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thelov3lybookworm · 6 months

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Can I request a cardan x reader fic? Anything you want to write! Just gimmi my baby there isnt much of him on this app.🥺

Weeping heart

Summary: Y/n has seen cardan go through lovers like they're wrappers of chocolates. One in his hand before the previous is even in the dustbin.

Now he has found Jude, and she does not know what to do.

•○●⛦●○•

A/n: anon thank you so much for this request! i love you so much for this. It was such a good writing exercise honestly. This is mainly pining, maybe angst.

Also, this marks the beginning of me writing for characters outside of the acotar universe, so I'm very excited

also I didnt tag anyone because the general taglist i have was for acotar.

(i might be down to write a part 2 👀)

(not proofread)

Enjoy!

•○🌑○•

She bit her lip as she stared up at her best friend, trying to contain the smile that threatened to overtake her features.

"Let me see that smile, beautiful." He grinned lazily at her, his dark eyes twinkling under the rays of sunlight that penetrated the thick canopy of leaves above their head. They were currently seated under a weeping willow, hidden away from the whole world outside. Where only the two of them existed, and nothing else mattered.

The place was special to Y/n and Cardan. This was where the two of them would meet all the time, just the two of them, away from their friends and family. In here, they didn't have to pretend, didn't have to act like everything was okay. They could be themselves, and not care about getting hurt.

He leaned closer to her, searching her eyes, his eyes and features softer than Y/n had ever seen before.

"Shut up." She mumbled, but that action had her lips splitting into that smile she was trying so hard to supress.

His grin widened. "There we go."

His hand came up to cup her cheek, his thumb absently brushing her lower lip, his gaze following it with a hungry look. Then his eyes lifted to hers, a question in them.

She dipped her chin almost imperceptibly.

That was enough for him, and he leaned forward, his lips getting closer and closer to hers.

She let her eyes fall shut.

But the kiss never came.

•○🌑○•

She opened her eyes, wondering why he hadn't yet kissed her, and found herself staring at the ceiling of her room.

She blinked blearily, wondering what the hell happened, and then she realised.

It had been a dream.

She closed her eyes again, heaving a sigh as she willed herself to go back to sleep, back to that dream, hoping he'd kiss her before she woke up again.

Of course, that was very nearly impossible.

Because someone decided in that moment that it would be a good idea to knock on her door.

She was certain she knew who it was.

Still she called out, demanding the identity of the knocker.

The answer was immediate. Cardan.

She groaned lowly, dragging her hands down her face.

He didn't wait for her to let him in. The permission wasn't ever needed between the two. That hadn't changed. Yet.

The next moment, he had barged in through the doors, a grin on his stupid face.

She sat up, trying to look anywhere but his face. Heavy emphasis on trying.

"Y/n, guess what happened."

"I am not in the mood, Cardan."

She winced internally. She was being cruel. He had done nothing wrong. It was not his fault he didn't know of her feelings. She had no right to be rude to him, especially when he was so excited about something.

He wasn't bothered by her lack of enthusiasm. He simply plopped down on her bed as she climbed out of it, getting ready for the day as he launched into a story of how after last night's revel, Jude had told him to wait in their bedchambers while she walked into the closet, her skirts swishing around her legs.

How she had retuned without it.

Y/n tried not to pay attention to the details, but she couldn't help it. She had never been able to ignore what Cardan said, never been able to let anything he said go unheard. He had spent nearly all his years being unheard because no one considered him worthy of their time.

She had long ago decided that she was not going to be one of those people.

She heard everything, and her torturous brain created all the images Cardan's words conjured. Her traitor of a heart clenched, but she ignored it.

"That's great Cardan." She said when he finished speaking, and when she looked at him, he was practically glowing with happiness.

Y/n felt guilty for being jealous of the mortal who had everything Y/n ever wanted, but she couldn't bring herself to care when her heart was breaking into pieces everyday.

"It feels like I've waited for this an eternity. Never thought I would get to have Jude in my arms."

She gave him a smile. "I need to meet up with some generals this morning. I need to leave."

He nodded happily, straightening from where he'd been lying on her bed. She watched him walk out of her room, a knot forming in her throat, her resolve hardening.

She needed... she knew what she needed.

•○🌑○•

Jude had her eyebrow raised, and it concerned Y/n how a mere mortal's judgement could make her nervous.

"Tell me again why you want to go on this mission?"

Y/n reigned in a frustrated sigh. "There is no real reason. I just wish to explore the Elfhame more."

The look Jude gave her told her she saw right through the act. But she didn't push the mater.

"There has been rumours of a rebellion on the other side of Elfhame. If you really want to go on this mission, then you need to know that this is an incredibly long and dangerous mission. You'll not only have to investigate the place, but also squash any hint of rebellion you find."

Y/n gave Jude a smile. "Sounds amazing."

"Sure it does." Jude's eyes narrowed as she continued. "If you need more time away to, as you say, to explore, then after you finish this quest, have a tour around Elfhame and meet up with people who have associated with Madoc before. Make sure they are not plotting something behind our backs."

Y/n dipped her chin in a nod. "When can I leave?"

"Before the week ends."

"So does that mean I can leave right now too?"

If possible, Jude's eyes narrowed further and she stood. At that moment, the door behind Y/n opened, and she stiffened as the smell of his perfume reached her.

"Y/n! I thought you were in the meeting with the generals. What are you doing here?"

Y/n smiled stiffly, turning to look at Cardan.

"I had something important to discuss with Jude." She gestured with her hand.

Cardan nodded, as if that was the most understandable thing in the world.

"What were you talking about?"

"Nothing-"

"She is leaving on a long mission-"

Jude and Y/n spoke up at the same time, and Y/n had to resist the urge to smack her forehead.

Cardan's head swung towards Y/n, and he stared at her with wide eyes, his mouth opening and closing, but no words came out.

Y/n turned to Jude, letting some of the fury at her secret being revealed show in her eyes. And then she smiled tightly. "Could you send that list of people and areas where the rebellion is rumoured to be to my room? I need to begin packing."

Jude's eyebrows were high, but she nodded. Y/n bowed, then turned on her heel and strode away, ignoring Cardan and the way he was trying to gain her attention.

As she left the room, she heard him following and calling for her, but she ignored that too.

Just the way she had always ignored her weeping heart, the one that beat solely for Cardan.

The one that was broken beyond repair now.

•○🌑○•

#cardan greenbriar #cardan x reader #cardan greenbriar x reader #cardan x y/n #cardan x you #jude x cardan #prince cardan #high king cardan #the cruel prince #the wicked king #reader insert #x reader #character x reader #angst

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dietmountaindewb8by · 1 year

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I have finally thought of something! Maybe. I don't know, it just occurred to me. So my idea is that the reader is human and considering how the fae like and enjoy belittling and degrading humans - Cardan included - it could reach a point where reader feels as though she can't do anything correctly. So she just kind of curls into herself and she just feels completely hopeless with everyday life. If it's set before Cardan is king and they're all still in school, then it could be a massive declining in her grades and when she has to eat lunch she just doesn't in fear of being judged for it. I guess Cardan will take advantage of that and make her completely dependant on him. So basically, he's the asshole for making her feel like that in the first place but then he "redeems" himself by claiming he'll look out for her and essentially just takes the reigns on her entire life. Hope you're alright!

hi!

warnings: i’m wicked tired so this might be incoherent; food; mentions of food; allusions to weight loss; bullying; cardan actually being cruel; controlling cardan; cardan kinda treating you like a baby in the end

THE WORLD IS OURS

It was no secret that you were intelligent. More than that. You could be considered a genius by faerie standards, never mind mortal ones.

But it was no secret that your special quality had left you a long time ago, much like the light in your eyes and the love you held for yourself and the world. Everything had become so bleak with the vile words that dripped from his tongue so easily, every sentence branding itself into your head disturbingly.

At night it was all you could think of. And then, you realized, that he was right. Cardan was right, the disgusting boy who could never seem to leave you alone no matter how much you showed him that you were not worth his time. He only fought harder when he heard that.

You saw him less and less now that you had stopped trying. You hid somewhere in the back when you were in school; you no longer ate with the rest of your peers, instead moving somewhere else to mull over your failure. The death of all things good about you.

Every thought turned sour. Every day became rotten.

And it was all your fault.

~*~

It was no secret that you were his.

He had made it abundantly clear from the beginning. You did not respond well to it, turning him away with the smug look that always sat on your face, the righteousness that always hung around you like a cloak. It was addicting.

You were addicting.

You were lovely and smart and beautiful and you knew it, too. But the air of superiority that he wanted to crack, just slightly to worm his way into your heart, had shattered. His weak, weak human. So fragile, like a flower plucked from the ground.

You no longer ate with them. You no longer studied with them. You no longer smiled or laughed or even cried. He pushed you to your limit–even farther, for you had broken long before. It hurt him more than you would know.

Only when he saw how hollow your cheeks had grown, how dull your eyes had gotten had he realized what he had done, the transgressions he had so carelessly committed. He slammed his door when he had gotten into the castle. He had snapped pens over papers in which he had started letters to you, papers which he had just written your name hundreds upon hundreds of times.

“My sweet angel,” he whispered, tracing the familiar letters of your name over again with his finger, blackened with ink. “I will not allow you to languish. I will atone for my sins just as you have for yours. I swear.”

~*~

You did not expect to see Cardan Greenbriar sitting on your picnic blanket with a basket, free of his usual posse, but not free of a scowl.

It was not a welcome sight.

“What are you doing?” you asked, looking down your nose at him, lying on his side, lounging in your sanctuary. While it was open, it was still yours. He would not take that too.

“What are you doing?”

“That–I’m sitting down. On my blanket. Yours is over there, Cardan.” Your eyebrows furrowed and your arms crossed defensively. He only smiled, ironically soft. You could not look angry if you tried. You were too tired, too weakened for a show of strength. You knew that better than anyone.

“Nicasia can keep it company. Have you eaten today, darling?” he asked, turning away from you, opening the basket. He put his hand inside, but turned to you before he could. He shrugged, his eyes widening comically. “Well? Sit down, won’t you? Lunch doesn’t last forever, dearest.”

You ignored the pet name, sitting down at his command. Ridiculous, you thought. It was your blanket.

“This is my blanket,” you said again. You mentally slapped yourself. Dumb. No wonder he thought you were dumb.

“I’m well aware of that. Now eat something, won’t you?”

“I’m not hungry.” You were. But you would not eat in front of him. You would not be compared to an animal again.

“I wasn’t asking.”

~*~

Cardan was suffocating. Once upon a time he had despised you. Now he was treating you like he would someone under his care.

At the beginning of the day, just before you left for school, he would be there, holding food and demanding you take his arm. Then, you two would share a blanket during your lessons. His arm would be around your waist and he would ask if you were too cold. Then you two would eat together. There would be more lessons, and then he’d walk you home. He’d leave you with a kiss on the forehead.

But he would not quite leave. Not really.

He would return later in the night. He would spend hours with you. He’d rub your back as you fell asleep. Sometimes, he’d even sleep with you, leaving you in the morning.

He was always there.

You had not known a moment without him. Not a moment without you being taken into his arms, being told that you were the most exquisite creature to roam the Earth, not a moment without his lips leaving your skin.

It needed to end.

~*~

“Cardan, why can’t you just hate me again! It’s suffocating! You despise me, what are you doing?!?”

The crown on his head was tilted, but it did not take away from the poise he oozed. He had given up drinking months before, becoming colder to the world. But he never seemed to not soften when you walked into the room, demanding you sit with him.

