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sarawritestories · 2 months

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Unwavering Presence Chapter 9

Cassian X Archeron Sister (Reader)

Summary: Cassian notices that Y/N skipped training after their night at Rita's. The group heads to the human realms and Y/N reunites with old friends...

Content Warning: Familial trauma/drama, degradation (Consensual), power imbalance, slight fat shaming, so much angst, mentions of death, Nesta being absolutely cruel. Foot stuff (Its quick I promise).

Word Count 4.5k

A/N: The sneak peak I put up for this chapter got cut and is getting moved to chapter 10 because I decided to end this chapter very differently.

Unwavering Masterlist Chapter 8 ACOTAR Masterlist

Feyre and Rhys left early the next day and I didn’t feel the need to get up for training. I laid in my bed reading my book when there was a knock on my door, “Come in.”

The door creaking open, and Cassian walked in, I glance up to see him in his leathers, “Your sister left with Rhys to go see the weaver.” He leaned against the door frame, and I made an effort to not watch his biceps contort in his uniform. He smirked and flexed his arm, and I rolled my eyes.

My gaze fell back over my book, and I flipped the page, “You know I don’t know the significance of that. I’m sure Rhys or Feyre will tell me what they’re up to. Why are you here?” I hadn’t meant for there to be a bite in my voice.

“You didn’t come to training.” His tone was soft, and I fought my instinct to look up at him, “I wanted to make sure you were, okay?”

The sound of the page turning was the only noise in my room for a moment, I sighed and closed my book, “Yesterday was a lot.” I looked at him and shrugged, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Cassian remained silent, he moved to my armoire and my gaze shifted below to and took out my leathers and plopped them on the end of my bed. “Get dressed.”

“Cassian, I’m not in the mood.”

Cassian crossed his arms, “Tough.” The voice of a general talking to his subordinate, “We’re not training, we’re sparring. I expect you downstairs in five minutes.”

I crossed my arms, “What if I don’t come down?”

Cassian walked to the door, he turned back to me with a smirk, “I wouldn’t recommend it, you may not like what happens if you don’t.” He walked away, closing the door behind him. I glared at the door hoping the look seared into his back. I kicked the leathers of the bed and let myself lay back and let sleep consume me.

Cold water collided with my face shocking me up and out of my bed. Cassian stood in front of me with a bucket in his hand a cocky smile on his lips. The cold began to seep into my bones I had to clamp my teeth down to keep from chattering, “What was that for?”

Cassian bent down to pick up the leathers and pressed them into my chest focusing on my eyes and not the fact that my nipples had hardened from the cold and peeking out through my silk nightgown, “I gave you 10 minutes to come down, that was five extra minutes, and you still didn’t come down.”

I bared my teeth at him, and he only chuckled as if he wasn’t threatened by me, this male had seen the worst of humanity, went toe to toe with those people, I bet I barely posed as a threat to him. “I told you I don’t want to train.”

Cassian leaned down to my eye level the smile still lingering and his eyes gleamed with a challenge, “And I told you we’re not training, we’re sparring.” He rose back to his full height as his face softened. “Look, sometimes words don’t help, but you have energy and pent-up things you need to get out. Lucky for you I know someone who can take that on.”

I sighed, annoyed that he was right. I felt the water dripping from my hair and an idea formed in my head, I gave him a saccharine smile, “Alright, Cassie,” I purred as he tilted his head no doubt, confused by the nickname. I’ll give it a chance,” I took a step closer to him, and I could see his neck work as he swallowed. “I am going to need to dry off first.” I shake my head, letting the loose drops of water fly, spraying him in the process.

Cassian took a step back, laughing as the water landed on his skin and his leathers. Once I stopped, I grinned at him satisfied with my work, the hurt of his rejection the night before fading away. “Your trouble, Princess, you know that?” His voice was warm and made the butterflies in my stomach flutter.

Trying to ease those flutters, I shrugged, feigning calm and collected, “I’ll list it right under bad listener.” He laughed again and the sound was so joyous that a part of me would kill anyone who tried to take his joy away. I pressed my hand on his chest and could feel his heartbeat speed up. “Go on, General, I’ll be down in a minute.”

“I’ll have another bucket ready just in case.” He winked and walked out once more, leaving me to change.

I met him in the backyard of the town house Cassian’s back was to me his wings relaxed the leather pants covering his ass perfectly. “I can feel you staring.” Cassian’s voice made me jump. He turned to her with a knowing look on her face, “Enjoying the view.”

I crossed my arms and pooped a hip out, “I see an asshole, who threw water on me to get out of bed, I’m not sure if enjoying the view is what I would call it.”

Cassian raised his hand and motioned two fingers, “Come here, Princess.”

I took a step toward him, my neck straining as I had to look up to him. He opened his palms out a silent command. I placed my hands in his and he led me over to the seat. Taking out some white wrappings and he began wrapping one of my hands. I stared at his face and how there is a wrinkle that peaks through when he concentrates. His lips form in a tight line as he ties off my one hand and begins the other. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, though you did just ask me a question.” He looks up at me through his lashes.

I laughed, “I suppose I did.”

His smile remained on his face, finishing up wrapping my hand. “What’s your question?”

“Did you always want to be a general?” I looked down and noticed that he was still holding my hand.

The little wrinkle returns as he thinks about the question. “No. I didn’t. I didn’t plan to be living the life I do now. When I was a child, I tried to make sure I survived the next day. I never allowed myself to dream of anything more. Not even when Rhys found me in my ratty tent.”

His eyes grew distant, and I pressed my hands against his cheek, “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have pried.” His eyes met mine and that distant look disappeared as he twisted his head and lightly pressed his lips to the palm of my hand and my breath hitched.

“Don’t apologize, Princess. We can talk about my childhood at a later time. We’re focusing on you now.” He led me to the mat he had set up. He placed padded mittens on his hands. “Now remember what I taught you and just hit my pads as hard as you can.”

I held up my fist the way he showed me I didn’t move to throw a punch. “What if I hurt you?”

“I’ll live, Sweetheart. I’m not easily breakable.”

I glared, “And I am?”

“Did I say that? No. Now come on.” His voice was firm but still gentle. I threw the first punch, “Good again!” I punched the other hand. He keeps praising me and encourages me to go harder. “Now tell me what’s bothering you.”

Continuing my punches, the words tumbled out “I’m anxious about going back to the human realm and seeing my sisters. I’m terrified about this impending war.” The words kept pouring out, “I feel like I don’t belong anywhere. I’m terrified that when Feyre outlives me, she’s going to forget about me. That everyone here will forget me when I die.” I dropped my fists.

“Sweetheart,” Cassian started reaching out to me and I stepped out of reach. His face fell slightly.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered and before I could run to my room, Rhys and Feyre winnowed to the backyard and Feyre looked ready to throttle Rhysand as she walked inside. Refusing to meet Cassian’s gaze, I followed after Feyre.

I walked into her room, and she was flinging various objects around her room. “Feyre? What happened?”

My twin paused and looked at me, “He almost had me killed. The weaver almost killed me. For a stupid ring!”

I felt the familiar scrape against my shield. I let him in. You almost killed my sister for a ring?

That’s a bit dramatic. The ring was an object to test if the sentiment of like calls to like. The ring is also very sentimental to me.

In what way?

It was my mother’s.

Before I could say anything to him, he left my mind and I put my shield back up. “He is insufferable. How do you enjoy his company? He looked smug when I met him out like he was surprised I survive.”

“He is kind, Fey. Also did he look smug or was he proud because not only did you get the ring, but you also got out using the skills that him and Cassian have been teaching you.” I paused, “Also, despite what you believe he is lovely to stare at.” I give her a wink.

She paused and sat on the bed with an exasperated sigh, and I took a moment to look at my sister. Feyre has gained some of the weight back that she lost after we came back from Under the Mountain. She had been sleeping the dark circles that had stained under her eyes were gone. She was finally healing. I smiled happy that life was coming back into those eyes. “I guess he is quite beautiful. Don’t tell him I said it though. He would never let me live it down,” She smiled.

I snorted and then sadness overtook me at my confession to Cassian. One day she will be walking this world alone, when my mortality takes me to whatever comes after death. Would she miss me? Would she find happiness here and be able to simply move on. Our relationship was not perfect but when her neck snapped, I wasn’t sure I was going survive this life without her. Hopefully, Cassian, Azriel and Rhys will take care of her and make sure she lives when I’m gone.

Feyre slammed me into her chest. “Stop that.” Her face was wet with tears. “Just stop. My life would be nothing without you.”

I blinked and hugged her back, “What?” Had I said those things outside?

She pulled away quickly, “Nothing.” She wiped her tears. I sighed, “So you were fighting with Cassian?”

I nodded, “Yeah.”

“You spend a lot of time with him?”

Another nod, “Yup.”

Feyre raises an eyebrow, “I assume you enjoy his company?”

I laughed, “Feyre, just ask what you want to ask.”

“What’s going on between you two, her eyes went doe eyed with curiosity that it reminded me of Elain.

“We’re friends, he helps me train and we hang out sometimes. Is that why he almost kissed you last night?”

“How?” I asked I thought about who would tell her Azriel wouldn’t have said anything.”

“Mor.” we said in unison. We made eye contact and began laughing.

“I don’t know Fey, he seemed relieved that Mor stepped in. As if he was going to make a grave mistake. Though I enjoy his company, talking with him is easy.”

Feyre nods, “And quite handsome.”

I began to think about his warm hazel eyes and his morning stubble or his raven hair. “Handsome doesn’t begin to cover it.” I look over to Feyre and there is a gleam in her eye and a smirk playing on her lips. “What?”

“You got it bad.” I threw the closest pillow at her, and she caught with, with a cackle. The laughter fades and Feyre leaned her head on the headboard. “Rhys says we’re going to the human realm tomorrow. You, me, Rhys, Cassian and Azriel.”

Dread hit me. The idea of seeing Nesta and Elain made my skin crawl. “It’s going to be a shit show.”

Feyre’s face grimaced as she nodded. “Indeed.”

***

The next day the five of us approached the edge of the forest and the manor my sisters were staying in was in view. Rhys is the first to speak, “I’ll put the glamour on us until you give us the okay to come in.” Feyre nodded, dressed in a fine black chiffon dress with silver lining the dress. I opted for A Black satin gown off the shoulder gown, A blood red belt wrapped around the waist with a bow on the back -compliments to Rhysand- kohl lined my eyes and there was a sheen to my lips.

A hand wrapped around mind the red siphon gleaming from the sun peaking through the trees. “You’re nervous.” It wasn’t a question.

“What makes you say that?” I questioned.

“You’ve been wringing your hands and tearing at your nails since we crossed the border. You were fidgeting in my arms the whole flight here.” He gave my hand a comforting squeeze. “A lot has happened since you last seen them it’s okay to feel these feelings.”

“Thanks, Cassian.” I smiled up at him and with the illumination of the sun behind him he looked like a deity.

He smiled back a full grin this time and kissed the top of my hand. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look today?”

