#prythian

[redraccoonart]

[SCROLL DOWN TO READ] Sorry Cass, but Rhys won’t share 😅

This is the first scene I wanted to draw once I finished tome 2 😂 I just love how Cassian helps Rhysand free himself from his tension by just taunting him, best friendship ever lol

A Court of Mist And Fury belongs to author Sarah J Maas

[velarisnightsky444]

Patience*

Kinktober Day 1: Cockwarming With Azriel

AN: Sneak peak for Stargirl. Evelina is my OC, she is Rhysand's twin sister.

CW: Cockwarming, d/s dynamics, intercourse, impact play

Word Count: 1.2k

October Masterlist

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

I could be particularly impatient when my mate was working, since his job took up a large portion of the day. I could get pouty and annoyed, which I didn't deny. Though, Az wasn't fond of me like that.

Ever since we were children, he would scold me for my incessant whining, no matter what the cause.

So I would go to his office and pout and whine until I pissed him off enough to pay attention to me, forgetting his work.

It was immature, yes. But it worked.

I stood in his doorway now, staring at him as he did his paperwork. He hadn't even glanced up at me, yet.

His hazel eyes were glued to the paperwork before him, his scarred hand gripped his pen tight enough to make his knuckles go white.

His black locks fell over his face, shielding his expression from my view. I wanted to run my hands through those curls as I sat on his lap, him thrusting into me.

He had forgone his leathers today, and was wearing a white button down, paired with a pair of black slacks.

I went crazy when he wore white button downs. He knew that.

I cleared my throat, leaning against the frame of the door. He didn’t even look up.

"I see you, Eve," he spoke up. "I'm just ignoring you."

"You've been working all day," I complained, crossing my arms.

"And you standing there pouting will only slow me down," he said, finally lifting his head and meeting my eyes.

"I need you, Az," I whined, standing up straight.

He let loose a deep sigh, placing his pen onto the desk and pinching the bridge of his nose with his scarred fingers.

"Take your clothes off," he instructed.

I grinned in triumph, shedding my violet dress, then making quick work of my underthings. The air hit my bare body, my nipples peaking against it.

Azriel’s hazel eyes drank in the sight before he beckoned me over. I complied.

Azriel began unbuckling his belt. As he pulled him cock out, arousal settled in my core. I rubbed my thighs together, desperate for friction.

"You’ll have to behave if you want to cum," he warned.

His scarred hands found their place on my waist, flipping me around to face away from him. He carefully guided me down onto his cock.

I gasped at the intrusion, wanting nothing more than to sink all the way down. But he was guiding me so slowly, and I could feel as every inch impenetrated me.

I let out a loud moan as he bottomed out. His hands released my bare waist, and he picked up his pen, glancing over my shoulder to continue working.

I frowned, beginning to grind on his cock, but his shadows put a stop to that. They swirled around me, holding me in place.

"Az," I complained, trying to struggle against the shadows.

"I told you I was working," he reminded me. "Now, you will be patient until I am done."

Two of his shadows wrapped around my knees, spreading my legs open on his lap. I gasped at the cold air hitting my core. I dared to reach down and rub my clit, but a shadow gripped my wrist before I could, binding both of my hands behind my back.

The others worked at forcing me to sit up straight in his lap. Sitting up with my legs spread and my arms pinned behind my back was incredibly uncomfortable.

The only relief was his cock stuffed deep inside of me. But even that was becoming more of a frustration, since I couldn't move.

"Az," I repeated. "Please. This is unfair."

"You should've waited," he murmured into my ear. "Now, you'll be quiet and you will wait for me to finish my work. If you're good, I'll fuck you. If not, you'll just have to stay unsatisfied until tomorrow."

I whined again, which only irritated him further. He landed a harsh smack to my cunt, causing me to cry out at the sting.

"That's your first warning," he spoke. "If I get to three, you will not cum tonight."

"Yes, sir," I grumbled, feeling my arousal soaking onto his lap.

I could feel myself blushing at the fact that I was ruining his pants. But he didn't say anything about it. He just kept working.

