#ruhn scented the bond

[acourtofthought]

@2ndsofseven is extremely clever.

This has nothing to do whether whether Lucien and Elain are mates:

We already knew they're mates, it's confirmed time and again. By Elain, by Mor, by Feyre when she slips into his mind.

Lucien already proved he knew what was wrong with Elain when he demanded they get her outside after officially meeting her the first time ever and she herself later said she needed sunshine. He proved he already knew how to help when she began drinking, sleeping, and eating after he did so.

Her powers were never something wrong with her or something amiss, nothing for him to find in her soul, they're simply her powers. A part of her that's now supposed to be there. Every single character knew Elain was talking in riddles, all Az did was name them and then Mor confirmed it. Only Lucien knew she needed to get outside to help pull her from her catatonic state. His not naming her power doesn't disprove their bond, mates don't suddenly have all the knowledge of the world simply because they're mated.

Sarah often writes lines that seem to be a discussion between two characters but are referencing other.

Take the Suriel. Feyre thought they were discussing Tamlin but their answer was later revealed to be referring to Rhys.

Or Ruhns prophecy. He thought it meant he'd die but it meant he'd destroy the royal line by killing the Autumn King.

Az's story of Nephellle was being discussed with Feyre but it ended up being meaningful for Elain's arc.

Just like Feysand discussing poorly matched bonds while talking of Elain and Lucien's bond is most likely not SJM telling us Elucien's bond will be poorly matched but someone else.

The above scene with the healer was providing us information about bonds unknown at that point. We know that Elain and Lucien are mates, there's no debating it. It's confirmed, it's scented, Mor used her truth on Lucien. In ACOWAR, however, Nessian's bond was not confirmed. Therefore when you get to this scene:

You realize Majda's words were foreshadowing for the Nessian bond.

When Sarah talks about how she likes careful, clever readers, it's her being excited when others pick up on clues (not something directly written in the text). Feyre saying "do you think Elain and Lucien match well" only for some to say "see?! It's proof Elucien aren't matched because Feyre specifically mentioned it" is not careful, clever reading. Az and Elain almost kissing and using it as proof of an e/riel endgame is not careful, clever reading. Those are examples of referencing the text directly as it applies to the exact scene in question. I think what Sarah means when she talks of careful, clever reading is picking up on things like the stars painted on Feyre's dresser and theorizing early on that she'd end up with Rhys. It's applying information learned at one point and connecting it to something elsewhere.

@2ndsofseven pulled off the sort of careful, clever reading when they realized that Majda's words were not there to make you question Elucien's bond (which has already been confirmed as being a legitimate bond) but to help you realize before SF that Nesta and Cassian were going to be mates.

Not everything in these books is about Elain and Az, information learned is meant to also be applied to the other characters in the series.

[readychilledwine]

Orgasm Control

✨️Kink Education with Elizabeth✨️

So, we have to start with making a distinction here. Orgasm control is not edge play. Edge play can involve orgasm control, but these are two totally different things and honestly on very VERY different ends of the kink spectrum. We're going to dive into Edge Play with Lucien. The reason these two kinks are so commonly confused is due to a term called "edging," and we will discuss that in a second.

Orgasm control is exactly what it sounds like. It is the act of prolonging or disrupting your partner's or your own orgasm. It can be used in partner play or solo play. The appeal to orgasm control comes with the antipation it brings, and the control it allows the dominating party to feel. The constant build and prolonged need for release can cause more intense orgasms, heightened nerve sensitivity, and can help intensify the bond between you and your partner.

Orgasm control is also a very good way to dip your toes into the art of Submission or Domination. It is an easy form of play with little no effect on the mind, large reward, and requires no special tools or techniques. One good way to see if you would be into orgasm control is to work it into solo play through edging.

Edging is the act of bringing yourself or a partner near the beginning of that peak of orgasm before backing away over and over until the big o finally happens. To properly edge, you should be bringing yourself or your partner to that state where the coil is starting to wind and wind, but that desperate need to tip over the edge has not fully set in.

Fair warning with self orgasm control or partner play, you need to know each other and your bodies so well for this form of play. It can quickly become frustrating for the receiving party. Be kind and cautious. You want to associate this with sexy fun, not anger 💕

💕Peep the Valentines Day Masterlist here💕

As always, NSFW below cut

Ruhn x reader

Warnings - overstimulation, oral f receiving, unprotected sex

You were shaking below Ruhn, a soft cry leaving your mouth as he pulled off of you again and moved to kiss the inside of your thigh. “Ruhn, please,” you couldn't take it anymore. The need to orgasm, to scream his name had set in over an hour ago, and he kept denying you over and over again. He'd let you approach that high 7 times already just for him to rip it away. 

“Don't want this to be over,” the response was muffled into your thigh. He sighed happily, looking up at you with soft eyes. “We could stay like this forever, you know?” You almost pushed him away, wiggling up. “Nah uh, princess. You promised you would be all mine tonight and it was whatever I wanted.”

“I didn't think-”

“I want to drown in you,” a teasing lick just brushed your nerves, sending your head back into the pillows as a drawn-out whine left your lips. “Is that really so much to ask?”

That teasing lick became long ones, circling your clit before dipping to your entrance. He was savoring you, taking his time with you like he needed to memorize the scent, the taste, each noise. You moved your hands to his hair, threading your fingers into those soft dark locks and pulling. 

Ruhn went back to your clit, moaning as he did, and locked his mouth on. He began gently sucking, as he licked. The occasional contrast of the metal piercing versus his soft lips keeping your senses high. 

He moaned against you again as you tugged his hair, silently begging for more. He ran a finger through your folds, pushing it slowly into you. Is that what you needed, baby? Need me to fill you up? His voice in your mind pushed you into over stimulation, causing you to wiggle and whine. 

Cool shadows began roaming your body, leaving feather like kisses along every inch of skin. At the same time, his finger began to move in time with his tongue, curling and gently touching that soft spongy wall inside of you. 

Every nerve was singing, begging for release, and you felt yourself relaxing, clenching his finger as moans began leaving you shamelessly.

That edge was so close, begging for you to come to her, begging for you to come and play.

And then it all stopped. Tears began to fall as he kissed up your body and then kissed each one away. “Gonna let you cum. I swear.” His cock was resting at your core, waiting to enter you, to slide home. 

Ruhn kissed your lips gently and then sat up. He took a single leg, bringing it over his shoulder to open you wide for him. It was as if Luna herself blessed you when his cock slid in, inch by tantalizing inch. 

“Ruhn,” his name was a breathless prayer as your back arched.

“Fuck, I know baby.” 

He took you slowly, savoring every moment until even he had enough. Shadows wrapped your wrists, pulling your hands above your head. Then he began.

Ruhn shifted his hips and pounded into you, hit that spot only he had ever found over and over. Those tattooed hands squeezed the thigh he had leaning against him as he kissed and nipped at your calf and ankle. 

You on fire. That coil tightens more and more with each rhythmic thrust. The over stimulation, the need to cum, the tingling setting in, it all became so much. Too much. You didn't realize you were crying until a loving stroke came down the bond.

Ruhn leaned forward, bringing your leg with him, and wiped those tears, pace slowing. “Y/n, what's wrong, baby?” His falter in movement had your legs beginning to shake as thar climb paused once again, a soft cry of despair leaving your swollen plush lips, and Ruhn smirking as he realized three things.

He had you so desperate to cum, you would do whatever he wanted at this point

You were the most stunning creature when you were fucked out

You were about to beg. Beg for his cock, his fingers, anything. 

Ruhn grabbed your other leg, sinking in further. He was so deep inside you, you could have sworn new places, new nerves, were being woken for the first time. “Ruhn, please. I need it, please. Please make me cum?”

He kissed you deeply. “So pretty when you beg.” He began again, hands finding your tits and squeezing as he focused on both of you. Your body began to sing for him, his name a constant melody. It was no longer a spring coiling in your stomach but a rope, dangling you from a cliff refusing to let go.

His brow was knit, jaw opened as he groaned, whispering praise with each movement, moaning each time you tightened around him. “‘M close, y/n. Need you to fall with me. Can you do that?”

You nodded frantically, tears falling again. His hand came to your abused clit, stroking her gently in time with his hips. “Cum,” the command held little power. He was breathless, eyes rolling back already at the feeling of you squeezing him like a vice. 

But the command was what finally cut that rope, allowing you to fall from that ledge, tumbling through the air in a glorious free fall. Your vision went white as you screamed his name, walls milking him for every drop as he fell off soon after you. 

It was a long free fall that Ruhn worked you through, whispered and praised you through. 

And when it finally ended, it was as if your body landed in a pool of water, comforting relief spreading to every inch and limb as your mind was allowed to leave that desperate place. You were limp in his arms, smiling and panting in time with him.

“Bitch as much as you want,” Ruhn's nose nudged yours, forcing you to allow him to steal a kiss. “But it's always worth it.” You could only nod. Body and voice spend. “Come on, gorgeous. Let's get you cleaned up.”

General tag list:

@hnyclover @glitterypirateduck @slytherinindisguise @mischiefmanager @bloodicka @starsinyourseyes @the-sweet-psycho

@mariahoedt @rinalouu @sarawritestories @starryhiraeth @starswholistenanddreamsanswered @cumuluscranium

Valentines Day Taglist:

@sfhsgrad-blog @amara-moonlight @eternallyelvish @novaksangel @teenageeggscissorslawyer @thisblogisaboutabook @amygdtjhddzvb 

@justasillylittlegoofyguy @avajustreads

@littlestw01f @azriels-shadowsinger @acourtofladydeath

[yazthebookish]

House of Flame and Shadow

Prologue and Chapter 1 reading updates

(Warning: spoilers below!!)

Prologue (Lidia's POV)

Morven and Einar are pieces of shit.

I guess Cormac is gone for good 💔

At least we got some descriptions of how some of the other Asteri look like. It still bothers me Rigelus chose the form of a 17-year-old boy. Ugh what a creep.

"Quinlan and Athalar are mates. She will return to this world because of that bond. And when she does, she will go straight to him."

THEY 👏🏼 ARE 👏🏼 MATES 👏🏼

"Athalar and Baxian dangled unconscious from the ceiling, their torsos patchworks of scars and burns. And their backs..."

