#the cruel prince fic

[viivdle]

“Even after I met you – especially after I met you – I didn’t want to fix my heart. You made me want to tear it into even more shreds than it was already in. Gods, how I despised you. I think I still do.”

the ninth, and final, chapter of my jurdan fanfic bloodshed, crimson clover is out now!! i may cry over this i can't lie

[lqveharrington]

Feelings Mutual | C.G.

summary: Your forced to hangout with Cardan at the High King’s birthday celebration. Turns out, you both make stupid decisions when drunk. And what’s the fine line between hatred and love between two being who can’t lie anyway?

pairing: Cardan Greenbriar x half fae!fem!reader

includes: drunk Cardan, drunk reader, cursing, making out, suggestiveness, no use of Y/N, barely proofread (i think that’s it)

a/n: i’m on a reading spree, and working on my projects, so this should help get me out of a huge writing slump.

In Faerie, it was uncommon for a half fae, half human being to be a princess in the court. Your father — the King of one of the many lands — wed a human woman, causing you to become the land’s princess. Of course many of the court thought that you were lesser than them; For such a creation should never hold that high of a status.

Ever since you were younger, you often attended lessons with the High King’s youngest child. At first, you sought out to befriend him and his group of friends. But you soon found out that they loathed you. Because how could a halfling ever be a worthy princess?

So you gave up trying to befriend them. You let the group taunt you for not being full fae, but what was the worst thing they could do? You still were a daughter of a very powerful king. The very king that was the closest with the High King himself.

You and your family were constantly invited to all their gatherings, and this one wasn’t an exception. It was the High King’s birthday, which meant all of Faerie was invited to Elfhame palace to celebrate such a day. The only issue with that meant your father and mother urged you to talk to Cardan and his group.

“Mother, they don’t like me.” You wring your hands together, fidgeting with your silver jewelry.

She clicked her tongue, “Nonsense. Prince Balekin spoke of how much Cardan talks about you when he comes home from your lessons.”

“Wait what?” Your eyes widen at her in disbelief. “Mother, I’m sure they’re words of hate.”

“Is it because you don’t like your dress? Are you afraid they’ll hate it?” She tugged you to stand in front of herself. “You look gorgeous, angel.”

You purse your lips at her compliment. You truly loved the dress. It was a beautiful sage color that complimented your skin tone completely, and the corset really did wonders. There were gorgeous lace details of butterflies that were a shade darker, with a slit running down one side of the dress. It was beautiful, but you feared that it was much too modern for Faerie, causing your thoughts to wander to how Cardan’s friends would insult it.

“No, I love the dress, mother.” You give her a tight lipped smile, squeeze her hands. “If you truly wish for me to find Cardan, I’ll go and be friendly so you and father can enjoy your time here.”

“Thank you.” She pressed a kiss to your forehead and a real smile etched its way onto your face.

“Be safe, alright?” Your father squeezed your shoulder before leaning down to whisper words your mother couldn’t hear. “If trouble comes, you know what I’ve taught you. You have your dagger?”

Your lips twitch in excitement, “Of course.”

“Then you’re all set then, kiddo.” He gave you one last look before resting an arm around your mother’s waist. “I’ll come find you when it’s time for us to depart.”

You nod before taking a small bow. You watched them leave and make their way to the throne, immediately engaging with the High King and Queen. They seemed happy, which made you glad that they accepted your mother as their own. Shaking your head, you took a deep breath and blew out the air in one go. Carefully, you made your way over to Cardan. Luckily, he was on his own for once.

“Cardan.” You nod in his direction, watching his dark eyes with flecks of gold suddenly gazing into yours. Without fail, his eyes roam over your body, tail whipping behind himself after gaining someone’s attention.

“Princess! Don’t you look absolutely captivating tonight.” He slurred, red wine dripping out of his glass. “Welcome to my humble abode.”

You raised a brow at the prince. From what you could recall, he didn’t live inside the palace walls. And there wasn’t a chance he could lie either. “You don’t live here.”

“I used to.” He tipped his glass up to his wine stained lips, taking in the drink whilst taking in the sight of you.

“Where are your—“ You use your hand to gesture in the air as you grab your own glass of wine from a server passing buy. Unsure of how to word your question, you sip on the wine, immediately hit by its strength. “Where are your friends, I should say.”

“Off to bother some mortal or do something stupid.” He smiles in your direction as you down your drink and reach for another. “What’s upsetting you, princess?”

“Nothing.” You tilt your head toward him, eyes flicking down from his strange stare to his stained lips. “Just want time to move faster.”

“How drunk do you want to get?” He leans closer to you, fingers itching to pull you into him.

You place a hand to his mouth and push him further away from yourself. He hums as he traces his finger over his empty wine glass.

“How many glasses have you had, Cardan?” You tip back your third drink, missing his smirk while he watches.

“Enough.”

“Enough to forget?” You turn toward the table and grab the strongest drink, carefully downing the drink.

His shadow towers over you as his breath tickles your neck, “Forget what exactly, love?”

“I hate you.” You say against Cardan’s lips, arms loosely hanging around his neck. “I hate you so much.”

He continues to push you backwards as he slams the door behind him, hands finding their place around your waist. “Feelings mutual, princess.”

Letting your hand thread through his hair, you pull him in for a more heated kiss, tugging ever so slightly at his roots. Cardan groans against your lips, pulling your body closer to his.

“This is such a stupid idea.” You unwillingly part as he drops you down on a bed — hopefully one that used to be his. You let out a small gasp as he litters soft kisses on your throat and down to your exposed collar bone. Your hands find his shoulders, pulling him impossibly closer. “Cardan—“

“Yes, love?” He slowly makes his way back up to your lips, pressing short kisses as you try to make sense of the situation. He stops attacking you with his lips, staring and waiting for you to continue.

You shake your head, eyes glassy with drunkenness as you meet his gaze. “Kiss me.”

“You’re too perfect for me.” He groans again, tasting the red wine from your lips as he kisses you harder. “God, I hate you.” Cardan mumbles as he lets his hands wander over your body, refraining from the more private areas at the moment.

Cardan allows you to wander over his own body, feeling you fidget with the hem of his shirt. Letting your hands slip underneath his shirt, you let out a small sigh before flipping the both of you over. You quickly toss your dagger onto the floor before meeting his lips again, the kiss heightening all your profound feelings.

As minutes turned into an hour more, you both fell into a pit of no return. The shared kisses were intensified, and without either party having a clear mind or being sober, neither could stop the motions that lulled them both to sleep very late into night.

It wasn’t until early afternoon that the pair awoke to the sounds of pounding at the door and a splitting headache.