The throbbing in my center was driving me wild, and all I wanted to do was bounce on his cock. But the shadows holding me down stopped that. And I knew if I disobeyed him, I would only regret it.

His cock twitched inside of me, causing me to gasp, throwing my head back. Another smack landed on my core.

"That's two," he warned. "Not another sound, princess."

I nodded, sending an apology down the bond. I squeezed my eyes shut, focusing on keeping myself quiet. If I couldn't cum tonight, I would go insane.

I watched a clock closely, which only made time go slower. He continued writing, but I was too frustrated and aroused to read it. My head felt utterly light.

Twenty torturous minutes went by, and I was nearly in tears. He was so deep, yet there was no pleasure.

"Almost done, princess," he murmured. "You've been so good for me."

I had to bite my lip to keep from sighing in relief. Azriel placed his pen down as he finished, and his shadows released me.

He jutted up inside of me, hips pulling back, then smacking against my ass. I cried out, tears of relief finally falling.

He fucked me harshly, one hand reaching around to rub my clit, the other wrapped around my throat. He squeezed just slightly, enough to cause discomfort.

I whined and mewled in his lap, my face wet from the pool of tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Please,” I moaned, not quite sure what I was begging for.

My ass stung from his hips snapping against it again, and again. I leaned my weight into him, allowing myself to relax as he fucked me.

“What do you want, princess?”

“Let me cum,” I begged, feeling that coil tighten in my lower stomach.

“Already?” he mocked. “But it’s so soon.”

“Please,” I sobbed.

I was so sensitive after all that teasing, it hadn’t taken me long to get to the edge at all.

“You can cum, but I’m not stopping until I do, too,” he warned.

“Thank you, thank you,” I cried out, my hands squeezing the edge of the desk in front of me as that coil snapped.

My moans were undigified as I came on his cock, pleasure wracking through me.

When I came down from my high, he sped up his thrusts. I whined from the overstimulation, leaned against him for support.

He stopped rubbing my clit, and instead began to rub comforting circles on my upper thigh.

When he came, he grunted, his release shooting into me. He bit down on my shoulder to muffle his moans, and I let out a harsh breath at the sting.

His shadows lifted me off of him and to my feet when he was done. I went to make for the door, but he stood behind me, bending me over the desk.

“I’m nowhere near done with you.”

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

Kink/Fluff/Angstober Taglist: @serxndipity-ipity-blog @danikamariemain @panther-girl-124 @winchesterbbygrl @kissesfrommads @binnieonabike @fourthwing4ever @ghostslittlegf @mollygetssherlockcoffee @hawke1917 @nesta-houseofwindfantasy @wirdbeimaufhebengebunden @honk4emoboys @rogersbarnesxx @a-courtof-azriel

Azriel Taglist: @serxndipity-ipity-blog @panther-girl-124 @tangled-sun @hawke1917

General Taglist: @lilah-asteria @andreperez11 @isnotwhatyourethinking @effervescentbutterfly @anneas11

Comment to be added to any taglists!

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

[silverflameataraxia]

The IC feared that Nesta, in a fit of rage, would lose control of her magic and hurt someone. They didn't want to leave her alone with Feyre because of it. They felt like she needed to be restrained because of it. Yet it was Feyre - not Nesta - who threw a temper tantrum, lost control of her magic, and burned the LoA.

The IC didn't want to tell Nesta the truth that she could Make magical weapons because they worried that she would Make something to spite them. They thought that she was plotting against them, that she was a threat to their court. Yet it was Feyre - not Nesta - who plotted against and destroyed an entire court out of spite.

The IC judged Nesta for being prejudiced against the Fae. Yet it was Feyre - not Nesta - who killed an innocent Fae with hate in her heart.

The IC hated Nesta for being cruel. Yet it was Feyre - not Nesta - who caused an innocent guard to be whipped. Feyre didn't check in on him afterward because she cared or because checking on him was the right thing to do. She visited him to make Tamlin look bad. (I don't think Feyre understands that ACOWAR doesn't just make Tamlin look bad. It makes her look bad, too.) It was Feyre - not Nesta - who tortured Ianthe. It was Feyre - not Nesta - who displaced innocents out of their homes because they committed the crime of living in the Spring Court or living in the same apartment complex as Nesta.