The Asteri better start counting their fucking days.

"Lidia couldn't look at the third figure hanging between them. Couldn't get a breath down near him."

UGH!!!!

"Baxian still hung unconscious. Pollux had beaten him into a bloody pulp last night after severing his and Athalar's wings with a blunt-toothed saw. The Helhound didn't so much as stir."

Pollux I hope you'll burn in the deepest pit of Hell and get to have the worst death in the history of SJM character deaths.

"They'd never spoken mind-to-mind outside of their dreaming, but she'd been trying since he'd arrived here. Again and again, she'd cast her mind toward his. Only silence answered."

This sounds a whole lot like a Daemati. Like I'm still not sure if she is but it seems like it.

---

Chapter 1 (Bryce's POV)

"The darkness seemed inherent to the three people standing across from her: a petite female in gray silk, and two winged males clad in black scalelike armor, one of them-the beautiful, powerful male in the center of the trio— literally rippling with shadows and stars. Rhysand, he'd called himself. The one who looked so much like Ruhn."

Let's fucking gooooo!!

"You said your name is Bryce Quinlan. That you come from another world —Midgard." Rhysand murmured to the winged male beside him. Translating, perhaps.

Yes Rhys show us how useful your Duolingo lessons were.

Rhys seems to be agitated about her.

Master of spinning bullshit, indeed. "So maybe I'm here for that. Maybe the sword sensed that dagger and ... brought me to it." Silence. Then the silent, hazel-eyed warrior laughed quietly. How had he understood without Rhysand translating? Unless he could simply read her body language, her tone, her scent—The warrior spoke with a low voice that skittered down her spine. Rhysand glanced at him with raised brows, then translated for Bryce with equal menace, "You're lying."

Bryce, honey, that's the Spymaster of the Night Court.

"I just watched my mate and my brother get captured by a group of intergalactic parasites," she snarled. "I have no interest in doing anything except finding a way to help them." Rhysand looked to the warrior, who nodded, not taking his gaze off Bryce for so much as a blink. "Well," Rhysand said to Bryce, crossing his muscled arms. "That's true, at least."

Not Azriel functioning as Rhysand's personal lie detector. Impressive though.

" I do not pry where I am not willingly invited." Bryce lurched back in the chair, nearly knocking it over at the smooth male voice in her mind. Rhysand's voice. But she answered, thanking Luna for keeping her own voice cool and collected, "Code of mind-speaking ethics?"

LOLOLOLOLOL 🤣🤣🤣🤣

"So this is it, then. This is where we-the Midgard Fae— originated. My ancestors left this world and went to Midgard. .. and we forgot where we came from."

The theory I had since before even HOSAB came out is finally confirmed. I mean it was semi-confirmed in HOSAB but some readers still debated it.

The corner of Rhysand's mouth curled upward. "We will not torture it from you, nor will I pry it from your mind. If you choose not to talk, it is indeed your choice. Precisely as it will be my choice to keep you down here until you decide otherwise."

Bryce couldn't stop herself from coolly surveying the room, her attention lingering on the grate and the hissing that drifted up from it. "'ll be sure to recommend it to my friends as a vacation spot."

Of course Rhys has to pull the "choice" speech whenever he can 🤣 also, BRYCE LOL!!!

"You haven't seen it in fifteen thousand years, or spoken this language in nearly as long-which lines up pertectly with the timeline of the Starborn Fae arriving in Midgard."

So they exist in the same timeline then but Midgard happens to be more advanced.

"It is in our history, Rhysand," Amren said gravely. "But the Asteri were not known by that name. Here, they were called the Daglan."

Asteri are the Daglan, we guessed as much in HOSAB but that's another theory confirmed now!

"Azriel, without Rhysand to translate, watched in silence. Bryce could have sworn shadows wreathed him, like Ruhn's, yet... wilder. The way Cormac's had been."

Ruhn's darkness seemed more similar to Rhys, but Cormac was close to what we know of Shadowsingers. But if Shadows are an Avallen Fae's gifts then how is Azriel one? We're told Shadowsingers are not specific to any courts but there are no Shadowsinger Fae in Midgard than Avallen Fae. But Azriel has a unique way with his shadows (given that magic is more powerful in Prythian.

"The Veritas orb?" Amren said, and Azriel lifted an eyebrow.

Oh damn.

Rhysand mastered himself, a cool mask sliding into place. "You live in such a world." It wasn't entirely a question. But Bryce nodded. "Yes." "And they want to bring all of that ... here." "Yes." Rhysand stared ahead. Thinking it through. Azriel just kept his eyes on the space where the orb had displayed the utter destruction of her world. Dreading-and yet calculating. She'd seen that look before on Hunt's face. A warrior's mind at work.

She showed them the destruction and all the weapons the Asteri have. She even showed them Rigelus. Rhys, Azriel, and even Amren seem at a loss for words.

Bryce examined the silver bean that lay smooth and gleaming in her hand. Amren said without looking at her, "You swallow it, and it will translate our mother tongue for you. Allow you to speak it, too." "Fancy," Bryce murmured.

Of course they have a pill for translating any language and here we've been pondering about how they would communicate.

Amen turned to Rhysand and said in that new, strange language -their language: "The glowing letters inked on her back... they're the same as those in the Book of Breathings."

Oooooh Leshon Hakodesh 👀

Then Azriel said in a soft, lethal voice, "Explain or you die."

Holy hell that's hot—I mean—Azriel that's not a way to treat a woman chill the fuck out.

---

And we got to the end. This is what SJM only had available on her website. 4 more days until I get the full book and continue then 🤩!!

Also, Azriel's shadows seem to be around and thriving after all 😌 I recall being told they're gone for good based on HOSAB's ending, not that I took it seriously Lol.

[fieldofdaisiies]

Needy 

ship: Ruhn Danaan x Reader type: smut word count: 1,6k words warnings: vulgar wording, p in v, unprotected summary: Ruhn is needy after some time apart, the original idea comes from @callmeblaire; for @crescentcityweek 🖤

"Come here, baby."

You turn your head to look over your shoulder, eye brow raised at your boyfriend. "You can see that I am doing the dishes right now, right?"

Ruhn, your pretty starborn prince, leans against the kitchen table, feet crossed at his ankles, arms crossed over his broad chest. His head is cocked, silently checking you out, gaze lingering on your rear for a moment longer before he lets his eyes meet yours. There is a fire in them burning, bright flames of lust and desire ignited by the sight he is provided with. Your outfit leaves absolutely nothing to imagination.

"Then stop doing the dishes," Ruhn pulls his lower lip, with the damnable ring, between his teeth, holding your gaze. After a moment he lets go off his lip, mischief sparkling in his eyes. He lifts his brows, assessing you, scenting your growing arousal.

"Someone has to do them. You are not doing anything right now.," you answer, but your knees turn wobbly at the intensity of lust reaching your through the bond. 

"We can do them together tomorrow," Ruhn suggests and pushes off the table. He stalks towards your and you turn your head back to face the kitchen sink. 

His arms, hands teasingly sliding over your belly, sneak around you until his chest is pressed against your back, his chin resting on your shoulder. 

Ruhn releases a long breath, the warm air fanning the side of your neck. "I need you." Turning his head a little, he kisses your bare neck. "We have been apart for so long, I need you now." He places a kiss to your shoulder.

You lean back against him, tilting your head to the side so he has better access to your neck, his lips slowly dragging over the exposed skin. 

"Ruhn," you mumble, desire already coursing through your veins. You can feel how he hardens against you, his proud erection pressing against your butt. 

"You want it just as much as I do." He grins and his chest vibrates with a soft chuckle, sending shivers throughout your whole body. "And I know you need me just as much as I do. After three days apart you are just as needy as I am."

He is not wrong. Not at all. You really are — maybe it is the bond, maybe not. But there is no denying you crave your mate, and nothing else can ease the need to have him. To have him claim you all over again.

"But we are in the kitchen." You giggle a little, his hand slowly descending on you.

"And?" Ruhn mumbles, damp lips dragging over the side of your neck and he kisses the spot beneath your ear. "We have the whole house to ourselves. Everyone is out." 

Moving a little higher up, he kisses your ear, nibbling softly and it has you arching against him. 

"Mmmh, Ruhn." A sigh leaves you, and your eyes flutter shut.

His hand moves lower, and lower, so low he can let it slide between your thighs, moving them apart a little. He cups you through the fabric of your dress and your panties, rubbing his fore and middle finger over your aching core. You feel how damp heat pools right there, your back arching to fit better against him. "Ruhn," you whisper and have to smile. "Is this really a good idea?"

"No, it isn't," he answer and presses his fingers down, stealing a moan from you. "But bad ideas lead to the most fun."

He removes his fingers, hands grabbing your hips tightly with the next movement. He makes you bend over the kitchen counter, shoving your dress up, so your butt is almost fully exposed. 

"For whom did you put that flimsy piece of underwear?" Without having to turn around you know he is smirking and you wiggle your butt, making him nearly drool all over you.

"For the male who has been staring at my ass for the past twenty minutes." Pushing backwards you manage to rub your rear exactly against his hips and it makes him groan - the sound so guttural, deep and primal.

Ruhn clicks his tongue, and gives your backside a gentle smack. "Fuck, I love this type of underwear so much." His palm smoothes over the part of your backside he just smacked. "Especially, I love it when you wear those slutty little pieces. Wear them for me."

You want to huff and protest that your underwear is not slutty, but he gives you no chance, curling his finger around the elastic of your panty, pulling it over your butt, down your thighs, letting it drop until it pools around your feet on the ground. "But I prefer it when you wear nothing."

He hums, and you can feel his breath on your thighs. He lets his lips brush from your knee up to your butt, kissing your butt cheek softly, his broad hands still on your hips. "I hope you will never forget that I am kissing your ass."

You have to laugh, but desire is so strong at this point it makes your head feel dizzy. His lips, and the damnable lip ring, can already turn you molten — how dare he?

You feel how he straightens up behind you, when his hands leave you, you know he is unbuttoning his pants. "I know, or I planned to worship you for longer, to go slow since we have been apart for a little, but I need you now. I need to be inside you. I will make up for it later."

"I need you to be inside me too. No teasing. I want you."

