in a way that would capture the attention of any male. They controlled what I ate, ensured that I train if only so that my figure be the suitable size.”

Your lips curled in distaste, “They taught me the best ways to seduce a male to bed though they never let them get that far. Eris said I wouldn’t be useful if I were spoiled goods, if word got out nobody would want me, not that I cared at least if I were ‘spoiled goods’ it would all stop. They never let them get close enough to do that damage but they definitely got close, too close for my liking and yet not close enough for my brothers to stop them.” Azriel's chest rose and fell in a rhythm you weren’t sure if he was breathing correctly.

“Every night I would take them to a hostel owned by my brothers, after some flirting and a couple touches that made me want to bathe in poison, some were easier to persuade than others. Once I had them pursuing me to the same room that I would take every other male, my brothers would be just around the corner. I swear sometimes they would wait longer just to torture me.” You scoffed at the memory of one night when you plead to the mother they would come quickly, from what you knew of the male he was a thief and a horrible person and loved to touch you in places you always made sure to set your boundaries. Most of them respected it, depending on the male, and until you got to the room it wasn’t a problem.

“One night I had to capture the attention of a lesser fae around my age who owned a carpentry shop left by his father who was very much in debt. He didn’t fall for any of my usual tricks, in fact, he laughed and asked me if I really thought he was that easy. I told him that most are, he got serious after that and offered to walk me to where I was staying, he didn’t know that I was the high lord’s daughter then or that I was sent to lure him into his death. He asked to see me again the next day and every day after that.” You smiled as tears welled in your eyes, “We were together every day for half a year, after the first three months I confessed to what brought me to his store and he confessed to having already fallen in love with me. Even after I told him the truth he still loved me and I loved him, Gods I loved him more than I ever loved anything. Like everything else in my life, it was ripped away from me by my brothers. When they found out about him they tore him apart, I found Lucien near where they dumped his body, they knocked him out so he couldn’t stop him.”

“I had to follow through with every male that they told me to pursue, they let them have their way with me and did whatever they wanted to the guy after. It was my punishment, Lucien couldn’t step in or they threatened to kill me. I played my part for years until Lucien met Jessminda. My father murdered her and soon Tamlin was stepping in and took me and Lucien in. Tamlin and I faked a courtship and marriage for my protection, Lucien became his emissary, and the rest you already know.”

Azriel’s nostrils were flared, and his eyes held something within them that you have seen directed at you far too many times to mistake for anything other than pure rage, though this time you weren’t sure why. “Did they do that to you?” His gaze rested on your eye that had a going from a couple of inches above your brow to your cheekbone.

You shook your head, “Amarantha. She wanted Tamlin for herself and when he denied her, his excuse being me- his wife- with a nail, she cut deep enough to leave the scar. The same eye as Lucien’s to match. The humorous part of it all was she wanted to make Tamlin despise looking at me because of how hideous I look now when he never wanted me in that way.”

There was a tension in the air you didn’t think either of you wanted to address, you climbed out of bed and tied your hair back. You glanced around the room hoping to find something else to focus on. Some invisible force drew you to him, you resisted and instead noticed how his fists were clenched so hard they were white. His hands were covered in scars, you’ve noticed them before but never cared to ask the story behind them.

For an inexplicable reason, his rage made you want to tear the world apart, to try and ease the ire he had in his heart, you sat directly where he was with his legs crossed. His back tense and his wings stiffly folded in, your hand reached for his hand reluctantly. His skeptical gaze made you want to retreat but you would not falter, not after all that you shared.

You made him unclench his fingers taking his large scarred hand into both of yours and to your surprise he let you. “Tell me what haunts your dreams, Shadowsinger,” You say.

“I do not take orders from demanding little girls,” He fakes an authoritative tone yet doesn’t pull away. Your mouth widens into a smile, gratified to hear him joke with you.

“Little girl!” You snorted. “That’s a new one.”

Shock displayed on his face, “That’s a new laugh.”

“You wouldn’t know, now would you?”

“I suppose not,” The solemn expression was brought back. You cursed whatever force tore down the wall of fury you had whenever you were around the spymaster. All you wanted was to hear the sound of his laugh and not the bitter bite of his words. “My brothers burned my hands when I was eight.”