The IC wanted to punish or execute Nesta for giving Bryce the Mask because they thought her actions would benefit the enemy and risk Prythian. Yet it was Feyre - not Nesta - who benefitted the enemy by destroying an entire court on the cusp of war. It was Feyre who gave the enemy a stronghold in Prythian. It was Feyre who risked Prythian by releasing a death-god and Fear itself. It was Feyre who lost control of Bryaxis.

Feyre is the monster the IC fear Nesta to be.

[shittalkingwiththesuriel]

I think most of my problems would be solved if l could watch Azriel and Cassian spar (shirtless)(sweaty)

[wannabewriterlol]

I want tamlin and Nesta to start a therapy group and just work through the copious amount of gaslighting they’ve faced by Rhysand, Ferye, and the his merry band of idiots.

[hyacinthoideshispanica]

Rhys: The mating bond is rare! Only if you're very lucky and blessed by the Mother, will you have one.

Rhysand's parents = Mates

Tamlin's parents = Mates

Kallias and Viviane = Mates

LoA and Helion = Possibly mates

Rhys and Feyre = Mates

Nesta and Cassian = Mates

Elain and Lucien = Mates

Me: 5 of these 7 couples/potential couples only met because they traveled out of their home court. So, are mates actually rare, or do they just seem rare because of the lack of movement and interaction between the various Courts and the human lands?

[starborn-queen-of-dusk]

There's something so special about Nesta being the one to reawaken the Dusk Court, this land known for its beauty, joy, and prosperity.

Nesta, this person the IC hates. The one they wanted to dump in the human lands to be hunted or killed. The one they wanted to toss into the dungeons of the Hewn City. Nesta, who Mor said reminded her of her abusers, who doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt, and who would thrive in the CoN. Nesta, who Amren called a pathetic waste of life. Nesta, who Rhysand refuses to believe a single good thing about, who he is routinely threatening to kill.

Imagine Nesta being the one to bring back such beauty, joy, and prosperity to Prythian.

[reblogandlikes]

And to THINK Amarantha could have continued to basically be High Queen of Prythian with possible expansion, but her hots for Tamlin was too strong that he eventually became her demise with the help of a human.

This bitch had everyone on lock and stood on business for 50 years. A notorious no-nonsense, spiteful, vengeful general turned conqueror, and she fumbled for a music loving, limerick speaking, powerful and kind-hearted male with beautiful green eyes and luscious blond hair.

Damn. Ladies, never let a man distract you from greatness 😂

[nightcourtfr3ak]

Eris Vanserra

Part 1

My eyes almost rolled to the back of my head as the scent of him filled my head. Almost.

My grip on the balcony railing tightened and i was scared I would leave marks. Even velaris chilled breeze did little to sooth the warmth that engulfed me. The fire that threatened to suffocate me from inside, was now stood mere feet away.

I kept my back to him as I spoke. Tone flat and void of any emotions. “What do you want?” from me. From the night court. My court. My home.

My blood boiled and froze at the same time, as he chuckled. Mocking me. Like he was enjoying toying with me.

“We’re allies now, darling. I want everything.” He all but purred and took a few steps closer.

The railing creaked underneath my palms as he caressed the bare skin of my arm. So gentle, barely there. I thought i imagined it.

I cursed myself as goosebumps erupted on my skin. And my body. And the bond.

"You look exquisite in my colour." He breathed out. As if he was in pain... Closer than I thought.

My head tilted and I almost hurled myself over the balcony as I noticed that I was still in my auburn gown from earlier. When I went out for a meal with my friends. My family. The night court.

The very home his presence alone threatened to poison.

I made a note to burn the gown.

I grunted as I glared at him over my shoulder.

He was definitely closer. "And you look positively ill."

That was a lie. He knew it.

The stars always shone brighter in the night court and l often found myself looking up the sky, counting the stars to ground myself when everything simply felt...too much.