“Your highness, your father is looking for you.” The voice called from outside the wooden doors, causing you to groan and bury your head into the warmth emitting from your bed.

A beat passed before the pounding occurred once more.

“Your highness—!”

“In a minute!” Cardan shouted, eyes shut from the dizziness and hangover. “For fucks sake…”

Your eyes widen at the voice, head rushing up before falling back down at the impact of a jaw. “Shit, that hurt.” You mutter, wincing when you felt the hangover hit you. Slowly, you remove yourself from Cardan’s arm, slightly frowning when you saw him rubbing his jaw. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to slam into you…”

“I think that’s the least of our concerns.” He grumbled, glaring at the door again.

He pushed himself up from the bed, eyes raking over your appearance. He smirked over at you before leaning against the headboard. You crease your brows before looking down and realizing whose clothes you were in — crossing your arms over the loose shirt.

“Princess, I think your father will be a little disappointed in you.”

“Why is that?” You roll your eyes at him, keeping one arm over Cardan’s shirt while running your free hand through your hair.

Your bored gaze meet his amused one, watching him tilt his head. You look away as you weren’t necessarily hiding the fact that you were eyeing his bare chest either.

He pulled you into his chest, despite your halfhearted protests. “Because you have hickeys all over your skin.” Cardan presses a kiss to your cheek, causing your breath to hitch.

All the memories from last name came rushing in, warmth filling your body at the thoughts. Your eyes flit to your dress and dagger scattered across his floor, still thinking of the punishment to come.

However, you did not regret him.

“I don’t think we drank enough last night.” You twist in his arms, lips barely touching his.

“I don’t think so.” He lands a soft kiss to your lips. “I still hate you, love.”

“Feelings mutual.” You straddle over his hips and rest your forehead on his, both your heads still pounding from last night’s activities.

©lqveharrington - all rights reserved. do not copy, translate or share my work on other media platforms

[nataliedoesnotlie]

[grendel-menz]

I'm not a great writer and I haven't really done fanfiction but I'm writing a companion thing to a comic I've mapped out in my brain. You can read it here OTL.

[a-b-riddle]

A few things to know:

This is my hobby. I don’t get paid for this so please cut me some slack if I’m not as active as other writers. I’m trying 💙

Things I enjoy writing: CNC, smut, kidnapping, Stockholm syndrome 🫶🏻 (a personal fave), groveling. He falls first & harder. Enemies to lovers. Friends to lovers. Dark fics. Happily ever afters. Pregnancy tropes. Betrayal. Redemption. A/B/O.

Things I won’t write: major character deaths (MW3 never happened on this blog). Miscarriage. Cheating tropes (from the MMC). Hurt/no comfort. Unhappy endings.

Just because I won’t write certain things doesn’t mean I won’t read it. I just prefer not to write it.

I don’t do tag lists & please do not ask me when there will be an update.

Master list

Call Of Duty

Marvel

ACOTAR

Fourth Wing

Other Fandoms

Writing Resources

[rabbitholessk]

The Prisoners Throne has mangled my brain. I’m working on a new jurdan piece 🤭🍷🔞

[aaal-iz-well]

okay, so i had some ideas for jurdan fics, but nothing concrete, and i thought your response would help me solidify stuff, so here we are:

Cardan and Jude are in a secret relationship where Cardan sneaks into Jude’s house under Madoc’s nose and vice versa, and all the fun is in the sneaking!

They have a rivals with benefits relationship. and at the start Jude asks Cardan to swear that he wont hurt her, and cardan is offended that she would think that he’d be so low and says that if anyone is in peril of being harmed, it’s him, and isn’t that a shame because he can’t get a swear that can be depended upon from Jude.

So in this one, after cardan really outdoes himself in troubling her, he is frustrated that jude doesn’t PAY ANY MIND TO HIM AT ALL. and when he's wallowing in his pity, it will occur to him, that he's seen the way jude looks at him, and that has to be something, but he figures that the reason she isnt interested is because she's mortal, and so cardan has to do stuff that (apparently) appeals to them. So he’ll read bodice rippers to learn the steps to seduce mortals, and he’ll try to be like all alpha male and find occasions to pin her to the wall and all that stuff but jude just thinks something wrong with him, but god, does he look.... (writing this down, i realised it sounds kinda serious, maybe, idk, but in my head it all looks so funny)

Cardan is a magician in the mortal world (he just uses glamour), people come to see him because his sleight of hand is just impeccable and also because my man is GORGEOUS, and like just to stare at him, and Jude attends one of his shows, and maybe inadvertently wearing one of the spells against it, or something, and wasnt caught by security, and something after that.

anyways, what'd you guys think of them. feel free to add suggestions and specific scenes in different scenarios that pop into your mind!

[loverangels]

MASTERLIST

MARAUDERS

THE SECRET HISTORY

CELEBRITIES

TIMOTHEE CHALAMET

GRISHAVERSE

MARVEL

NARNIA

SHATTER ME

AGGGTM

CRUEL PRINCE

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES

EUPHORIA

[turquoise20seashells]

Prompt

person A: *blushing* this feels wildly inappropriate.

Person B: I AM LITERALLY HOLDING U AT GUNPOINT WHATS WRONG WITH YOU-

[maingh0st]

my name is whatever you decide

a slow-burn taryn/ghost fic that takes place over several years. introspective & character-focused, but there are other tfota characters and a bit of elfhame intrigue as a treat

A young woman is standing in the middle of the pergola, softly illuminated, looking like a spring bloom amidst the dull browns and grays. Taryn Duarte: husband-slayer, betrayer of the crown, and the only mortal who's ever wielded his true name. He has made a careful habit of watching her from afar. It's common sense to keep his eyes on a potential threat.

now COMPLETE on ao3 🖤

[viivdle]

"I know you will not hesitate to hurt me as I hurt you, but I only long to be home again." -Chapter 15

[ragazza-whintigale]

𝖄𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝕵𝖚𝖉𝖊 𝕯𝖚𝖆𝖗𝖙𝖊 𝖝 𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖊𝖗 𝖝 𝖄𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝕮𝖆𝖗𝖉𝖆𝖓 𝕲𝖗𝖊𝖊𝖓𝖇𝖗𝖎𝖆𝖗

𝔒𝔭𝔢𝔯𝔞 ➵ Cruel Prince

𝔄𝔳𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔱𝔢𝔫𝔷𝔢 ➵ Comportamento Yandere, fem Reader, contenuto sessuale esplicito e implicito, rapporti sessuali impliciti, minaccia , manipolazione emotiva, squilibrio di potere a danni di Mc, contenuto Lgbt, Dom Jude, Soft dom Cardan, Sub Reader.