An approving hum leaves the starborn prince, and he knows you are sincere, your passion just as acute as your own when it reaches him through the bond. 

Ruhn's hand once slides between your thighs, fingers dragging through your wet folds from behind. "So wet," he purrs, dipping one finger in, retreating and then sliding in a second one. He moves slowly, preparing you for what is about to come. You need some preparing, the stretch of his cock would be too much otherwise. But he won't use as much time on foreplay as usually, his need to be inside of you is too strong. 

"You feel so good," Ruhn drawls, "so tight and so ready for me."

You grin against the back of your hand, wiggling your butt again. 

One of his hand holds onto your hip, his thumb stroking your skin softly. You revel in the feel of him, the knowledge of him finally being back, his gentle touches and the anticipation about what is about to come. Slowly, he removes the fingers of his other hand from your core, almost reluctantly like he does not really want to. 

Only a second later, Ruhn's trousers drop to the floor, the his belt buckle hitting the ground with a thump. He steps in closer, his hand stroking his already hardening length. He places the tip of his cock against your entrance, and then, without warning slides in. You both gasp at the first contact, your hips pushing back against his. Ruhn groans, and slides in to the hilt.

He stays like this, not moving, for a moment, enjoying the feel of you so tight around him, your walls clenching him. "It should be forbidden to want someone so much," he expresses, his voice breathy and hoarse. "I need you more than the air to breathe, you are all and everything I need to survive."

He retreats until only the tip of his cock is inside you and then pushes back in. You want him fully unleashed and you shall have him fully unleashed. 

Slowly his pace turns faster, his thrusts harder, rougher. He is grinding into you, pushing you against the counter. Damp skin slaps against damp skin, ragged breaths, moans and groans leaving both of you. He is pounding you into the counter, fucking you, and you enjoy every little moment of it. The movement of your hips perfectly matches his thrusts, you fall into a rhythm of push and pull,  bodies perfectly aligned. "Your cunt is made for me," Ruhn groans. "So perfectly hugging my cock. You are made for me, baby." 

"You are made for me," you answer, voice barely above a breathy whisper. 

Your bodies become one, your soul slowly leaving your body when flecks of white and black spark in front of your vision. He thrust into you until release gathers in his spine, and he can feel that you are close as well, you walls clenching his cock tightly. "Come for me, baby," he growls, slaps your ass and it is the last push you need before you topple over the edge and come with a scream. "Milk me dry, baby."

Ruhn follows a moment later, he has your consent to come in you, so he does not hold back. His hot seed spurts of your walls, filling you up so nicely. He pulls out a little, watches how your combined juices slick down the inside of your thighs and a proud growl rumbles through him. "Such a good little slut," he whispers, and leans down to kiss the side of your head. "And don't you even dare think we are done for the night, this was only the start."

~~~~~~~~ tags: @azrielsbabyg @brekkershadowsinger @moonlightazriel @callmeblaire

[ariadnethedragon]

HOFAS thoughts as I read it: (SPOILERS below)

All that t*rture in the dungeons, Ruhn’s piercing and tattoos. Baxian’s tattoo. The wings. “How strong is your bite?” Sarahhhhh!!!!! Stop! That was more than I could handle😫

The Middengard Wyrm😖. Nesta dealt with it brilliantly but it just makes you appreciate how impossible it was that human Feyre managed to kill this thing by herself with no decent weapons.

Azriel hugging Nesta and stroking her hair after she took the Mask off🥺

Bryce’s wallpaper being Hunt and the photo of her friends in the phone case—that made me tear up

Imagining the inner circle all surrounding Bryce’s phone trying to figure out how it works is hilarious. Also Nesta being jealous of Bryce’s music collection, “THOUSAND?”

The nightbright angst KILLED me💔💔💔

Hunt just dreaming of Bryce. She’s the only thing pulling him through, “He’d wanted so many things with her. A normal, happy life. Children.” HE BETTER GET EVERY SINGLE ONE IF THOSE THINGS OR HANDS WILL BE THROWN!

Silene. The Daglan. My theories were true😁😁

Sigrid. I had so much hope for her story but I was disappointed. Hopefully it’ll get better

Ariadne!! I wanted to see more of her😕

Ruhn’s bedroom. The burn cream😭😭😭

Lidia FUCKING Cervos. That breakout scene. Magnificent.

Jesiba and Ithan’s dynamic. Librarian Ithan and the fact that Jesiba is a Parthos priestess!!! Also JellyJubilee being the computer password😂

Bryce using the mating bond to teleport to Hunt😭😭😭

Bran and Ace. Lidia giving them her ruby ring for tuition as a goodbye💔

Hunt and Bryce got married?!!! WHEN?

Cloudberry crown sounds funny idk why

If I had a penny every time SJM included a set of unhinged/partly unhinged fae twins (yes connall I’m looking at you) in her series, I’d have three pennies bc it happens every single time

So the astronomer is basically a Voldemort 2.0

Flynn and dec going crazy for waffles on the mer ship

“I never had anyone fight for me” Oh Lidia my love😭😭

Guess I’m shipping Tharion and Sathia now🤷‍♀️

Lidia being turned on by Ruhn lighting a fire—girl, I get it.

“Because I’m yours, Day. I’m fucking yours.” Screaming crying throwing up

Lidia: “I want you all the time”😭😭😭😭😭😭😩😩😩😩💗💗💗

Idk why but I am disappointed in the Autumn King, I thought there would be some redemption for him for some reason

Ruhn: “I am going to live and I am going to live well without you”😭😭

Bryce was always a queen but now she a queen Queen👀

Avallen becoming all green again.

Hunt being a demonic test tube baby😂😂

Dec being the first to look for service. Typical😂

Ithan x Perry???? Cinnamon and strawberry? I start getting suspicious when they notice all the nuances of that person’s scent. I think they’d be cute though

Nooooo, the prime—I keep thinking of him as master oogway from king fu panda and it makes me sad

Sabines finally dead🥳🥳

Ithan is prime now? Okay okay pop offf!!

Hunt finally breaking free of his halo and freeing Isaiah as well❤️

Is the under king from the ToG universe??? Valg??

Connor💔💔💔😭😭😭 The bullet. Memento mori

Sathia and Colin McCarthy. This will be interesting

Commando Hunt. The underwear was too small🤭🫨🫨

Morven guest room having red lace thongs😂😂

Okay tharion and sathia are really growing on me🥰🥰🥰

‘She’s my mate you fucker’ SCREAAMMING

Ace finally calling Lidia Mom😭❤️

Lidia is the descendant of Brannon. The fire, the hind/sacred stag. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!

Pollux being incinerated☺️☺️☺️

The sprites and Irithys💗

The kill switch, the godslayer rifle. Bryce just blackholing the Asteri. She is so brilliant and cunning and clever and I love her.

Danika and the pack. Light it up Bryce. I SOBBED

Jesiba crying and then her sacrifice😭😭😭💔💔

Ember and Randal going to Prythian. Randal bonding with Rhys but more importantly Ember and Nesta—I want to cryyyy🥹🥹🥹

Starsword/Gwydion back in Prythian…whats going to happen in ACOTAR 5???

The princes of Hel—you gotta love em

Lidia and Ruhn finally having that beer

Flynn x Perry? Jealous Ithan😏

Syrinx running for his life when Hunt and Bryce share a heated look. It’s nothing new but it cracks me up all the time

Pegasuses in Avallen🥰🥰

[bright-side20]

True Mates 🌸🗡️

"It means that he’s going ballistic in the way that only mates can when the other is threatened. It’s what happened then, and what’s happening now. You’re true mates—the way Fae are mates, in your bodies and souls. That’s what was different about your scent the other day. Your scents have merged. As they do between Fae mates."

The fact that Ruhn confirmed that Bryce and Hunt are true mates is based on how Hunt acts protective when Bryce is in danger!

_The Acting protective is one of the major hints of the mating bond, and that's how Sarah wrote the rescuing scene for Elain:

Azriel was the one who noticed Elain's absence.

He raged upon discovering she was lured by the Cauldron.

He didn't care that he might die while saving her.

He cradled her, even though he was severely injured.

He didn't care about his own injuries; instead, he wanted the chains off her.

In Silver flame the scene was mentioned many times which means it is important.

And because being protective is a major mate behavior, if Sarah wanted to hint at Az being Gwyn's mate, he would've reacted to Gwyn , just like Cass did when Nesta was taken to the blood rite. No, it doesn't matter that she's trained; being protective is a mate instinct, something he can't control, especially if she's in danger. Instead, Sarah wrote him trying to suppress his anger when he knew Elain and Nesta had a fight. His shadows wanted to attack Nesta when she hurt Elain. He didn't want her to be exposed to the danger of the dread troves, he made sure she's safe and wouldn't be kidnapped again.

As for the scent, the mating bond doesn't have a specific smell. It's just that after accepting the bond or choosing each other, as in the case of Bryce and Hunt, and then having sex, their scents merge, as Ruhn said, and as explained by Feyre when she returned to the Spring Court. They could smell Rhys's scent on her, they thought it would fade over time, it did not because it's the mating bond. So, Az being able to smell the mating bond in Lucien's presence is actually odd.

_Till now all mate like behaviors were shown between Az and Elain:

Being into each other, wanting to spend time with each other.

Discovering that she's a seer, described as a bridge between souls (which was supposed to be done by her mate).

Acting protective.

Having a high sexual attraction.

Az is an old Fae. He won't question the Cauldron, in which 'the world was born,' just because of 'lust.' I think he is aware that he has been experiencing mate-like behaviors towards Elain. After all the bond rejection mess, choosing each other, and the triumph of love, they might discover that they are ✨true mates✨.

People who compare them to Tamlin and Feyre, please, there are no similarities. Az won't keep Elain from helping the Night Court, from using her powers if she wants to. He gave her access to her seer power, he gave her his sacred dagger...

[jeannineee]

Please please please can we get a part 2 of There’s No Tomorrow!! Where the reader and Ruhn reunite after his imprisonment; we need closure and for him to be safe! PLEASE I beg you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🧎🏼‍♀️🧎🏼‍♀️🧎🏼‍♀️🧎🏼‍♀️

I love your work and love that you write for Ruhn. We don’t get enough fics of him which is a travesty imo

When Tomorrow Comes

Ruhn Danaan x Reader

a/n: part two of “There’s No Tomorrow”

warnings: ANGST!!! Canon-typical themes, allusions to torture, MAJOR HOSAB SPOILERS

Y/N. Aux headquarters. Now. Hurry.

Your hands shook as you read the text from Flynn, your mind racing. You hadn’t heard anything about Ruhn for months.

The bond was weak. Utterly weak. Every now and then, you’d feel little…tremors, almost. The only assurance that your mate wasn’t dead.

Or maybe your mind was playing tricks on you.

Maybe Ruhn died the moment he disappeared behind those walls, in the Eternal City.

No, you would know. You’d feel it. Right?

You were jolted out of your thoughts as another text from Flynn chimed on your phone.

Get your ass over here. Now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

You practically sprinted from your apartment to the Aux headquarters, fear rattling your bones, panic rolling through you.

The moment you saw Flynn and Dec, you knew.

“He’s dead, isn’t he?”

Flynn spoke up. “We found him. He’s here.”

You froze, unblinking. “What?”

“Ruhn is here. He’s in the—“

You didn’t give Dec time to explain before you were barreling past them, toward the interrogation rooms.

Tharion stood in front of the second room, offering you a halfhearted smile in greeting.

You gulped. “Is he…he’s in there?”

Tharion nodded. “Yes but…you should prepare yourself.”

“For what?”

“He’s…he’s different. Looks different. Acts different.”

You lowered your voice. “He’s been tortured and in captivity for five months. Of course he’s different,” you hissed.

Tharion sighed, muttering a small apology. “His father wants to see him.”

“Tell the Autumn King to go fuck himself,” you snapped, before entering the small, plain room.

Ruhn sat at a metal table in the center.

Ruhn.

As you took him in, a small, pitiful sound ripped from your throat.

He stared blankly at the wall, unmoving.

The hair that used to hang to his waist was now a buzz-cut.

And his tattoos…

The beautiful art that once covered his arms was now disfigured, taken over by countless scars of varying shapes and sizes.

“Ruhn…” his name was a broken whisper on your lips.

You could feel him now, through the bond. But he felt far away.

“Ruhn,” you called to him again, tugging on the bond.

Nothing.

You sank to your knees beside him. Slowly, cautiously, you brought a hand to his arm.

He flinched, but you remained.

Finally, he brought his eyes to yours, and whatever far away place he had been only moments before ceased to exist as realization hit him.

“Y/n?” his voice was hoarse, unsteady. You felt him tug on the bond, as though he was ensuring this wasn’t a dream. That you were, in fact, in front of him.

A single tear slid down your cheek as you returned his pull on the bond. “It’s me. I’m here.”

You didn’t move. Didn’t even breathe, as you waited for him to make the first move.

The next words out of his mouth shattered you.

“I’m sorry,” he said, leaning his forehead against yours.

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” you said quickly, fiercely. “Nothing.”

Ruhn sunk to the floor in front of you, knee to knee as he flung his arms around you, holding you tightly enough that you were sure your ribs would crack.

He buried his face in the crook of your neck, taking a moment to breathe in your scent, to remind himself that this was real. That you were real.

Then he sobbed, and it was the most soul-destroying sound you’d ever heard.

His shoulders shook with the force of his cries as you held him, running a soothing hand along his back as you whispered comforting words into his ear.

You don’t remember how long the two of you stayed there, clinging to one another, terrified that one of you would blink, and the other would disappear.