I didn't know what to do when our eyes locked and I saw the reflection of those very stars in his. Burning brighter than ever before as if feeding off his fire.

He smirked, raising an eyebrow. I wanted to smack the amusement off his devastatingly beautiful face.

I rolled my eyes looking back at the sky. The stars looked dimmed so l looked down at the city beneath.

"If I asked nicely, would you save me a dance on starfall?" He said playfully. Teasingly. But there was a hint of something else in his voice.

"I guess it was too much to hope you wouldn't be here then." | frowned ignoring his question.

Must he be everywhere all the damn time?

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." He snorted but his tone felt more serious.

"May I be so bold and request my birthday present then?" I gave him a saccharine smile.

Starfall was my day after all.

"Of course, darling. Anything." | ignored the lack of usual playfulness in his tone.

"I want you to stay far, far away from me on starfall. And forever preferably." | grumbled picking at the skin around my nails.

It was quiet for a minute too long then his velvety voice came. Smooth against the back of my neck and I convinced myself it was the breeze that made me shiver. "Is that what you truly want?"

"Yes." | didn't hesitate. I didn't give the bond buried deep in my chest, in my soul, the chance to could my head.

"I am a generous male." His breath hit the back of my ear. "I would give you the world if you asked...” his chest brushed against my back with every breath. "Burn it all to ashes, even..." he groaned and the railing almost rattled as his hands gripped it mere inches from mine, caging me with his body.

"But don't ask me to stay away, darling. I count the seconds when we're apart. l'd rather you sneer and snarl at me than not look at me all." Despite his warmth against my back, I was trembling. His knuckles white as if he was restraining himself from reaching out to me.

"Might as well stab me in the heart." He let out a breathless laugh.

"Is that an offer?" My voice came out shakier than I would ve wanted it to.

His laugh was quiet but beautiful and smooth. "My beautiful, cruel mate."

My body was betraying me. I felt on fire. All thoughts burnt to nothing. Head completely empty.

With our bodies pressed so closely, I couldn't tell if it was my heartbeat pounding so loudly or his.

I don't know when I closed my eyes or leaned back against him. All I know was that he pressed a small kiss underneath my jaw. Just like his touch, it was featherlike and gentle.

I craved it.

"Perhaps I'll get you a dagger. You already have my heart. Do as you wish with it, darling." He whispered between kisses trailing from my jaw to my shoulder and I felt like dying.

"I don't want your heart." He stilled and his warm lips on my skin suddenly felt cold.

I felt cold.

I was still shaking when I turned in his arms and willed myself to look in his hazel eyes again. "You are vile. You are unfair."

I pushed on his chest and he let me. "You scheme and play and deceive. You lie and corrupt and destroy till nothing's left."

My chest caved. The bond roared in pain. Or he did.

"Having a mate is a blessing. Finding your mate is a miracle." I recited the words I was told. Same words I used to wish upon the stars a million times before meeting him. They felt like ash on my tongue.

Fitting really.

“You are not my blessing.” I smiled even if my eyes burned.

I had mourned and mourned after the mating bond snapped for me as I wondered what to do with all the love I had in me to give. Where to put it.

Mother really did have a cruel sense of humour.

“You are my punishment, Eris.”

I was cruel.

I had never called him by his name before but I wanted him to hurt. Just as I had when I lost what could have been if he wasn’t my mate.

He flinched and for the first time it was him who looked away first. With his back now against the wall, his shoulder slumped and he looked utterly defeated.

“Equal in every way.” The words left his mouth quieter than I’d ever heard him.

And he laughed.

Not like before. There was nothing sweet, nothing soothing in that sound. His head rolled back against the wall lazily and he looked at me beneath his long eyelashes.

“I might scheme and play and deceive.” Despite the smirk on his face, his eyes looked dull.

No trace of the burning stars. I struggled not to turn around and look up at the sky again. Just to make sure the stars were still…there.

“I might lie and corrupt and destroy.” His toothy grin was cruel.

Perhaps we truly were the same.

“I fight and stop at nothing to get what I want.” He pushed the hair off my shoulder and traced the skin beneath my gown’s strap before letting it snap back into place.

