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parkerslatte · 7 months

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Overlooked | Part One

Eris Vanserra x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 3.7k

Warnings: none.

Summary: Y/N, the eldest Archeron sister, and while the Inner Circle are invited to the Autumn Court by Eris, the new High Lord, Y/N and Eris meet for the first time and the bond snaps.

A Court of Thorns and Roses Masterlist

•••

Y/N Archeron was always overlooked. Her whole life she would always be looked over in favour of her younger sisters. Of course when Y/N was human, she learnt to live with it. She did what she could to try and support her family, picking up as many jobs as she could. The only one who ever thanked her was Feyre.

Once Y/N was made into fae and her entire life was flipped upside down, she felt more overlooked than she had in her whole life. Feyre had Rhys. Nesta had Cassian. Elain had Lucien and Azriel. Y/N had no one. Of course Mor took it upon herself to bring her along to Rita’s every time she went. Occasionally Y/N would go home with someone but in recent months, she preferred to be alone.

Now as she sat alone in her apartment, there was a pain in her heart. The last few months, Y/N had been more lonely than ever. She had barely seen her sisters and the rest of the Inner Circle. Azriel was the only one she had seen and it was in passing, Y/N didn’t stick around for a full conversation.

There was a knock at her door and Y/N sighed before dragging her feet to the front door and opened it up. Feyre was standing on the other side with a friendly smile on her face. Her hair was tied up and her hands were covered in dried paint.

“Y/N, it’s good to see you,” Feyre said, wrapping her eldest sister in a hug.

Despite the way she was feeling, Y/N smiled as she wrapped her arms around her youngest sister. It was the first hug she had received in a while.

“What are you doing here? How’s Nyx?” Y/N asked.

“He’s great,” Feyre said, lighting up at the mention of her son. “He misses you though.”

“I miss him too,” Y/N said. “I’ve been a bit busy lately, but I’ll visit everyone soon.”

“About that,” Feyre said as the two took a seat on Y/N’s couch. “We have been summoned to the Autumn Court. Eris has become the new High Lord and we need to build his trust. There is a ball and we must be in attendance.”

“Oh,” Y/N said, deflating the smallest amount. Her sister hadn’t come to see her to catch up.

“The whole Inner Circle is attending,” Feyre continued.

“But I’m not a part of the Inner Circle,” Y/N replied.

“Of course you are!” Feyre exclaimed. “You are family.”

It doesn’t feel like it, Y/N thought.

“When is this happening?” Y/N asked.

“Two days time,” Feyre replied.

Y/N only nodded and Feyre stood up from the couch. “I need to get back home, but I’ll come to collect you in two days.”

Y/N didn’t bother to rise from the couch as Feyre hugged her and bid her goodbye as she exited her home. There was a pain in Y/N’s heart as she folded in on herself. All she wanted was her sisters and even they didn’t have the time for her anymore.

***

Two days later, Y/N wore a gown that left little to the imagination. The slits in the skirt ended at her upper thigh and the plunging neckline and tight bodice accentuated her curves. Despite the way she was feeling, Y/N smiled at her reflection.

When Feyre met with Y/N and was winnowed to the rest of the group, she remained on the outskirts. Everyone greeted her yet it felt as if they were only doing it out of common courtesy. Y/N never wanted to go back to her apartment more than ever.

The Night Court was beautiful and Y/N would admit that. But the moment she got to the Autumn Court, she was taken by its beauty. The colours of the leaves and trees put her at ease. The slight breeze ruffled her hair as a smile tugged at her lips.

The feeling of being in the Autumn Court was different and Y/N wasn’t entirely sure if it was a good thing or not. She felt a small tug within her that drew her in.

While everyone didn’t even stop to look around, Y/N lingered behind everyone looking around in wonder. Even when they entered the hall where the ball was taking place. Y/N gasped.

The intricate architecture and the walls that seemed to shine took her breath away. The rest of the Inner Circle didn’t even react. Rhysand’s gaze was fixated on Eris standing at the very end of the room, lounging on his throne.

When Y/N finally tore her gaze away from the high ceiling, her gaze finally landed on Eris. There was a slight tug within her that made her freeze. Eris’s gaze bore into hers as his eyebrows furrowed. His expression hardened just as quickly as he tore his gaze away from Y/N.

“Rhysand,” Eris greeted, standing up from his throne. “Nice of you to finally grace us with your presence.”

Y/N didn’t listen to Rhysand’s response as her gaze was fixated on Eris. There was a small frown on her face. There was a tug within her that she didn’t fully understand but she wanted to know more.

Before Y/N knew it, everyone was mingling as she stood on the outskirts of the room, sipping her wine. Many males had approached her to dance but Y/N simply denied them. She had stayed near her sisters at first but as they went off with their mates, and in Elain’s case, Azriel, Y/N remained on her own.

Feyre had spoken to her briefly and Nesta and Elain had exchanged a couple of words but there was nothing more than that. There was never anything more than that.

Y/N watched as everyone danced and truly looked happy. Happier than she had ever seen them. Y/N could tell that she didn’t fit anywhere within their happiness. With a sigh, Y/N placed her empty wine glass down and slipped out of the room.

She didn’t stray too far, the music could still be heard and Y/N hummed along. The night sky was filled with stars and Y/N simply sat herself down on the grass. The Autumn Court was beautiful.

Y/N’s relaxed body suddenly tensed as she heard footsteps behind her.

“The eldest Archeron sister.”

Y/N looked in the direction of the voice and her eyes wide fed as she felt the tug in her chest pull even more as Eris stood beside her.

“Yes?” Y/N said.

A smirk was present on Eris’s face as he lowered himself down so sit beside her. She was surprised. The High Lord of Autumn just sat on the grass beside her willingly. From what everyone had spoken about Eris, Y/N didn’t expect him to do that.

“I haven’t seen you before,” Eris said, his tone casual.

“I haven’t had a reason to make myself known,” Y/N responded. “I try not to be a part of anyone’s business.”

“But you were Made,” said Eris, leaning back on his elbows. “That makes you everyone’s business.”

Y/N scoffed. “I never wanted to be Made. I was content with my life.”

Eris hummed.

Y/N glanced back at him, meeting his gaze. The tug happened again and Y/N’s eyebrows furrowed.

“I was content with my life when I still felt like I had a family,” Y/N wasn’t entirely sure why she had told Eris that but she felt relieved that it was off her chest.

Eris frowned. “You have three sisters.”

Y/N laughed humorously. “Three sisters who are happy with their relationships and families that they never spare a look my way. Ever since I was Made and have been trapped within the Night Court, I have felt my own sisters distancing themselves from me. I know it isn’t intentional. They have their own lives and I have mine. They each have their someone. They have someone to look after and someone to look after them. I am completely alone.”

There was nothing stopping the words spilling out of her mouth and she didn’t want to stop them. The weight on her chest was seemingly lifting with every word she spoke. However once Y/N realised who she was speaking to, her words ceased.

“I’m sorry, I’m sure you don’t want to hear about how sad my life is,” Y/N said, wiping away a tear she didn’t know had escaped.

“You feel trapped in the Night Court?” Eris questioned.

“Trapped was the wrong word I think,” Y/N said. “I was welcomed at first but Rhys never allowed me to leave on my own in the first few months. I had to either stay indoors or have an escort everyday I went. It was suffocating. Even now, I am still told to stay within Velaris.”

“It has been years,” Eris said. “Why don’t you leave?”

Y/N shrugged. “I am not sure where I would go. It’s not like I know anyone else and I wouldn’t be welcome back to my old life. So I guess I am trapped.”

Eris didn’t respond as he got to his feet, brushing himself off. He held out his hand to Y/N.

“Come and dance with me,” Eris said.

For some reason, Y/N felt herself reaching up to touch his hand. As soon as her fingers brushed his, Eris closed his hand around hers and pulled her to her feet.

Y/N’s heart raced as they stood chest to chest. That pull in her chest became tight.

Eris’s eyes glanced down at her, his eyes fighting to remain on her eyes. He failed as he looked down at her body and the dress that clung to it. The colour perfectly matching his jacket.

“Why are you being nice to me?” Y/N questioned, her voice a whisper.

Eris’s eyes locked with hers again, as Isal could easily get lost in them. “What have they told you about me?”

“That you are rude, manipulative, dangerous,” Y/N answered. “They mentioned that you proposed to my sister after only one dance.”

“And do you know the reason for that,” Eris whispered, stepping closer to Y/N.

The eldest Archeron shook her head, her heart hammering against her chest as the close proximity.

“My father,” Eris spat, “was forcing my hand in marriage, he didn’t care who it was. I fought against it but once he…” Eris trailed off and sighed, though Y/N didn’t miss the flash of pain in his eyes. “It doesn’t matter what he did, but I knew that it would continue if I didn’t marry.”

“So you proposed to my sister,” Y/N concluded.

“I’ll be honest and say that it was a spur of the moment decision and I knew that it would piss off your High Lord and his lapdogs.”

“He isn’t my High Lord,” Y/N responded.

“Oh? Then who is?” Eris’s voice was low and rumbled in his chest. Y/N's hands moved on their own accord to rest firmly against his firm chest. Not to push him away but to feel him.

“No one,” Y/N said. “I am not controlled by anyone.”

Eris smirked. “Good. That’s what I wanted to hear.”

Before Y/N could muster up a response, Eris had laced his fingers with hers and pulled her toward the ballroom. It was still lively and everyone still danced with their partners. However as Eris entered the room, all attention seemed to divert towards him, and then to Y/N, who didn’t shrink away from the stares.

Eris brought her to the centre of the ballroom. His gaze focussed on her. Y/N swallowed, suddenly nervous. Even though many others had returned to dancing, Y/N could still feel the stares of those of the Night Court. From the corner of her eye, she could see Rhysand’s face twist into one of anger. Y/N couldn’t find it within herself to care.

“Don’t focus on them, just focus on me,” Eris muttered as he wrapped an arm around her to pull her body flush with his and they began to dance to the music.

At first Y/N couldn’t focus on anything but the stares of her sisters and their mates, but as soon as she felt Eris lightly squeeze her hand, she shifted focus to him. They danced around the ballroom with ease and Y/N found herself smiling. Y/N was surprised that the smirk Eris had was changed. Now a genuine smile graced his handsome face. It suited him.

“You are quite beautiful, Y/N Archeron,probably the most beautiful female I have ever encountered,” Eris muttered.

Y/N flushed and tried to ignore her pounding heart.

“Why are you being nice to me?” Y/N asked as he spun her around. “You never answered my question.”

As she was spun back into his chest, Eris held onto her tightly. “You feel it too, don’t you? That tug. That pull that began as soon as you set eyes on me.”

Y/N didn’t respond but the answer was in her eyes.

“I feel it too,” Eris whispered into her ear. “And do you know what it is?”

Y/N had a feeling she knew what it was but she didn’t want to say it, in fear of being wrong and in fear of what would happen after.

“A mating bond,” Eris whispered, his lips brushing against her ear and Y/N’s body was immediately covered in goosebumps.

Y/N pulled away and looked into Eris’s eyes. There was something in the back of her mind telling her that he was lying and it was all some big joke. But the moment she looked into his eyes, she saw nothing but sincerity.

Eris pressed his forehead against Y/N’s and she felt that cord within her tighten more until it snapped into place. There was no more feeling of the pushing and pulling. Her body seemed to get warmer and she gasped.

“You are my mate,” Y/N said in disbelief.

Eris smiled. “And you are mine.”

From across the ballroom, Rhysand stood with the rest of the Inner Circle, his arms folded across his chest as he glared at Eris. The High Lord of Autumn, listed his gaze from Y/N for the first time since they had begun to dance and locked it onto Rhysand.

“I think your brother in law wants to talk,” Eris commented.

Y/N ripped her attention away from Eris and turned it to her family standing the opposite side of the ballroom. Feyre’s eyes held a sense of pleading for her to get away from Eris. Nesta and Elain stood by her side, unreadable expressions on both of their faces.

“Why should I care what they have to say? It’s not like they have taken any care in what I have to say.” Y/N answered.

“I would love to return to dancing with you and let Rhysand do his own thing, whether that be leaving or brooding,” Eris said, his hand gripping her waist. “But I need to keep up appearances tonight.”

Eris led Y/N out of the ballroom and into the hallway, the rest of the Inner Circle following behind them.

“What are you doing with him, Y/N?” Rhysand said as soon as the door was closed.

“Dancing,” Y/N responded bluntly, folding her arms across her chest.

“Y/N, just come with us,” Feyre pleaded to her older sister.

“Why?” Y/N exclaimed. “It’s not as if any of you even notice I’m there half of the time.”

“That’s not true,” Feyre said.

“Yes it is,” Y/N said, letting it all out. “When Tamlin gave us the money and Nesta, Elain and I lived in that house, the two of you barely ever spoke to me. After Elain and Nesta were thrown into the cauldron, no one even batted an eye once I was thrown in. None of you even cared even though I was screaming for someone to save me.”

“Of course we care, Y/N,” Nesta spoke up.

“You all have a funny way of showing it,” Y/N answered. “When everything was over I thought that I could have my sisters back, I thought that we could finally be a family after everything. But I was wrong, you all had someone who you valued over me. At first it didn;t bother me. I know that once you all had your mates, I wouldn’t be at the top of your priority list but I seemed to be right at the bottom.”

Tears fell from Y/N’s eyes no matter how hard she tried to stop them. “None of you told me that Feyre could have died from childbirth.”

The Inner Circle were silent.

“When Feyre stopped by a few days ago, I was happy. I thought that you had come to talk to me and catch up but the only thing you did was tell me about this ball where my presence wouldn’t even be missed if I hadn’t attended.”

“Y/N, we are sorry you feel this way but do you realise who you are dancing with–”

Y/N cut Rhysand off with a scoff. “I just poured my heart out to all of you and that is all you have to say. Did any of you even notice me leave earlier? I think not. Eris followed me and was the one to ask if I was okay. He was the one who actually listened and took notice of me.”

“Y/N, we can talk about this back home,” Feyre said.

“Home? Velaris has never been my home,” Y/N said. “All of you made sure of that when you forgot I existed.”

“We didn’t forget about you, Y/N,” Elain piped up. “We love you.”

Y/N shook her head and hardly wiped the tears away. “If you loved me, you would act like it. You would check in on me from time to time. You would invite me to your family dinners that I never get an invite to. You would act like my sisters and not strangers. None of you were there when I needed you most.”

A tear slipped down Feyre’s cheek as she looked at her sister. “I am so sorry, Y/N. Please forgive us. Come home, we can make this right.”

Y/N shook her head. “I am staying here.”

Everyone looked surprised, even Eris, whose arm hadn’t left Y/N’s waist.

“You are not staying here, Y/N,” Rhysand said. “As your High Lord–”

“You are going to command me to come back with you?” Y/N said. “Really, Rhysand, after all of that?”

“If I may interject,” Eris spoke up as Rhysand shot him daggers. “If Y/N does not want to return to you, I will have a room set up for her here and she will be looked after until she wishes to return.”

“She is not staying–”

“I am!” Y/N exclaimed. “I am staying here because Eris has been the only one to not make me feel invisible and useless.”

“Y/N, please,” Feyre said, her final attempt to try and convince Y/N.

Y/N shook her head. “I would prefer to stay here, at least until I am ready to see you all again.”

“How long will that be?” Elain asked.

“I don’t know,” Y/N responded and Eris gently squeezed her waist in reassurance.

Feyre nodded. “If that is what you wish, Y/N.”

“It is,” Y/N said. “Now please, leave me alone.”

Y/N turned on her heel and walked down the hallway until she was out of sight.

Once she was around the corner, Y/N finally let out a sob, the weight was gone from her chest but at a cost. Her sisters probably hated her now. But she couldn’t stay in the Night Court, she didn’t belong there. It wasn’t her home and would never be her home.

“Are you okay?” Eris asked, appearing behind her.

Y/N tried to quiet her sobs but failed.

Eris was by her side in an instant with his arms wrapped around her, chin resting on top of her head. Y/N immediately felt safe and secure in his arms. She wrapped her arms around him and held onto him tightly. The bond connecting the two filled Y/N with an emotion she couldn’t place.

“They left,” Eris muttered. “They won’t bother you anymore.”

“Is it true?” Y/N said, pulling away from him to gaze up at him, her eyes bloodshot. “Can I really stay here?”

“For as long as you like,” Eris replied, brushing her tears away.

“And what of the bond?” Y/N asked.

“That can be your decision,” Eris said. “If you choose to accept it or not, you will have a place at the Autumn Court.”

Y/N nodded. “Thank you, I have only just met you but you have been so kind to me.”

Eris smiled. “You need not thank me for that. You deserve kindness.”

Y/N rested her hand over his heart. “As do you, Eris.”

Eris pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I can show you to your room if you wish.”

“But what about the party?” Y/N questioned.