My hear rate sped up and heat crawled to my cheeks. “I don’t think so.”

He smiles, “You look absolutely radiant, Princess.” He looked over to Feyre, “Now go, I’ll be right here should you need me.”

I nodded and I looked at Az and Rhys, Az gave a nod like he understood the challenges of visiting family, and Rhys gave a wink. I walked to Feyre, and we reached the front door, and I took a deep breath and felt the nice breeze and I could have sworn the scent of leather and sandalwood wafted through my nostrils and calmed me.

A maid had opened the door and her mouth fell, “The Archeron Twins,” She murmured in shock. She stepped out of the way for us to walk in. “Please follow me. Your sisters will be so pleased to see you.”

She walked us into a sitting room, Nesta sat on a lounge sofa reading a book, Her gray dress accentuated her curves, her face had a regal grace. Elain was in a chair working on some embroidery, in a pink tulle gown and her hair pinned halfway up with some flowers from her garden, no doubt. “Ladies, your sisters have come home.” The maid announced bowing and walking away from the foyer.

Our sisters’ heads snapped up. Nesta had a cool calculating stare assessing our attire and Elain’s face lit up with joy. She rose and ran, closing the space between us and pulling us both in her arms and I’m stunned by how tightly she hugged us. “Welcome!” She withdrew from the embrace and gripped out hands and Elain took note of the tattoos on our collar bones and the one on Feyre’s arm. “Those are beautiful.”

I smiled, Elain was always kind and always found beauty in everything. Her scent of wildflowers causes my eyes to water. “It’s good to see you, Elain.” Nesta rose and my eyes darted toward her, preparing myself for her to pounce if need be. She stuck her nose up as she approached every bit of the queen, she deemed she should be.

“I’m surprise you’re here.” Nesta said her standard Icy tone. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “I’m surprise you’re both alive.”

Feyre nodded, “We have a lot to tell you.”

Nesta held down a glare, “So speak.”

I was about to combat her command, but Feyre was the one to speak and she told them everything. Under the mountain, Tamlin sending me to my death, how he locked her up in the house, how we both ended up in the Night Court and all the details we know of the upcoming war.

“Why are you here?” Nesta asked not cutting corners and if she felt anyway of Feyre and I facing death she didn’t show it.

“We need you to open the manor to our friends. High Fae. They would like to have a meeting here with the Human Queens. However, they are stubborn gentlemen, who would like to ask you themselves and of course meet you and thank you for even consideration.” I said straightening my posture preparing myself for the verbal lashing.

“No.” Nesta said firmly not even looking at me. Here we go.

“What?”

“Elain gets married in a month to the Lord’s son. I will not risk this wedding for your silly war.”

“We should help.” Elain spoke up and we all turned to look at her. “Nesta, if the wall comes down, there may not be a wedding.”

I smiled to Elain as Nesta mumbled, “Fine, we’ll send the servants out for the next two days.”

I leaned closer to Elain, “Who’s the lucky guy?”

Elain smiled and showed her ring and Feyre, and I noticed the Iron ring adorned her finger, “His name is Graysen.”

I took a sharp breath, “Lord Graysenn?” I asked and Elain nodded enthusiastically and began going into the details of the wedding.

“Look at our good little maid, Xavier.” Graysen’s voice chuckled as I was on my knees the black dress uniforms his family required for me rising, my tongue grazing against the leather of his boot. Bits of mud and gravel getting into my mouth. “She is working so hard for her family.” He shoves his boot farther into my mouth and I begin to suck as he chuckled. “So hard, tell me what your siblings would say if they found out that you were drooling all over yourself just to make sure food was on the table.”

Muffled noises came from my mouth as drool dripped down to my cleavage that my uniform exposed.

Xavier petted my hair, “So good, maybe if she’s really good, I’ll give her those kisses she craves.” An involuntary moan came out of me, “Oh she likes that idea.” He chuckled. Hands were around my waist pulling me back, as Graysen pulled the boot from my mouth, and had me leaning against his firm chest, “Go ahead and swallow for us, pretty girl.” I did what I was told, and Xavier sang praises in my ear. “How lucky that you got this new maid, Graysen.” I looked at the man’s sharp blue eyes, his blonde hair pulled back in a bun. His thumb grazed my hip in swiping motions. Having been together for a few months his beauty and sharp features

Graysen smirked, “Yes indeed,” Graysen lifted my chin, “Do you like working for me Y/N?”

I nod, “I appreciate you offering me work.”

“Anything for my best friend’s girl.” He patted my cheek. “You can go home, after the rest of my boots get a spit shine.”

“Yes, my lord.” I smiled as Xavier’s hands wandered up my thigh, his teeth nibbling the shell of my ear.

“Xavier, please don’t distract her like you did last week. I had to doc her some of her pay.” Xavier gave him a nod and with that the lord’s son left.

Xavier waisted no time leaving kisses up and down my neck, “Xavier, I need to get this work done.”

“Later,” He growled and kissed me passionately. I moaned into his mouth and his tongue slipped in his hand groping my clothed breast. “You are delicious,” He moves to my jaw and my ear, “I’m really glad I met you.”

I smiled, “Me too, Bab-“he silenced me with a growl and a searing kiss.

“Y/N,” I shook the memory from my head to face my twin concern schooling her features, “Where did you go?”

I shook my head burying the memory farther down. “Nowhere at all.” I smiled but Nesta looked at me, her head tilted as if she could sniff out my lie.

***

The servants were gone, and all three Illyrian warriors sucked up all the air in the room. When they entered, I naturally gravitated toward the General. And what has become a habit is his wing curved around me slightly. Nesta stared at us in silence, no detail going unnoticed about her new guests.

“Nesta, we can’t thank you enough, for your hospitality.” Rhysand bows and Nesta lifts her chin. “We come here to ask for a favor.”

“You want to have me host a meeting here with the human queens. My sisters did fill me in.” Nesta’s response was short. I glanced over at Elain and noticed that she was entranced with Azriel and his wings.

Rhys, Feyre and Nesta continued with their conversation when I felt a nudge. I looked over to Cassian and he had an Orange in his hand and a slice held out for me chewing a slice of his own. I grab the slice and take a bite letting the citrus flavor consume me. He plops another slice in his mouth and picks a slice for me and he continued to do that until the fruit was gone. He threw the peels away and when he returned, he whispered in my ear, “The key to withstanding long meetings is bringing food.”

I stood on my tippy toes and whispered back, “Makes sense especially if each person in the room likes to hear themselves talk.”

He chuckled lowly, “I hope you never have to go to a High Lord’s meeting it’s a room full of people who like to hear themselves talk.”

“Sounds miserable.”

Cassian grinned, “Absolutely insufferable.”

I hadn’t even notice that Elain had left but her voice boomed, “Dinner is ready.”

***

Dinner had been tense. I was tucked between Rhys and Cassian, Feyre sat across from me. The males ate in silence and Elain was asking Azriel questions that he was kind enough to answer about his shadows. Eating my meal, I looked over to notice Feyre made a face as she bit into the food.

“Is our food not good enough for you now?” Nesta questioned with an accusatory look as if Feyre thought little of her. I groaned feeling the pain pulsing in my head.

“Just different than what we have back in Prythian.” Feyre muttered looking down at her plate.

Nesta turned a pointed look to me, “What about you? Is the food still good to you since you’re not them?”

“Can we not do this please.” I pleaded, “We haven’t seen either of you in a year. Please I’m begging. Drop it.”

Elain sat quietly, focusing on her own food, and Nesta clearly decided she wanted to lash out. “I will not. You come here, jeopardize our social standing here, and you two suddenly want to act better than us. I can tell you must enjoy the food, considering you're bigger than I saw you last. And even coming here in matching colors with this rabid beast, it's beneath you, really.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes, nothing new. Nesta was always the first to criticize my weight. She had been doing that for years. A hand gripped my knee and gave it a squeeze, I didn’t need to look to know it was Cassian.

“What are you looking at?” Nesta sneered her gaze meeting Cassian.

“A wicked, vile, woman, who would let her two baby sisters go out in the forest alone to help provide for the family. While she sat and did nothing. Feyre and Y/N were willing to lay down their life to save and protect my people. Both are willing to do it again, so you don’t have to go to war. So, excuse me if I’m not pleased that you are choosing to insult these two remarkable females in my presence. As for Y/N being in my colors. I haven’t made a claim against her. I didn’t even know she was going to wear it though the colors suit her beautifully. Also, there is nothing wrong with gaining weight and muscle, the more of her to love, the better.”

Nesta rose and crossed her arms, “You’re a fool. Do you know that? Aligning yourself with Feyre is one thing. She has excellent survival skills and those could be useful, but Y/N? Death follows her everywhere she goes. She killed our mother.” She gave me a pointed look and it felt like my lungs were going to give out. I couldn’t even feel Cassian’s grip tighten. “She killed a debt collector attacking our useless father. If you three are wise, you would leave her here in the human realm before she becomes your doom. And if you don’t than I wonder why the humans ever feared the fae in the first place.” She turns to me, and tears threaten to come down. “I wish it was you that died that day. Not mother.”

Elain and Feyre rose up from their seats, “NESTA,” they said in unison. My legs were not moving at my command as I jolted from my chair and ran out of the dining hall and out of the manor entirely, ignoring my name being called out.

My feet were moving of their own accord, ignoring the cold bite of the evening as I pushed hard and kept moving. Once I finally stopped and took a breath I looked up and found myself in our old cabin. The wood splintered from when Tamlin barged in, the chipped paint of Feyre’s work. The smell brought back memories of late nights, stiff necks, and pain. The depths I went to just to make sure we had some money on the days Feyre couldn’t catch game.

I walked into our bedroom, the dresser calling out like a beacon. I sat in front of it and took in my sister’s work, flowers for Elain, Flames for Nesta and Feyre and I shared the third dresser which was painted with a night sky and a cabin with a shadow by the window. Nothing indicating where I belonged.

I wished you died instead of her. The emotions of the day took hold and deafening sobs unleashed from my body as I covered my face in my hands. Wondering what I ever did to cause Nesta that much pain. My sobs were so loud I didn’t hear the door creak open, but I heard footsteps. “Please go away, I don’t want to talk.”

“Well, that’s a shame,” My spine sat up straight at the familiar voice, “I so desperately want to talk to you, Baby.” I turned to find Xavier in the doorway. His hair cropped short, his white uniform pristine and four gashes scarred above and below his cold blue eyes. My breathing was coming in short rapid, spurts.

Another set of footsteps followed, and a hooded figure walked in. Lowering his hood the moonlight revealed another familiar face, Elain’s now fiancé, Graysen, his smile sinister, “Hello, Y/N.”