“So I might be vile and I might be unfair, mate. But perhaps one of us is lying.” His tone was harsh and his eyes on a loose curl he had wrapped around his finger.

“After all we are equals in every way.” He repeated his words from a minute ago, gently tugging on the curl before letting it drop.

“So tell me,” a gasp left my lips as he wrapped his hand around my neck loosely. His eyes snapped to where he could no doubt, feel my pulse quicken underneath his fingers and tugged me towards him.

“Am I truly the monster you make me to be or are you just pretending to be something you are not?” He smiled as my response died in my throat when he gently squeezed my neck. Just enough to shut me up. Like a warning. But that didn’t stop me from glaring at him.

He pouted at me mockingly.

Bastard.

“And why does your heart call out my name?” He purred.

I felt like a bucket of ice cold water was dumped on me. My eyes fluttered and I swallowed.

Which was the wrong move.

His eyes almost rolled to the back of his skull as my throat bobbed underneath his fingers.

“The same name you oh so profoundly refuse to say knowing it drives me mad.” He groaned closing his eyes. “Gods I was dying to hear my name on your lips.”

I didn’t notice I still had hands on his chest. His once perfectly pristine auburn jacket now wrinkled beneath my palms.

We were matching.

“It sounded even better than I’d imagined...” I wasn’t sure I’d still be standing if I wasn’t holding onto him so tightly as he almost whimpered.

“Will you say it again?” He let go of my neck just to cup my cheek. His free palm sprawled on my bare back and I cursed the open back gown.

He looked in trance as he watched my lips part when he traced over my bottom lip.

“Arrogant prick.” I whispered.

The corner of his lips twitched upwards and he shook his head. His nose brushing against mine. “I’ll add that to the list of names you’ve called me.”

His head was once again leaned back against the wall and he was peering down at me with a half smirk. “We know what I am. The question, darling, is what are you?”

Lost.

I was lost.

Velaris had always been my home. I had fought and bled for my court. My family.

But since the night I snuck out the camp war to look into Ouroboros, I felt lost.

What I had seen in that mirror, was beyond all my nightmares. I wailed and pounded at the mirror, trying to break the reflection. Just to stop what was looking back at me.

I almost clawed my eyes out after hours of not being able to look away. The skin on my hands, raw and bloody and broken. Only did I stop when the unbreakable mirror was completely covered by my blood, finally blocking the reflection.

I didn’t regret it. We needed the bone carver’s help even if he didn’t fare well.

But perhaps, I had gone mad. Perhaps it had shattered me instead.

The soft caress of his thumb against my back was what had snapped me back.

I despised the emotions shown so clearly in his eyes. For one of the most guarded males I knew, he was easy to read.

“Don’t look at me like that.” I growled pushing on his chest and taking a few steps back.

I hated the concern in his eyes. The same concern my family looked me with.

But I hated the curiosity even more. Like he was trying to figure out, piece together what was going on in my head all the time.

I hated how vulnerable and bare the bond in my chest made me feel. To unknowingly share everything I felt with someone else. Even worse for that person to be the high lord of another court. Someone who could easily use it to his advantage and harm my home.

So I built shields after shields around my head, my thoughts. Shields even stronger than when I was surrounded by daemati, because this time the enemy was already inside, tucked up in my chest.

I locked away the only part of me that was still fully mine and it would always be my choice if I wanted someone to be let in or not.

“You’ve overstayed your welcome, Vanserra. Leave.” I said, finally being able to think clearly when that he wasn’t stood so close to me anymore.

His arms dropped to his sides, his head still tilted back against the wall but his eyes followed my every move. Unyielding. Piercing through me.

Like he could see past the shields.

My hands shook and I immediately hid my clenched fists behind my back. My nails pressing down on my palms so harshly that it broke skin and I knew he could smell the metallic scent in the air.

Just like when I pounded and pounded at the mirror…

Stop.

“I’m usually a gracious hostess. That is not the case tonight, high lord.” I almost spat out before he had the chance to even opened his mouth to speak.

His eyes narrowed and I would’ve missed the way his left eye twitched ever so slightly had I not been watching him so carefully.