“Darling–”

“No. I’m not your darling. You need to stop, King Cardan.”

“You are really referring to me as king when you are queen?” He had stolen the crown that sat atop his head. He had killed off his brothers when they had threatened you. His father died and he had stolen that bloody, jeweled crown. “Stop this nonsense, dear, and sit with me. It’s getting late, and you’re not thinking straight.” He got up from his throne, swiftly moving toward you. He gathered you up in his arms, pressing his lips to the top of your head. “Come on, darling, you must be tired.”

“I am thinking straight.” You struggled in his hold to no avail. “My head is more than clear. You hate me. Go back to hating me. There are far too many reasons for you to hate me rather than treat me like this.”

“You deserve everything I offer you, sweetness. You deserve every ounce of affection I give you and more. The world will be yours whether you want it or not.”

“I don’t want it. I want to go home. Cardan, please–”

“You are home.” You were swept off your feet. “Now come on. We should go to sleep. It’s been a long day.”

#cardan greenbriar #cardan greenbriar x reader #cardan greenbriar x you #cardan x reader #cardan x you #dark cardan greenbriar #dark cardan #dark cardan x reader #dark cardan x you #tfota #the folk of the air #the cruel prince #the cruel prince x reader #tcp #tcp x reader #tcp x you

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visd3stele · 7 months

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Request (by @folkloregirljude ): Hello :) You could do a story of Jude and Cardan taking care of little Oak and jealous because Cardan steals his sister's attention.

TW: none, just cute, pure fluff

A/N: this is happening separate from the canon of the new book, a bit divergent from the canon of the trilogy as well. ALSO, i know it's been months, i'm SO SORRY...i got some medical issues on my hands that are solved now, so I hope this is worth the wait

also, I don't remember if Oak had hooves as well or just the little horns, but in this fic he has both.

Mine! No, mine!

The Fae Folk is not prone to change. And yet, multiple changes surveyed their world in the span of a few months. Their king died, the royal family butchered, the drunkard Cardan – out of all people! – became king and, after a brush with war against the Mer Folk, Jude Duarte became his queen.

Queen of Elfhame. Jude didn't know what to make of the title. She figured out how she feels about other titles in her life: Seneschal, she quite liked, having hidden her true influence at Court in the shadows, spy gave her a thrill for sure, but never without the dissapointment that came with it after failing to be a knight, wife, after a long time, she accepted with an embarrasing leap of her heart.

But queen, that she has yet to figure. It wasn't part of her plan. And, even though she learned to cheerish the gift of Elfhame as it accepted her in its heart without guilt or shame, even though she could see how much her husband thrived under the crown, Jude simply couldn't make peace with the title. It wasn't hers. Nor Cardan's. In her mind, it still belonged to Oak, hers and Cardan's both baby brother. Because that was the plan!

The more she looked at the little fae, playing with Cardan in the garden – jumping over his tail as if it was a skipping rope he used to love in the mortal land – the more Jude begin to doubt the plan.

"Hey, Jude," the young fae called out of breath, excitement overcoming the tiredness. "Look what I can do!"

Oak bounced from foot to foot over the lazy slash of Cardan's tail in the air, turning around and switching sides in a chaotic, funny dance. The Queen of Elfhame felt the corners of her mouth twitch despite herself. She approached the pair, coming to rest her arms on her husband's shoulders as he hug him from behind.

"That's impressive, Oak!" She said, ignoring the way Cardan's hair tickled her neck as he leaned his head back to look at her. His beautiful, deadly wife.

Cardan smiles up at her, reaching his fingers tentatively to brush over Jude's cheek. The movement spelled her, for Jude leaned into his touch, closing her eyes to enjoy the serene calmness of the moment for what seemed to be the first time in her life since arriving to Elfhame.

"Mmm," Cardan mused happily. Leaning even more to press a kiss to his right below his wife's chin. His focus shifted entirely on Jude, forgetting all about Oak and their game.

"Hey!" The young fae protested. "I wasn't done. Jude, you have to see this. Vi showed me humans dancing like this."

"Of course, Oak."

Jude pushed her husband's shoulder playfully, if only a little bit too harsh – force of habit, she supposed – pressuring him to humor their little brother.

With an amused roll of his eyes, Cardan obeyed. "Anything for you, my cunning queen."

Heat climbed all the way to Jude's ears, pushing her heart to beat faster than she could keep up with.

Oak resumed his little skipping dance. It looked more and more put together by the second, Jude noticed now that she was paying attention. Or trying to, at least. But Cardan could never miss an oportunity to touch his wife. He never quite believed that luck shone mercifully over his head in earning Jude's affection. And now that no threat loomed ovet their heads and the land claimed her as its queen and she didn't need him, Cardan needed the physical reassurence that Jude meant it when she confessed to loving him more than ever.

"You look esquiviste, as always." He pured, trailing his hand up and down the back of her neck.

Redder than a Redcape's bloodied cape, Jude snaped her glare down to Cardan. "Stop that," she snarled. "Oak..."

"... is taking a lot of your attention lately."

And it was true. The weeks following Jude's official coronation, she invited her family to stay at the palace. She couldn't bare the nauseting feeling of not knowing where they are, if they are safe. And having them so close under her nose was easier than sending the Roach or the Bomb to spy on them.

"Oh? Is that jealousy I hear, my king?"

And just like that, Cardan's semblance of control faded into nothing. He would never admit it, but being king has been something he cherrished, despite the dire circumstances that led to and conditioned his reign. He liked the mind games the Court required of him and all the ways he discovered he could help and protect Elfhame without shedding blood or lifting a sword. Hearing the title fall through his Jude's lips in earnest love and admiration – more than he could have ever hoped for – untied any thread of decorum he sewed.

Cardan stumbled over himself as he rose in one hurried jump to cup his wife's face in his hands. An indignat huff from Oak, however, put a stop to the kiss he meant to share with Jude.

"Cardan!" The kid complained. "You had Jude all day yesterday at the meeting. Let me show her my game!"

"Later, kid," Cardan grumbled.

"Now!" Oak countered, stomping his little hooved foot, crossing his arms and leveling Cardan with all the authoruty he could muster.

The High King was having none of it. He moved behind Jude, wraping his arms around her waist and his tail all the way up to her calf. He rest his head atop hers, fully taking advantage of his height. And stuck his toungue out at Oak.

"Jude's my wife."

"She was my sister first!" And with that crying battle, Oak marched towards the royal pair. He stomped onto the fluffy end of Cardan's tail that rested on the side of Jude's foot, trying to free his sister from her husband's grip when the latter yelped and retreated in pain.

Cardan recovered swiftly, though, and grabbed Jude's arm before Oak could pull her away. "Go play, kid."

"Isn't the time of your noon drink?"

"You little..."

"Alright, alright, that's enough!" Jude, who so far has been watching the scene with an awed amusement settled on her face, broke free from her boys. "How about I spend some time with Oak now and you," she waved dismissingly at Cardan, "put together one of those surprise dinner dates you're so fond of for when Oak falls asleep?"

The High Queen of Elfhame didn't let out any space for arguments, despite her tone being inquiring. The rest of the day would go exactly as she said it would. Because, truth be told, she wasn't Oak's or Cardan's, they were both hers.

#jude duarte #cardan greenbriar #oak greenbriar #jude x cardan #jude and cardan #jurdan #my writing #my fic #jude and oak #tfota fic #tfota fanfic #fluff #jurdan fluff

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wanderingpages · 9 months

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‧͙⁺˚･༓☾Gentle Sins AU☽༓･˚⁺‧͙

“Are you going to help me take my clothes off too?” I meant it to sound teasing – I wanted to show him I could play his game too – but I was breathless, I was buzzing with anticipation.

“You know it wouldn’t end there, Jude,” he gave me a wry look. “It's a shame,” he rose and ruffled my hair, “It's a shame you’re my sister,” he murmured, needlessly reminding me. “Because that was some damn fine pussy, baby.”

TFOTA // All Human // AU : Jude and Cardan do things step-siblings shouldn't do.

Trigger Warnings: Crude language, Allusions to Drugs/Alcohol, Debauching Catholicism/Religious Metaphors, Taboo Sex.

@headcannonxgalore, for being super open minded and cheering me on lol

Jude's POV

I invited my roommate, Vivienne, to come with me to the party. She’s as old as Cardan but her leap year turned to three years instead, so she’s a freshman just like me.

“You got invited? How?” she gasps. Still, she waits for no response, already sorting through her clothes. She rakes her fingers through her short blonde hair as she pulls out different outfits, holding them against her tall lanky figure, then squinting an eye and holding it out to me. My breasts would spill out of anything she owns, so I let her know I do actually own clothes sexy enough to attend a party.

Vivian shrugs, and sits on the floor cross legged. “I mean, would it really be that bad to show some tits here and there?”

I stick my tongue out at her, and show her the slinky dress that I have, in a sage green that makes my eyes look more hazel than they actually are. It looks like a two-piece, like a thick bandeau and a high waisted body con skirt, but it’s connected together at one side. “I used to sneak out of the house pretty late,” I reveal to her. “Sneakers though – had to climb up to my roof to get back into my bedroom.” We share a look, Vivienne, pulls her lips between her teeth, and we last all but two seconds before we both burst into laughter picturing my ascent to my window. Madoc was a strict father in places it counted, I guess. Usually, he’d be okay with what I did as long as my grades were better than average, but he always drew the line at curfew.

“Well, you can’t wear those runners,” she points to the old and decrepit looking pair of Adidas I used for track. I guess I liked it enough in high school to pursue it here, too. It only counted as one credit despite the pain I put my body through more than three times a week, but it was the only thing that I could do without Cardan ruining it somehow. When I’m running, I’m focusing on breathing and not dying. My thoughts are far away from my stepbrother kissing me. “Here,” Vivienne says, crawling towards her bed braced against the wall opposite mine. She pulls out very pristine looking white Air Force 1s and gives them to me. I'm surprised she trusts me enough with them but I take them gratefully. “Of course, only if I get to wear that gold necklace you got last week.” I think it’s a fair trade. I'm putting on mascara when she brings up the topic again, “You never did tell me how you got an invite.”

“My…brother,” I test the word out. It’s so foreign, it tastes rancid in my mouth. When I say it again, in front of the lookout guy at the door of the frat house, he gives me a once over, albeit more slowly than I think it should have been, pausing by the curve of my hips and practically salivating by my breasts.

“Cardan Greenbriar?” He asks, for the umpteenth time within a minute. He has a baseball cap on and when he takes it off to fix his copper red curls, he adds on, “Your brother?” he leans against the rail of the steps we’re all currently standing on. I'm two steps below him, as if his build wasn’t imposing enough, he’s much taller than he should be at the moment.

To the side of us,Vivienne tilts her head, a confused expression etched onto her face. I was hoping she wouldn’t question it – and she hadn't when I told her earlier. “I guess, I did think Cardan was an only child.”

“My stepbrother,” I grit out. Cardan had told me to give them his name, but apparently, I’m not the only one who claims to know him. Maybe this had been his form of torture. Let me embarrass myself in front of his friends and roommates. He’ll laugh about it later, with them. “That girl? Never met her.” I let out a sigh, and maybe the lookout takes pity on me, because he smiles all foxlike and places an arm over my shoulder. I hate how it feels, more than when Cardan does it, except, I don’t really think I ever minded when Cardan’s done it.