Chapter 10

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#cassian x reader #cassian acotar #acotar #acotar fanfiction #cassian x you #cassian imagine #cassian fanfic #cassian #nesta x cassian #cassian fluff #cassian angst

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smoooothoperator · 11 days

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untouchable

epilogue: Happy Ever After

Lando Norris x OC (Violet Sinclair)

same group friend, unrequited love, acquittances to lovers, ski trip, love triangle, life as lovers

a/n: So this is officially the end! I wanted to make a different epilogue of what I used to make! In this epilogue you'll watch what Lando and Violet did for the next few years. And of course, I had to make little cameos of ACOTAR.

If someone wants to ask me to make an extra chapter abot their story, I'm very happy to make it!

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Every way of feedback is very welcomed

26 of December of 2024

violetsinclair

liked by landonorris, maxfewtrell, carlossainz55 and 21.683 others

violetsinclair A whole year with this curly haired man. I love you Lan, love of my life🧡

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landonorris For more mornings next to you🧡

maxfewtrell You guys deserve everything good in this world, no one suffered as you two and none of you gave up

violetsinclair Maaaaaaxx🥹🥹😭😭

maxfewtrell You are not crying, right?

landonorris yes she is

carlossainz55 congratulations you guys❤️

violetsinclair Eh! No red hearts in my feed! Only orange!

landonorris I love you🥹🧡

landonorris

liked by violetsinclair, carlossainz55, mclaren and 436.468 others

tagged: violentsinclair

landonorris Never give up our dreams, they always come true. I love you with my whole being 🧡

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violetsinclair Thank you for not giving up on me, never. You are everything I ever wanted and I'll never stop loving you 🧡

landonorris I love you so much😍

mclaren Our favorite pair of brits 🥹🧡

February of 2025

violetsinclair

liked by landonorris, mclaren, pietra.pilao and 21.577 others

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violetsinclair Story of the day I became a dog mom🐾🧡:

Today Lando came to pick me up from work with a suspicious grin of his face. He said something about going out for the day, to spend the afternoon somewhere away from the city. And of course I believed it! He sounded very convincing!

We had lunch on a very nice place next to a river, but I noticed him a little nervous while looking at his watch. We collected everything and went back to bed, thinking we were going back home.

Turns out he had other plans! We went to a land where the owner has a lot of puppies! And then I found this beautiful black little guy and I immediately fell in love with him. And of course, Lando had everything planned and already came with things for the puppy.

Everyone, meet Rhysand Norris (yeah, it's on purpose. And I wasn't the one that chose the name🤭)

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maxfewtrell I still can't believe you named my godson after a fictional character...

violetsinclair I beg you pardon? It was about time that I had a pet named after him

maxfewtrell what about the options I gave you?

landonorris Rhysand is Rhysand, no more discussion

maxfewtrell Rude. But I'll still name him Reese

violetsinclair Fair enough for me

sarahjmaas His name definitely fit him!

violetsinclair omg hi I love you. Now I can die in peace

landonorris Hi sarahjmaas you want to meet him? We're fans :)

sarahjmaas Sure!

landonorris added a story

mclaren

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mclaren look who came! Rhys is in the paddock! The high lord is the the house!🤭👀🧡

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f1 It was nice having this little one around! He stole everyone's heart

roscoelovescoco It's always nice having a doggie friend around! 🐶🐶

violetsinclair Admin is now in love with Rhys🥰 I'm a proud mom

mclaren the high lord deserves every fan he has :)

landonorris

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landonorris Today the love of my life got her degree of History of Art! I can't be prouder of her 😍😍

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violetsinclair 🥹😚🥰

martingarrix photo creds mate...

landonorris I paid you dinner

martingarrix so?

violetsinclair Habemus pacem kids... but you made amazing pics! I love them🥰

martingarrix thanks Vi, at least you are more decent than him

violetsinclair Of course! Now I have a doctorate

landonorris stop bullying me

July of 2025

landonorris

liked by violetsinclair, sarahjmaas, maxfewtrell and 721.649 others

landonorris And of course, Rhysand is no one without his mate. Welcome home, Feyre🧡

tagged: violetsinclair

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sarahjmaas Omg I can't believe it! You really found Rhys a Feyre!🥹🥹

violetsinclair (I still can't believe I befriended you) Yeah! She's the cutest! You should come and meet her

sarahjmaas oh I'll definitely will

mclaren Still impressive how we have a crossover of ACOTAR and F1...

landonorris You're welcome 😉

December of 2025

violetsinclair

liked by landonorris, maxvertappen1, f1 and 43.572 others

violetsinclair P3 in the Drivers Championship for my man! Couldn't be prouder of you🧡

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maxvertappen1 White looks good and you, huh? Right, Lando?👀

landonorris 🤔🤔🤔

landonorris Don't know what you are talking about

fia Where did you leave the high lord and lady? We wanted to see them

violetsinclair They stayed at home🥹 but next year they won't miss it

October of 2026

violetsinclair

liked by landonorris, pietra.pilao and 43.726 others

tagged: landonorris, pietra.pilao

violetsinclair Life lately🐾🧡🎶🎨

pietra.pilao That was the best day of my life🥹

violentsinclair agree

landonorris agree

taylorswift agree

violetsinclair omfg hi 😭

December of 2026

landonorris, violentsinclair

liked by maxfewtrell, mclaren, carlossainz55 and 926.168 others

landonorris Right where everything started, where I confessed you my feelings, where I had you in my arms for the first time and then where you said yes to a lifetime with me. I can't wait to continue this journey with you🧡

And thank you maxfewtrell and pietra.pilao for keeping the secret and not being suspicious, making sure I don't lose the ring after months of having it and for taking the pictures for us🧡

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mclaren I'm not crying🥹 congratulations!!!

carlossainz55 You are maturing, I can't be prouder of you. Congratulations to both of you, can't wait to see you and hug you!

maxfewtrell It was such a pleasure taking pet of am important moment of your life, as always, mate. And I won't stop saying it, you two deserve everything good

violetsinclair For how long did you know about this?

pietra.pilao You would get surprised...

March of 2027

violetsinclair

liked by landonorris, maxfewtrell, f1 and 53.581 others

violetsinclair God news and bad news!

The good news: I'll be some months working here, in Egypt! I had the pleasure of receiving a call from the museum so I can experience how they work in the ruins and and translate some ancient papyrus.

The bad news: Lando and I will have to be some months apart and I can't attent to his races like I used to do. But this won't stop me for supporting him or loving him every day more.

This is just another chapter of our story, not the end.

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landonorris I can't be prouder of you, love. You always fight for your dreams and I'm so happy for you that you can finally achieve them. I can't wait to have you in my arm again. Rhys, Feyre and I love you so much.

violetsinclair I already miss you😭

maxfewtrell Super proud of you! Now I can say that my best friend works in Egypt and will appear in a documentary soon

violetsinclair You and Pi are welcomed in my house anytime you want to see some nice old people :)

mclaren Admin is going to miss you... But I'm proud of you!

violetsinclair Admiiiin🥹

April of 2027

landonorris added a new story

maxfewtrell You couldn't be away for more months, can't you?

landonorris Stay away from Pi for some weeks and then answer me again

maxfewtrell God, are you moody?

landonorris I experienced the No Nut November in March. I don't recommend it at all

maxfewtrell I didn't need the details...

landonorris Sorry😩

violetsinclair

liked by netflix, landonorris, pietra.pilao and 73.269 others

violetsinclair I'm super super super happy to announce that the "Cleopatra" series are finally out! Netflix and I worked alongside to make this amazing series about the absolute queen of Egypt. I hope everyone likes it!

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netflix We were so happy to have you on set and work with you!

landonorris Who else knows a couple that both of them worked with Netflix? I'm so proud of my girl!

August of 2027

landonorris, violetsinclair

liked by maxfewtrell, carlossainz55, mclaren and 936.269 others

violetsinclair I can't believe that this is my last day as your girlfriend and tomorrow I'll be able to call you my husband for the rest of our lives.

And this morning I remembered my best friend Eloise while I was getting my things ready for the big day, crying a little and then smiling at her pictures. I miss you, Eli. I wish you could be with us, celebrating my wedding and standing next to me. I miss you, I never stop thinking about you.

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landonorris Eloise is watching us, babe. I'm sure she's proud of who you became

maxfewtrell She's proud for sure, we miss her

mclaren Can't wait to be there tomorrow, we are proud of you two

carlossainz55 The best pair I ever met, can't wait to watch you two linking your lives together

violetnorris, landonorris

liked by mclaren, oscarpiastri, carlossainz55 and 967.471 others

landonorris We are still over the moon about yesterday. It was so beautiful watching everyone, sharing our most special day with all of you. I still can't believe this morning I woke up next to my wife.

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carlossainz55 You two made a beautiful wedding, I will never forget how you two looked at each other. Felicidades, cabrón

georgerussel63 Can't believe you are the same small boy that debuted on F1 next to me and Alex. Now look at you, mate.

oscarpiastri I still remember the day you introduced Violet to me. You told me that you were going to marry her one day

landonorris What's going on with you guys georgerussel63 and oscarpiastri? You want to make me cry or what? Yesterday wasn't enough?🥹

December of 2027

violetnorris

liked by landonorris, carlossainz, pietra.pilao and 65.279 others

violetnorris Maldivas🥰🧡

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landonorris 😚

June of 2028

violetnorris

liked by landonorris, maxfewtrell, pietra.pilao and 76.268 more

tagged: landonorris

violetnorris The last few months some of you were sending me Dm's and even asking Lando why I stopped going to the races, if I was sent to Egypt again for work. Well, I guess now our little secret is out! Baby Norris coming in October👶🏻🧡

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oscarpiastri Now it makes sense why I saw the other day Lando asking to the person in charge of the merch to give him an onesie of McLaren... Congrats you two!

landonorris I thought no one saw me🥹

oscarpiastri I guess you were wrong

quadrant Okay, baby collection in progress.....

carlossainz55 I know I'll be the favorite uncle

oscarpiastri Excuse me?

danielricciardo Excuse me??

alex_albon You're joking, right?

georgerussel63 I bed you pardon?

violetnorris Okay guys, no fighting...

October of 2028

landonorris

liked by carlossainz55, mclaren, oscarpiastri and 927.917 others

tagged: violetnorris

landonorris 17 of October of 2028. Baby Eloise Claire Norris decided to come some days earlier. Mommy and baby are okay🧡

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charles_leclerc 17 is always a good number❤️ Can't wait to meet her

carlossainz55 So happy for you, man. She looks like you

oscarpiastri On my way to meet her!

mclaren on our way* to meet her!

maxfewtrell My goddaughter is so beautiful 🥹😍

pietra.pilao Our* goddaughter 🥹😍

taglist

@elisysd @racinggirl @ninifee1802 @kakorrhaphiphobia @landoyesrizz @lorarri @bellwhysomean @leptitlu @aphroditeisamilf @brekkers-whore @copper-boom @sideboobrry11 @alltoomaples @f1madison @elijahslover @silkenthusiasts @chonkybonky @summerslike11 @randomgirlnumber-13 @is-just-a @whentheautumnleavesfall @malynn @mycenterfold @barackosteaa @izzy-marvel @ssprayberrythings @ophcelia @traveling-inspiration

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daisymylove · 2 months

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Right, so, I'm an acotar hater with all my heart 😍 and don't care for the other sjm books in the least.In fact, it came as no surprise at all that she's a zionist, considering that her beloved ruler not only hoards copious amounts of wealth while his people is segregated, most of them living in poverty, and the marginalized /brown folks being portrayed as inferior, backward brutes and arseholes unworthy of their precious city and time.Did I mention that over half of his people hates him? Fantastic leader 😍👏🏻☺️🥰😘

Anyway I found out recently that there's a crossover between the series, got the context about what nesta did and went to read the extra chapter online to see bat lord's hissy fit first-hand.