“Who cares?” Eris said. “My priority is to make sure that you are okay and looked after if you are staying here. I am not going to let my mate in just any room here, I will make sure you have the most luxurious one, right after mine, of course.”

Y/N laughed for what felt like the first time in a while. Eris smiled at the sound.

“Thank you, Eris,” Y/N said. “You have no idea what this means to me.”

Eris laced their fingers together and squeezed her hand and led her down the hallway. Y/N squeezed his hand back and happily walked alongside him. No longer would she be overlooked, not when she had Eris by her side.

#eris vanserra #eris vanserra x reader #eris vanserra x you #eris vanserra x y/n #acotar x reader #eris acotar #a court of thorns and roses #ACOTAR

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starryevermore · 1 month

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it’s a goddamn blaze in the dark and you started it ✧ azriel

angst city™ library | send in a request (consult request faqs first)

pairing: azriel x vanserra!fem!reader

summary: you have a surprise for your mate. azriel takes everything horribly.

word count: 2,743

warnings?:, angst city™ bitch, (perceived) cheating, accusations of cheating, dual povs, no happy ending (we stay sad here), there may be a part 2 if anyone asks nicely, not proofread

PART TWO

Ordinarily, you hated when Azriel would leave for long missions. Azriel loved that about you. For so many years, he longed for someone to love him in spite of himself. Throughout his life, he had so many heinous things. He always worried that his hands were stained too red for anyone to ever want to hold. But you, the only daughter of Autumn, looked him right in the eye and proudly declared that he was your mate. You looked at the darkest parts of him and found love for him anyways. And when your family, when Beron, tried to keep you from him, you ran straight into his arms anyways. You were willing to throw away everything you knew for him. Azriel would always be grateful for that. But, now, you almost seemed to want him to leave.

You had been acting strange a few days before he left. For as long as Azriel knew you, you were fiercely independent. It was something that was appreciated because it meant you could take care of yourself when he was gone for days, weeks, even months at a time to carry out Rhysand’s will. Now, though…You would disappear for long stretches of time, give vague answers when Azriel would ask how you were doing. He supposed, as spymaster, he could figure it out for himself, or at least send some shadows to follow you, but he wanted you to tell him yourself. He needed to hear from you that everything was okay.

That is, until he told you he was going to be away for a month on a mission. Typically when he would be gone for so long, you would hold him close and rant about how you were going to give Rhys a piece of your mind for taking your mate away. And he would kiss you and cherish the few hours he had left with you before he would have to leave. This time, you only pouted and gave him a kiss goodnight before retiring to bed.

It was damn near impossible for him to focus on the mission after that. Had Azriel done something wrong? Had you finally reached the depths of Azriel’s darkness and decided you hated what you saw?

He planned on talking to you as soon as he returned. He would not let you get away with vague answers. He wouldn’t rest until he got the truth about your new behavior. He had to know.

He almost wished he hadn’t.

When Azriel winnowed into his shared home with you, the scent of other males filled his nose. If it had been Cassian or Rhys, he would have paid it no mind. But he didn’t recognize these scents. Who had you invited into his home?

A worse thought crept into his mind—had this been why you were so eager for him to leave?

You grinned as a shadow alerted you to Azriel’s return home. It had been so hard to keep away from your mate, but you knew that if you allowed yourself near him, you would have spoiled the surprise. And, oh, how you wanted to surprise him.

It wasn’t easy to keep things from the spymaster. Between his shadows and his observational skills, he had near perfect accuracy when it came to figuring out your surprises. And yet, he didn’t make any guesses or reveal that he knew what your secret plan was this entire time. It almost had you confessing. But then Azriel told you he was being sent away for a month on a mission, and you knew you could hold out until the end.

You couldn’t keep the secret totally to yourself, of course. You told Rhys and Feyre, who helped you find a reputable group of workers to build the addition onto your home. And you told Nesta and Cassian, who caught you leaving the store with a bundle of bags. Mor guessed on her own. Amren was the one who figured it out before even you knew. Everyone agreed to keep the secret amongst themselves, on the condition that you invite them over for dinner after you finally reveal your secret to your mate.

And the day had finally come! The workers had just finished the addition a few days before, their timing nearly perfect.

When you felt the shadows creep up your ankles, wrapping themselves around you, you knew Azriel was home. You jumped up from your seat on the couch and ran to greet him where he stood in the dining room.

A wide smile stretched across your face as you said, “Welcome home!”

But when you threw your arms around his neck, he didn’t move. You took a step back, watching as he glanced around your home, his nose wrinkling.

“Did the mission go alright?” you tried.

Still, Azriel didn’t say anything. Worry began to settle in the pit of your stomach. It must have been truly awful for him to be so quiet now. While Azriel usually kept some of the more gory details to himself, he did like to talk to you about his missions. He said it helped him process the things he did. Did you need to go give Rhys a piece of your mind?

“Az, is everything okay?”

Finally, his eyes snapped to yours. “I don’t know,” he said, his head tilting, looking at you almost like how a predator looks at its prey. “Would you be okay if you found out your mate was unfaithful?”

Your heart dropped. How could he think that? “What?”

Azriel rolled his eyes and gestured widely to the room. “You think I can’t smell the other males who have been here? Do you think I’m stupid?”

Oh. Oh no. You had glamoured your own scent, so that you might keep this all a surprise. But you didn’t think to glamour the scent of the workers. “You don’t understand—”

“I understand perfectly well that I have a whore of a mate,” he hissed.

You reached for him. How could this go so wrong? Why wasn’t he listening to you? “Azriel, please—”

He pushed you away so hard you stumbled, your back hitting the kitchen table. His eyes flashed—with what, you weren’t sure. Certainly not regret, though. “Stay the fuck away from me.”

“Just listen to me, please—”

“I don’t want to listen to any of the lies you spew,” he snapped. He turned to leave. “When I come back, I expect you to be gone.”

“Azriel!”

But before you could say anymore, he was already gone.

It took everything in you to not sink to your knees and cry. Why would Azriel so easily believe you would be unfaithful to him? Why wouldn’t he let you explain? Did he truly think so little of you? You wiped your face with the back of your hand, surprised by how many tears had already fallen.

How could Azriel look at the face of his crying mate and not even attempt to hear you out?

You took a shuddering breath, glancing down at the one shadow that remained with you. Bile rose up in your throat. He wouldn’t listen to you, but he would leave a shadow? To what, make sure you actually left?

Fine.

Fine, you’ll leave, if that’s what he wishes. You didn’t want to stay a minute longer with a male who thinks so lowly of his mate.

Azriel stayed gone for a week. He retreated to Rhysand’s cabin, knowing that you wouldn’t—you couldn’t—follow him there. Unlike your brothers, you were unable to winnow. Try as you might, the skill never came for you. It had once pained him, knowing how you had to flee the Autumn Court on foot so that you could be with him. Now, though, Azriel was grateful to be able to put distance between you and him.

The only contact Azriel had that entire week was to send a letter to Rhys, providing the details of the mission and stating that he would be away for a while. Rhys only responded to tell him to enjoy his time away. Azriel wished he could. But there was nothing enjoyable about learning of a mate’s infidelity.

Finally, though, the limited food supply at the cabin ran low enough to justify Azriel returning to his family. He went to the River House, hoping to talk to Rhys about what had transpired. What he hadn’t expected was to be greeted with celebration.

“Congratulations!” Feyre said when she saw him, pulling Azriel into a one-armed hug as she held Nyx on her hip.

Rhys’s lips pulled into a smirk as he approached him. “Where is that mate of yours? I believe she promised us a dinner.”

Azriel’s heart clenched at the mention of you. As angry as he was to learn you had been unfaithful, it had broke his heart to know that he couldn't be with you again. He would never be able to trust you again. Azriel already spent his days torturing the scum of Prythian. He didn’t need to have a scourge of a mate, too. “Dinner’s cancelled for the foreseeable future,” Azriel said.

Rhys waved him off. “Understandable. If she’s anything like Feyre was, she must constantly be sick. Whenever she’s ready, though, we would love to have dinner with her.”

Why was Rhysand so focused on dinner? A bitter part of him wondered if his brother was one of the people you took to bed. Would you do that to him, to Feyre?

Feyre looked Azriel up and down, sensing that there was something more than what Azriel was letting on. “Have you seen her since you’ve come back?”

“I have,” Azriel said, his tone clipped.

“And were you…excited?” she asked.

He rolled his eyes. “Why would I be excited to learn my mate is a—” He glanced at Nyx. Though barely a year old, he probably was cognizant enough to babble swear words spoken in front of him. “—that my mate was unfaithful?”

“What are you talking about?” Rhys asked, his brows knit together.

“I came home to a house reeking of other males. She didn’t even try to hide—”

Feyre gasped, her hand flying up to cover her mouth. Finally. Someone understood. “You didn’t—“

Rhysand’s eyes flashed. “Azriel, don’t tell me you excused her of cheating.”

“Why shouldn’t I confront her for what she did? For who she brought into our home?”

“Azriel, that female loves you. She risked her life to come to Velaris. Do you really think that she would throw that all away?” Rhys snarled. “Tell me she’s still at the house.”

“When I left a week ago, I told her to be gone. I imagine she isn’t there anymore.” Azriel frowned. “And I know, it doesn’t seem like something she would do, but the males’ scents were everywhere—”

Azriel’s head snapped to the side. He raised his hand to his face, touching his stinging skin. He looked at Feyre, his eyes widening. Did she really just hit him? Now? “You idiot!” she snapped. “Your home smelled like other males because she hired workers to build an addition while you were gone.”

“What?” Why would you do that? You had always loved the small cottage. You had once told him that the only reason you might ever choose to leave would be to grow your family.

“She was having a nursery built,” Rhys snapped.

Oh.

It was days before you reached Autumn’s borders, and days still before you came into contact with other fae. The female fae, who found you collapsed on her family’s farm, took pity on you. Ordinarily, you would have shuddered at the mere idea of being pitied by anyone. But you were so exhausted. You weren’t sure if you could make it any further on your own. So when she ordered her husband to winnow you to the Forest House, you leaned against him and let him take you away. At the Forest House, you were passed to the arms of a sentry to one of Eris’s guards until your brother was carrying you into your old room, yelling for a healer.

Save for trips to the bathroom and when your mother dragged you out to family dinners, you scarcely left your bed. The healer would check on you daily to ensure that you were still healthy enough to carry your child and that the child was still doing well—that the stress wasn’t killing it. You were sure the stress was killing you. Aside from her, though, you didn’t speak to anyone. You couldn’t find the energy, not even when Eris was sitting on the edge of the bed, trying to make sense of what happened.

“Did something happen with Azriel?” he asked, reaching out to pet your hair. It had been something he often did when you were younger whenever you were upset.

You squeezed your eyes shut and rolled over, turning your back to Eris. It was the first time anyone had said his name. Whenever the healer would come, she would make remarks about “the father”. But she never said his name. As for your mother and brothers, they mostly kept to themselves. Whether it was to give you time to heal or out of fear of you breaking down, you weren’t sure.

“Did he hurt you?” Eris asked.

“Not like Father did,” you whispered. It hurt to speak. Your vocal cords strained. You swallowed, trying to alleviate the pain. It didn’t help.

His hand paused at your answer. When he spoke again, his voice was tight, like it pained him to think your mate could hurt you. “What did the bastard do?”

Part of you wanted to say nothing. Reliving that pain was too much, and you doubted it would be good for the baby. But now that you had spoken, you doubted that Eris would let you continue your vow of silence. “He accused me of infidelity.”

You glanced over your shoulder, watching as Eris’s eyes turned to slits. You rolled back over and reached for his hand. It was warm, like his fire was just below the surface. “And you let him live after such an accusation?”

“He wouldn’t listen. Was so sure of it that it didn’t matter what I said.” Your eyes welled up with tears. Though you were no stranger to crying in front of your brother, you prayed you wouldn’t do it now. It felt too pathetic—crying over a male. “I had an addition built to the cottage. He smelt the workers’ scents and thought the worst.”

Eris opened his mouth. You braced yourself for the fire that was about to spew from his mouth. A knock on the door, however, stopped him in his tracks. Both of you looked over as your mother stepped into the room, a piece of paper pinched between her fingers. Eris rose to his feet, then closed the distance between them. “What is it?”

“It’s a letter from the Night Court. The High Lord is inquiring about her whereabouts.”

You glanced down at the shadow, still twisted around your wrist. Huh. Maybe Azriel didn’t leave the shadow behind to monitor you. Otherwise, there would be no need to look for you. The shadow could easily slither back to its master, whisper that you were hiding in the Forest House. A smile tugged at your lips. Even if this killed you, it did bring you some modicum of joy to know the shadows were turning their back on Azriel.

Your mother and Eris looked to you for any sign of how to respond. Letting out a breath, you pushed yourself up and swung your legs over the edge of the bed. You tightened the robe around your waist as you strode over to them. “Tell them that I am safe,” you said, “and that any further correspondence is unnecessary and unwanted.”

Then, you walked past them to your wardrobe, plucked a dress and retreated to the bathroom. You were done wallowing in self-pity. If your mate didn’t want you anymore, that was fine. You could learn to live with this. But you won’t allow yourself to become a husk. Not when you had a babe you would need to care for.

As you shut the door, you heard Eris say, “Tell the High Lord that if the shadowsinger dares to sniff around our borders, I will have his wings mounted to my wall.”

You couldn’t find it in yourself to care.

PART TWO

#azriel imagine #azriel x reader #azriel x fem!reader #azriel x female reader #azriel x you #azriel x y/n #azriel fanfiction #azriel fan fiction #azriel fanfic #azriel fan fic #azriel fic #azriel shadowsinger #starrywrites #starryevermore

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surielstea · 29 days

Text

Too Sweet

Based on this request

Pairing: Eris x Fem!Reader

Summary: Reader faces the mating bond with an unrelenting Eris

4.1k words

The mating bond. It was an unmistakable notion, and I have it.

Ever since I was a girl I dreamed of my mate sweeping me off my feet and riding off into the sunset. I've been all over Prythian, from summer to winter, but, nothing.

Except now I have the mating bond, a golden string so thin I thought it might snap at any second. I have it, but not with anyone from Summer or Winter, nowhere exotic or far away, but here. My golden string connected to the newly crowned High Lord, the very embodiment of Autumn.

I've known Eris for years, ever since my family came into nobility I was hurled into golden ballrooms and etiquette classes I had no desire to be in.

All the other girls stared at me like I was too poor, too odd. And all of the boys, well no one wants to be friends with a boy from the Autumn Court.

But when I met Lucien Vanserra everything changed. My father was delighted to hear I was becoming close with the High Lord's son, often encouraging me to further get to know the family, and so I did, I even met the esteemed High Lord but he wasn't much to prattle on about.

But the Heir? Oh gods, to say I had a crush was an understatement. I loved Lucien and all but, his brother sure was the highlight of visiting the Forest House.

Any girl would've fallen for the cooler, older brother— but it was never just a crush, it was always something more, something I was never able to explain and now I know why. Soul bound, cauldron fated, mates.

Eris knew, he's known for a while now, and I could feel it.

The male was sitting on the sofa next to Lucien while I sat on the floor petting one of the Shadow Hounds. He and Lucien were just talking about anything, laughing with each other like the boys they never got to be. But Beron's dead and the new High Lord could do whatever he wanted. Including being happy.

Eris was playing with a two-month-old puppy, the dog prancing across Eris's lap and I don't know why but that was it, that's what made the bond snap.

I could physically see the golden string bridging between us, I reached for it and as soon as my fingertips came to contact with it he jolted upward, head whipping towards me with concern laced in his gaze. The puppy looks up at him expectantly, cocking his head in confusion as to why he stopped playing with him.

"You alright?" Lucien said, hand coming to his brother's shoulder. Eris shutters at the contact but his eyes don't leave mine. He arched his brow a fraction, silently asking what the hell it was that I just did to him. I touch the string again and a shiver goes down my spine. "I'm fine," Eris settled back into the couch. "It's cold in here, is all," Eris mutters but that's a lie, it was burning hot in the sitting room. The two men in front of me were like furnaces, not to mention the blazing fire in the hearth.

"I'm going to bed," I get up, Lucien's eyes follow me but Eris doesn't look. "You're packed to leave in the morning?" He asks and I nod. We've been visiting Autumn for more than a week now, originally coming down to celebrate Eris's coronation but that turned into a vacation quickly, but now I feel I've overstayed my welcome. "Mhm," I nod.

"You should get some sleep too, we've got a long trip home," I say and he nods. "Don't worry so much about me," He waves me off and I roll my eyes, feigning casualty when my stomach is twisting itself into knots impossible to untangle. "Night Lu," I press a kiss to the top of his head and he smiles up at me. "Night, Eris," I glance at him and he simply nods, not saying anything, barely looking at me.

I stifle a sigh and turn on my heel, walking down the hall towards my bedroom.