“Alright sweet thing,” this guy tells me and I want to punt kick him in the balls for it. I reach for Vivienne, grabbing her hand when he seems to be leading me inside. It’s a lot brighter than I expected a frat party to be but the massive amounts of people in here makes up for it. Red solo cups everywhere I look, and scattered around are empty Jell-o shot containers, too. It smells like beer and weed, though I know the athletes here take their bodies very seriously, so when this guy still holding me under his arm, pauses our gait to take a hit from someone, I know he’s not one of them. The music is more bass than anything else, I can hardly hear myself think, but maybe that’s not a bad thing tonight. “Can I get you a drink?” my new companion asks me.

“I’m driving,” I lie. Vivienne and I walked here. Like hell I'm trusting anything from his hands.

He looks towards my roommate, same question in his raised brow. She opens the bag that hangs across her shoulder and shows him a bedazzled flask. “Already on a buzz,” she also lies. She hasn’t pulled that thing out all night. I’m sure it’s empty.

“I’m Locke, by the way,” he tells us, no he tells me. I try to shake his arm off but he’s like iron resting on my shoulders. He turns us towards an arching passageway, the living room, I guess, and I spot Cardan, on the couch. His chin is resting on the shoulder of the girl in his lap. She has pretty hair that seems to shift from blue to green depending on the lighting. She’s all limbs and legs, amber colored skin and a model-like stature – not at all like Taryn who was the last person I’d seen Cardan with. He glances towards us and Locke says, “Little miss, here, says she’s your sister?”

Someone snorts, “That’s a new one.” I frown and start to feel embarrassed. My fingers flex nervously, so I wring them together, aware when his dark eyes follow the movement. He’s going to dismiss me, the thought occurs. He’s going to bully me like he said only he was allowed to.

He tilts his head and I don’t know if it tickles her or if she’s laughing at my expense when the blue haired girl begins to giggle. She has a cropped top on, and I only notice because the entirety of Cardan’s hand span across her stomach, the edge of his pointer finger is teasing at the hem of the shirt. I can’t look away from that hand, thinking about it around his mother’s bridesmaid’s neck, maybe around Taryn’s neck too, my neck and every other girl I’ve seen him with. I take a deep breath and it feels like everyone notices; everyone can tell I want that hand on my hips, everyone can tell I’m imagining him holding on to me, at my mercy, while my hand wraps around his neck. I want him to say my name, “Jude,” like a prayer, begging – for what? Me to stop or keep going? I blink when I realize he had said my name. Just more drawled out, like my little cousin, Oak, likes to do. “Juuuuude.”

“Yeah,” Cardan continues, high or drunk, but not sober. He gives me a look that makes me think I had played my cards wrong in calling him my brother tonight. Still, how would the other option have looked with his current position? He’s already confused me enough as it was; I didn’t want to add other people into the mix. “My baby sister,” he coos in jest, making me feel uneasy. “Come here,” he tells me, and despite myself, I gladly pull away from under Locke and tug Vivienne with me. I rub at my skin where it still feels like there’s a weight over me. Cardan holds out a hand and without thinking I take it. He pulls me down next to him, keeping his other hand steady on the girl. I almost topple but manage to turn at the right moment, so my butt lands on the seat. Vivienne had let go of my hand. I’m caught off guard when she decides to walk past me, patting my shoulder while she calls out, “Heather? Is that you?”

“You’re just in time for a game,” Cardan teases me, resting his cheek on the girl’s shoulder now so he can look at me. He squeezes my fingers and I wiggle them free of his grasp. He takes me in, never quite seeing me like this. At the wedding it was all soft makeup and tied up hair. Today, there’s glitter on my eyelids, sharp wings accentuating the shape of my eyes, a gold glimmer on my cheeks that catches in the light, and lips so red that he holds his gaze there for a moment too long. The girl tilts her head to look at me, too, to give me a much quicker perusal than Locke had done at the door.

Her eyes narrow. “You don’t look alike,” she comments.

“Do we have to, Nicasia?” is the non-answer Cardan gives instead of letting me tell them we aren’t related. He waves his hand in dismissal, and someone decides on the game we’re playing. It’s a drinking game, but my driving excuse still upholds, so the gamemaster passes me a bottle of water instead. I’m so aware of Cardan’s eyes on us as our fingers brush. I ignore him and look up instead, catching mirth in pretty hazel eyes only partially obscured by sandy blonde hair. He’s lean and tall and I think he’s aware how handsome he is too.

“Thanks,” I tell him, smiling, because I think he’s cute and I don’t feel the weight of the world in the pit of my stomach when he smiles back.

Somehow, as the game progressed, I had moved closer to Cardan, because I don’t remember his thighs touching mine before. Nicasia had moved to sit on the floor, between Cardan’s legs, opting to rest her cheek on him this time. I take a few sips here and there but it’s when someone says, “Never have I ever kissed someone in this room,” do I hesitate. I don’t know anyone here but Cardan, and they all know that. Cardan leans back, shifting to brace slightly on the arm of the couch. He takes a big gulp, and people laugh at that. It doesn’t seem like it, but I know he’s waiting for me.

I take a sip of the water, a foreboding feeling passing over me, thinking back at the reception. We did a little more than kissing that night. His fingers traced over parts of me even the sun hadn’t yet touched. Thunder had masked cries I couldn’t hold back and lightning had made him look like a luminous god. I cross my legs, embarrassed and something more.

“Wait…” Locke is the only one who’s realized something. I can see gears turning in his head. “Jude, who do you know here – besides your brother.” He says the word like a taunt. Even Nicasia twists her head to look at me with inquisitive eyes.

I’m so startled that I hardly move. I force my limbs to relax and my stature to resume a normal state, and then, I think I’ve found a way out. “Vivienne,” I smile and nod my head to the girl everyone’s seen me walk in with. She is technically in the room, though standing near a mantle talking to someone named Liliver who I know from a class or two. My roommate whips her head at me when she hears her name. My eyes widen at her, trying to convey my situation silently. Not missing a beat, she kisses her fingers then blows it my way before returning to her conversation. Next to me, Cardan is chuckling silently.

It’s around an hour later when I feel like I’m aimlessly wandering around the house. I lost Vivienne, I lost Cardan, and I even lost Locke. The lights have been dimmed sometime earlier, and green and red strobe lights scatter around like neon stars. The music has gotten better, the crowd more relaxed and talkative. I talk with a few faces I recognize until I feel tired.

I take a seat on the staircase, resting my elbows on the steps above me. I lean back, staring up at the ceiling, counting the shifting lights until my eyes cross. I feel someone take a seat next to me and I lazily turn my head to my new acquaintance. It’s the gamemaster – Ghost, as others had called him. He smiles and it impresses the butterflies within me. It's pleasant, I think again, not unnerving like it is with Cardan. “Can I sit?” I raise my brows, as if to tell him he’s already sitting and his lip twitches. “Right. I’m Ghost, by the way.”

He holds his hand out. “Jude,” I tell him, shaking his hand with a laugh.

“Trust me, everyone knows.” My confusion must be evident because he explains, “You’re Greenbriar’s sister.”

“Stepsister,” I breathe out from my cheeks, annoyed that everyone leaves that part out.

He nods his head, “Sure. Can I get you a drink?” This time, I say yes and wait for him to leave and come back with a red cup. I take a sip, and it's so sweet, I can’t even taste the alcohol. A very dangerous drink to have at a frat party. But I drink it a few more times. We chat idly about classes and plans after the semester. I’m not too sure if he’s actually listening to anything I’m saying, but it’s fine , because his words are just a soft buzz in my ears.

I lean closer to him, touching our shoulders. Then, I ask what I think he wants to hear. “Do you want to come upstairs with me?” he smiles, grabbing my cup and placing it on the banister. He gets up first and takes hold of my hands. I find myself giggling, even when he kisses me in the hallway. I can’t help but laugh into his lips, can’t help it when he nips at my neck, then kisses at the sting, and then he’s shutting me up when he squeezes at the pointed tips of my breasts through the cotton of my shirt. My bra is all lace, so I feel everything he does to me through the thin fabric. It’s different from that night with Cardan, and the way he touched me. He was doing everything in his power back then, to hurt me so deliciously. Ghost is teasing and soft, but so efficient. Still, when heat pools between my legs, I can’t help but wonder if it’s because of who I’m thinking about or if it’s because Ghost knows how to work my body better than I was expecting.

“Ah,” I breathe, holding on to his neck. His hand squeezes my breasts, lips skimming over mine, sharing my breath, my lust, my feverish desire for more. He kisses me again, tongue delving into my mouth, caressing mine, swallowing my moans. We stumble into an open room, and he walks me backwards. I’m unsure if the door is locked behind us but I don’t quite care much. We trip and fall, and he’s on top of me, hand holding the back of my head but otherwise indifferent, unbothered, licking and biting me down my chin, my neck, my shoulder. He pushes at the top of my dress, guiding my bra up as well. My breasts feel relief when he licks and squeezes them.

“Ghost!” my knees hike up and he settles between my legs, bunching my skirt up. My back arches, and my eyes roll. I twist my head, my hand holding on to his tresses, holding him down when he sucks on my nipple. I cry out when his teeth sink into me, and when my eyes shoot open, I say “Oh fuck!” Ghost is unaware of my turmoil, unaware that I see my stepbrother is upright in a bed, sitting crossway, leaning against the wall. The little light casting into the room from the window, shows me he’s not alone. Nicasia is kneeling on the bed beside him, her lips encasing his hard cock. My mouth parts ready to tell Ghost, but nothing escapes me except for another guttural moan. Cardan shifts and leans back on his elbow, still having a perfect view of me, but now giving Nicasia space to twist her head to look at me, too. The blue haired girl gives me a wink as she licks from the base all the way up. Her hand around him strokes slowly and her tongue flicks against the tip. His hand is between her legs, up her skirt from behind, no doubt fingering her with the way his wrist moves.

“Ahh,” I cry out again when I unconsciously move my hip upward, my throbbing clit making contact with Ghost’s pelvis. My stomach tightens and feels almost unbearable.

Ghost lifts his head and I could cry at the loss of contact. “Don’t stop,” I beg in a breath, “Please…please…” he smiles lazily at me, reaching up for a kiss as his hand moves between my thighs and over my panties. “Don’t stop,” I repeat in a daze, to Ghost, to Nicasia, to Cardan – I don’t know.

Ghost’s breath is by my ears, and he whispers, “Sweet little Jude.” His finger works harder and faster until he delves into the cotton and slowly bathes my pussy in my own wetness. “Do you want them to watch,” he asks me and I grip him tightly when a finger enters me. How long had he known, I wonder, that we weren’t alone in this room. “Do you want your brother to watch me taste your come?” His soft words are for just him and I. I hear Cardan groan, hear Nicasia whimper. My cheeks flare red – annoyed, horny.

“Yes…” I whimper when he removes his finger and licks it. I want him to know, want Cardan to know, since the last time we’ve kissed, I’ve learned a thing or two.

“Say ‘please,’ Jude, and make it as sweet as your tight little cunt.” I’m practically convulsing beneath him.

“Please, Ghost,” I manage, breath catching, “Pretty please,” I mumble. I hear deep breathing, I don’t know who it’s from, but it's seeping into my skin, short-circuiting my brain.

Ghost tilts my head to the side, towards Cardan and Nicasia. “Are you watching?” he whispers. I am. I watch her throat him deep, watch him push her skirt all the way up, watch as he grabs her ass tightly, then gives it rough smack. My body jumps on contact. Ghost tugs my underwear down, lifts a leg then the other, then discards it somewhere behind him.