Bryce's mom is low key shitty btw, my own mom is far from perfect, but even if she did want to obliterate me, she would never stand by and let some random fucker say that, let alone bad mouth me to said random fucker.Its odd that she seems to stand up more for a boy that she has known for weeks and a woman she just met than her own kid, also I would file for fucking divorce on the spot if my husband had decided to be complicit on a sexist joke about me and our daughter with aforementioned fucker, but I digress

What I did like about her tho was how she handed lavender eyes' ass to him.Someone has to since apparently feyre has been lobotomized and those cult members of the ic murdered Nesta's fighting spirit

And tbh I feel so bad for her, she seems so subdued for nesta's standarts. I wanted to reach for her hand and tell her that 1 if her husband loves counterfeit Batman so much he can go gag on his cock all day, she'll find something better in no time and 2 she'll do it sooner rather than later bc her sister and her are coming with me.If feyrug wants to bring the devilspawn along its fine too

The thing is the average acotar fan is pretty much Sjms trained dog.They'll go along with everything the narrative says, no reading comprehension skills whatsoever.But apparently all characters from CC who have met Rice bowl dislike him and like Nesta, so I am now wondering if she's not planning to reveal later on that Batfae was the villain all along and completely fried Feyre's brain.Again, I don't expect much from a zionist, but its undeniable that it doesn't add up, to the point that I'm wondering if it's the sake person writing the books.I would like someone who actually read the Cc books I would rather lick a McDonald's slider than subject myself to that togive their opinions

#just waiting for the death threats to slid in #anti acotar #anti rhysand #anti cassian #anti nessian #nesta archeron #anti sjm

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louiseleblancdiggory · 9 months

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i’ll try to say this the best and nicest way possible, but i think one of the main causes for so many of the discussions in the acotar fandom today is that people have consumed so much fast media that they have forgotten how to differentiate it from books that don’t fall within that category.

don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with fast media— books that are a sit down, read easy, get up. but the thing is that, for that model to work, authors need to make sure that the readers are not leaving the book unsatisfied. if the reader finds too many plot holes, or if they are left with more questions than they had before when it’s clear that the author doesn’t plan on expanding them in the future, they are frustrated. and so those books won’t sell. the solution is, obviously, to “spoon-feed” the reader with the information. scenes can be analyzed by themselves because the author always makes sure to include explanations for what would otherwise be unspoken. surprises are these dramatic turns, because often there is no in depth foreshadowing. what is is either said or explicitly thought, and so the reader knows it all.

again, nothing wrong with it!! there are multiple books that i love that would fall into this category. however..... i feel like some people are having an increasingly harder time separating the expectations you have when going into a fast media book versus a book that is part of a series that has been slowly building up for years. when observing a series such as a court of thorns and roses, you are not supposed to know everything about everyone— the lack of certain knowledges regarding certain characters (esp. mor or elain) is not a “plot hole” or “lazy writing”. you are simply not supposed to know it yet!!! i think that people expect all nuances to be talked about or solved as soon as they are presented, when that is just not the point of a series. for example, of course you don’t know much about elain?? she was written in an incredibly vague manner on purpose throughout the series. of course she hasn’t dealt with her seer powers or rejected the mating bond because what sense would it make for her to do that in a book that isn’t her own?? people just have to learn to wait

i think another impact is that, as i said before, in certain books, scenes can be interpreted in a vaccuum. in series such as acotar, doing so will only create a wrong interpretation of characters because their personality has been both spoken and unspokenly built throughout the books. for example, analyzing the extra bonus chapter from azriel’s point of view within a vaccuum would create the image of a character that is completely different than the image that would be created if you took in consideration his character construction in past books (especially the parts that are not outwardly said but still very clear). analyzing rhys’s character in acosf without considering the construction of nesta and rhys’s relationship would obviously create a character that is completely different from the one we have seen in past books.

yall can’t wait. yall can’t let things marinate anymore because you need all the answers now, and so you assume that the author has already given you the answers. this only causes for wrong interpretations!!

#argue with the wall #acotar #acomaf #acowar #elriel #elain archeron #azriel #rhysand #mor

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azrielsbxtch · 9 months

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ABOUT THE CROSSOVER….

Okay some of the people who want TOG characters to appear in CC need to take a step back and remember this is Bryce and Hunt’s story not a gathering place for all your favorite characters.

Listen I’m not SJM so I can’t say for sure they won’t appear but for now all the “hints” people are arguing with me about are about Crescent City…not Throne of Glass.

First the title,House of Flame and Shadow. That’s not Aelin. Yes she was called Queen of Flame & Shadow…however SJM is a fantasy writer. She will use many similar words and phrases to describe stuff. Why would she name her entire third book about another character that hasn’t appeared in her books please. Even the ACOTAR characters wouldn’t get a whole CC book named after them and they’re in the book. House of Flame and Shadow is the fourth House in Midgard. That’s what it means.

And then someone was arguing that the dragon on the cover is because of Aelin’s dress. You have literal actual dragons in Crescent City…dragons who are part of the House of Flame and Shadow but you’d rather it’s the dragon from Aelin’s dress?

I know it’s exciting to theorize but sometimes I feel like people don’t actually give a shit about Crescent City characters and just want to make it all about their favorite characters from another series to appear. You will raise your expectations and when they don’t happen,you’ll get disappointed for no reason.

Even the ACOTAR fans (myself included) , I’ll advise everybody to manage their expectations. I’m super excited don’t get me wrong but I always remember at the back of my mind that this isn’t Rhysand’s story..or Feyre’s…or even Azriel’s. Even with the extra bonus chapter. They’ll be supporting characters in this book remember that.

At the end of the day it’s Bryce’s and Hunt’s story.

#bryce and hunt #brythalar #hunt athalar #bryce quinlan #prince ruhn #ruhn danaan #ruhn x lidia #lidia cervos #cc hofas #hofas #house of sky and breath #houseofflameandshadow

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smutdefender · 10 months

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Strangers by ethel cain meets ACOTAR in Schrödinger’s Ship Art

Alrighty- lets start off with this warning: I have no endorsement of any ship, and as a GayLain truther I personally hope she gets a lady love BUT that is not where the Spotify Playlist drew me today. I'm working through Preachers Daughter by Ethel Cain and started subconsciously mapping the idea of cannibalizing lovers onto our two very controversial characters.

I just got so interested in the idea of eating/being eaten the person you desire because you’re desperate for approval and touch. Az and Elain are both utterly consumed by their initial love interests - with Az burning for Mor for over 500 years, and Elain severely morning Greyson to the point of becoming a shell. SO I thought to myself "how interesting would it be to see that energy turned towards each other, and what kind of fireworks/dumpster fire would it result in?" The answer, dear reader (to me, inmyownpersonalopinion) is emotional cannibalism (and maybe some lightly implied literal cannibalism? Who knows! I don't even know and I drew the damn thing!)

Ethel sings "I tried to be good - am i no good? I just wanted to be yours - can i be yours? Just tell me I'm yours. With my memory restricted to a Polaroid in evidence" which to me resonated so much with both characters striving to be good and useful to others at the expense of their own happiness, which we see in ACOFAS with Feyre clocking Elain's hollow smiles, and Az's extra chapter of ACOSF attempting to feeling nothing.

So, my lovelies - is it a piece of ship art that answers the question "should these two should be together?" Nope! That's why it's Schrödingers ship art. There's all mixed emotions and readings galore, and ain't that just what we're here for on this here blog while we wait on the next book?

#elriel #idk man i just think they are a real fucked up couple and i love that for them #metaphorical cannibalism #is that a thing?#a court of thorns and roses #elain archeron #acotar #elain kingslayer #azriel #azriel shadowsinger #ethel cain #procreate #digital art #digitial painting

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ae-neon · 1 year

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Okay I'm rereading some beginning chapters of acotar and Feyre says Alis and the two other servants look human/high fae. Like humans with pointed ears. Specifically described Alis as a brown haired woman.

It's probably the glamour, but a very interesting take on it.

Also Tamlin "plops" down into his chair as a horse sized beast AND THEN shifts back to high fae form??? 😭 Sarah what are you talking about?

Credit tho, this is probably the best Feyre is written. Smart, observant, thinking - still panicked but not making stupid mistakes. And kinda funny, she thinks Tamlin is wearing the mask in solidarity with Lucien since Lucien probably wants to hide his scar.

Lucien is a bit weird? In retrospect, he knows about the curse, about the sentries going despite Tamlin's reluctance but he's acting like Tamlin traded Andras's life for Feyre's?

Also sjm's manipulative writing. At no point has Tamlin done anything to save Feyre or earn her trust but she mentally starts switching from captor to saviour out of nowhere. It's only chapter 5 or 6. Be serious. She hasn't even been there a day and she's saying the humans were wrong about Prythian.

Alis and the other two servants cut Feyre's hair, why? Also Alis telling Feyre to take Lucien down a peg lol.

Alis says Feyre will be safe at the mercy of their master and just before she left the dining room Feyre saw Lucien bow to Tamlin as well as be talked down from throwing Feyre out. How does she not know he's the High Lord?

Lucien to Tamlin: you have zero rizz, my boy

Also Lucien: "we're not going to bite." Teeth gleaming in a way that suggested otherwise. Cassian stole this man's whole flow 🙄

Not Tamlin saying it's an honour for a human to be served by a High Fae, stfu.

“You look … better than before.”

Was that a compliment? I could have sworn Lucien gave Tamlin an encouraging nod.

“And your hair is … clean.”

HAHAHAHA

(Lucien muttered, “So typically human.”) racism.

Lucien was seriously upset about Andras. That hurts.

Tamlin immediately assures Feyre that he's helped her family with income. It's chapter 7. The tension is sucked out of the situation and Feyre's motivation to leave is nullified by the author. That's kinda bad writing. Narratively it makes sense for Tamlin to use this against her trying to escape tho.

Tamlin has magic ropes? Hands? That can just hold Feyre in place?

Feyre: he's lying. Also Feyre: faeries can't lie.

“Why be so generous?” Lucien gave me a look that suggested he had no idea

They literally just finished making sure she wasn't in love with anyone back home so she could fall for Tamlin easier. So Lucien knows exactly why???

Feyre misses sleeping next to her sisters 🥺

Nesta must be stretching her legs and smiling at the extra room. She was probably content imagining me in the belly of a faerie—probably using the news as a chance to be fussed over by the villagers.

