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Hey everyone! I’m Katie (she/her - 23). I write stuff. Masterlist is here! Empty blogs will be blocked and marked as spam.
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I finished writing the main chapters for The Shadowsinger today 😭
I know it’s still early on in the series, but what would y’all think of a sequel??
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I’ve got ONE more chapter to write for The Shadowsinger (I think) and I can’t wait!! I’m going to be sad to finish writing the series but at least I get to post and see your reactions to it!
Let me know if y’all have any questions about the series, or anything else!
I think on Sunday I’m going to do a 300 words or less Drabble-athon (or something like that) to celebrate passing 300 followers! I’ll post more details soon.
Thank you all for supporting me, it means the world!
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Updated!
The Shadowsinger Masterlist
Summary: A female Shadowsinger finds herself amidst the Inner Circle as the High Lord of the Night Court offers her a job - emissary to the Illyrians. As she navigates her trauma through training with Cassian, the Inner Circle dealing with the incoming threat from Hybern, the other known Shadowsinger catches her eye.
18+ only - Minors DNI
Disclaimer: I do not own SJM’s characters, only the ones I create for the purpose of this story. This is a work of fiction. I do not give permission to repost my work on any other platform or medium. Please be respectful.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4 - April 27th
Chapter 5 - April 29th
Chapter 6 - May 1st
Chapter 7 - May 4th
Chapter 9 - May 6th
Chapter 10 - May 8th
More to come...
Taglist
Updated April 24st, 2024
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Thank you @rem-ie and everyone who got me to 500 reblogs!
Omg this is so cool! Also, I officially passed 300 followers so woo!! I might do something special this weekend for it!
The Shadowsinger: Two
Warnings: 18+. Minors DNI. loss of family, grieveing, heavy spoilers for ACOTAR series. If I forgot anything, please let me know!
Pairings: (Eventual) Azriel x Fem!Reader
Summary: After Rhys offers you the chance to stay in Velaris, you meet the Inner Circle.
Disclaimer: I do not own SJM’s characters, only the ones I create for the purpose of this story. This is a work of fiction. I do not give permission to repost my work on any other platform or medium. Please be respectful.
My graphics are my own. If you wish to use them, please give credit!
Series Masterlist
Prologue - One
Rhysand didn’t bother with introducing you that day. Knowing you needed some time alone before introducing you to his family. Seeing them so happy together wasn’t something you needed. So he ushered you to a free room in the House of Wind. You spent the next week in there, not even having to leave your room as the House had sent food up to you. And the dishes were taken away when you were done.
When you finally decided to leave the room, you made your way to a balcony at the end of the hall. Even though your windows had been open, the light fall breeze soothing you, (and you had your own balcony of your own) you wanted to be outside. Not sequestered in a room anymore. Rhysand didn’t say if you could leave or not. You in no way thought you were a prisoner here, but you didn’t know if he wanted anyone to know about you. You were a Shadowsinger, and one that had killed and spied for Amarantha. From what you knew about the Court of Nightmares, it may be a bad idea to venture out by yourself.
But this wasn’t the Court of Nightmares. Rhys said it was Velaris. He took you to Velaris. And as you looked out from the balcony, you saw what it wasn’t. It wasn’t a city of nightmares. It was a city of dreams.
Your shadows alerted you of his presence before you heard him, too lost in the city that you looked out upon.
“I’m glad you’re out of your room.” He said, hands in his pockets.
You turned around, eyes wide when you saw the strong, large wings towering behind him. “You never said you had wings.” You mentioned.
“I didn’t want them getting ripped off.” He said and you swallowed. If only you had that luxury. These past 50 years would have been easier, you thought, if you could have hidden your wings.
“I knew you were Carynthian… I don’t know why I thought you didn’t have wings.” You said, a light chuckle falling from your lips.
“Because no one but my family and those at Windhaven have seen them.” He said and you nodded.
“Right…” you said and turned back to the view. “This isn’t the Court of Nightmares.” You finally said. "And it certainly isn't the mountain atop Hewn City..." You had seen it before, when Amarantha asked Rhys to show her it again. She had you come along. If you never had to go back there, you would be happy.
“This is the Court of Dreams.” He said and you looked at him as he strolled to your side, a soft smile coming to your lips.
“It’s beautiful.” You said.
“It is…” he said and looked at you. “Are you ready to meet my family?” He asked.
You took a deep breath, nodding your head. “Yeah, I think I am… I think I’m ready to meet the real Rhys, too.” You said and nudged his arm.
Most people feared him. Or hated him. But you knew that there was something more to him than the cold, frightening exterior. Maybe it was because you knew he was protecting this. Or maybe it was because he had never once harmed you while Under the Mountain. But you knew that he wasn’t the typical High Lord of the Night Court that people said he was. He helped you during the past 50 years, and you had a bond that not many people down there came out with. It certainly wasn't a mating bond, but you considered him your brother. Even if he didn't consider you his sister.
You made your way from the balcony to the dining room with him, trailing behind. Your shadows swirled around you, nerves twisting your gut. It shocked you when a couple shadows darted away from you down the stairs into the dining room, without you asking. Then again, you didn't always have the best control of your shadows. Sure, you were a decent spy for Amarantha, but that didn't mean you truly knew how to use them to your advantage.
You remembered what Rhys said while at the Mountain. You were going to meet another Shadowsinger.
You stopped at the last step, listening as your shadows returned. “Safe. It’s safe. Go. Meet him.” They whispered.
Rhys paused and nodded towards the dining room. “They might be a lot, but they won’t hurt you.” He said and you nodded. As if your shadows’ reassurance wasn’t enough.
You took a deep breath as you walked towards the dining room. The glow of the faelight greeted you, and then you stood in front of the Inner Circle. In front of Rhy’s family.
A gorgeous female stood on the right, golden curled hair flowing down her back. An Illyrian male with long, black hair towered beside her. Next to him, was a small female who had glowing silver eyes and a skeptical look on her face. And finally, in the corner, in the shadows, was the other Shadowsinger, another Illyrian male with shorter black hair. But more gorgeous, beautiful than all the others combined. Including Rhys.
“(Y/N), this is my family. My Inner Circle. The Court of Dreams.” He said and smiled. “My third in command and my cousin, Morrigan,” he started and she tsked at him.
“Mor, call me Mor.” she said, a breathtaking smile on her face.
Rhys held back an eye roll as he moved on to the large Illyrian next to her. “Cassian, my brother and the commander of my armies.” The male gave a crooked smile, almost shrinking to make himself less… large. “Amren, my second in command.” He continued, the female narrowing her eyes before giving you a very, very subtle smile. “And my other brother and spymaster… the other Shadowsinger I mentioned, Azriel.”
Your shadows fluttered at his name, swirling around your arms and feet before going towards him. You silently pulled them back, not wanting for them to leave you just yet.
“Hi-“ you said and winced at the timidness of your voice. “Hi,” you said again, this time more firm. “I’m (Y/N)… Vash. But I don’t use my surname often.” You said.
“Vash… isn’t that the name of the prick in Valorworth?” Cassian asked and you went still, your shadows retreating more towards you.
“You- you know my father?” You asked and Cassian shut his mouth from a look from Rhys.
“It’s nice to meet you, (Y/N). We haven’t had any newcomers here in a long time. And none that were females.” Mor chimed in. You glanced over to Amren in response.
“I was here long before her, girl.” Amren said and you felt an unconscious shiver go down your spine.
“It’s nice to meet you all as well.” You said and cleared your through. “I uh… understand if you have questions.”
“Please, Rhys has told us just as much about you as he has about Feyre.” Cassian said and you shifted on my feet, glancing at Rhys. You supposed that made sense. Feyre did save everyone. Freed you to come back here. The tone in which Cassian said Feyre's name, however, seemed like there was more too it than just that.
“I suppose that’s good then,” I said.
“You took care of our brother when he needed it, that’s more than good.” The Shadowsinger, well, the other Shadowsinger, spoke.
As they swirled around you, your shadows gave away the fluster you felt from his words, under his gaze. You didn't know why you reacted that way, but you wouldn't question it.
“Brother?” You managed to ask and looked at Rhys.
“Not by blood, but by bond.” Rhys said and you nodded. “I know the feeling,” you said.
“Mor, though, is actually my cousin. Her father presides over the Court of Nightmares. After her, of course.” He said and smiled at Mor.
You relaxed a bit when Rhys told them to sit, and you tentatively took a seat next to him. You were a bit in shock that he didn’t sit at the head of the table. None of them did. It was set for 6, but had enough chairs for twelve.