“Christ,” Cardan mutters. His hand is on Nicasia’s head, holding her hair back, guiding her bobbing head up and down. His eyes are lidded but I know he’s watching me. He grins when I scream, when my knees lift and only the tips of my toes touch the ground, when Ghost has his tongue lapping at my flesh. He loops an arm around my thigh, pressing me down by a hip. His other hand reaches down, beyond me and into his jeans. He must have got them undone because I feel him starting to pump himself. His nose touches my clit, rubbing against it painfully softly. My knees shake and it hurts to breathe. He licks me like there’s a prize inside of me, tongue probing into me, the rough pad increasing the friction everywhere he mouths. He eats me out like how he kisses me. Deep and tantalizing.

“Ah – ah! Cardan!” I hear Nicasia scream. I hear how wet she is, how fast he’s fingering her. She’s making these whimpering noises and I feel it right where Ghost is sucking on me, teasing my clit between his teeth. My stomach clenches, I think I’m so close that my vision starts to shake. Gray spots dance across my eyes. I grip Ghost’s hair, lifting my hips to grind myself onto his tongue. He chuckles at my enthusiasm and the vibrations are what tip me over the edge. He pulls away and my legs clamp shut, body turning to the side as if to hold all the shutters in. I cry out, at how intense my orgasm is, how it overtakes my entire body.

My chest is heaving by the time it’s all over, and I turn to my back, shaking and spent. I watch through tired eyes as Ghost strokes his dick, thumbing the head almost harshly. He hisses and breathes deep.

“Open your mouth,” It’s Cardan who says it. To me. Nicasia is laying on his lap now, face covered in his come. I was so taken with my own orgasm, I missed his.

I open my mouth slowly, like he asked, and turn back to Ghost like an invitation. He moves until his knees bracket my chest and I hold on to his thighs, just to feel if he’s real, because for just a split second, it felt like a hazy dream. I lift up on my elbows, sticking my tongue out for him. He strokes faster, shooting his come into my mouth. I don’t swallow, I let it sit in my mouth until the spurts slow into a trickle, then I take him between my lips and suck at the rest of it. His hand flies to my hair, tight against my scalp, “Fuck, Jude,” he moans, going lax.

“Such a good girl,” I hear Nicasia whisper.

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Masterlist

Gentle Sins Masterlist

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murasaki-cha · 2 years

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Do you mind if I ask your top 10 favorite characters (can be male or female) from all of the media that you loved (can be anime, books, movies or tv series)? And why do you love them? Thanks....

Hi sorry for the late reply I was dealing with *flashbacks to me screaming and crying over Yuumori on the floor* stuff

Boy this is tough because I love so may characters. So this isn’t in any particular order:

1. Cardan Greenbriar- I love his character development. He’s such a complex character shown to be selfish but also selfless, cruel yet kind, incredibly smart but dumb. And also a real romantic. He’s a genuinely kind person being forced into a heavily toxic and abusive environment and being forced to abide by the rule “survival of the fittest”. Take him out of that environment and you discover that he’s just a playful kind boy who never had anyone to rely to. Just really love him so much

2. Alex Fierro- they’re literally my favorite in the entire pj universe. Amazing, brave, talented, fierce but kind too, stands for their ideals and rights, never takes shit from anyone etc etc. I love them a lot. And I think Uncle Rick wrote Alex’s genderfluidity really well. Alex just wants people to accept their gender and them as a person. They’re not just their gender or their “unusual” appearance. They’re an awesome warrior, smart, creative and just. The turned the powers they got from Loki which he used to manipulate and control them, and made them their own. And they have a great sense of style if I may say.

3. Eruhaben- he’s an old soul. The dad of the group. And he’s a tsundere which is one of my weakness. It’s honestly his kindness that attracted me to him. He’s a dragon so that’s why he should be extremely selfish but he’s so selfless. He wants to protect his kids. He doesn’t think it’s worth living anymore even with everyone telling him otherwise, even if he actually wants to live. I just have a lot of feels about Goldie gramps.

4. Penelope Eckart- queen. She’s fierce, intelligent, calculative but also really emotionally vulnerable and broken. The entire Yvonne arc thing showed us just what a terrible mental state she’s in. She’s really complex and in my opinion an accurate representation of someone suffering from depression. And my favorite thing is that she didn’t stay with the duke family no matter how much they redeemed themselves. She chose the best environment for herself and her mental health.

5. 707 (Saeyoung Choi)- My husband in Mystic Messenger. Before playing the game I didn’t really have a big impression of him, I actually liked Yoosung more. But than I started getting into the game lore and he stole my heart. Reading about his past, his countless sacrifices, his pure love, his selfless, his desire to protect and how he loves you in every route and is self aware that this is a game for us. That just broke me and made me love this man so so much. He deserves everything.

6. Anya Forger- she’s a kid. That’s what I like about her. She was experimented since she was probably a baby, lost her biological parents, due to her powers she definitely knows too much, stuff that no child should hear or know, she definitely has a fear of abandonment and that’s why she tries so hard to keep her parents from finding out their and her real identities, so they don’t leave her. But despite all of this she’s just a little girl. She likes goofy tv shows, she wants to make friends, she doesn’t like doing homework, she over exaggerates a lot of things like any child her age does, she likes to sleep with her stuffed animals, she likes her big doggo. Anya could have been written as one of those kids that have lost hope on everything because of what happened to them before, but she’s not. She’s just a little kid.

7. William James Moriarty- man who saw this coming(said no one). Ok so I may be fairly new to the Yuumori fandom but god damn me of I would not give my life and soul for this man! He’s so complex and terrifying but he’s so kind. He has the right mindset but chose to execute his ideals in the cruelest way possible but only because he deemed that that was the only way. He used and hurt people, despite himself never wanting to, falling deeper and deeper into despair, making himself the greatest evil alone just so the people around him didn’t get punished and chose death as his ending because he wanted to escape and rest. Honestly Sherlock saved him. And their relationship is beautiful and pure. Exactly what Liam needed.

8. Kym Ladell- (please read Purple Hyacinth!!) Kym is the type of friend everyone deserves and doesn’t deserve at the same time. She’s selfless, courageous, the sunshine everyone needs. But she’s also broken. She hides her pain behind her smile. She’s scared for her loved ones, scared that they could get hurt or that she could hurt them. She’s scared of herself. And yet she tries to be ok. To act ok. She’s cheerful and goofy. If she can make her friends laugh that’s all that matters to her

9. Xie Lian- I’m channeling my inner Hua Cheng to explain this. Beloved angel who has never done anything wrong ever in his entire life. He’s gone through so much and has had every right to turn evil and destroy everything. And yet he chose to be good. He chose to forgive. He doesn’t know how to appreciate himself anymore because he finds no good within himself. He’s just surviving. That is until Hua Cheng came. Even after that he still never he still never stopped being selfless. But he has more self worth now. He’s not just surviving anymore, he’s living. And it’s so beautiful when a character does that

10. Princess Yona- It’s the amazing character development! She went from being this naïve princess, to getting betrayed by her loved ones and loosing everything overnight, experiencing the harshness and difficult life of every citizen of her kingdom and beyond outside of the palace walls, experiencing and fighting wars, changing the lives of so many and knowing what being a true ruler is like. She has the dragons, Yoon and Hak who always support her and she does depend on them but she fights her own battles, even if she has to bleed and hurt, she never backs down and fights. She wants the best for her country, her friends, her loved ones and for everyone else

Boy was it hard to choose only 10. I have so many more characters to talk about bit I’m not that great with explaining and writing stuff even those above took a lot of time to formulate and they’re not that good. I want to say so much about all of them but I don’t know how to say it.

Anyway thanks for letting me talk about this I really appreciate it😊

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shinebrightruby · 1 year

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Hey!! Any good enemies to lovers recs?

Hi!

I have SOOOO many recommendations! Here are a few of my favorites:

The Cruel Prince series (I love my baby Cardan so much)

Once Upon a Broken Heart duology-soon-to-be-trilogy (EvaJacks forever)

The Kinder Poison trilogy (it is such an underrated book series, but its enemies-to-lovers arc is so well developed, and you will end up falling in love with Kasta *cough* like me *cough*)

Shatter Me series (I'm going to be honest, it has been a while since I read this series, and while I didn't really enjoy it as much as the books I listed above, I'm still putting it here because a lot of my friends love the series, so it's kind their recommendation to you!)

I hope you like some of the books above, BECAUSE I LOVE THEM *crying*

#the cruel prince #the wicked king #the queen of nothing #once upon a broken heart #the ballad of never after #a curse for true love #the kinder poison #the cruelest mercy #the sweetest betrayal #shatter me #unravel me #ignite me #restore me #destroy me #book rec request #book rec asks #book recs #book recommendations #underrated books

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local-redhead-bookworm · 2 years

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Okay so The Wicked King annotations as I read:

p. 27 Jude committing murder on the regular, as you do in Faerie

p. 39 She reaches into the bag by her feet and pulls out my stuffed cat and snake. Wait, you mean the two animals Cardan is constantly associated with? I smell foreshadowing

p. 42 “I love you, you know. Just like Mr. Hiss. And neither of us wants to be left behind.” Awww

p. 42 I take a long last look, and then, one by one, I feed [the stuffed animals] to the fire. I’m no longer a child, and I don’t need comfort. DARN IT JUDE!! Also you’re seventeen, calm down

p. 57 “Kiss me again,” he says, drunk and foolish. “Kiss me until I am sick if it.” AAAAAAAAAAAA

p. 57 “If you’re the sickness, I suppose you can’t also be the cure.” He’s down so bad it isn’t even funny

p. 74 I see Balekin as a newborn child, the thorns already growing out of his skin. okay how did I miss THAT. I feel like I would remember that. Also I feel sorry for his mom

p. 74 It’s Cardan as a very small child. He is dressed in a shirt that’s too large for him. It hangs down like a gown... A horned faerie woman stands nearby, and when he runs to her, she grabs his wrists before he can put his dirty hands on his skirt. She says something stern and shoved him away. All of this makes me want to cry, Cardan you deserved so much better

p. 77 The Bomb and the Roach? Not a couple I expected but I’m here for it tbh

p. 77 I think of his father, the High King, who didn’t bother to intervene, didn’t even bother to make sure he was clothed or his face was wiped. I think of how Cardan avoided these rooms. MY BABY BOYYYY

p. 78 High King Cardan… yawns like a cat. I’M SORRY THAT VISUAL IS ADORABLE

p. 106 “Will you dance with me?” I ask Cardan, sinking into a curtsy, acid in my voice. “For I find you every bit as beautiful as you find me.” Honey he finds you so much more beautiful than you realize

p. 108 Selkies, rising from the sea. A score, at least. They cast off their sleek sealskins and raise silver blades. The Undersea has come to the Hunter’s Moon Revel. OH CRUD

p. 112 I nod and am halfway through the crowd before I realize two things: One, he gave me an order; and two, I obeyed it. Jude please, you just received a declaration of war, priorities!

p. 131 I think again of the globe I held in Eldred’s study, of Cardan dressed in rags, looking to the woman in my chamber for approval, which only came when he was awful. An abandoned prince, weaned on cat milk and cruelty, left to roam the palace like a little ghost. I think about that often. Is it any wonder Cardan turned out cruel with a family like his? Did he fall in love with Jude because she was cruel to him and he has no gauge for what love should look like? Angst hours here

p. 145-146 I was not warned about spice. Mild, at least.

p. 180 “It seems I have a singular taste for women who threaten me.” Oh Cardan, we know

p. 201 [O]nly under the water can I allow myself to weep. Only under the water can I admit that I almost died and that I was terrified and that I wish there was someone whom I could tell all that. Jude honey please go to therapy. You’re awesome but you need help, not another weapon

p. 217 NO GHOST HOW COULD YOU

p. 225 I hope Cardan misses me. Jude, currently a prisoner of the Undersea, pretending to be glamoured to survive, is thinking about her not-boyfriend. Love that for her.

p. 244-245 “You promised her whole and hale,” says Cardan. … “Help her?” says Cardan. “She ought to need no help.” He’s just like “what did you do to the love of my life?”

p. 250 “Forbidden from retaliating?” He risked war with the Court of Termites to rescue her from the Undersea, how much more obvious can he be??

p. 260 I’m gonna murder Balekin myself if Jude doesn’t do it first. King of funny that whenever she goes to Hollow Hall, she always uses Cardan’s old rooms

p. 264 I slip into Cardan’s room…and press my hand over his mouth.