Haco, Eris's leading shadow hound followed me to my bedroom, trotting after me, and once I turn to close the door he sits in the doorway, looking up at me with pleading eyes. I huff and open the door wider. I swear the hound smiles as he welcomes himself into my bedroom.

I flop down onto my large bed with a curse. This mattress was too large for one person, something that was meant to be shared between lovers. "C'mere," I pat the comforter, calling Haco up. He jumps onto the bed, his tail swishing in happiness as I scratch behind his ears. He walks in a circle before settling down at my side, curling into a ball with his head facing the door, like he's guarding me from any intruders.

"Who's a good boy?" I hum and his ears lift at the tone of my voice, turning his head to look at me. "Tell that owner of yours he needs to figure himself out," I say, using the dog as my therapist. The hound looks at me with sad eyes then chuffs and rests his chin down onto my open palm. I sadly smile at the dog, kissing him on the head before laying beside him.

Sleep doesn't come easy that night, in fact, it doesn't come at all. I listened to the muffled voices from down the hall until the familiar sound of Lucien's footsteps passed my door and his door shut, turning in for the night.

Eris's room was on the other side of the large house, the High Lord's room. I look at the dog next to me, a light snore coming from his snout. I smile and press a kiss to his nose. He opens his eyes sleepily, looking at me expectantly as I slide off of my mattress. "I'll be back, stay," I tell him, and Haco whines with a wag of his tail. "Stay," I stress and if he was a human he'd be rolling his eyes. He lays his head down, signaling his defeat. I smile in victory then slip out of my room, light on my feet as I pad down the hall and into the kitchen.

I thank the gods that the two Vanserra brothers finally left the room, I've been parched for a glass of water since I had first gotten into bed.

I pour myself a glass and drink deeply from it, allowing the cold water to slip down my dry throat. Once I finish the glass I go to put it in the sink but as I do a basket of pears catches my attention. Eris and I had gone to the orchards on horses and picked them this morning while Lucien slept in. I freeze mid-step, reminded of how mates accept the bond, how it'd be so easy to offer Eris food and have that happily ever after I've wanted since I was a girl. I sigh and put the glass in the sink, ignoring the pears and walking past them, towards my room.

But my movements are slow like I don't quite want to leave the freshly harvested fruit behind.

I weigh the pros and cons in the middle of the hallway. The worst that would happen is he didn't accept it and I'm crushed forever, but the 'what if?' Thoughts killed me. Because what if he does want it, and just ignores it because he knows I hate this court? What if he does want it and is just afraid I don't?

I sigh, this was shredding me into pieces and I've only been enduring the bond for a few hours. Gods know how long he's known. I spin on my heel and march back towards the basket of pears. If he doesn't accept it then that's fine, I don't want to force him into anything. But I needed to know. I was sick of this miscommunication, I needed closure and this is the best way to get it.

I washed the ripest pear I could find, it smelled the sweetest and yielded when I put pressure on its neck. I debated cutting the pear into slices but decided that'd take too long and I was already trying to talk myself out of my plans.

I stalk down the opposite hall, away from my room. Mapping my way through the sprawling complex of the forest house until I stand in front of a large wooden door, my brows creasing as I realize he might already be asleep.

I think to turn away and do this in the morning instead but before I can even take a step back, Haco scratches at the door with his paw. I didn't even realize the hound was there. Anxiety bubbles up in the pit of my stomach as dread consumes me and I feel my throat get dry all over again. I don't get the chance to flee before the door swings open, revealing a shirtless Eris with a crystal glass filled with an unmistakable amber liquid. I freeze in place. His eyes pin to mine as if he's shocked to see me.

The hound that's caused all of this pads away, down the hall back towards my bedroom like his work is done.

"I thought you were going to sleep?" He tilts his head. "I am— I was," I correct, looking down at the pear in my hand and then back up to him. Suddenly I felt helpless. Like a bunny in the presence of a fox. Utterly vulnerable and far too heedless. "I wanted to give this to you," I held the fruit out, he stared at it for a moment with those piercing golden eyes, but he didn't take it. "A pear?" He tilts his head dumbly as if he's never seen the food before. I swallow thickly. "Eris, please," I say. I didn't want to play these games, I wanted him to accept the bond, want him to accept me.

"I know you know, so just..." My voice trails off as I thrust the pear out towards him and he shakes his head no, taking a step back and my heart sinks into the pit of my stomach. "Eris, please," I repeat, brows creased as I stare at him with pure devotion. "You don't want this, don't want me," He denies. "I've wanted this since I was nineteen," I reason with him and his eyes widen a fraction in disbelief. "You wouldn't be happy with me, I want you to be happy," He argues and now it was my turn to shake my head, my hand dropping as I took a step into his office.

"I'm cruel and bitter, you don't want to live with that," He stresses and I take another step forward, my chest nearly pressed to his as I reach up and cup his jaw. "I've seen every part of you, I want every part," I reassure but he backs away. "Fawn, you don't understand I can't tie you down, you hate this Court and yet I'm the High Lord," He explains. "If we're mated you'd have to live here, I won't strip you of your freedom, I can't do it," He refuses and my frown deepens.

"I hated it here when Beron was in power, but now there's nothing I have to worry about," I argue and his expression matches mine, clearly distraught about the situation. "I'm standing here offering you food, I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't exactly what I wanted, so eat," I hold the fruit up to his mouth but he catches my wrist, eyes staying on me. "You're too sweet," He sighs but my expression doesn't waver, eyes urging him to eat.

His stare doesn't leave mine as he leans forward and bites into the sugary fruit, the juice of the pear drips from the corner of his mouth and down his jaw, and maybe it was the low lighting, or The Frenzy already setting in, but suddenly I couldn't control my arousal as it spiked.

"You sure this is what you want?" He whispers and I wrap my arms around his neck, chest pressing to his as I crash my lips onto his it was slow and soothing and everything I've ever dreamed of. "There's no going back now," I uttered breathlessly onto his lips. "But yes, this is exactly what I want," I confess and a small smile curves over his lips before placing them right back onto mine. The gentle, chaste kiss quickly morphed into something hungrier and lust-filled. His large, veiny hands roamed down the small of my back, past the curve of my ass and to my thighs. I jump up and he catches me with ease, my legs wrapping around him as I get impossibly closer.

His mouth on mine made every part of me electric. He walks forward until my back is pinned against the wall. He leaves my lips and begins kissing down the column of my throat, his kisses sloppy and feverish and everything I ever wanted. He finds that sensitive spot at my neck and sucks hard.

My head tilts back at the sensation, I whine and he nips at the skin, his tongue quickly gliding over the area, massaging the irritated area and soothing it. "Eris," I sigh out and he sucks harder. "You have no idea how long I've waited to hear you moan my name," He grunts out and his voice, gods the feeling between my legs was growing unbearable.

"I need you, now," I beg. "Please, Eris," I whine and a foxlike smile spreads over his features, his sharp teeth against my neck. "M'sorry baby but I need to take this slow or I'll hurt you," He hums against my burning hot skin. But the arousal, it was too much, too thick between us, I needed him. I rolled my hips onto his abdomen in a needy attempt for friction.

"I don't care, please, Eris," I whimper and his smile only widens. "I want every part of you, remember?" I sigh. "So show me when you’re feral, Eris," I say, pecking up his jaw. The room suddenly becomes ten times hotter as a fire bursts into flames in the furnace.

He didn't reply but instead pushed off the door and carried me towards the large bed.

The mattress was soft against my back as he laid me down with a delicate touch. My legs immediately spread to either side of him, the ache at my core growing to become an inextinguishable fire.

"Gods, you were made for me," He hums, leaning over me. I arch toward him because I was, in fact, made for him. Cauldron fated since the beginning, souls intertwined by birth. "And you, for me," I smile without hesitance as I pull him down by the back of his neck to my lips, sealing my mouth over his.

I hook a leg around his thigh and use all my weight to flip us over, my chest pressed into him as he lands on his back, head on the pillow as an amused smile grows across his features. I grin dreamily and begin to kiss down his jaw, leaving a trail to his neck while his touch roams every inch of me, hands snaking beneath my nightgown and hiking the thin silk up higher.

I grind down onto his hard cock and he grunts in reply, gritting his teeth at the pleasurable feeling. He gets frustrated with the strings of my delicate dress and simply tears it in two, large, strong hands stripping me from the material and leaving me completely bare before him, aside from my remaining undergarments. He curses and grips my breast, causing me to moan and grind down harder onto his member. He massaged my breast with calloused fingertips as I worked at the ties of his pants, needing him now.

He was quick to help me out, stripping me from my bra and then, like the dress, ripping off my panties.

A moment later we're both entirely bare.

My lips pressed to his yet again because he tasted like he smelled, cinnamon and a certain spice that could only be replicated with a mix of smoke and clove. His tongue ran over mine, tasting every exposed inch of me like I was as sweet as honey. I lift onto my knees and align myself with his throbbing cock, he grunts, pulling away from my mouth. "Baby, you can't," He pants in a soft tone. "It'll be too much you need to be prepped," He explains and I all but whine out my reply, "I can, please Eris I'll be so good for you."

"You gonna finish what you started?" His brow arched up the slightest in question and I nod with glossed over eyes. He then grips my hips and pushes me down, his cock splitting me in two as he manages to stuff half of him inside of me. I scream out from the painful pleasure, nails scratching down his chest at the intense feeling of his wide, thick cock spreading me out, my sensitive walls forming around him as I slowly sink myself further down, letting gravity do most of the work until I eventually reach the base of him.

Tears well in my eyes at how gods dammed big he was, I swore I could feel him between my ribs. I stifle a deep breath and slowly begin to grind down, my legs jolting occasionally at the stimulation. His hands roamed from my breasts to my thighs, rough skin brushing over every part of me for pleasure alone and I was drunk on it.

I began moving faster, lifting and driving my hips over his while he stared up at me with pure lust. "S'too big," I rasp out, and a conniving smirk cuts across his features. "My poor girl, can only think about my cock hm?" He tilts his head and all I can do is nod, agreeing just in case he'd make me stop if I didn't. My panting becomes more and more irregular, breathless moans escaping me every time the head of his cock kisses that intense, sensitive spot of my cervix. By the Mother, he's so fucking huge.

A knot bundles at the edge of my stomach, twining itself tighter and tighter as I rut myself over him.

His hand drifts to my ass, gripping it tightly in one of his hands while the other does the same to my hip. "Fuck, you're doing so well riding me baby," He praises and my cheeks heat, from both the heat of the room and the vulnerability of all of this. Baring my very soul to him, giving him my body, him, my mate.

"Faster baby," He orders, and I do as he says to the best of my abilities, he slaps my ass, hard, and I release an unearthly and lewd sound at the feeling, making me go double the speed. "That's it, so good for me," He commends and a dazed smile washes over my features, the knot growing stronger and harder to ignore.

"M’close, Eris," I warn and he nods. "It's okay, me too baby," He reassured and right on queue he twitches inside of me, the slight curve of his cock pressing into my most sensitive place deliciously. His hand navigates all the way up to my neck, wrapping around the back of it then pulling me down to his lips, softly pressing my mouth into his as I continue to spear myself atop him, breasts bouncing at the action as he continued to grip one of them.

"Cum on my cock," He orders, pulling away as he bit down on my lower lip and I whimper, tears now streaming onto my cheeks. My brows crease as my entire body shivers and I feel an electric surge race through me, finally reaching that orgasmic high, subconsciously clenching around him at the sensation and involuntarily making him find his own release. He grunted out as I screamed his name, nails marking lines down his chest as I milk his cock, his warm seed pumping inside of me as the fire in the hearth roared with intensity.

The room is filled with heavy panting and soft groaning as we both come down from our shared high, my legs shaking and my head dipping into his shoulder.

"Fuck, you did so good baby," He sighs out, going to move me off of him but I shake my head and cling to his chest, his member still nestled deep inside of me, holding his cum in. "Not yet," I whispered tiredly. "Wanna stay like this," I hum and his arms wrap tightly around my waist, my chest pressed to his as the fire slowly dwindles. "You're so perfect," He presses a hard kiss to the crown of my head and I furrow deeper into his shoulder.

"My sweet girl," He hums and the new name has my chest blooming in warmth.

I shift my hips, his cock brushing against my sensitive walls and making me shiver. Only then did his member begin to harden again, and I knew then that with his Fae endurance and my arousal, that it was going to be a long night.

———

"Eris I know she's in there open up!" Lucien calls through the door as I stir from my sleep, slowly waking up from my short-lived sleep. "You woke her up, asshole!" Eris shouts back, holding me close to his chest as if Lucien was about to burst in through the High Lord's door at any moment.

"Then tell her we have to leave," Lucien demands through the door as I peek my eyes open. "You couldn't pry her from my dead body," Eris retorts and I can practically see Lucien rolling his eyes on the other side of that door. "Eris maybe I should go—" I don't even get to finish my sentence before he pulls me into him, my face smushed into his shoulder.

"Oh my sweet girl, you're foolish to think you're leaving my side for the rest of the week," He hums and I pull away from his shoulder and look up at him. "I was going to say maybe I should go tell him I'm not coming with," I say, planning on staying at his side for more than just a week. "Oh, okay," He murmurs, arms loosening from my waist and I giggle, getting out of the bed and pulling Eris' shirt from the desk chair and sliding it over my frame so I was decently covered before facing Lucien.

Before I can open the door, my mate appears behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist possessively. I hold back a scoff and swing the door open, meeting a very disgruntled Lucien with my packed bag in his arms.

"I'm not coming," I say blankly and he matches my stare. "I know," He hands me my bag and I thank him with a wide smile. Eris' arms tighten at the action, his head dipping down into my shoulder as he begins to trail kisses up my neck.

"This, it's weird," He gestures to us and I giggle, hand coming up to the nape of Eris's neck. "Alright, have fun lovebirds," Lucien knocks on the wood of the doorframe as a farewell, then he leans in to place a kiss on the crown of my head like he does every time we bid each other a farewell but he freezes as a low growl sounds from the bottom of the High Lord's throat.

"Right, see you soon, hopefully," He says then walks down the hall, Eris quickly shuts the door once he's gone then pushes me up against it, my cheek pressed to the cold wood as his hardened member presses against my ass. "You look so cute in my clothes," He purrs, kissing up my jaw to my ear, nipping at my lobe, and making me curse in pleasure. I knew then it was going to be a long, yet enjoyable week.

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danikamariewrites · 7 months

Text

Take Them All Down (part 1)

Rhysand x reader

A/n: with all things I write I don’t really know what part of my brain this came from. I’ve had this story idea for a while I just never had characters to use it with. Maybe one day I’ll use it with my own but until then enjoy Rhys with a depression beard. Idk why but I mated Az and Feyre plz don’t be mad.

Warnings: death, angst, poison, blood, reader buried alive

You came to with a sharp inhale. The first thing you see is Beron Vanserra smirking down at you. You try to sit up but quickly find the male is kneeling on your chest. As you struggle against him he clicks his tongue at you. “Now, now y/n. None of that.”

You gave up. Tired from the brutal hours you spent fighting Hybern’s army. Before you could scream Beron gripped your jaw so tight he forced your mouth open. He dumped a small vial of clear liquid down your throat, quickly forcing your jaw shut so you’d swallow.

Once he let go up you started coughing, gasping for air. “What the fuck did you do to me?” You croaked out. Drowsiness started to take over your body. Your limbs feeling weak and tired. You fight the urge to close your eyes, attempting to flip your body so you could crawl to Rhys.

As your eyes closed you saw Beron’s mouth move but you couldn’t hear his threatening words. You just drifted off into an endless darkness.

——

It felt like you heard years pass as you stayed in the darkness. You heard Rhys cry out in anguish. A priestess and a somber organ and then nothing.

——

It’s been one month. One month without you and Rhys had become a ghost. He rarely leaves the Town House. Amren and Mor have been running the court. Cassian, Azriel, and Feyre are out of ways to help him.

The High Lord has barley said a word since you died. He just spends his days draped in an armchair, a glass of never ending whiskey clutched in his hand. Rhys had stopped shaving. A dark scruffy beard now covering his sharp jawline. And the bags under his eyes deepened as the days pass.

Rhys knows his family means well but it didn’t make him feel any better as he overheard their constant muttering. “What do we do?” “Has he ever been this bad before?” “He wasn’t like this after under the mountain.” “I’m worried he’s going to do something…drastic.”

If Rhys had the energy to move he would’ve left the Town House weeks ago. But this was your favorite place. He couldn’t just abandon it to collect dust. Rhys scratched at his beard and cleared his throat. The conversation in the hall paused for a moment as the family listened for a moment and went back to their whispers.

—

The five of them held their breath for a beat, then let go as the sound of ice clinking against glass breaks the silence. Cassian scrubs at his face with both hands. Amren shakes her head. Azriel speaks up first, “I’m out of answers.” Mor hugs herself and Feyre holds Azriel’s hand.