𝔓𝔞𝔯𝔬𝔩𝔢 ➵ 1461

⟢𝙿𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚎 / 𝚂𝚞𝚌𝚌𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚟𝚘 ⟣

Per l’Alta Corte girava voce che l’Alto Re e l’Alta Regina avessero un amante. Una persona che i due condividevano, tuttavia non si sapeva chi fosse.

Alcuni supponevano fosse un mortale, altri dicevano fosse uno del Popolo.

Poi si facevano supposizioni sul sesso di detto amante. Femmina o Maschi.

In tutto questo lady (nome), che assiste da lontano un qualche Fae del palazzo, era tutto fuor che impressionata o sorpresa.

Lei è la così detta ‘amante’ dell’Alto Re e dell’Alta Regina. Nessuno avrebbe mai potuto sospettare di qualcuno che non aveva neppure l'occasione di interagire con i due regnanti. Forse era quello il motivo per cui era stata scelta. Qualcuno - non poteva ricordare chi esattamente - glielo aveva detto: Lei era la persona meno probabile. Il fatto che ancora nessuno era riuscito a scoprire chi fosse aveva reso le supposizioni della Regina più che corrette, beh… almeno fino a qualche settimana dietro.

Sfogliò il foglio ingiallito. Non sapeva di cosa era fatto e non era sicura di volerlo sapere, ha smesso di cercare una ragione negli usi qui ad Elfhame, in ogni caso non sarebbe rimasta a lungo in questo posto, aveva intenzione di andarsene il prima possibile.

Non appena il suo debito sarebbe stato saldato.

Le parole scritte con la magia ritraevano l’esistenza di un compagno di letto dei due sovrani, tuttavia nessuno aveva capito chi fosse.

Quando ha letto per la prima volta quel foglietto, aveva riportato i suoi dubbi a Jude e Cardan che risero alla sua preoccupazione lanciandole scuse poco più che al limite della rassicurazione. Poi hanno mandato tutto al vento nel loro crescente piacere. Il discorso non fu più aperto e lei non continuò a esporlo e veniva ancora segretamente scortata ogni giorno nelle loro stanze per riempire il loro tempo.

Facendo un veloce calcolo, passava più tempo con i due di quanto qualsiasi altro membro della corte a parte Jude e Cardan stessi. Oggi era una di quelle infinite giornate.

❝ Per Mab, (nome) non hai freddo vestita così.❞ I passi di Jude erano vicini, troppo vicino. Precisamente dietro di lei, la conferma arrivò quando le posò qualcosa sulle spalle sottili. Il pezzo di stoffa era grande e lungo, questo le faceva supporre appartenesse a uno dei due, forse a Jude stessa. O forse era semplicemente una coperta.

A volte aveva l’impressione di fasciarsi troppo la testa, e forse veramente per loro lei era più di un animale da compagnia. Ma poi era facile confondersi quando la vostra distanza di età era di oltre 10 anni.

Lady (nome) ha dovuto imparare molto presto che tutto questo era nella norma qui se non anche meno del normale.

Esiste molto di peggio, le aveva assicurato una volta Cardan mentre le faceva cerchi sulla schiena. Era la prima notte che era stata scortata da loro.

Jude l’ha tirata verso sé, schiacciando il suo petto con la schiena della mortale, chiudendo intorno alla sua figura la coperta che le aveva poggiato poco prima. Questa era una delle situazioni ‘normali’ a cui non poteva ancora smettere di arrossire e a Jude sembrava piacere questa semplice innocenza. L’avevano messa in situazioni molto peggiori di queste e ancora cose così semplici l’avrebbero imbarazzata a tal punto.

Piccoli elogi le caddero dalla labbra aumentando l’imbarazzo, facendo sentire (nome) - per l’ennesima volta - più al pari di un animale domestico che un amante.

❝Cosa stai leggendo di così interessante da ignorarci? ❞ Le dita di Jude componevano cerchi concentrici sul suo fianco mentre si sporgeva per leggere il contenuto. Cardan era uscito dal bagno con quel comportamento arioso e placido che lo contraddistingue, accentuato dalla doccia calda e dal rossore provocato dalla bottiglia di vino che aveva scolato. (Nome) si riteneva fortunata che i Fae non avessero lo stesso modo di reagire mortale all'ubriachezza. Sei mai quella poteva essere definita ubriachezza.

Lady (nome) abbassò il foglio abbastanza da permettere una facile lettura, consapevole che non sarebbe servito a nulla nasconderlo, lo avrebbero scoperto ugualmente. ❝ Ancora con questa storia? ❞ Cardan si era avvicinato per leggere, e il suo brusco commento non ha fatto molto per allentare la tensione. L’imbarazzo svanì completamente lasciando spazio a dubbio e timore ❝ Non è normale che io abbia paura? ❞ I lati del foglio si sono stropicciati sotto la tua presa. ❝ Nessuno ci rimetterebbe più di me in tutta questa storia. ❞ Un sospiro lasciò le labbra della Regina, poi le stesse labbra posarono un bacio sul retro dell’orecchio mandando brividi lungo tutto il corpo della ragazza. ❝ Mi sembra di averti già spiegato che ho tutto sotto controllo. Alla fine era inevitabile avrebbero scoperto dell’esistenza di qualcun altro…❞ Cardan si è seduto sul letto, (nome) non l’ha visto ma lo ha sentito. Il peso al suo fianco era aumentato, le mani del Re spostarono le gambe della mortale sopra le proprie, accarezzando la pelle nuda.

Per la prima volta erano calde le mani di Cardan. Era una sensazione piacevole e disgustosa allo stesso tempo. Il suo corpo rispondeva ormai a comando ai loro tocchi e questo la ripugnava abbastanza da cercare di ritrarre la gambe inutilmente. Le mani del sovrano strinsero la presa in una silenziosa minaccia a rimanere dove era. Non c’era il solito conforto che di solito lui rappresentava.

Decise di abbandonarsi nuovamente a loro.

Un sorriso tirò le labbra del Re e poco si poteva intuire cosa gli passasse per la testa. ❝ C-cosa intendi…? ❞ Il dubbio si insinuò persistente in lei. Se fosse stati loro a far trapelare la notizia come avvertimento. Per darle la consapevolezza del loro potere, capacità e influenza. Del diritto che avevano su di lei ma soprattutto del fatto che ancora gli apparteneva.

Loro avrebbero potuto tranquillamente mettere la voce di un amante per farle capire quanto lei necessitasse di loro o che non era ancora uscita da quella situazione abbastanza da poter fare una qualsiasi acrobazia azzardata.

(Nome) avrebbe voluto ritirarsi su se stessa con le gambe abbastanza vicine da poterle abbracciare e farsi più piccola in confronto alle due potenze che la circondavano.