Your hands went slack in his, pieces of the puzzle that was Azriel formed in your mind, that was why he couldn’t touch you. Last night was an exception but the reason he was so distant, the reason he refused to touch you not only because he hated you but because you were made of fire. You lived with fire in your veins, the power that burst out of you when you were hurt or angry, Azriel had multiple reasons to hate you and this one made the most sense.

With that in mind, you released your hold on his hand. Everything was taking formation in your mind, fragments of moments you had spent with Azriel, you and he are more alike than you thought. Your brothers, his and yours, were assholes.

“They were also older and didn’t much care for me, their mother kept me locked in a dungeon for 11 years and barely let me see my mother for more than an hour once a week.” He concentrated on telling you the story, and a crease formed on his brow. Though you couldn’t stand him on a daily basis with his baseless comments on who you are as a person, you felt for him. The more you learned about him, the more his treatment of you made sense. You still wanted to throttle him but there was a part of you that felt him.

A short knock on your door and what sounded like a note slid under the gap of your door. Azriel went to retrieve it, handing it to you with a letter opener. You sliced it open, it was a letter from Eris, informing you of the ball your father was hosting tonight in your and Azriels’ honor.

Azriel was expected to arrive in the Autumn Court tonight and clearly to make an appearance at the ball. You couldn’t remember the last time you attended a revel, it was sure to be interesting and you had to admit to being excited in seeing the shadowsinger in that setting. The fact that it was your family hosting it wasn’t ideal, however, it seemed to be the only time the people of Autumn got to enjoy themselves.

“We are to attend a ball this evening,” You handed the opened letter to him your fingers brushing. You were keenly aware of how much contact you were making with him.

He placed the letter down on your writing desk by your door, he opened your wardrobe, you didn’t realize he had a black bag in there. He unzipped it and pulled out his knives, strapping them to their sheaths on his body. “If you need a weapon don’t hesitate to take any from in here. I’ll be back in time for the introductions.”

With that he faded into his shadows, winnowing away to his mission.

~~~

You slowly made your way down the steps to the ballroom, it had been dressed to fit the occasion. Dark velvet colors, gold trimming, all autumn-themed colors. A feast of food laid out on the tables that lined the walls, servants waiting on stand-by to serve. Those who were at the meeting had brought their families, villagers from the market were invited, it was a large party that you hadn’t been a part of in a long while.

Unfortunately, you knew that once a certain hour came, the families will depart and the revelry will truly begin. Strangers would be found the next morning on the ground, still drunk on faerie wine or other worse scenarios you didn’t want to conjure up in your mind yet.

You were late to the main introduction, not that it was needed but Beron like Rhysand (as you’ve witnessed in the Court of Nightmares) liked to make a show and parade his children to the crowd.

You felt a tug come from somewhere deeper into the crowd, a certain coldness around your ankle, you couldn’t see what it was even if you wanted to. You wore a long red off-the-shoulder satin lace ball gown, courtesy of Beron. The servants brought in the dress as soon as they were down making up your face with dark kohl around your eyes and a red rouge, and dressing your hair down with two strands that framed your face and two thin braids that met in the back of your head, held together by a ruby hair clip.

He wanted to show you off to the Court, show them the daughter (he couldn’t care less about) that was their princess, you were home and it would give them someone to celebrate.

As soon as you entered the chatter around you paused. You didn’t expect to be greeted the way you were, bows and curtseys to your feet were given as you passed and stopped when you reached your father.

At his throne, beside him your mother was sitting, Beron had his hand in hers no doubt halting her from going to you. You curtseyed as low as you could, knowing it would please him, maybe if you did things his way just this one night- he would let you speak to your mother. He waved his hand lazily, careless of your efforts, and signaled for the music to continue.

That was when you went in search of the spymaster. It was surprisingly hard to find him, even with the invisible force that drew you to him as a moth to a flame, the females that had formed a line around him hid him better than his shadows could. You stifled your laughter as you saw his fluster. There was no doubt he could get the attention of any female he wanted by just a look- though you would never tell him that aloud- you were puzzled by the sudden shyness.

The cold whisper came back, this time around your neck beckoning you his way. You conceded and made your presence clear to the females around him, they cleared a path for you, not daring to get in the Princess’ way.

You could sense their lack of hope when you reached your enemy, not that they knew you had no interest in him and that they could have him. Part of basked in the fact that for now, at this moment, he was begging for you to save him.

“Enjoying yourself are you?” His jaw was set a look of annoyance in his eyes.

“Quite so, yes. They appear to be fond of you.” You teased.

He grimaced, “They wouldn’t be if they knew what I was up to just two hours before this.”

“Sounds like it would be an interesting story then,” You held your hands behind your back and peered up at him eager for him to give you the details. “Do tell.”

He shot you a look that you knew meant he definitely wasn’t going to tell you what you wanted to hear, especially not in front of guests. His arms were folded, completely guarded, he wasn’t at the Night Court but he was entirely vigilant for any sign of a threat.

You sighed, “Do you ever have fun?”

He gave you a side-eye. You scrunched your nose up at him in response, which got him to lessen the harsh lines on his face. “It’s a party, Shadowsinger.”

His tone was quiet as it always was, but somehow even more so, “You know it’s not just some party, Y/n.”

You gave out an exasperated breath and rolled your shoulders, “I just saved you from the clutches of bloodthirsty females and this is how you repay me?”

“Your court, your people, your problem.” He shrugged.

“First of all no to all of that,” You glanced at the refreshments table where you longed for a drink but your brothers were surrounding it like sharks. “Second, I’d be most appreciative if you brought me a drink, I’m parched and though I may regret this comment later- you’re the only one I trust to bring me an unpoisoned drink. Nor do I think they would dare poison you.”

His gaze softened as he walked to the pool of sharks without question.