“What about other friends?” Mor asks. Azriel shakes his head. “I have intel that Helion and Kallias have been dealing with their own issues.” He lowers his voice more, “Day and Winter are in trouble. They may collapse in months, weeks even.” Amren’s eyes widen in shock. “Why?” She spits out. Azriel shrugs. It’s killing him to not have the answer.

Amren let’s out a huff as she voices what everyone fears. “We might be headed for the same fate if something doesn’t change.” They all look to the sitting room, sending up a prayer to the Mother.

——

It was hard opening your eyes. You still felt groggy from the battle. And then you remember Beron kneeling on you. The clear liquid burning down your throat. You jolted up but hit your head on something hard, forcing you down again.

Your eyes fly open. Your breathing fast and hard. It’s pitch black. You feel around the dark enclosed space. It’s getting harder to breathe.

Cushioned siding and smooth wood meet your fingertips. Your mind is racing. Then it clicks. Beron put you in a suspended state. The bastard fooled everyone into thinking you were dead.

Oh Mother, Rhys! Your mate was tricked into burying you.

You felt anger surge through you. Resting your palms against the smooth cold wood. Taking one more deep breath you pull back your fist, throwing all the strength you have into splintering the wood. It didn’t budge.

You switched fists. Willing the wood to break under your knuckles. You kept alternating fists. Punching again, and again, and again, and again.

A scream ripped from your lips and heavy tears started flowing from your eyes in waves. You didn’t yield. Continuing your assault on the coffin holding you back from the world.

Dirt finally fell through a crack onto your stomach. You jerked and felt something metal against your leg. They buried you with your sword. Strapping it to the belt of your dress you went back to breaking open the coffin. Your knuckles were gushing blood, stinging from the loose wood and dirt.

Another wave of strength and anger came over you and started kicking at the lid. The lid splintered in half allowing dirt to spill in. You sputtered as it fell into your mouth and eyes. Willing your arms to move you push the dirt away from you.

You begin to dig upwards. Crawling all six feet to the surface of the earth.

That was the tough part. Punching through the tightly packed ground was harder than the coffin. As your fist broke the ground you spread your fingers, feeling the cool night air.

Punching over and over again you got both arms out. You push the ground apart with what little strength you have left, pulling yourself from the grave. Gasping down air lighting cracked above. You rest for a moment, curling up on the ground.

Rolling on to your back a wail comes up from your chest. More tears run down your face, leaving tracks on the dirt coating your face.

A blood curdling scream of anger comes next.

Rain begins to pelt your face. You breathe a sigh of relief. You feel alive again.

You want to see Rhys but the need for revenge is overpowering. The anger rattles your bones as you begin to shake.

Flipping over you push yourself up on tired and bloody hands. Fingers seeping in to muddy ground. You focus on breathing and your ability to winnow.

As your power flows through you, you focus on getting as close to the Forest House as possible. Wards be damned. Let him know you’re in his court. In his home. Death is coming for Beron Vanserra and you will be the last person he ever sees.

��

Rapid and hard knocks shake the door of the Town House. Cassian rips it open so hard it almost comes off its hinges. A city guard is standing in the rain looking worried and disheveled. Tilting his head at the guard Cassian noticed the male seemed pale.

“What is it?” “I am sorry to disturb at this hour but there is something the High Lord must know.” Cassian’s brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing. “The High Lady’s grave it’s…been disturbed.” Cassian almost fell to his knees. “How?”

The guard looked like he couldn’t bring himself to say the words. “Speak!” The General commanded. “It’s been dug up, sir.”

Cassian left the door open as he rushed to the sitting room. The Inner circle looked to him with curious faces. “Rhys,” he strode over to kneel before his brother. “Y/n’s grave, it’s…”

Rhys showed his first sign of emotion in weeks. It was unreadable. He shot up from his seat and pushed past the group to the front door. Rhys broke out into a sprint in the pouring rain. They followed and didn’t stop until your grave came into sight.

He halted inches away from the ripped up ground. Dropping to his knees Rhys’s lip trembled as tears streamed down his face. He couldn’t scent another person. Just you. Only one thing was on his mind as he broke out into hysteric laughter.

There had been something off about your death- Rhys just couldn’t verbalize it until now. The mating bond wasn’t gone it was just…dull. Like it was waiting to wake up again. Azriel and Cassian wrapped Rhys in their arms tightly.

“She’s alive,” he forced out through laughter and tears. The group looked at each other concerned. Azriel’s shadows were swirling around like crazy. Covering your tombstone, the hole in the ground, and the ripped up grass around them.

They finally came back to rest by his shoulders. One circling his rounded ear. As the shadow whispered Azriel’s eyes widened at their report.

He looked to Cassian, bewildered. It was true. You are alive. And the shadows haven’t a clue where you went. They needed a plan. And there are too many questions.

—

You ended up at the bottom of the main stairs of the Forest House. The guards didn’t notice you until it was too late. You beheaded them, kicking the doors in.

Stomping down the hall you sliced through each guard you came across. Leaving a trail of blood to the throne room. One of Beron’s sons, you don’t know which one, didn’t care, tried to fight. You brought him down to his knees keeping a death grip around his throat with your arm.

Entering the throne room you climbed up the dais throwing the male down hard, your sword poised at his throat. Guards and other court members rushed in.

You didn’t flinch. Didn’t drop your scowl or lower your sword. You wouldn’t back down from Beron. “Bring me Beron Vanserra or he loses another son!” For emphasis you pushed your blade against the trembling males throat.

#acotar #acotar fanfiction #acotar reader fic #acotar reader imagine #acotar imagine #rhysand angst #rhysand x reader #rhysand imagine #rhysand acotar #rhysand #rhysand x reader imagine #rhysand x y/n #rhysand x you

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readychilledwine · 7 months

Text

Lollipop

Azriel x innocent Vanserra OC

Summary - after being silenced during the High Lord's meeting with her favorite candy. Seraphina finds herself the center of a certain shadowsingers attention

Warnings - implied smut, implied corruption kink, Beron being Beron (so mentions/signs of abuse), implied swapping, Nesta implying she'd go down on OC, age gap, messing with canon a little bit

A/N -I got bored and the whole corruption kink side of me came out. I also think I'm developing a Nesta kink, and it's probably going to get pretty smutty between her and an oc or reader here soon.... oooo or the valkyries x reader.... might have to do something for my girlies who love other girlies...

Part 2

Azriel was going to fucking faint.

Beron, in an effort to stop his daughter from continuing to egg on the Princess of the Summer court, had pulled out some form of an candy on a stick and put it in her mouth much to the laughter and delight of everyone around.

Now all the shadowsinger could do was watch out of the corners of his eyes as his mate sucked and licked on the candy innocently while reading the book Eris had brought for her.

Doing okay there, brother? Rhysand's purr in his mind before the High Lord looked over at the daughter of Autumn had Azriel suppressing a growl. Well, doesn't little Seraphina just look so pretty with her lips wrapped around something.

Azriel shot him a glare before peeking over again. She had the candy so just the tip of it was in her mouth, lips wrapped perfectly around it. Cauldron fucking boil me. Rhysand sent him a wave of agreement as Feyre also looked over and smirked.

Feyre thinks the 3 of us should take her, and oh fuck-

Azriel and Rhys quickly snapped their eyes back to the meeting when the daughter of Autumn looked their way before looking at her older brother and tapping his shoulder.

Her breasts were on display, small hands delicating holding the stick of the candy as she leaned forward in the exquisite dress she was in to whisper in her older brother's ear.

The male heir of Autumn looked over to the Night Court glaring at the shadowsinger and the high lord. He growled softly before taking the candy from a clearly uncomfortable female.

"Excuse my interruption," Tamlin stopped talking as soon as Eris spoke and demanded the attention of the room, "Do you have something you'd like to say to my sister, Spymaster? You've been staring at her for the past 10 minutes."

The room had gone silent. Tamlin leaned forward with a smirk, as did Tarquin and Thesan. The daughter of Autumn was an unspoken set boundary. No one looked at or touched Beron's girl, not even Amarantha. Too much power radiated in that small body. Power anyone would have given Beron their left arm to have access to. They just had to follow his rules to get the chance to play for her hand, and right now, Azriel's silence was risking his own family's shot at it.

Might want to say something there, brother. Az shot Rhysand a glare before clearing his throat and saying the one thing he knew he shouldn't.

"How can I not stare at such a beautiful creature? Especially when your father so willing put something in her mouth for the entertainment of every male here?" Rhys froze and immediately sent a look Azriel's way.

That wasn't what I had in mind. Being her mate does not promise you her hand, Az. Beron could sell her off before Eris gets the chance to bring her to us. Tread carefully.

Beron laughed darkly before turning to the Night Court, "I didn't realize silencing my 55 year old daughter with candy would be such a problem for you, Azriel. No one else here seems to think anything of it. Must just be that Illyrian Bastard blood in you." The reminder of her young age was a slap in the face to the shadowsinger. A reminder that she hardly understood the world yet and that she had spent the majority of her life trapped in that mountain.

Azriel caught the way Seraphina's eyes shut slowly at her father's insults, "It's not a big deal, daddy. I-." Her father held a hand up to silence her. No one missed the flinch from the young girl. Helion, Azriel, Cassian, and Rhys all looked towards each other.

Helion was now staring at the young female too, his eyes softening at her fear. Beron glared at Helion before continuing, "If you continue to look at my daughter, you'll find yourself wingless, boy."

Sera even knew that was too far. Azriel watched the way her chest stilled as she stared wide eyed at her father before switching her gaze to Helion who shook his head softly at her in warning.

Rhysand growled this time, "Do not threaten MY family over your choice not to educate your daughter on sexual matters."

Sera was confused. How was a caramel apple sucker sexual? She made eye contact with the Spring lord, who simply motioned for her to come over to him, and she did.

She walked in a way that reminded Azriel of water. Flowing, smooth, gently. He barely suppressed the growl in his throat as Tamlin pulled the girl into his lap, his mouth close to her delicately pointed and jewel adorned ear.

The room filled with laughter as her eyes grew wide and a red flush hit her chest and cheeks. "Really," she whispered softly to Tamlin, who nodded and then continued whispering in her ear. Soft nodding came from her as Tamlin stroked her upper thigh and whispered to her, eyes locked on Azriel in a clear message. He knew. He could somehow sense the bond. "What's a," Tamlin covered her mouth, laughing slightly as he explained something else to her. "So people don't use the proper terms during sex?" Tamlin was smirking at this point. Whatever he had just said made the young girl gasp, and her eyes go wide.

Beron growled this time and tried to break the field of neutrality in anger but couldn't. "Enough, Tamlin!" Seraphina shifted in Tamlin's lap after he finished speaking to her. She stood and walked back over to the Autumn Court in shock and embarrassment.

"I apologize for the distraction, Shadowsinger. Forgive me," she began playing with her long red curls as Azriel scented her anxiety. "Thank you for the…. Educational lesson, high lord." The daughter of Autumn sat back down slowly and made a fatal error. Her and Nesta Archeron made eye contact and the oldest Cauldron made said one simple thing.

"In case he didn't tell you because he's a selfish male, there's males out there who'd return that favor. And females, if youd be interested in that." The daughter of Autumn grew more red and opened her book to hide her face in the crisp pages, "If you'd like to learn, let me know."

An audible squeak came from the young fae female, "Eris." She was desperate for help. Her brother shot a look Nesta's way, and she returned it with a hate fueled glare.

Tamlin had painted a mental image for her in pretty words chosen specifically to make the young female feel warm. Truly though, She didn't mind the idea. The thought of her on her knees as Azriel tangled his large scarred hands through her long red curls, tongue running along his cock as he made a mess of her made her feel warmth growing in her stomach she'd never felt before.

She had heard rumors from other females about the size of an Illyrian's wings having something to do with the size of their cock, and Seraphina was just trying to imagine how exactly that would work if rumors were true. How exactly would she fit all of him into her mouth if given a chance? The handsome spymaster had huge wings. The largest wings she'd ever seen on a winged fae. If wing size related to endowment size, his cock was huge. And if Nesta was involved? Cauldron boil her. Would Cassian also be involved?

A hand gently clawed at her mind, causing her to freeze. It wasn't trying to get in her head. It was already there. Her honey eyes met violet ones as Rhysand leaned back in his chair and sipped his wine.

No, love, keep going. I was enjoying the delicious thoughts you were having. My brothers and I love sharing our toys. You could have Cassian and Nesta, myself and Feyre- His voice was purr that made her shiver with chills as she slammed him back out and watched as he looked at Azriel.

The winged male's only response was one side of his mouth twitching into a smile before he became unreadable again.

"Now that Seraphina has been educated on some of the finer matters of life, can we continue?" Kal asked coldly as he leaned back into his chair.

Eris discretely handed his sister back her candy. He shot her one look that said, "Be good," before focusing solely on Tamlin and Rhysand restarting their lovers spat.

Seraphina made eye contact with Azriel again as she slowly put the sucker back in her mouth. Azriel pulled his lower lip into his mouth and tugged the mating bond, praying Rhysand had been right when he said he had found it in her mind, but the female just didn't know what it was. Another way to keep her in the dark and innocent, Azriel thought bitterly.

She made a confused face as she looked down at her chest. Then followed the string to Azriel, lollipop now back in the same trapped position of her lips, If you continue looking at me like that with those pretty lips wrapped around that thing, I am not responsible for what happens next little bunny.

Is what Nesta said true? Azriel felt his leathers growing tight at her curious nature. He could feel desire radiating in their bond.

Of course. Only, I eat pussy for my pleasure, not yours. And I will eat pussy because I want to. Not because you've wrapped your pretty little mouth on my cock. He had her. He felt her arousal spike as she shifted. I imagine you'll also be the type who sucks cock for your pleasure instead of mine, little mate.

I'd like to learn. He almost came right then and there as he watched her put the candy in her mouth, eyes wide like a doe.

Keep doing that, baby, and I'll be stealing you to teach you much, much more than just whatever bullshit Tamlin told you. Fucking ruin you for anyone else.

Seraphina turned her attention back to the book she had with a small smile, I'm doing emissary work in the Dawn Court all week this week. I'll be alone tonight.

I'll find you.

I look forward to it.

#acotar #azriel acotar #azriel #azriel shadowsinger #azriel x oc #azriel x vanserra!oc

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redbleedingrose · 5 months

Text

Girl Dad!Cassian x reader Headcanons

A/N: I love me some girl dad Bat boys and Vanserra bros. TBH all the ACOTAR males would make incredible girl dads and I was just thinking about Cassian today. Anyway, this is for @augustinerose I know that it has been tough recently, so I hope this made you smile. <3

Cassian is a girls girl. He LOVES his daughter, and wants his babe to be able to express herself in any way she wants. So he def lets his daughter paint his nails pink and purple, and grins so wide when she smacks a kiss onto his cheek calling him pretty. And he takes real good care to paint her nails all nice and clean.

Cass is also happy to let his pretty princess put some makeup on him, with the blue eyeshadow and red lips. Male is not even the slightest bit embarrassed when you walk into your home to find him sitting on the floor so that your daughter can reach his face, six bows of all colors in his hair that is half braided and half curled, with your reddest shade of lipstick being smeared all over him. The guilty look from your babe stealing your makeup is too cute, and you settle down into Cass’ lap and ask her to do your hair and makeup too.

He would die for this child, and do practically anything to see a smile on her face, so he is gonna wear the purple tutu and tiara for his girl, and he is absolutely gonna have his pinky pointing out while he sips water from a tiny princess tea cup cuz his baby girl scolded him for not using "proper etticuite daddy."

Occasionally, she can also rope in Az and Rhys and they might roll their eyes and moan and groan, but they are gonna do anything for that little girl because they adore her and she is the only baby girl in the family so far. They spoil her like no other. You had to practically ban Rhys from getting her anymore dresses because there was no more storage in your home, and you nearly threw him into the Sidra when he offered to add another room to your home so he could fill it up with more jewelry and shoes and tutus for the “night court princess”

And on starfall, she does little dance routines for the whole family but she willet all shy about dancing her little ballerina routine in front everyone in the inner circle, so he helps her out and dances by her side even getting on his tippy toes despite everyone is snickering at him, this big burly male twirling around with his muscled arms pointed to the sky with his "mini me"

He loves pretending to chomp and eat her ruddy cheeks because it makes her cackle from deep in her tummy, and he is always blowing raspberries into her chubby belly. Don’t even get me started on those chunky thighs, and stinky feet. Cass wants to cry every single time he thinks about his pretty princess growing up. He wants her to stay young forever, to never worry about a single thing, to make sure that he can always watch over her and protect her.

When she was a newborn, he would steal her from the bassinet and take her on flights, wrapping her tiny wings into a wooly blanket to make sure they stay warm and cozy, and he would spend hours just flying around and telling her stories about his life, and stories about you. His favorite topic to talk about to her while she snoozes away is how much he loves you and how much he loves her. His obsession with his girls is truly a next level of adoration.