~~~~~~~~~

It had been two months since Ruhn returned.

His hair had grown out a bit, enough that you could run your hands through it. He’d already gotten new tattoos, shielding most of his scars.

The physical ones, anyway.

Ruhn had nightmares almost every night, reliving the torture he went through at the hands of the Asteri.

In the last week, he’d only had two. Both times, you were there to ground him, soothe him. He confided in you about most of what he went through, and it was enough to make you nauseous.

Other things, he couldn’t bear telling you.

So now, you watched him as he slept, counting each of his breaths, listening to his heartbeat. He looked peaceful, so at odds with how he looked the day he came home.

“It’s kinda creepy to stare at someone while they sleep,” Ruhn murmured, his eyes still shut as his arms tightened around you.

You rolled your eyes as you sat up slightly, pressing your lips to his, your hand cupping his jaw. “I love you,” you whispered.

“I love you too.”

Ruhn leaned forward to kiss you again, but the sound of his stomach rumbling sent both of you into a fit of laughter.

“Breakfast?” you asked.

Ruhn pecked your lips. “Yes. I’m cooking, though. You’ll burn the house down.”

You gasped dramatically. “Not true.”

Ruhn arched a brow.

You huffed. “Slightly true.”

Ruhn climbed out of bed first, with you following behind him.

As you watched him flip pancakes, you absentmindedly twisted the ring on your finger. The ring that the two of you picked out together, a week after Ruhn came home.

“Having second thoughts?” Ruhn questioned teasingly, stepping away from the stove to interlace your hands together.

“No. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

[azsazz]

Thank you so much for the 1D a/b/o fic, it was so good!! I’ve never really been into the omegaverse, mostly because I felt like the writers expect you to totally understand it and I didn’t so there was maybe good smut but I felt kinda meh about them. But now I feel like I get it and I’m hooked! Do you have any other a/b/o fic recommendations? Bonus if they’re Maasiverse or Fourth Wing, but looking for more good ones honestly in any fandom at this point!

OMG of course! Its literally so damn good I'm constantly amazed by writers out there!

YESSSS WE'VE CONVERTED ANOTHER ONE!! WELCOME TO THE A/B/O VERSE!! That onewas a pretty good intro since they were. growing up and experiencing it as they went. I'm so happy you liked it!

ooohh...let me think:

Upon a quick search on Ao3 for the ACOTAR fandom, there's a Feysand one here. I haven't read it yet but it could be good

Get Off is a gwynriel ao3 fic a/b/o.

@ofduskanddreams has an Azris a/b/o also featuring Cazriel, Ruhn/Ithan, and others :) called like falling stars, we're destined to burn. Also has Sensations and the Scent of Waterlilies, Alpha Gwyn and Omega Az.

@bloodycassian has To Be Wed, a Az x Rhys x Reader :) Part 2. Also has Frenzied, Az x reader

@theostrophywife has az x reader x eris called little wolf

@iftheshoef1tz has azris Howl

Strange Love by @separatist-apologist is werewolf Cassian fucking Nesta if that counts, but it's delicious so you should totally read it!!

Niall/Harry ones that i also adore: A Little Tenderness is another Harry/Niall one but so so good. Niall is without an alpha and he's going through deprivation and alpha!Harry helps him out. Breaking the Bond is so so good, also on ao3 and also Niall/Harry lol. You can tell I went through a phase here. It's shorter but still amazing. There is a second part to it called Building the Bond.

And of course, I have some too, you can check them out here.

If you've made it this far, if anyone has any recs please comment!! 💙💙💙

[elrielbaby]

Since Bryce & Hunt became mates here is a list of people who knew nothing about it previously but only noticed due to their individual change in scent -

Ruhn

Celestina

The Autumn King

Hypaxia

If SJM goes, welp, no they’re not actually mates, Bryces’ actual mate is this random dude from another planet she can’t actually communicate with, how do you think she’s going to explain four separate people (so far) being able to scent their mate bond? I could understand it if they didn’t show all the classic signs of being mates (e*ucien I’m looking at you) but they do. It makes no sense that this is a thing that is heavily banded about on the internet.

[we-were-beautiful]

Love and Shadows pt. 3

A/N:  well part three is finally done. We have done on overhaul of the first two chapters which pushed us back a bit but it was needed. Also lets welcome our betas for this @kennedy-brooke and @danikasthings who have been absolutely amazing to work with. The next thing I am working on is the Fox and the Hounds and the will be working on Unraveled Ends. I hope y'all enjoy this new chapter. Also some house keeping with Crescent City House of Flame and Shadow coming out please don't post spoilers and be kind to those who might not get the chance to get it read in the first few weeks of release. and I might not use all the information from the book but given how slow I write it will probably be quite a bit of time before the next chapter.

Summary: 

Two hearts are called together. 

A female working for the governor.

And the crown Prince of the Valbaran Fae. 

Brought together by a bad day and a party invitation.

Warnings: mentions of drugs and alcohol use (If I missed anything please let me know and I will mark it)

WC: 2.7K

‘Nails?’ 

It was a simple phrase I and Naomi often sent to one another whenever we needed to talk about something important. We had found it was easier to talk when we could look forward to going to get our nails done.

I made it home only 10 minutes ago. Ruhn and I had spoken for a little while longer after our little heart-to-heart. It was much easier to think once Ruhn had put on clothes. He had agreed to join us for dinner tonight. 

Anxiety kicked in as I sat in my apartment. I changed into the shirt that Ruhn insisted I take with me. As much as the rational side of me wanted to put up a fight to not take his shirt, the primal side of me didn’t want to part with it. 

I needed to vent, so I sent the text to Naomi. Sure Malikim would give me Hel with the situation but in the end, I knew she would be in my corner. 

Naomi never responded. She did however land on my balcony with a soft thud. Her eyes roamed over me giving me an incredulous look. 

“Who’s fucking shirt is that? And why do you smell like you spent the night rolling around in their scent?” Naomi never was one to beat around the bush. Getting straight to the point in her blunt manner was one of the reasons many of the 33rd didn't fuck around with her. 

“Part of what I needed to talk to you about. So… I met my mate last night!” I forced out an awkward laugh.

“Bullshit!” Naomi deadpaned. “So what? The mating bond snapped and you two couldn’t keep your hands off of each other? I thought you were just going to a party last night.”

“I did go to a party last night. That's where I met him. And before you ask, no I didn’t fuck him. He was beyond wasted last night.” I run my hands through my hair before looking up at Naomi.

The Malikim looked shocked, to say the least. I could almost see the gears turning. 

“He accidentally vomited on me.”

Naomi pulled a disgusted face. “So you had to clean up a sloppy drunken Fae.”  

“Yeah. We talked for a bit this morning, but right now it is awkward.”

“How so?” she raised her eyebrow.

“I mean, in the eyes of the Fae we are essentially married.” I sighed, flopping down onto the plush white couch. I watched Naomi's eyes widen. I took a deep breath before continuing “I met him once and now if he wanted he could make all the decisions in my life.”