You didn’t know where the girl that would tease and laugh with new people went. When you had met Sirona, even though you were hurt, you still brought light into your conversations. Into your life. Now, it was like the shadows that comforted you… devoured you. Like they were your master, not the other way around. It wasn’t so much on the outside, but on the inside. Where there was once a raging fire of happiness and hope, was now dimly lit embers struggling to stay ablaze.
The longer you spent around the Circle, the more you thought maybe one day you could rekindle that fire. Maybe you could be that bright, happy, hopeful female you were back in the village. Before Amarantha. Before you lost your family. You had a tugging feeling in your gut that the other Shadowsinger would help you get there.
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A/N: I hope you all enjoyed! These earlier chapters are shorter, around 1,000 - 1,5000 words. The later ones are about double that. I'm almost done writing the series and I'm very eager to get it out, so I'm going to start posting 3 chapters a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Around 3PM CDT (Chicago). Let me know if you have suggestions or questions!
Tagging:
@cherry-cin @cleverzonkwombatsludge @nickishadowsinger139 @atomolvnar @complete-randomness-2 @lilah-asteria @tele86
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y'all I 100% forgot chapter 3 was releasing today and was very confused as to why I was getting so many more notifs lol 😅
In other news... go read Chapter 3 of The Shadowsinger now!
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The Shadowsinger: Three
Warnings: 18+. Minors DNI. mentions of parental abuse, mentions of violence, implied torture, ACOTAR series spoilers. If I forgot anything, please let me know!
Pairings: Azriel x Fem!Reader
Summary: Rhys asks you to be an emissary for the Night Court and Azriel volunteers to train you.
Disclaimer: I do not own SJM’s characters or plot lines, only the ones I create for the purpose of this story. This is a work of fiction. I do not give permission to repost my work on any other platform or medium. Please be respectful.
My graphics are my own. If you wish to use them, please give credit!
Series Masterlist
Prologue - One - Two
The next month was spent with you learning about Velaris and the rest of Prythian. Even though you were 20 when you ended up in the northern village, you knew a lot had changed in the 100… and 50… years since then. You couldn’t count on anything you learned from being a spy because so much was different under Amarantha.
You spent days in the Library under the house, reading books about High Lords and Illyrians. You also found some good romance novels you brought up to your room.
This city, one that was full of hopes and dreams and happiness… It hadn’t been touched in hundreds of years. Not even the people in the Court of Nightmares knew about it anymore, thanks to Rhys’s protection.
You got to know Cassian, Mor, and Amren pretty well. Azriel had been off doing his own spying, so you only got to know him from what the Inner Circle told you.
You felt like you were starting to belong here. Like you could find a place in the city. Maybe even in the circle.
“I have an offer for you.” Rhys said at dinner one day. You took a sip of your wine and rose your eyebrows, telling him to go on. “We are trying to get the Illyrians to train the females. Those who want to be trained, or aren’t being threatened by their partners, of course. And I think you’d be a good emissary to the war bands.” He said, glancing at Cassian as if to say keep your mouth shut.
“Me? I- I don’t know if they would listen to a female… especially if their High Lord is having trouble with it.” You said, glancing over to Cassian. You knew the male would probably support what you chose, but if the High Lord and Lord Commander were struggling…
“Well, then you’ll have to make them listen. And not to bring your abilities into it… but you are a Shadowsinger. They can’t deny that, and they’ll tolerate you more because of it.” He said. How lovely…
“Like they did for Azriel?” You asked, hearing the stories of the brothers from Mor and Rhys. They barely allowed him to train, being a bastard. The only reason they did was because he was a Shadowsinger, and Rhys’s friend… “I don’t know, Rhys… it’s one thing to visit those camps. But to try and convince them that they have to train females..” you trailed off. “I don’t even know how to fight. I can’t very well take on an Illyrian.”
“You know how to hunt, right?” Cassian asked and you shrugged. You hunted for Sirona and your family when you first arrived at the northern village, but you hadn’t done a lot in the past 50 years. The most you ever did was with your Shadows, and that was more described as sneaking. “Then I’ll teach you to fight. Show the Illyrians that females can fly in their ranks just as good, if not better, than any male.” He said.
“You can think about it-“ Rhys started but you shook your head.
“I’ll do it.” You said firmly. “I’m tired of being useless when it comes to protecting myself and the people I love. I’m not going to let it happen again.” You said, your shadows settling on your shoulders as if they were backing you up. You let your family down before. You let your blood family harm you and the only thing you could do was flee.
“Okay, then it’s settled. I’ll train you-“
“How about I do it?” You heard Azriel’s voice, turning to him where he leaned against the wall. A few of your shadows bolted to him like the first day you met, this time wrapping around him before coming back to you. You could’ve sworn they brought some of his scent with them. They didn’t say anything, but they seemed to like him more than anyone else you met.
“Az, when did you get back?” Cassian asked.
As smirked, “Just now.” He said
“You want to train (Y/N)?” Cassian asked, resulting in Azriel nodding.
“I can teach you how to fight with and without your shadows. And when I’ve gotta go out on missions, Cass can train you on the former.” He said and you looked at Rhys.
“Whatever you want.” Rhys said and smiled. “It’s your choice.”
You glanced between the two. You didn’t know Azriel as well as you did Cassian… but you knew he was a Shadowsinger like you. And you know he could help you hone your abilities. You also knew that he was just as much a deadly warrior as the other two males sitting beside you.
“Okay, it’s a good idea.” I said and gave him a small smile. You could’ve sworn you saw his face flush, but only for a moment before he was back to showing his unreadable mask. “Maybe you can teach me how to spy… and this time actually keep secrets when I want to.” You joked. You knew how to spy. Knew how to get information out of people. When Rhys didn’t have time to interrogate spies under the mountain, she had you do it. You still felt blood on your hands from all the lesser faeries and High Fae you harmed on her behalf.
Az only gave you a small nod before joining the rest of you at the table. “I do have one request,” you said to all of them. “I don’t go to Valorworth until I’m done training.” You said. Before any of them could ask, you continued. “I can’t see my family… My blood family… yet. What they did to me.. I was weak and a coward. I couldn’t stand up for myself so the only thing I did was run. So the next time I do see them, I want to be able to show them I’m not weak. And I won’t run from them.”
There was something of understanding on all of their faces as you looked around the table. “If you want to kill them, we’ll gladly allow it.” Cassian said with a small smirk on his face. “Hell, I’ll even do it.” Rhys said and you smiled, letting out a small laugh.
“I don’t need to go that far… yet.” You said and leaned back in the chair, happy to be able to help the Court.
“You’ll get a salary as well,” Rhys said. “You’re welcome to stay here at the House. Or the townhouse. But you can also find an apartment.” He said and you smiled.
“I’ll think about it. Right now, it’s better to stay close to where I can train.” You settled. “If staying here is okay with all of you, that is.” You said.
“Are you kidding? It’ll be so much better having you here and not just the boys.” Mor said and you laughed gently, finally feeling like you could really fit in here.
The next day you went up to the training ring, seeing Azriel already warming up. You stood quietly by the stairs, watching as his shadows moved with him as he did movements you’d seen thousands of times in Valorworth.
His shadows didn’t warn him of your presence. A couple of them snuck out from behind his legs and went over to you, circling around your hair. Your own shadows moved to join him in the center of the ring. You still barely understood the concept of Shadowsinging, even after all these years. But maybe now, with him as your teacher, you could understand it more. And learn to understand yourself.
You finally cleared your throat as you stepped forward. As much as you wanted to, you knew you couldn’t stand and watch him all day. “You certainly know what you’re doing.” You commented as you walked closer to him.
Rhys had gotten Illyrian training leathers for you, tailored to your wings and your sizes. So when you walked up to Azriel, he had to pause just to take you in. You didn’t wear dresses much, but you also didn’t wear anything as tight fitting as this. Not that he’s seen you within the past month.
You shifted under his gaze, looking up to the sky. After breakfast and before you came here, you decided to take a flight. You knew it would be getting colder, and the frigid fall air only proved you right. This would be one of the last nice days before it started to snow. And flying would be a hassle.
“I am teaching you for a reason.” He finally said and you nodded. “Come here, let’s get started.” He motioned you over to where he stood.
You walked over and set your hands to your side. You were glad he decided to train you here and not in Windhaven. You didn’t know if you could handle being seen by the males, critiqued. Cassian told you that wasn’t the only reason he wanted to train you here. Apparently, Azriel hated the Illyrians. You completely understood, too, from what you’d learn about Azriel. The things that happened to him while at the war camps. Especially before Rhysand’s mother had come along to take him in. Still, you didn’t want to start training as an Illyrian when you didn’t know anything.