She legitimately doesn't know anything about Nesta.

...maybe the villagers would turn on my family, not wanting to be associated with people tied with Prythian, and run them out of town.

acotar Feyre would punch acomaf Feyre in the mouth

"Your hair is … clean. A pathetic compliment." 😭😭😭

(“What in the bottomless depths of the Cauldron is—”) so you're telling me sjm actually used to use real lore and incorporate it into worldbuilding. Wow. Like this is such a good line and flows so naturally from an upset Alis because of course that is how fae see the world.

I couldn’t bring myself to look at my slightly uptilted eyes. I knew I’d see Nesta or my mother looking back at me.

I’d sometimes wondered if that was why my sister had insulted me about my looks. I was a far cry from ugly, but…

I bore too much of the people we’d hated and loved for Nesta to stand it. For me to stand it, too.

The dynamic between Nesta, Feyre and the ghost of their mother could have been one of the realist, rawest elements of this series...

#acotar reread #feyre archeron #lucien vanserra #tamlin #sjm critical #anti sjm #just in case

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sunnyshadows24 · 6 months

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Acotar bonus chapters

In the acotar fandom we see certain shippers place a huge amount of importance on ONE bonus chapter. The thing about the bonus chapters is that yes while they are still canon they don’t reveal anything new since they are not included in every print. They dont even sell the copies with the bonus scenes in most countries.They are fun extra scenes that elude to things already hinted within the book. It’s also used for marketing & sale purposes.

🌌NESSIAN ACOMAF BC🌌

In this scene It showcases the tension and attraction between Cassian and Nesta. Which was already hinted at in the book…

🌌FEYSAND ACOSF BC🌌

In this scene the main focus is on Elain. How she started sticking up for herself against Nesta, how they have been stifling her, how there is more to Elain then they know…. Which was already hinted at in the book…

🌌AZRIEL ACOSF BC🌌

In this scene we see the attraction between Azriel & Elain build even further but that their obstacle to overcome is the mating bond… which has been hinted at for 4 books now

In this scene we also see Azriels shadows sing in response to presumably Gwyns singing which a lot of people feel hints that she may be a lightsinger.. which was hinted at multiple times in the book with a couple of different interactions between her and Nesta.

I know certain shippers feel the point of Azriels BC was to point out a mating bond but why would she reveal that in a BC a lot of people cant even buy? That’s a BIG reveal and she’s never done that in a BC before.

🌌In her most recent interview for HOFAS with Christina Lauren SJM mentioned that she didn’t like the first draft so she started over. She also mentioned that none of the scenes were even good enough to be a BC. So I feel that kinda tells you something about the importantance of them as well.🌌

#acotar #acomaf #acosf #azriel #elain archeron #feyre archeron #nesta archeron #sjm #bonus chapter #pro elriel

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latent-thoughts · 5 months

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hi, what do you think about acosf az's extra chapter? i honestly thought it was ooc to az but at the same time, there wasn't much written about him so it could be considered in character, and there is also the thing that sjm doesn't read her late works and her editors also don't make their job properly, so... and on my case it affected my cheer for elriel, like, there are some ships that i simply don't have a preference, using acotar's exemple as that it the fandom this ask is about, i liked both elriel and elucien, didn't care which one would become canon, would read and write for both, yet after that chapter, it feels like meh... I am still mad at sjm for doing that

Personally, I think the rose necklace re-gifting thing was OOC, not anything before that. That was just plain stupid and crass, and I don't think Az was portrayed to be impulsive like that up till that moment. Cass, yes, but not Az--the guy who's deliberate with everything, including what he says.

Maybe it can be better explained in the next book (like Az was maybe lowkey hypnotized by Gwyn's singing, like his shadows, but even that is kinda lame tbh. Because that hasn't really happened to others), but him giving that necklace to Gwyn feels inauthentic. Like it was added by SJM just to create chaos in the readers' mind. It created quite the stir in the fandom, keeping it relevant through all the fandom drama and ship wars, so maybe that's why she did it. I personally find that to be in bad taste.

But what upset me more was Rhys' OOC behaviour. He had always maintained that Az and Cass were his brothers, and that he never pulled rank on them. But then he did exactly that to Az, and spoke to him in a manner that was not very brotherly. So... Rhys is a hypocrite then? What else has he lied about? It can't be excused simply because he was worried sick about Feyre.

Overall, I liked the part where he and Elain make their desire clear for each other, because that was what the previous books had been hinting at. It had been building up on slow burn.

Re Gwyn: SJM did something similar with Cass and Emerie too. Their intro meeting was done in a fashion where he was intrigued by her. And many readers assumed it to be romantic interest. Here also, Az is intrigued by Gwyn to some extent, but it's not even enough to call her a friend, let alone having romantic undertones.

So, yeah, this chapter left me feeling good in some places, but quite the opposite in others.

As for Elucien, it's pretty clear that Elain is super uncomfortable around him, and he's super awkward around her, and not in a cute way. So that's the end of it for me. I love Lucien, but I want him to be truly happy, to have the same spark he had with Jesminda with his life partner. He has none of it with Elain. So Elucien just doesn't make sense to me, but you can ship it all the same. (Anyone can ship anything, as long as they don't try to shove their ships down others' throats or claim the ship to be canon. That's the basic fandom etiquette.)

These are my thoughts on this issue.

#azriel bonus chapter #elriel #azriel #azriel shadowsinger #azriel acotar #acotar #elain archeron #gwyneth berdara #lucien vanserra #a court of thorns and roses

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icey--stars · 1 year

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Born For Tragedy (Eris x OC) Series Index

She was tragedy. Nothing except death, fear and pain followed in her wake. When she was young, she was beaten. Now she’s the one doing the beating as an assassin. A mysterious stranger comes to her, paying an absurd amount of money for her to kill Beron Vanserra, and protect the eldest son until the job is done. She stumbles across a story much similar to her own, and knows what must be done.

↢ 『 ☾ 』 ↣

Complete series! { ao3 link }

✵ indicates smut!

this series has many continuous warnings about mentions of abuse (domestic violence), death and killing. please be aware of them! there will also be quite a few instances of insecurity and self-hatred ^^ i do not add this warning past part 3, please don't read if any of these subjects are triggering in any sort of fashion.

56.6k words total :)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12

Part 13

Part 14

Part 15

Part 16

Part 17

Part 18 ✵

Part 19 ✵

Part 20 ✵

*potential bonus chapters later on*

Extras:

(MC) Valda Callahan Moodboard

↢ 『 ☾ 』 ↣

My ACOTAR Writing Masterlist

#eris vanserra #eris acotar #eris x oc #acotar #acotar fanfiction #acotar fanfic #acotar fic #series index #original character #oc

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acourtofantumbra · 6 months

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Was doing a deep dive for a future post about *gestures wildly* witches... Manon's lineage... cross-world connections... something I've found that feels actually tangible, maybe. Anyway, despite only dipping a toe into the ToD reread so far (I am not a ToD hater lol I'm just busy) I found myself checking a moment from KoA and took a nosedive into something immediately shinier. But it was so sudden I didn't have time to do my usual highlights/scribbles on my (currently dead) ipad so... enjoy my measly Kindle highlights.

I KNOW many folks have beautifully analyzed SJM's repeated character names because at one point SJM herself basically said, "I keep a record of all of them and I know what I've used."

I've seen folks flag important repeats for years now (we've seen this film before, A+ work, it keeps me up at night!), but the heavy hitters have been Briar, Thanatos, Cormac and even Ruhn (you know... the Erilean mountains and the hottie who knows 3 things).

So it stands to reason that repeated names might deserve some extra scrutiny... And I pray we get some pay off with that in CC3.

Anyway, as I'm pulling at the thread of ToG witches via our (my) favorite queen - Manon - I hadn't realized I fully forgot her dad's name. Frankly, of all the plot points from ToG, Manon's story's specifics were the haziest... except where Dorian is concerned I'm a mere mortal... and that has me suspicious regardless. Anywayyyy, as you can see above, it's Tristan. Tristan Crochan.

I cannot fully explain the cartwheel flip my brain did thumbing through the roladex of SJM's characters... because Tristan Flynn was not the energy my brain was ready for after reading this really sad passage about Manon's murdered family.

On my first read of the SJMU I went ACOTAR (long break between the original and ACOSF) -> CC -> TOG. And on my first TOG read, this passage triggered no alarm bells. I probably just didn't remember Flynn all that much. But after my CC reread... oh. I remember him. Don't you worry.

Now I am fan of Flynn. He's got a rakishness I simp for, I root for him and the dragon, and clocked his lordship woes despite having what we've all decided is a "hot dad". He's a good time. And Flynn feels like someone to watch! He makes an appearance in not one, but two, CC bonus chapters... and he's got a crush on the aforementioned dragon, who either was introduced for no reason or is gonna be a key player going forward. Or SJM is fucking with us. I don't have the answers.

But what I'm struck by Tristan-wise is a) the similarity in the little physical descriptors we get - brown hair, brown eyes and b) not actually Flynn-related... but a deeply similar sounding story to none other than the Autumn King. Daughter you didn't know was born to a woman you claim was your real love... check. Searching far and wide with a singular focus on recovering your daughter... check. Having another kid out of obligation and duty to continue on important bloodlines... check!!!

It might not have anything to do with Flynn at this current moment... but it's not implausible. Lord Flynn is of course a beloved frat-pack member living in a dump with his fellow bros. He specifically pops up in these bonus chapters going through the motions necessitated by his aristocratic bloodline. His mom/family is eager to marry him and his sister off - of course he seems miserable about the whole idea. But also resigned to it? It seems complicated. TLDR there's a world where Flynn's like "woof, yeah I gotta get married off but the heart wants what it wants!" There is precedent!

Also, I've been 👀 Flynn since it was flagged that he has "super rare earth powers" not commonly seen in Valbaran Fae... first off, what does that mean? Second, hot?!

Well I've done it again, so many words and nothing really of note to take away haha. I'll be honest, my mind was not in a Tristan Flynn headspace!! I'm kind of bogged down in my own thoughts about the witchier women of this multiverse... but in my dragon theory speculation Flynn popped up again and I really can't explain why random dead ends are turning up Tristan!!! I'm not mad about it, but I wish I understood.

#sjm multiverse #throne of glass #cc3 #sjm multiverse spoilers #sjm theory #manon blackbeak #tristan flynn #tristan crochan #crochan witches #rhiannon crochan #crescent city #house of sky and breath #kingdom of ash #autumn king #bryce quinlan

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acourtofthought · 11 months

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Do you think these hardcore E/lriels (like your last anon who tried to pick a fight about "faerie racism" 💀) are longtime fans who just refuse the acknowledge where Sarah is going with the series?

I'm a new reader, finished the last book a few weeks ago and for me Elucien and Gwynriel seems the most likely outcome. I'll share my reading experience if you don't mind, maybe it will be a bit long.