Ugh AND he loves cutting up fruit for her, and she just walks around munching on it with her tiny fist around the fruit and juices smeared across her cheeks. An he is always so gentle about wiping away the juices with a wet rag, having her sitting on the counter with her tiny legs swinging back and forth kicking his corded thighs while he cleans her ups and smooches her ruddy cheeks when he is done

Let us also discuss how Cassian learned how to braid hair by the Valkaryie warriors, and so he is the expert when it comes to doing her hair. Male can do twists and plaits so fast and instinctually, its insane. Most days, you have him doing your own hair. Oh, and she was born with a TUFT of hair that he would play with to soothe her. It is thick and dark just like his, and curls at the end, and he thinks it is one of his favorite features that he passed on to her.

OOOHHHH and imagine him teaching her to fly when she finally has the strength to control those muscles. She is all frustrated with fat tears rolling down her ruddy cheeks cuz “is too hard daddy” and he is down on one knee in front of her, rubbing his large hands over her tiny shoulders hushing her little cries, “s’okay baby, you’re right, it is hard,” and he smooches her cheek and pulls back to stare into her big eyes, “but you know what sweet girl? You can do it. It might take some time and practice, like most things do, but you will do it. And I will be here every step of the way, ‘kay?” And she sniffles, rubbing her tears away with a tiny fist and snuggles into his big chest while nodding.

Every birthday, he buys her a bouquet of flowers. And he also buys you a bouquet of flowers, making sure to thank you for the best gift he has ever received.

Okay maybe I will add more to this later, but this all I got for now, I hope you enjoyed!!!

#girl dad!cassian x reader #Girl dad!Cass x reader #girl dad!cassian #girl dad!Cassian acotar #girl dad!Cass #cassian acotar #general cassian #cassian x reader #girl dad cassian #pre-girl dad!Cassian #cassian fanfic #cassian fanfiction #acotar #acotar fanfic

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lady-of-tearshed · 2 months

Text

Rude awakening

A/N: Here's a little treat while you wait for the Azriel fic that's coming this week.

Summary: Eris has to, once again, bring Lucien along with him on the long-awaited date planned with you. He can't help but wonder how having a child with you would look like...

Word count: 961

Warnings: Based on true event 🤣 maybe like slight angst.

The house had been cleaned and now smells delightful, you were wearing the pretty red dress Eris had gifted you on your last birthday, and you managed to do your hair and makeup perfectly… Everything was perfect for your long-awaited planned date. You and Eris haven’t been able to have much time together in the last few years, Beron delegated more and more responsibilities to his heir and eldest son since Lucien's birth.

Adorable little Lulu brought a lot of tension between the High Lord of Autumn and his mate unconsciously. The eldest of now six brothers felt a huge sense of responsibility towards the new addition to the Vanserra family. His other brothers couldn’t care less about the youngling. No one would have thought that Eris Vanserra, older than the toddler by a little more than a century, would be the first one to rush to little Lucien and cover his ears, taking him out of the house on a fun adventure he would tell him when a fight would burst inside the Forest House.

Beron was supposed to be out on duty in Summer Court for the week, which assured you and Eris to be able to enjoy a peaceful date at your little cabin you called your house without him worrying about Lucien’s safety, since the little one would be safely tucked in his mother’s arms back at home.

You basically run to open the door when a soft knock resonates on the wooden surface. No words can describe the surprise, and just very slight disappointment, when Eris shows up with an overjoyed Lucien sitting on his shoulders. “Y/N! Y/N!” Lucien squirms on Eris's shoulders, making him groan in annoyance when his sibling tugs on his dark auburn hair.

Lucien leans little grabby hands down to you, motioning you to pick him up into your arms. Eris leans forward slowly, leaving a quick peck on your lips, as you pick up Lucien from his shoulders. You spin the toddler in your arms which makes him burst into laughter. You kiss his pink cheeks before putting him down on the ground. “Hi, Lulu.” As soon as the youngling's feet hit the ground, he rushes to the living room and stares at your fish tank, like he always does when Eris brings him with him here.

You move from the door to let Eris walk into the house. His eyebrows are slightly furrowed as he takes in the sight of you. He wipes a hand on his hand and you can clearly sense his stress and annoyance. You stroke his forearm slowly and move his hand from his face. He grins sadly down at you and kisses your lips slowly, sighing against them while he enjoys the taste he had missed for far too long. “Y/N… I’m so sorry… He came back earlier from Summer Court and-”

“It’s fine, Eris. Really. You don’t have to explain yet…” You whisper and give him one last quick peck before pulling away reluctantly from his strong and warm embrace. You both didn’t want Lucien to know about the reason he and Eris needed to head out of the Forest House for at least a few hours.

—

The two of them are sitting down at the table, and you hum a song softly while scrubbing the dishes from the dinner the three of you just shared. Eris and Lucien were both drawing a portrait of each other, with the crucial rule of not looking at the other contestant's paper before their ‘masterpiece’ was done. You dry your hands on the towel and look over Lucien's shoulder at his… interesting portrait of his older brother. “Oh! I forgot something.” Lucien then turns his head to you and frowns. “Hey! No peeking!” “I’m not a contestant though…” You can’t help but giggle at the youngling's serious face. “Oh. Yeah. You’re right.” He says before sticking his tongue back out, concentrating on his drawing.

You walk around the table and lean over Eris' shoulder to stare at his drawing. The portrait was a picture-perfect representation of Lucien. “Wow… It’s pretty.” You whisper, and kiss the shell of his ear, making his cheek heat slightly at your praise. “You should see the ones I draw of you…” You purr seductively into his neck. “Oh yeah? Guess you’ll need to bring them over so I can judge that by myself. Next date, maybe?” He smile and looks at Lucien's serious face, concentrating on his drawing. “Gods… makes me want to have kids with you when the three of us spend time like that…”

You chuckle and quickly lean to capture his lips, but Lucien's voice stops you from doing so. “Done!” He shouts and lifts his paper in the air. He slides down his chair and runs to Eris to wave the paper inches from his face. He scrunch his nose and slightly move the paper away from his face to take a good look at the drawing. You clasp your hand on your mouth to prevent a wave of laughter from exploding. You just realized what ‘something’ Lucien had told you he almost forgot to add on Eris' portrait…

Eris' finger drags to the corner of his brow and frowns. “Is it that noticeable..?” “Well, I can see it’s on your face! Mama says we have pimples when we stress too much, that’s why I have none!” Lucien speaks up, smiling brightly.

It’s all too much to contain your laughter. You burst into laughter, holding your painful stomach, unable to stop laughing at Lucien’s innocence and pure honesty. “What did you say about wanting children now, Er?” He only rolls his eyes and thanks his little brother for the drawing.

A/N: Yeah. It happened. We brought my boyfriend's half-sister to the restaurant for her 8th birthday (they have an 11 years age gap), and they were having a drawing contest on paper aprons while we waited for our meals. She drew him with literally the ONLY pimple he had. 🤣 And I was like, "Lol. THAT'S what having kids is like!!"

#eris vanserra #eris acotar #eris x reader #eris #eris vandaddy #fluff #light angst #x reader #based on true events #my fic #fiction #acotar #acosaf #eris vanserra x reader #eris vanserra x you #eris vanserra x y/n #vanserra brothers #lucien vanserra #baby lucien vanserra

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azrielsdove · 6 months

Text

Stars & Flames: Lucien x Reader

Warnings: Light smut, angst, pain, dying mentioned, 18+

***

Lucien Vanserra was handsome, that is a fact. Anyone could see that, no one was going to argue it. It was okay for you to admire him from a distance, even if he has a mate. There was no harm in looking. You weren’t doing anything wrong.

At least that’s what you told yourself.

You let out a huff and settled farther back into the couch, already over another evening of watching Elain ignore her mate. You understood her hesitation on the mate part of everything, but you could not understand her hesitation on Lucien. Lucien, who you would do anything to get your hands on, to touch his fire hair, to trace his lips with your fingers-

No. You can’t let your thoughts get away from you like this. Not when he is sitting four feet away from you. You brought your wine glass back to your mouth, taking a deep sip. You felt an elbow nudge you and turned to look at Mor. She gave you a small smile and whispered, “Stop sulking. This is supposed to be a fun night.” You rolled your eyes before murmuring back, “I know, I know. I just don’t understand how she can’t even look at him.” You and Mor had had this conversation a thousand times before. She always calmly pointed out the trauma Elain had gone through, and that it made sense for her to not trust one of the men who sold her family out. You knew that. It makes sense why she wasn’t open to him.

It just wasn’t fair.

You knew you were being selfish. You had nothing against Elain, you actually enjoyed being around her in normal circumstances. It’s whenever Lucien is around that you can’t think straight. The moment you see him it’s all your mind can focus on, and the jealousy you feel that the cauldron mated him with someone who isn’t interested. You knew a mating bond didn’t necessarily mean a happy union, you just wish Lucien wasn’t so loyal. So dedicated to a female who won’t give him the time of day. He saw that the cauldron made him for her, and he wouldn’t give anyone else a second glance.

In a way, you wished she just would fully reject the bond. Let him move on. It’s cruel to have him waiting for someone who will never love him. Why won’t she just reject it? You were certain it would crush Lucien, but you felt he could come back from it. Especially if he had some help…No. You sucked in another drink of wine, banishing the thoughts from your head. That was enough. You needed to stop obsessing over him. Lucien has barely spoken five words to you since Elain came into the picture, why waste your time sitting here thinking about him?

You went to take another drink of wine, pouting when you found the glass empty. You spared a glance around the room, noticing everyone distracted with someone else. You used this opportunity to sneak away, intending to go find something stronger to drink.

You already felt calmer stepping into the hallway outside the living room, taking a needed deep breath. You sent away all thoughts of Lucien and Elain, focusing on finding a stiff drink instead. You went down into the cellar, fae lights leading you to the cabinet you needed. You pulled out your liquor and went back up, walking until you reached one of the balconies away from the party. You hated to be the downer, but you had struggled ever since that stupid mate bond snapped between Lucien and Elain.

You shot back some of your drink, relishing in the way it burned your throat. You leaned out over the balcony and looked up at the stars, mind drifting into torturous flashbacks.

***

“Lu, Stop! Stop” You squealed between fits of laughter, dodging his tickling fingers. “Not until you admit it!” He laughed, wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling you close to him. You shook your head, looking at him with a defiant expression. “I will never say it.” You said, sticking your tongue out. “Oh, real mature you are.” Lucien responded, letting go of you.

“I’ve only learned from the very best.” you cooed, fluttering your eyelashes at him. He rolled his eyes, reaching out to grab you again. You dodged him, predicting every move before he made it. He finally faked you out and grabbed you by your hips, swinging you around to look at him. His face was full of laughter as your hands landed on his chest to steady yourself, amused at the fake anger in your eyes. “The very best, hm?” He said teasingly, fingers tracing your sides. You stuck your chin out proudly, saying “Yea. Cassian has taught me well.” Lucien laughed again, leaning close enough that his warm breath fanned over your cheeks. “Cassian was it? How very interesting.” He got closer with each word, until his lips were touching your ear. He pulled back so quickly you thought you may have imagined it, if it wasn’t for the fire in his eyes.

You stood there for what felt like forever, daring the other to move. You couldn’t wait any longer, having spent years wanting more from you friend, and started lean in to him. Your eyes fluttered closed and you felt him millimeters from you- when a cough shook you out of it.

Azriel was standing there, eyes studying the two of you. “We have training.” He reminded you, sending a greeting nod to Lucien. You pulled back like you had been burned, realizing what almost happened. It was no grand secret that you had feelings for your best friend, but you never expected him to possibly feel the same way.

You had decided then that the next time you saw Lu you would be honest with him, let him know how you truly feel.

***

The memory felt like ice in your veins. Not long after that was when everything happened with Amarantha, Tamlin, Hybern, and Elain. You had been elated when Feyre had brought Lucien here after tearing apart the Spring Court, running to greet them. He hardly looked at you, shooting you a quick hello before asking where his mate was.

You had locked yourself in your room for two weeks after that, only coming back out when Cassian threatened to make you start all your training over if you didn’t show up. You went to training that morning full of rage instead of the despair you’d felt the past weeks.

For the next few months you willed your heart to heal, to accept that the cauldron chose someone else for Lucien. You could handle losing him to a love, you felt, but you could not handle losing him as a friend. It had been over fifty years since you had last been together, and yet he wouldn’t even look at you. You have tried to talk to him, to no avail. He would quickly leave when he saw you coming or would suddenly have to answer to someone else.

You didn’t understand.

You took another shot of your drink and looked down at your hands. You turned your wrist slightly to look at the small brand there. You had tried to get rid of it since he came back, since he began ignoring you. The magic that had allowed it to happen was not one that could be easily broken. At least you knew he had his still too, that it must remind him of you whenever he looked at it.

A tear fell from your face, landing perfectly on the flame marked on your skin. Lucien had a trio of stars for you on his. You made them hundreds of years ago, when Lucien was still a part of the Autumn Court. Your father was meeting with some high fae male there and brought you with. There you met the youngest son of the High Lord of Autumn, just children at the time. The deal between your father and the Autumn male took some weeks, so you spent your time exploring. Lucien had found you trying to climb a tree to pluck an apple, laughing when you slipped and fell. You had been embarrassed until he told you how he had fallen out of the same tree every year. That’s all took for a fast friendship to start between the two of you.

Your fathers business with the Autumn male stretched over years, and every time he went he would bring you. It was on one of those trips that Lucien branded the two of you, flames for his court and stars for yours, connecting the two of you together. “This way,” he had said, “even when we are apart, we know we have a friend out there.” He had smiled brightly at you when he was done, holding your wrists together to observe his work. It was then that you first felt the tug of your heart to his.

How had it all changed? You had been sick with worry the fifty years of Amaranthas rule, not able to leave Velaris to make sure Lucien was okay. You still felt the pain of that day Feyre brought him here. You knew your friends didn’t enjoy being around you anymore, the way you were always sunk into yourself in silence. You felt the tears coming harder and faster, shame creeping through your body. You sunk to your knees on the balcony, your glass dropping to the ground and shattering. The sobs shook your body as you pitched forward, hands slicing on the shards of glass in front of you. You barely felt the pain of it, the heartbreak you had been trying to push down coming out in full force.

You cried harder than you ever had, pained screaming coming from you. You couldn’t continue to live like this. You kept hope those lonely years without him, hope that one day he would come back to you. The hope of that day where you would be reunited kept you strong, kept you fighting. All for him to just ignore you. To walk by you like you meant nothing to him.

The pain was consuming you. It was going to burn you alive. You were going to die.

***

Lucien felt it. Something was wrong. He looked around the room, everyone else absorbed in what they were doing. No one seemed to notice anything amiss. He felt a sudden prick on his wrist, looking down at those three stars. His heart felt heavy whenever he looked at it. Why couldn’t the cauldron have chosen her? Why did it choose Elain, who barely looked at him? He was so tired of this. He wanted you. It killed him to not look at you, to not speak to you. The cauldron had made his choice for him, and he didn’t want to risk hurting Elain any further.

Did it even matter though? He was beginning to doubt in everything. His thinking lead him to look for you, hoping to catch a glimpse of your smile. It was then he noticed you were gone. He realized the others didn’t notice your absence either, and a surge of pain shot through him. What had happened? Had he allowed this to happen? Allowed you to shrink into the shadows?

Lucien decided to look for you. He knew something was wrong, he could feel it. He had to make sure you were okay. Screw the cauldron, screw Elain. She didn’t even turn as he left, so what difference does any of it make?

He felt pulled down the hall, farther and farther from the party. He wasn’t sure what he was looking for, he wasn’t even sure where you would be. He trailed further into the house, checking rooms as he went by. That was when he heard it. That devastating cry. He stopped as his blood ran cold.

That was you.

He took off running towards the sound, heart stopping when he caught sight of you. You were crumpled into the ground, body shaking as those heart shattering noises came from you. He ran to your side and dropped to his knees next to you, wrapping his arms around you. He didn’t think you even knew he was there. “Hey, hey, look at me. Come back to me. Please.” He whispered into your hair, holding you as tight as he could.

***

You were dying. You knew it. You must be. This pain was stronger than anything you had ever felt, coursing through your body like poison. You felt something squeezing around you, that must be death. It was coming to claim you. You leaned into its embrace, willing to go with it. You began to feel calmer, knowing the end of your pain was near. You took a breath as you accepted your fate, inhaling the sweet scent of cinnamon and apple. Death smelled so lovely, so welcoming-

Wait. No. Not death. That was Lucien.

You shot your eyes open and ripped away from him, falling backwards against the balcony railing. Your eyes were wide as you took him in, getting to look at him clearly for the first time in so many years. You took in the scars on his face and his new golden eye. You looked at the fear showing on his face, an expression you hadn’t seen from him.

“Lucien,” you whispered, voice hoarse. “What are you doing?” He looked taken aback, mouth opening slightly. “Helping you?” He said, like it was an obvious fact. You couldn’t help the incredulous laughter that came out of you.