I convinced myself that it was just the shadows casted over his face that made his eyes looked even dimmer, almost black.

“As you wish, darling.” He pushed off the wall and straightened his jacket.

I could still point out exactly where I had been gripping him minutes ago.

His red hair swayed as he bowed his head graciously and in blink of an eye, he winnowed away.

For the second time that day, I felt like sinking to my knees and I almost stumbled towards the railing, holding my stomach as I felt sick.

I had to blink a few times to clear my vision as I saw the prints left on the railing.

Four of them.

I had indeed left mark underneath my palms.

But so had he.

Bastard.

I could’ve sworn I heard him chuckle which only made me cuss him out loudly as I tried to scrub over the marks with no avail. Silently relieved as it distracted me from breaking down.

[jennastokesart]

🦇~ Hello Nes ~✨

Cassian and Nesta - A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas

I actually see myself in Nesta a lot (including the not so great parts). Being the oldest of 3, similar tastes in hobbies, painfully stubborn, and direct. I heavily relate through the flaws regarding emotion and trust. I can admit I have a bit of a temper, though it’s more silent anger rather than combustion like Tamlin💀 . I once made my little brother cry just from a look I gave him when he was pulling on my pants too roughly trying to play.

I never hated Nesta. I would have to hate myself too if I did. I’d be a hypocrite.

Cassian, the charmer. I always gravitated to his personality type in friendships. The idea of growing up scares me, so I seek playfulness and appreciate those who can be so witty even during mundane or serious moments.

I just heavily respect these characters🩵

[themadmorrigan]

I don't know what happened... This just flew into my head. I'm sorry.

---

Powerful places in Prythian - like the scenes of old, historic battles that turned the tides of a war, sunken ships that carried countless immortal beings to their watery graves, sites where the greatest acts of love and hate were carried out - are more living than anyone really knows.

Nesta Archeron may have been unique in that she's the only fae (at least in recent history) to Make a place sentient and sapient. But Prythian's a place of old, awesome magic (the other use of the world, in that it's something that inspires awe, not that it's necessarily good), and even the most seasoned Day Court Scholars can't explain why the giant, half buried statue at the border between Day and Dawn whispers to the lost of the desert to come there, or how it quenches the thirst of lonely travelers with its tears. Or, in the seasonal courts, how those that died in the Gelid Wars between Winter and Autumn before Beron's time - before Beron's *grandfather's* time - can still be seen below the ice of that cursed lake, their frozen bodies leering up at those that dare walk across its surface, whispering for them to join. But one of the greatest mysteries of all?

The Forest House. That great tree in Autumn whose hallowed and hollowed branches have housed the ruling family of Autumn since the great oaks and maples of the autumnal woods were but saplings.

Like all trees it grows upwards and downwards and outwards. Its halls are labyrinthine, its branches sometimes organized and spiralling like stairs, other times forming hidden nooks and creches. The hallways shift, though. Subtly, imperceptibly unless you watch them closely. And the complex is deep, deeper than most know. The more interior you get towards the trees Heartwood, the less familiar the rooms become, the older they seem.

Once, when Lucien Vanserra was seven, he went wandering after his lessons and caught sight of a beautiful, jewel-toned moth. He followed it down a hallway he didn't remember, and then another. To him, it was a lark - he'd never felt like he was in any danger, and the hallways all led to a neat ancient chamber with a bedroom that looked like something out of a fantasy, with wolf pelts adorning the bed and a bearskin rug by the still-warm hearth. The fire there danced and created fantastic shapes, and someone left food outside the door for him - all of which coincidentally happened to be his favorites.

By the time Eris found him, curled up asleep on the massive bed and neatly tucked in, three days had passed. His mother was frantic, but Eris... He'd never seen such a look in his brother's eyes, before or since.

And Eris never, ever spoke of what he saw.

Beware the Forest House. Beware the Rusalka Reservoir, and the great statue that forms the only respite in the vast deserts up north.

Beware of magics you don't know and will never understand.