Non riusciva a vedere Jude ma dallo sguardo di Cardan si poteva dedurre che sicuramente qualcosa era leggibile nella sua espressione.

Non ebbe il coraggio di girarsi

❝ Oh cara sei così carina quando fingi di non capire. ❞ Cardan rise con ironia e leggerezza mentre accarezzava, in un vago intento di tranquillizzarla, la pelle nuda. Eppure (nome) non ci trovava niente di divertente in quella situazione, anzi il tutto era sempre più inquietante. Non stava nemmeno fingendo come lui supponeva. Non tutti nascondevano la propria intelligenza sotto un velo di ignoranza come avevano fatto loro.

Lei non era stata presente durante la loro storia, ma conosceva il finale. ❝ Pensi che nessuno abbia sentito le tue dolci urla. ❞ Non si era accorta di aver mai urlato così forte da essere sentita . Un rossore si diffuse sul viso della ragazza nella consapevolezza delle scorsi notti. I due risero inteneriti mentre Jude si alzava dal suo posto. Il foglio di cronaca che aveva prima tra le mani era caduto a terra, e Jude lo raccolse. Lo lesse velocemente e lo strappo in 4.

(Nome) guardò sconcertata l’azione seguendo ancora la regina con lo sguardo, mentre si spostava verso il caminetto. In un attimo, prima ancora che qualcuno potesse obiettare, i pezzi di carta sono stati gettati nel fuoco.

❝ Cosi va molto meglio, ora non avrai più motivo di pensarci. ❞ Lo sguardo della Regina di Elfhame era su di lei, mentre lei guardava il foglio diventare cenere davanti ai suoi occhi.

Si chiese se avessero ragione, se veramente era solo paranoica. Forse si poteva godere tutto questo senza che diventasse un pericolo. Ma non era stata Jude stessa a dirle di non credere a niente che era offerto dalla corte? Lei e suo marito erano la corte. Modellata e governata da loro per loro, lei era una pedina su cui giocare.

La mano di Cardan posava sulla sua guancia ora, guidandola a distogliere lo sguardo dal fuoco per averlo per se. Gli occhi color mezzanotte con l’anello dorato intorno alla pupilla erano quasi ipnotici. Si trovò quasi a chiedersi se qualcuno potesse mai sospettare che ci fosse qualcuno che lui avrebbe guardato con lo stesso ardore e desiderio con cui guardava sua moglie.

❝ Ora ricominciamo da dove ci siamo interrotti.❞ Niente li aveva interrotti in realtà e lui era ancora in bagno quando era arrivata. Tuttavia non disse niente. Non disse che era ancora dubbiosa. Non disse che nonostante il foglio fosse stato bruciato il problema persiste. Non disse nemmeno che in quel momento voleva rimanere da sola, come tutte le altre sere prima di queste. Ma giustamente nessuna di quelle cose trovò posto per essere dette o ascoltate.

[thejudeduarte]

Where was Cardan when Jude was waiting for him in his bed and he never came?

It's never actually confirmed anywhere (not of my own knowledge anyway) so I guess it's up to the reader. I've always interpreted it as he was with the Court of Shadows but it's up to you 🤷‍♀️

[wanderingpages]

High for this by The Weeknd but *jurdan*?

∞

Now Playing: High For This by The Weeknd

1:20 ───⊙─────── 4:15

Cardan’s lips taste sweet, like over ripe fruit; honeyed and heady, and Jude can’t help but want more of it, more of the feeling that slowly ebbs its way into her system. He holds her close, by the base of her neck and the small of her back, keeping her mounted on top of him while he nibbles small little red splotches down her neck. She’s breathing heavily, half dazed with the lack of oxygen getting to her head and something else that fogs and clouds the room. It’s so hot in here, she thinks, but she must have expressed this out loud, she realizes, when Cardan gives her an answering moan that vibrates against her skin.

“Ah,” she cries when his teeth nip at a spot just above her breast, leaving a sting he soothes with the pad of his tongue. Her knees on either side of him, tighten in response and he groans when the heat of her presses down against his groin. Her hands slide from the curve of his shoulders to the nape of his neck. One hand slides up, weaving through thick curls, gripping them tightly, pushing his face harder against her. She tilts her head, giving him space to move up, to that juncture between her neck and shoulder. It tickles her, but she likes the way she can feel it from the base of her spine all the way to the tips of fingers.

Jude would be lying if she said she hadn’t known what she was in for, why she heeded his words when Cardan told her “Come find me,” in the midst of the revel. It had been some time between him being the center of attention and being long forgotten in the haze of smoke and wine. With his finger tugging at a lock of her hair, letting the strands lace around his knuckles before slipping through, with his eyes so transfixed on the motion, Jude thought, he’s absolutely blissed out of his mind.

He left before she could offer him an answer and when she had finally given in just moments later, weaving through the crowd to the room where she knew he’d be. He had a faint smile across his lips, knowing that she’d come. Cardan offered Jude his hand, and she hesitated only for a moment before she let him pull her between his legs.

Her hands had found their way to his arms, her chest getting tight against her clothes as she suddenly struggled to breathe properly. He tucked a stray tress of hair behind her ears, letting his fingers linger. His eyes at half-mast, stared at her with something more than lust, maybe – she guesses it was concern, though his question didn’t really sound like a question. “You know what you’re here for?” Teasing, she thinks, because his hushed tenor when he pulls her closer, when their bodies flushed and her heart beat so hard against his own — and for a moment, it seemed like one rapid rhythm had mended between them; had tethered them to each other – his soft words had felt like the beginning of a fire. Heat and smoke.

Then his hands were guiding her, positioning her against him, roaming her body and letting her roam his, forehead against hers when she bent at the right angle, lost in her eyes while his lips barely skimmed hers. She kissed him first and when he parted his mouth, it was all the friction needed to ignite a spark. She bit down on his lips, tasting red as much as she felt it. He pulled back in a gasp, eyes blown out, but perhaps it had been like so from the start. Still, hers all but mirrored his. Cardan's fingers fumbled, then grasped at his own attire; buttons on his shirt, buttons on his pants. His top was off before Jude could catch up to him, her brain muddled for a little more than a moment. Then, Jude leaned in again and there was a flame.

“Take it off,” he tells her now, tugging at the laces on the back of her dress, loosening them with ease and expertise. He leans back on his elbows, watching her pull the dress up and then toss it somewhere on the floor beside them. In that time, it seems Cardan has absently found something amass the sheets and pillows. A golden fruit he had bitten into earlier that had coated his lips iridescent and his tongue in poison. There’s liquid gold between his lips after he's taken another bite, and Jude’s a little entranced, not realizing she’d folded her arms across her bare breasts.