“Helping me? Helping me?” You were sure you looked like you had lost it, and maybe you had. After months of ignoring you, he wanted to help? Why now? You watched the hurt flit over his face before he nodded.

“Yea, it does seem ridiculous doesn’t it? I had a feeling that something was wrong, and I knew I had to find you.” Apology was written all over his face. “I know i’ve been ignoring you. The cauldron chose me to be her mate, I felt like I had to listen to it. Especially after all the mistakes I made. I had to try to do one thing right. Do right by her.” He shook his head. “Not that she cares. I think i’m just making it worse by trying to do what the cauldron says.” He looked up at you, his eye full of emotion. “I stayed away from you rather selfishly. It was too hard to see you, knowing I was fated to someone else.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I knew if I got close to you I wouldn’t be able to control myself.”

You felt a bolt of lightning go through you. “Wh-What are you saying, Lucien?” You stuttered out, eyes boring into him. He moved closer to you, grabbing the wrist with the flame on it. His thumb ran over your skin gently, heat radiating from his touch.

“It’s always been you.” He finally said, locking his eyes onto yours.

It’s always been you. It’s always been you. It’s always been you.

You launched forward and pressed your lips to his, wrapping your arms around his neck to bring him closer. He grabbed your waist and pulled you onto his lap, holding you like he would never let you go again. You threaded one hand up through his hair as he bit your lower lip, your gasp allowing him access to you. The kiss was heavy, searing, speaking all the words neither of you had managed to say over the past few hundred years. You gave a small noise of pleasure as his tongue explored yours, his arms tightening around you at the sound. You pulled away from his mouth to press hot kisses down his neck, desperate to taste him. Desperate to touch him. You bit down on the spot where his neck met his shoulder, a rough groan leaving his mouth. That noise sent fire through your blood and you moved to have your thighs on either side of him. “Lucien,” you murmured against his skin as one of his hands snuck under your skirts, trailing up your leg. You ground down on him, relishing in the way his hand gripped your thigh and a soft moan fell from his lips.

He was delicious. You brought your mouth back to his, kissing him as hard as you could. You wanted this moment to last forever, you wanted his hands on you forever, you wanted him forever. His hand reached the edge of your underwear, fingers running along the fabric. You gripped his hair in your hand, your other holding his jaw. He pulled away to please bruising kisses down your neck, biting hard. He was marking you. Claiming you for all to see. You dipped your head back and moaned at his touch, he was going to make sure everyone knew what you had done with him.

Everyone.

You ripped your body off of his, the cool wind like blades across your hot skin. Your eyes were wide, horrified. Lucien called your name, confusion all over your face. “Elain.” You said, a slight tremble to your voice. “She’s- you are- I, you’re mates.” You didn’t miss the anger that came onto Lucien’s face.

“No.” He spoke, pulling you back to him. “The cauldron can make mistakes.” He whispered, pressing a light kiss to your neck as he positioned you back on his lap. “It has destroyed me, trying to play perfect for her.” His fingers gripped onto your hips, his hand going back up under your skirts. “I have sat, and I have suffered, for a female I do not even know.” His hand reached your underwear again and he sucked a light spot on your shoulder. “She has made it clear enough she does not want me.” His eyes locked onto yours as he fingers pushed under the delicate lace covering you. “And quite honestly, I don’t want her either.” His fingers pushed inside you with that sentence, his teeth dragging to bite your ear. You dug your nails into his arm and gasped loudly. Lucien resumed his harsh kisses on your neck, your face, your collarbone, anywhere he could reach as his fingers thrust in and out of you. “You’re the only one I want. The only one i’ve ever wanted.” His voice was husky, dark. His thumb moved up to circle at the apex of your thighs, your breathy moans spurring him on. You couldn’t handle it, you couldn’t handle the pleasure he was sending through you, grabbing his face to kiss him again. “You’re so good for me.” He said against your lips, his fingers quickening. His words caused a deep moan to fall from your lips and your ground your hips against his hand. “My beautiful girl. I should’ve done this a hundred years ago.” He growled, his other hand coming to wrap around your throat and force you to look up at him. You were close, so close, tightening around his fingers. “I’ve imagined this a million times. I knew you’d look perfect being pleasured by me.” His words tipped you over the edge, you found your finish with a loud scream. Lucien helped you ride his fingers through it, only stopping once you whimpered at the overstimulation. “You’re mine.” He told you, sucking his fingers clean.

You could’ve finished again at that scene. You wanted him to take you right there. You wanted him to make you scream his name loud enough that all of Velaris knew you were his and he was yours.

You were about to make that fantasy real when a sharp gasp sounded from the doorway.

Both your heads shot to see Elain, Azriel close behind. You were mortified that they caught you, she caught you. You saw the rest of your friends file up behind her, all staring at you. At you, with your skirts bunched up your thighs, with bruises all down your neck and chest, your cheeks still flushed from your activities. At Lucien, who’s arm had tightened around your waist, who’s other hand had fallen back to rest on your thigh, who’s hair was a tangled mess.

“What are you doing?” Elain finally spoke, voice a horrified whisper. You ducked your head in shame, this was her mate you were sitting on. Her mate who had just made you scream for him. Her mate who was the love of your life. Her mate she didn’t even like.

That thought had you snapping your head back up and standing, pulling Lucien up behind you. “You dare ask him what he is doing, as if you even care? As if you have given him a single reason to continue sitting pathetically next to you? Waiting for someone who has shown no interest in him. Someone who has so clearly begun showing affect for a different male?” You gestured to Azriel as you spoke, your voice hard. You heard her squeak at your words, opening her mouth to defend herself before you cut her off. “Oh hush, everyone knows. Everyone can tell. We aren’t blind, Elain. You don’t want your mate, that’s fine. But who are you to act like it hurts you to see him with someone else? How dare you come out here, looking at him like he betrayed you. He was willing to give up everything for you, wanting to do right by you. And all you did was treat him like he was mud on your shoe.” Your hands were shaking, all the anger and hurt pouring out of you. You felt Lucien wrap an arm around your waist, kissing your hairline. You saw Elains face redden, her hands in fists at her sides.

“You don’t know what it’s like! What it’s like to be forced into this life, and then forced to be with-with him!” She yelled. “I don’t want to do what anyone makes me do anymore.” Her expression suddenly changed into a cold mask. “That doesn’t mean you get to put your nasty hands all over him. I hadn’t decided if I was willing to try or not.” You felt Lucien stiffen at her words, his arm holding you closer.

“Enough, Elain.” He spoke, voice commanding attention. “You know you don’t want this. Being mates does not equate a perfect existence. Not everyone can be as lucky as your sisters.” He nodded to Feyre and Nesta. It was true. Look at Rhys’ parents, mates sure, lovers not. Lucien looked down at you, his other hand coming to cup your face. “My perfect existence has always been here. And I was willing to let her go to make you happy.” He looked back to Elain. “I never wanted to hurt you. I did not come out here tonight for this to happen.” He dropped his hand from your face to gesture at everyone. “She left the party. She left the party and was suffering. She has been suffering because of me. Because I decided to listen to the cauldron over my own heart. None of you even noticed how she was breaking.” He turned back to you, eye full of sadness. “I didn’t even notice how broken she had become.” You leaned up and placed a gentle kiss to his lips, whispering your forgiveness. Lucien looked back at the group, finishing with; “This match was not fair to any of us. We may have been fated to each other, but our hearts belong to others. And that is okay, Elain. We don’t have to do this horrible dance any longer.”

No one said anything until Mor stepped forward, eyes apologetic. “I should have tried to help you more,” she said, grabbing your hands, “I knew how much it hurt you, their mating bond. I saw how devastated you were, and I was with you countless nights as you cried yourself to sleep. I’m sorry I didn’t help more.” Your eyes filled with tears as you looked at your friend, pulling away from Lucien to wrap her in a hug. “It’s okay,” you sniffled, “I probably wouldn’t have accepted your help anyways.” You both laughed, breaking apart. She turned and started ushering everyone away. “Alright, out! Out! These two have a lot of catching up to do.” She shot you a quick wink before pushing everyone down the hall and back to the party.

You closed your eyes and brought your hands to your face, shocked by everything that had happened. You knew everyone was truly gone when Lucien’s arms wrapped around you and his lips found your shoulder. You turned in his arms, admiring his face in the moonlight. “I love you.” He said, “I’ve loved you for so long. I am so sorry for ignoring you. That day I came back and saw you all I wanted to do was grab you and never let go again.

I shouldn’t have let my blind faith in the cauldron overshadow what I knew I had with you.” His hand came to rest at the back of your neck as he kissed you slowly. You melted into him, joy radiating from you.

“I love you too,” you said when you pulled away. “I’ve been yours since you put this brand on me.” You raised your wrist up to him and he grabbed it, pressing a kiss to the mark. He looked back at you, desire all over his face. He pulled you as close as he could, his thumb tracing your bottom lip.

“I can think of plenty of others way to brand you now.”

***

Thank you all for your continued support!! Please keep sending me feedback and please send in requests for stories you’d like to read! I have several ideas floating around, but I am always looking for more! <3

#acotar #acotar x reader #lucien vanserra #lucien x reader #Stars & Flames

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acourtofladydeath · 15 days

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WIP Wednesday: Welcome to the Family

Well hello all, I'm back with a WIP Wednesday. A not-so-little tasty morsel to tide you and @secret-third-thing over until her birthday.

If I wasn't already going to hell (which I will be), this fic would seal the deal. It's at the very least sending me a few rings deeper.

"Welcome to the Family" features Elucien, Berlain, Erlain, etc., etc.... If you can name a Vanserra male, Elain Archeron is doing them in this fic. But why? Find out in the slightly abridged, albeit still lengthy, snippet below....

Lucien groaned, turning his face into Elain’s hair as she teased him. “Settle down love, you know we can’t.”

Elain moved her head to pout up at him with big doe eyes. “Not even a little?” She licked her lips, leaving an enticing wet strip across her plump bottom lip. “Not even just a taste?” Her fingers traced a line from where they’d been resting on Lucien’s arm down the firm planes of his chest and abdomen. “Not even if I beg?”

Resisting the urge to give into the very tempting little minx practically crawling up his side, Lucien bit down on the inside of his cheek hard enough to draw blood. “You know we have to wait.” Hoping to distract his needy mate, Lucien began the slow stroking of his fingers against Elain’s arm once again. “The mating ceremony has to happen first. It’s important.”

Letting out a soft, defeated sigh Elain sunk comfortably once again back into Lucien’s touch and the skillful lines he painted across her skin. “I didn’t realize your family was so strict on no sex before the mating ceremony,” she said, frustrated but content to wait if it meant that much to Lucien.

His fingers stilled on her arm, chest tensing under her cheek. “Lucien?” Elain asked, looking up at him with questioning concern. “What’s wrong?”

Lucien held his breath for a long moment before letting out a long controlled sigh. “It’s family tradition.” ... “There’s a ritual,” he started slowly, meeting the fierce, cutting Archeron gaze Elain pinned him with that was shared by all three sisters.

“What kind of ritual,” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest as she sat back on her heels, nightgown draped across her knees.

Averting his eyes, Lucien ran a nervous hand through his hair, “one where Beron and my brothers have to fuck you before I can?” Lucien phrased it as a question, though it was in fact a harsh truth of being a Vanserra. He looked up under guilty lids to meet Elain’s gaze.

Though her arms were still crossed in stern confrontation, her jaw had dropped, leaving her mouth wide and eyes even wider at his confession. When Elain hadn’t moved from that position in several long moments, Lucien continued speaking.

“It’s a rite of passage for us. The parent of the individual to be mated and any elder siblings get first dibs… there’s a whole age order thing.” ...

Elain threw her arms out to the side in outrage. “Oh, nothing serious then! Nothing that will affect me in the least!”

How will Elain handle the predicament she's found herself in? Coming soon to an AO3 near you... 😈

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separatist-apologist · 1 day

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Never Not Mine

Summary: Elain Archeron has been betrothed to the seventh born son of Autumn for as long as she can remember. With her family's reputation in the balance, Elain is resigned to her fate.

That doesn't mean she has to like it…or that she has to make it easy for him.

major thanks to @velidewrites for both the moodboard and the fic title. I owe you my life, my sword, my fealty.

Elain Archeron was six years old when she learned the news.

“...and Elain shall wed Lucien Vanserra,” her mother said to a friend, face beaming. Oh, how it had all been worked out. Three matches to three men, all before her eldest turned ten. With secured futures, her mama could relax. Elain couldn’t, though.

She learned to hate the young Lucien Vanserra. He was four years older than her, with a shock of red hair and brown eyes that skewed to gold in the right light. Every time he saw her, he’d bow with perfunctory politeness, his face a mask of placid emotion.

“Lady,” he’d say, eyes looking anywhere but at her face.

“Lord,” she’d reply, hoping he could feel her radiating contempt.

To try and get out of the marriage was unheard of. Ruinous, even, for not just herself but her sisters and their own matches. And so, Elain hoped Lucien ruined his own reputation and she could somehow escape with her own poor reputation intact. His own father had a reputation as a philanderer, and Elain heard rumors that some people didn’t believe Lucien to even be a true Vanserra.

Bastard, she’d heard one of her father’s friends murmur before the study door closed in her face. The word was followed by laughter and then someone shushing them all. Elain didn’t know if that was true, or not. Lucien’s skin was a far darker shade of brown than his pale father, but his hair was just as red as his brothers, his eyes a near match for Beron’s.

The only saving grace, as far as Elain was concerned, was the distance between them. Lucien was a son of Autumn, Elain a lady of Spring. Their courts bordered each other, but permission to visit was limited and met with resistance. She saw Lucien twice a year, less if she was lucky.

His presence loomed, though. As she grew into adulthood, Elain couldn’t get Lucien Vanserra from her mind.

Even when whispers of his reputation made its way to Spring. They said he tried to abscond with another female—a lesser fae female, no less. And rumors swirled that his father had the female executed for disrespect. No one could prove it, of course—Elain had seen Lucien not long after she’d heard the giggled whispers from her own friends at court.

Maybe you’ll be free of the Autumn sons, they’d giggled behind their hands.

When he arrived three weeks later, he’d seemed perfectly fine. He’d bowed, refused to look at her, and called her lady all over again before vanishing with Tamlin to talk. Surely that wasn’t the face of a male who’d watched the female he loved die. Was he cold? Did he not care?

The questions swirled around Elain’s mind as her wedding loomed closer. She was going first—Tamlin, who was betrothed to Nesta, had put it off for another year, citing problems on the border that would take him away from a new wife.

In truth, everyone knew Tamlin was fascinated with Feyre and Elain, who had watched the way he talked with her sister, knew he was angling for a way to change his fortune without ruining Nesta.

And Feyre, who was betrothed to a young nobleman in Summer, could simply not just swap places with Nesta. It was expected Nesta would make the most advantageous match with very few High Lords interested in the nobility from Spring. There was Helion, of course, who was deemed too old for Nesta, and the High Lord of Night that no one ever saw…and Tamlin, who had been promised to Nesta when his father was still alive. Elain wanted to stick around and see how it all played out. There was little love lost between Nesta and Tamlin, who interacted well enough but were content to avoid the other, too.

Elain knew Tamlin was hoping for a mating bond with Feyre. That was the only way out for any of them…and she was certain she simply did not have one.

And Lucien…

“They say she was his mate,” her friend had whispered to her the same night she’d learned the female was dead. The pain was said to be immense. Miserable. Intolerable. The most horrific thing a person could experience.

And he’d bowed with that easy expression. Was he a cold, unfeeling monster? Or were the rumors merely that?

With her wedding weeks away, Elain set out to uncover the truth for herself. If her soon-to-be husband had attempted to marry another woman, she deserved to know. Selfishly, she believed she could petition her parents to free her of her duty under the guise of embarrassment. He’d already broken their arrangement, hadn’t he?

Maybe he’d thank her.

Maybe not.

Tamlin knew him best and Elain decided to try her luck with the notoriously tightlipped High Lord. He often walked around his garden at noon, clearly deep in thought. No one ever bothered him, but perhaps he’d make an exception for her. Elain didn’t try and sneak up on him, catching his mossy green gaze as she cut a path through the azaleas. There was a look of resignation in his face—as if he’d been waiting for her.

“Lady Elain,” he said pleasantly, if not a little gruffly. “If you’ve come to beg for my assistance, I cannot give it to you.”

Elain was taken aback. “I—no, I wasn’t, I…”

Tamlin didn’t look as if he believed her. “What can I do for you?”

“You know Lucien Vanserra. Tell me about him.”

Tamlin considered her words for a moment. “He’ll make a good husband.”

That…wasn’t what she’d been asking, but Elain didn’t know how else to ask Tamlin without just asking. He was giving her nothing to work with.

“What makes you say so?” she pressed, trying anyway.