You weren’t sure how or why Azriel still adapted to the training, but it was probably so ingrained into him (and useful) that he couldn’t let it go. And so you had your trainer.
“I’m assuming you never trained at the camp?” He asked and you simply shook your head, scoffing at the idea. Your father would have killed you if he saw you anywhere near the training rings. “Do you know the exercises at all? Anything?” He asked and you shook your head.
“I was 20 when I left, and I was never allowed near the ring. I’ve only ever saw my brothers train once, and I remember the beating I got for it more than anything else.” You said. “All I know is that my father had a killer left hook that would leave my face bruised for a week. Even with my healing.” You said and saw something like anger flash through Azriel’s eyes before returning to his soft stare.
“Then let’s teach you an even worse one, and maybe he’ll learn never to hit a female again.” He said and you gave him a small smirk.
“Let’s.” You agreed and started the warm up with him.
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A/N: Well we see the reader finally interact with Azriel! Not much but just a little taste of it... I hope y'all like slow burns cause this one is very much that...
Tagging:
@cherry-cin @cleverzonkwombatsludge @nickisshadowsinger139
@atomolvnar @complete-randomness-2 @lilah-asteria @tele86
#acotar#acotar fanfiction#acotar fic#azriel x reader#acotar spoilers#katie writes#the shadowsinger#azriel spymaster#azriel shadowsinger
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I keep thinking I can stick to my outline and I only have two chapters left to write. But then I get to the second to last chapter and sure enough… I need another one in between 🤦♀️
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The Shadowsinger: Two
Warnings: 18+. Minors DNI. loss of family, grieveing, heavy spoilers for ACOTAR series. If I forgot anything, please let me know!
Pairings: (Eventual) Azriel x Fem!Reader
Summary: After Rhys offers you the chance to stay in Velaris, you meet the Inner Circle.
Disclaimer: I do not own SJM’s characters, only the ones I create for the purpose of this story. This is a work of fiction. I do not give permission to repost my work on any other platform or medium. Please be respectful.
My graphics are my own. If you wish to use them, please give credit!
Series Masterlist
Prologue - One
Rhysand didn’t bother with introducing you that day. Knowing you needed some time alone before introducing you to his family. Seeing them so happy together wasn’t something you needed. So he ushered you to a free room in the House of Wind. You spent the next week in there, not even having to leave your room as the House had sent food up to you. And the dishes were taken away when you were done.
When you finally decided to leave the room, you made your way to a balcony at the end of the hall. Even though your windows had been open, the light fall breeze soothing you, (and you had your own balcony of your own) you wanted to be outside. Not sequestered in a room anymore. Rhysand didn’t say if you could leave or not. You in no way thought you were a prisoner here, but you didn’t know if he wanted anyone to know about you. You were a Shadowsinger, and one that had killed and spied for Amarantha. From what you knew about the Court of Nightmares, it may be a bad idea to venture out by yourself.
But this wasn’t the Court of Nightmares. Rhys said it was Velaris. He took you to Velaris. And as you looked out from the balcony, you saw what it wasn’t. It wasn’t a city of nightmares. It was a city of dreams.
Your shadows alerted you of his presence before you heard him, too lost in the city that you looked out upon.
“I’m glad you’re out of your room.” He said, hands in his pockets.
You turned around, eyes wide when you saw the strong, large wings towering behind him. “You never said you had wings.” You mentioned.
“I didn’t want them getting ripped off.” He said and you swallowed. If only you had that luxury. These past 50 years would have been easier, you thought, if you could have hidden your wings.
“I knew you were Carynthian… I don’t know why I thought you didn’t have wings.” You said, a light chuckle falling from your lips.
“Because no one but my family and those at Windhaven have seen them.” He said and you nodded.
“Right…” you said and turned back to the view. “This isn’t the Court of Nightmares.” You finally said. "And it certainly isn't the mountain atop Hewn City..." You had seen it before, when Amarantha asked Rhys to show her it again. She had you come along. If you never had to go back there, you would be happy.
“This is the Court of Dreams.” He said and you looked at him as he strolled to your side, a soft smile coming to your lips.
“It’s beautiful.” You said.
“It is…” he said and looked at you. “Are you ready to meet my family?” He asked.
You took a deep breath, nodding your head. “Yeah, I think I am… I think I’m ready to meet the real Rhys, too.” You said and nudged his arm.
Most people feared him. Or hated him. But you knew that there was something more to him than the cold, frightening exterior. Maybe it was because you knew he was protecting this. Or maybe it was because he had never once harmed you while Under the Mountain. But you knew that he wasn’t the typical High Lord of the Night Court that people said he was. He helped you during the past 50 years, and you had a bond that not many people down there came out with. It certainly wasn't a mating bond, but you considered him your brother. Even if he didn't consider you his sister.
You made your way from the balcony to the dining room with him, trailing behind. Your shadows swirled around you, nerves twisting your gut. It shocked you when a couple shadows darted away from you down the stairs into the dining room, without you asking. Then again, you didn't always have the best control of your shadows. Sure, you were a decent spy for Amarantha, but that didn't mean you truly knew how to use them to your advantage.
You remembered what Rhys said while at the Mountain. You were going to meet another Shadowsinger.
You stopped at the last step, listening as your shadows returned. “Safe. It’s safe. Go. Meet him.” They whispered.
Rhys paused and nodded towards the dining room. “They might be a lot, but they won’t hurt you.” He said and you nodded. As if your shadows’ reassurance wasn’t enough.
You took a deep breath as you walked towards the dining room. The glow of the faelight greeted you, and then you stood in front of the Inner Circle. In front of Rhy’s family.
A gorgeous female stood on the right, golden curled hair flowing down her back. An Illyrian male with long, black hair towered beside her. Next to him, was a small female who had glowing silver eyes and a skeptical look on her face. And finally, in the corner, in the shadows, was the other Shadowsinger, another Illyrian male with shorter black hair. But more gorgeous, beautiful than all the others combined. Including Rhys.
“(Y/N), this is my family. My Inner Circle. The Court of Dreams.” He said and smiled. “My third in command and my cousin, Morrigan,” he started and she tsked at him.
“Mor, call me Mor.” she said, a breathtaking smile on her face.
Rhys held back an eye roll as he moved on to the large Illyrian next to her. “Cassian, my brother and the commander of my armies.” The male gave a crooked smile, almost shrinking to make himself less… large. “Amren, my second in command.” He continued, the female narrowing her eyes before giving you a very, very subtle smile. “And my other brother and spymaster… the other Shadowsinger I mentioned, Azriel.”
Your shadows fluttered at his name, swirling around your arms and feet before going towards him. You silently pulled them back, not wanting for them to leave you just yet.
“Hi-“ you said and winced at the timidness of your voice. “Hi,” you said again, this time more firm. “I’m (Y/N)… Vash. But I don’t use my surname often.” You said.
“Vash… isn’t that the name of the prick in Valorworth?” Cassian asked and you went still, your shadows retreating more towards you.
“You- you know my father?” You asked and Cassian shut his mouth from a look from Rhys.
“It’s nice to meet you, (Y/N). We haven’t had any newcomers here in a long time. And none that were females.” Mor chimed in. You glanced over to Amren in response.
“I was here long before her, girl.” Amren said and you felt an unconscious shiver go down your spine.
“It’s nice to meet you all as well.” You said and cleared your through. “I uh… understand if you have questions.”
“Please, Rhys has told us just as much about you as he has about Feyre.” Cassian said and you shifted on my feet, glancing at Rhys. You supposed that made sense. Feyre did save everyone. Freed you to come back here. The tone in which Cassian said Feyre's name, however, seemed like there was more too it than just that.
“I suppose that’s good then,” I said.
“You took care of our brother when he needed it, that’s more than good.” The Shadowsinger, well, the other Shadowsinger, spoke.
As they swirled around you, your shadows gave away the fluster you felt from his words, under his gaze. You didn't know why you reacted that way, but you wouldn't question it.
“Brother?” You managed to ask and looked at Rhys.
“Not by blood, but by bond.” Rhys said and you nodded. “I know the feeling,” you said.
“Mor, though, is actually my cousin. Her father presides over the Court of Nightmares. After her, of course.” He said and smiled at Mor.
You relaxed a bit when Rhys told them to sit, and you tentatively took a seat next to him. You were a bit in shock that he didn’t sit at the head of the table. None of them did. It was set for 6, but had enough chairs for twelve.