Cardan reaches and gently pulls at her wrist. There’s no resistance as Jude’s hands are placed on his chest. She hovers hover him, stray pieces of hair, dismantled from pins and jewels, curtain the two of them. She’s nervous now, “Cardan,” her lips mouth over his, tasting that sweetness again. He squeezes the fruit, letting the liquid drip over his knuckles and land against his skin between them.

“I’m right here,” he tells her quietly, tossing the apple before letting his hand wander up her spine, the other sliding through her hair, letting glimmering traces of gold speckle over her body. “Don’t be scared,” he paints the places he likes the most about her... spine, neck, chest, breast, navel - up again to her cheeks, nose, earlobe, then down to her thigh and the curve of her ass.

“I’ve.. I’ve never…” she feels dizzy by proximity of him, by juices seeping into her pores. She's unable to finish her sentence, can’t really recall where she had been going, but she knows for certain that she wants to taste his lips again, wants to lick the elixir right off of him. But a small part of her wonders if that would be okay, if she could handle more than just the remnant of what he had taken hours prior.

“Do you trust me?” He’s genuine this time, reading her easily. Jude realizes, maybe outside of this moment, the answer would be different. She nods her head in response. He presses her closer, and uses the hand at her back to slowly guide her hips against his. “Then you can taste me,” he tells her. “I’ve got you,” Cardan promises.

Her tongue darts out, lapping at his bottom lip without thought, slowly pulling it into her mouth. Cardan's hips lift and begin to move in tandem with hers, hands at her hips, guiding her in wave-like motions, pressing their bodies harder against each other until she cries out against his lips. His eyes flutter shut and his fingers leave indents in her skin.  The scant material of her underwear is dampening against his pants, and she’s kissing him sloppily as she rocks against his hardening cock.

His lips are swollen when he turns them over, has her on her back while he takes a nipple into his mouth. She sucks in a breath, exhales a whimper. “Ah – ah, ahh…” losing her words, unable to think straight. She’s trying so hard to muffle her moans, paranoid the remaining revel party would hear, let alone even care. She bites down hard on her lip, and Cardan thinks it’s the most endearing thing he’s ever seen. His fingers squeeze at her other breast, twisting the pebbled nipple between his fingers, soothing the hurt with his thumb, then slowly traveling up her neck, over her chin and slips four fingers into her open mouth, helping her muffle herself, easing the hurt from her lips. She whines and spit dribbles down his ring adorned fingers. Her teeth bites down, but not harshly, and her tongue licks languidly at the sticky psychedelic.

Jude’s body thrashes in tight, mostly controlled movements, trying to cover more surface area, arching her back, buckling her legs over his waist, gripping his hair. Closer. He flicks his tongue and she sobs in rapture, silently begging him for more. His free hand holds her hip down, slides up and down her thigh until she releases him from her python grip, letting her legs fall against the mattress, spreading wide for his fingers to trace her nerves right to between her thighs.  He licks off the remaining substance then his hand slips into her panties, two fingers slipping easily in her. She gurgles out Cardan’s name when his digits curl upwards and his palm presses down on her clit. Spit slides down the sides of her mouth, tears parallel from the corner of her eyes. She looks upward, finding swirls in the smoke, glitter in the air, stars in her eyes.

Her knees bend, soles of her feet pressing down firmly on the mattress, her hips lift in vain, breath coming concerningly fast. “It’s okay,” Cardan says now, “breathe,” he instructs her, “I know, Jude.” He takes her in, watching as her eyes gradually hone in on him, straining a pinkish color from the sting of whatever still permeates the air. They’re wet and wide and repeatedly losing focus as Cardan’s slowly thrusts his fingers in and out of her. “I know, Jude,” he whispers again, sweat beading along his skin, entranced with her every reaction. “I feel it too,” he promises.

“Cardan…” she manages, hands going to his wrist, holding on to it as he slides down her chin and collars her neck, all the while, she rocks against his other hand, finding a rhythm that makes her ache. Slowly, she hikes a leg up, fumbling to slip his pants down. His tail flicks against her skin, stopping her, holding her ankle tight and still. “Will it hurt?” she glances down, watching when Cardan takes pressure off of her pelvis and reaches to pull down his pants. His fingers glisten obscenely, coating the tip of his member as he strokes it slowly. He squeezes tightly, at the base, giving an already light headed Jude a visual comparison to go by. His hand slides up and down like a slow tease. Her hands begin to shake, “Cardan…?”

He strokes the tip between her folds and Jude’s stomach all but caves. Her body tenses, waiting for an intrusion that never really comes. Just a smooth teasing that has her twitching occasionally. “We’ll be good,” Cardan says in murmur of a slur, “So good,” he whispers, placating. His hand smooths down her pubic bone, thumb pressing at her clit.

“Ah –” Jude’s head lolls back, and she takes in a deep breath just as he enters, slowly, testing the waters at first before pressing all the way in. He’s slow at first, easing out of her tight grip whenever he pushes in. When she begins undulating her hips, he falls forward, encasing her with his body, beginning to move more nimbly. Her nails find his back, scraping skin between scars already healed over. He fucks her that much harder, forcing short little screams from her whenever he hits deep enough that her toes curl. She’s still fighting her vocality, still fixated on faeries in the halls, not aware that they won’t recall even seeing her slip past them the next day, won’t recall her entering the room Cardan had decided to occupy.

He grips at her hair, forcing her to look at him, driving into her harder. ��Just me,” he manages, and whether she understands his proclamation, or she’s unable to hold back any longer, Cardan isn’t quite sure, but he’s so pleased when she screams out in bliss.

So fucking pleased, when she’s fighting her eyes to stay open, when she’s uttering a jumble of words next to his name, “Please, please, please…. more…Cardan …more…please…I – just…you…”

[court-of-forever-undone]

Something Precious | Jurdan Baby Fic

Chapter Two

Summary : After three years of exile, Cardan is determined to bring Jude back home with him. When he arrives, the last thing he expects to find is a dark-haired toddler looking up at him.

Tags: Jurdan baby, Jude’s exile, Dad!Cardan

Masterlist

Read on AO3

Cardan made good on his promise to assign more guards. They kept their distance, but Jude noted their presence. At first, it was bothersome, but with the reminder of how dangerous it could be for a king’s heir, it was nice to have additional eyes watching out for Everly. At least she no longer had to worry about hiding her from Cardan. 

Jude had replayed the entire conversation over and over in her head, trying to find any hint of a trick. But Cardan’s words left very little room for interpretation. There was still the matter of ruling together and returning to Elfhame, something she would deal with later. 