Tamlin sighed again. “We’ve been friends our whole lives. I’ve seen the way he treats people. He’ll treat you well.”

“Does he not…is there no one he would prefer?” she tried. One last bid before she gave up on Tamlin entirely.

Tamlin set his jaw. “No, Lady Elain, I do not believe there is.”

She knew better than to press any further. Tamlin would not be of any assistance—he was forbidden from interfering unless Elain had a legitimate complaint. As far as anyone was concerned, she was practically Lucien’s property.

It had occurred to her that she ought to deny him the pleasure of being the only male she’d ever touched. What would Tamlin do if Lucien complained? Some males did, some didn’t—the rules were never uniformly applied. Some males cared so much they’d start whole duels over it and other males encouraged it and hoped for a wife who had some semblance of experience.

Which did Lucien prefer, so she could do the opposite?

Elain found her mother in the parlor, paler than she usually was and yet still beautiful. She held court on the piano seat, her friends around her talking animatedly with bright, shiny eyes. When their eyes met, her mother beamed.

“There you are, pretty thing,” she began, talking as though Elain were still a little girl toddling about in shoes laced with ribbon. “Where have you been all afternoon?”

“Talking with Tamlin about Lucien,” she said without thinking, wishing for a moment she had the sort of mother that would assuage her fears.

The room erupted into giggles, forcing Elain back to reality.

“Excited?” her mother asked, clapping her hands together in front of her too thin throat. Her mother had once been so beautiful—the kind of female even the High Lord had courted before he met his mate. Now she was skin stretched over bone, still beautiful but with an exhausted quality Elain didn’t quite understand.

They never spoke about it. Feyre had tried, in her clumsy, tactless way and everyone had hastened to shush her as their mother turned her face, cheeks red with either anger or humiliation. Their father was unchanged, was just as handsome and healthy as he’d ever been. Elain assumed he must know.

He loved her mother. They weren’t mates, but they might as well have been. Their marriage had been arranged and they’d fallen in love before they ever walked down the aisle. Elain had once hoped for the same.

Lucien Vanserra had made that all but impossible. Sure, Elain had been difficult but wasn’t it a man's job to court a female? He’d never bothered.

Elain offered up her best smile. Good daughters did as they were told and aided in their family’s reputation. It could be worse, she told herself even as she struggled to imagine how. She’d be isolated from her family, alone in the most ruthless court short of the Night Court, with a male who didn’t care about her one way or the other.

“I am,” Elain lied, remembering she’d been asked a question.

“He is quite handsome,” one of the other ladies quipped as another quickly interjected.

“It was a shame to see the eldest end up with that cast off from Day. He nearly had one of the Night Court princesses.”

“They’re mates, are they not?” a third lady giggled from behind a pink and cream fan.

“That doesn’t make it less of a tragedy.”

Elain excused herself before, disappointed to leave the gossiping females for silence. Elain adored gossip so long as it didn’t involve her. How long before she was the thing they all felt was a shame? Did that Day Court female even have a say? Or had her bond snapped and she’d been shipped off to live with a male she didn’t know simply because fate was cruel and capricious?

Elain sighed.

She doubted she’d weather the Vanserra storm any better and yet she still hoped.

LUCIEN:

Pacing the floors of his bedroom, Lucien considered leaving once again. And once again it was Eris, leaned against the door that adjoined his room to the sitting chamber, arms crossed over his chest while his wife sat cross-legged on Lucien’s bed.

“I’m going to do it,” Lucien threatened, looking at Arina.

“Do it,” Eris replied, clearly bored. “Jump to your death, spare me the melodrama.”

“It’s not–”

“She’s alive, Lucien,” Arina murmured for the hundredth time. “She’s safe.”

And she was gone. Arina had smuggled Jesminda somewhere safe and far from Beron Vanserra’s reaches while Eris had paid off her family to swear Jes had killed herself rather than face the humiliation of disappointing her High Lord. Beron got to torture Lucien a little—a week being tortured in the dungeon was worth everything if Jes was alive and well.

But she was gone and Lucien was going half wild missing her.

“I need to see her,” Lucien protested, needing to hear his brother remind him of all the reasons why it was a bad idea.

Eris had simply had enough. “Why? You’re disappointed you didn’t get to watch her die the first time?”

“We’re mates—”

“You’re not—” Eris snarled, silenced by a cutting look from Arina.

“Lucien…if there was a bond, you would have felt it by now. It’s been years.”

“It can take time—”

“Not like that,” Eris interrupted again, running a hand through his immaculate hair. “But it wouldn’t matter even if she was. Father will see you married to the Archeron girl, and if you’re smart and you love Jesminda, you’ll do it.”

Lucien couldn’t help the small growl that rumbled in his chest. It was a betrayal to the love he felt to marry another female, and a double betrayal for that wife to be Elain. Bland, but pretty, Elain Archeron was something from his nightmares. Everything Lucien had ever seen of her told him she was more interested in ribbons and gossip than anything else.

She’d fit right into the Autumn Court, but not with him. He’d tried, over the years, to imagine what it would be like to be with her. To lay her out in his bed, to subject her to all the things he’d found so much pleasure doing with other females. And every time, Lucien’s mind reminded him that Elain was likely the type to silently lay there crying, unmoving and uninterested. Did she read? Have opinions? He doubted it.

But she was pretty.

Beautiful, even—the most beautiful female he’d ever seen, though it pained him to admit it. What good was all that beauty if she couldn’t hold a conversation. Tamlin had once described her as unspeakably dull, which was all Lucien needed to know.

In a month, she’d be his wife.

Lucien turned back toward the balcony that dropped to the leaf strewn ground, wondering how badly he’d hurt himself. He wouldn’t die…but he might rupture his knee, and that would take far too long to heal.

“She's safe?”

“I swear,” Arina said, biting her lower lip. “Don’t ask me where, Lucien. I made her swear never to contact you.”

“If you try, I’ll have someone take her memories,” Eris added, obnoxious until the very last. “Don’t think I won’t, either.” It was the kind of thing Eris would love doing. Lucien, cursed to remember everything while Jesminda never knew he existed. Maybe that was kinder—maybe he could have his memories stolen, too.

Guessing the slant of his thoughts, Arina rose and put her hand on his shoulder. “You don’t know you’ll be miserable in your marriage.”

Lucien looked at her, frustrated. Arina should have been miserable, too. She had been when she first arrived, hands clenched to fists, eyes glassy with unshed tears. No one expected her to be happy here, Lucien included. He’d been quick to make her his friend, if only to keep her close at hand without leaving her to the vipers nest that comprised the ladies of court.

Lucien had never asked what magic Eris worked to win her over. He didn’t want to hear about it, didn’t want to be subjected to the inevitability that he, too, might love his wife. Arina was Eris’s mate. It made sense he’d been obsessed with her, that they’d found a way to make it work.

Elain was nothing but a female his father had arranged for him before he’d had hair on his chest.

“Thanks,” he said, trying to muster up a smile that would send Arina away. She must have guessed, because she returned to his bed and plopped down against the rumpled gold sheets, hands behind her thick, blonde hair.

Eris groaned when he saw. “Not another night with Lucien. Haven’t I suffered enough?”

“Not by far,” she replied, flashing him a pretty smile. “You could stay—”

“You two have fun,” he called over his shoulder as he turned to leave, waving them off.

“I don’t need to be watched.”

“Yes you do,” Arina disagreed, patting the space beside her. “You forget, but I haven’t—I was you, this time last year.”

“I heard you made it all the way to the border of Night,” Lucien said, giving voice to the rumors that had swirled through court.

She smiled. “Their bastard High Lord has the borders warded. How was I supposed to know if you walked through uninvited, you’d forget your very purpose in life.”

Lucien couldn’t help his laugh. “Where did they find you?”

“Wandering by a river bank,” she said ruefully. “Afterward, I was locked up in one of the spires until Eris came to collect me. He was furious.”

Lucien remembered that. Eris had raged in private, though there were no secrets even in the Forest House. Had it been his brothers idea—or more likely, his demand—that Arina be locked away?

��I can’t think of one way out of this marriage,” Lucien said, joining Arina on the bed. He hadn’t conceded—not yet. But his prospects were growing dimmer by the minute.

“There isn’t one, Lucien. Not unless you want to condemn yourself and this poor female who also didn’t ask to be married to you. Everything I’ve heard about Elain Archeron suggests she’s nice.”

“And boring,” she grumbled.

“Boring and nice are better than cruel and unkind,” Arina reminded him gently. “Maybe she lacks Jesminda’s fire and ambition. You can’t hold that against her.”

“Of course I can. What am I supposed to do with a wife who doesn’t have any interest in living life?”

“Maybe she’ll find joy in marital life. Maybe she’ll be an excellent mother—”

“Do not,” he warned.

Arina smothered a smile “I’m just saying, your assumptions might not even be true.”

“Please spare me the lecture about what a good male Eris is.”

“I would ever call Eris a good male,” she reminded him, elbowing Lucien in the ribs. “Not out loud, anyway, where someone might hear.”

“It’s different,” Lucien said with a sigh. “You never knew the kind of love before—”

“You don’t know that.”

“Did you?”

Arina averted her eyes. “No. But you’re judging her too harshly for things you don’t even know will be true. Maybe she’s scared of you, Lucien. Your family does not have the kindest reputation.”

“Her older sister is a viper, her younger a wildling. She’s simply dull,” he said with a sigh. “Trust me. In a month you’ll be right back here helping me escape.”

“Cowardice is ugly on you, Lucien,” Arina chided.

Was it cowardice or simply self-preservation? What was the logic of bringing any female into court? Arina held her own against Beron simply by playing the sweet, demure wife while Eris dressed her up like his plaything. At least Elain wouldn’t cause problems like the female Cadmus had nearly married. Of course, she’d also been married, though none of them knew it at the time. If he’d cared to ask, he might have learned how Cadmus moved on when she was removed from court.

But he didn’t.

Lucien barely slept for the next week, his thoughts drifting back to Jes. He’d forgotten the wedding entirely until his mother came to him with the traditional garb of Autumn and a crown fitted specifically for his head.

“Will you cut your hair?” she asked, fingering a long lock.

“No,” Lucien replied dully, certain Elain Archeron would hate it. He bet she’d grown up wishing for a male like Tamlin. She’d get him instead.

His mother sighed, setting the folded clothes on the end of his bed. There were a thousand unspoken words in that sigh, trailing behind her as she left him to his brooding. His mother wasn’t Arina, wasn’t about to try and sell him on the joys of an arranged marriage. She’d made hers work all these long centuries but no one believed she was genuinely happy. Lucien might have returned to his plan to jump from his bedroom window if she had.

Elain Archeron was supposed to be remanded into his custody two weeks before the wedding to help her acclimate, though in Lucien’s mind, it sounded more like a hostage situation. The closer they got to the actual date, the more precarious everything became. If she lived in Autumn, she’d become his mothers ward until he tied a ribbon around her wrist, binding her to him. Lucien didn’t want her here beforehand, didn’t want to feel responsible for her safety or have to care about her at all.

He certainly didn’t like when his bedchambers was moved, pulling him further into the interior of the palace where more people could watch. He’d need the space with a wife they said, always with a wink that betrayed their expectations.

Lucien wasn’t putting a child in Elain before Eris put one in Arina. He could waste a whole decade doing nothing at all if he was careful and she didn’t go crying to her father about it. It seemed humiliating to imagine and who knew—maybe she’d want out just as badly as he did.

In his daydreams, she came to him with stories of a lover she missed desperately. She asked him for his help to escape and Lucien provided it, along with his blessing. She vanished and he was blameless, left wifeless and perhaps a little humiliated but without the responsibility of her.

Reality was something different.

Reality was waking up knowing Elain Archeron was coming and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Thirty years of trying to avoid her, of hoping she’d do something so offensive he’d be freed of her, all came crashing down. All the love Lucien had known, the life he’d dreamt of—all of it was done.

Left, instead, for the female standing between her mother and father, fingers nervously fingering the pale lilac of her gown. Lucien hated her beautiful face, made to look even more beautiful with cosmetics. He hated her thick, dark hair that tumbled down her shoulders, twisted carefully from her temples so nothing could hide her appealing face. She’d been packaged up, pretty as a picture, to be delivered straight to him.

And Lucien hated her for that most of all.

ELAIN:

There was no use begging or pleading, so Elain didn’t. She let the maids dress her beneath her mothers watchful gaze, tuning out the chatter about marital bliss.

Especially when the topic shifted. “Do you understand how children are made?”

Yes, Elain thought bitterly. She wasn’t stupid—she’d seen horses go at it as a girl, and servants tumbling about the stables. Had she not seen it, Elain had certainly spent enough time around lewd males and their crude gestures and their suggestive comments. Not to mention that book of Nesta’s she’d once read once…okay twice.

Three times.

Elain dreaded having to submit to Lucien Vanserra. The expectation that she was going to let him do anything to her naked body made Elain want to scream with rage. What about what she wanted? Did it matter at all? Would anyone care if she said no?

Elain suspected not, which made the whole ordeal easier. She could simply stop trying at all and move entirely in her head where she’d remain safe. No one noticed—not when her hair was pinned or her body made more shapely with stays and not when she was winnowed off, courtesy of the High Lord, straight to Autumn’s doorstep.

It was exactly as she imagined. Cool and blustery, the ground soggy with jewel-bright leaves and a rolling fog that threatened to swallow her up. This was to be her home? Elain wanted to cry. At least Spring was bright and lovely in between the violent storms. Did the sun ever shine?

The weather felt like an omen, made worse when Elain was led into the Forest House, guarded by sentries holding bows strung tight.

Inside, beneath a hanging chandelier, Elain was greeted by the High Lord and his family. All five of his sons, his wife, and his eldest’s stolen wife all looked at her as Elain made her way toward them. Vipers, she thought, wondering what Nesta would make of the entire thing. Nesta was gone, accompanying Feyre in Summer which felt strategic. By the time they returned, Elain would be making a death march through a temple, bound and perhaps even gagged by her new husband.

She hated how handsome he looked in his navy jacket and tight, cream pants. His hair was long like all his brothers save for Eris, and tied back with a leather strap. Lucien looked at her with hidden contempt even as he stood forward to offer her a broad hand.

I hate you too, she tried to say silently, even as she forced herself to smile.

Lucien bowed, taking her hand in his to almost kiss her skin. His lips never made contact, though it must have looked as if they did. This was pure theater and he was an actor on stage. “Lady Elain,” he said, just as he always did.

“Husband,” she replied, because she knew her mother wanted to hear her say it. Wanted to know that when she left, Elain would be content.

The blonde rolled bright, green eyes as an amused smile spread over her pretty face. So much for making friends, she supposed.

Lucien dropped her hand as if she’d burned him. He’d have to do better than that if he was trying to sell this. Maybe he simply didn’t care. His father stepped forward, unconcerned with his son, to speak with Elain’s father.

“Please,” he said, gesturing behind him, “allow me the pleasure of showing you to my home.”

Another eye roll, this time from both the blonde and her mate. It was good to know they were all phonies, she supposed.

“Lucien,” the Lady of Autumn began, eyes sparkling with delight. “Why don’t you show Elain to her room?”

“Our room, you mean?” he said, voice syrupy sweet. His mother’s eyes flashed a warning, silencing her adult son without so much as a word uttered. “Yes, mother.”

Elain started to turn to her mother, to plead silently not to be left alone in Lucien’s company, but her mother looped her arm with the Lady of Autumn, a female that also seemed far too thin and somehow looked healthy and vibrant compared to Elain’s mother. Both Elain and Lucien stood there watching them retreat and Elain wondered if Lucien ever felt compelled to count the notches in his own mothers spine the way she did.

“Come,” Lucien said, his voice neither soft nor gentle. He didn’t wait to see if she followed and some part of her wanted to spite him and remain where she was, to force him to drag her down wide halls made entirely of wood and open, glass windows. Brass sconces held lit candles that illuminated through the gloom while overhead chandeliers of faelights did the rest.

Elain tried to memorize the path he took her on, counting in her head until she was dizzy and confused. Had it been left, or right last? Did it matter?

Lucien pulled open a rounded door with heavy, gold knobs and Elain nearly sobbed. Reaching for the molding to steady her shaking knees, Elain looked at the room that would belong not to her, but them.

Lucien glanced over his shoulder, eyes rolling just a little. “Are you afraid of sitting furniture, lady?”

She hated him. Forcing herself inside where the scent of him was so overwhelming it was all she could smell, Elain sood right in the middle of that large, cream colored rug. “I don’t want you in here.”

Lucien flashed her a smile. “Then we agree. I have no intention of spending a minute more in this room before I have to, wife, so you can stop your trembling.”

“Is this amusing to you?” she demanded, wanting to launch herself at him and pummel him with her fists like Feyre had used to do to Nesta when they were children. Lucien was taller than her by a good head and shoulders and beneath his fine clothes, she bet he was packed with muscle. There was no way she could take him in a fight—she likely couldn’t knock him down, either.