You didn’t know where the girl that would tease and laugh with new people went. When you had met Sirona, even though you were hurt, you still brought light into your conversations. Into your life. Now, it was like the shadows that comforted you… devoured you. Like they were your master, not the other way around. It wasn’t so much on the outside, but on the inside. Where there was once a raging fire of happiness and hope, was now dimly lit embers struggling to stay ablaze.
The longer you spent around the Circle, the more you thought maybe one day you could rekindle that fire. Maybe you could be that bright, happy, hopeful female you were back in the village. Before Amarantha. Before you lost your family. You had a tugging feeling in your gut that the other Shadowsinger would help you get there.
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A/N: I hope you all enjoyed! These earlier chapters are shorter, around 1,000 - 1,5000 words. The later ones are about double that. I'm almost done writing the series and I'm very eager to get it out, so I'm going to start posting 3 chapters a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Around 3PM CDT (Chicago). Let me know if you have suggestions or questions!
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#acotar#acotar fic#acotar fanfiction#azriel#azriel spymaster#azriel shadowsinger#the shadowsinger#katie writes#acotar spoilers#azriel x reader
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Hear me out...
I was at a rodeo this weekend and I couldn't help but think about the IC and what they would do if they were cowboys/girls... specifically in a rodeo.
Mor and Amren: Trick Rider/Barrel Racer
I can't decide for these two...
Cassian & Azriel: As a team, they would probably do steer wrestling... with Cassian jumping off the horse and wrestling the steer to the ground... individually they would do tie-down roping
Rhys: ... I can't place what he would do.. but maybe bucking broncos?
It's also think it's hilarious to image Az and Rhys as bull fighters and Cassian as the clown in the barrel...
Bonus: look below the cut for something Cassian and Nesta would do for fun:
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Updated with new dates!
The Shadowsinger Masterlist
Summary: A female Shadowsinger finds herself amidst the Inner Circle as the High Lord of the Night Court offers her a job - emissary to the Illyrians. As she navigates her trauma through training with Cassian, the Inner Circle dealing with the incoming threat from Hybern, the other known Shadowsinger catches her eye.
18+ only - Minors DNI
Disclaimer: I do not own SJM’s characters, only the ones I create for the purpose of this story. This is a work of fiction. I do not give permission to repost my work on any other platform or medium. Please be respectful.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2 - April 22rd
Chapter 3 - April 24th
Chapter 4 - April 27th
Chapter 5 - April 29th
Chapter 6 - May 1st
Chapter 7 - May 4th
Chapter 9 - May 6th
Chapter 10 - May 8th
More to come...
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Updated April 21st, 2024
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Little spoiler for The Shadowsinger as I’m writing the final chapters….
I just wrote my first real smut ever and I… it has wing play in it 😩
If you told me even a month ago I’d be writing Azriel smut I would NOT believe you… ughhhh
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The Shadowsinger: One
Warnings: 18+. Minors DNI. loss of family, gore, canon level mention of violence, Tamlin, heavy spoilers for ACOTAR series. If I forgot anything, please let me know!
Pairings: (Eventual) Azriel x Fem!Reader
Disclaimer: I do not own SJM’s characters, only the ones I create for the purpose of this story. This is a work of fiction. I do not give permission to repost my work on any other platform or medium. Please be respectful.
My graphics are my own. If you wish to use them, please give credit!
Series Masterlist
Prologue
Just 6 months before everyone was trapped Under the Mountain is when she raided your small northern Illyria village. And it was all because of that male you slept with. When you thought he was sleeping and allowed your shadows to come out, he saw. And he knew. He ran back and told his camp Lord, who told Amarantha the second he could. The Lord had sworn allegiance to her before a few others did as well.
Every single villager was taken to one of the camps she had. Sirona, Igna, and Oran included. Every single one of them but you. At first, she threatened you with their lives, and you begged her to spare them. You begged her harder when she threatened to rip off your wings. So, she made you a bargain. One she didn’t make with anyone else.
So long as you would be her personal Shadowsinger, her spy, and told her nothing but what you thought to be the truth, your friends and your wings would remain intact. You foolishly agreed. Not aware of the loopholes that she would find ways around in the coming years.
You were there when she trapped everyone Under the Mountain. You were responsible for her having bargaining power over certain High Lords. How she was able to put a leash on everyone’s powers. You were trapped with everyone else. But you were her spy, and she still needed information from the outside. So she allowed you out, but only when she deemed it necessary.
And you met Rhysand. The High Lord of the Night Court. The High Lord of your home. Or what used to be. And not just a High Lord, but a Carynthian, the highest ranking form of an Illyrian that you knew. And he was Amarantha’s whore.
Rhysand had a familiar feeling the moment he laid eyes on you. Not only because you reminded him of his Shadowsinger brother, but something deeper. Something he hadn’t been able to place for the 50 years Under the Mountain.
When you first told him of your bargain with Amarantha, he was wary to tell you anything. He definitely wasn’t going to tell you about Velaris. Not when you had a bargain to tell her the truth about anything you learned. And lying to her would only get you killed.
Then he learned why you’d done it. How you bargained to keep your friends, your family (albeit not blood related), safe. To keep your wings unharmed. At least unharmed by her. So he decided he would do everything he could to keep his secrets from you. Not because he didn’t want you to know, but because he didn’t want you hurt. Or your family hurt.
You had learned to lean on each other during those 50 years. Amarantha would often send you out together. Even though she trusted you and Rhysand to bring her valuable information alone, she also knew that you couldn’t lie about the information that he told her.
But Rhys had learned to keep you in the dark, away from conversations, when he knew you didn’t want her to know what was going on. You couldn’t lie about something if you didn’t hear it. If your shadows didn’t tell you.
And then Feyre came. The 19 year old girl, human, professing her love for Tamlin. One of the first things that your shadows whispered to you about her was that she indeed did love him. Something Amarantha forced out of you once they took Feyre to her cell. After they beat her, of course.
You remembered when Rhys went out for Calanmai, even if he didn’t tell you what happened. You remember him coming back from Tamlin’s manor and telling you about Clare. You were on the mission to go retrieve her, just to conceal Amarantha’s soldiers enough so they could do their worst. Thankfully you weren’t asked to question Clare… Thankfully for Prythian, not Clare. You didn’t know you were retrieving the wrong woman.
What Amarantha did to Clare, how she displayed her decaying body in the throne room, you could barely watch. You knew Rhys had taken her mind. He wouldn’t let innocents suffer. It didn’t help, either way. Knowing that Amarantha would use it against you if you looked away or left the room. Especially because she may need use of your shadows to scare the poor girl even more.
You watched as Feyre defeated the Wyrm, as she miraculously survived the second task. You knew she couldn’t read. Your shadows told you the second the spikes started descending on her and Lucien. You thought they were going to die. But somehow, after hovering over the second lever for so long, she chose the third. It was like someone told her to do it.
Rhys didn’t mention he was sending Nuala and Cerridwen down to retrieve Feyre on those nights after their own bargain. Or what their bargain even entailed. He didn’t want you knowing the secrets. Not when it would ruin the plan he had in place.
So you stood by as Feyre held the fate of Prythian in her hands, with the dagger as she plunged it into Tamlin’s stone solid heart.
It wasn’t easy, watching Amarantha as she killed Feyre for it. As Rhys roared for her, fought for her. All while Tamlin did nothing but beg. Granted, he was injured, but he didn’t do anything. Didn’t even fight as Feyre’s neck snapped. You even tried to send your shadows towards Amarantha to blind her for Rhys, but she shot out a string of magic and knocked you on the floor and held you there.
But Feyre solved the riddle. She freed you all. And you took a deep breath as you felt more magic swell in you than you noticed before. Maybe it was from it being gone for 50 years. Or restrained, at least.
And Tamlin killed her. He did what every person Under the Mountain was wishing, any sane person at least. Amarantha was dead and you were free. Free to keep secrets from whomever you wanted. Free to see your family without fear that you would endanger them.
That final night roaming about in the upper floors of the Mountain changed your life even more. When you approached Rhys to say goodbye. To go to the camp your family was being held at and take them back to the village. If anything was left. It was then that he gave you an offer that was hard to refuse.
“Come with me,” he whispered. “To Velaris.” He said and you tilted your head, not understanding what that was. Without even reading your mind, he continued. “It’s my Court that isn’t known to anyone. I’ve kept it hidden from everyone. From her… but I want you there. I want you to meet my family. I want my family to meet the female who helped me through these years…” he said. “I want you to meet another Shadowsinger.” He said.
You stood there, blinking for a few moments. “Rhys…” you muttered. “I have my family-“
“They can come. I’ll get you set up in a townhouse with them. And if you’d like, we could see about you working as part of my Court.” He said. “Think about it. I’ll ask your decision by tonight. Once you’re with your family.”