~~~

A circle of fae was created to make room for dancing the quadrille, though you weren’t fond of where you were currently and the dress made to prove you were owned by your father, you clapped along and laughed with everyone. You watched in amusement as a little girl twirled around the couples, strategically maneuvering through, giggling as she went.

You paused mid-clap, your smile fading as you saw the girl about to faceplant into the ground. Panic struck as you saw Eris catch her from tripping, he held her tiny wrist and spun her around once sending her on her way. He straightened his lapels and his posture, heading in your direction. You prepared yourself for what would most likely be an interesting interaction. Azriel who took it upon himself to be a sort of bodyguard for you in the truce you both agreed on, went to the washroom, so you had no comfort.

“Allow me a dance?”

He didn’t give you a chance to respond as he pulled you into a respectable distance, a hand on your waist and the other in yours. The position was familiar as he was the one who gave you dance lessons when you were as young and loved as the girl he’d just saved. A light tune played by the string quartet was in the background as you routinely flowed around the ballroom.

“The dress compliments you, Sister.” Eris took both of your hands in his and pushed you outwards then inwards, giving you a twirl, and stopped to where your back was to his chest, swaying to the right and again to the left. He spins you again to his front, “You’ve gotten better.”

“You look quite stately yourself, brother.” The name tasted bitter in your mouth but if he was behaving, so would you, there was a show to be put on anyhow. “And what with how seriously you took my education in the waltz, how could I not?”

He looked almost proud at how you’ve kept up, a deep part of you preened at the thought. Others who were on the floor struggled to keep up with the pace you and your brother had set.

“He won’t allow you near her until you bring him what he wants,” He whispers in your ear. Of course not, you school your features to hide your furious thoughts. Your mother was your only weakness, the only kind soul who loved you and your brother, Lucien.

Azriel wanted to capture and deliver the ‘escaped prisoner’. You weren’t going to let him do it on his own in the first place, this only gave you more reason to disobey the orders that he had conveyed. You would find a criminal as you always had and lure him into a trap, one you would have to figure out later and deliver him to your father.

Your mind wandered as you floated through the rest of the dance. With a final bow to your partner, Eris spoke softly as he passed you “He hasn’t stopped admiring you since you walked into the room.”

You whipped your head around but he was gone, worming his way around the excited bunch of fae by the refreshments.

The song had ended and a longways dance was set up, more people joined making a long vertical line from the throne to wear the door was. What shocked you was that Azriel had joined on the male side of the line, you kept your position, and you knew the surprise was written all over your features.