He wakes, fighting against my grip…Then his body relaxes utterly, as though realizing who I am. He trusts her. In spite of his better judgment, in spite of her own hatred, he trusts her

p. 265-266 "I have thought and thought since you were gone, and there is something I wish to say." Cardan's face is serious, almost grave, in a way that he seldom allows himself to be. "When my father sent me away, at first I tried to prove that I was nothing like he thought me. But when that didn't work, I tried to be exactly what he believed I was instead. If he thought I was bad, I would be worse. If he thought I was cruel, I would be horrifying. I would live down to his every expectation. If I couldn’t have his favor, then I would have his wrath.

"Balekin did not know what to do with me. He made me attend his debauches, made me serve wine and food to show off his tame little prince. When I grew older and more ill tempered, he grew to like having someone to discipline. His disappointments were my lashings, his insecurities my flaws. And yet, he was the first person who saw something in me he liked—himself. He encouraged all my cruelty, inflamed all my rage. And I got worse.

"I wasn't kind, Jude. Not to many people. Not to you. I wasn't sure if I wanted you or if I wanted you gone from my sight so that I would stop feeling as I did, which made me even more unkind. But when you were gone— truly gone beneath the waves—I hated myself as I never have before." We stan a man with just enough emotional intelligence to realize he’s got issues and admit that he messed up. But also I’m gonna end Balekin. Imagine treating anyone like that, let alone your sibling

p. 270-271 “The three of you have one solution to every problem. Murder. No key fits every lock." Cardan gives us all a stern look, holding up a long-fingered hand with my stolen ruby ring still on one finger. "Someone tries to betray the High King, murder. Someone gives you a harsh look, murder. Someone disrespects you, murder. Someone ruins your laundry, murder.” Okay, when did he steal her ring?

The Roach: of course not

The Bomb: murder is the question

Jude: and the answer is yes

p. 271 "I find the more I listen, the more I am reminded that I have been awakened after very little sleep. I am going to send for some tea for myself and some food for Jude, who looks a bit pale.” Jude, my darling, you look hungry, let me send for something for you to eat

p. 271 “[Lord Roiben] has come all this way to yell at me, so we might as well let him.” Cardan didn’t wanna be king and he’s so tired now

p. 273 I walk through the stalls, a little queasy from the smell of oysters smoking on a bed of kelp, the scent forcefully reminding me of the Undersea. Oh good, we aren’t just ignoring that her captivity was in fact traumatic

p. 277 “Cardan was an ungrateful child to imprison me.” You beat him. He has the scars to prove it. You also, I don’t know, MURDERED THE REST OF THE ROYAL FAMILY!?

p. 278 I say nothing, thinking only of the boy I saw in the crystal. The boy who still hoped he might be loved. Just break my heart, why don’t you

p. 278 Cardan’s admission of who he has become since haunts me: If he thought I was bad, I would be worse. Love the callback to Jude’s line if “If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.

p. 284 “I command you to drink no more liquor and to attempt sobriety.” “Yes, my sweet villain, my darling god. I will be as sober as a stone carving, just as soon as I can.” WOW

p. 285 He’s not drunk; he’s been poisoned. OH NO

p. 285 “Sweet Jude. You are my dearest punishment.” SIR WHO SAID YOU COULD JUST SAY THINGS LIKE THAT

p. 290 “I suppose I have some fondness for [my mother] yet,” he admits. Well the author got the complicated familial relationship right too

p. 290 “Why was I cruel to Folk? Why was I awful to you? Because I could be. Because I liked it. Because, for a moment, when I was at my worst, I felt powerful, and most of the time, I felt powerless, despite being a prince and the son of the High King of Faerie.” And there it is.

p. 297 “You are the one who bent your head to Orlagh instead of to your own brother,” I say. “You’re a coward and a traitor. A murderer off tire own kin. But worse than all that, you’re a fool.” YOU TELL HIM, JUDE

p. 298 Hooray Balekin is dead!!

p. 300 “I trust you.” *gross sobbing*

p. 303 “I wanted to show you that you could trust me, that you didn't need to give me orders for me to do things.” *more gross sobbing*

P. 304 “Marry me,” he says. “Become the Queen of Elfhame.” YES IT’S FINALLY HAPPENING

p. 307 He kisses the scar of my palm. AGH *collapses into a pile*

P. 309 HE CALLED HER “WIFE”

P. 312 If she's the one with whom he dueled, I am certain she would win; my brother supposed himself expert with the sword—a great exaggeration of abilities.” Drag him

P.313 "Beneath every bit of your sea is land. Seething, volcanic land. Go against me, and I will show you what this boy will do, my lady." Go off, Cardan!

P.314 The trunk of a tree begins to form around Nicasia’s body. Shakespeare Tempest reference?

P.316 "I exile Jude Duarte to the mortal world. Until and unless she is pardoned by the crown, let her not step one foot in Faerie or forfeit her life." Oh dear.

General thoughts:

I love the style of this series?? Normally I hate first person perspective, but I feel like this works. It reads almost like a diary, but the wording is more… prosaic. I like it.

Roiben is such a fascinating character and I’ll definitely be reading his book once I finish this series. Also I always imagined him as looking like Lee Pace as Thranduil

They’re literally that meme

Cardan: murder isn’t the answer

The Roach: of course not

The Bomb: murder is the question

Jude: and the answer is yes 🔪

Cardan and Jude’s dynamic is just

#bookblr #the wicked king #cardan greenbriar #jude duarte #the folk of the air #red’s reading list

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silkiemae · 1 year

Text

Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

(Sorry ya'll I didn't write a review for Wicked Prince but I rated it 5/5)

My Rating: 5/5

I think the reason I love Jude Duarte so much is that she fought so damn hard to get where she is. She started as an ordinary human with no special prophecies or hidden powers. She's not the most special beautiful girl with the most unique powers ever. She's an ordinary human girl who clawed her way to the top. And I love that about her.

I'm usually not an enemies to lovers fan because it always feel imbalanced to me. Usually the man in the relationship is so much stronger and more mean to the girl and he always gives a pitiful apology and she just forgives him and falls head over heels for him. I love that Jude is just as bad as Cardan and just as much a force to contend with. Sure, Cardan is a faerie and he has certain powers that Jude does not but Jude is just as strong as Cardan in her own way. I really like their dynamic together and I'm such a simp for the two of them together.

At the same time, I would like to kick Cardan out of the way and marry Jude myself but I understand that that's just not possible.

Taryn, while I often wanted to punch her in the head throughout the first two books, grew on me here. While I was not always happy with the choices she made, I understand why she made them. Jude betrayed a lot of people too and I cheered for her. Taryn betrayed Jude and I think that's why I was so upset with her because Jude is my WIFE. Also, how dare you do that shit to your sister. Although killing Locke won me over. I really hope in The Stolen Heir we see that the Ghost has stolen his way into Taryn's heart and is helping to raise Locke's baby.

I find the politics throughout this entire series fascinating. I love the dynamics of faerie. How everyone is a cruel, manipulative bastard. I love the complicated relationship between Madoc and his daughters and how they can't help but love him despite how awful he is. This was just a really fun series, I really had a good time reading it. It's a breath of fresh air to finally like a protagonist this much and to like the love interest just as much.

#queen of nothing #folk of the air #holly black #book review

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mmvalentine · 3 years

Text

What Cardan Knows | Jurdan

Canon compliant I suppose, just more post-QoN nonsense. Smut aplenty.

Cardan knows a secret about Jude.

Knows she likes to be kissed right between the shoulder blades.

Knows that if you move your lips on the vertebra that sticks out at the base of her neck, she melts like chocolate in the summer sun.

Jude has spent today, like many days, sitting on her throne like she was born there. There is something so natural in the way that she rules the fae that never came quite so easy to Cardan. He feels more comfortable next to her now than he ever thought he would. Still. He does not think he relishes the power like Jude does.

And of course Jude looks spectacular while she does it. Cardan reclines in his own throne, throwing one leg over an armrest and letting his head fall back against the back. He watches Jude, straight backed and imperious, as she hands down stern judgement for a faerie who stole a human child. She had outlawed changelings since she has been Queen, and although the folk do not like it, they abide by her word.

Cardan finds it sexy that the court is still a little afraid of Jude. Cardan finds it sexy that this sharp and unyielding ruler is his alone to unravel. Later.

Jude does not like anyone to know that she can be tender. Even now, years after she’s gained the loyalty of her court, she avoids being vulnerable. Puts on her armour every morning to meet her subjects, her advisors, and even her sisters. Oak might be an exception. And Cardan, when he knows where to fit his myriad keys.

These are not things Jude has ever told him out loud. Not even to her husband would she confess the chinks in her armour aloud. But Cardan knows anyway. Knows the secret places she keeps her softness, and delights in uncovering them when they are alone in the safety of the dark of their bedroom. Only when she is sure no one is looking does she bare her underbelly to him and let him press toothy kisses there. Cardan loves when Jude is ruthless. Cardan loves when Jude is soft.

Now Jude is sending the faerie away and the fae dislike her changing the rules. But she hands out cruelty like treats in the throne room and so they still adore her. A good public punishing is as good as trading babies. There is a hard glint in Jude’s eye as she watches him go, and then she flicks her wrist and the revelry begins once again. It’s all so simple. She looks out at the crowd with a cold boredom on her face, but Cardan knows she’s riding a high from watching her own orders executed. He also knows it turns her on like nothing else.

And so Cardan pushes himself up off his bramble throne, leans over to his wife with his back to the court, and murmurs, “take your leave my Queen, for I have business with you elsewhere.”

Jude’s lip curls when she answers, and her voice trickles like ice water over his skin. “I do not attend your bidding my Lord, I would stay to see the end of the revel.”

“Nevertheless,” Cardan says, and his fingers slide down her wrist to read her telltale pulse. “I have business with you elsewhere.”

And although Jude does delight in denying her husband, she rarely denies herself. So she rises smoothly while Cardan watches with one eyebrow raised, and allows him to take her hand and lead her into the alcove behind the throne room.

Cardan shuts the door and the noise outside suddenly chokes off. He turns and Jude is staring at him with her chin up in her regal golden gown, and she is resplendent.

“Well?” She demands. “What is it you wish to discuss so urgently?”

“First,” Cardan purrs, “I mean this to be an informal meeting, since you and I are wed and need not stand on ceremony. Let me remove your formal attire.” He walks behind her and Jude’s head turns, but she doesn’t otherwise move. Cardan’s movements are careful as he removes the heavy crown from Jude’s head; he has had his fingers bitten for this before.

But Jude does not react, so he goes for the heavy collar of gold plates she wears, unhooking the clasp and lifting it carefully from her shoulders. Next is the fastening in the back of her bodice, and even as she is undressed Jude’s spine remains as straight as the sword at her hip.