So, I started reading acotar because I saw some pretty fanart of Az on instagram and became interested in his character. :D I saw that there are two possible ships for him, many liked his dynamic with Gwyn better, many liked the aesthetic of him and Elain together and I also saw the comments on how they have "4 books of build up" so I was interested to see for myself which one I will prefer.

So after acotar, I went into reading acomaf with the mind paying extra attention to all Elain/Az moments, and when I finished I literally was like "that's it??". Apart from that dinner scene where they had one polite conversation, it was very clear Az is in love with Mor, and Elain is with Graysen.

So then I went straight to Az's bonus chapter because I could not understand the hype about these ships and I wanted to see. :D Obviously I had no context, so all the bonus chapter did for me at that point is that I became interested in Gwyn's character. :D

Then I read acowar, again paying extra attention to all Elain/Az interactions. There were cute moments in acowar that I think had a possible romantic coding, but again I just found them lacking. Simply because it was clearly established they were still in love with other people.

Acofas was the first where I personally started to see them develop some romantic feelings (Az and Rhys's talk about how he refuses to check on Lucien's whereabouts for the sake of Elain's privacy - idk that whole part suggested to me Rhys kinda knows whats up //the infamous potato scene where Elain runs back to the kitchen to rebraid her hair - I interpreted it as her having a crush and wanting to look more presentable //he starts a conversation with her// she gives him a present and he laughes and blushes etc.) and we can also see Elain and Lucien's relationship kinda hit rock bottom. But, still there were mentions of lingering feelings for Mor and Graysen for both of them.

And then came acosf and Gwyn quickly became my new favorite character of the series. Since I was paying extra attention to Gwyn bc I was interested in her from the start, I picked up on all the cute moments she had with Az, but personally I don't blame anyone if it flew over their heads because they were subtle. None of them is ready for a relationship right now and that's fine. However reading the bonus chapter again, now in context, I was just stuck wondering: where the heck all these sexual thoughts came for Az about Elain?? I really don't see 4 books of build up, as I said for me acofas was the first I started to see them in a romantic light, but even that was more platonic. So that means, in the 9 months between acofas and acosf, Az started to fantasize about Elain instead of Mor. Offpage.

Although E/riel does have cute moments, I just really don't see the endgame potential based on everything we know about Sarah's writing style. She likes the mates to be equals, and Gwyn was made carynthian like Az. She and Az have banter, a lot of similar personality traits, even hobbies (singing). I think it's pretty clear she is set up to be Az's perfect match, not to mention the mate language in the bonus chapter (those theories blow my mind actually! :). Meanwhile all I see for Elain and Az is attraction (even that is questionable for me since it happened offpage somehow), they made zero effort to really get to know each other in the past two years, even though Lucien was not around.

Now Elucien is another question, since we know so little about how Elain feels. But I fully believe they will become a couple in the end, simply because otherwise Lucien's storyline makes zero sense :D. Lucien suffered the loss of his first love, and was given a mate who rejects him, only to find love with a human queen who will again die after 60-70 years while he lives on for centuries alone?? No thank you. Give my boy Lucien a chance for his happy ending. With his Mate.

Sorry this was so long, I just think when you read all 5 books after each other, it is clear what direction Sarah is going. (Which is the mates being endgame since she writes about fated mates) But I also understand that there were 2-3 years of waiting for acofas and acosf, so the picture might be different for people who joined the fandom back then. To be fair, of course Sarah can also decide to go with an E/riel outcome, although in my opinion that will just mess up the whole plot she established so far.

I appreciate all your thoughts and I think a lot of Eluciens and Gwynriels would agree with everything you've said.

What I find the strangest is not that anyone ships E/riel because I absolutely understand the specific scenes that have led them to that conclusion and they did receive validation in the knowledge that Elain and Az wanted to kiss so it's not like there's nothing there.

The part that I find strangest is that they do not also acknowledge it as a very real possibility that despite that, Elucien CAN still end up together and so can Gwynriel.

Feyre and Tamlin shared a very real relationship. They kissed, they had sex, they were engaged, he wanted to protect her and she was WILLING TO DIE FOR HIM. They were leaps and bounds ahead of whatever E/riel has shared after their supposed "multiple books of buildup" yet they still did not end up together. Not to mention Feyre was not in love with anyone when she first fell for Tamlin while the entire E/riel setup has coincided with her not being over Graysen while he has not completely gotten over Mor.

SJM eventually drew attention to the major red flags in the Feylin relationship and she also wanted to be sure that we knew that Feyre and Rhys were always destined to be together because they were mates, the most sacred of relationships that two characters can have.

But before that happened, Feyre hated Rhys at times and considered him her enemy.

Rhys always knew they were mates (proving that just because a character knows about the bond doesn't mean the love is less meaningful).

Yet they both came together, loving one another equally, regardless of where they each started from.

Nesta hated the fae at first and treated Cassian with absolute disdain. She then all but admitted her undying love for him only to turn around in the novella and tell him to leave her the hell alone while sleeping with other males. Then in SF, she began sleeping with him, even started falling in love with him but refused to call him her mate and proclaimed that she didn't know what she wanted because she didn't have a choice in any of it.

Elain was engaged and in love with Graysen when she got the shock of her life and found out Lucien was her mate. She still had not processed any of that and was holding out hope for a reconciliation with Graysen in ACOWAR only to be rejected. Though she hadn't full recovered after the war, we got glimpses that maybe there was hope for Elucien when she invited him back to Velaris.

But just like Nesta, Elain does a 180 in the novella and suddenly, she's pushing Lucien away (for reasons unknown), just as Nesta pushed Cassian away.

Elain suddenly shows interest in another male in the novella, just as Nesta showed interest in many other males in the novella.

In SF, Nesta starts the series with another male in her bed but ends up happily mated to Cassian by the end of it.

So why then, according to E/riels, is there absolutely no chance that Elain can start off her book at odds with Lucien (and either interested in Az or not interested in anyone after what happened on Solstice) and end up with her mate (just as every other SJM main character has done across all series) by the end of it?

It doesn't matter that Elucien's setup looks somewhat different than Feysands or Nessians (no one would expect them to be identical because that would just be weird) but there are enough similarities in their initial hesitation toward their mates and 2 out of 3 have so far ended up with the same outcome.

We don't know enough about the Gwynriel setup to see what sort of tension will exist between them however introducing her to the series as Nesta's best friend (meaning she's always going to be within Az's orbit) as well as having Az be the only one who saved her and the first male we've ever see her act a bit flirty with after her trauma seems a bit intentional, does it not?

It's not that I begrudge anyone for shipping E/riel but the problem is when they call us misogynists, stupid, clueless, "delucien's" (which I'm guessing is "delusional Eluciens?", lacking reading comprehension, etc. for shipping Elucien and Gwynriel.

I have to believe they can't be that blind to the patterns in SJMs writing and the reason they've resorted to name calling is because they're worried that E/riel won't be happening rather than them really thinking Elucien and Gwynriel aren't just as much a possibility.

#elucien #gwynriel

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bearbluebooks · 6 months

Text

Chapter 15 - Autumn Recomposed

What happens if the Yule Ball meets Acotar? We get another girls getting ready, an alcohol raid and a protective Azriel. Who will get the iconic Ron get-up?

Read on AO3 or under the cut :)

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 - Chapter 14

I tried to time the music with the passage, start the song at "With one swift movement" and get the full experience!

Gwyn POV

Otherworldly music moved through the corridors. Finding its way into every room and all the ears gathered there- urging them to listen, to dance, to come alive.

Gwyn could almost see the strings of melody dancing in the empty space.

The air seemed different too, it was filled with notes of excitement and expectation.

The Blood Rite was one of the biggest traditions of Helmerra. News reporters and officials came from faraway lands to observe the competition firsthand.

Ever since the draw, Gwyn’s days were filled with anticipation of all that was to come. She tried to prepare as best she could, but textbooks and stories could only limit the uncertainty so much.

All other time was spent preparing her body and mind as much as she could before she entered the unknown brutality that awaited her.

Her magic was useful and powerful, but also greatly unpredictable. Unlike hand-to-hand combat or weapons, both of which could be mastered through technique and strength.

Devlon granted them extra training time but it still wasn’t enough. Especially if they wanted to train as a team, something that Devlon highly discouraged, exclaiming in his stern voice ‘What use is a team, if you can’t even defend yourself’.

That’s why Gwyn spend most of her time training for battle on the secret roof together with the other Valkyries. Their nights were filled with one-on-one fights, strength training, and weapons practice. Archery became one of Gwyn’s preferred skills, next to the dagger for closed combat. Azriel loved her proclivity for the dagger. He even gifted her another dagger, which he strongly suggested she keep under a pillow.

Through repetition, repetition, repetition, Gwyn learned to use her weapons as an extension of herself. Her previous disbelief in her strength and skill was an extra barrier that disrupted the flow of force. She finally realized that it was all connected, that the fluidity of movement depended on her trust in the weapon and her skill as the wielder.

At night, Azriel made it his mission to give Gwyn private lessons. He experienced the competition firsthand and knew better than anyone which trials and tribulations were in store for her.

After a week of training, she could already feel all the training taking effect- her body reacted so much faster than she ever held possible, she even misjudged her strength a couple of times, and Devlon complimented her on her dagger skills.

With only three days left until the first trial, she wanted to make the absolute best of every day. Sleep was for the amateurs, that’s why when Azriel went to sleep, she read up on poisonous plants, dangerous animals, and Valkyrie fighting techniques. After all, brain was just as important as brawn.

But not tonight, tonight was for dancing and drinking.

For the very first time, she would be able to drink the notorious golden brew.

She could still see her mother drinking the sun-colored liquid with other villagers.

Once a year they would sit around the fire they built to honor Minera, their sun goddess, whilst singing songs and telling tales deep into the night.

Her mother seemed less constrained by the worries that always seemed to plague her eyes. To Gwyn, that alone made the drink seem like a magic potion. Unfortunately, alcohol was almost as rare as magic in Sangravah, there was no brewery and the only way to obtain it was through travelers or trade.

When Gwyn turned 18, her mom promised she could try the golden brew whenever it became available. Unbeknownst to either of them, that time never came. Until now.

The old promise hurt. She always imagined her first drink to be with Catrin somewhere in an inn, or the library. If she was honest, the place didn’t really matter as long as it was with her.

Even though she wasn’t here tonight, she promised herself to keep Catrin’s memory alive in whichever way she could. So tonight, she would drink for Catrin, as if she was there with her.

-----

Azriel POV

Gwyn’s first taste of beer would not be that watered-down golden brew bullshit, they usually poured at those sorry excuses for a party.

Last week, she mentioned it, and he vowed to have her first be something better than that.

Luckily, Rhys, Cassian, and him had a different tradition before every party. One hour before the lame party started, they would sneak out to the Busy Willow, the local bar just outside of Helmerra, to steal one keg of their finest drink- the Salty Hell.