[redraccoonart]

Cassian & Azriel 🦇🌙

I recently finished reading A Court of Mist and Fury and I absolutely loved it 🔥 tome 2 was incredible and intense, and I practically lost three nights of sleep reading the last chapters lol.

After a busy couple of weeks I finally managed to slow down and take time to try a first sketch of the bat boys :3

A Court of Mist and Fury and its characters belong to Sarah J Maas

[velarisnightsky444]

Scorched Shadows: Part 11

Eris x Azriel's Sister OC

Summary: Estella is the younger sister of Azriel. Like her older brother, she is a shadowsinger and spymaster for the Night Court. When she meets Eris, she initially despises him, but after a bargain is made between them, and they are stuck Under the Mountain together, things begin heating up.

CW: Violence

Word Count: 1236

Series Masterlist

Part 10 || Part 12

»»————-　♔　————-««

Year 24 since fic began Year 20 Under the Mountain

     It had been quite a while since Estella found herself covered in someone else's blood.

     But after she'd been cornered by that Winter Court male all those years ago, she had begged Rhysand for some weapon to defend herself. He provided her with a dagger that she kept sheathed at her thigh beneath the skirts of her dresses.

     She had sensed the male before she heard him, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end as he snuck up on her in the dark corridors. Without her shadows, she had been forced to train her intuition, which had improved tremendously. And she could feel his presence.

     She had reached for her dagger, quickly spinning on her heel and burying the blade in his face. Right at the bridge of his nose. He had let out a shattering cry, a hand flying to his face. And she retrieved her dagger and ran.

"If you're aiming to kill, go for the neck," Azriel had once told her. "But if you just want to shock and disarm them, go for the face. Nobody expects you to stab them in the face."

     She ran--ran as fast as she could. She didn't even know where she was running until she found herself at Eris's door. She'd been there not even four hours ago, but here she was again.

      She didn't even knock before letting herself in. Eris was sprawled out on his bed, curly red locks in his face as he read a book. His tunic revealed the top of his perfect chest, and his pants hugged his muscular legs so nicely.

"Already back for more--" he began smugly, but the smirk was wiped from his face when he met her eyes. "What in the Cauldron's name happened to you?"

"I stabbed a male," Estella managed.

     The bloody dagger fell from her hand and clattered against the hard floor, splattering the red substance across it.

     Eris was on his feet in a second, his book forgotten on the bed. He rushed to her side, gripping her shoulders and pulling her into the room. Then, he closed the door carefully behind her.

"What did he do to you?" Eris snarled, his hands still on her shoulders as he took her in.

"Nothing," she said, staring past him at the wall. "I didn't give him the chance."

"Is he dead?"

"No," Estella replied, swallowing a lump in her throat. "I stabbed him in the face."

"In the face?" Eris snapped, amber eyes going wide.

"Nobody expects you to stab them in the face," Estella numbly repeated her brother's words.

"Who is he?" Eris demanded with a growl. "I will kill him, Estella."

"I don't know," she murmured. "I ran before I could see him very well."

     Eris sighed, his hand coming up from her shoulder to cup her face. He'd be different--more gentle lately. Things, in general, had been different between the two of them in the last five years. Since the ball, when she admitted that she didn't think he was cruel.

     Neither of them had acknowledged the change, but there was more trust between the two of them. More affection. More care. It wasn't just rough sex anymore. It didn't mean she had fallen in love with him, but she didn't quite despise him anymore, either.

"I'll run you a bath," he mumbled.

      She nodded, grateful, as he slipped away, off to his bathroom. She let loose a breath, shock still keeping her from fully comprehending what was happening.

     When Eris emerged again, he came to her side, leading her to the bathroom. She glanced down at the bath, then at Eris, whose brow was furrowed with concern.

"I don't know what he wanted to do to me, Eris," Estella whispered, her voice trembling. "I stabbed him before he--"

"Good," Eris cut her off. "Good that you stabbed him before you could find out."

     Estella nodded, staring off into space.

"Do you need help?" he asked her. She shook her head. "Fine. I'll lay out one of my tunics for you." 

"Wings," she reminded him. 