There have been times where she fucks him just like that. With steel in her eyes and Cardan’s throat between her fingers, when she holds him down with her thighs and draws his rapture from his lips like she can summon his very soul.

But today Cardan wants to pull at Jude’s threads and unspool her at his feet. So he stands behind her, and kisses her like feathers in that secret spot of hers. In between her scapulae. Traveling up toward the bones of her neck. And infinitesimally, Jude’s shoulders loosen beneath his touch.

Cardan smiles against her skin as his fingers skim the outside edge of her bare arms, and she leans her head back toward him so his lips can better reach her throat. When her eyes slide closed, Cardan pulls the tie of her skirt and it pools around her feet. He lifts her out of it and by the time her weight is in his arms, Jude is pliant against his chest.

Cardan lays Jude down on the low couch, and in the moment between kisses where his tongue lifts off her skin and his teeth touch down elsewhere, he whispers honeyed pet-names to her. "Ruthless," he calls her sweetly. He moves down her belly. "Unscrupulous. Uncompromising. Without mercy. Immovable."

At the last, he curls his tongue in the apex of her thighs, and Jude lifts her hips to his mouth with a soft cry. She is not immovable, and he knows it. His tail wraps around her ankle as her leg tries to jerk upward, and holds it in place. Cardan moves lazily, breathes steadily against the Queen and relishes in her slow undoing.

"Cardan," she whispers, and he hums with his lips on her pussy.

In fact, the real secret that Cardan knows is that Jude is not any of the things he calls her, and despite the way fae crave wickedness like opium, it is the very heart of Jude that he loves the most.

"Will you punish me, too?" Cardan asks her. His face moves up her body but one of his fingers replace his tongue inside her and Jude is not able to answer him. "If I confess my sins to you will you hand down my own judgement?"

"Did you steal any children away?" Jude manages to ask him, but her breathing is coming in short pants and her voice is strained.

"No," Cardan laments. "Although I think I would enjoy having a pet."

Jude's eyes flash, but Cardan makes one finger two and her words don't make it out.

"My sins," Cardan tells her, and then leans close to admit it in her ear while his hand speeds up between her legs. "are so numerous as to be unforgivable." He even sounds a little sad, and Jude's eyes open.

"There is always mercy," she breathes.

"Then forgive me, my saint," Cardan says, and then twists his fingers and presses down on her clit at the same time, so Jude climaxes suddenly and unexpectedly. Her lovely brown eyes widen in surprise and her lips part in bliss, and before she has come all the way down Cardan removes his fingers and slides his cock into her even as she shudders and spasms.

Cardan barely moves before Jude is coming again, and the waves of it around him are exquisitely divine. He moans his pleasure as he sinks into her again and again, and revels in the Queen laid bare. His hips kiss hers and it is in this space he finds his absolution daily. For as hard and uncaring as Jude is not, so is Cardan secretly not so unaffected or shameless as he makes out to be.

And as Jude wraps her legs around his waist, and her hands around the back of his neck pull his forehead down to hers, he wonders if this is what Jude knows, too.

Cardan moves his lips against Jude's neck and the increasingly irregular rhythm of his hips matches the erratic beating of his heart, and when Jude's teeth bite into his throat as if to suckle at his lifeblood, he comes hard buried deep inside her.

Minutes later, the King and Queen of Elfhame are still tangled together on the couch. Jude's head is on Cardan's chest and he has the sharp claw tip of a fingernail circling against her shoulder. A faint bruise is blooming on his throat, and the tip of his tail is brushing against her elbow.

"Shall we return you to the revel, my love?" Cardan asks her. Jude looks at him, then stands fluidly and holds her chin up and her arms out.

"Dress me, husband," she commands, and Cardan picks up her clothes off the floor and puts everything back on. Piece by piece, layer by layer, fingers meticulous. Pinning her hair and fastening the scabbard by her waist. Jude is still like a mannequin, and when he is done she lowers her arms and sweeps out of the room without a backward glance.

Cardan straightens his own clothes, plonks his crown back on his head and then saunters back out to the thrown room. Jude is already being offered a selection of the fattest, sweetest grapes and she spears them with a fine dagger before she puts them to her kiss-swollen lips. And when she drags the knife point back out of her mouth, he doesn't know whether he'd rather be the blade or the fruit.

Either way, he is more than content to spend the rest of the night watching Jude rule the fae with an iron fist, as his kisses fade on her skin.

****

Sorry that was so curly! When I started writing Jurdan I just thought I would write these snarly, snappy creatures but it turns out I'm just a sucker for them shedding their skins when they're alone. Also, I planned on writing hardcore smut and all that came out was... intense feels? What is happening?

MASTERLIST

TAGLIST: @asteria-of-mars @swankii-art-teacher @loosingdreams @feysand-loml @cityofbookish

*NOTE* I have two entirely separate masterlists/ taglists for my feysand and jurdan stuff!! Hope this makes it all easy to navigate!

#jurdan #jurdan fic #smut #mine

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esbanon · 2 years

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PLEASE tell us about the breeding kink stuff omg ❤️❤️❤️

AHHHH OKAY I"M GOING TO PUT THEM IN BULLET POINTS

Since I got my IUD, ESB only cums in me

And when he does, he goes as deep as he can, sometimes fucking the cum deeper

Usually holds my belly when he fucks me from behind

In missionary now, he puts his hand on my lower belly (Also stimulates the g-spot so, hell yeah)

"You like being full of my cum huh? Like feeling stuffed?"

"I love cumming inside you."

"Fucking take it, take my cum"

Has told me on numerous occasions that I would look pretty pregnant

Once looked at me, said "I'd get you pregnant" before giving me a sleepy smile and falling asleep

"Just so you know, when we have kids, I'm definitely gonna suck on your tits."

GIVES ME A CUTE SMILE WHENEVER HE SEES ME PLAYING WITH KIDS OR HOLDING BABIES

" If and when we have kids, I hope they have your eyes. I love your eyes."

"We would make the hottest babies"

Told me he liked my shirt, which was a Maternity top from a thrift store, and then proceeded to gently rub my belly with his other hand on my lower back, and give me a soft smile.

We always talk about names we like so here is our list:

Sage (LITERALLY DIED WHEN I READ What to Expect by @jynzandtonic)

Harley (his choice)

Margot (his choice which I am not a fan of)

Helena (we both love this one)

Hazel Ann (he's not a fan haha)

Oliver

Cardan

Charlie

Basil (for a boy!)

#esb

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sugar-and-pearls · 3 years

Text

I can’t get rid the idea of that faerie children give themselves their true names. For anyone not fully familiar with this concept then let me explain.

Everything has a true name, it is the binding of your soul and magic. To know someone's true name is be to able to control them. This is especially true for Faeire children - who are taught verdantly to never give away their names. So it makes sense for me that its the children who choose their name. Their parents may give them the part that everyone knows, the name you introduce your self as- but its the child themselves that pick their full name. A little secret

But then there are times, if you trust someone well enough, and you are very, very, very lucky - you create a preternatural link, a twin in all but amniotic fluid to guard your name and soul. With the swapping of names you now have both a key and lock to your name. One would think that it would be easy then to simple kill the twin? After all two can keep a secret if one is dead. But it is not so easy, as it ties one to another in both mind, soul and body. A cut on one is a mirrored cut on the other, and in turn, if one dies so too will the other. Its understandable then why fearies- twisted and fickle twilight creatures that they are, unable to lie but masters at bending the truth- are so hesitant to agree into such a binding seal?

But then again - if you trust someone well enough, and you are very, very, very lucky you might just find you already have one.

Someone who you would play hours long games of hide and seek with, who you read with, a person who you easily give affection too and gain from in turn, a person who you lay with curled up around each other as you whispered half-forgotten stories and quietly singing off key lullabies in the hope to keep out the world for just that little bit longer. Someone who you would look though thousands of hiding spots just to be appeal to say “I’ve been looking for you everywhere, what a fabulous hiding spot!” when in turn its the same spot that they always go to, but you say nothing anyway- all to comfort them and to see that warm smile.

And maybe if you are just like me and Cardan, two Addams babies born after decades of none, Twins in all but amniotic fluid become twins in binding.

And so in the dark of stables, under hay and in-between fairy steads, with small balls of spelled light around us, two little children whisper names to each other which would last for as long as they lived as blood slips from twin cuts on the palms of their joined hand.

Cardan gives me the name “Hiolair” Joy

and I in return give him “Corwin” heart's friend

#Cardan Greenbriar #familial f/o #self ship #self shipping community #selfship community #self shipping #Hedone talks #The Folk of the Air

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im-someone-i-guess · 3 years

Text

7 years after Queen of Nothing

i was bored in class so i wrote a fanfic about events after Queen of Nothing

7 years later.

Cardan watched as Jude packed, refusing help from anyone, even him. “I’m alright,” she snapped but he could see the shadows under her eyes, proof of her sleepless nights. He would’ve muttered a swear were it not for the bundle held in his hand.

Eva was soundly asleep, her tail curled tight around her tiny figure. Usually, Jude would insist on holding her but since she’d be busy packing, the little baby was thrusted into Cardan’s arms.

She resembled Jude very much, the strong jaw, walnut eyes and chestnut hair but Cardan found a bit of him in the baby as well. The playful tail, the sharp cheekbones and the tiny smirk-- but sometimes Cardan thought the smirk looked like Jude’s more.

“Jude, let’s go!” Cardan didn’t need to turn to see Justin at the door, his mischievous nephew. Turning six this year, Justin already reminded Cardan strongly of Locke. Although there was hatred for what his friend did, he couldn’t help but love this small boy.

“I told him not to come- Oh my, shouldn’t you be helping her pack Cardan?” Taryn looked from Jude to Cardan. Gesturing to Eva, he grinned lazily at Jude’s twin. “I’ll help, Cardan, you should go wait outside where Vivi is already waiting.”

Even after Jude was finished packing, she didn’t take Eva from Cardan. He didn’t know if he should be annoyed or grateful. The babe had a reputation for throwing up when she felt the slightest bit irritated. No one knew this of course, except for Jude and him. It gets rather interesting watching Jude rush from the brugh to their room, her beautiful gown dirty with baby barf.

“Your Majesty, we have arrived,” he did not recognise who spoke, thanks to the mask the faerie wore, gifted by him once upon a time ago.

“Cardan,” Jude was looking at him again, a sharp glare on her face. It took a moment before he understood what she wanted. Reluctantly, he passed her Eva.

“Jude!”

Cardan was starting to get annoyed, surely someone was happy to see him. Wearing a nervous smile, he watched as Oak hugged Jude, careful to not hit the small babe.

“Cardan!”

Cardan hoped Jude didn’t see his relieved smile. She’d tease him endlessly, whispering them as she laid next to him in bed, on the way back home and at every revel.

Grinning because his fantasies would stay a fantasy, he turned to the voice who called him; Madoc. The red cap looked quite odd in a plaid shirt matched with jeans, Cardan even heard someone behind him laugh, Vivienne probably.

If Madoc were still trying to kill him and steal his throne, Cardan would’ve stared him down with a glare but now he merely threw his father-in-law a lazy grin. They were on good terms now but he still sniffed his food and passed Jude his drink, just in case.

“Father,” Jude turned away from Oak to face Madoc. Instantly, the red cap’s eyes snapped to the bundle in her arms, to Eva. The wicked green features softened, a small smile blossoming on his lips.

The only time Cardan saw Madoc this happy- at least a happiness that didn’t include bloodshed- was when Taryn presented him Justin. “Come inside then, Oriana is preparing a feast,” Madoc said.