A week after Cardan’s unexpected visit, a number of packages with various faerie children’s toys, beautiful clothing, and food arrived on their front porch. Most of the presents were for Everly, but Jude found several boxes with her name on them too, including a new sword. The hilt was exquisitely decorated with tiny rubies, and the guard was made of golden twin snakes. After testing it out during one of Everly’s naps, Jude found the balance was equally extraordinary to the design. Beautiful gifts were not going to sway her decision to return, but she could appreciate them. At the very least, she could consider it child support and reparations for her loss of station after being exiled. 

A third week passed before Cardan sent a letter requesting to visit again. Jude considered the request. If she refused, Cardan could always show up anyway. It would be easier just to say yes, and truthfully, the little enjoyment she had found in her mundane human experience had dimmed since being granted an opportunity to go home. Grief that had subsided after so long ago came back and pitted in Jude’s stomach. If it were only her, she would have returned back with Cardan the night he showed up. She would have faced whatever difficulties that came with returning as they arose. 

Her sweet child changed everything, though. Jude had lived a childhood in Faerie, and it had been filled with too many close calls. Whether motivated by hatred, politics, or on a simple whim, the fae were ruthless. Vivi pointed out that Everly was half-faerie and, on top of that, would be a princess; she surely wouldn’t be as vulnerable as Taryn and Jude had been. Oak had nodded in agreement when she brought her dilemma to them. However, neither of them were present every time she had witnessed attempts on Cardan’s life in just a single year.

It was a battle between what she wanted and what she knew was best. A worrisome mother against the calculated crown’s strategist. Two roles that were entirely foreign to her just a few years prior, but both so ingrained in her personality now, that it was hard to separate the two. Jude didn’t want to make her final decision just yet. So, for now, she was content to let Cardan visit and see how their daughter would take to him a second time. 

Three days after she sent the letter, Cardan arrived around dawn, impeccably dressed but not entirely inconspicuous in his royal tunic and pants. By all accounts, he should look exhausted, given that it was well past sleeping hours in Elfhame. Yet, he greeted Jude at the door with a soft smile and another armful of gifts.

“Err.. Good morning.” 

The tension between them was palpable. Enemies. Schemers. Lovers. Husband and Wife.   They had been all of those things. After years of silence, they were … co-parenting?

Jude set the boxes down and led Cardan down the hall to the nursery. As they entered the room, Everly, awake and wearing her purple and black striped onesie, beamed up at them. She reached over to the bars and hauled herself up into a standing position.

“Mumma!”

“Hello, little one,” Jude cooed. She scooped the squirming child from the crib and held her out to Cardan, without second-guessing herself. He fumbled for a second as if he had been expecting only to watch, but quickly regained his composure and held her securely. 

“Hi! Hi!” The child chanted over and over, excited to see another face during the morning routine. Jude stood back and watched the look on his face, similar to the one when he first held her. It was impossible to pinpoint the exact emotion he was feeling, but he clearly wanted to be there. Cardan rocked her gently as she babbled some and then used her chubby little hand to pull on his curls again. The third yank was hard enough to jerk his head, but Cardan only laughed and twisted his hair out of her hand before opening his palm to reveal seeds in his hands. 

“Would you like to see a trick?” He asked. Slowly, the seeds began to bloom into vibrant wildflowers with an unnaturally strong perfume. The child’s eyes opened wide with amazement; her full attention turned to the magic at Cardan’s fingertips. His focus, however, remained on the child, taking in every detail. 

“Fwowers!” Everly said, reaching to touch them. Cardan repeated the trick once more before Jude gestured for Cardan to follow her into the kitchen. She grabbed ingredients from the fridge and cupboard and laid them all out on the counter. Cardan, with Everly still in his arms, took a seat on the barstool across from her. She began preparing breakfast, taking extra care to cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces. Cardan, who never cooked a meal in his life, nor likely ever would, watched intently and nodded every so often as if making mental notes. 

“For breakfast, she likes to eat strawberries and yogurt. I also give her some eggs that I make for myself.” 

“Is that what you are making now?” He asked as Jude moved back and forth from the oven to the plates. 

She nodded. “Sometimes, I give her a half piece of toast if she’s hungry. It all depends.”  

“Depends on what exactly?” Cardan asked, having switched his attention briefly back to Everly, who began blowing bubbles with her mouth. 

She shrugged, “I don’t know. Every day is different, but you just learn to read what she wants.” Jude moved around the kitchen bar and slid her arm around Everly, moving her into the highchair and placing the breakfast plate down. “Plus, she is talking so much more now, so it is easy enough just to ask.”

On cue, Everly said, “Tank youuu,” before shoving a berry into her mouth.

Upon making her own plate, Jude sat down next to Cardan, offering the carton of strawberries to him. They all ate in silence for a few moments, before Cardan spoke again. 

“I’d like…” he began, “...to learn to know what she needs… and wants.”

A twist of guilt formed in Jude’s stomach. Devastation was written in the hard lines of his face. It pained him to know he had a daughter, who he functionally knew nothing about. Jude let the silence grow for another minute before she began listing off things about their daughter; She was born on March 13th. Her favorite foods were grapes and cheese. She hated carrots and would throw them across the dining room if they were on her plate. Her favorite toys were blocks and a rainbow unicorn stuffed animal. She had a nap after lunch around 12:30, and dinner was at 5. She always fell asleep in the car after playing at the park and always played with other kids. Once she had started crawling, she discovered how to play hide-and-seek on her own, and frequently tried to scare Jude after finding it hilarious the first time Jude jumped in surprise. She had developed Cardan’s coy smirk, purely from genetics. Some “only magic could explain” events had happened in recent months, so it was very likely that she possessed her father’s fae gifts. 

The corners of Cardan’s beautiful mouth turned up with each tidbit he learned and was practically beaming when Jude started to tell stories about what it was like during the teething stages, when she took her first steps, and other moments where she acted so much like both of them. Jude let herself take in the small enjoyment of being able to share so many of the moments that she had experienced with their daughter alone. While she had often shared these things with her sister and little brother, it felt different sharing it with Cardan. Jude never planned to share Everly with Cardan, but things had changed dramatically over the last few weeks. The fact remained that she was their daughter, and it was something that would bond them forever. 

Before either of them realized it, it was almost dusk. Cardan had followed her around through a typical day at home routine with a trip to the park, a nap, and he even helped with potty training and preparing dinner. Cardan held her when she was fussy and didn’t mind the occasional smack to the face when she got too excited and threw her arms out. 

She shouldn’t be impressed. These were things she did every day, alone. If Cardan wanted to know his daughter, then he should have to participate in everything that went into being a parent.  But Cardan grew up in a palace. He had maids and cooks. He was king . Every need was taken care of at a single command. In the castle, Everly would likely have a maid tend to her. None of the skills she was teaching him really mattered, but he learned them anyway.