You took a deep, shaky breath. You bounded over to him and wrapped your arms around him. “Thank you. For everything you’ve done here.” You whispered. The only response from him was a small hum followed by a tight squeeze.
You stepped back and thanked him again before disappearing with your shadows to the camp your family was in. Where you would finally get to see Sirona, Igna, and Oran. Even if they weren’t blood, they had taken care of you and seen you mature all those years. You may have failed them the day Amarantha came, but you hoped they knew that what you did, you did for them.
Only, you made it too late. The camp had been burned down hours ago. There had been a spell on it, tied with Amarantha’s blood. If she was to die, all of the buildings were to burn with anyone inside. Her foot soldiers or not. And only this camp. As if that last final blow would finally break you. It almost did.
Your knees buckled as you made it to your family’s building, shadows wrapping around you as you fell to the ground. The building was still simmering with fire. But you could smell it. Burnt flesh, blood, and soot mixed together. It caused you to vomit right in front of the small room Igna and Oran shared together. As you staggered inside, you knew they were gone. You were alone again. The only people who loved you were gone.
But you still had Rhys. So when he went into your mind, gently scraping a talon on the walls he taught you to build up, you said yes. In despair. He knew something was wrong. So he winnowed to the camp. He spotted you outside your family’s building, holding onto a small book as you trembled. And he held you as you sobbed. Just as he had sobbed when he reached his family in Velaris. Only you weren’t as lucky as him. Your family was dead, and his was healthy and happy to see him.
Series Masterlist
A/N: A reminder, this is a story about the reader more than it is a love story. It's quite a slow burn for a while. I started it immediately after I finished reading the ACOTAR series. I'm reading TOG now, no spoilers please.
Chapter 2 will be posted April 23rd.
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#timezone reblog#katie writes#acotar#azriel x reader#azriel#azriel shadowsinger#azriel spymaster#the shadowsinger
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Captured
Azriel x Reader
Word count: 2018
Synopsis: The camera has been invented and Azriel takes up a hobby of capturing reader, proving how pretty she can be.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“What is it?”
“An obscura camera, I think we called it.” You turned the device around for him to see the little hole to look through, let him hold it. “It means ‘dark room.’ Light travels in through here,” you pointed to the lens, “and an image is captured using refraction and shadows.”
Azriel frowned in disbelief, making you laugh.
“Watch,” you said, gently taking the Obscura from his hands.
“What do I have to do?”
“Nothing,” you smiled, positioning it before your face. “Smile for me.”
He gave a small, tentative smile. The distrust in his eyes had you laughing again, which made Azriel chuckle genuinely.
You clicked something. A shutter sounded, light flashed, and Azriel’s eyes widened. You pulled the obscura away as it rattled, producing a thin strip of rectangular film. Azriel’s frown returned. “It’s black.”
“It has to develop,” you plucked it away and placed it facedown. “You’ll see in a few minutes.”
“This is what you’d been working on with Nuan?” he asked, referring to the alchemist who’d been in town for a few weeks.
You nodded. “It’s an early prototype, but it mimics the way light enters the eye.” A mixture of her trinketry, your crafty impulses, and some magic. “All this work so we can finally capture your pretty face,” you teased, enjoying the pink dusting his cheeks. You turned the piece of film to him, relishing Azriel’s shock upon peering down at the photograph.
That sincere smile you’d managed to capture was how you often caught him looking at you. A sweet, receptive earnestness lighting his normally cold face. Eyes that beheld you like he missed you even when you hadn’t gone anywhere. Now etched permanently into a photograph for you to cherish.
It was your turn to blush. Playful words aside, this truly did catch his beauty.
He met your gaze. “Teach me how to use it.” You demonstrated, pointing to shoot the nearby bookshelf, but Azriel shook his head. “I want one like that,” he nodded to his headshot.
Your nose crinkled. “I don’t photograph well, Az.”
He scoffed. “Why wouldn’t you?” He positioned the obscura over his eyes like you had.
You covered your face with your hands, hiding. “I don’t like the posing.”
“Come on,” he cooed, laughing. He reached to move your hair where it fell forward as you ducked your head, then gently held your wrists beneath your chin, broad hand easily cradling them between a thumb and two fingers. He tilted your face up with his hold. You peered at him through your fingers, rosy cheeks peeking through digits. Still holding your wrists, he took the photo effortlessly.
You uncovered your face, still blushing. He wondered how you didn’t see what a perfect subject you’d be. How you could invent the obscura and deprive him of its most obvious benefit.
Azriel studied you, and you saw the gears turn in his head. “Can I borrow it for a while?"
You laughed. “Okay, Az.”
~
It started off rather clumsy, and it took a few tries for Azriel to figure out that lighting mattered. That snapping photos with light in the immediate background ruined the film. He tested his hypothesis by capturing a bewildered Cassian, the confusion frozen making Azriel chuckle. He understood why you’d been laughing at him before. Next, he found that distance was important; that he could shift the angle of his photography. A practice shot of Feyre losing herself in a painting, so focused that she didn’t turn to wonder about the shuttering sound. Rhys landing on a balcony after training. Nesta reading ferociously by the fire.
He got the hang of it and was ready to really begin.
I don’t like the posing, you’d told him. He had no issues with that whatsoever.
The first one happened in the kitchen. The early morning hours were typically shared by the both of you on the grounds of a close friendship. You’d been sipping on coffee like it was medicinal, the light of the sun softening everything. Eyes closed, hair still slightly undone from sleep. He loved seeing you in your fancy dresses, your fighting leathers, but something about seeing you in soft, utterly personal nightwear—linen pants, knit cardigans, slippers—it spread warmth through his chest brighter than your revered sunrise. Today he'd even caught you in his t-shirt you must’ve swiped. Carefully positioning the Obscura over his face where he stood at the doorway, he snapped his photo before inconspicuously joining you, inquiring about the theft he quietly adored. Adoring your answering smile even more.
The next shot was on the rooftop. He’d caught Cassian bandaging you up after sparring. You were sat on the bench, smiling bloody and beautiful. Laughing as Cassian cracked jokes, allowing him to tend to you. He was kneeling on the ground before you, cleaning the cuts on your brow, wrapping your bruised knuckles. The sheer glee in your laugh, the way you sat so comfortably with his brother had Azriel reaching into the pocket realm for the Obscura, capturing the sight of his favourite people bantering fresh out of the ring.
One night after Rita’s, Rhys had offered to fly you home after winning a drinking game against Azriel. He’d winked at the bested Shadowsinger, taking you into his arms and shooting to the sky. Azriel grumbled at first until he’d realized the opportunity he had mid-flight with Rhys ahead. You reached to the skies above, stretching like you could grab the very moon, safe in the High Lord’s arms. He wished the Obscura had the power to capture the sound of your laughter as well, but he’d gladly settle for your silhouette marked by the Night Court stars, their beauty dimmed in the face of your exquisite joy.
The next photo was stolen after a Hewn City mission. You’d been in a billowing dark gown, face so ethereal, so striking and utterly beautiful that he’d struggled to look at you face-on. Everyone had taken to sprawling on the couches after coming home, still in formal attire, helping themselves to drinks as they winded down. You’d fallen asleep at some point, stretched comfortably across the sofa with your head nearly hanging off, hair cascading around you like a halo and down the sofa to the ground. Feyre mentioned wishing she could paint the sight of you, sleeping like some spite or nymph, some woodland creature of beauty, your dress ballooning around you like a nightshade flower. Azriel silently pulled out the Obscura, taking his time levelling the device so the light of the hearth illuminated your face.
“What is that thing you keep doing?” Cassian asked lowly.
Azriel focused, capturing the shot. Taking another one just for good measure. “Nothing.”
His favourite photo was of you and Nyx. You’d been playing with the boy on the balcony, blowing bubbles as he tried dutifully to pop them. They’d land and settle in his hair, making you laugh boisterously, head tipping back as Nyx laughed with you unwittingly. It was like the sun loved you, how it always shone upon you, doing the work for Azriel. He took the photo, falling into the easy routine. Once that photo developed, his heart skipped a beat at its sight. At the promise it captured that he wished was his.
He was a lucky bastard to have this gift—a device that finally allowed him to freeze the light that you were in his life, to etch the sights he so sincerely loved. God, you were special. Azriel had to walk away from the balcony, still staring at the little strip of film, more invaluable than precious jewel. How lucky he was to witness you. Luckier still to capture you in still frames, while you unknowingly captured his heart.
~
Azriel found you in your room, sitting at your vanity. He handed the obscura to you. “There’s no more film.”