Oak ushered them inside as well but was quickly distracted by the sight of Justin. They were the best of friends despite the large age gap. Staring at them, Cardan couldn’t help but be reminded of his own family, long dead but their memories alive through him.

“Cardan?” Rougher than he’d preferred, Jude dragged him inside. “Heather is arriving later, we do not have to wait for her.” she said. But what she truly meant was that he should come inside.

Plopping onto the chair next to his wife, he let his eyes soak everything in. Despite all the years and the countless times they have dinners such as this one, Cardan found himself dazed as if disbelieving the sight before him.

Madoc brooding and silently eating his food, Oriana placing the dishes, helped by Oak. Justin was trailing behind Oak,recounting what has happened since the last time they met. Vivi has just arrived, gossiping with Heather about something called tiktok and Taryn conversing with her twin; Jude; his wife.

#jude duarte #jude x cardan #Cardan and Jude #cardan greenbriar #queen of nothing #the cruel prince #the folk of the air #tfota #taryn duarte #taryn x locke #oriana #madoc #oak greenbriar

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adxmparriish · 3 years

Text

sirens in the beat of your heart - read on ao3

writer: lizziebxnnet / godgavemelou words: 3510 rating: explicit

As Jude’s hands grab Cardan’s face, cradling him between her palms, the pounding on the door rattles her nerves. She can hear them trying to pry it open. They only have a few moments.

“Everything is going to be fine,” Jude assures him. It feels ridiculous coming from her mouth, with the alarms blaring and the door on the brink of being busted down. She knows she’s right, though. She can feel it.

OR an AU where Jude and Cardan rob a bank.

I'm tagging a few blogs I tagged for Folktober! If you enjoy please reblog and share <3 @jurdanhell @jurdannet @slightlyrebelliouswriter23 @clockworkgraystairs

---

As the alarm rings loudly inside the Southern Standard Bank, Jude thinks to herself, We’ve really done it this time.

There is endless shouting and random popping coming from behind her as she sprints down the hall, her shoes pounding the marble floor. Her breath is ragged, her heart is racing, and she prays to a God she doesn’t believe in that she can get to the vault in time. The long red wig she’s wearing keeps getting in her eyes and her mouth, and she brushes it back again as she makes her way to where she needs to go. Another pop and a bullet wizzes past her shoulder. The cops are narrowing in on her.

She counts the doors as she runs. One, two, three, four, until she reaches the eighth, kicking it in and slamming it behind her when she’s safely inside. Someone’s desk sits abandoned, and quickly she realizes it’s owner is knocked out cold underneath it, his hands tied behind his back. Jude lets out a relieved breath. She quickly moves, throwing all her weight into moving the desk in front of the door. It won’t hold the police long, but hopefully long enough so she can get out of here.

Right as she’s positioning the desk, fists begin to pound the hard steel of the door. They’re all shouting, their words mixing together. She does her best to ignore them, moving away from the door and into the vault that’s standing wide-open, fluorescent lights bleeding into the room.

“We’ve got company!” Jude shouts into the vault before she enters.

“The bags are full, we just need to get to the underground.”

Jude sees Cardan kneeling on the floor, zipping up two duffel bags. He hasn’t packed up all the money, nowhere close, but it’s enough to keep them going for a long time, years probably, and that’s enough. Cardan’s blonde wig sticks to his forehead with sweat, his hands shaky as he finishes his work. After all their years of robbing, it’s never gotten easier on him. Sure, they mostly steal from smaller places, just enough to get by for a few weeks. Robbing a well-known bank… well, it’s certainly new for both of them.

Jude kneels beside him, grabbing a handle of her bag, before looking him in the eyes. He’s so nervous and scared, it bleeds into all his features. Jude is scared too, every inch of her lit up with nerves, but she keeps it together. For Cardan, she can do that. They need this.

“Give me the plan,” she demands, hoping it’ll calm him down to talk to her.

“There’s a door behind the vault that leads to an underground tunnel. We are going to take it all the way to the end, where the car is waiting. Then we ditch the disguises, and drive as far south as we can.” Cardan exhales shakily.

As Jude’s hands grab Cardan’s face, cradling him between her palms, the pounding on the door rattles her nerves. She can hear them trying to pry it open. They only have a few moments.

Cardan’s inky eyes look misty, but he nods. His hands grab his own bag, shouldering it as they stand. Jude puts her own on as well, and quickly they move to the hidden door behind the massive vault. When they’re both inside the passageway, the door separating them from the police finally crashes open. Quickly, they slam the door, Cardan pulling out a chain from his own bag.

He hands it to Jude and her hands fumble as she wraps it around the handles, finally snapping the heavy duty lock. The snap of it rattles them both, and at once they begin to run. Jude’s hand finds Cardan’s as they sprint through the tunnels, the low yellow of the emergency lights their only companion.

Jude has studied the map of the tunnels Vivi stole for her a thousand times. She knows they don’t have long to go. The curves are winding and narrow, but only a mile or so away from the bank. It’s eerie as they run, the only sounds being their feet on the concrete and their ragged breathing. Cardan’s hand is sweaty, his fingers struggling to keep hold on hers as they grow tired. The bag of money on her shoulder slams against her thigh every time she takes a step.

Finally, when Jude is pretty sure she can’t run another minute, the dim light of the outside shines underneath another door at the end of the tunnel. They slow down when they reach it, Cardan putting his ear to the metal to listen. They’re quiet for a few moments before he smiles wide, the first bit of happiness Jude has seen on his face in days.

“No sirens, no nothing. I think we’re clear.”

They open the door and light blinds them, the afternoon sun blazing down brightly. Their car sits exactly where Vivi parked it, a beat up old Honda she bought with cash a few weeks ago. They move with haste, opening the trunk and finding their new clothes. They change behind the car, discarding their other clothes and their wigs. Jude wraps them in a trash bag before throwing them in the trunk and closing it. They’ll discard everything later - now, time is of the essence. Cardan climbs in the driver’s seat, Jude next to him, and they both take a deep breath.

“Remember Cardan, we want to go slow. We don’t want to look suspicious. They don’t know about this car, if we aren’t here when they get here, they won’t find us.”

“Got it,” he says, fingers shaking as he tries to start the ignition.

Jude grabs his hand, squeezing his fingers tightly. Her own hand threatens to tremble but she can’t let it take over. Not right now.

“Baby, we can do this. We are almost done, and then we don’t have to worry again. Not for a long time. Maybe not ever.”

Cardan’s eyes find her own and his breathing is shallow as he tries to stay calm.

“We can do this,” he repeats back to her. Jude grins. He doesn’t look completely sure, but regardless, his fingers finally turn the key and the car starts.

Slowly but surely, they pull out of the alley. They leave the radio off, listening closely as they edge on to the street, heading to the highway. Jude can hear sirens, but the sound is distant. They must still be back at the bank. They move at the speed limit, keeping their eyes peeled, but so far, they don’t see anything suspicious. They aren’t being followed.

The few minutes it takes to get the highway seem to drag on forever, Jude’s leg shaking as anxiety pricks at her. Cardan’s own hands tremble on the steering wheel. They don’t say a word to each other as they drive. Right before they need to turn on to the highway, they get stopped by a red light. Of course, Jude thinks.

The car is stifling, so Jude rolls her window down. Only a little longer before they truly get away. Only a couple miles of interstate before they can find some back roads and get lost, head south, completely start over. She has to fight a smile from breaking over her features. If only the damn red light could turn green.

Then, like a sledgehammer to the heart, she hears more sirens. They start to grow louder, and the light isn’t changing. They can’t run the red without looking suspicious, and Cardan looks over at her, his eyes wide and terrified. Her own breathing grows stuttered and she looks in her side mirror, trying to find the blue and red lights. How did they find them already? There weren’t any cars around them.

“What do we do, Jude?” Cardan asks, his knuckles white as he grips the wheel.

“If they’ve found us, we have to go as fast as we can. Hit the gas and go. Don’t stop for anything.” Jude’s voice quivers, but she tries to hide it. They were so close, she really thought they were going to get away.

Like a gift from the Heavens, the light finally turns green but they can’t move, as the car in front of them hasn’t. Jude fights the urge to scream as they remain still, the sirens growing louder in her ears. They need to move, and quickly.

A few more seconds tick by and Cardan’s fist pounds on the dashboard, shaking the car. Jude jumps in her seat, her nerves shot.

“What the fuck is going on?”

Finally, at the same time, they see it. An ambulance flies through the intersection, the lights and siren blaring as they go. They watch it go by, mouths hanging open, not even noticing the car in front of them has finally gone on. Someone behind them honks their horn and finally, Cardan moves, taking their exit and merging onto the highway.

When their tires hit the black of the asphalt, the long expanse of road that will take them south, Cardan’s lips break into a smile that overtakes his entire face. A laugh erupts from his chest, and Jude can’t help herself but to do the same, giggles overtaking her quickly as she finally realizes they made it. They fucking did it.

Tears leak from Jude’s eyes as she laughs, her cheeks beginning to hurt from it. One of Cardan’s hands finds her own, gripping it tight over the center console as they drive.

“I can’t believe we mistook the sirens for cops and didn’t recognize them as an ambulance,” Jude says when her laughs finally calm down.

“I was a little busy shitting myself from robbing the biggest bank in the area, Jude. I had more important things on my mind than the sound of a siren.” His words hold no malice as he speaks, but Jude knows he’s telling the truth. He’s been worried for weeks about this going wrong.

“I told you we could do it,” she says. His reply is a smirk, and she takes it.

In about twenty miles, they pull off the highway, merging on to a smaller one. It’s quieter, less police presence, and it goes for hundreds of miles. They plan to take it as far as they can. Cardan finally gets the nerve to turn on the radio, and the only station he can find is playing old country music. He rolls his eyes but settles there, turning it up enough to drown out the noise of the car.

Jude’s hair whips in the wind coming from her lowered window, as does Cardan’s. When she looks at him, the afternoon glow of the sun lighting up his features, her heart aches. They’ve been through so much together. Living on the streets, stealing here and there to eat, to live. When they met in college, everything had seemed destined to be perfect. Years later, when student debt, no job offers, and no opportunity greeted them, they did what they could to survive. It hasn’t been easy, but they’ve made it and that’s what matters. She can’t imagine doing any of it without him.

Jude rotates in her seat, her head leaned against the headrest, so she can watch Cardan drive. This reminds her of their first date, both of them barely nineteen, driving to a local diner at golden hour. She smiles at the memory, at him, and he notices, glancing over at her with an eyebrow cocked.

“What’s going through that devious brain of yours?” he wonders.

“Nothing,” she replies. She glances at the clock on the dash, noticing it will be getting dark in a few hours.

“We should try to find somewhere to stay tonight. We can grab food, a room, and think about where we want to head.”

Stacks of twenty dollar bills and abandoned take-out boxes lay all across the floor of the motel room. Jude and Cardan sit with the stacks surrounding them, slowly counting everything they have. They move the money from one pile to another, Jude jotting down the numbers on the little notepad provided by the motel. When their last stack is accounted for, Jude does a tally and almost cries when she sees the final number.

“Well? How much is it?” Cardan asks, leaning over the look at the notepad.

Tears collect in Jude’s eyes, her voice cracking as she speaks.

“There’s almost 2 million here.”

Cardan snatches the paper, eyes grazing over the tally again, ensuring she’s correct. Jude’s heart hammers in her chest as she takes it all in. As Cardan double checks, his eyes grow wider.

Finally, Cardan glances up at her, a breathtaking smile causing her heart to skip a beat.