Azriel already had his first taste of the dangerous liquid when he was twelve. At the Willow they didn’t care how old you were, as long as you had the gold coins to back it up- thanks to his shadows and Rhys’ allowance, they always did.

Their first encounter with the S.H. ended in a different kind of hell, bent over the toilet, sitting on the cold floor, praying to all the Gods that never listened to please take away the pain.

That didn’t stop him from repeating everything one week later, he just made sure to drink more water.

Nine years later, the trio had a lot more experience, but not necessarily wisdom, as they found themselves in the same bar, on the hunt for the same dangerous liquid, the Salty Hell.

Rhys came up with the plan last week. In those nine years, they had to become more and more creative. Sundamar, owner of the Willow, and smart son of a bitch, became more and more aware of their tactics. At first, he laughed it off, they were just children, and more than anything he was impressed. As the years went on, the repercussions became more severe- from slaps on the wrist to full-on bans.

This year, would top them all.

The plan was masterful because of its simplicity.

A diversion would be created by Cassian, who would kick in the door, concentrating all attention on the front of the bar. In the meantime, Rhysand would distract Sundamar with tales from Helmerra, the old gossip loved younglings' tragedies, the more sensational the better. Rhys’ power could be invasive and annoying, but as Azriel navigated his way into the locked backroom, he couldn’t be more grateful.

He could hear the steady heartbeat of the guard out front, and the smell of gunpowder hit his nose the second he stepped foot in the cramped space. Light was limited, there was one small window at the back of the room which was barely visible in the rows of barrels that lined the walls. Fortunately, his Illyrian senses helped him identify the different liquids contained in the chestnut kegs.

Making sure he kept his wings tightly pressed against his back to not knock over anything, he navigated the small space until he smelled that unmistakable wood odor, jackpot. After he deposited two barrels in his shadows, another chestnut container caught his eye.

The weathered label informed him of its contents, ‘Melon Stardust’. When he crouched down to smell the mysterious liquid, he was hit in the face with the sweetest fragrance that had no place in a bar, Gwyn would love it.

Shouts loud enough to reach the backroom suddenly erupted from the bar. Then a smack was heard, and a slamming of chairs. With one quick grab, he threw the Melon atrocity in one of his shadows as he stepped into another one to the source of the noise with two of his daggers ready in hand.

The whole bar was engulfed in a fight, not tonight, he thought to himself as he hit a man in the face. Another dagger flew towards the hand that was about to slap Cassian, who was surrounded by three males, in the face. “I think we’re about ready here”, Rhysand’s voice said in his mind, “Grab Cassian and let’s get out of here.”

With two sweeping motions, Azriel pushed two males out of his way and forcefully grabbed Cassian by the shoulder, he could faintly hear some argument “Buy me dinner fir-“

In the blink of an eye, all three stood in the Illyrian common room. Blinking to the new reality they found themselves in. “Let’s get dressed brothers”, Rhysand exclaimed.

-----

Gwyn POV

Catrin loved to dress up. Their mom had an old chest with dresses tucked away in her bedroom that they would often plunder when they were children.

The beautiful garments made her feel like a gorgeous princess, or a brave knight, or a scary pirate- everything was possible with a good imagination.

Gwyn didn’t mind dressing up, but it didn’t have the same effect on her as it had on Catrin. She transformed into a whole different person, like magic. Gwyn could still see her dancing around in the small bedroom with her small hands on the flowy gown, spinning, spinning, spinning, until she was so sick she would have to sit down.

Tonight, Gwyn would also be a princess, for Catrin.

By the Acheron sisters, Gwyn could once again share their collective closet.

It was no easy feat, with so many options, all the beds were covered in garments, skirts, tops, and shoes. So many shoes.

In the background, daylight slowly made way for the luminescence of evening. The soft light covered everything in a cozy radiance that only existed in one small time frame.

Gwyn felt like a doll, so many gowns were tried on until they unanimously decided on a long emerald green gown.

The elegant garment had a voluminous skirt with a singed waist. The open back showed much of her pale skin and freckles, whereas her chest was completely covered in a flowy horizontal fabric. The dress was held up by two thin bands, leaving much of her shoulders bare. Nesta let her borrow two stunning diamond earrings and a matching thin diamond necklace.

Elain urged her to wear one of her emerald high heels, proclaiming in that convincing way of hers “They match too well for you not to wear them tonight!”

All Gwyn saw were two deathtraps that would surely be the end of her before she ever stepped foot in the Blood Rite. Her first steps resembled a newborn fawn, who just learned to walk. When she finally started to gain some confidence she fell flat on her face.

She almost gave up, what was the point, nobody would see it under the dress anyway but then she reassured herself that she could use Azriel as a walking stick.

Gwyn felt beautiful and expensive.

“You look stunning, Gwyn.” Nesta said from behind her, as she put the necklace around her neck and then sternly “If you lose that necklace, I know where you live.” Gwyn hoped that she was joking, just to be sure, she said an extra prayer to the Mother.

Looking around the room, she tried to imprint the memory in her brain forever. The friendship gathered in the room and the love they all shared for each other.

Gwyn had lost her twin, which was a loss she would carry with her forever, a piece of her soul died with her on that day. But looking around the room, she felt like she wasn’t alone anymore. Their grace, generosity, and open arms filled her with so much warmth and gratitude, that she choked up a little.

Feyre, who spend a lot of time with Rhysand, but was always there for her if she needed it. Tonight she wore a blue gown that resembled the night’s sky, with small silver stars adorning the layered skirt. The heart-shaped top was separated by a silver belt that created a beautiful shape.

Her best friend, who was the biggest reason for her dorm being a home, wore a tight red dress that skillfully showed all her curves. There was a black sheer fabric layered on top of the mahogany garment, with black sheer gloves that gave the overall apparel an elegant but sharp look.

And then there was Elain, who was as wonderful as she was kind. Their relationship could have become awkward when Azriel and her started dating, especially when they started to share a room and he would come over. Although it took some getting used to the new situation, from both sides, she never made Gwyn feel unwelcome. And for that, she would always be grateful. Tonight she looked ethereal in her purple fairytale dress. The sheer sleeves matched the fluidity of the star-studded skirt perfectly.

Mor and Emerie went on a date beforehand, but their clothes remained a mystery until they were reunited at the Starfall ball. Emerie did tease that she would be wearing a suit, and Gwyn couldn’t wait to see it in person.

One more person was missing, everybody knew Amren preferred to collect treasure instead of wearing it. She did make an exception for the Starfall ball and reassured them she would join them later.

The Starfall Ball was an ancient tradition as old as the Blood Rite and Helmerra itself. Tradition was marked by rules, and there were several, as Gwyn and all other students were informed by several teachers, in multiple classes.

The most important rules were that dress robes were mandatory, the ball would start at 8 p.m. sharp, and there would be wine. Several times, they emphasized for everybody to be on their best behavior, or else...

The mysterious threat left too much to the imagination and scared most students enough not to try anything.

The end of the night was signaled by a yearly migration of stars. When the sky was painted in light, and spirits found their way back home.

One quick spell by Professor Helion turned all other lights off, to ensure the stars could be seen in their full glory.

During the spirits migration, silence was mandatory, to commemorate all fallen Blood Rite students that perhaps colored the sky that night.

Gwyn wondered if she would be one of the lights in the sky next year.

A stern knock on the door brought her back to reality and Nesta rushed to the door to see the cause of the intrusion.

“Hello beautiful”, the deep voice said from the door opening. He already barely fit in the doorframe, but now he had to walk sideways because of the huge barrel he held under his arm. With one kiss Nesta urged Cassian inside. When he put the barrel down, the two locked arms and walked toward Nesta’s bed.

“Feyre darling.” Rhysand greeted as he elegantly walked into the already cramped space to kiss Feyre on her cheek.

Elain’s date, Lazarus, was running late and would pick her up whenever he could.

She deserved so much better. She knew Lucien had a small crush on her and she couldn’t help but wish he was here right now. During Royals class and group reflectionism, the two of them had grown close. Someone she could rely on. Someone she considered a friend. Tonight she would help her friends, even if they didn’t know it yet.

The last male to enter was more silent as he walked towards his destination. Words seemed to escape his mind, as he didn’t utter a single word until he reached her side. “You look- you look gorgeous, Gwyn.”

His hand caressed the naked skin on her back, as if he was mapping every piece of her with his hand. Small points of electricity erupted at the innocent touches and Gwyn cherished every second of it. She did not make a move until he was satisfied and it was her turn to admire what stood before her.

Tonight, he wore a suit that seemed to be tailormade to his body. The black blouse and classic jacket fit his muscular arms in an almost magical way. The matching black trousers showed his powerful legs in an almost obscene way. To not stray from the theme too much, he wore black oxford shoes which finalized the overall grand attire.

Gwyn couldn’t help but chuckle. She made a mental note to inspect his closet the next time she was in his room- to go on a mission to find at least a white shirt.

With a quick movement, Gwyn took his scarred hand in hers and guided them towards her bed opposite where Nesta and Cassian were sitting.

Cassian and Azriel continued a conversation they seemed to have started outside, she could faintly hear ‘next time be more subtle’ when Nesta smiled at Gwyn. Gratitude and something else colored her blue-grey eyes. Someone less familiar would have missed it, but Gwyn could swear it was sadness that shone through her eyes.

Gwyn couldn’t help but share the feeling. The easy companionship, the family they created with each other. All of it could be taken from them in a second, and both of them were all too well aware of it. On instinct, Gwyn grabbed Nesta’s hand and hoped it reassured her enough to let her enjoy the evening. One squeeze of her hand back told her the answer.

That muscular leg she was just admiring moved closer and closer, and when it finally touched her, it sent a little shockwave throughout her body. The touch made her wish they were alone.

One of his shadows suddenly dropped another barrel onto her desk, “Melon Stardust” he whispered in her ear, “I didn’t want your first drink to be fairy wine, so we got you something else.”

The corners of her mouth smiled before she realized the incredibly thoughtful gesture. Did she want to know how he got it? She opted for the simpler question “What is it?”

Another smile adorned his face as he said in a hushed tone “Melon Stardust. It’s very sweet, you’ll love it.” A glass appeared in everybody’s hands, and although she recognized the red color, it smelled so sweet she was sure her nose got cavities from just the smell.

Cassian’s voice filled the room as he exclaimed with a raised hand “To a great night and even greater friends.”

“Hear hear” Rhysand answered, and in unison, all seven raised their glasses.

One taste was all Gwyn needed to understand the absolute danger of heaven and hell that the drink contained. It was the promise of an uninhibited existence in the form of liquid candy.

After she finished one glass in what couldn’t have been more than five minutes warmth engulfed her body, her fingers felt tingly and her head began to feel lighter.

Azriel laughed “You like it then?” to which she answered “Very much. Too much.”

Groups mixed and drinks flowed until Azriel found his way back to Gwyn’s side, and she finally had the chance to say “Thank you for getting it, Azriel” and she placed one chaste kiss on his lips. To which he softly licked the sweetness off her lips and whispered “Anything for you.” One scarred hand caressed her exposed back and found a resting place on her leg.