Still, it might make her feel better to try.

He looked as if he’d guessed the slant of her thoughts.

“No, lady, I don't find any of this amusing.”

“And yet you mock me.”

Lucien, unable or unwilling to deny her claims, merely sank into a deep bow. “Did you expect sonnets?”

“I expected manners.”

“Well, I suppose you know better now, don’t you?”

Artfully dodging her, Lucien made his way out of the room without another word. She supposed getting the last one was enough for him. Once he was gone, Elain exhaled some of her panic. This was happening.

There was no escaping any of it, no backing out now. She tried to find some positives in the situation. Her husband was handsome, she supposed. That was nice. And the room was big, with space to entertain potential friends if she wanted. As Elain moved through the room, she found a bedroom twice as large as the sitting room, with an attached bathing chamber she could have put her bed back home in.

It felt cozy. Warm hues of orange and brown and green decorated the room, trimmed in gold and dark herringbone wood floors. The ornately carved headboard looked a bit like a carriage she’d seen in pictures from Winter, though Elain had never been. A mountain of pillows invited her to lay down, though it was the glass double doors hidden behind sheer curtains that drew her attention.

Elain opened them to find a balcony overlooking an expansive forest. It was a sea of color, dimmed in the moody fog hanging between the colorful treetops and swaying trunks. In the distance, Elain thought she saw the edges of mountains, though maybe that was her mind filling in the gaps of what should be there.

Something pressed against the corner of her mind—a vision that wanted recognition. Elain was curious, though now wasn’t the time to fall into a trance. She pushed it back, promising she’d return to it once night fell and the doors were all locked. Seers were rare—the last thing she needed was her rude husband to learn he had something valuable on his hands.

Was this her home now? Elain ran her fingers over the damp, wood railing as she tried to find something nice to say about it. It was a place, certainly…she wouldn’t have chosen this place willingly, but that was beside the point.

Elain tried to make herself believe this would be a good thing. That some good would come from it, or that she could find happiness but Elain felt heavy. Stones filled her stomach, weighing her down until she retreated back into the warmth of the room and cheerful, crackling fire keeping her company.

She thought she was alone. Shuffling her feet toward the sitting room, Elain found the blonde sitting in a chair, fingers drumming on the white fabric.

“Done brooding?” she asked, flashing Elain a pretty smile.

“I’m not–”

“Oh, no need to lie,” she said, waving a hand. The red ruby and gold band that encircled her ring finger caught in the faelight, making it seem like a true firestone. Maybe it was. “I tried to scale my own balcony the first day I arrived.”

Elain paused. “Why?”

She smiled wider, the only bright thing in the gloomy room. This was the Day Court female—if her warm, brown skin and golden hair hadn’t given her away, the faint glow that seemed to shimmer off her certainly did. And yet, somehow, she looked Autumn to Elain, though Elain couldn’t quite articulate how.

“I suspect it's a right of passage for all females betrothed to a Vanserra. I would warn you not to try, but Eris told me not to interfere.”

That irritated Elain. “And you do everything he tells you to?” she demanded, crossing her arms over her chest. Had she come to try and sell Elain on marital bliss? On the joys of being a good, meek, submissive wife?

The female laughed. “In his fantasies, perhaps. But in real life? No. If I were warning you, I’d tell you that Eris has twelve hunting dogs faster than horses and with more stamina than a hundred soldiers. I might also tell you that they’ll drag you back with their teeth and no one would bat an eye because you’ll heal up nice enough. But I’m not warning you, because maybe you’ll get lucky and get through a hundred miles of unbroken forest, the sentries guarding every major road in and out of Autumn, and your parents won’t mind when they learn you’ve vanished.”

“I never said I was trying to escape,” Elain said through gritted teeth. “I was just standing on the balcony.”

The blonde stood. “Of course,” she agreed, hands smoothing out the crushed red velvet of her dress. “Would you like to see the orchard?”

“I—” Elain paused, the words she’d been about to speak far too rude to be uttered aloud. “Of course.”

“Arina,” the blonde told her, offering a warm hand. Elain took it like a lifeline, thinking of the eye roll from earlier. Maybe it hadn’t been at her expense…but Luciens. Elain wanted to ask this female every question she could think of, none of which would engender warm feelings. And Elain, alone in this new place, wanted a friend more than she wanted anything else. Or, if not a friend, at least an ally—someone she could trust.

“Elain.”

Arina’s smile was pretty. Elain supposed it made sense that Eris Vanserra would want her. What didn’t make sense was Arina’s apparent serene happiness. The unspoken words between them seemed to suggest Elain, too, would find what Arina had. Would be glad for how things worked out, even if they were difficult in the beginning.

Maybe it had worked out for Arina. Elain knew the best she could hope for was perhaps, understanding. Her and Lucien could live parallel lives if he was willing. She’d look the other way if he wanted to carry on in exchange for…for what, exactly? Did she want children? Someday, she thought, but not soon. Elain wanted to travel. Would he let her?

Vowing she’d feel him out before asking, just to spare herself the humiliation and betray her own feelings, Elain trailed behind Arina.

Arina offered Elain to ask her anything she liked. And Elain wanted to—oh, how she had so many questions. But in the end, Elain said little at all.

Better to be safe than reveal to much of her hand, after all.

LUCIEN:

Somewhere in Lucien’s home, his soon-to-be wife slept soundly. Not him, though. Lucien had begun drinking just after dinner, grateful his parents carried the conversation with Elain’s parents so he didn’t have to speak to her at all. Sitting beside her, Lucien felt frustrated and uncomfortable. Her scent had lodged itself in his nose and try as he might, he couldn’t get it out. The scent of jasmine and honey trailed after him all day, driving Lucien to drink. It was like her mere presence in the palace had infected every private space he’d once cherished, reminding him that he could not escape her no matter how he tried.

Arina floated into the study, eyeing the decanter of whiskey sitting on the side table. Lucien held a glass in hand, the ice long since melted.

Dressed in casual, white linen pants and a black top without sleeves, Arina was clearly getting ready for bed before she thought better of it. “Shouldn’t you be getting to know your new wife?”

“Remind me, how well did that go for Eris?” Lucien grumbled, swirling the amber liquid in his glass.

Arina flopped to the couch beside him. “I held a knife to his balls,” she said with a laugh. Lucien snorted—he didn’t think he’d heard that version of events.

“And they say romance is dead,” he muttered, trying not to think too much about whether his brother would enjoy that or not. There were some things he didn’t need or want to know about, and what Eris did with Arina was one of them. Arina was his friend—his sister, truly. And the thought of his brother touching him was simply too disturbing for Lucien.

“I took her to the orchard today. She’s…” Arina bit her bottom lip.

“Boring?”

“Nervous,” Arina supplied, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “Did you see her mother?”

Lucien’s stomach flipped. Yeah, he had seen the matriarch of the Archeron family and it made him wonder what Elain’s father was like. She made his own mother look healthy and vibrant.

“I don’t need to see her before the wedding.”

“Ah, yes, the classic make-her-fall-in-love-with-me-by-ignoring her tactic. Works every time.”

“I don’t want her to fall in love with me,” Lucien said with too much conviction. Arina arched a brow before rolling her eyes.

“You’re going to spend your immortal existence in a miserable marriage?”

“Not immortal—father will die, her parents will too and I’ll—”

“Ruin her?” Arina interrupted, arms crossed over her chest. “Kick her out of your home, keep your shared children—”

“There will be no children,” Lucien half growled, frustrated by the way his whole body seemed to ignite at the thought. How long had it been since he’d last touched a female? Not since Jesminda had been exiled, he realized. Months, then. No wonder his body was interested in the female currently occupying a bed meant for him.

Arina sighed. “I expect this kind of obstinance from Eris. He always has to be right. But not from you.”

“If you’d known true love before Eris, would you…?” Gods, he couldn’t even get the words out. None of them understood. They thought Jesminda had merely been a rebellion, a passing fancy that was easily forgotten without understanding that Lucien had been willing to trade his whole life for her. His money, his crown, his title—all of it for a simple life with Jesminda.

And now she was gone, hidden away where he’d never find her. Was she as miserable as he was? Desperate to get back to him? Or had she made peace with her circumstances? Jesminda had a practical streak to her and when she made up her mind, there was no changing it. If Eris had managed to get her out of Autumn, and Arina had warned her of what would happen to her should she return, and Jesminda hadn’t written him, gotten word, or otherwise come looking for him, then she was unlikely to do so in the future.

The realization made Lucien want to die.

“Even if Elain wasn’t here, your father was never going to let you leave with Jes,” Arina said, reaching for Lucien’s hand. “He was going to kill her.”

Lucien had heard. Eris had gotten word and raced home, sending a letter to Arina to get Jesminda out before Beron’s sentries dragged her to the Forest House. They’d been lucky, if one could call being tortured for weeks lucky. Beron wouldn’t kill one of his sons, though, and certainly not all of them. None of them had claimed responsibility, which, in Beron’s mind, made them all responsible. Lucien had bore the brunt of his fury, but he’d seen Eris limp up the stairs of the dungeon, face paler than usual, eyes hollow and bruised.

“I know,” Lucien said, though it did little to soothe the ache in his heart or fill the hole in his stomach. “Is she safe? Happy?”

“Yes,” Arina said with conviction. “And you know she’d want the same for you. I made her swear to let you go, Lucien. She knows…she knows who you are, your position…the expectations placed on you. It was a good dream. In a better world, you could have…but you can’t. And the longer you hold on, the worse you’ll feel.”

“That doesn’t mean I want Elain Archeron.”

“You don’t even know her,” Arina protested, but on this, Lucien was unwilling to budge. Would Beron have cared as much if Lucien hadn’t already been promised to another female? Beron had never been interested in Lucien. By the time he’d come around, Beron already had four other sons. Lucien wasn’t even a spare, he was simply unneeded. His whole life, he’d been left to his own devices save for his fathers political machinations. Marrying Elain tied him to one of the most powerful families in Spring. Lucien knew Tamlin was engaged to Elain’s eldest sister. Beron would have sway if he needed Spring for anything.

It wasn’t Elain’s fault and yet there was simply no one else to blame. She was the face of his misery.

“Go to bed, Lucien.”

Lucien rose, suddenly annoyed with Arina. He’d supported her back when she’d been desperately trying to find a way out of her own marriage and yet here she was, urging him to just give up and give in. Lucien might be stuck with Elain, but he’d be damned if he was going to try and enjoy himself.

Maybe he was a little drunk. And maybe it was the alcohol bolstering him, that drove him to the bedchamber that would soon belong to them. Lucien intended to tell Elain not to ask him for anything, and in return he would leave her alone. She could carry on some clandestine affair like so many other females at court did. Their husbands pretended not to notice so long as it was not obvious and all their children could be reasonably accounted for.

Lucien pushed through the sitting room to the bedroom where Elain was. She was perched on the edge of the bed, hairbrush in hand. The smell of salt hung heavy in the air and when she turned her big, brown eyes to him, he could see she’d been crying. Lucien paused, some of his anger fizzling to shame.

“Ah…lady. Did something happen?” he asked awkwardly.

Elain cleared her throat and pasted a smile on her face he’d seen a thousand times before on his own mother. “Of course not. It’s simply the pollen in the air.”

Pollen? She was from Spring. Did she think he was stupid? Lucien opened his mouth to argue with her before remembering that she was likely crying because of him. Some of his courtly manners flooded into his awareness.

“Should I shut the window?”

“No,” she breathed, lunging forward as if to physically stop him. The thought was oddly charming. Could she? What did they teach females in Spring, anyway? Arina had come with a dagger hidden in her skirts, apparently, and with enough knowledge to threaten his brother. Should he worry Elain, too, had intentions to castrate him should he offend her?

“Do…can I get you something?”

Elain eyed him suspiciously. “No?”

“Is that a question?” he asked, trying to figure her out.

“I’m fine, lord,” she murmured, dropping her eyes back to the bed. Go away now, seemed her unspoken request. Lucien knew when he wasn’t wanted and in some ways, it was a relief to be dismissed by her. He didn’t have to try so hard.

Try at all, truly. She didn’t have any interest in his company.

Well, fine.

Lucien offered her a bow, well aware he was still mocking her. Elain’s eyes were narrowed to slit when he straightened his spine again, cheeks red not from tears, but anger. Yell at me, he urged silently. Maybe he’d like her better if she showed a little spirit.

Elain took a breath and offered another fake smile. “Sleep well.”

Lucien grumbled something back, turning and closing the door behind him. He was tempted to go back to his own bedroom and enjoy what little freedom he had left to him, but the sound of her soft sobs floated beneath the crack and Lucien was frozen in place. Of course he’d known she was crying and yet to hear it…Lucien swallowed.

He didn’t want to be his father.

Hesitating, he knew there was no point in going back into the bedroom other than to make her feel bad for being miserable. But maybe he didn’t need to leave her wholly alone, either. That was a decent compromise, he thought to himself. Lucien padded out, down the hall to his own room for a pillow, a few blankets, and the things he needed to sleep. He doubted Elain would appreciate learning that he preferred to sleep in the nude and truthfully, he didn’t want her to see him undressed, either.

Not yet. Not until they had to. He figured he might be able to put it off for a while, but eventually he was going to have to lay with his wife, if only to keep her from running off to her father and making any number of claims about him.

The thought of being labeled impitent offended his masculine pride.

Lucien skipped a shirt after tossing and turning on the small couch, annoyed by the fabric hugging his skin and the lumpiness of the cushions beneath him. As he pulled it off over his head, Lucien heard Elain swear softly from behind her bedroom door.

Walking to the window and pushing the curtains gently aside, he saw her swing a leg over the ledge. Her nightdress rode up her slim thigh and once again his body reacted with fascination.

Not the time, he reminded himself with mounting frustrations. With a loud sigh he was certain she hadn’t heard, Lucien merely closed his eyes and winnowed onto the balcony. A light mist fell against his overheated skin, soothing him a little.

“You’ll kill yourself trying that,” he warned.

Elain shrieked, pitching forward to what would have been a very painful fall had he not caught her by the waist and dragged her back. The smell of her hair was too much, intoxicating and sweet and her skin softer than he’d expected.

Lucien released her instantly, stepping far enough away to clear his head. Would she be angry if he took his frustration out on a lady at court? Just to clear his head? What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her…right?

“Don’t touch me,” she warned, holding out a finger like a weapon. Lucien’s hands moved upward defensively, palms out in surrender.

“You won’t last a night in those woods,” he warned her.

“Because of the dogs?” she demanded.

Arina.

Lucien was going to murder her in the morning.

“No, not just the dogs. The dogs will merely bring us to your shredded body,” Lucien retorted hotly, frustrated with the situation and himself. “There are far worse things in the forest than Eris’s animals and though I’m not thrilled about this marriage either, I would rather not be a widow before the ink has dried on our certificate.”

“I would have thought—”

“Then think less,” he snapped angrily. “But do not convince yourself I am hoping you will die.”

Elain’s cheeks reddened. “If you’d let me finish, lord, you would have heard me say that I would have thought you’d be delighted to see me leave.”

Lucien would be delighted, though he had no intention of giving her the satisfaction of being right. “If it’s not you, it’ll be someone else.”

“Maybe someone you’ll like.”

“Or someone my father likes,” he replied a little too honestly. “If you want to scream and rage in private, be my guest. I welcome it. But do not embarrass me or yourself by trying to escape.”

Lucien didn’t bother mentioning that if Beron believed he couldn’t control his wife, he would do it for the pair of them. Lucien could not imagine Elain withstanding Beron’s machinations, which meant he’d have to step in for her.

Better to simply get her under control now, if only to protect his back from the lash.

Elain turned, shoulders slumped. “I don’t know where I thought I’d go. Perhaps a cabin up in the mountains?”

“Eris has one,” Lucien told her as he trailed behind, not bothering to mention that cabin was a loose term for what Eris had built up there. “You could probably use it, if you like.”

She only shrugged, eyes glassy again. Lucien didn’t know what he’d do if she began crying, so he stood awkwardly in the door frame between the balcony and bedroom, too aware he wasn’t wearing a shirt. Elain wouldn’t meet his gaze which only made things worse.

Or, so Lucien thought.

His brain hadn’t quite caught up with his mouth. He heard himself blurt out, “Does my form offend you?”

“All of you offends me,” she retorted, pinching the bridge of her nose. “If I promise not to leave this room, will you close the door behind you?”

Lucien scowled, running a hand down his naked torso. He’d never met a female that thought he was offensive and nearly told her so. Was he not more handsome than the males in Spring? Handsome enough to be a husband?

Why do you care?

“Fine,” he grumbled, stalking through the room for the locked door. “But the next time you try that, I’ll tie you to the bed.”

“I’ll scream,” she threatened him.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” he bit back before slamming the door behind him.

At least he got the last word.

#elucien #see i can still write elucien so long as im just rewriting the same story over and over and over and over and ov

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