“Bullshit he can't do that.” Naomi exclaimed.

“Females are essentially property to the males in their lives. Her father then her husband. I’ve been lucky that Mikhail has been a good brother and let me do as I please.”

“The Fucking Fae with their antiquated traditions.” Naomi rolled her shoulders before taking a seat in one of the chairs meant for winged Vanier. “Who is this asshole anyways? Just some random Aux member that Leon is buddies with.” 

And here it was the moment I knew that I would become the target of endless teasing, but probably not before Naomi threatened to rip off Ruhn’s balls. 

“Ruhn Danaan.” I scrunched my face and waited for the inevitable explosion of Naomi Boreas.

“Ruhn Fucking Danaan.” She shot up to her feet, wings twitching behind her. “The crown Prince of the Valbaren fae, Ruhn Dannan?” 

Never had I been so happy that the walls between condos had soundproofing with how loud Naomi had gotten.

“Is there another Ruhn Danaan that I don’t know about?” I winced at her volume, as she gave an indignant squawk.

“Do you want me to kick his ass? Because I am going to and Micah won't be able to stop me.” 

“No, no need for kicking anyone's ass. After we got him cleaned and sobered up a fraction he was a perfect gentleman.” 

“So let's go back to the beginning. What the hell happened last night?” 

“Well after I left the Comitium I went home and got ready for the party. Then I went to the address that Leo had given me.” I took a breath. “Turns out that it was Ruhn’s and his buddies' house. I was talking to Leo and Rhun’s friend Flynn when the drunken Prince waltzed over. Long story short the bond snapped for us and in a state of shock and drunkenness Ruhn vomited. I helped get him cleaned up while also having to clean up myself since as I mentioned he puked on me as well. I tried to get him to bed before trying to go home.” I run my hands through my hair. “ He was quite a bit stronger than me and wanted to cuddle so I ended up staying the night.”

“He didn’t try anything funny?” Naomi raised a brow. 

“No. He slept like the dead though. I tried to wiggle my way out of his bed this morning and was unable to. We talked for a bit this morning about what we wanted to do. We were going to discuss it a bit more later this evening. I invited him to the dinner that I am having with Mikhail and his mysterious partner.”

“So what, you two don’t have any choice in the matter? A mating bond snapped between you two and it's a done deal?” I understood where her confusion was coming from. The Fae had a whole bunch of old-fashioned ideals and traditions that the Malikim did not. She sighed before plopping back down into the chair that she had been occupying.     

“The Fae are stubborn creatures. Elder generations are stuck in their ways. If it makes it any better I think Ruhn wants to make this work between the two of us.” An arched brow is the only response I got from the angel sprawled in my armchair. 

“He offered to give up partying and hanging out with females, all so that I would try to make this work with him.” This pulls a laugh from her lips.

“So He’s starting with the bare minimum, but it sounds like you are going to be able to get him wrapped around your finger.“ She stated with a laugh. “And that is completely and utterly fair, make him work for it. What Vanier in their right mind wouldn’t be obsessed with you, and willing to do whatever your little heart wanted to appease you.” 

It's then I see the almost devious smirk in her eyes. I sigh knowing that now after we have gotten past the initial shock I will be taking shit for this. 

“Should we let the Princeling know about the fact that his photo was your favourite in the Crescent City's most eligible bachelors clothing optional callender?”

“That is a highly classified secret.” I squawk, placing a hand over my heart. “And I will deny it until my dying breath if you so much as speak a word of this to Ruhn.” 

We stared at each other for a few moments before bursting into laughter. It felt as though a large weight had been lifted off of my chest after letting my best friend know everything, and knowing that I will always have her in my corner is a comfort that I am ever so grateful for. Sitting here laughing in the living room brings back memories of my first months at the Triarii and the 33rd. 

“Come on Bitch. Enough with the heavy shit, let’s go get our nails done.” Naomi stands holding out a hand to pull me up from the couch. I went to grab my purse before realizing that Noami was too quiet. I didn’t quite have the time to react before she picked me up and tossed me over her shoulders like a sack of potatoes heading for my balcony. I squeaked as her wings snapped out and she took off flying. 

“Naomi!” I cried out and all I got in response was her laughter. While I knew she wouldn’t drop me unexpectedly, being picked up and shot into the sky was not on my list of things to do today. 

The flight to our regular nail salon within the old square was quick. We did receive a few odd looks when we landed as I nearly ended up on my ass when Naomi dropped me to the ground.

“Bitch.” I playfully glare at her before walking in.

“Got us here quicker.” She shrugged trailing along behind me. 

Getting my nails done had been exactly what I needed. The Demonaki tech did wonders. I decided to keep my natural nails. I never saw the point of having extensions done. They would only hinder me in a fight. The emerald green colour I had chosen looked stunning against my skin. Naomi had gone with her classic black on her nails adding to her overall “badass” look. Unfortunately, we had to part ways after the salon. Naomi had gotten a call from Viktoria requesting her to make her way back to the Comitium and I needed to stop by a few shops to gather things for my dinner party tonight. We parted with a brief hug before she shot into the sky heading back towards the CBD. 

I had made it home an hour later, arms ladened with the supplies for dinner. I wasn’t cooking anything too fancy, as I would for the group dinners that I have with the rest of the Triarii, but I still found fresh ingredients were much better for making first impressions. I had planned for a simple but traditional Valbaren dish consisting of a wonderfully roasted chicken with seasonal vegetables and creamy herb potatoes. 

It had been one of the first dishes I had learned to cook from my mother. I could still see us dancing around the kitchen in the manor over in FiRo preparing the dish.  Her long red hair flowed freely in the wind, her face showing no signs of the nearly 400 years she had spent on Midgard. Not a day went by when I didn’t miss her and dad. I would give the world to have them back, to be able to tell them I loved them one more time. But no one could bring the dead back, not even the Asteri in the eternal city. 

A knock on my door pulled me out of the depressive thoughts.

There were three people it could be and a glance at the clock told me that whoever it was, arrived early. I stepped away from the kitchen and to the front door. Looking through the peephole I was shocked to see Ruhn standing there holding two bottles of wine. I quickly unlocked the door and disarmed the wards to let him in. 

“I know I am early, but I wanted to see if you needed any help.” He shrugged and gave a sheepish smile.

He looked… Well, good. He had selected a nice black button-down and tucked it into formal black trousers. 

“That’s fine. Please, come in.” I took a step back to let him inside. Ruhn let out a low whistle.

“This is fancy.” He looked towards me, “Umm… Would you prefer it if I took my boots off?” 

“If you wouldn’t mind.” I gave a sheepish smile.

Naomi was the only one who could get away with wearing shoes in my home and I didn’t plan on changing that. Ruhn handed me the bottles of wine before working to remove his boots. I looked at the labels on the bottles, I recognized only one of them; I had bought one of these bottles as a gift for Sandriel from Micah. It had been at least 1000 gold marks. The second bottle had a label that I hadn't seen before.   

“Somehow I managed to get the Autumn King to part with those. I begrudgingly went to him to ask for help with a wine selection and when he heard that I was to be having dinner with Lord Rosewood and yourself he handed these over and told me that I needed to make a good impression. Apparently, he wants your older brother to be impressed with the Danaans.” Ruhn laughed, “I’m not much of a wine guy myself but the one bottle is from my father's vineyard. I figured that we could use one of the bottles for dinner and the two of us can split the second.” 

“Mikhail would have been impressed with any wine. He’s much more of a whiskey enthusiast and never really understood the finer details of wine.” I laughed, motioning for him to follow me to the kitchen. 

“What about you? You strike me as a mixed drink kinda female.” He moved into my kitchen as he had always belonged there. “What can I do to help?” 

I directed him towards the cutting board and knife block. “Could you please cut up the vegetables for me? As for my preference for alcohol, I prefer whiskey. The Rosewood family has been distilling whiskey for Urd knows how long. But I have an appreciation for wines. You hang around Archangels for long enough, you will acquire a good taste in them.” I moved to grab the potatoes to begin working on them. 

“I bought a bottle of one of those wines as a gift for Sandriel from Micah a year or so ago. I’m surprised your father wanted to part with it. I know the price tag on it. It is an amazing wine though.” I mused.

I remembered the night I had presented it to Sandriel; Micah had been selected to visit her territory for the summit. I had been given the Governor's card and tasked to find this wine when we arrived at her palace. She had opened it that night and I was lucky enough to be invited to share the bottle with her and Micah A few months later she requested him to loan her my services for 2 years. I quickly shook off the memories and continued with the potatoes, setting them on the stove. 

“He wanted to impress your older brother, especially since Mikhail has been able to avoid him for the past 4 years.” Ruhn worked quickly with the knife making quick work of the vegetables that I had laid out. 

“My brother is a bit of a homebody and likes to keep to himself. It drove our father a bit mad if I’m being honest. He will probably end up meeting with the Autumn King sooner or later though.” Since we are mates and all, was left unsaid. 

The two of us worked in tandem to get dinner ready in silence. It wasn’t until a quiet knock rang out through the condo breaking the comfortable rhythm we fell into I realized how comfortable I was with Ruhn.

My eyes darted to the door; my brother and his mysterious boyfriend had finally arrived. I quickly wiped my hands on a towel before moving to let them in. After a deep breath, I opened the door to not one, but two familiar faces. Standing there next to my older brother was the very familiar face of my other best friend, Isaiah Tiberion. 

@myheartfollower @nyctophiliiiiaaa

[mystical-blaise]

[acourtofthought]

Hii! Hru?

I started reading the Crescent city series, and there is this one scene in Hosab where Hunt and Bryce talk about what to label their relationship and they agree on "mates" and Bryce explains what mates means for the Fae. And it reminded me so much of Elucien.

"To the Fae, we're bound on a biological, molecular level. There's no undoing it." "Is it a biological thing?" "It can be. Some Fae claim they know their mates from the moment they meet them. That there's some kind of invisible link between them. A scent or soul-bond."

Elain and Lucien are linked. Soul-bonded. Ppl try to lessen the value of their mating bond just because they recognized each other instantly.

According to Nesta, she wanted Cassian the moment she saw him, and Cassian also suspected they are mates right away, still I don't hear anyone complaining about her choice being taken away...