He laughs, wrapping his arms around her neck and they tumble to the floor, knocking over the pile of money, the stacks cascading all around them. His breath warms her neck as he laughs, and her hands find his hair, tears falling from her eyes as she does.

“We fucking did it,” she murmurs. All of the struggles, the pain, the fights, the bad luck. It’s gone. They’ll never want for another thing again.

“We did,” Cardan replies.

He lifts his head from her neck and moves to kiss her, his lips sliding over her own. She deepens it immediately, clutching at his inky black hair and pulling it hard. He groans into her mouth as she does. Desire pools inside her, making her want more, more, more.

A stack digs into her back as they kiss and suddenly, an idea pops into her head. Reluctantly, she moves away from him. Cardan frowns.

Jude sits up, grabbing a few of the bundles and ripping off the paper strap holding them together. He watches as she scatters the money on their queen bed and suddenly his eyes light up, mischief dancing in the darkness of them.

“My sweet villain,” he says, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. Jude grins wickedly.

As the last bill floats to the sheets, she spins them and pushes Cardan down to the mattress. All around him is the money they stole, wrapping around him like a blanket and she smiles so wide, she’s afraid her face might crack.

“Haven’t you ever wanted to fuck on a pile of cash?” she asks, leaning down to remove Cardan’s t-shirt. The milky white of his skin taunts her and she runs her hands over his chest, nails making tiny red lines as she does.

“Of course,” he replies, doing his part to remove Jude’s own clothes. “Just never thought we’d have the chance.”

“We can do it every day for the rest of our lives,” she replies, her jeans finally coming off as she does.

“As long as I’m with you, I’d be ready and willing.”

Jude captures Cardan’s lips, kissing him fiercely at his words. She finally gets his pants removed after a few minutes, their inability to stop kissing causing some slowness. Jude goes to move her hand between Cardan’s thighs but he beats her to it, his own hand sneaking it’s way into her underwear. She gasps as he finds the small bundle of nerves, his middle finger caressing it carefully.

Jude’s head falls to Cardan’s shoulder as he plays with her slowly, teasingly. Every once in a while he’ll dip a finger inside her, making her cry out, before withdrawing it again. A warmth builds in her belly and before she can ask him to, Cardan dips two fingers in, his thumb rubbing furiously at her clit. It’s like he can read her gasps, the way her breath hitches in her throat. He knows her like their favorite song.

Jude bites her lip and grips the sheets, bills collecting in her fist as she does. Cardan moves his head up, his other hand pushing aside her bra so she can capture her nipple in his mouth. Overstimulation lights a ravenous fire inside of her. It’s all Jude can do not to scream out as his teeth graze her nipple slightly, causing her to tip over the edge, an orgasm crashing over her.

She shivers and shakes as she comes down, Cardan’s hand moving slower as he helps her ride it out. Before she can protest, he flips her over so her back is on the mattress. His lips find her lips, her cheek, her earlobe, her neck, her chest, her stomach, and then finally, the one place she’s been waiting for.

Jude looks down just in time to meet his eyes before his tongue finds her folds, licking a hot, wet stripe. She’s still sensitive so she moans loudly, the sensation overwhelming. Cardan places her thighs on his shoulders, moving closer to her as he does.

“You deserve this,” he says, licking at her again, making her writhe in his grip. “Your plan got us here. Your determination, your brain.”

“I’d do anything for you, for us,” Jude pants. And it’s true. Her happiness with Cardan was more important than anything. It still is.

Cardan doesn’t respond with words, but in action. He doesn’t come up for air for minutes, feasting on her like he’s a starving man. Jude bucks against him at every turn and he welcomes it, pulling her closer and closer until she’s sure she’ll suffocate him. The fire burning inside her begins to build again. Her fingers find his hair, gripping and pulling hard as she rides his face.

Her hips begin to buck against him as she threatens to spill over again, only this time Cardan removes himself before she can. Jude pounds a fist on the bed, and at that, Cardan smirks.

“Don’t worry my dear criminal,” he says, leaning over her to kiss her. “I’d just rather you come around my cock instead of my tongue.”

Jude gasps as he enters her slowly, taking all the time in the world. She can taste herself on his tongue as he kisses her. She has so many feelings trying to override another. Her hands scramble to find purchase before they finally settle on Cardan’s arms that are framing her face. He pulls away so he can look in her eyes as he bottoms out. Jude wraps her legs around his waist, pulling him closer, deeper.

Moonlight filters through the curtains of their room, threads of silver highlighting Cardan’s face. Jude reaches up, wrapping her arms around his neck to bring him closer. She loves him, with every piece of her soul. She loves him enough to fight tooth and nail, to steal, to lie, so they can live happily. She’d risk herself every day for him, for her Cardan.

Like he can read her mind, Cardan bends down, kissing her roughly.

“I love you,” he moans into her mouth.

He begins to move faster, a hand snaking between her thighs so he can play with her clit. Jude bites her lip to fight the scream that threatens to rip from her throat. She loves him so much she can hardly breathe, or think, or feel anything else.

“More than all this money?” he asks, teasing. He pulls away and looks into her eyes.

“More than anything.”

He grips her hair and yanks, exposing her neck to him. He mouths at her throat, sucking a bruise into the light mocha of her skin. Everything is too much. Jude feels like she’s burning from the inside out. Her arms around Cardan’s neck circle tighter and she lets herself be taken completely over. Everything fades away and it’s nothing but Cardan. The way he makes her feel, his eyes, his laugh, his voice, the pounding of his heart, his everything.

Jude erupts for the second time, her orgasm crashing over her like a wave. Cardan follows soon after, a moan falling from his mouth and into the skin of her shoulder. When they’re both completely spent, he rolls off of her. He immediately pulls her into his chest, her forehead meeting his neck.

A twenty dollar bill sticks up from underneath Cardan’s arm and Jude laughs lightly, pulling it away from him and throwing it to the floor. It’s everywhere, sticking to their sweaty skin as they’ve moved across the bed.

“I meant what I said, Jude,” Cardan says, eyeing her carefully. “All this money… well, it wouldn’t mean a damn thing if I didn’t have you.”

Jude fights a lump in her throat at his words. She’s never been the type to say how she feels, it’s always been more of Cardan’s thing. She blinks away the mist in her eyes before grinning at him.

“I know what you mean.” Jude pauses. “I love you so much.”

Cardan leans in, kissing her forehead.

“Let’s start our new beginning.”

#jurdan #jurdannet #tfota #tfota fanfic #jurdan fanfic #the cruel prince #the wicked king #the queen of nothing #jude duarte #cardan greenbriar #judecardan #my fic

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quillify-tries-to-talk · 3 years

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Some of my favorite tropes in media

1. Found family

Welp. Why am I surprised?

In addition to a ton of platonic relationships, there's also a bang-on hilarity in each one of these groups.

Six of Crows (the progression in Kaz and Wylan's dynamic??? Nina and Inej being besties??? Jesper and Inej having a running joke of scheming face lol??? Matthias forgoing his prejudices to team up with Jesper and Kuwei???)

The Hargreeves siblings??? (We're not gonna talk about what's going on between Luther and Allison 💀 but the rest of them 🥺🥺🥺)

2. Ballroom dance scenes

Oh, to be twirling across the dancefloor in the arms of your partner (bonus points if it's your enemy💖) and you can't decide if your heightened breathing is due to the music's tempo or the 🌟tension🌟

Whyyyyyyy did we have to stop balls!?!?!? Whyyyyyyyy???? Are you telling me that we lost the opportunity to wear our most artful dresses and have a night of elegant dancing and food and it was replaced by nightclubs??? T_T

3. The sunshine character actually has problems.

Love, love, love it when the sunshine, always joking, always kind character opens up about their own issues and insecurities yet they don't stop being kind and don't lose their heart just because the world is going to hell

Prime examples: Ron Weasley (au contraire, HP fandom, this guy has one of the best characterizations in the books and y'all just sleep on him because you want your special ones so much), Leo Valdez (my boy repaired a whole dragon alone, dealt with losing his mom, was homeless and yet keeps the atmosphere light and happy and makes hilarious jokes T_T), Inej Ghafa (horribly traumatized, has done things to survive in a brutal world, deserves the world, and yet is so, so, so fiercely kind and compassionate and always there for her friends💖)

4. When the tough, scary one is soft for kids or animals

Nothing is more wholesome than watching a stone-cold badass softening towards a kid or adopting a baby animal or just showing love for their family (Five Hargreeves 🥺). Shows that they still have a bit of their heart unguarded wnd hopeful.

5. Wholesome friendships that just stay friendships + siblings being siblings.

My ace ass hates love triangles with a fiery passion and it's really tiring to see every friendship being shipped left and right or being pushed into love triangle *side-eyes CC*

Lucie Herondale and Cordelia Carstairs are my favorite parabatai duo and I need more content of their friendship and antics pleaseee. I need more of them being a chaotic duo.

Alastair and Cordelia are my favorite brother sister duo, just with the way they address each other and how Cordelia thought about killing him during the demon attacks in ChoG.

Percy Jackson and Grover Underwood. The guy sailed across the Bermuda Triangle to rescue his best friend.

Also the potential we lost with Hermione and Ginny because R*wling couldn't write more than one PoV -_-

But on a happy note, Ron and Harry are my favorite and I love these dorks so much. They really become brothers by the end *gross sobbing*

Aru and her Pandava sisters and the two braincells they share🤦‍♀️😂

Once more, the Hargreeves family going from strangers to dumbass chaotic family in TUA s2😂🤦‍♀️

6. Enemies-to-lovers

Bonus points if they're also academic rivals. Why is this trope not used more? We could explore some great themes on the shit education system.

No one? Fine I'll write a fic myself.

Also, enemies to lovers =/= abusive relationships. Keep that trash away from me where the love interests are manipulative, abusive towards their love interests and then later fall in love with them. My favorite progression goes like this:

Ugh pretentious ass, look at them==>ugh why are we working together?==>why do we work so well as a team!?==>goddammit why are they so nice!?==>I guess we're friends now==>what is this tension!?!==>*notices something pretty about them* uh oh. 😳😳😳

Prime examples: Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Kallias and Alessandra from The Shadows Between Us. Jude and Cardan from TFOTA (I know they're toxic. Would not stan that relationship irl but I loved their development in the trilogy)

7. When the best friends go to an event as each other's date and are mutually pining over each other but are oblivious dumbasses.🤦‍♀️

Bonus points if other people mistake them for a couple and they can't even get out a proper explanation ;)

*whispers* Harry and Ron should've asked each other to the Yule Ball

8. More thoughtfully-written boys in YA

Please move on beyond the bad boy and broody, immortal, muscular warrior trope. Give representation to my PoC, neurodivergent, trans and fat boys. Give boys dark features (I promise they are as entrancing as blue eyes or blonde hair). Make them emotional, make them something other than stoic, make them like teenagers (and not adults playing teens). They deserve the world and well-written role models as much as girls do.

Prime example: Ron Weasley, Jesper, Wylan, Enrique and Hypnos from TGW, and Julian Blackthorn.

I could write essays for Ron but all I'll say is that r*wling did a good job by giving the role of emotional support (that's usually considered a feminine job) to a boy and made him funny and kind-hearted🥺

As for Julian, like I said before ruthless characters being soft for their family make me go T_T

9. Showing feminism with an equal society (as Tricia Levenseller does it), wholesome f/f and m/f friendships, normalizing the presence of LGBTQ people, without trashing men or femininity.

If you have to deliberately create a highly patriarchal society to show off your progressive views and badass female MC, then you're doing feminism wrong :)

Oops my saltiness leaked out in the end 😳

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