You laughed. “Wow. How many photos did you take?”
He shrugged, smiling roguishly. “A handful.”
“Can I see?”
He handed a few.
You rifled through them, gasping at the quality. “These are amazing.” He’d captured Feyre descending the stairs in her regalia, beautiful like a divinity of legend. Nesta pouting playfully, glaring right at the camera. Mor putting earrings in before an outing. “Their mates would love these,” you murmured.
“They would,” he agreed.
You shook your head, stunned. “God, they’re beautiful.” Azriel didn’t know if you meant the photos or who he captured in them. “I wish I photographed this good.”
He would’ve laughed at the absurdity if he could resist his scoff of disbelief. “You do.”
You just shook your head, sneaking a quick glance at yourself in the mirror before eyeing the photos again.
Azriel’s heart stuttered. “You do,” he repeated. “I—” he reached into the pocket realm. “I took some of you as well.” Handing over a few photos, he watched closely as your eyes widened. You took your time studying each photo, brows pinched. He didn’t know if it was in dislike, or—
“Wow,” you breathed. You met his gaze. The fragility in them told him it was awe. “Azriel,” you breathed again, assessing the shots. “Wow. You make me look…”
You faded to silence. “What,” he gently nudged you.
“Pretty.”
He tried to speak. A breath puffed out of him. “Y/n,” he couldn’t stop the reverence in his tone. “You’re beautiful. What do you mean?” He didn’t care how it came off, how saying it warmed his cheeks.
He’d only pulled out a few of the tamer photos. The ones of you with his family or in mundane solitude. He immediately pulled out the rest, laying them before you. The pinch deepened between your brows, looking at the one of you after Hewn City. “Oh my god,” you breathed. You had no idea you could look so… “beautiful.”
“Yes,” Azriel nodded. “Beautiful.” He pointed to the one of you in the kitchen, freshly woken up. “Here as well.” Always.
You took your time studying them, unable to find it in you to care about how stupidly vulnerable this struck you. Too busy grappling with the comfort of feeling this seen. You finally met his gaze, and if you didn’t know any better, you’d have thought that look in his eyes was…
If you were well and truly self-indulgent, you may have called it how you felt inside.
Azriel wished he had just one more piece of film to capture the look on your face. The depth of fondness in your eyes, like he was worth seeing. His heart stuttered again, holding that stare like he could pour his affection directly from his eyes to yours.
“Will you be keeping these?” you asked about the photos.
Azriel chuckled. “Yes. Try taking even one away.”
Oh.
You blushed, breaking his stare. A fine line to toe with your friend indeed.
But Azriel enjoyed that conviction on your face when you saw yourself as he did. “Okay,” he let up, exhaling in mock annoyance. “You can have a few.” He took most of the photos back, making sure to leave you with a copy of the Hewn City one. “I mean, I can always take more.”
You laughed, standing to retrieve your satchel, pulling out spare film. You showed Azriel how to load it in, but before handing the Obscura back, you eyed the first photo he’d taken, with his hands holding your wrists. “I want one like that,” you said, reaching for his face.
He laughed but didn’t bat your hand away, to your pleasant surprise. Only standing firm, albeit leaving his face uncovered. You cradled his face gently by the chin in one hand, resting your fingers on his cheeks, barely pressing. He smiled warmly at you, looking right through the camera at you. You captured him.
“There,” you handed back the obscura. “Now I got you,” you held up his matching photo.
He liked the sound of that. “I have you too,” he raised his collection of your photos in his hand in reminder. “And I’ll be keeping you with me.”
~
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The Shadowsinger: One
Warnings: 18+. Minors DNI. loss of family, gore, canon level mention of violence, Tamlin, heavy spoilers for ACOTAR series. If I forgot anything, please let me know!
Pairings: (Eventual) Azriel x Fem!Reader
Summary: After you were claimed as Amarantha's Shadowsinger, you meet the High Lord of the Night Court.
Disclaimer: I do not own SJM’s characters, only the ones I create for the purpose of this story. This is a work of fiction. I do not give permission to repost my work on any other platform or medium. Please be respectful.
My graphics are my own. If you wish to use them, please give credit!
Series Masterlist
Prologue
Just 6 months before everyone was trapped Under the Mountain is when she raided your small northern Illyria village. And it was all because of that male you slept with. When you thought he was sleeping and allowed your shadows to come out, he saw. And he knew. He ran back and told his camp Lord, who told Amarantha the second he could. The Lord had sworn allegiance to her before a few others did as well.
Every single villager was taken to one of the camps she had. Sirona, Igna, and Oran included. Every single one of them but you. At first, she threatened you with their lives, and you begged her to spare them. You begged her harder when she threatened to rip off your wings. So, she made you a bargain. One she didn’t make with anyone else.
So long as you would be her personal Shadowsinger, her spy, and told her nothing but what you thought to be the truth, your friends and your wings would remain intact. You foolishly agreed. Not aware of the loopholes that she would find ways around in the coming years.
You were there when she trapped everyone Under the Mountain. You were responsible for her having bargaining power over certain High Lords. How she was able to put a leash on everyone’s powers. You were trapped with everyone else. But you were her spy, and she still needed information from the outside. So she allowed you out, but only when she deemed it necessary.
And you met Rhysand. The High Lord of the Night Court. The High Lord of your home. Or what used to be. And not just a High Lord, but a Carynthian, the highest ranking form of an Illyrian that you knew. And he was Amarantha’s whore.
Rhysand had a familiar feeling the moment he laid eyes on you. Not only because you reminded him of his Shadowsinger brother, but something deeper. Something he hadn’t been able to place for the 50 years Under the Mountain.
When you first told him of your bargain with Amarantha, he was wary to tell you anything. He definitely wasn’t going to tell you about Velaris. Not when you had a bargain to tell her the truth about anything you learned. And lying to her would only get you killed.
Then he learned why you’d done it. How you bargained to keep your friends, your family (albeit not blood related), safe. To keep your wings unharmed. At least unharmed by her. So he decided he would do everything he could to keep his secrets from you. Not because he didn’t want you to know, but because he didn’t want you hurt. Or your family hurt.
You had learned to lean on each other during those 50 years. Amarantha would often send you out together. Even though she trusted you and Rhysand to bring her valuable information alone, she also knew that you couldn’t lie about the information that he told her.
But Rhys had learned to keep you in the dark, away from conversations, when he knew you didn’t want her to know what was going on. You couldn’t lie about something if you didn’t hear it. If your shadows didn’t tell you.
And then Feyre came. The 19 year old girl, human, professing her love for Tamlin. One of the first things that your shadows whispered to you about her was that she indeed did love him. Something Amarantha forced out of you once they took Feyre to her cell. After they beat her, of course.
You remembered when Rhys went out for Calanmai, even if he didn’t tell you what happened. You remember him coming back from Tamlin’s manor and telling you about Clare. You were on the mission to go retrieve her, just to conceal Amarantha’s soldiers enough so they could do their worst. Thankfully you weren’t asked to question Clare… Thankfully for Prythian, not Clare. You didn’t know you were retrieving the wrong woman.
What Amarantha did to Clare, how she displayed her decaying body in the throne room, you could barely watch. You knew Rhys had taken her mind. He wouldn’t let innocents suffer. It didn’t help, either way. Knowing that Amarantha would use it against you if you looked away or left the room. Especially because she may need use of your shadows to scare the poor girl even more.
You watched as Feyre defeated the Wyrm, as she miraculously survived the second task. You knew she couldn’t read. Your shadows told you the second the spikes started descending on her and Lucien. You thought they were going to die. But somehow, after hovering over the second lever for so long, she chose the third. It was like someone told her to do it.
Rhys didn’t mention he was sending Nuala and Cerridwen down to retrieve Feyre on those nights after their own bargain. Or what their bargain even entailed. He didn’t want you knowing the secrets. Not when it would ruin the plan he had in place.
So you stood by as Feyre held the fate of Prythian in her hands, with the dagger as she plunged it into Tamlin’s stone solid heart.
It wasn’t easy, watching Amarantha as she killed Feyre for it. As Rhys roared for her, fought for her. All while Tamlin did nothing but beg. Granted, he was injured, but he didn’t do anything. Didn’t even fight as Feyre’s neck snapped. You even tried to send your shadows towards Amarantha to blind her for Rhys, but she shot out a string of magic and knocked you on the floor and held you there.
But Feyre solved the riddle. She freed you all. And you took a deep breath as you felt more magic swell in you than you noticed before. Maybe it was from it being gone for 50 years. Or restrained, at least.