The antis claim that Elucien mating will not be meaningful and there is no choice unless Elain chooses Az and Lucien chooses Vassa...

...but then there is also this passage in the same chapter in Hosab:

"... Maybe Urd had long ago bound their souls, and they'd needed all this time to realize it. But did it even matter? If it was fate or choice to be together?"

Ppl are so hung up on the whole choice argument, meanwhile, Miss Sarah J Maas the AUTHOR herself is like choice whatever.... 😅

I absolutely love the excerpts you just included and I think you should write a blog on this so we can share it around. SJM really just said fate or choice makes no difference so long as mates end up together 😂 And we have no evidence in any of her series that you get more than one. Mating bonds follow one another, even in death. It doesn't make sense for part of your soul to be connected to one person making less of your soul available to be connected to another. Because that's the truth of it all, isn't it? Bryce and Hunt may have chosen to be together however, their decision led their scents to merge, led them to become mated on a biological level. And as the second excerpt shows, even though in their hearts they chose one another, it is still possible that it was always fated to be that way, that it was always Urds plan. That Bryce and Hunt would become mates only if they ended up together. Bryce could have ended up Connor but that doesn't mean they would have become mates on a biological level. SJM is still putting it out there that though it was choice, it may still have always been their destiny. As far as the bonding immediately snapping for Elucien, I'm really not sure why anyone is trying to claim that means it's fake. Rhys tells us his parents bond snapped in exactly the same way (though that's where the similarities stop. Lucien didn't instantly take Elain back to Spring and he isn't cold or vicious like Rhys's father). I'm also including the second message you sent so both are together: my-macarons asked:

Also, I feel like all the "True mates" theories (Elain and Lucien are not real mates, fake mating bond, Azriel is Elain's true mate) are because of this part in Hosab:

„Ruhn glared at her as Hunt continued to glow and menace. It means that he’s going ballistic in the way that only mates can when the other is threatened. It’s what happened then, and what’s happening now. You’re true mates—the way Fae are mates, in your bodies and souls. That’s what was different about your scent the other day. Your scents have merged. As they do between Fae mates.”

I'm sorry, but drawing the conclusion from this that Elain and Lucien are not real mates just seem like bad reading comprehension to me.

"You’re true mates—the way Fae are mates..."

True mates = Fae mates. Like the Fae in Acotar.

Elucien are mates and antis need to deal with it. 🤷‍♀️

(End of second message). Did Lucien not go a bit feral when Mor whisked Elain back to Velaris? Have we not seen him visibly struggle with the effects of the bond? Hands clenching at the chair, trying to keep himself seated, a snarl slipping out of him when he realized Az took Elain away? Everything we've witnessed in Elucien's bond is in line with everything we know of bonds including an Archeron sister trying to first deny hers. 😂😂

[ignite-stars]

sicarius 2, azriel

summary, ( HOSAB SPOILERS! ) being best friends with bryce quinlan can be a pain in the ass, but you both truly hit rock bottom when you fell through worlds.

author’s note, reader is fem, and an elemental fae in this fic, fire and ice. also, if az is a little ooc in this, it’s because i’m still learning how to write his character. this isn’t exactly how hosab was written, but oh well. ( AGAIN, HOSAB SPOILERS! )

A curled punch to the gut, knocking the wind out from your lungs. The stinging of poison against the roof of your mouth, burning as you swallow. The ache of charred flesh after over exerting your body and it’s power. The cold lurch of ice jumping in your veins, consuming your mind and thoughts whole.

You’d always thought meeting your mate; the one person in existence who was your ultimate equal, would be exhilarating, a moment that would forever etch into your mind. The stories your grandmother had told you as a little girl warped your mind, the myth of meeting your meet could either be your happily ever after, or your ruination. Always the optimist as a little girl, you never let yourself believe in the latter.

And now, laying limp on the floor, with a newfound soul tied to yours, the same male who just also happened to be holding a blade to your throat, ready to slice your jugular ear-to-ear.

Bryce screamed in horror at the scent of your blood beading around the emanating knife. “Please! We’re looking for Aidas!”

You already knew by the savage look in the demon’s eyes that he was going to kill you, and deep down, some part of you wished he would. You could hear Hunt’s excruciating cries for help, and Ruhn’s angered battle cries and felt anguished guilt stab you straight in your immortal heart.

How many had to die for the world to be free? Your whole life, you belonged to someone else. The Asteri, the Legion, the Archangels— Sandriel and Micah. And sure, your keepers may be dead and gone, but your hands were still dirty with their blood and the others they made you slaughter for your own survival.

And the Asteri still kept you on a tight leash, pinpointing your every move. No matter how far you ran, or how well you hid, you were not your own.

You could hear Danika now, and if you don’t get the fuck up, you never will be.

“Wait,” your brain was scrambled as you switched to the only other dialect you knew. A lesser known, abandoned Fae language. The Archangels had made you memorize most of it before your eighteenth birthday, as a part of your occupation.

And some part of it reached him, as he faltered— hands loosening from your neck, signaling that he was willing to listen. You continued, “we need help, we need Aidas.” You kept it short, being that he still kept you in a firm chokehold, and he was pressing his weight into you now.

“Who the fuck is Aidas?” He snarled in the Fae language. His hazel eyes still searching yours for truth. He was protective over his lands, shaking with rage.

Snaking your hands over his scarred ones, squeezing to indicate he was hurting you. You pleaded now. “Prince Aidas of Hel.”

His body heaved as he panted, he watched your face contort with sorrow. He blatantly ignored the bond singing between the two of you, and let up. He removed his hands from your windpipe, but still straddled you.

After glancing between you and Bryce, he sighed deeply. You watched as he dug into the pocket of his fighting leathers, and pulled out a slip of cloth. A blindfold. The fuck.

After pushing up from his place on top of you, he stalked over to where Bryce was standing. “Get up,” he demanded, though Bryce only squinted at him in confusion.

Impatiently, the male gestured from you to her, insinuating for you to translate. You sighed, eyes softening when you faced your best friend. “Stand up, Bryce.”

Bryce wasted no time in scrambling from her knees to her feet, shaking heavily.

You watched as he took the cloth and wrapped it around her eyes before knotting it at the back of her head, beneath her wine-colored ponytail.

He shot a glare your way, presumably the only chance you were going to be given before he forced you up himself. His attitude nearly caused you to send him a vulgar gesture, but you weren’t that immature. Not in these circumstances, anyways.

He guided Bryce over to where you stood, grunting every time she shifted in a way he found untrustworthy, despite her being utterly defenseless; void of her weapons and sight.

When the pair was close enough, Bryce leaned into you, finding comfort in the heat radiating from your body— partially from your magic, and partially from the scuffle you’d just been in.

You jolted when the same scarred hand that had been wrapped around your throat slithered around your eyes. Your back met a muscled chest as the demon muttered, “keep your eyes shut.” You didn’t miss the silent warning of or I will dispose of you.

One moment you were in the midst of the grassy lands with the small river running along its coast, Bryce curled into your side. And the next, you felt as though you were teleporting once again. The floor opened up beneath your feet, and you were falling.

Falling.

Falling.

Falling.

He held you firmly, arms behind your back as your feet finally collided with the ground. Tiles, you could tell— despite the scarred hands blocking your vision.

A few scuffs of boots against the floor sounded before your ass met the chair, warm welcome from the shadow demon— your mate. You swallowed deeply and shoved the bond further from you, almost like it stung.

“You try anything, and I’ll put you out of your godsdamned misery myself.” The demon growled, and you felt your arms slowly bound to the arm rest of the iron chair. Not ropes, as such silly material wouldn’t hold you— but darkness. It swiveled up your wrists and forearms in a warning manner.

You, ever the wise, sat silently in the seat while the demon barked orders between you and Bryce.

He was waiting for something— or someone, you realized. This demon, however lethal, was not a leader. He worked beneath someone. Otherwise, you and Bryce would’ve been dead on his command.

That fact alone gave you an advantage; relief.

But that relief was short-lived as sets of rumbling footsteps entered the room that didn’t belong to simply one demon, but multiple.

Males and Females, all stares pinned on you and Bryce— who was equally as confused beside you, bound in her own chair.

One female sat poised in the corner of the room, light brown hair braided back into a tight updo that resembled a crown. There was a resting, permanent scowl etched onto her wolfish features as she watched you carefully. Beside her was a bulky male, dark, shoulder-length hair. He was not as unpleasant as the female, but his blank face still revealed nothing.

Then was the short female leaning against the doorframe, sleek hair cut just below her chin, and eyes that of a viper. She was ready to sink her teeth into you and Bryce at any given moment. The thought caused your lip to curl back in disgust.

The final female in view was much gentler, a similar shade of light brown hair as the first female and blue-gray eyes that of the same cast. She wore a sweater much too big for herself, and her hands were covered in a mix of paint and whorls of tattoos in endless patterns.

But none were as powerful as the male that sat in a manspread in the chair just before you and Bryce. Violet eyes that ignited with danger and the scent of night-chilled cedar. He was the male in charge, you could tell by the sour scent of power and confidence dripping off of him.

Bryce was the one to break the thick silence, “We’ve been trying to ask him, but he doesn’t understand. Is this Hel? We need to see Prince Aidas.”

The male of Night turned to his companions and mumbled something in a language you did not understand. Seemingly their common tongue.

Bryce writhed in her chair, impatient and rightfully so. She spoke in a language you barely knew. Not the one you had used with your mate, but in the ancient language of the Starborn. With your specific. . . trade, you were granted the opportunity to learn many languages from the Asteri— this being one of them. The wine-haired Fae repeated, “Is this world Hel? We need to see Prince Aidas.”

You narrowed your eyes as the viper-eyed female staggered back as if she’d taken a bolt of Hunt’s lightening straight to the heart. Her attention flew to the Starsword then, which had been strapped to Bryce’s back prior to your capture.

The female shifted to your mate, and jutted her chin in approval. Your mate obliged at the silent command, unsheathing the blade before drawing a knife out of his thigh holster— the one that had been held to your throat.

You hadn’t given it a good once-over then, but now— You snarled, “What the fuck?” The dagger began to glow with a dim light as it was laid next to Bryce’s sword.