Unless he thought she would never allow Everly back to the castle, and this was the only way he would get to see her. The thought made her feel a flurry of emotions. 

Everly was fighting sleep as she watched Cardan’s magic light up and dissipate from his palm. As much as she was in awe of the colorful lights he created, her eyelids dropped lower and lower until she fell asleep in the crook of his arm. 

“She is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Cardan murmured finally, brushing her dark bangs out of her eyes. 

Jude rolled her eyes and laughed, “Well, she is the spitting image of you, so of course you’d think that.” 

Cardan just shook his head, “I cannot deny we share the most obvious similarities, but when you look closely, she looks just like you.” He traced Everly’s tiny ear, much like he had with Jude’s that day lying in the grass. “She has your smile. Have you noticed?”  

He looked back to Jude, who shook her head slowly. She had never noticed before. All she saw was Cardan in her beautiful features. Some days it had been a painful reminder of the past that she could never entirely escape. Their eyes met, and Jude noted the way Cardan’s eyes dropped to her lips before returning again. She mimicked the motion herself. His lips were as perfect as the rest of his features.  Jude’s breath caught as she noticed Cardan had gone preternaturally still. Suddenly, the oxygen in the room had run out.  

Meeting Everly had stolen the focus of their reunion. Without a moment by themselves, the true reunion between the former lovers ( and enemies ) had not yet happened. They needed to talk. They needed to be at each other’s throats; in violence or want, Jude wasn’t sure. It was standing at a precipice, balancing before that falling sensation that would be the future neither of them knew the outcome of yet. A future as united rulers, raising Everly in a loving environment was still a fever dream Jude wouldn’t let herself believe in. 

Jude broke her eyes away first, jumping to her feet and walking over to the dresser to get her can of soda. The action gave her a moment to resume a normal breathing pattern again. When she returned, she reached for the baby, but Cardan pulled back ever so slightly. 

“Would it be alright to hold her a few minutes longer? I haven’t got much time before I must go.” 

Jude hesitated, shoving down the rage that boiled when he had moved away. She searched his face and found no malice in it, just a bit of exhaustion peeking up. A calming breath had her thinking rationally again. Nodding, Jude moved back to her original spot. 

The king and queen sat quietly, watching the sleeping child, all the while ignoring the almost moment they had. After a few minutes, Cardan rose gently from the couch and carried the child to the nursery. He returned to the living room a moment later. “May I return next week?” Cardan asked. 

“Next weekend is Halloween. We are going to be out for most of the day Sunday.” 

Cardan looked puzzled for a moment before recognition hit. “The mortal holiday of candy and tricks? Such a day does not seem suitable for a babe.” 

Jude laughed. Leave it to Cardan, who grew up in Faerie of all places, to think Halloween was dangerous. “It is hardly as dangerous as it sounds. It is mostly families who dress up in silly costumes and walk around the neighborhood getting candy.” 

A spark lit in Cardan’s gaze. “Families?” he asked softly, “So… you intend to wear a costume along with Everly?” 

Realization dawned on Jude, causing her to fidget. They still had not really established what type of dynamic they would have raising Everly. Being a “family” seemed too personal of a term, although they were bound together in more ways than one.  

“Everly is going as a pumpkin. Vivi bought her the costume last week. I can show it to you if you’d like.” Cardan nodded, and Jude retrieved the costume from the closet. She handed it to Cardan, who held it gingerly. It was utterly adorable with its puffy bottom and matching hat. “Oak insisted that I dress up too, but I will probably just put on a witch hat.” 

“Are you going with them?” Cardan set down the costume and walked to the door. He recognized her diversion for what it was. 

“Yeah. Neither Oak nor Vivi have to wear their glamour on Halloween. So Oak is going as a devil, Vivi as a cat, and I think Heather is going as a mad scientist.” She trailed off as guilt washed over her in waves. The entire conversation felt wrong, especially when she knew what Cardan wanted. A different Cardan would have made demands and threats, but the three years she had been gone had changed him. He was more patient, more willing to give her space. She was waiting for something… for the cruel young boy she had known to make an appearance, but he wasn’t there. 

Cardan took one look back towards Everly’s nursery door, before turning the handle and stepping out into the night. Sadness not well hidden on his face. Jude mentally berated him. He shouldn’t forget to wear a mask among his enemies otherwise they would take advantage of him and the kingdom. But... perhaps he didn’t bother because they weren’t enemies anymore. 

“I’ll send a letter next-”

“You should come,” she blurted out. 

Cardan turned to face her, equally shocked at her words. “I-” He starts, but Jude interrupts again. 

“We are leaving at 4. You can wear a costume or drop your glamour, whichever you prefer. But…” she swallowed. “It would be nice for you to be there. Everly would like it if you were there.” 

Heat burned across her cheeks. It was a silly thing to be embarrassed about. Cardan was Everly’s father. Parents go with their kids on Halloween. But the redness was not only from her words. Cardan was staring at her with an unrecognizable emotion. She met his gaze, and the intensity behind his eyes felt too intimate like it had on the couch. It brought up too many feelings that Jude had not allowed herself to feel in years. 

Her lips parted, attempting to fill the silence that had grown too long when Cardan bent down and placed a chaste kiss on her warm cheek before saying his goodbye and leaving. 

The spot where his lips had met her cheek continued to warm as she returned to the living room and threw herself face down on the couch. 

________________________

Jude walked through the door into Heather’s apartment and was overcome with a thick wall of fall scents. The entire apartment had been decorated with Halloween and fall decorations. It looked like Heather and Vivi had not decided on a cohesive theme, as each room appeared to be at war with each other. Dismembered bloody figures were wrapped in glitter pumpkin-themed garland. Skulls lined the shelves and were accompanied by “Friends Gather Here” signs. It was utterly horrifying and amusing at the same time. 

Everly didn’t mind and squealed at the string of purple and orange lights that covered the ceiling. She walked into the middle of the room where the lights were lowest and reached up for the lights. The child’s face exploded with joy when her little body was lifted into the air, close enough to the lights she could grasp them in her hands. Cardan had swooped into the room, drawn by the sound of Everly’s laughter, and lifted her above his head before Jude had a chance to track the movement. 

“Good afternoon, my loves,” Cardan said while bringing Everly back down into his arms.

She smiled up at him, “Daaa.” The word was still unfamiliar in her mouth. Cardan looked to Jude for help. Without meeting his eyes, Jude walked over to them and smiled encouragingly. 

“That’s right! This is Daddy.” 