And Tamlin killed her. He did what every person Under the Mountain was wishing, any sane person at least. Amarantha was dead and you were free. Free to keep secrets from whomever you wanted. Free to see your family without fear that you would endanger them.
That final night roaming about in the upper floors of the Mountain changed your life even more. When you approached Rhys to say goodbye. To go to the camp your family was being held at and take them back to the village. If anything was left. It was then that he gave you an offer that was hard to refuse.
“Come with me,” he whispered. “To Velaris.” He said and you tilted your head, not understanding what that was. Without even reading your mind, he continued. “It’s my Court that isn’t known to anyone. I’ve kept it hidden from everyone. From her… but I want you there. I want you to meet my family. I want my family to meet the female who helped me through these years…” he said. “I want you to meet another Shadowsinger.” He said.
You stood there, blinking for a few moments. “Rhys…” you muttered. “I have my family-“
“They can come. I’ll get you set up in a townhouse with them. And if you’d like, we could see about you working as part of my Court.” He said. “Think about it. I’ll ask your decision by tonight. Once you’re with your family.”
You took a deep, shaky breath. You bounded over to him and wrapped your arms around him. “Thank you. For everything you’ve done here.” You whispered. The only response from him was a small hum followed by a tight squeeze.
You stepped back and thanked him again before disappearing with your shadows to the camp your family was in. Where you would finally get to see Sirona, Igna, and Oran. Even if they weren’t blood, they had taken care of you and seen you mature all those years. You may have failed them the day Amarantha came, but you hoped they knew that what you did, you did for them.
Only, you made it too late. The camp had been burned down hours ago. There had been a spell on it, tied with Amarantha’s blood. If she was to die, all of the buildings were to burn with anyone inside. Her foot soldiers or not. And only this camp. As if that last final blow would finally break you. It almost did.
Your knees buckled as you made it to your family’s building, shadows wrapping around you as you fell to the ground. The building was still simmering with fire. But you could smell it. Burnt flesh, blood, and soot mixed together. It caused you to vomit right in front of the small room Igna and Oran shared together. As you staggered inside, you knew they were gone. You were alone again. The only people who loved you were gone.
But you still had Rhys. So when he went into your mind, gently scraping a talon on the walls he taught you to build up, you said yes. In despair. He knew something was wrong. So he winnowed to the camp. He spotted you outside your family’s building, holding onto a small book as you trembled. And he held you as you sobbed. Just as he had sobbed when he reached his family in Velaris. Only you weren’t as lucky as him. Your family was dead, and his was healthy and happy to see him.
Series Masterlist
A/N: A reminder, this is a story about the reader more than it is a love story. It's quite a slow burn for a while. I started it immediately after I finished reading the ACOTAR series. I'm reading TOG now, no spoilers please.
Chapter 2 will be posted April 23rd.
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@cherry-cin @cleverzonkwombatsludge @nickishadowsinger139
Join taglist here
#acotar fic#acotar fanfiction#acotar#azriel x reader#the shadowsinger#katie writes#acotar spoilers#minors dni
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The Shadowsinger: Prologue
Warnings: 18+. Minors DNI. Parental abuse, nightmares, mentions wing clipping, starvation from being trapped, spoilers for ACOTAR series. If I forgot anything, please let me know!
Pairings: (Eventual) Azriel x Fem!Reader
Disclaimer: I do not own SJM’s characters, only the ones I create for the purpose of this story. This is a work of fiction. I do not give permission to repost my work on any other platform or medium. Please be respectful.
My graphics are my own. If you wish to use them, please give credit!
Series Masterlist
It wasn’t every day you flew your way to the northern mountains of Illyria. It also wasn’t everyday your father tried clipping your wings when you refused to marry the brutal son of a terrifying male.
You flew until you couldn’t see any smoke from fires, tents, homes. You flew so far your wings began to falter from not only the assault they’d taken but the treacherous wind of the storm blowing in. You flew till you glided under the trees and finally stumbled to your feet, shaking from not only the cold, but what you just did. You ran away. You got out of that horrible household. Flinching from the memories as they rolled through, you stumbled over to a nearby small stream. The winter storm was drawing near, and from what the clouds looked like above, it wasn’t going to be a pleasant one.
Thank the Mother, you’d grabbed a bag of supplies on your way out. One of your brothers that they’d packed for a training session coming up. It had a small blanket, a starter for fire, a couple of sheathed daggers, and a canteen. Not a lot, but it would let you survive the storm as long as you got a fire going. As soon as some of the chill from the flight wore off, you went down to the clear stream, filling the canteen.
You just had to make it through the storm, and that would be enough. You would figure out what to do about your scratched, but healing, wings tomorrow.
But day break never came. When you’d woken from your exhausted slumber, your fire had burnt out, and you were completely snowed into the cave. You had gotten some food the night before, but it would only last you until that night, maybe the next if you’d packed snow on it to keep it from rotting. The water you had would keep you to a day or two after that, if you rationed it enough.
You knew it was a death sentence the moment you tried clawing your way out that night, not being able to take the darkness. You knew the Illyrian winter storm wouldn’t let up, and you knew that you’d die in that cave if some blessing didn’t come to melt away that snow.
You spent a long time shivering and exhausted in the pitch black cave. You’d ran out of water some time after you’d run out of the scarce food. Not that you knew what time it was, or how long had gone by. Seconds felt like minutes, hours like days. You strained your ears for any sign of the snow melting. Of footsteps outside the cave so you could scream for help. You thought you went mad when you felt something cold brush up against you, whisper that it would be okay. And that’s when the blessing came. When you felt the shadows wrapping themselves around you, almost in a comforting manner, and like a whisper on the wind, you were out in the bright sunlight. You had to blink for a minute to even adjust to the brightness.
It was the sound of the stream trickling and the light breeze on your face that had your eyes prick with tears. You had gotten out. By some miracle, you had gotten out.
You jolted awake, feeling the familiar shadows tracing around your shoulders, the tips of your wings, as you shot up from the bed. Glancing over to the male that was by your side, still sleeping, you scooted out of the bed. One that was too small even for your wings. Collecting your clothes, you slowly went into the dingy bathing room and prepared yourself for the day. After you’d put your clothes back on, you crept out of the room, the male whose name you’d forgotten still sleeping on the bed.
You couldn’t shake the feeling of the memory you re-lived as you walked out of the small inn and into the daylight, but stayed near the darkness of the trees as you made your way into town. You hadn’t thought about it in a long time, what had happened to you. The horrible last night seeing your blood family was one of the most terrifying experiences you had faced. Only one good thing came from it as far as you were concerned. You’d gotten your shadows. You learned to listen to them, hearing them whisper things about people around you, about the trees and animals. You learned to bend into them, letting them consume you when you wanted. As you pleased.
You supposed that your freedom was the other good thing that came of that night. Those days that were spent in the cave. But you were constantly looking over your shoulder as if your father and three brothers would be standing there, scowling, with the blades to clip your wings once and for all. The wings that took you so far north, you’d only found one small village when you gathered the strength to stray from the cave. The village you’ve spent the following 100 years of your life in.
You learned to earn your keep when a kind female of the name Sirona, the only village healer, took you in to help with your still injured wings and malnourished body. You’d stayed with her while you got back to your normal health, and hunted for her family until you started to help her with healing.
They hadn’t seen a Shadowsinger before. Only ever heard rumors of one that was close to the High Lord. Being so far north, they didn’t get much news from the Night Court, or from any Courts. It seemed only strong willed Illyrians who tried to take on the brunt of the northern mountain range ended up coming through your town. One of which you’d taken to bed the night before. Again, you couldn’t even bother to remember his name. He’d be flying back to his war camp soon enough.
Maybe a war camp where he would see your father and brothers. But wouldn’t tell of your abilities. Of your shadows. Because you’d only allowed outsiders to see them at night, when it could be a trick of the light. The only people you trusted were Sirona, her mate, Igna, and their son, Oran. And perhaps the other villagers, though you didn’t spend much time with them since you’d taken Sirona’s side in learning how to heal. Even if you didn’t have any powers other than your shadows, not that had been unearthed anyway, you learned other ways. How to bandage and clean wounds, to stitch them, to make tonics that would heal them faster. The village didn’t need it much, there wasn’t a lot of trouble here. But it felt good to be helpful.
So that’s what you were doing just a few days after your nightmare. You carried a basket of tonics around the village, delivering them to those who ordered it earlier in the week. Most were for females on their cycle, or contraception ones for them and their partners. You were making your way back to your small apartment, above Sirona and Igna’s house, when you heard doors start slamming shut.