A barely visible smirk whispered on his lips as your bodies passed each other in the first line switch, your backs turned, and your hands found his as you moved to the music. You hopped along with the other fae, switching partners and giggling as you went. The same pattern sequenced; facing your new partner, right wrist barely touching theirs then your left- switching sides with a turn, footwork with energetic hops, pulling in-pulling out, and moving on to the next.

It happened twice more before you were finally met with Azriels beautiful face. Your chest heaved from breathing heavily, and your heart raced, pounding like horses running in an open field. You felt euphoric from the air, the dancing, the energy- him. No, not him. You quickly shut down those thoughts.

“Are you alright?” He stepped in your direction.

You took a step back, nodding your head with enthusiasm. “I’m amazing, I didn’t know you could dance.”

He didn’t look convinced by the state of you, he placed a hand at the small of your back and guided you away from the crowd. “Hardly.”

“You don’t give yourself enough credit,” You teased further.

With the way his gaze held yours, you suddenly couldn’t find yourself making eye contact with him. Your corsets felt like they were suffocating you, “I’m going to go to freshen up.”

You didn’t give him a chance to answer as you fled. You wanted to see your mother, she was the only person who could tell you what was wrong with you, the only person you could trust. She was granted leave by your father and escorted out of the ballroom before your dance with Eris.

You wandered along the halls, assuring your steps were quiet but with every corner, you turned you felt yourself being followed. You tested your theory by going the long way to your mothers' chambers, whoever it was that was pursuing you either didn’t care that you knew they were following you or is just plain lousy at their job.

You took a right and attached your back to the wall to catch your stalker off guard, hoping to gain an advantage. You heard the heavy footing of your pursuer and went in for the attack only to be slammed onto the wall opposite where you posted yourself.

“You forget where you learned all your tricks, Y/n.” Your second eldest brother sneered close enough to your face you could smell the faerie wine on his breath. He held your left wrist in a tight grip behind your back. You bared your teeth at him as you inched your other hand to the dagger you had hidden under one of the layers of your skirt.

He tsked in mock disappointment, “You know you’re not allowed near her. For someone who acts like they're smarter than the rest, you don’t seem to think.”

“It’s awfully bold of you to question my wits,” You tilted your head to the left.

“You came back for a reason” He glared suspiciously, “Are you here to take your revenge? Is that why you’re with them, with him? You’re going to finish us off with the executioner you brought with you and end us all.”

“What are you going on about?” You had no clue what wild insinuations your brothers or your father held in their small brains, you supposed you should be glad that they were so far off the true reason for your appearance.

If he wanted to be paranoid about you wanting to take revenge for his maltreatment of you when you were a child, then so be it.

He pulled you from the wall and slammed you against the wall so fast your neck bent back enough for your head to hit the stone. “Answer me!” He shouted.

You managed to grip the tip of the dagger’s handle, and with a flick of your wrist, you sliced the knife against his abdomen. He let go of you if only to observe his wound, you cut deep enough to draw blood, lots of it.

“You bitch!” He growled and lunged for you, yet he never got the chance to touch you.

A shadowed figure with great big wings had knocked him to the floor, Azriel held a lethal aura, he lifted your brother by the collar of his shirt and had him against the wall the same way he had you, except, his forearm was pressed against his throat. His tone in every way threatening, the murderous fury in his hazel eyes meaning every word.

“Touch my mate again and I will kill you.”

Mate.

Mate.

Mate.

Betrayal, pure betrayal you didn’t deny yourself, you didn’t hide your thoughts from him. You let it show in every line of your face, every movement of your body. You took several steps back, disbelief was the one true emotion that didn’t allow you to process.

“Y/n-”

“No, don’t come near me.”

He was overwhelming you with his scent, everything about how you were recently feeling around him now made sense. All your senses came into place the night you touched for the first time. Now all you could think about was; how long had he known. Why would he keep this from you? When did the bond snap into place for him?

You left him standing there with your brother who was frozen with fear. You turned your back on him and went to find your mother.