If it was the alcohol, his words, or the lingering touch, her heart spread warmth throughout her body.

Suddenly she felt like standing up, moving her body, DANCING.

“Guys let’s go!” Nesta ordered as if she read her mind.

When they walked out hand in hand, his wings seemed to splay even more proudly than normal. Protecting her from the slight chill that always stalked the corridors. His shadows trailed behind them, and Gwyn thought she saw pride radiating from their little bodies.

Once they reached the hall she already spotted that familiar red-headed male standing with his back towards the stairs.

Gwyn asked Lucien to meet them at the entrance, to combine both friend groups and enjoy the ball together. Next to Lucien stood Jurian, a human reporter who was allowed to visit for the special occasion, and a beautiful female with reddish-gold hair.

Wasn’t that the female she saw in Koschei’s dungeon?

She vowed to ask Lucien about it later, she didn’t want to ruin anybody’s night, and Koschei was sure to have that effect.

The best-dressed male in all Helmerra was wearing something that looked like it was as old as the Starfall ball itself. The pants and jacket were made of a color brown she had never seen before, and it resembled something she could only describe as molding brown. His white blouse had so many frills it took away all attention from the strange color, but not in a good way. His shoes were dark brown and elegant?

She would love to know what happened there. Did he lose a bet or something?

When she looked behind her, to make sure everybody was still together, she could swear she saw jealousy in Elain’s brown eyes. With a quick shake of her head, the emotion disappeared too quickly for anybody to realize it was there in the first place.

“Hi, Lucien. You look… unique,” to his credit, he did make it work in a way nobody else would have been able to. “No need to lie Gwyn. I know I’ve looked better” he responded with a smile.

Suddenly, an audible laughter could be heard. The soft voice behind her took the words right out of Gwyn’s mouth when she asked, “What happened?”

Lucien seemed surprised at the interest but gladly took the opportunity when he answered “It’s an old family tradition, I’m her last chance to carry it out.

“And if one of the Vanserra’s can pull it off, it’s me don’t you think?” he said with a wink.

A red flush washed over Elain’s face, and joy seemed to color her eyes. “I wouldn’t say that. I think Eris makes a strong contender.”

“Oh, you do? I don’t think I’ve heard a worse insult in my life.” As the words left his mouth, one hand covered his heart in pretend anguish.

Gwyn smiled and spotted another reflectionist member standing just behind Elain and Lucien. With a quick wave, she greeted Elly, who was wearing a purple dress that brought out her eyes.

Elly looked away nervously, instead of waving back.

Maybe she wanted to keep her spaces separate. Unfortunately, reflectionism was still surrounded by a lot of stigma. Gwyn felt a slight pang of hurt, but it was quickly replaced by understanding- not everybody had the support system she had. She could give her all the space she needed.

Unlike Lazarus, who suddenly stood way too close for her liking. “Where are the other smut sisters?” the last two words were spat out with a disgust Gwyn was not used to hearing.

“Far away from your petty insults. What do you want Lazarus.” She crossed her hands in front of her body in an attempt to distract her body enough not to roll her eyes.

“I just want to talk, is that not allowed anymore? I’m not the one who permanently scarred the other one, am I?”

He was right.

The black-haired male moved in front of her. A smile adorned the face that still carried a permanent reminder of their last encounter when Gwyn punched Lazarus and accidentally left a handprint on his face.

The memory gave her slight chills. Although all her training provided a semblance of control, her power had grown immensely since that night.

Who knew what hurt she could cause now?

That didn’t mean she had to stand there and listen to him taunting her.

One had to be the bigger person, and it was not going to be the one standing in front of her.

“Have fun tonight, Lazarus.” She said as she whipped her hair around and walked straight into the biggest person in the room.

“Everything okay?” Azriel asked with slight worry in his voice and anger in his eyes.

“Just Lazarus.” She answered, before adding “I handled it.” She didn’t want him to get caught in Lazarus’ stupid games.

The best way to win was to not play at all.

“I know,” He said into her hair. “I know,” a soft added whisper.

Azriel walked back behind her and asked “Ready?”

With one nod and a deep breath, he placed his hand on the small of her back and guided them toward the gathering of people.

She still wasn’t used to this many people in one place, her heartbeat quickened, and all sorts of thoughts popped into her brain- where are the exists, what if the Sun Sages invade the school, what if a fight breaks out, what if the punch is poisoned?

The large hand that covered almost all of her back seemed to feel her worries because he placed reassuring circles along her skin. All tension escaped her body at the loving touch of his hand.

Slowly he guided them both inside, where the absurdity of magic was revealed. All light seemed to have vanished to create tonight’s spectacle.

Dusts of silver fell down the ceiling in repeating motions, creating the illusion of falling stars. All tables were removed in favor of one big dancefloor that was barely visible in the darkened space.

She could barely distinguish the statues that she knew adorned the wall.

Did Azriel have better sight? He seemed to navigate the space without worries, whereas Gwyn was increasingly worried she would trip and fall.

Suddenly Professor Helion stood in front of her as her eyes snapped up to meet his he asked “Are you ready?”

“Ready for what professor?” she inquired slightly worried.

Gwyn was nothing if not prepared.

Not having an answer made her palms sweat and drench the hand she was currently holding.

In a quick movement, she retreated her hand and rubbed it on her emerald dress.

Azriel eased both worries as he joined hands again and confidently said “We are. Watch and learn Helion.”

Ready for what? Gwyn said still worried as she was twirled into the darkness.

-----

Azriel POV

Are you ready?

What kind of question was that?

He was born ready.

All his mother’s dance lessons prepared him for this moment.

“Do you trust me?” was the only warning he gave before he softly but confidently pulled her towards the dancefloor.

When he found the perfect spot at the outer ring of the ballroom, he made sure to keep both feet together, as they faced each other. His mother’s voice echoed in his mind, strong eye contact makes the dance sweetheart.

With one soft movement, he placed Gwyn’s right hand in his left, as the violins introduced the new symphony of sounds and movement.

With one slick turn, he swept Gwyn and him along the outer side of the ballroom.

Slowly more instruments joined the quick melody.

His expert gaze spotted empty spaces to ensure safe and fluid movements along the crowded space.

His right hand moved towards her waist with the change of melody as more instruments joined in.

His stead and quick feet never missed a beat.

More instruments joined and the music influenced his movements. He felt it in his bones. He closed his eyes and felt the soft breeze of the wind that signaled his safe space. He could hear the humming of his mother, and how it beckoned the muscles in his body to move to the music.

The familiar moonflower, juniper, and vanilla scent brought him back to the present, and the beautiful female in his arms.

He could see the initial surprise in Gwyn’s eyes that was replaced with pure happiness. Turn after turn her smile brightened.

He needed to have her closer, and he wanted to memorize the magical sight in front of him.

His hands decided for him, as they grabbed Gwyn closer and moved her body flush to his, “I think we showed them enough, don’t you?”

Gwyn was speechless as he guided them both off the dancefloor and into a dark corner in the hallway.

With one swift movement, he softly pushed Gwyn against the wall, his enormous body covering her from sight.

His shadows felt protective, as always, and added an extra obsidian shield to obscure them from any drunk onlookers.

“You look stunning, my moon.”

She gifted him a smile again, as she playfully pushed him away exclaiming “You already said that.”

He would never tire of the sight- of her vibrant copper hair that always stood out in every room, of her teal eyes that reminded him of home, of her freckles that were even more Gwyn than her stubbornness.

All he could think to say was, “And I will until the day I die.”

The words caused a beautiful redness to erupt all over her face.

Without thinking, his mouth moved to cover hers in a passionate kiss.

It started gently, he didn’t want to scare her with everything he wanted to do.

How he wanted to kiss every freckle on her body, how he wanted to discover just how much he could make her blush. What he could do with his tongue. With his cock- which was already achingly hard in his pants.

Before he could deepen the kiss, she already opened his mouth with her tongue. One of his hands moved to her hair, which he softly pulled before he caressed the thick strands.

“Nesta spent hours on it” she managed to say in between kisses.

“Do you want me to stop”, he teased into her mouth.

One movement of her hips into his groin answered his question for her.

With one movement of his hand, he cupped her ass and pulled her flush to his body. Gwyn wrapped her legs around his hips and he made use of the movement to turn them around so he could give her stability.

He briefly touched the tip of her tongue with his, before he deepened the kiss.

Pleasure erupted all over his body, as he got lost in the sensation of her mouth.

She got skilled, and there was no place he would rather be.

Hours or minutes passed, as time was lost, and happiness was found.

---

Helion needed Gwyn for some a speech and found them in the hallway after who knows how much time had passed.

Alone again, the earlier anger reappeared.

Lazarus.

His shadows already whispered where the shady asshole was hiding.

In one swift movement he was in front of the black-haired coward, no words were wasted when he said “You pull that shit with Gwyn again and I’ll make you regret it, you hear me.”

The little shit was speechless.

“You hear me.” He repeated with even more ire in his voice.

He didn’t seem at a loss for words when he spoke to Gwyn, little did he know she was the one he should be scared off.

“Just nod asshole.”

One quick reluctant nod told him all he needed to.

Now he could get back to what was important. She should be finished by now.

Gwyn was already standing outside, under the sky painted in pure starlight. Nesta and Emerie stood next to Gwyn, with Cassian taking up his usual spot behind Nesta.

Rhys and Feyre were somewhere in a dark corner according to his shadows, and Lucien and Elain were standing in the front near the ledge overlooking the forest.

Lucien’s bigger body engulfed Elain’s smaller frame in an embrace that looked as if they had done it a million times before.

Lucien and Elain? His eyes quickly roved back to two, his shadows had not given him any indication of this new development.

Maybe it was new, or they still kept their distance.

Either way, he was glad Elain found someone who could give her the love she deserved.

Just like he had in Gwyn. His eyes quickly found her again. Despite the magical sight, her eyes were closed, perhaps she was saying a silent prayer for the safe return of her mother and sister.

Suddenly, the sky was filled with red smoke of a red skull with a sun coming out of it.

Screams erupted amongst the students.

It was the sign of the Sun Sages. They were here.

He could see Gwyn, yelling his name into a crowd that threatened to swallow her.

The peacefulness that enveloped the school moments before was now overtaken by utter chaos.

“GWYN.” He yelled with more desperation than he ever felt in his life.

All of his shadows moved towards her in a flash. He didn’t even need to give them the order.

With desperate hands, he moved people out of the way.

He needed to get to Gwyn.

They would take her from him again.

His feet weren’t quick enough, but his shadows were.

His eyes never left her sight, and he could see the black shield forming over her.

Two more steps and he could envelop his arms around hers.

With one strong movement, he pulled her up and wrapped her in his arms.

“Are you okay?” He pleaded into her ear, more of a wish than a question.

“Are you?” She answered before words appeared in the sky and a shiver ran up his body before pure anger took over.

“She’s mine.”

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