“Run… not safe… help them…” you heard your shadows say in a panic. The next thing you knew, dozens of Illyrian wings littered the skies. You could even make out the bows they carried. You shifted back towards the back side of one of the shops, your shadows whirling around you, tugging you to go help the people who took you in all those years ago.
But you couldn’t move. Not as you scanned the Illyrians, worried this was when your father would finally come back to claim your freedom.
If you knew what was going to happen, you would have wished that was what happened. Wished your father, however terrible and brutal he was, came to get you that day. Because what happened next was worse than the failed wing clipping. Was worse than the days on end you spent stuck in the cave.
It was the day Amarantha came to claim you as her personal Shadowsinger.
A/N: Hello!! I hope you enjoyed the prologue! This is the backstory of the reader. This is very much a story about the reader rather than a love story (at least at the beginning. I’ve only written about half of what I plan to write.) I plan to eventually have reader and Azriel be love interests... Enjoy!
Add yourself to the taglist here
Series Masterlist
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The Shadowsinger Masterlist
Summary: A female Shadowsinger finds herself amidst the Inner Circle as the High Lord of the Night Court offers her a job - emissary to the Illyrians. As she navigates her trauma through training with Cassian, the Inner Circle dealing with the incoming threat from Hybern, the other known Shadowsinger catches her eye.
18+ only - Minors DNI
Disclaimer: I do not own SJM’s characters, only the ones I create for the purpose of this story. This is a work of fiction. I do not give permission to repost my work on any other platform or medium. Please be respectful.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4 - April 27th
Chapter 5 - April 29th
Chapter 6 - May 1st
Chapter 7 - May 4th
Chapter 9 - May 6th
Chapter 10 - May 8th
More to come...
Taglist
Updated April 24st, 2024
#acotar#azriel x reader#acotar spoilers#acotar fanfiction#acotar fic#the shadowsinger#katie writes#no spoilers for the Maasverse pls
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The Shadowsinger: Prologue
Warnings: 18+. Minors DNI. Parental abuse, nightmares, mentions wing clipping, starvation from being trapped, spoilers for ACOTAR series. If I forgot anything, please let me know!
Pairings: (Eventual) Azriel x Fem!Reader
Summary: After your family tries clipping your wings, you flee to the northern Illyrian mountains.
Disclaimer: I do not own SJM’s characters, only the ones I create for the purpose of this story. This is a work of fiction. I do not give permission to repost my work on any other platform or medium. Please be respectful.
My graphics are my own. If you wish to use them, please give credit!
Series Masterlist
It wasn’t every day you flew your way to the northern mountains of Illyria. It also wasn’t everyday your father tried clipping your wings when you refused to marry the brutal son of a terrifying male.
You flew until you couldn’t see any smoke from fires, tents, homes. You flew so far your wings began to falter from not only the assault they’d taken but the treacherous wind of the storm blowing in. You flew till you glided under the trees and finally stumbled to your feet, shaking from not only the cold, but what you just did. You ran away. You got out of that horrible household. Flinching from the memories as they rolled through, you stumbled over to a nearby small stream. The winter storm was drawing near, and from what the clouds looked like above, it wasn’t going to be a pleasant one.
Thank the Mother, you’d grabbed a bag of supplies on your way out. One of your brothers that they’d packed for a training session coming up. It had a small blanket, a starter for fire, a couple of sheathed daggers, and a canteen. Not a lot, but it would let you survive the storm as long as you got a fire going. As soon as some of the chill from the flight wore off, you went down to the clear stream, filling the canteen.
You just had to make it through the storm, and that would be enough. You would figure out what to do about your scratched, but healing, wings tomorrow.
But day break never came. When you’d woken from your exhausted slumber, your fire had burnt out, and you were completely snowed into the cave. You had gotten some food the night before, but it would only last you until that night, maybe the next if you’d packed snow on it to keep it from rotting. The water you had would keep you to a day or two after that, if you rationed it enough.
You knew it was a death sentence the moment you tried clawing your way out that night, not being able to take the darkness. You knew the Illyrian winter storm wouldn’t let up, and you knew that you’d die in that cave if some blessing didn’t come to melt away that snow.
You spent a long time shivering and exhausted in the pitch black cave. You’d ran out of water some time after you’d run out of the scarce food. Not that you knew what time it was, or how long had gone by. Seconds felt like minutes, hours like days. You strained your ears for any sign of the snow melting. Of footsteps outside the cave so you could scream for help. You thought you went mad when you felt something cold brush up against you, whisper that it would be okay. And that’s when the blessing came. When you felt the shadows wrapping themselves around you, almost in a comforting manner, and like a whisper on the wind, you were out in the bright sunlight. You had to blink for a minute to even adjust to the brightness.
It was the sound of the stream trickling and the light breeze on your face that had your eyes prick with tears. You had gotten out. By some miracle, you had gotten out.
You jolted awake, feeling the familiar shadows tracing around your shoulders, the tips of your wings, as you shot up from the bed. Glancing over to the male that was by your side, still sleeping, you scooted out of the bed. One that was too small even for your wings. Collecting your clothes, you slowly went into the dingy bathing room and prepared yourself for the day. After you’d put your clothes back on, you crept out of the room, the male whose name you’d forgotten still sleeping on the bed.
You couldn’t shake the feeling of the memory you re-lived as you walked out of the small inn and into the daylight, but stayed near the darkness of the trees as you made your way into town. You hadn’t thought about it in a long time, what had happened to you. The horrible last night seeing your blood family was one of the most terrifying experiences you had faced. Only one good thing came from it as far as you were concerned. You’d gotten your shadows. You learned to listen to them, hearing them whisper things about people around you, about the trees and animals. You learned to bend into them, letting them consume you when you wanted. As you pleased.
You supposed that your freedom was the other good thing that came of that night. Those days that were spent in the cave. But you were constantly looking over your shoulder as if your father and three brothers would be standing there, scowling, with the blades to clip your wings once and for all. The wings that took you so far north, you’d only found one small village when you gathered the strength to stray from the cave. The village you’ve spent the following 100 years of your life in.
You learned to earn your keep when a kind female of the name Sirona, the only village healer, took you in to help with your still injured wings and malnourished body. You’d stayed with her while you got back to your normal health, and hunted for her family until you started to help her with healing.
They hadn’t seen a Shadowsinger before. Only ever heard rumors of one that was close to the High Lord. Being so far north, they didn’t get much news from the Night Court, or from any Courts. It seemed only strong willed Illyrians who tried to take on the brunt of the northern mountain range ended up coming through your town. One of which you’d taken to bed the night before. Again, you couldn’t even bother to remember his name. He’d be flying back to his war camp soon enough.
Maybe a war camp where he would see your father and brothers. But wouldn’t tell of your abilities. Of your shadows. Because you’d only allowed outsiders to see them at night, when it could be a trick of the light. The only people you trusted were Sirona, her mate, Igna, and their son, Oran. And perhaps the other villagers, though you didn’t spend much time with them since you’d taken Sirona’s side in learning how to heal. Even if you didn’t have any powers other than your shadows, not that had been unearthed anyway, you learned other ways. How to bandage and clean wounds, to stitch them, to make tonics that would heal them faster. The village didn’t need it much, there wasn’t a lot of trouble here. But it felt good to be helpful.
So that’s what you were doing just a few days after your nightmare. You carried a basket of tonics around the village, delivering them to those who ordered it earlier in the week. Most were for females on their cycle, or contraception ones for them and their partners. You were making your way back to your small apartment, above Sirona and Igna’s house, when you heard doors start slamming shut.
“Run… not safe… help them…” you heard your shadows say in a panic. The next thing you knew, dozens of Illyrian wings littered the skies. You could even make out the bows they carried. You shifted back towards the back side of one of the shops, your shadows whirling around you, tugging you to go help the people who took you in all those years ago.
But you couldn’t move. Not as you scanned the Illyrians, worried this was when your father would finally come back to claim your freedom.
If you knew what was going to happen, you would have wished that was what happened. Wished your father, however terrible and brutal he was, came to get you that day. Because what happened next was worse than the failed wing clipping. Was worse than the days on end you spent stuck in the cave.
It was the day Amarantha came to claim you as her personal Shadowsinger.
Chapter One
A/N: Hello!! I hope you enjoyed the prologue! This is the backstory of the reader. This is very much a story about the reader rather than a love story (at least at the beginning. I’ve only written about half of what I plan to write.) I plan to eventually have reader and Azriel be love interests... Enjoy!
Add yourself to the taglist here
Series Masterlist
#acotar#acotar fanfiction#acotar spoilers#acotar fic#azriel x reader#the shadowsinger#katie writes#In the process of reading TOG#no spoilers pls#minors dni
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