The guards standing post at her door reluctantly let you in, she was sitting in front of her balcony, just now removing her jewelry. At the sight of you, she dropped everything and opened her arms, receiving you in a hug. 

~~~

Next Chapter

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[velidewrites]

Sarah J Maas Couples for @sjmromanceweek

➴ HELION & THE LADY OF AUTUMN

"You saved her. You found her, didn't you?"

"I tore the beasts apart with my bare hands."

[mogitz]

I have used a lot of brain space thinking about Lucien being able to talk about the mating bond with Helion, seeking advice, learning about how he’s able to exist with LOA living in the autumn court with Beron.

But then I remembered that Lucien is his mother’s favorite son, and how sweet it would be to get a scene with him confiding in HER and getting her perspective regarding her bond with Helion. She could probably give him so much insight regarding Elain.

Even better if Elain gets a chance to talk to her someday.

[sadiegirl2021]

The only acceptable use of the cheating trope is Helion and the Lady of Autumn! I hope they've been sneaking around for centuries.

[olenvasynyt]

This is more of a rant than an actual question but I need Lucien to KNOW he is not Beron's son. I will never be able to reallistically believe he is as smart and clever as SJM has hinted at if he DOESN'T know! Plus, if Lucien is Helion's Heir he'd have to have SOME day court powers and he'd probably had to hide them in Autumn and how would he do that if he didn't know he was helion's son/not Beron's son?? I've never bought the theory that eris and his mother "binded" his powers, i truly think he's hiding them on purpose just like Aelin buried her fire magic so deep inside her when she was afraid of it

I feel like he knows he's a bastard, actually! I think there's a lot of hints to it. When we see this thoughts in ACOWAR we see him think about his mother and that he kept some things about her a secret because they were personal and irrelevant.

"I am Lucien. Seventh son of the High Lord of the Autumn Court." And a whole lot of nothing. He'd told the shadowsinger all he knew--of his surviving brothers, of his father. His mother...he'd kept some details, irrelevant and utterly personal, to himself.

His might be that he knows LoA had an affair, but it could also just be about the abuse she recieves from Beron. But we later discover secrets his mother has been keeping. And I also think "a whole lot of nothing" is interesting to say too, because saying he's the seventh son to Beron is "a whole lot of nothing".

And we also understand how the High Fae magic develops in their youth because of Mor. He probably had his Day Court powers develop as his Autumn Court powered developed, but LoA and Eris might have told him to suppress it.

I don't think he has had the room to explore his Day Court powers. He keeps a lot of things suppressed. And when he breaks free from Hybern's spell at the end of ACOMAF to get to Elain, that was a sudden, in the moment thing fueled by his anger and the mating bond. We don't know his thoughts and feelings about that moment and how he was able to free himself, so it's hard to say.

And I think Lucien is smart enough to figure out that Beron mistreating him might be for a deeper reason. And he does have darker skin than his brothers. Yes, that's technically a retcon because there's signs that this wasn't what SJM intended in ACOTAR because he's decribed to look like Beron UTM, but anyways lmao.

I don't think he knows he's Helion's true son though, mostly because SJM will want the dramatic reveal! He could fully think that LoA had an affair with a random Day Court male. I do have theories that it could be possible Lucien knows Helion is his father based on how the High Lord's powers transfer to the next person and how the heir has to hide their powers--we see this with Rhys and Tamlin.

I feel like there could be a lot of signs that he knows he's a bastard, but think SJM has retconned a lot of stuff surrounding Lucien and his true heritage so it's hard to come up with actual theories. She said that she didn't go into Lucien's full backstory until ACOMAF, so honestly, a lot of potential "hints" in ACOTAR are a bit irrelevant now. But I'm also pretty cynical of SJM tbh lmao and I enjoy coming up with headcanons to fix the holes she left.

[dimalry]

“𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎, 𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒇 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒐𝒏. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒈𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒂𝒛𝒆.“

“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖?“ “𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅“ “ 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅?“ “𝑰 𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔.“

“𝑰 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒂 𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒈𝒆. 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒎𝒆𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒐𝒙 𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆.“

“𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓, 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒊𝒕?“ “𝑩𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒅. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚. 𝑪𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒔, 𝑳𝒂𝒅𝒚, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒅𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆.“

“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒏’𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒏- 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏’𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆’𝒅 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈... 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒕𝒆𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅.“

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