Twins.

Twin Blades.

“Gwydion,” the dark-haired female whispered. She seemed oddly intrigued. Good, perhaps she’d decide to spare you, then. Or at least Bryce.

“Is this Hel?” You managed out in the Starborn language. And you tried to hide a wince when Bryce looked at you with shock evident in her gaze.

“No one has spoken that language in this world for fifteen thousand years.” The dark-haired female crossed her arms, this time also speaking in the Starborn language. “I do not know who Aidas is.”

“Apollion, then,” you gritted out. “The Princes of Hel aren’t unheard of, in our realm.”

Her voice was smooth like old wine, “I do not know of such people. This world is not Hel.”

It was Bryce who rambled, “Then where are we? What is this world?”

Before the female could answer anymore of Bryce’s questions, the male with violet eyes replied with feline grace, “We know of no Aidas, here.”

Bryce’s attention finally landed on the male, and as she studied him, the question tumbled from her lips. “Ruhn?”

You faltered, eyes softening as realization hit you like the weight of the world. The male did have resemblance to Bryce’s half-brother, only two features that differed.The first being that Ruhn kept his hair long on one side— buzzed on the other, this male had short hair, left slightly longer on the top then the sides. The second was that this male also had a glorious set of leathery demon wings.

The Starsword and your mate’s dagger still were alight as they sat on the table not far from your reach. As no one answered her, Bryce began to plead again, “Our world, Midgard, it’s in grave danger. My mate, he— We didn’t mean to come here, we meant to go to Hel. To get aid from the Princes. But we don’t know what this world is. Or how to find Hel. We need your help.”

You prayed to whatever gods listening that they were a decent lot of people. Because if they weren’t, both you and Bryce were utterly fucked.

The dark-haired female clicked her tongue, translating everything Bryce had said. As the group registered what Bryce revealed, the female with tattoos covering her skin spoke in a language you could not comprehend.

But the female who spoke Starborn translated to you and Bryce, “She wants to know your names.”

Bryce swallowed from beside you, “My name is Bryce Quinlan.”

You begrudgingly introduced yourself directly after her, not in the mood to meet the cool feel of your mate’s blade once more. And he looked happy to give you a taste at any given moment. In the heat of the moment, you imagined how good he’d look with your knife impaled in his heart. You know you’d be rather delighted.

The male of Night leaned forward in his seat, cutting you loose from your violent thoughts. He looked bemused at your temper. “Hello, my name is Rhysand.”

[merymoonbeam]

Bridge of connection - Daynight - Elriel

This is a theory-ish connection post. I might be wrong about them but I found this connection months ago so I wanted to do a post about it.

Sarah uses the word “bridge” for mates. Examples:

“Bryce positioned him at her entrance, panting at the brush of the blunt head of his cock. But she released him. Let him decide whether this was what he wanted. This final bridge between their souls.”

I braced myself to warn Nesta to be polite, but Madja said to my sister, as if she were a small child, “The mating bond. It is a bridge between souls.”

Rhys. But the bond, the bridge between us … it was a howling void. A raging, dark tempest.

And with daynight we have this scene

“I have no idea what happened to you. Or how I found your mind. I simply felt … I don’t know what I felt, but the bridge was suddenly there. I think you’re in grave danger, wherever you are.”

With Elriel we have this

“Elain looked up at Azriel, their eyes meeting, his hand still lingering on the hilt of the blade. I saw the painting in my mind: the lovely fawn, blooming spring vibrant behind her. Standing before Death, shadows and terrors lurking over his shoulder. Light and dark, the space between their bodies a blend of the two. The only bridge of connection … that knife.”

Also madja saying how mating bond is a bridge between souls and a mate could understand what was wrong with Elain... and Azriel was the one who understood what was wrong with her.

The ancient healer jerked her chin toward Lucien. “See what he can do. If anyone can sense if something is amiss, it’s a mate.” “How.” The word was barely more than a barked command. I braced myself to warn Nesta to be polite, but Madja said to my sister, as if she were a small child, “The mating bond. It is a bridge between souls.”

Elain was staring at the spymaster now—unblinkingly. “We’re the ones who need …” Azriel trailed off. “A seer,” he said, more to himself than us. “The Cauldron made you a seer.”

Elain turned to Mor, who was now gaping at my sister from her spot beside her on the couch. “Is that what this is?”And the words, the tone … they were so normal-sounding that my chest tightened.

It made sense, I supposed, that Azriel alone had listened to her. The male who heard things others could not … Perhaps he, too, had suffered as Elain had before he understood what gift he possessed. He asked Elain, “There is another queen?”

Moving on to daynight again. This is towards the end of the book. Ruhn notices how his scent is now on Lidia.

Ruhn couldn’t move from the floor as the Hind unsheathed her own slim blade. As her beckoning scent floated to him. A scent that was somehow entwined with his own. It was very faint, like a shadow, so vague that he doubted anyone else would realize the underlying scent belonged to him.”

But the important part in my opinion is the orange part “Like a shadow” we know Ruhn has shadow powers, so does Azriel. (I mean sarah could have just used it and it might not have any significant meaning but this is a theory so 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m taking it as important here) This made me remember these scenes.

Elain stepped out of a shadow behind him, and rammed Truth-Teller to the hilt through the back of the king’s neck as she snarled in his ear, “Don’t you touch my sister.”

“Don’t,” Elain said flatly, starting once more into a walk, veils of steam drifting past her shoulders from the roasted rosemary potatoes in her hands, as if they were Azriel’s shadows. “She won’t listen.”

•Lidia having the scent of Ruhn on her but it is faint like a shadow...

•Elain stepping out of a shadow(and that is literally a parallel to Azriel > stepped out of a shadow) with Truth-teller, which Sarah wrote “the only bridge of connection” for Elain and Azriel.

•The veils of stream are like azriel’s shadows... and we have lidia having Ruhn’s scent like a shadow 👀

Side not: I made a post about those rosemary potatoes in the last quote you can find it in here > with a blink and to sum it up in that post I talked about how “ghost of the dish”(aka rosemary potatoes) could be a metaphor for mating bond hint between Elain and Azriel because females offer food to males when they accept the bond

And we have Azriel can’t standing the scent of Elain and Lucien’s mating bond...

“He left the rest unspoken. Because her mate was here, sleeping a level up. Because her mate had been in the family room and Azriel had needed to stay by the door the whole time because he couldn't stand the sight of it, the scent of their mating bond, and needed to have the option  of leaving if it became too much.”

This is interesting because Elain and Lucien didn’t accept the bond so... how is he smelling the bond? Is it something different with their bond and Azriel can smell it because he has the true mating bond with Elain and all of his senses are screaming at him how wrong the smell is?? Questions... questionssss

All the connections were very interesting so I wanted to make a post about. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Have a good day 💜

[fieldofdaisiies]

Ruhn x Reader | It All Falls Down

type: angst warning(s): coma, near death experience, near loss of a loved one, blood word count: 2.1k words summary: based on this request, but I changed it a little; could you please do a Ruhn fic and maybe she has been his best friend for a long time and she felt the mating bond since she first met him and she waited for him to figure it out but he never did and then he met Lidia; the Asteri injure the reader lethally and he finds her body and the bond snaps between them, he had always hoped that it was her and thought that she was never interested in him, he finds a journal that the reader keeps and it explains her feelings towards Ruhn and declarations on how she wishes she could tell him about the mating bond and Ruhn just completely breaks down and he says that it has always been her……

- all rights reserved -

The phone call that wakes Ruhn is not at all what he expects. At that time it is normally only ever a call from a completely shit-faced Tristan who can’t find his key, or Declan who forgot his key at home, or Ithan who just did not bring a key because someone will open the door for him anyway. A shock rumbles through him when he hears Bryce speak the words, but he can’t really comprehend what she is saying, does not really know what to do with them, how to act, how to react. It can’t be real what she is saying. Your body has been found, he needs to come there, the Asteri.....everything else becomes a blur of words and phrases

Almost like in a trance Ruhn gets up and gets dressed, his heart pounding frantically in his chest, the blood rushing in his ears so loud it drowns out all the other noises. He rushes to find all his necessities, collecting his phone and his gun just in case. In the next moment he is out of the house, jumps into his car, puts in reverse, leaves the parking lot and then heads for where Bryce and Hunt are. Ruhn arrives at the park, at the crime scene, and panic and dread collide inside of him. Your body is lying lifelessly on the in ground. It is early in the morning, only past four, the grass is still drenched in dew, the sun has not yet risen. A fresh moist scent lies in the air when the wet grass slides against his legs and soaks through his shoes. Ruhn is running towards his sister, her mate and you. His knees buckles when his eyes land on the puddle of blood next to you, under you, everywhere around you. There is so much blood, there are so many wounds on your body. “Y/N,” he breathes and his knees give in. He falls to the ground, and it is when is hands cradle our face that something inside of him snaps, something starts to glow and he can feel the bond connecting you to him. But why now? Why did it have to take so long for the damn bond to snap? Why couldn’t it have happened earlier? But would you have even excepted it? That all does not matter now. 

“The Asteri,” Bryce says calmly and places her hand on her brother’s shoulder. “We think that the Asteri are behind this.” Ruhn’s head whips to her and he furrows his brows, his heart dipping and cold sweat breaking out on the back of his neck once again. “Why?” he asks and it is Hunt who answers. “We don’t know, we hoped you might know?”

But Ruhn shakes his head. He has no idea. And also does not care about it in that moment. “Did you call an ambulance.” Bryce nods and takes out her phone to take some pictures of the crime scene. Celestina informed them that something has happened from where she knew they had no idea but Bryce and Hunt did not waste a second before heading here and informing Ruhn immediately when they saw who the victim of the attack was. “The ambulance will bring her to the hospital. We maybe need to collect some clothes for her, you know where she lives?” Ruhn nodes, his hand brushing the side of your face, the bond glowing brighter and brighter in his chest. It almost suffocates him, he does not want that now, can’t deal with it now. He wants you to be safe and fit again. And only when you are awake does he want to share the joy of the bond with you. 

The ambulance arrives only a few minutes later. One of them cringes at the sight, but tries to act cool a moment later when he heaves your body onto on of the medical bed and brings your to the car. Bryce arranges with them that Ruhn will bring clothes to the hospital. 