"Oh, right," he recalled, sighing. "Then just wrap yourself in a towel, and I'll make sure your dress is cleaned of all the blood."  

     Estella thanked him quietly, and he left her alone. She shed her clothes and climbed into the hot tub. She didn't have it in her to relax. Instead, she scrubbed at the blood on her scarred hands and the splatters on her face. Scrubbed until the water was tinted orange.

     When she got out, she dried off, brushed her hair with her fingers, and wrapped her body in a towel, the back dipping under the base of her wings. 

     She found Eris in his bed again when she came out of the bathroom, and she didn't say a word to him before going to his side. She decided that she couldn't stand to be alone. So she climbed into his bed, laying herself on top of him.

     Eris tensed at the motion, asking, "Are you alright? This is strange." 

     While affection had been more common between the two, they hadn't ever been this affectionate. But she needed comfort; she needed company. And Rhys was never around. Not that that was his fault. But Eris was all she had.

"I don't feel so well," Estella said to him.

     At those words, his arms wrapped around her, holding her to him. She nuzzled her face under his chin, comforted by the warmth of his body.

»»————-　♔

      Eris was more than shocked when Estella crossed the room in nothing but a towel and collapsed on top of him. But once he overcame the initial shock, he realized it felt right.

     So he held her. He held her until she fell asleep, wrapped in his arms. Then, he held her closer.

     For a Spymaster who killed for a living, she had been so shaken up by the incident. She had been trembling, her eyes so distant, her face numb. And he wanted nothing more than to kill the male that had tried to hurt her.

     He had been trying to avoid admitting to himself that he was beginning to care for her. But honestly, he was. He understood he couldn't let himself love her.

     When his mother had walked in to find Estella in his room five years ago, she had certainly berated him for it.

"That girl is beloved by all the males in the Night Court that quite dislike you," she had reminded him. "Eris, you are smart. You know better." 

     Not to mention what his father would do to Estella and how he would use her against him if he ever found out. 

     Eris couldn't. He couldn't love her.

     But it was so hard not to. It was so hard when she was asleep on his chest, breathing softly when she had come to him first after such a distressing experience.

      Just this morning, she had been insatiable. She'd sucked him off, then let him fuck her until she was nearly shrieking with pleasure. And only four hours later, she'd shown up trembling.

      He was furious at the thought of any male even thinking of laying a hand on her. He wished she could've at least remembered his face so he could rip the male apart, limb by limb.

     But for now, knowing she was safe was enough.

»»————-　♔　————-««

Scorched Shadows Taglist: @the-sweet-psycho @hnyclover @lilyevansstudygroup @esposadomd @fxckmiup @lilah-asteria @a-court-of-mischief-and-madness @sourapplex @when-you-cant-think-of-anything @i-know-i-can @mp-littlebit @paintedbyshadows @kristijenner19 @kitsunetori @lorosette @bookwormysblog @libraryofshan @historygeekqueen @eyes-capone

Eris Taglist:

Comment to be added to the Scorched Shadows or Eris taglists!

»»————-　♔　————-««

[silverflameataraxia]

When Rhysand asked Nesta to dance with Eris, Cassian yelled, "Over my dead fucking body!" But when Rhysand threatened Nesta with punishment or execution, Cassian did nothing. Cassian cares more about Nesta dancing with Eris than he does about her being punished or executed?

I'm not even a Neris shipper, but I know for a fact that Eris would never allow Rhysand to enter his home and threaten Nesta. Eris would have ripped out Rhysand's throat or died trying. Eris would have sided with Nesta and stuck up for her because he would have known that she's a badass who wanted to defeat the Asteri, who wanted to free Midgard, who wanted to end the threat to Prythian and all worlds that the Asteri presented. Eris would have believed in Nesta and trusted her.

The only one of them who's too much of a coward to act like a good male is Cassian.

[shittalkingwiththesuriel]

No, cause one of my favorite parts from ACOTAR is when Feyre is UTM and she meets Amarantha for the first time and is like “she’s not as pretty as I thought she’d be”

[shallyne]

I love her 🥰

She's living and breathing in paintings, that's my girl