Everly repeated the word over and over, still missing the second syllable, but Jude continued to praise her as she had over the last week teaching it. Finally, she glanced up to meet his eyes and felt butterflies in her own stomach. Cardan’s cheeks had reddened, and silver lined his eyes. He continued to bounce her lightly in his arms and nod encouragingly. Any words that he might have spoken were cut off by emotion. 

“I wanted to surprise you.” She said as a way of explanation. 

Cardan nodded again, eyes glistening. He leaned over and gently pressed a kiss to Jude’s cheek, making it her turn to blush. 

“Jude…” his voice came out hoarse. Before he could continue, the moment was interrupted by the rest of the house. 

Oak ran over and hugged Jude, “Can we play together now?” 

Jude looked to Cardan for the answer, and begrudgingly, he set her back on the ground. Taking her by the hand, Oak led Everly to his room, where the two often played together. Vivi had brought out two large steaming cups of cider and placed them in Jude and Cardan’s hands before Heather motioned for everyone to sit down in the living room. Heather took the beanbag chair and clasped her hands together. 

“So, look at you too. Co-parenting like pros. I wish my parents did holidays together. Instead, I just had to celebrate every holiday twice, which I suppose wasn’t the worst thing in the world.” 

A blush spread furiously across Jude’s face, and she refused to look in Cardan’s direction, but judging from his sudden stiffness, he too, was trying to process the comment. 

Co-parenting. 

Two twenty-somethings. High King and Queen of Elfhame. Parents of a two-year-old. Their lives had never been simple, but their current circumstances were especially new territory. Halloween was not the time to talk, but Jude wondered how much longer she could find an excuse to delay a conversation. 

A half-hour later, the six of them left the apartment in search of candy. Cardan had managed to find a pumpkin costume himself in the short period he knew of their plans, but when he realized how unflattering he looked in it, he opted for an even more obnoxious orange suit instead, while Jude decided to wear a black skeleton costume. 

With the King of Elfhame walking around in the open, Jude made sure to keep an eye on each and every ghoul, zombie, and vampire that crossed their path. Liliver and the Court of Shadows lurked, undercover and from the unsuspecting places around them, but Jude still kept vigilant herself. It was a taste of what their future would look like. Even as queen, she would still look out for Cardan and now their child too. 

Everly didn’t make it long into Trick or Treating. Oak tried to walk with her up to each house, but her little steps made the process slow, and Oak’s excitement had him basically dragging her along after the first street. Eventually, Cardan swooped in and carried Everly up to each house, until her eyes dropped and she completely fell asleep. 

Oak’s energy, on the other hand, was limitless, and it wasn’t until his bag was so full he had to resort to dragging the bag that he agreed to go home. Once it was time, Heather, Vivi, and Oak said their goodbyes and headed toward their house. 

Cardan and Jude walked down the dark street and up to Jude’s apartment, remarking on the events of the evening. Once inside, Cardan helped remove the costume and wiped off the orange spots on Everly’s cheeks before laying her down in bed. She stirred for a moment before sleep took over once again. The two walked back to the entryway before Cardan interrupted the silence that had loomed over them. 

“Are you coming home?” 

There was no anger or sadness in his words. Rather, a carefully delivered question, not revealing any of his thoughts. 

She considered the question. Yes, she wanted to. No, it was dangerous.  How long before Cardan’s patience wore thin? How long before the desperation to return home would overtake her? How long before some enemy court found them here anyway with limited protection?  

“It can’t just be about what I want anymore.” 

A non-answer, but Cardan did not back down this time. “What does the mortal world have that makes it a better place to raise her?” 

Jude’s brow furrowed. “Less would-be assassins or kidnappers, happy to snatch a royal baby.” 

“I would like to remind you, that I survived a childhood in Elfhame utterly neglected and without any protection.” Jude started to object, but Cardan continued, “And that would not be the case with her. She will have all the protection our kingdom can offer.” 

Jude didn’t miss the emphasis he had placed on “our” kingdom. 

“Surely, someone will notice the rotation of spies and guards that are sent here, and our enemies will wonder why. We are being careful, but it is foolish to think someone won’t pick up on it. Not to mention, the risk we take with my absences.” 

“Then stop coming.” The venomous words slipped out of her before she could stop them. The anger rising in her was from the truth of his words She had been foolish to think there was a way to continue this inbetween situation. They would either have to disappear again and cut off the connection to Cardan and the court completely, or they would have to return. 

“I-” she began, wanting to take the words back. Cardan kept his features blank. His words were more clipped than before, the only reaction he would show to her words. 

“I said before I want to be in her life, and I mean it. I want to be in both your lives,” he stressed. “I will not miss this time with her. And if you continue to live in the mortal world, I will not miss the limited time we have together.” 

Jude flinched so violently that it was like an invisible blow struck her. He was right, though; she would keep aging in the mortal world, and Everly would only be a faction of the way through her long life before Jude passed from old age. The thought had her shaking slightly.

Her head emptied as he stalked up to her. It had her automatically stepping backward, pinning her back against the wall. His intensity didn’t waiver, but as he noted her body language, he took a small step back. 

His eyes searched hers, despair burning his features. “I will have you however you decide. Rule me again as you once did. Take a lover if you won’t have me. But know, I will bend to your will with or without a bargain. Name your price, and I will meet it; just don’t torture me with your absence or delay any longer.”

A sob built in her throat; her words came out with unexpected anguish, “Cardan, I don’t want a new lover. I don’t need another bargain.” 

This time, when he advanced, he did so slowly, and Jude didn’t move away. He brought his hand up to cup her cheek. It burned under his touch. Cardan gently tilted her head up until they were eye level, “Jude…” He closed his eyes in silent prayer before looking down at her again. Almost too quiet to hear, he whispered, “I just want you home.” 

Her resolve had melted, and she didn’t have the strength to fight the truth anymore. She wanted to go home too, with Cardan, with Everly. 

It was time to reclaim her throne and her life with the family she never could have imagined. 

“Take me home.” The words were barely off her lips before Cardan’s mouth was crashing over hers. He wrapped his free arm around her as they continued the kiss, her hands gripping his tunic. Before long, their cheeks were damp with tears of joy and release from all the years of waiting. 

"Take me home, Cardan," Jude murmured again, "Take us home."

Cardan only nodded before leaning in to kiss her again. 

[rabbitholessk]

Imagining a scenario where Vivi or Taryn convince Jude/Cardan to have a wedding ceremony with the family around.

They convince Cardan to experience a mortal wedding, and Jude ends up convinced when Cardan pulls her arm enough for it.

But since Jude’s family is, well, Jude’s family, the ceremony devolves and it’s just Jude and Cardan at a small venue eating a huge cake that at some point fell on the floor.