She drives Ruhn to the place where you live and your roommate lets him in, Bryce and Hunt in tow so they can look around in the flat if their are any hints on why they attacked you and what you might have found out about them. Ruhn does not care about any of it, he only cares about you waking up again. That’s the only things that matters to him.

The little bullet journal falls open and Ruhn really does not want to look but his eyes land on his name and he just has to see what you have written about him. His heart halts, then starts beating frantically at every word he reads. It explains everything, your feelings towards him and small declarations on how you wishes you could tell him about the mating bond… The mating bond.

Ruhn sits down on the ground and smacks his hands over his face, reasling a loud shout. He is rocking back and forth, sobbing while awareness dawns on him. He has been such an idiot. He never realised the bond because he was so caught up in his own world, how he hurt you so many times and he never saw you as anything more than a friend because he thought you would never see him as anything more than a friend. He started dating Lidia, who was a wonderful person, because he thought he would anyway never have a chance with you. But actually he was such a blind and oblivious fool. He hates himself for that, for maybe never getting the chance to tell you. A knock sounds from his door and it makes Ruhn lift his head. It is Bryce. She carefully opens the door and peeks inside. “Her parents just called. They are there now. Have you collected all her things?”

Ruhn sniffs loudly, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs when he looks at his sister through his swollen eyes. “I can’t lose her,” he breathes and the damn breaks once again, tears streaming down his cheeks. Bryce walks up to him and crouches down next brother, slinging her arm around his shoulders. She presses her head against his, his ear piercings cool against the side of her head. “She will be fine, I know it.” But Ruhn doubts that, saw your injuries. And as much as he wants to believe his sister, he can’t. 

Flynn and Declan come to pick Ruhn up to drive to the hospital. He is still shaking when he arrives at the hospital, when they arrive in the entrance hall of the hospital, ask for your room, walk past the coffee shop and the emergency department where trauma patients are being brought in on beds or in wheelchairs. He does not pay any attention to anything around him, his whole focus is on you and the hope that you will wake up again. He can’t enter the room immediately, your parents are still inside, wanting to be alone with you. He understands but it drives him mad. Ruhn can’t stay outside your room, he places the duffle bag on the ground next to where Flynn sits in one of the visitor chairs and starts wandering, telling them to call for him when he can go inside. 

Ruhn is pacing, walking through the long, maze-like hallways with the bright lighting than burns in his eyes. He has barely gotten any sleep the previous night, was terribly sleep deprived and in panic. He walks past a gift shop, glances inside. There are magazines, toiletries and other small items, as well as flowers and stuffed animals. He hesitates for a moment, but walks in and decides to by you a little bouquet of flowers — he chooses the violet ones, remembering how you always loved to comment on his eyes, how violet and glowing they were. Nothing is left of this glow, Ruhn’s eyes are dim and dull. It is when he leaves the shop that Declan calls for him, meeting him half-way in the corridor to your room. “Her parents are going home now, said you can go in.” Ruhn inclines his head and follows in silence. 

His heart stops in his chest at the sight of you — you looks so peaceful, but at the same time like all life had been robbed from you. They probably put you in a coma… 

The moments between him standing in the doorway and looking at you and him moving closer become a blur until he finds himself right next to you, his hands shaking, and turning damp from the cold sweat breaking out on his skin. His friends join him in the room, supporting him. 

Ruhn sits on the adjustable hospital bed beside you, his hand holding yours. The one with the cannula, the small tube that has been placed into a vein in your arm or your hand in order to deliver your intravenous therapy. 

You look like your are sleeping, lying there on the white linens, eyes closed, lips parted a little bit. Flynn stands behind Ruhn, Declan on his other side, keeping his hand on Ruhn’s shoulder. Ruhn is staring at the plain walls, lowering his gaze to the equipment plug-ins. The fluorescent light is still bright in here, but at least a little dimmer. Your chest heaves a little bit, barely visible but it gives Ruhn enough comfort to even his breathing. Through wires your heart is connected to a heart monitor and Ruhn watches the steady line, that does have too big highs. With a loud sigh Tristan Flynn leans against the bedside table with drawers, accidentally pushing one in. “You can go home. You don’t have to stay with me,” Ruhn says, honestly. 

“You should also go home,” Declan answers, squeezing his friend’s shoulder, but Ruhn shakes his head. “No, I am staying with Y/N. When she wakes up, I want to be here.”

“But Ruhn—“ “No!” the starborn prince answers loudly. “I am staying. You go home.”

Declan and Tristan decide that it might be best for them to actually go home and leave Ruhn alone, wanting to give the two of you some privacy. It seems like it is what Ruhn needs. 

His eyes are trained on the grey garbage can in the corner of the room when he opens his mouth and says, “I am so sorry. I have been such a fool.” His throat starts to ache, tears dwelling in his eyes when Ruhn gives his head a little shake. “I am so sorry.”

His thumb strokes gently over your hand, it feels cold in his one and he his heart squeezes. “I know that I have been such an oblivious fool to not see it, to not see that you like me the same way I like you. To not see the bond. I know I am an idiot… And it feels wrong that the bond snapped for me now, that this had to happen that the bond snapped, I hate myself for it.” His throat constricts, aching when a single tear slips out of his eyes. It falls onto your hand and it is then that your hand makes the tiniest jerk. “Y/N?” Ruhn asks, his voice baffled. He looks at you intensely but no more movement follows. Maybe he was mistaken? Ruhn parts his lips again, they are dry. “I want this bond with you, want nothing more. Well, I do. I want you to wake up. I want to see you smile again, hear you laugh again. I want to hug you, to have sleepovers with you where we smoke a little mithroot and watch sunball or your silly romance movies. I want to cook with you again and I just want to have you in my life. I can’t lose you, Y/N.”

He leans down and kisses your knuckles, more tears wetting your skin. “You are one of the most important people in my life, I need you.”

The heart monitor shows large lines when Ruhn hears a beeping noise and lifts his head to the screen. He does not understand what he is seeing, but a moment later he does not really care about it anymore. You shift a little on the bed, stirring and your hand twitches again. 

Ruhn’s eyes widen, his heart stopping, then rapidly hammering against his ribcage. 

Your eyes open a little bit, the corner of your mouth lifting when your look at Ruhn through a heavy-lidded gaze. “Your are my mate.” With that your eyes fall shut again, lips opening a little further. Ruhn leans over you, kissing the top of your head and he says, “That I am. Yours and only yours. And you are mine.”

~~~~~~~~~~

tags: @azrielsbabyg @brekkershadowsinger 

[yazthebookish]

Mating bonds explained in HOSAB:

For shifters:

There were several definitions of the term mate—though Bryce supposed that to Ithan, to a shifter, only one mattered: one’s true lover, predestined by Urd.

For Angels:

The angels, she knew, used the term far more lightly: for the malakim, it was akin to a marriage, and matings could be arranged. Like breeding animals in a zoo.

“Angels have mates. Not as … soul-magicky as the Fae, but we call life partners mates in lieu of husbands or wives.”

For Fae:

The Fae had a similar concept—a mate was a bond deeper than marriage, and beyond an individual’s control.

“Mates are … an intense thing for the Fae.” She swallowed audibly. “It’s a lifetime commitment. Something sworn between bodies and hearts and souls. It’s a binding between beings. You say I’m your mate in front of any Fae, and it’ll mean something big to them.”

“But if we tell Ruhn that we’re mates, we’re as good as married. To the Fae, we’re bound on a biological, molecular level. There’s no undoing it.” “Is it a biological thing?” “It can be. Some Fae claim they know their mates from the moment they meet them. That there’s some kind of invisible link between them. A scent or soul-bond.”

So … maybe they were already mates, by that Fae definition. Maybe Urd had long ago bound their souls, and they’d needed all this time to realize it. But did it even matter? If it was fate or choice to be together?

It means that he’s going ballistic in the way that only mates can when the other is threatened. It’s what happened then, and what’s happening now. You’re true mates—the way Fae are mates, in your bodies and souls. That’s what was different about your scent the other day. Your scents have merged. As they do between Fae mates.

True mates. Not only in name, but … in the way that Fae could be mates with each other.

And let's establish something about Urd who we know now is The Mother as the Fae in Prythian know her:

“Urd twined our fates together,”

“I thought the Fae bowed to Luna, but perhaps you remember the old beliefs? From a time when Urd was not a goddess but a force, winding between worlds? When she was a vat of life, a mother to all, a secret language of the universe? The Fae worshipped her then.”

Mating bonds are preordained by Urd, the Mother, and Fate herself.

Angels do not have mating bonds, they call their significant other “mate” as an endearment. Matings can be arranged such as in Celestina and Ephraim's case. It is used as a term, not something that is actually a soul connection or a magical bond between two individuals.

As for the shifters, there is a one's true love predestined by Urd. It's also important to remember that the shifters were revealed to be originally Fae. The Asteri bred out the pointed ears and weakened their magic and so it's not far-fetched to also apply the Fae's soul bond on the shifters because they're both destined by Urd and the shifters originated from the Fae. They're likely the shifter Fae from Throne of Glass.

But her research into the bloodlines and the origins of the shifters, her belief that they’d once been a different type of Fae, from a different Fae world, [...]

The Midgard shifters were Fae from a different planet. All the Fae in that world shared their form with an animal. The mer descended from them, too. Perhaps they once shared a world with your breed of Fae, but they had been alone on their planet for long enough to develop their own gifts.” “They don’t have pointed ears.” “Oh, we bred that out of them. It was gone within a few generations.”

Danika had known the shifters had once been Fae. Were still Fae—but a different kind.

Now we come to the Fae, the mating bond is simply a soul bond. There is no other type of bond it is one and the same. It's deeper than marriage and beyond anyone's control. The Fae bond is biological.

As for there being a mate and a "true mate" for someone, there isn't such a thing. When the “true mate” term is mentioned, the context of it was to reassure Bryce that her and Hunt are actual mates, in a biological sense. Their souls are connected, so they are not calling each other mates as an endearment only but they are true mates as the Fae are. This is to emphasize that they are bound by soul.

HOSAB did not introduce other versions of mating bonds, there is only one and the same. It can be used as a term like the Malakim or it can be a soul bond like for the Fae and shifters.